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Zechariah
The book of Zechariah was written by the prophet Zechariah during the reign of King Darius of Persia in about 520 B.C. It is
basically comprised of ten different visions of the end times; fasting; and specific prophecies about the first and second comings of
Christ.
The First Vision
Zechariah 1:7-17 describes Zechariah's vision of four horses (red, brown, and white) and their riders under myrtle trees. One of
the riders on a red horse (a picture of war) was the angel of the Lord. The riders of the other horses are the gentile nations
that have fought wars throughout the centuries. These gentile nations were at peace at the time of Zechariah, and this would have been a good
time for the Israelites to rebuild their temple, but the ruling gentile nations didn't share Israel's concern. So, God is displeased
with these gentile nations. In the end times, however, things will be made right during the Christ's reign of his earthly kingdom.
The Second Vision
Zechariah 1:18-19 prophesies about gentile ruler (a horn), and the four gentile world powers of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
The Third Vision
In Zechariah 1:20-21, Zechariah prophesies about four craftsmen. This is likely a reference to the four horsemen of the Apocalypse which
will bring severe judgments of war, famine, the beast, and pestilence upon Israel.
The Fourth Vision
Zechariah 2 is a prophecy about a man with a measuring line. The measuring of the temple and of the city of Jerusalem indicates that God
is preparing to make another drastic move. The city of Jerusalem would be rebuilt in Zechariah's time, but this is a double-prophecy
because the city of Jerusalem will also be restored in the end times for the earthly kingdom which Christ will reign. The nations
will come to Jerusalem to worship.
The Fifth Vision
Zechariah 3:1-7 prophesies about Joshua and Satan. This is a prediction that Satan will try to destroy the nation of Israel, but it
will be rescued. In order for Israel to be able to contend with Satan, it will need to have the righteousness of Christ imputed to
it.The Sixth Vision
In Zechariah 3:8-10, the prophecy is of Christ portrays Him as a servant. Upon His first coming, Israel rejected Him, but at
His second coming, they will accept and receive Him.
The Seventh Vision
Zechariah 4 is a prophecy of the lampstand and the two olive trees. The lampstand is Christ, the light of the
world. The two olive trees are something new that has been added. In Zechariah's time, these are Zerubbabel and Joshua, but the final
fulfillment of this prophecy occurs in Revelation 11:3-12. The oil is the power of the Holy Spirit, and the headstone is
Christ. Zerubbabel will be given the power to finish the building of the temple, and it will be an occasion for great joy.
The Eighth Vision
A flying scroll is prophesied in Zechariah 5:1-4. This scroll is the Word of God, and it represents the Ten Commandments. God
will judge those who violate His commandments. The first four commandments cover the relationship between God and man, and the last
six commandments cover the relationships among men.
The Ninth Vision
Zechariah 5:5-11 is a prophecy of the woman in the ephah. An ephah is a bushel, a measure of grain, and this indicates that the
bushel is full of sin, and God must judge it. The woman in
the bushel represents evil, and the man of sin is represented by
wickedness. Two winged women carry the woman in the bushel to
Babylon. Israel's great sin was idolatry, and Babylon is the
center of idolatry. Israel's sin of idolatry is to be
forsaken and returned to its proper home in Babylon. Then Babylon will
be judged for its sin.
The Tenth Vision
Zechariah 6 is a prophecy of the four chariots. These are the four angels who execute the judgment of God upon the gentile
nations. After this judgment, Christ will return in His second coming, and He will set up his earthly kingdom.
Fasting
Zechariah 7 - 8 answers the people's question about whether or not they should continue their ritual of fasting. God's first answer,
in Zechariah 7:4-7, is that when one's heart is right, then he should fast. His second answer, in Zechariah 7:8-14, is that when
one's heart is not right, he should not fast. God's third answer, in Zechariah 8, is that God's purpose is unchanged by whether or not the
people fast, or by any other ritual. God doesn't change. Regardless of the people and their rituals, God's purpose remains that
Jerusalem will be the religious and political capital of the world during Christ's earthly kingdom; God's people will live in Jerusalem;
the people will keep His commandments; and, God's feasts will once again be observed.
The First Coming of Christ
Zechariah 9 - 11 prophesies about Christ's first coming. Christ was betrayed and rejected as king, and he became the sacrificial
lamb. The nation of Israel was scattered into all the various nations around the world. In spite of the claims of many
false prophets, God will re-gather them. In the end times, the Antichrist will appear as a false shepherd.
The Second Coming of Christ
In Zechariah 12 - 14, Zechariah prophesies about Christ's second and final coming. Jerusalem will continue to be an irritant to
the enemies of Israel, as it is today. In the end times, all of these enemy nations will march against Jerusalem, but Christ will liberate
the city of Jerusalem from its final siege and he will destroy all of those enemy nations.
Christ will be known and recognized by all by the nail scars in His hands. A true day of atonement will occur. Israel
will finally recognize Christ as their Messiah, and they will turn to His
redemption Christ for salvation. The false prophets and his
followers will be defeated, and this will end all of the false religion of the world.
Jerusalem will somehow become a seaport, with a new waterway stretching to it all the way from the sea. Israel will become the land
of milk and honey. The enemies of God will suffer a living death. The people of the earth will go to Jerusalem to
celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Every man will live safely in his own home. The whole earth will be holy.
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