The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Zechariah, Prophet of Hope
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
Summary of the Book of Zechariah:
“Zechariah,
like Haggai and Malachi, was a prophet of the Persian period. He prophesied to
the Jews who had returned from exile around 520 BC when the Persian Empire was
ruling the world. Each of these prophets encouraged the Jews to continue the
work of God and rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah begins
his message reminding the Jews that the captivity had been a result of their
own disobedience, and God rebuked their fathers as well. Zechariah received a
series of visions in which God revealed his plan for the history and future of
the world, showing that he is ultimately in control and he will fulfill the
promises that were made to their fathers and to Abraham. The city of Jerusalem
is seen as a city so wonderful and prosperous that it needed to be enlarged in
order to contain all the people (Zechariah 2). In the vision of Joshua the high
priest Zechariah saw him in filthy rags, which was no doubt the nation of
Israel repenting and receiving their Messiah and being cleansed of their sins
(Zechariah 3). Other visions reveal the coming judgment of God, and his victory
over sin, and everything is about the Messiah and his coming. Zechariah
prophesied about the nations that oppressed Israel, there will be a time of
destruction and later they would come to worship the Lord in Jerusalem. The
prophet Zechariah spoke more about the Messiah than any of the prophets, except
the prophet Isaiah.” (http://www.bible-history.com/old-testament/bookofzechariah.html)
How, then, does this message to Israel relate
to the Church today? Paul explains in
Romans 11 that the Church, the wild olive branch, has been grafted into the
olive tree that is Israel. The Church
does not replace Israel in the plan of God. Instead, we have become a part of the plan
the Lord established with Israel.
Romans 11:17-18 (NKJV)
“17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
“17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
The genesis of Christianity is in Genesis where the Lord
insures the defeat of Satan through the seed of the woman (Genesis 3).
Therefore, Paul wrote to Timothy: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
(NKJV)
“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
To understand
how many prophecies relate to the Church today, we need only substitute “the
Church” or “Christians”, etc. for “Israel” or “Jerusalem” in the text.
Zechariah 2:10-13 (NKJV)
10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion (O Bride of Christ)! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD.
11 Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
12 And the LORD will take possession of Judah (His Kingdom on Earth) as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
13 Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!"
10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion (O Bride of Christ)! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD.
11 Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
12 And the LORD will take possession of Judah (His Kingdom on Earth) as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
13 Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!"
The Bride of Christ is to sing and rejoice for He is
coming to dwell in our midst. The Holy
Spirit has indwelt us from the time of that Pentecost 50 days after Jesus died
on the cross.
We are to sing and rejoice
because the Lord inhabits the praises of His Israel (His Church.)
Psalm
22:3 (NKJV)
“3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Your Church).
“3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Your Church).
We ask, “Oh, Lord, how can we rejoice in
the midst of such darkness and fear in the world.”
And the Lord answers:
Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)
“6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.”
“6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.”
Spirit-filled, Bible-believing
Christians it is time to sing and rejoice. Let's rebuilt the Temple with our worship.
Isaiah 60:1-2 (NKJV)
"1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you."
"1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you."
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