The woman behind the Baggage Part two
I want to thank you all for the kind replies. I called my Mother before I posted to check on my age at the time she left. My Mother had three gentleman callers before accepting my step daddy into our lives. One was taken by my mother but had no real concern for her children. Another was more interested in us then our mother. Poor Mommy! Then there was my daddy. He liked my mother and was interested in our well being. If she needed anything he was there. When we had to go to the doctor he was happy to have been called. It turned out we were suffering from malnutrition.
Later that night the door bell rang. A man so humbled not knowing if it would be acceptable was standing with bags of groceries in his trembling arms. The silent tears unhidden for his hands could not wipe them away. My mother accepted the offering and he left to retrieve more still in his car. Just a woman alone with six children during hard times. That night her prayers were answered for she accepted more then his groceries offered. She accepted his tender loving heart and our family grew.
His convertible was traded in for a Plymouth wagon with flip up seats way in the back for the extras always accepted in his heart.
I would like to add we were never hungry again. He learned to be a jugular with paying the bills and spent his life working hard in a factory raising his family. For some reason food was always the first thing thought of every payday.
One memory I will never forget. We were at the city dump and my mother and daddy were standing at the pit looking down. My mother had us all back in the wagon and had us keeping our eyes closed. I did not listen well and was sitting in the front seat when my daddy climbed back out of the pit. He placed some wooden toys on the floorboards by my mothers feet and she quickly covered them up. I saw the toys again at Christmas and they looked new with fresh
paint.
What kind of a daddy humbles himself so much that he would rummage in a dump to bring joy to a child's eyes. He was not a man filled with self pride but took so much pride in us as he raised us as his own. The song Daddies hand fits him so well.
What a blessing to have a mother willing to accept a man unable to express himself as well in words when his whispers of love could be found every day by his actions.
I truly want this loving and very true story to offer hope for all men and women thinking they have too much baggage. Often I have felt that way myself as a single custodial father but then I must remember.
Thank you all for accepting what I write and allowing me to share a very real and personal experience of my life.
The Trembling Man
Thursday, September 27, 2007
The Woman with the baggage
the Woman with The baggage: Written by a Beloved Brother IN the Lord.
My mother having been in an awful marriage finally had enough when bones started to break. My older brother of two years had the last broken leg and even with the Church of her days telling her not to leave she did what was so hard to do over 40 years ago. She left with four children at her side and two in her loving arms. The church supported her after seeing our condition. Yes I was the lucky one that was only two and a half not having to remember
She met my step father who stepped right in to fill a void where no such father figure was present. In the future I will talk more about this great fathertype that I can only hope to emulate. He passed away just before 911 as it is called today. I will say he saw a woman with four children at her side and two in her loving arms and chose the rest of our lives as his own.
Baggage? Sorry this was his life's choice and even the thought he would be thinking baggage is appalling to myself. Ok so now for my take on baggage:
My mother was a Sunday school teacher for many years of my life. She loved bringing as much as she could to church for the enjoyment of others children's learning. The problem was she did not drive and my Step father was not always around with working and all. (Most of the time he drove her) She at times was dependant on others for a ride even though we lived real close and walked to meet her there.
One day after Sunday school while waiting for my Daddy, as I called him back then, she realized he did not arrive. We were all with my mother at the time for she had needed help with all the items she had brought. My mother started asking a few others for a ride only to be told "sorry but you have too much baggage today." Other hearing this and seeing her standing with six children never saw the real bags at her feet. (((I guess we all can blame my mother for starting one of the worst terms I have ever heard in regards to our children as single parent.)))
This story has so much truth it just needed to be told. My step father never saw the baggage but the love that we all learned to give back as his REAL family. Soon I will tell you all more about this wonderful man and all the love he had inside. When I was taking a speech class in college he was an easy (A). My personal speech was on step fathers. The type that step in not because of a Biological need, but step in out of love to fill the void where there was a need. Yes I even mentioned in my speech a reference to Joseph being the worlds greatest step father of all caring for our Fathers child.
Wish I still had this speech for my heart was within every word. At least it was written long ago and my Daddy was able to know how much he meant in my life. I would not be the man I am today without him seeing only a woman with six children needing a man like himself years ago.
I hope I have written this well but trust me it still hurts to write. He is gone now and this still brings tears to this child's eyes.
Will my step daddy ever truly be gone? No he lives inside of this heart wanting to share every day. He is still watching over me and someday we will be together again.
God Bless and may we all understand what baggage is not.
The Trembling Man
My mother having been in an awful marriage finally had enough when bones started to break. My older brother of two years had the last broken leg and even with the Church of her days telling her not to leave she did what was so hard to do over 40 years ago. She left with four children at her side and two in her loving arms. The church supported her after seeing our condition. Yes I was the lucky one that was only two and a half not having to remember
She met my step father who stepped right in to fill a void where no such father figure was present. In the future I will talk more about this great fathertype that I can only hope to emulate. He passed away just before 911 as it is called today. I will say he saw a woman with four children at her side and two in her loving arms and chose the rest of our lives as his own.
Baggage? Sorry this was his life's choice and even the thought he would be thinking baggage is appalling to myself. Ok so now for my take on baggage:
My mother was a Sunday school teacher for many years of my life. She loved bringing as much as she could to church for the enjoyment of others children's learning. The problem was she did not drive and my Step father was not always around with working and all. (Most of the time he drove her) She at times was dependant on others for a ride even though we lived real close and walked to meet her there.
One day after Sunday school while waiting for my Daddy, as I called him back then, she realized he did not arrive. We were all with my mother at the time for she had needed help with all the items she had brought. My mother started asking a few others for a ride only to be told "sorry but you have too much baggage today." Other hearing this and seeing her standing with six children never saw the real bags at her feet. (((I guess we all can blame my mother for starting one of the worst terms I have ever heard in regards to our children as single parent.)))
This story has so much truth it just needed to be told. My step father never saw the baggage but the love that we all learned to give back as his REAL family. Soon I will tell you all more about this wonderful man and all the love he had inside. When I was taking a speech class in college he was an easy (A). My personal speech was on step fathers. The type that step in not because of a Biological need, but step in out of love to fill the void where there was a need. Yes I even mentioned in my speech a reference to Joseph being the worlds greatest step father of all caring for our Fathers child.
Wish I still had this speech for my heart was within every word. At least it was written long ago and my Daddy was able to know how much he meant in my life. I would not be the man I am today without him seeing only a woman with six children needing a man like himself years ago.
I hope I have written this well but trust me it still hurts to write. He is gone now and this still brings tears to this child's eyes.
Will my step daddy ever truly be gone? No he lives inside of this heart wanting to share every day. He is still watching over me and someday we will be together again.
God Bless and may we all understand what baggage is not.
The Trembling Man
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Glory of God
The Glory of God
I got a call on Friday night that my mother was dying ad was very ill and I needed to get home right away. So I instantly begin to make plans to go home. I wanted to leave but it was storming and you do not go over the passes here in the storms especially the first one of the year. But Saturday was suppose to be a day of clearing so I told my two Beloved Sisters that their oldest sister would be there by 4 tomorrow.
So I hastily packed remembering to take dress suits and the like and get out my winter clothes and was up and on the road at 6 the next morning with very little sleep. When I got about 5 miles out of town it started to drizzle and I thanked God for I told Him I was all cried out and now He was showing His tears for me. I instantly hit the fog which can be really dense here and you crawl along the road. I was in complete Praise and thanksgiving to God for the peace that He had put on my heart. I had placed my Mom in His hands and what better place could she be. Jesus was or will be waiting for her.
