2025.07.27 Sunday 2nd Service
Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 6:8-19
This week’s Remnant Conference will make us the main figures of the Dothan Movement. This is because it contains content that Remnants absolutely must know. Let me ask you just one question. This is something even Japanese people should understand to some extent. Pastor Ju Ki-Cheol opposed shrine worship. That has been interpreted in various ways, but those interpretations are wrong. People are interpreting it however they want. How did the Japanese view it? “Why won’t you do what the government requires?” That was the question. From one perspective, their argument makes sense. Since Korea was a vassal state of Japan, they insisted Koreans should do as they said. And all religions complied. Buddhism, being familiar with bowing, complied quickly. Even the Korean church said, “Let’s do it.” So they did it. Why? Because they were under that law. Then why did Pastor Ju Ki-Cheol refuse? Because the General Assembly made a decision, so he fought against it? No. Because Japan forced it, so he fought? No. That’s not it. They even made a movie about it, but they made it wrong. Descendants hold commemorative events, but that wasn’t what Pastor Ju Ki-Cheol was about. It was because of the command found only in the Bible: “Do not worship idols.” It means we must not bring idols into the church and worship them.
▣ Introduction_ Spiritual flow
So, if you really want to be used by God, you must know the spiritual flow. Just being diligent doesn’t mean you’ll be used. There are people in the Bible who were used. Take a close look. If God has placed you in America, what should you really be seeing there? The spiritual flow. And if you truly want to save Japan, what must you look at? The spiritual flow. So why is it that only the Bible strictly forbids idol worship? Why not just do it? Buddhism says to do it. All religions tell you to do it. Why does the Bible alone forbid it?
1. Satan’s strategy of destruction
It’s Satan’s strategy of destruction. That’s why God forbids it. Shall I give you immediate evidence? Go home, place a towel somewhere, hang it on the wall, light a candle, and bow to it continually—you will experience the work of evil spirits. Is that an answer? No, it’s dangerous. That’s why you must not do it. If you make something and keep bowing to it, it will move. That’s the work of demons. Don’t shamans gain power when they perform their rituals? Yes, but that’s demonic power. The purpose is ultimately destruction. How? In very appealing language. In Eden: “You will be like God.” It starts with attractive words. Then it moves to: “If you receive a spirit, you will be like the Nephilim. Build the Tower of Babel and succeed.” That’s how destruction begins. But that doesn’t work forever, so it continues to drag you.
Where did the difference first appear? Acts 13—it starts with a shaman. You are led away. Then where do you go? To shamans, fortune-tellers—Acts 16. Then what? Make idols and bow to them—Acts 19. You end up continually dragged by Satan. You’re supposed to be led by God, but you’re being dragged by Satan—John 8:44. As a result, you fall ill in heart—Matthew 11:28. Then comes mental illness—Mark 5:1–10. Then physical illness—Acts 8:4–8. Then complete hell, even before you die—Luke 16:19–31. Even worse, it passes on to your children—Matthew 27:25. But it doesn’t end there.
In every age, Satan enters the heart of the king. Right? Evil spirits who hold powers, rulers, and authorities enter. They dominate the nations and tell them to bow to the idols of Egypt. Right? The Philistines bring out their representative, Goliath, and say, “Let’s fight in the name of the Philistine gods.” Then King Ahab marries Jezebel, who brings in idols from around the world. Right? He places 850 false prophets in the palace. The king of Babylon makes a giant idol and tells everyone to bow to it. Why? Because they don’t know this strategy of destruction. They think, “If we make everyone bow, we’ll gain political power.” That’s why they did it.
It’s the same. Japan was a superpower at that time. They took over a country and said, “Koreans must submit. Gather your spirit. Bow.” That’s why Pastor Ju Ki-Cheol said no. When did he say no? After hearing that, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea made a decision: “Bowing at the shrine is obeying national law. We have no reason to oppose. Okay.” They passed it. The person who passed it was Hong Taek-Gi. There are many schools in Busan with the character ‘Sung’ (성) in the name. The chairman of one such school, Pastor Kim Gil-Chang, took Pastor Ju Ki-Cheol to perform shrine worship. Right there, Pastor Ju Ki-Cheol said “No!” “We cannot do it. We cannot bow to idols.” That’s why he was arrested. You can imagine the rest. “Tell us the organization. Who is helping you? What group are you with?” They kept beating him, and he died. Was it over? No. God turned Korea into a nation of world missions.
So there was a misunderstanding. Even now, Satan’s strategy of destruction is coming to you persistently. If your eyes don’t open to this, you won’t see it. In America, the three organizations are fully active. You can’t win. There are a lot of people in America. When your kids go to America, they’ll all follow. I personally think Japan is more rational than America. Their belief is that all religions are the same. All spirits are the same. Is that true? That belief permeates everything. Then spiritual problems will come in like a flood. Who will stop it? In Korea, nearly 40% are suffering from depression or mental illness. Some make guns and shoot their own sons. What can’t a deranged person do? Killing spouses, parents—it’s happening. We are entering an age of mental illness. At such times, those who realize this are the ones who are used.
