In chapter 13 God reinforces the idea that the children of Jacob will be saved from their sins in the exact same way that we have been saved from ours. Just as each of us turned from our wicked ways and accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior – through faith – they too will do the same.
When we get to Zechariah 14, we’ll see how that chapter is a completely different prophecy.
We will kill billions of people in the first four verses, but there’s also a blessing that cannot come without this horrifying event.
Like Ezekiel 38 and 39, Zechariah 12 and 13 are a single vision. Stephen Langton, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury, broke this vision into two pieces, and was very foolish in doing so. And, putting that artificial break in the middle made it harder to see that Zechariah 14 is not connected at all to the previous two chapters. Chapters 12 and 13 begin with an attack upon Jerusalem and the region of Judah. It continues with their repentance and the acceptance of Jesus as their savior. Zechariah 14 is a completely different story.
When pondering chapter 11 of Zechariah, it is clear that the return of the Jews to Israel, under the Persian Empire was NOT the Redemption of Israel. This chapter prophesies the continuation of Israel’s sinfulness and corruption, after they return to Israel – knowing that they were cast out because of it.
This also prophesies the sacrifice of our Lord. How he would be betrayed by 30 pieces of silver. This is tragic beyond belief, but a great blessing to you and me, because there was no other way that we could be adopted into the household of God.
As we move into chapter 10, we will ask ourselves if this has already been fulfilled or not. After all, some elements of unfulfilled prophecy sometimes look a lot like what has already happened.
There will be verses in this chapter that will tell us with utter finality that this really is a prophecy about the future. And the events unfolding as I write this, seem to show that this future is much closer than we thought.
So, let’s go hunting for those verses.
Chapter 9 of Zechariah is a difficult one. It talks about the First Coming and the Millennium. About a new covenant that will be spread to the ends of the earth. It also seems to talk about the Redemption of Israel and Armageddon. Or, maybe not.
And, I have found that I made a mistake in dividing the three parts of this chapter.
Or, did I?
I figured a couple things out writing this, so you might get something new from this too.
In chapter 7 of Zechariah, God speaks to the people with scorn, when they ask if they should continue weep and fast, telling them that they should have obeyed Him before Judah and Israel were destroyed. And, He spoke of their disobedience that cost them everything.
Then, in chapter 8, the Lord speaks two prophecies to Zechariah. The first shows His intent to build Zion and bless the people, but with some subtle conditions that we know that they did not follow.
However, the second prophecy is yet to be fulfilled, and hints at a new covenant.
Zechariah 6 is the end of the vision that began in chapter 1. And, it also speaks again about the four horses, but it adds a something new to their description.
They are the Four Spirits that go forth from the Lord. And, they sound a lot like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Chapter 6 ends with a crown for Joshua the High Priest, and how this six chapter prophecy will be confirmed. Even more important, this prophecy speaks of Jesus coming and building the Third Temple – the Body of Christ.
Zechariah 5 provides us with an almost impossible challenge. And, I don’t know how much of what ANYONE says should be considered accurate. However, the wording seems to indicate a time in the future, a future where our civilization isn’t what it is today. And, it may be that the Land of Shinar becomes something that we wouldn’t have expected.
Furthermore, we have some fantastic imagery, a flying scroll, the only time that we have ever seen female angels described in the Bible, a woman who represents wickedness and the basket that she is carried is about nine gallons.
This is heavy stuff, so let’s dig in.
Zechariah 4 shows us yet another direct connection with the Book of Revelation. This time, it is the two Olive Trees and the Two Witnesses that we see in Revelation 11. But, there is one difference. In Zechariah 4 there is one candlestick and in Revelation there are two. And, the candlestick in Zechariah is described differently than the one in Revelation.
Is this difference significant?
We also see the Seven Eyes which are the Seven Spirits of God that go through all the earth. They are also talked about in Revelation 5 AND Zechariah 3.
Are you starting to see how important Zechariah is?
Zechariah 3 gives us prophetic visions of the past and the future. It also raises a few questions and shows us when Zechariah began his ministry. And, we will yet again see a direct connection with the Book of Revelation, as well as a few interesting translation errors.
We will see one of the few conditional prophecies, as well as phrases that are hard to pin down. Timing is everything, and there are a couple of phrases here that I bet have tripped up many people.
Oh, and the unfulfilled prophecies database has a new home.