As I hit Donner Summit the rain begin to really pour and the weather report said clear. But I know the weather here and how slick the roads are with the first real rain ad I was thanking God for the rain as we really need it. We had a very dry summer and even our garden did not do well as the fruit was very small. I knew it would stop the wild fires.
As I entered the interstate Highway or freeway three lane one way highway, I was paying cloth attention and at 55 I was slipping a little so I slowed down so I was not slipping at all as I was not in a hurry and I knew that I had to be alert in the weather. I passed a blue car on the side of the road and knew it was a road maintenance car and I thought it must be bad if they are manning the summit. So I am listing to the Tommy Coombs band and their worship songs and not even getting a drink of coffee as I needed both hands on the wheel and I was driving in the slow lane. Well too make a long story short this big loaded truck came by me going very fast and the minute he passed me water came from every direction and I was hydro-skidding all over the place. I made at least four complete circles and ended up on the proper side of the hill and my left hand side of the car is kinda on the mountains. I lifted my hands and praised God as the traffic could have been heavy and I could of hit another car or they could of hit me and I was completely unharmed.
The road maintenance car was almost there instantly and told me he had already radioed ahead to stop this truck as he knew that he could not stop him as he would be in the same place I was. I was on the phone with my Insurance Company and he asked to speak to them, he told them I did not cause the accident but was put in the path of an accident waiting to happen.
Needless to say it was a truck from the other side of the Border and they have no insurance or care for what harm they cause on the road. He told me I was the third car that had been effected by this. But thank God that I have full coverage on my car and it is in the shop and will be fixed in a couple of weeks meanwhile I am in a rental car.
What Praise and Honor and Glory belongs to my Father who sent a Host of Heavenly Angel to guide and protect me. At the time this was happening my Mother begin to get a little better. She is still not out of the woods and I will be able to get there in the next 14 days as soon as I take care of my car. The damage is close to $5,000 dollars and it will be covered and fixed like new.
I guess the lesson I learned is this God is there in the storms of this life when you find yourself in an impossible situation that you are completely unable to handle. For some reason God stopped me at that place at that time and I am safe. I am not worried about getting to see my Mom as no matter what happens I will see her again and if need be with the rental I can get my sister to meet me half way as the rental must be turned in the day I pick my car up.
But the unseen expenses of this are rather daunting but it could of been so much worse. What if I did not have full coverage. I would find myself without a car completely. What if God did not protect me when the enemy wanted to slay me? God often closes door to protect us and I am in great praise that not only is Mom getting a little better but He as He has done for so many years saved my life in an unseeingly impossible situation.
I was telling a Beloved friend of mine that God has not given us the Spirit of Fear but of power , love and a sound mind. When I got into the rental car today it was different kind of car and I was so afraid that I crawled all the back ways home and I do not know if it was because it was different from the cars that I drive but I was uncomfortable. Yet I got in my Grand Son truck which I was use to yesterday and felt fine. I am a little sore and still kinda shaken but I know that my Heavenly Father will get me thru this one step in my life time and I want to give Him Praise Glory and Honor for the Storms that come in my life. He is always there and always holds me just like my earthly Dad did and sets my feet on solid ground if I am a little edgy at times. So to God I give Him so many thanks for keeping me safe and keeping the others that might have been hurt if there was a lot of traffic. Thank you my Precious Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for holding me in Your Hand and not letting go. If God can do this for me, He can handle all the storms in your life. Trust and rely on Jesus and Jesus alone. He is always there all the time.
So Please all of My Dear one join with me in Praising the Almighty God that we serve. We are and were created for His good purpose. I thank everyone who prayed for me and my Mom cause God heard your prayers and answered them. So think of the Miracle He did because of the sweet prayers of all of you. I do not have the words in the Human Language to tell you how much I felt your prayers saved my life and all I can say is I think you all got a crown or you sure earned a jewel in your crown. Agape to you all so very much. I love you all with the Love of my Saviour Christ Jesus and I end this tears streaming Blessings I ask of God the Father for all of you.
Agape now and forever more
Agape my beloved Brothers and Sisters. Thank You Lord Jesus Christ and you are always there all the time every moment every day every second. I praise you from the depth of my heart.
Agape Beloved Ones
Zelma P
I got a call on Friday night that my mother was dying ad was very ill and I needed to get home right away. So I instantly begin to make plans to go home. I wanted to leave but it was storming and you do not go over the passes here in the storms especially the first one of the year. But Saturday was suppose to be a day of clearing so I told my two Beloved Sisters that their oldest sister would be there by 4 tomorrow.
So I hastily packed remembering to take dress suits and the like and get out my winter clothes and was up and on the road at 6 the next morning with very little sleep. When I got about 5 miles out of town it started to drizzle and I thanked God for I told Him I was all cried out and now He was showing His tears for me. I instantly hit the fog which can be really dense here and you crawl along the road. I was in complete Praise and thanksgiving to God for the peace that He had put on my heart. I had placed my Mom in His hands and what better place could she be. Jesus was or will be waiting for her.
As I hit Donner Summit the rain begin to really pour and the weather report said clear. But I know the weather here and how slick the roads are with the first real rain ad I was thanking God for the rain as we really need it. We had a very dry summer and even our garden did not do well as the fruit was very small. I knew it would stop the wild fires.
As I entered the interstate Highway or freeway three lane one way highway, I was paying cloth attention and at 55 I was slipping a little so I slowed down so I was not slipping at all as I was not in a hurry and I knew that I had to be alert in the weather. I passed a blue car on the side of the road and knew it was a road maintenance car and I thought it must be bad if they are manning the summit. So I am listing to the Tommy Coombs band and their worship songs and not even getting a drink of coffee as I needed both hands on the wheel and I was driving in the slow lane. Well too make a long story short this big loaded truck came by me going very fast and the minute he passed me water came from every direction and I was hydro-skidding all over the place. I made at least four complete circles and ended up on the proper side of the hill and my left hand side of the car is kinda on the mountains. I lifted my hands and praised God as the traffic could have been heavy and I could of hit another car or they could of hit me and I was completely unharmed.
The road maintenance car was almost there instantly and told me he had already radioed ahead to stop this truck as he knew that he could not stop him as he would be in the same place I was. I was on the phone with my Insurance Company and he asked to speak to them, he told them I did not cause the accident but was put in the path of an accident waiting to happen.
Needless to say it was a truck from the other side of the Border and they have no insurance or care for what harm they cause on the road. He told me I was the third car that had been effected by this. But thank God that I have full coverage on my car and it is in the shop and will be fixed in a couple of weeks meanwhile I am in a rental car.
What Praise and Honor and Glory belongs to my Father who sent a Host of Heavenly Angel to guide and protect me. At the time this was happening my Mother begin to get a little better. She is still not out of the woods and I will be able to get there in the next 14 days as soon as I take care of my car. The damage is close to $5,000 dollars and it will be covered and fixed like new.
I guess the lesson I learned is this God is there in the storms of this life when you find yourself in an impossible situation that you are completely unable to handle. For some reason God stopped me at that place at that time and I am safe. I am not worried about getting to see my Mom as no matter what happens I will see her again and if need be with the rental I can get my sister to meet me half way as the rental must be turned in the day I pick my car up.