2. Exodus 5:1–12:46
“Moses, go offer the blood sacrifice. Tear down all the cultural darkness of Egypt.” That’s the ten plagues.
3. Idol-worshiping nations
This has happened in every era. Now let’s set that aside and look at today’s main passage. At some point, Israel turned into an idol-worshiping nation. King Ahab did not realize how dangerous idol worship was. The country turned into an idol nation. As you know, 850 false prophets were brought in, and the true prophets were killed. A man named Obadiah hid 100 prophets.
Mount Carmel
This is when the incident on Mount Carmel occurred. Elijah made a proposal: “Let’s determine whether the false prophets or we are true. Let’s face off on Mount Carmel.” King Ahab agreed. He couldn’t refuse. Who carried out the task? Obadiah, Elijah’s disciple and a servant of the king. So he conveyed the message: “Let’s see whose god is the true God.” The king couldn’t say no. That day, 850 false prophets were executed.
But the real problem wasn’t King Ahab—it was Jezebel, his wife. Through the king, she issued an order: “Capture Elijah immediately and execute him.” So Elijah fled. He was in a rush and ran until he collapsed. He collapsed under a broom tree. Under that broom tree, Elijah said, “God, I can’t do this anymore. I’ve done my best, but now death is approaching.” At that moment, God sent a special angel to give him strength. He was strengthened and walked for 40 days and nights. Where did he go?
Mount Horeb
He arrived at Mount Horeb. God did not speak through wind or earthquake, but through a gentle whisper. There, God gave Elijah important messages. First, “Do not be afraid; I will replace the king.” Second, “You are not alone—7,000 disciples remain.” Third, “Appoint Elisha. He will do important work.” It was then that Elisha was called.
[1 Kings 19:19–21]
This calling is found in verses 19–21. He burned all his farming equipment and followed. He removed any possibility of returning. As I mentioned last week, in the past, soldiers going to war would burn the ships they arrived in. Why? To say, “I will not retreat. I will either die or end this here.” Elisha’s movement was tremendous.
▣ Main point
1. 1 Kings 19:19–21 [Heavenly mandate]
First, the calling Elisha received on Mount Horeb in 1 Kings 19:19–21 was his heavenly mandate. What was the heavenly mandate?
1) 1 Kings 18:1–15
In 1 Kings 18:1–15, we see that during the crisis, a church leader named Obadiah hid 100 prophets. That changed the age.
2) 1 Kings 18:25–46
Then in 1 Kings 18:25–46, he faced off against the false prophets of Baal and Asherah and achieved complete spiritual victory.
3) 1 Kings 19:1–21
Then in 1 Kings 19:1–21, God led Elijah to Mount Horeb and gave him His word. At that time, Elisha was the one called. This is different. He was called in the greatest crisis. Not by calculation. He was called before the covenant of God. Would you go if it were you? It was dangerous. He could be arrested. The king had blocked the way. Yet he was called as a disciple and gave up everything to follow.
Our Remnants do not need other kinds of courage. You need courage to follow the Word. Don’t go around being stubborn—you’ll get beaten. Follow the Word. It’s hard. Why? Because it looks like a great loss to go that way. But he took it as his heavenly mandate. If it’s God’s plan, even if it seems disadvantageous, it becomes a heavenly mandate. Understand? Our Remnants from America, Japan, and advanced countries in Europe must open their spiritual eyes. If someone living in America doesn’t know the flow of America, how can they truly live there? That doesn’t make sense.
What about Europe now? Young people don’t even go to church anymore. It’s over. Drugs are no longer prosecuted. They’ve stopped cracking down. Why? Because they’d have to arrest everyone. Even the police would be arrested. It doesn’t work. It’s worse than that. A student asked, “Pastor, is homosexuality wrong?” It’s not a crime. It’s not a criminal act. But spiritually, it’s a problem. That must be made clear. It’s not a crime, but spiritually, it is a problem. It’s not that there are many homosexuals. In one European school, every student was homosexual. That’s an extreme case. The entire school. He wasn’t the only one. That’s the kind of era we’re in. But the spiritual flow is the same. Elisha made his resolution in that kind of time.
2. 2 Kings 2:9–11 [Calling]
The more important resolution is the second. What was it? The generation was finally changing, and Elisha was to be raised as a new leader. But people began to waver. Everyone started seeking their own interests and positions. They sought places like Gilgal, Jericho, Jordan, and Bethel. But there was one person who didn’t. That was Elisha. That’s what we call a calling.
1) No calculation
Elisha didn’t calculate anything.
2) No concern for position
Elisha didn’t care about his status.
