Le travail sacrificiel d'un veau de ministère

“…and the second beast (living creature) like a calf…” ~ Revelation 4:7

The calf or more better interpreted a “bullock” or ox was both a creature used for hard labor, and for sacrificing. The Apostle Paul instructed us to never try to control what a true minister would preach by withholding support for his needs:

“For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” ~ 1 Corinthians 9:9-11

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:17-18

Additionally, the calf was part of the regular sacrificial worship of the Jews:

“Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering” ~ Leviticus 22:23

Today, God requires us who labor for him to be a willing, pure, and holy sacrifice in our service to the Lord:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” ~ Romans 12:1

But, as there are true minister/calfs, spiritually there are also false minister/calfs. Instead of being the sacrifice, they become the object of worship:

“And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.” ~ Acts 7:41

The Lord had the true minister in those days, Moses, take the idol calf and destroy it.

“And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.” ~ Deuteronomy 9:21

And so it is also the responsibility of a true minister of the gospel to expose false preachers, so that people will not worship and follow a hypocrite. Jesus certainly set the example in how he dealt with the false preachers of that time:

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” ~ Matthew 23:27

And so it has been the responsibility of every true minister to expose and warn against false ministers:

“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:4-8

People don’t like it when false preachers are exposed. They would not have liked the preaching of Jesus nor his disciples. So what kind of preacher do you choose to listen to? Is he a self sacrificial calf that labors in the truth of the pure gospel? Or is he an idol that is worshiped by the people?

Remarque : ce message reflète certaines des idées spirituelles des Écritures entre le message de « réveil » à Laodicée et l'ouverture des sept sceaux par Jésus « l'Agneau ». Pour mieux comprendre une vue de haut niveau de l'Apocalypse, vous pouvez également voir le "Feuille de route de l'Apocalypse.”