But the unseen expenses of this are rather daunting but it could of been so much worse. What if I did not have full coverage. I would find myself without a car completely. What if God did not protect me when the enemy wanted to slay me? God often closes door to protect us and I am in great praise that not only is Mom getting a little better but He as He has done for so many years saved my life in an unseeingly impossible situation.
I was telling a Beloved friend of mine that God has not given us the Spirit of Fear but of power , love and a sound mind. When I got into the rental car today it was different kind of car and I was so afraid that I crawled all the back ways home and I do not know if it was because it was different from the cars that I drive but I was uncomfortable. Yet I got in my Grand Son truck which I was use to yesterday and felt fine. I am a little sore and still kinda shaken but I know that my Heavenly Father will get me thru this one step in my life time and I want to give Him Praise Glory and Honor for the Storms that come in my life. He is always there and always holds me just like my earthly Dad did and sets my feet on solid ground if I am a little edgy at times. So to God I give Him so many thanks for keeping me safe and keeping the others that might have been hurt if there was a lot of traffic. Thank you my Precious Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for holding me in Your Hand and not letting go. If God can do this for me, He can handle all the storms in your life. Trust and rely on Jesus and Jesus alone. He is always there all the time.
So Please all of My Dear one join with me in Praising the Almighty God that we serve. We are and were created for His good purpose. I thank everyone who prayed for me and my Mom cause God heard your prayers and answered them. So think of the Miracle He did because of the sweet prayers of all of you. I do not have the words in the Human Language to tell you how much I felt your prayers saved my life and all I can say is I think you all got a crown or you sure earned a jewel in your crown. Agape to you all so very much. I love you all with the Love of my Saviour Christ Jesus and I end this tears streaming Blessings I ask of God the Father for all of you.
Agape now and forever more
Agape my beloved Brothers and Sisters. Thank You Lord Jesus Christ and you are always there all the time every moment every day every second. I praise you from the depth of my heart.
Agape Beloved Ones
Zelma P
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
God is Agape
Pure love is Agape:
I am writing this to a group of young people whom I dearly love. I will not mention names as this should speak to all of us young and old alike.
We are living in a world in which we look to the young for the future. There was always a time that we did this we knew when I was young that the day would come where we would be the ones who made many of the choices that would not only touch our lives but touch the lives of many around us.
In today's world we look at the young people and they see this world as a hopeless mess. These are not the children and youth that steal to and destroy these are the children that God has put callings on their lives and they are well aware of it. They live a life of loneliness that mere words cannot explain it. They try to look for a future but they are faced with the dilemma what future. Many of them in their lives are still living with Mom and Dad as there is no way that they can afford to go and get out on their own and live. The lap of luxury in the world and the love of mammon are strangling the young people of today.
They look for love but they can only find in all the wrong places as the church has gone into such apostasy that they only look to further their own coffers. They seem withdraw and sullen, but they are not they just do not know what to say. How do they tell us that they can see our nation on the brink of complete Ruin. They look to Conspiracy theories to see if the answers are there. But again they still hit the same brick wall.
They look to us as their parents and grand parents and we can not answer them. All we can do is tell them to go to the Word of God and place all their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as He and He alone is the only one that can give us Peace. But before you can have the peace of God you must understand the Grace of God. God so loved He gave. He gave us Jesus and Jesus is the only answer.
You can search any place yet you cup will come back empty unless you seek Jesus and the Word of god for only there will you find the answers to all that is happening today. He is pure love, we as parents tried to give you love but many times we failed. We loved you so much yet we failed. We did not plan to fail but we did. You failed also when you did not heed our voices as we tried to warn you to detour from the world as all is held was harm. In doing that we sent you into the world and now you see the hell of it in your own lives. As it indulged, all the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the Pride of Life. You wanted to be a part of something, wanted to be looked up to by your friends, but this you must know friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God.
God is a God of Agape Love but He is also a God of Justice and He demands that we as His children kill the flesh and live after the Spirit of God that resides with in us.
So Dear Young Ones do not fear the world but fear Him who is able to kill both body and souls. Let Jesus deliver you from the things of the World and literally soak in all of Him that you can. Never be ashamed of Him as Jesus is not ashamed of You. Hold your heads up high and remember always that You belong to the King. You are The King's Kids in the Heaven lies and who cares about the earthly. It all turns to rust and mold no matter how hard you try to keep us. Remember that your family is all you have and then again you have a huge family in God that will reach out and pick you up and never condemn you but always show you love. Love is of God and every one that Loveth is born of God. We are always here for you as well and yet far away from the point that Jesus is just a voice away from hearing you. Call on Him, He will do far beyond what you can even imagine.
Agape
Zelma
I am writing this to a group of young people whom I dearly love. I will not mention names as this should speak to all of us young and old alike.
We are living in a world in which we look to the young for the future. There was always a time that we did this we knew when I was young that the day would come where we would be the ones who made many of the choices that would not only touch our lives but touch the lives of many around us.
In today's world we look at the young people and they see this world as a hopeless mess. These are not the children and youth that steal to and destroy these are the children that God has put callings on their lives and they are well aware of it. They live a life of loneliness that mere words cannot explain it. They try to look for a future but they are faced with the dilemma what future. Many of them in their lives are still living with Mom and Dad as there is no way that they can afford to go and get out on their own and live. The lap of luxury in the world and the love of mammon are strangling the young people of today.
They look for love but they can only find in all the wrong places as the church has gone into such apostasy that they only look to further their own coffers. They seem withdraw and sullen, but they are not they just do not know what to say. How do they tell us that they can see our nation on the brink of complete Ruin. They look to Conspiracy theories to see if the answers are there. But again they still hit the same brick wall.
They look to us as their parents and grand parents and we can not answer them. All we can do is tell them to go to the Word of God and place all their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as He and He alone is the only one that can give us Peace. But before you can have the peace of God you must understand the Grace of God. God so loved He gave. He gave us Jesus and Jesus is the only answer.
You can search any place yet you cup will come back empty unless you seek Jesus and the Word of god for only there will you find the answers to all that is happening today. He is pure love, we as parents tried to give you love but many times we failed. We loved you so much yet we failed. We did not plan to fail but we did. You failed also when you did not heed our voices as we tried to warn you to detour from the world as all is held was harm. In doing that we sent you into the world and now you see the hell of it in your own lives. As it indulged, all the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the Pride of Life. You wanted to be a part of something, wanted to be looked up to by your friends, but this you must know friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God.
God is a God of Agape Love but He is also a God of Justice and He demands that we as His children kill the flesh and live after the Spirit of God that resides with in us.
So Dear Young Ones do not fear the world but fear Him who is able to kill both body and souls. Let Jesus deliver you from the things of the World and literally soak in all of Him that you can. Never be ashamed of Him as Jesus is not ashamed of You. Hold your heads up high and remember always that You belong to the King. You are The King's Kids in the Heaven lies and who cares about the earthly. It all turns to rust and mold no matter how hard you try to keep us. Remember that your family is all you have and then again you have a huge family in God that will reach out and pick you up and never condemn you but always show you love. Love is of God and every one that Loveth is born of God. We are always here for you as well and yet far away from the point that Jesus is just a voice away from hearing you. Call on Him, He will do far beyond what you can even imagine.
Agape
Zelma
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Joel
JOEL
THE PROPHET OF PENTECOST
I ask the readers of this to remember that these were term papers that I wrote in 74-78, I do not know the exact year. I looked at the Prophets in the light of those days and now I see them much more clearly in the light of these days.