3) Covenantal relationship
What was it? He entered a covenantal relationship with God. What did he say? “Let me receive a double portion of your spirit. I don’t need anything else. Just give me a double portion of your spirit.” He asked correctly. Elijah said, “You ask for a difficult thing. But do not give up—follow me to the end.” When they crossed the Jordan, a tremendous power was passed down. Calling. But that wasn’t the end.
3. 2 Kings 6:8–24 [Mission]
At last, the Dothan Movement arose. That’s called mission.
1) Advance answer (vv. 8–13)
To what extent was Elisha empowered? God gave answers in advance. This is important. When you pray, how does God give advance answers? Whenever the Aramean army came to invade, Elisha already knew where they would come from. Right? When they came in hiding to kill Israel, Elisha already knew. So the Aramean army kept failing. They held a meeting. “Is there a spy among us? How do they keep knowing where we’ll be?” They didn’t understand the concept of advance answer from God. But one wise servant spoke up: “No, there’s someone in Israel who sees all our movements.” “Who is it?” “Elisha.” “Where is he?” “In Dothan.” The king of Aram ordered, “Surround Dothan and capture Elisha alive. Don’t kill him—bring him here.” So the Aramean army surrounded Dothan. Chaos broke out. The servant came out and saw the place surrounded. But Elisha prayed, “Lord, open this servant’s eyes.” His spiritual eyes were opened, and he saw that the heavenly armies surrounded them—not a problem at all.
2) Background (vv. 14–16)
That’s verses 14 to 16. Your background. If you don’t believe it, then don’t. But I believe it. Can you believe that heavenly armies protect the places you go? I believe there is nothing else more important. Right? That wherever you and your children go, God sends heavenly armies to fulfill His plan—if you don’t believe that, throw out the Bible.
3) Victory without fighting (vv. 17–23)
And you know—they won without fighting. That’s verses 17 to 23. Elisha prayed, “Lord, strike the Aramean army with blindness.” He was a man of prayer. Their eyes went blind. He led them away while they were blind. They thought, “We’re finished.” Where did he take them? He led them to Samaria and had them sit down. Then Elisha prayed again, “Lord, open their eyes.” When their eyes opened, they thought they were at the execution ground—but there was a feast laid out. “Eat and go home.” That was it. Then the king asked Elisha something. Previously the king had belittled the prophet, but now he said, “Father! What should I do with them?” Elisha said, “Let them live.” And they were sent home. The Bible records: “They did not invade again.” Right? They won without fighting. That’s our Remnant.
▣ Conclusion_ [Strength]
Remnants must build strength. God has promised strength. He promised you will receive power. Let me put it in English for our Remnants.
1. Power
He promised this strength. Power. I mentioned this yesterday. There is an even greater strength.
2. Tacit
There’s a word: Tacit. Tacit Knowledge means a kind of strength that can’t be identified. You can’t explain it. Tacit Knowledge. There’s an even greater strength than this.
3. Authority
It is the strength that comes from above. You need this strength. God promised it. A strength that comes down from above. There’s an even greater strength.
4. Heavenly, Thronely, Eternaly
So I created a song to help you understand:
Heavenly power, Heavenly mission.
Thronely power, Thronely talent, Thronely mission.
Eternaly power, Eternaly talent, Eternaly mission.
I purposely combined these three into one song. There is an even greater strength.
5. Trinity
The Triune God has promised to be with you invisibly. Never be shaken. Never be discouraged—no matter what. Just know one thing.
Joseph was falsely accused and sold into slavery. Is that failure? From your perspective, it may look like failure. But it’s not. He became a slave. Is that failure? No. He succeeded there—300%. What does that mean? He was falsely imprisoned. Was that a disaster? No. It was the place where he met politicians. One day, he became prime minister. Was that success? No. If you see things that way, you’ll never have proper faith. It was neither failure nor success. It was all about standing in the place of world evangelization. It’s all like that. Remnants must remember.
“My family situation is bad.” Who said that means you can’t make it? “I have no background.” Who said that means you’re nothing? That’s not in the Bible. “I have no one to help me.” Who said that? God promised to be with you to the end of the age. And no one can take that from you. He works through the Holy Spirit invisibly. Right now, while you’re worshiping, God sends heavenly armies to surround and protect you.
Even physically, it’s the same. I once went to a presidential inauguration. I arrived a day early and stayed at a hotel in Yeouido. The police came. They apologized. Why? “This room faces the direction of the inauguration. Could you please keep your curtains closed?” I said, “Of course. I’m attending the event too.” They said, “Oh, I see.” Then I realized—there were armed police and soldiers on every rooftop. Nothing could go wrong. That reminded me of today’s passage. God mobilizes heavenly armies around you. If this sounds like nonsense, say nothing. But if you hear it as truth, say amen.
Prayer. God, we thank You. Give new strength to our Remnants. Let them hear not the voice of man, but the Word of God. Physical eyes are important, but open their spiritual eyes. Raise them as the main figures to save this age. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.