December 28, 2014
The prophet Zechariah wrote around 520 BC. This was 500 years before Christ and 2500 years before the present age. His little book is filled with Messianic prophecies. Here, we see a Messianic reference to “an only son,” a “firstborn” who the people of Israel would “look on” and finally acknowledge as the Messiah whom they had “pierced.” Recognizing Him they would “mourn” and “grieve bitterly.” Certainly, the prophecy that they would pierce the Son has already come to pass at Christ’s crucifixion. But that they would acknowledge Him and mourn has only partially come true. A great outpouring of the Spirit took place at Pentecost and thousands of Jews were saved. Yet, most Jews have rejected Christ. Zechariah’s prophecy points to a future time when a great spiritual awakening will take place among the Jews, so that they embrace Christ as their Messiah. This will happen before true peace comes to Jerusalem.
December 24, 2014
The vision that God gave the prophet Zechariah has a striking similarity to the one He gave John in the Revelation. Here, the “four spirits” and their chariots are similar to the four horsemen of the apocalypse (Rev. 6). In Zechariah, the four chariots are connected to the four directions of the compass, as God sent them out to “patrol the earth” and administer His justice on the nations. There are many interpretations as to the meaning of these four chariots, yet one thing is clear. They “stand before the Lord” and they go out to “do His work.” God is not a passive observer, nor an absentee landlord of His creation. He is ever-vigilant and active in His sovereignty. And He is not silent. He has revealed His plans to His people. We may not fully understand the details, but we can clearly see the overall arc of the story the Divine Author is writing. One day, the Son of God will judge the living and the dead and all creation will bow to His eternal reign. The rebellion will end and Christ will reign.
December 22, 2014
“The Branch” is a title referring to a coming King in the line of David. The Davidic line in Zechariah’s day was preserved (in Zerubbabel), but no longer in possession of the throne. A branch is part of a family tree that has yet to reach its climax. One from David’s line would again take the throne, yet in this future day this “Servant/Branch” would be both King and Priest. The high priest, Jeshua (Yeshua, Jesus), and his fellow priests were “symbols of things to come,” they foreshadowed the coming Messiah who would combine the offices of king and high priest and make all of His followers a kingdom of priests with Him. This messianic prophecy is partially fulfilled in Christ’s first coming, but will be completely fulfilled in His soon return.
December 21, 2014
This is God’s Word. It is what it claims to be. It can do what it says it can do. The prophet Zechariah had the privilege of speaking to the returning exiles to Jerusalem. Their forefathers had been overthrown and taken captive 70 years before as the old prophets had predicted. Unlike their forefathers, the returning children were repentant and ready to believe. Along with the book of Daniel, this little book is filled with images that aren’t seen again until John takes them up again in his revelation of Jesus. Zechariah is filled with Messianic prophecy that Jesus fulfilled. What God revealed to and through Zechariah, He has done. Yet prophecy in the Scriptures tends to have a threefold fulfillment: Present (or immediate), ongoing and future. Our faith is built up by the fulfillment already seen, and our hearts are filled with hope by taking hold of those promises that we can apply now and look for in the future.
December 28, 2013
The prophet Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai. He wrote during the 5th century BC when the Jews had returned to Israel from Babylonian captivity. His book is filled with Messianic prophecies (30 pieces of silver, riding a donkey…). In this verse, he speaks of the Messiah being “pierced” by his own and how they will mourn for him as for “an only child,” as for a “firstborn.”
December 26, 2013
The Latin “adventus” and the Greek “parousia” both translate as “coming.” During Advent, we remember that Christ has already come to Zion. But we also “rejoice greatly” as we look forward to His coming again. He has already fulfilled the prophecy of entering Jerusalem riding a donkey. Watch for His return, but on a different mount (Rev. 19:11).
December 24, 2013
The Lord told the prophet Zechariah to make a crown and set it on the high priest, Joshua’s head, saying the above words concerning the “Branch.” The “Branch” is a clear reference to Messiah (Isaiah 11:1). As is the name “Joshua,” or “Yeshua” the Hebrew equivalent of the name “Jesus.” The phrase “Behold, the man” is a Messianic prophecy that is unconsciously fulfilled in the mouth of Pilate at Christ’s trial (John 19:5). This prophecy is partially fulfilled at Christ’s first advent (coming), but will not be complete until His return. At which time the roles of prophet, priest and king will be united in Him.
December 23, 2013
Zerubbabel was born in the royal line of David and would have been king of Judah, but he was born too late. Judah was conquered and under the control of Babylon and Zerubbabel was only another poor member of the returning remnant. Yet, God called him to lead in the rebuilding of the Temple. He could not lead with earthly strength…
December 27, 2012
This is just one of the over 300 Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Christ. This one was fulfilled in Judas’ betrayal of Jesus (Matt.27). Yet, not every biblical prophecy has been fulfilled. There are more. And God has a perfect promise-keeping, prophecy-fulfilling record, so stay alert. Perhaps we will be the generation who sees His return.
December 23, 2012
God told Zerubbabel that neither the collective force of his people, nor his own individual effort would be able to rebuild the temple. He would have to rely on God’s Spirit for empowerment. God usually has to strip us of our own power and might, or let us come to the end of it, in order to teach us to rely on Him. Whatever God has called you to do, it will only be accomplished through His strength and not yours. Be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).