We have no information concerning the Prophet Joel apart from the Book that bears his name. Some think that he was a priest, on account of his frequent references to the priests as leading the people in Penitence and Prayer. We do not know when the Prophet lived and labored. The date of the writing of this Book is not important for the interpretation of the Book.
We are told that the Prophet was the son of Pethuel, the name supposed to mean, “Persuaded of God”. Joel own name means “Jehovah is God”. The name seems to enshrine in its brief confession of faith, reflecting possibility the Piety of his Godly Parents. It is probably that the Prophet was a native of Judah. From his prophecies it is very evident that He was not only a poet but a man of prayer. A Prophet is the strictest sense: for He preached Repentance with Divine Emphasis, and announced the coming of the Great and Terrible (Awesome) Day of the Lord.
Joel’s writings have two sections; (1) Chapter 1:2==2:17, in which the Prophet speaks describing a plague of locust accompanied by a drought, and closing by calling the people to Repentance. (2) Chapters 2:18==3:21, in which Jehovah speaks, announcing is solemn language the Final Doom of Israel’s foes and closing with a description of the Glorious Victory of the People of God. The first half of the Book begins with Gloom and ends in Light, the second begins with Judgment and ends with Victory.
Joel was successful in his appeals to the people to turn and seek the Mercy of Jehovah. His predictions of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit of Jehovah on all classes of people had its highest fulfillment at Pentecost.
Year after year thru the centuries of our History, our world has been torn by Calamity. Events over which man has no control whatever threaten to crush his spirit and snuff out his life. A lot more than physical hurt is involved. When the rubble has been cleared, the dead buried, and the wounded given aid and comfort, there is still the burning question that begin to take their toll: Why, Why this way? Why Here, Why me? Why Now? When again? Should we leave? where would we go? Modern man cannot answer these questions. Man cannot find ready answers to the puzzles that have perplexed people throughout history when they can’t understand the meaning of calamity.
The Book of Joel has Calamity as it subject. So we can only look to the Word of God when Calamity strikes on our doorstep.
An invasion of locust ravaged the land of Israel leaving no green thing alive. Wave after wave of insects have attacked the foliage, leaving waste the grape vines, splintering the fig tree, stripping their bark, and leaving their branches white. Palm, apple and pomegranate trees are all withered, as are the fields of wheat and barley. The plague has created a religious crisis as well, because the priests have no food or drink for their daily offering in the Temple. A calamity had struck Joel’s land and country and the Prophet was called by God to help the people cope with it. Joel passed two ;lessons along to the world that is torn by Calamity: how to learn from calamity and how to live with calamity.
Due to the invasion of locust the people recognized that God, in some was, was at work. They learned a valuable lesson from this. They learned something about the provisions of God. Crops that they had taken for granted were now denied. Food for which they they had not been truly grateful they now missed. What the Lord had once given He now took away. They began to realize who it was that provided their daily care. From Joel 1:19-20 both man and beasts acknowledge God’s provisions.
Joel’s countrymen also learned something about the power of God. The Lord who gave, could take away. His blessings were not to be taken for granted. His grace was not to be tampered with nor taken for granted.
God took full responsibility for the locust invasion. His power is at work in the insect army. The insects move at His command. God is not beyond using bugs to teach us a lesson of His provisions and power. Our Character means more to God than our comforts, lessons in Calamity mold our Character.
We are all going to have to live with hardships and heartache. We must hold to the hope of restoration. Acts of Compassions, not calamity are what God is best known for. Returning to Him Always leads to Life. His Ways bank on His Mercy even when life seems to be merciless.
God tells us to believe the Promise of the Spirit. All flesh, knows the Spirit of God. Joel begins with a picture of Judgment, the locust and ends with a Comforting Promise of the Worldwide Work of God in Power and Blessings thru His Spirit.
When Jesus formed His Church at Pentecost, He started this Prophecy on its way to fulfillment. Now around the World God has His People, called by His Name, Powered by His Spirit. God is constantly at work to try and draw People to Him even us His Church,
God is not done with the World. but He is making a World by the Power of His Spirit. God has a New Invasion force not a swarm of Locust but Group after Group of People. Not Disaster but health and healing, march with them and the plan of Salvation. The Love of the God we serve thru His Son Jesus Christ will see man thru any disaster that may come his way.
Agape
Zelma
http://sharonsrose.blogspot.
THE PROPHET OF PENTECOST
I ask the readers of this to remember that these were term papers that I wrote in 74-78, I do not know the exact year. I looked at the Prophets in the light of those days and now I see them much more clearly in the light of these days.
We have no information concerning the Prophet Joel apart from the Book that bears his name. Some think that he was a priest, on account of his frequent references to the priests as leading the people in Penitence and Prayer. We do not know when the Prophet lived and labored. The date of the writing of this Book is not important for the interpretation of the Book.
We are told that the Prophet was the son of Pethuel, the name supposed to mean, “Persuaded of God”. Joel own name means “Jehovah is God”. The name seems to enshrine in its brief confession of faith, reflecting possibility the Piety of his Godly Parents. It is probably that the Prophet was a native of Judah. From his prophecies it is very evident that He was not only a poet but a man of prayer. A Prophet is the strictest sense: for He preached Repentance with Divine Emphasis, and announced the coming of the Great and Terrible (Awesome) Day of the Lord.
Joel’s writings have two sections; (1) Chapter 1:2==2:17, in which the Prophet speaks describing a plague of locust accompanied by a drought, and closing by calling the people to Repentance. (2) Chapters 2:18==3:21, in which Jehovah speaks, announcing is solemn language the Final Doom of Israel’s foes and closing with a description of the Glorious Victory of the People of God. The first half of the Book begins with Gloom and ends in Light, the second begins with Judgment and ends with Victory.
Joel was successful in his appeals to the people to turn and seek the Mercy of Jehovah. His predictions of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit of Jehovah on all classes of people had its highest fulfillment at Pentecost.
Year after year thru the centuries of our History, our world has been torn by Calamity. Events over which man has no control whatever threaten to crush his spirit and snuff out his life. A lot more than physical hurt is involved. When the rubble has been cleared, the dead buried, and the wounded given aid and comfort, there is still the burning question that begin to take their toll: Why, Why this way? Why Here, Why me? Why Now? When again? Should we leave? where would we go? Modern man cannot answer these questions. Man cannot find ready answers to the puzzles that have perplexed people throughout history when they can’t understand the meaning of calamity.
The Book of Joel has Calamity as it subject. So we can only look to the Word of God when Calamity strikes on our doorstep.
An invasion of locust ravaged the land of Israel leaving no green thing alive. Wave after wave of insects have attacked the foliage, leaving waste the grape vines, splintering the fig tree, stripping their bark, and leaving their branches white. Palm, apple and pomegranate trees are all withered, as are the fields of wheat and barley. The plague has created a religious crisis as well, because the priests have no food or drink for their daily offering in the Temple. A calamity had struck Joel’s land and country and the Prophet was called by God to help the people cope with it. Joel passed two ;lessons along to the world that is torn by Calamity: how to learn from calamity and how to live with calamity.
Due to the invasion of locust the people recognized that God, in some was, was at work. They learned a valuable lesson from this. They learned something about the provisions of God. Crops that they had taken for granted were now denied. Food for which they they had not been truly grateful they now missed. What the Lord had once given He now took away. They began to realize who it was that provided their daily care. From Joel 1:19-20 both man and beasts acknowledge God’s provisions.
