(Chapter 2:20-23).
(Vss. 20-22). The last message is addressed to Zerubbabel, and, therefore, while a word of the greatest encouragement to the remnant, it has specially in view the one that was instrumental in leading the people to obey the word of the Lord.
The people of God in that day were surrounded by heathen powers to whom the government of the world had been committed. They ruthlessly used their power in that day, as in this, to crush all who thwarted their will. In the face of all this power of evil the remnant had only to obey the word of the Lord, and in simple faith occupy themselves with the work of the Lord. It was no part of their business to oppose the world, or overthrow its power, or seek to right its wrongs. They are instructed that the Lord, in His own time will deal with all the evil of the world. His word is, "I will shake the heavens and the earth"; "I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen," and "I will overthrow the chariots."
In our day it is not for the people of God to attempt to put the world right. This is the Lord's work, for He is coming "with ten thousands of His saints," to execute judgment upon all that are ungodly. Our part is, in simple obedience to the Word, to "earnestly contend for the faith," "building up" ourselves in our most holy faith, "praying" in the Holy Ghost, keeping ourselves in the love of God, and "looking" for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 14-15, 20-2114And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 14‑15)
20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 20‑21)).
(Vs. 23). Obeying the word of God, continuing the work of the Lord, and leaving the judgment of the world to be dealt with by the power of the Lord, Zerubbabel would not only find present blessing, but also inherit future reward. In the day of the coming glory he would have a place of signal honor as the chosen of the Lord.
Nor is it otherwise in our day. To obey the word of the Lord, and do the work of the Lord, according to the mind of the Lord, in a day of weakness, and in the face of reproach and opposition, may appear "as nothing" to the great religious profession, but will carry its bright reward in the day of the coming glory. To the one that has but "a little strength" and yet keeps the Lord's word, and does not deny His Name, the Lord can say, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name" (Rev. 3:1212Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Revelation 3:12)).