From the desk of Steve Shultz:
I've spent a great deal of the first half of my life attempting to be rid of the "fear of man." I began, frankly, to be frustrated when the next person would say, "Steve, you've got too much fear of man in you." While my belief is that a whole lot of that early fear is gone, some of which comes from being 58 years old, I'm convinced that I'd love to have still less fear. God is gracious and He "Grades on the Cross" rather than our lists of soul-accomplishments.
My soul may need work, but my spirit is fully invested in Christ, my Savior – so fear or no fear, I stand perfected in Christ.
Remembering that our security starts and remains in Christ, it's helpful to look at these areas which this article addresses. I really appreciated revisiting the story of Zadok, the Priest in David's time. And now, today, you can find out just why it was a blessing to be among the "Sons of Zadok." Discover now, just who is, or who can...become a son of Zadok today!
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Rick Joyner:
True Messengers: The Great Voices of History - Who are the Sons of Zadok in Our Time?
Great Voices in History
When we have more faith in people than in God, we tend to get our security or confidence by how many people share our views. Jesus had a different perspective, saying in Luke 6:26: "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way."
It is noteworthy that the great voices in history and those whose perspective proved true were almost always rejected by the majority, and often stood completely alone. We see this with the first apostles. Even so, if we know we are sent by God and that we have received our message from Him, then it really does not matter what men think about us.
As Paul said, "If I [were] still [seeking to please] men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ" (see Galatians 1:10). Just the mentality of seeking our approval or encouragement from men can be the biggest stumbling block that keeps us from being true messengers. Paul understood this well. When his apostolic authority was challenged, he pointed to his afflictions and persecutions as evidence that he was indeed an apostle. How different is that from most who claim to be apostles today?
Of course, just because not many people listen to us does not prove that we are right either. However, we must heed such warnings as Matthew 24:12: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (NIV).
If we get our security from the crowd rather than from the Lord, we will follow the crowd instead of the Lord. The Lord did not say that the love of "some" or "many" would grow cold, but "most." If we are prone to follow the majority, then we will end up being deceived just as "all Israel went astray" following Absalom and turning on his father, King David.
How could this thing happen in Israel? The same way it has happened so many times since and still happens today. Like a good politician, Absalom met with people and showed sympathy for their problems. He gradually increased his authority with people because he was a good politician. Then David's sin with Bathsheba was exposed. You would think that God would certainly depart from David after such a diabolical sin. However, God has considerably more grace than people do, and He did not abandon David. He disciplined David because He loved him, but He would never leave him or forsake him.
Sons of Zadok
Zadok was High Priest during Absalom's rebellion. At the risk of his ministry and even his life, he picked up the Ark and followed David into what seemed like certain defeat. Even though "all Israel" was following Absalom, Zadok had the discernment to know that the anointing was still on David and that the Lord was still with David. So, he risked everything to follow the Lord. That is remarkable spiritual discernment and faith. It is the kind that is desperately needed in spiritual leadership in these times.
Centuries later, one of the greatest commendations of all time was given by the Lord to Zadok through Ezekiel the prophet. The Lord said that it would be the "sons of Zadok" who would be allowed to come near to Him to minister to Him personally (see Ezekiel 44:15-16). So who are the sons of Zadok today?
When the Pharisees told Jesus that they were free because they were sons of Abraham, Jesus replied that if they were children of Abraham, they would do the deeds of Abraham (see John 8:39-41). Likewise, the true sons of Zadok are those who do the deeds of Zadok – those who follow the Lord even when they are a minority or are alone, and even when it seems certain to cost them everything, maybe even their lives. We are in desperate need of "sons of Zadok" today.
Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries
Email: info@morningstarministries.org
Website: morningstarministries.org
Rick Joyner is the founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries and is the Senior Pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He is the author of more than forty books, including The Final Quest, A Prophetic History, and Church History. He is also the president of The OAK Initiative, an interdenominational movement that is mobilizing thousands of Christians to be engaged in the great issues of our times, being the salt and light that they are called to be. Rick and his wife, Julie, have five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam.