Joel’s countrymen also learned something about the power of God. The Lord who gave, could take away. His blessings were not to be taken for granted. His grace was not to be tampered with nor taken for granted.
God took full responsibility for the locust invasion. His power is at work in the insect army. The insects move at His command. God is not beyond using bugs to teach us a lesson of His provisions and power. Our Character means more to God than our comforts, lessons in Calamity mold our Character.
We are all going to have to live with hardships and heartache. We must hold to the hope of restoration. Acts of Compassions, not calamity are what God is best known for. Returning to Him Always leads to Life. His Ways bank on His Mercy even when life seems to be merciless.
God tells us to believe the Promise of the Spirit. All flesh, knows the Spirit of God. Joel begins with a picture of Judgment, the locust and ends with a Comforting Promise of the Worldwide Work of God in Power and Blessings thru His Spirit.
When Jesus formed His Church at Pentecost, He started this Prophecy on its way to fulfillment. Now around the World God has His People, called by His Name, Powered by His Spirit. God is constantly at work to try and draw People to Him even us His Church,
God is not done with the World. but He is making a World by the Power of His Spirit. God has a New Invasion force not a swarm of Locust but Group after Group of People. Not Disaster but health and healing, march with them and the plan of Salvation. The Love of the God we serve thru His Son Jesus Christ will see man thru any disaster that may come his way.
Agape
Zelma
http://sharonsrose.blogspot.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Hosea
The writings that you will see on the Minor Prophets I wrote before 1980. Look at how much more they apply today. I pray you will enjoy and learn from them.
Hosea
Hosea the Prophet had a message for the children of Israel. You can see His message pounding in the churches of today. First off you must see and declare what a true Prophet is. God said, that a Prophet was not to be afraid of the people. A Prophet is a person that the crowd does not like, for they expose their sins. His job is to root out, to pull down, to destroy, to throw down, to build and to plant. God said People would fight them, but they would not prevail for God would deliver the Prophet. (Jeremiah). So it is under this light that that I will see the ministry of Hosea.
The name Hosea comes from the root which signifies salvation or help, and deliverance. He was a man of the soil and drew many of his simple images from the garden and the farm. His Book is one of the most evangelical of the Old Testament.
Hosea lived and worked in the Northern Kingdom toward the close of the prosperous reign of Jeroboan II, and thru the period of confusion and anarchy that followed. The successors of Jeroboan were short lived.
You must see Israel as it was at this time. You can also see it likened to our world of today. Morality was at a low ebb, and idolatry flourished. Into this confused mass of struggling hamanity, God sent Hosea, not only to Speak His Message but to live it. The country was very wealthy at this time. The leaders lived on the lap of luxury. Israel had Military Power, Political Influence, and Economic Stability, yet it was rotten to the core. Like us, today, Israel had turned her back on God, the thing that made her unique. God wasn’t looking for prophets who would declare what a fine people they were, God was Screaming Judgement for a Backsliding Nation.
He declared that the prophets no longer called upon God, they live their lives in wickedness and lies. They turned their back on the God who had Redeemed them and brought them out of slavery.
You can see Hosea thundering the message of God to a sinful Nation that does not see a need for God. He blows the Trumpet and Comes against the House of Israel. God sees their sins, how they've set up Idols. They have played the part of a whore. lusting for the things of sins of the world they lived in. Everything about them defiled. For this God brings a fierce judgement against them.
But yet, you still see the Love of God. He will not allow His people to die in their iniquities. The day will come when God will restore the Nation Israel. He will reverse His Judgement against them. Judgement will then become forgiveness. Scattered Israel will be Renewed by God.
Hosea shows us what God is like. He shows us God’s mercy, and God’s love. From his lesson with Gomer, Hosea learns to have love and to forgive. Hosea shows us how much god suffers when we play false with Him. Hosea shows us God’s Grace and Love for each of us idolaters in the midst of Spiritual Harlotry. God refuses here to let judgement be His Last Word. As with Israel God makes every effort to bring mankind back to Himself, even tho we break His Heart by our Sins and Rebellion.
We should all learn from Hosea what the end results of sin are and then we must make our Choice, we can return and repent unto God, or we can choose to rot in our own Rebellion. The choice is ours alone.
Hosea
Hosea dates the beginning of his Prophetic ministry to the time when God commanded him to marry a woman who was to be untrue to him, and would bear children who share her impurity. The purpose of this Command was clear: Hosea Marriage to the unfaithful Gomer was to be a demonstration of God’s relationship to Israel, His people. God gives the reason for the Command in Hosea 1:2.
In the Exodus from Eqypt God had entered into a special relationship with Israel, which is called a Covenant. In response to what God had done in saving His people, in leading them thru the sea and across the desert, they pledged themselves to be His People, His Bride. Their vow to Him was like the marriage vow, they somely swore to be faithful and obedient to Him Forever.
When they entered the Promised Land, their attitudes changed, they found their vows difficult to keep. The Canaanite’s had a very different approach to religion. They worshipped Baal, not the Lord God. To Baal they attributed their crops and flocks. as a god of fertility Baal was responsible for the seasons. The Israelites began to pray and to sacrifice to Baal and to thank him for the blessings of the land. The worship of Baal was unfaithfulness to the Lord God. This is a type of spiritual harlotry, an act of playing false with her true husband.
The mother of Hosea's children in her adultery, illustrated Israel’s waywardness.
Israel’s lovers were the Canaanite gods who by their pagan ceremonies, which included immorality and drunkness, had lured Israel away from her true Husband the Lord God who had redeemed her. At this point God had no choice but to judge. He had drive His children to their knees in order to draw them back to Himself. The very names of the children born to Gomer, Hosea’s wife describe the judgement of God. The oldest son was named Jezreel: This means “ God will scatter”. His next child a daughter who name was Lo-Ruha-mah which means “not pitied”. Then another son joined the family Lo Ammi which means “not my people”.
The three names are a terrible description of God’s wrath upon His people. Hosea’s family had become object lessons of the impurity and corruption of Israel. This is symbolized by Gomers unfaithfulness, of the stern judgements of God which is illustrated in the names of the children themselves. Whoever these three children by name must have been reminded that the God of Israel was about to divorce His People on ground of infidelity.
As you read these chapters in Hosea you can cleary see the judgement of God on a world stripped of their true God. There is always God’s judgement to be faced when you leave the True God to go and play with the things of the World. Or else you leave the Bible on the shelf to never be read or thought of unless it is to impress or try and play you are a child of God. If you really want God you will find Him in this Book, for we are also a Nation of Corrupt people. When God Word warns it was not only for the Israelites it is for us also today.
The judgements of God stripped the people of their possessions, crops, religious festival, and her land. We can see the same judgements today. Priests and Prophets are being exposed for their evil deeds. God will expose all ungodliness. He will bring all things to Light. He will test the hearts of all men. Spiritual Adultery must be and will be judged.
Agape
Zelma
Hosea
Hosea the Prophet had a message for the children of Israel. You can see His message pounding in the churches of today. First off you must see and declare what a true Prophet is. God said, that a Prophet was not to be afraid of the people. A Prophet is a person that the crowd does not like, for they expose their sins. His job is to root out, to pull down, to destroy, to throw down, to build and to plant. God said People would fight them, but they would not prevail for God would deliver the Prophet. (Jeremiah). So it is under this light that that I will see the ministry of Hosea.
