Let's take a look at the revival experienced by a zealot for this world's political solutions who found the real solution to world problems, and the tragic end of a man who seemed to start out on the road to revival, but instead chose the world.
1) Simon the Zealot’s Revival
Can a zealot for human political solutions to the problems of this world, come to understand that the true answers lie in Jesus?
Called Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13) and Simon the Canaanite (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18). Perhaps Jesus chose Simon, a tax-hating, Roman-despising former violent zealot to balance Matthew the tax collector. To history, that remains a mystery. Balance must be maintained in examining the history of the Apostles from sources outside the Bible, but such history indicates that he possibly spread the Gospel in Egypt and Persia. Matthew and Simon both learned about true revival in Jesus rather than involvement in worldly politics, as Jesus taught, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36 KJV)
Zealots still exist even in the church today. Insisting on this or that political solution, even Christians can forget Jesus’ admonition, “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting” (John 18:36 ESV). On trusting the politics of this world more than God, many are led astray. Worldly solutions cannot change human hearts, which are the real cause of spiritual problems like greed and corruption. Solutions cannot be found in China’s one party system, America’s two party system, or Europe’s multi-party systems. Eventually, we must realize that the only solutions that work are not found in any human political systems, but a heaven-led change in human hearts. Learn that secret and we come a long way down the road to placing our hope in the kingdom of heaven.
Rejoice, lovers of God, that revival beginning now in individual hearts will eventually culminate in the return of the King of kings, who will bring real answers to the problems of our world.
2) Judas Iscariot’s Failed Revival
What caused a man who spent three years learning from the best teacher the world has ever known, to end up betraying him?
Judas started out right as an apostle (Luke 6:12-16), healing the sick, and preaching the gospel (Mark 6:7). Turned out, he also had a weakness with money (John 12:4-6). Against what the others thought, his secret was hidden until the end (John 13:27-30). Jesus knew, but it was Judas who turned an evil thought into action (John 13:2). Double crossing Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16), was a massive mistake, forever labeling Judas as the “betrayer” (Matthew 26:46, 48; 27:3). Jesus would have forgiven him as He did the others, but alas Judas chose suicide (Matthew 27:5). For Judas Iscariot, suicide instead of true repentance, was his answer. Dirty also were all those who ran away or denied Jesus, but they found forgiveness as Jesus blessed them with “Peace” after His resurrection. (John 20:19, 26) Money is always a temptation and modern day pastors are wise to entrust it to others and church treasurers are wise to always have witnesses.
Rejoice, lovers of God, that this warns us it is not how we start, “But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13 NASB)
One man started out zealous for this world and experienced a revival from heaven. The other started on the road to heaven's revival, but reversed direction and headed back into the world. One ended up in glory, the other had a tragic end. Which direction do we choose?
