The Church that Completes the Ministry of 3 Courtyards (Zechariah 4:6-9) 1/1/2025
The Beginning of Eternal Answer of 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC:
The Church that Completes the Ministry of 3 Courtyards (Zechariah 4:6-9) 1/1/2025
When the Israelites returned from captivity and were rebuilding the collapsed temple, they faced a crisis where they felt they had to give up everything. Opponents arose who risked their lives to hinder them. This kind of interference always happens when important work needs to be done.
At that time, God sent the prophet Zechariah to give an answer to Zerubbabel, the leader, and the people of Israel. That answer is today’s passage.
God spoke of three things, which are covenants we must hold onto as we seek unprecedented answers in the new year.
First, God promised that the restoration of His temple would not be achieved by human strength or power but by His Spirit (verse 6). The Lord Almighty said, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.” Our church is not the only temple. Each individual is a temple, and families are temples. When the Holy Spirit works, everything is restored.
Second, He said that all obstacles and opposing forces (“the great mountain”) would become level ground before Zerubbabel (verse 7). When he brings out the capstone (the time of completion), all the people will shout together, “God bless it, God bless it!” When God blesses something, no one can block it.
Third, God said that Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the temple, and his hands would complete it (verse 8). God promised to send heavenly angels to help directly. We have seen what God has done through our church over the past 29 years. This new year will be the year of completion.
In 2025, we must enjoy two blessings of true temple restoration.
First, we will build a new sanctuary to train disciples among all nations and remnants. When the new sanctuary is built, the current building will be transformed into a multipurpose hall serving as a cultural center and indoor gymnasium.
The temple is not about the building itself but the content within. What matters is that the things God desires truly take place within it. This is the ministry of the Three Courtyards (the Courtyard of Healing – healing ministry, the Courtyard of Gentiles – ministry for all nations and the 237 mission, and the Courtyard for Children – remnant summit ministry). Though there may be many difficulties in the world and negative events in the church, we must hold onto the covenant in today’s passage.
- Hold onto the absolute reasons why the ministry of the three courtyards must be completed.
1) It is God’s desire. That’s why He sent Christ (Isaiah 61:1). The last covenant He gave us was to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus also said, “If you love me, feed my lambs” (John 21:15-17).
2) It is the reason why God permits the temple (John 2:19).
3) It is why God must bless us with unprecedented answers this year. When we focus on what pleases God, He makes everything in our lives a testimony (Acts 1:8). Satan tries to make us lose hold of these true blessings, causing conflict, hurt, and making us give up.
- What exactly does God want to accomplish in the three courtyards?
1) What we must do in the Courtyard of Healing
① Spiritual, emotional, and physical illnesses cover the entire earth, which cannot be healed without the gospel. Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and addiction may seem common, but they often have spiritual roots that started from Genesis 3.
② This is why Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and to heal those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). Simply helping people understand their spiritual issues, recognize Christ, and fight in His name can heal problems that the world cannot. Let us pray for healing centers, healing houses, and healing ministries where the gospel is proclaimed and its power is manifested.
2) What we must do in the Courtyard of Gentiles
① All people were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Humanity was originally one. However, after being deceived by Satan in Genesis 3, they fell into sin and separated from God. In Genesis 6, they pursued only the flesh, and by Genesis 11 following the Babel Tower incident, humanity was scattered, leading to wars, theft, and destruction.
② Christ came to unite all nations as one (Ephesians 2:19). He restores the original unity. Within the church, we must always confirm that we are one in Christ. Although people may seem different, their differences make them special. Their weaknesses provide opportunities for us to help.
③ Become a supporter of one person from different ethnicities or TCK (Third Culture Kids). This is a task that church officers must take seriously. In the early church, the seven deacons were chosen to prevent conflict and meet the needs within the church.
3) What we must do in the Courtyard for Children:
① Our future generations are valuable not just because they are our children. They are precious because they are heirs to God’s covenant and gospel. They must stand as witnesses in the future.
② They must stand as spiritual summits who will save powerful nations like the U.S. in this age. Otherwise, America’s future will be bleak, and our descendants will face suffering. We must raise our remnants as disciples who understand spiritual reality and proclaim Christ as the solution.
- Three systems (bartizans) that must be established to complete the ministry of the three courtyards. The term “bartizan” is from warfare. In the last days, only intense spiritual warfare remains (Ephesians 6:10-12, Revelation 12:17).
1) God’s work is accomplished not through our power or might, but through God’s spirit (prayer system) When does the Holy Spirit work? When we pray, God moves angels to become our watchmen and works tirelessly (Isaiah 62:6-7). Prayer warriors must arise, and we must take part in it.
2) We must experience great mountains crumble (watchman system) Why do armies exist? Because there are enemies trying to steal what belongs to us. There are things we must protect. We need spiritual warriors who engage in spiritual battles. From the moment we are saved, we are spiritual soldiers (Exodus 12:41, 2 Timothy 2:3).
3) The God who allowed the foundation of the temple said He will complete it (gospel system) What is the gospel? The gospel solves spiritual problems. God sent His Son to do what we could not (Romans 1:16). Christ died to end all our problems (John 19:30) and promised to be with us for eternity (John 14:16-18). Discard all unbelief, anxiety, and fear, and arise. No one can stop the gospel.
Conclusion – I bless all to stand as witnesses who complete the ministry of the three courtyards starting in your own life, to your family and church in this new year.