The name Hosea comes from the root which signifies salvation or help, and deliverance. He was a man of the soil and drew many of his simple images from the garden and the farm. His Book is one of the most evangelical of the Old Testament.
Hosea lived and worked in the Northern Kingdom toward the close of the prosperous reign of Jeroboan II, and thru the period of confusion and anarchy that followed. The successors of Jeroboan were short lived.
You must see Israel as it was at this time. You can also see it likened to our world of today. Morality was at a low ebb, and idolatry flourished. Into this confused mass of struggling hamanity, God sent Hosea, not only to Speak His Message but to live it. The country was very wealthy at this time. The leaders lived on the lap of luxury. Israel had Military Power, Political Influence, and Economic Stability, yet it was rotten to the core. Like us, today, Israel had turned her back on God, the thing that made her unique. God wasn’t looking for prophets who would declare what a fine people they were, God was Screaming Judgement for a Backsliding Nation.
He declared that the prophets no longer called upon God, they live their lives in wickedness and lies. They turned their back on the God who had Redeemed them and brought them out of slavery.
You can see Hosea thundering the message of God to a sinful Nation that does not see a need for God. He blows the Trumpet and Comes against the House of Israel. God sees their sins, how they've set up Idols. They have played the part of a whore. lusting for the things of sins of the world they lived in. Everything about them defiled. For this God brings a fierce judgement against them.
But yet, you still see the Love of God. He will not allow His people to die in their iniquities. The day will come when God will restore the Nation Israel. He will reverse His Judgement against them. Judgement will then become forgiveness. Scattered Israel will be Renewed by God.
Hosea shows us what God is like. He shows us God’s mercy, and God’s love. From his lesson with Gomer, Hosea learns to have love and to forgive. Hosea shows us how much god suffers when we play false with Him. Hosea shows us God’s Grace and Love for each of us idolaters in the midst of Spiritual Harlotry. God refuses here to let judgement be His Last Word. As with Israel God makes every effort to bring mankind back to Himself, even tho we break His Heart by our Sins and Rebellion.
We should all learn from Hosea what the end results of sin are and then we must make our Choice, we can return and repent unto God, or we can choose to rot in our own Rebellion. The choice is ours alone.
Hosea
Hosea dates the beginning of his Prophetic ministry to the time when God commanded him to marry a woman who was to be untrue to him, and would bear children who share her impurity. The purpose of this Command was clear: Hosea Marriage to the unfaithful Gomer was to be a demonstration of God’s relationship to Israel, His people. God gives the reason for the Command in Hosea 1:2.
In the Exodus from Eqypt God had entered into a special relationship with Israel, which is called a Covenant. In response to what God had done in saving His people, in leading them thru the sea and across the desert, they pledged themselves to be His People, His Bride. Their vow to Him was like the marriage vow, they somely swore to be faithful and obedient to Him Forever.
When they entered the Promised Land, their attitudes changed, they found their vows difficult to keep. The Canaanite’s had a very different approach to religion. They worshipped Baal, not the Lord God. To Baal they attributed their crops and flocks. as a god of fertility Baal was responsible for the seasons. The Israelites began to pray and to sacrifice to Baal and to thank him for the blessings of the land. The worship of Baal was unfaithfulness to the Lord God. This is a type of spiritual harlotry, an act of playing false with her true husband.
The mother of Hosea's children in her adultery, illustrated Israel’s waywardness.
Israel’s lovers were the Canaanite gods who by their pagan ceremonies, which included immorality and drunkness, had lured Israel away from her true Husband the Lord God who had redeemed her. At this point God had no choice but to judge. He had drive His children to their knees in order to draw them back to Himself. The very names of the children born to Gomer, Hosea’s wife describe the judgement of God. The oldest son was named Jezreel: This means “ God will scatter”. His next child a daughter who name was Lo-Ruha-mah which means “not pitied”. Then another son joined the family Lo Ammi which means “not my people”.
The three names are a terrible description of God’s wrath upon His people. Hosea’s family had become object lessons of the impurity and corruption of Israel. This is symbolized by Gomers unfaithfulness, of the stern judgements of God which is illustrated in the names of the children themselves. Whoever these three children by name must have been reminded that the God of Israel was about to divorce His People on ground of infidelity.
As you read these chapters in Hosea you can cleary see the judgement of God on a world stripped of their true God. There is always God’s judgement to be faced when you leave the True God to go and play with the things of the World. Or else you leave the Bible on the shelf to never be read or thought of unless it is to impress or try and play you are a child of God. If you really want God you will find Him in this Book, for we are also a Nation of Corrupt people. When God Word warns it was not only for the Israelites it is for us also today.
The judgements of God stripped the people of their possessions, crops, religious festival, and her land. We can see the same judgements today. Priests and Prophets are being exposed for their evil deeds. God will expose all ungodliness. He will bring all things to Light. He will test the hearts of all men. Spiritual Adultery must be and will be judged.
Agape
Zelma
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Jesus Paid the Price
The woman hung her head in shame. There was no denying it, yes, she was
guilty, yes, she had broken the law.
The judge pounded the gavel, "breaking any of these laws even once is
punishable by death. It is here-by ordered that you be put to death for
your
crimes."
The woman sobbed. The verdict was perfectly just, she knew she was
guilty,
and deserved death. Sorrow washed over her as she resigned herself to
her
sentence.
A man approached the judge from the center of the isle and asked to
speak.
The judge allowed it.
"Your Honor", the man said, "I would like to plead this woman's case
before
you, if I may."
The judge responded that there was no need, the woman was guilty and
the
judgement would stand.
"Your Honor", the man said, "this woman is clearly sorry for her acts.
Is
there no way her sentence can be commuted or lessened?"
"I can see your compassion for this woman," the judge said, "and I
understand it, nevertheless, she is guilty by law, and her sentence
must be
carried out."
"Is there any other way, Your Honor, any way at all?"
"No, son, there is no other way." The Judge resoponded.
"If there is no other way, and her sentence must stand, then I ask to
please
approach the bench."
"You may approach." The Judge said.
The woman continued to sob as she watched the judge converse with the
kind
stranger. Their conversation was quiet and thoughtful, the woman
wondered
what possible good the stranger could do.
The kind stranger left the bench and walked over to the woman. Taking
her
hands gently in his, he said to her, "if you will accept it, I will pay
your
debt for you."
The woman was stunned and began to sob even harder. "kind sir, my
sentence
is death."
"I know the sentence, my dear woman, and I am ready to pay it for you,
do
you believe me?"
"Yes, I believe you." The woman replied.
The Judge pounded the gavel, "then it is so ordered."
"but...but..."the woman replied, "I don't know what to say, how can I
ever
repay such kindness."
The kind stranger allowed himself to be handcuffed and led toward the
back
of the court room.
"The only thing required of you my child, is that you believe me."
Replied
the kind stranger.
"I believe you," the woman sobbed.
"Kind sir", the woman asked the stranger, "the law is hard to follow,
in
fact I know I am not able to keep the law. You are giving your life for
me,
paying the debt I now owe, but what about in the future? What happens
to me
if I break the law again after you have paid my past debt?"
The kind stranger looked at her with great compassion in his eyes. "I
understand your question. What you must understand is that your
sentence has
not been changed or taken away. Your sentence is death and it will be
carried out, but it will be I who am put to death for you. Even though
it is
I who will die, it is your sentence which I am paying, in your place,
do you
understand?"
