Revelation: "Not by Might, nor by Power, but by my Spirit"

 Revelation: Justification by Faith

"Not by Might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit"

The seven churches in Revelation are compared to seven lampstands found in the sanctuary, where the High Priest, Jesus, supplies oil to keep them shining. The Holy Spirit, described in Revelation as the seven Spirits, is this oil. The lampstands had seven branches, and the seven Spirits are perfectly sufficient for them.

This imagery strongly connects to Zechariah 4, which is perhaps one of the most important chapters related to Revelation 1. This chapter reveals a fundamental truth that will become clear throughout Revelation. But first, let’s provide some context.

Zechariah was a prophet in the time before Jesus. The Jews had just returned from exile in Babylon, thanks to the Persians. They were greatly humbled and still dependent on and under the Medes and Persians. However, the kings of Persia were favorable toward Judah by God’s hand. They were allowed to rebuild Jerusalem, the temple, and thus the nation was restored. Yet, not all Jews wanted to return to Jerusalem, and this process was met with enormous opposition from the enemies of the Jews. Betrayal, deceit, occasional violence, and other forms of opposition were used, as detailed in the books of Nehemiah and Ezra.

Nevertheless, the Jews had to continue with the restoration. Some were discouraged and stopped building for a time, and it was for this reason that prophets like Zechariah came to encourage them. The temple they were building was nowhere near as grand and beautiful as the previous one, which had been destroyed by Babylon. This caused those who had seen the former temple to weep. The small steps being taken, the seemingly impossible mountains to overcome, and the apparent insignificance of the goal were all reasons to give up. But Zechariah provided encouragement:

Zechariah 4:1–3 (ESV):
"And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.
And he said to me, ‘What do you see?’ I said, ‘I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.
And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.’"

Zechariah saw a golden lampstand with seven lamps. Pipes ran from the olive trees to these lamps, supplying them with oil. The meaning of this vision is explained to us:

Zechariah 4:4–7 (ESV):
"And I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’
Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’
Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’"

"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit." These small beginnings may not seem significant. They do not come with great might or force as in the glorious days of Moses, the judges, and David. But it is by His Spirit—a power above human strength or force—that these great mountains would be removed. By faith, the greatest mountains would be cast into the sea. The passage continues:

Zechariah 4:8–10 (ESV):
"Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.’"

The Holy Spirit is given to everyone who needs it to be strengthened, making them a light. But what does this look like? Does it come with great power and force? Must we immediately perform great miracles? Must there be much emotion, energy, display, or ceremony? No.
"Who has despised the day of small things?"
The Holy Spirit moves us to do small things. But it shouldn’t be discouraging to know that the church works through small things. As long as we proceed in simple faith, we will succeed beyond all expectations.

Many have incorrect ideas about the Holy Spirit. They do not understand what it means to be born again, nor do they know what true repentance involves. They also do not grasp the work that needs to be done for the church. They expect something grand. They expect much emotion and a surge of feelings. They think they must first have a particularly great experience. When they do not see these things, they become discouraged, thinking they do not see the Spirit.
But the Holy Spirit does not work like that. It works through the small things in life. A principled faith that produces love must be visible in the small things of life. Only then will we be a light, mountains will be cleared, and we will achieve our purpose.

This is the mission of the church.
Revelation shows the nations and fallen religions of the earth on one side. The turbulent waters, the adulterous church, and the judgments of God upon them are clearly revealed. But the work of the true church proceeds in quietness and gentleness. Throughout the ages, God has always had a remnant that was a light in faith in God’s word. They have rarely been prominent with great power and force. And when they were in the forefront, it was often in times of persecution.

But despite all this, everything moves steadily toward its goal. God directs everything toward the final purpose. Jesus is the church's example in this. His life did not begin with grandeur. He was born in a small town in a manger. He lived in a despised place, and despite His later miracles, He was rejected by humanity and died in shame on a cross. His life was full of sorrow, betrayal, hatred, unrequited love, and grief, but it laid a foundation that meant eternal life for humanity.
This is our example. Along with John, we are brothers in the tribulation and kingdom of Jesus.