"I think so," the woman replied, "But I am not sure, I still don't
understand my future debt that I surely will aquire."
"When you go into a graveyard and look at the headstones," the kind
stranger
said, "which of the people in their graves continues to sin?"
"None of them kind sir, someone who is dead cannot sin any longer in
this
world."
"Exactly," said the kind stranger. "I am taking your punishment FOR
you, in
your place. Since you believe me, you will actually "die" with me.
After
this you will live under grace and none of your future crimes will be
held
against you. A dead person cannot sin.
"It is hard to understand, kind sir, but I believe you, and I am
forever
greatful to you." The woman replied.
Romans 6
3Or do you not know that all of us who have been (E)baptized into
(F)Christ
Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4Therefore we have been (G)buried with Him through baptism into death,
so
that as Christ was (H)raised from the dead through the (I)glory of the
Father, so we too might walk in (J)newness of life.
5For (K)if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death,
certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6knowing this, that our (L)old self was (M)crucified with Him, in order
that
our (N)body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer
be
slaves to sin;
7for (O)he who has died is freed from sin.
Rom 4
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom
God
imputeth righteousness without works,
7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins
are
covered.
8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
John 3
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the Son
of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal
life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the
world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
If we believe that our Precious Savior died in our place and paid our
debt
for us, then we shall be saved.
Amen
Agape
Zelma
guilty, yes, she had broken the law.
The judge pounded the gavel, "breaking any of these laws even once is
punishable by death. It is here-by ordered that you be put to death for
your
crimes."
The woman sobbed. The verdict was perfectly just, she knew she was
guilty,
and deserved death. Sorrow washed over her as she resigned herself to
her
sentence.
A man approached the judge from the center of the isle and asked to
speak.
The judge allowed it.
"Your Honor", the man said, "I would like to plead this woman's case
before
you, if I may."
The judge responded that there was no need, the woman was guilty and
the
judgement would stand.
"Your Honor", the man said, "this woman is clearly sorry for her acts.
Is
there no way her sentence can be commuted or lessened?"
"I can see your compassion for this woman," the judge said, "and I
understand it, nevertheless, she is guilty by law, and her sentence
must be
carried out."
"Is there any other way, Your Honor, any way at all?"
"No, son, there is no other way." The Judge resoponded.
"If there is no other way, and her sentence must stand, then I ask to
please
approach the bench."
"You may approach." The Judge said.
The woman continued to sob as she watched the judge converse with the
kind
stranger. Their conversation was quiet and thoughtful, the woman
wondered
what possible good the stranger could do.
The kind stranger left the bench and walked over to the woman. Taking
her
hands gently in his, he said to her, "if you will accept it, I will pay
your
debt for you."
The woman was stunned and began to sob even harder. "kind sir, my
sentence
is death."
"I know the sentence, my dear woman, and I am ready to pay it for you,
do
you believe me?"
"Yes, I believe you." The woman replied.
The Judge pounded the gavel, "then it is so ordered."
"but...but..."the woman replied, "I don't know what to say, how can I
ever
repay such kindness."
The kind stranger allowed himself to be handcuffed and led toward the
back
of the court room.
"The only thing required of you my child, is that you believe me."
Replied
the kind stranger.
"I believe you," the woman sobbed.
"Kind sir", the woman asked the stranger, "the law is hard to follow,
in
fact I know I am not able to keep the law. You are giving your life for
me,
paying the debt I now owe, but what about in the future? What happens
to me
if I break the law again after you have paid my past debt?"
The kind stranger looked at her with great compassion in his eyes. "I
understand your question. What you must understand is that your
sentence has
not been changed or taken away. Your sentence is death and it will be
carried out, but it will be I who am put to death for you. Even though
it is
I who will die, it is your sentence which I am paying, in your place,
do you
understand?"
"I think so," the woman replied, "But I am not sure, I still don't
understand my future debt that I surely will aquire."
"When you go into a graveyard and look at the headstones," the kind
stranger
said, "which of the people in their graves continues to sin?"
"None of them kind sir, someone who is dead cannot sin any longer in
this
world."
"Exactly," said the kind stranger. "I am taking your punishment FOR
you, in
your place. Since you believe me, you will actually "die" with me.
After
this you will live under grace and none of your future crimes will be
held
against you. A dead person cannot sin.
"It is hard to understand, kind sir, but I believe you, and I am
forever
greatful to you." The woman replied.
Romans 6
3Or do you not know that all of us who have been (E)baptized into
(F)Christ
Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4Therefore we have been (G)buried with Him through baptism into death,
so
that as Christ was (H)raised from the dead through the (I)glory of the
Father, so we too might walk in (J)newness of life.
5For (K)if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death,
certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6knowing this, that our (L)old self was (M)crucified with Him, in order
that
our (N)body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer
be
slaves to sin;
7for (O)he who has died is freed from sin.
Rom 4
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom
God
imputeth righteousness without works,
7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins
are
covered.
8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
John 3
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the Son
of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal
life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the
world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
If we believe that our Precious Savior died in our place and paid our
debt
for us, then we shall be saved.
Amen
Agape
Zelma
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
The Rapture
THE RAPTURE {CATCHING-AWAY} OF BELIEVERS
MEANING OF THE WORD "RAPTURE"
The "Rapture" is the name given to a Biblically revealed event in which Jesus Christ descends from Heaven, accompanied by the spirits of all the saints who have passed on prior to this event, and then the bodily remains of these saints are transported from the earth to meet the Lord and be rejoined with their corresponding spirits in the air. Immediately after this, all Christians alive on the earth are simultaneously transported to meet the Lord and those who have preceded them in the air. All are transformed into immortal bodies like Jesus' body, referred to as the "resurrection body".
"Rapture", when used in eschatological terms, is an English word used in place of the Latin word raeptius, which is taken from the Vulgate version of the BIble, which in turn is a translation of the Koine Greek word harpazo, found in the early Greek New Testament manuscripts of 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
In many modern English translations of the Bible, harpazo is translated; "caught up", or "taken away". The meaning of "harpazo"[ har-pad'-zo Koine Greek;] is= "forcibly snatched away", "taken for oneself".
THE RAPTURE WAS A HIDDEN MYSTERY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
(Gen 49:10 KJV) The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the GATHERING of the people be.
*Note: this is the only occurance of the word "Shiloh" in the OT, and means "peace". Shiloh={Heb=an epithet for the Messiah; tranquility, propsering, peace,} Also, the name "Melchizaderk", who is also a type of Christ or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ , means "the King of Peace".
(Gen 14:18 KJV) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
(Heb 7:1-3 KJV) For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; {2} To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; {3} Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
THE FEAST OF "IN-GATHERING"... AN OLD TESTAMENT HINT ABOUT THE RAPTURE
(Exo 23:14-16 KJV) Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. {15} Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) {16} And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast GATHERED* in thy labours out of the field.
* The Hebrew word for "gathered" means " to receive, to take away, to take up. Jesus said:
(John 14:1-3 KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and RECEIVE you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
THE NEW TESTAMENT REVELATION OF THE RAPTURE- WHAT WAS HIDDEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS CLEARLY STATED IN THE NEW
(1 Th 4:13-18 KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. {15} For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent {precede) them which are asleep. {16} For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: {17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. {18} Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(1 Th 5:1-6 KJV) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. {2} For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. {3} For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. {4} But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. {5} Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. {6} Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
THE RAPTURE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A CHANGE TO A HEAVENLY BODY
(1 Cor 15:49-58 KJV) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. {50} Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
THE RAPTURE IS GOD'S PROVISION TO PROTECT BELIEVERS FROM COMING JUDGEMENT. THIS DEMONSTRATES A CONTINUING PRINCIPAL THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE
(Gen 18:25 KJV) That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: S hall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
(Exo 12:7,12-13 KJV) And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses,... (12} For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. {13} And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
(Psa 11:4-7 KJV) The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. {5} The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. {6} Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. {7} For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
(Psa 26:8-12 KJV) LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. {9} Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: {10} In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. {11} But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. {12} My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
(Luke 17:26-30 KJV) And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. {27} They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. {28} Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; {29} But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. {30} Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
(Luke 17:34-36 KJV) I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. {35} Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. {36} Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(Rev 3:10 KJV) Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT. ie, LIKELY TO OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT
(Mat 24:36-39 KJV) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. {37} But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. {38} For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, {39} And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
(Mat 24:42-44 KJV) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. {43} But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. {44} Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(Mark 13:32-33 KJV) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. {33} Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
(Acts 1:6-7 KJV) When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? {7} And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
(1 Th 5:2-6 KJV) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. {3} For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. {4} But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. {5} Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. {6} Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
(Rev 3:2-3 KJV) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. {3} Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
(Rev 16:15 KJV) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
(Rev 22:20 KJV) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
MEANING OF THE WORD "RAPTURE"
The "Rapture" is the name given to a Biblically revealed event in which Jesus Christ descends from Heaven, accompanied by the spirits of all the saints who have passed on prior to this event, and then the bodily remains of these saints are transported from the earth to meet the Lord and be rejoined with their corresponding spirits in the air. Immediately after this, all Christians alive on the earth are simultaneously transported to meet the Lord and those who have preceded them in the air. All are transformed into immortal bodies like Jesus' body, referred to as the "resurrection body".
"Rapture", when used in eschatological terms, is an English word used in place of the Latin word raeptius, which is taken from the Vulgate version of the BIble, which in turn is a translation of the Koine Greek word harpazo, found in the early Greek New Testament manuscripts of 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
In many modern English translations of the Bible, harpazo is translated; "caught up", or "taken away". The meaning of "harpazo"[ har-pad'-zo Koine Greek;] is= "forcibly snatched away", "taken for oneself".
THE RAPTURE WAS A HIDDEN MYSTERY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
(Gen 49:10 KJV) The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the GATHERING of the people be.
*Note: this is the only occurance of the word "Shiloh" in the OT, and means "peace". Shiloh={Heb=an epithet for the Messiah; tranquility, propsering, peace,} Also, the name "Melchizaderk", who is also a type of Christ or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ , means "the King of Peace".
(Gen 14:18 KJV) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
(Heb 7:1-3 KJV) For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; {2} To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; {3} Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
THE FEAST OF "IN-GATHERING"... AN OLD TESTAMENT HINT ABOUT THE RAPTURE
(Exo 23:14-16 KJV) Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. {15} Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) {16} And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast GATHERED* in thy labours out of the field.
* The Hebrew word for "gathered" means " to receive, to take away, to take up. Jesus said:
(John 14:1-3 KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and RECEIVE you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
THE NEW TESTAMENT REVELATION OF THE RAPTURE- WHAT WAS HIDDEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS CLEARLY STATED IN THE NEW
(1 Th 4:13-18 KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. {15} For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent {precede) them which are asleep. {16} For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: {17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. {18} Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(1 Th 5:1-6 KJV) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. {2} For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. {3} For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. {4} But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. {5} Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. {6} Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
THE RAPTURE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A CHANGE TO A HEAVENLY BODY
(1 Cor 15:49-58 KJV) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. {50} Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
THE RAPTURE IS GOD'S PROVISION TO PROTECT BELIEVERS FROM COMING JUDGEMENT. THIS DEMONSTRATES A CONTINUING PRINCIPAL THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE
(Gen 18:25 KJV) That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: S hall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
(Exo 12:7,12-13 KJV) And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses,... (12} For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. {13} And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
(Psa 11:4-7 KJV) The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. {5} The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. {6} Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. {7} For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
(Psa 26:8-12 KJV) LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. {9} Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: {10} In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. {11} But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. {12} My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
(Luke 17:26-30 KJV) And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. {27} They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. {28} Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; {29} But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. {30} Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
(Luke 17:34-36 KJV) I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. {35} Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. {36} Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(Rev 3:10 KJV) Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT. ie, LIKELY TO OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT
(Mat 24:36-39 KJV) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. {37} But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. {38} For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, {39} And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
(Mat 24:42-44 KJV) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. {43} But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. {44} Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(Mark 13:32-33 KJV) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. {33} Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
(Acts 1:6-7 KJV) When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? {7} And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
(1 Th 5:2-6 KJV) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. {3} For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. {4} But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. {5} Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. {6} Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
(Rev 3:2-3 KJV) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. {3} Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
(Rev 16:15 KJV) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
(Rev 22:20 KJV) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
ZECHARIAH
Another prophet of about the same time was Haggai who also wrote to Judah. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.
ZECHARIAH:
GOD SOVEREIGNTY OF GLORIOUS MESSIANIC COMING TO ESTABLISH HIS ISRAEL KINGDOM & CONTROL OVER THE EARTH
Zechariah 3:8-9 "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. {9} For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." BRANCH is Jesus
Zechariah 14:3-5 "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. {4} And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. {5} And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee."
Zechariah 14:9 "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one."
CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS
OVERVIEW
OUTLINE
TOPICS
CHAPTER(S) THEMES I) Prophecy
Prophet Zechariah
Introduction
{1:1} Prophet vision
II) Encourage & Motivate – Israel’s present A) A call to repentance
According to His ways not our ways
{1:2-6} Turn unto God from evil & He will turn unto you
" B) Eight visions
The man named, BRANCH, will build the temple as He, Jesus, is a priest & rules upon His throne
{1:7-6:15} Not by your might or power but by God’s spirit you build temple
III) Questions & four messages
Fast {7:1-3}, Failed religion {7:4-14}, Zion’s restoration {8:1-23}
God will return unto Zion to dwell in city of truth, Jerusalem
{7:1-8:23} Execute true judgment & to show others mercy
IV) Encourage & hope – Israel’s future
A) 1st burden – Divine warrior/restore
King Jesus will come to Israel lowly & just as ruler of all things
{9:1-11:11} Jesus comes as king riding colt-ass to rule earth
" B) 2nd burden – Reject Messiah
Wounds in hands in house of my friend, & God’s refines Israel
{11:12-13:9} Smite the shepherd, & the sheep scatter
" C) Reign of Messiah
The day of the LORD - Jesus 2nd coming as king of earth
{14:1-21} LORD shall be king over all the earth
AUTHOR: Prophet Zechariah DATE: 520 BC FROM: Judah TO: Judah
PURPOSE:
- EXHORT & MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO CONTINUE BUILDING THE TEMPLE INCLUDING A REAL HOPE FOR THE MESSIAH COMING TO THE TEMPLE
Zechariah 1:16 "Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."
KEY WORD(S)/VERSES:
Zechariah 1:3 "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."God's way.
[ that day ] (2:11; 3:10; 9:16; 11:11; 12:3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11; 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 8, 9, 13, 20, 21); [ day of the Lord ] (14:1); [ Jerusalem ] (1:12, 14, 16, 17, 19; 2:2, 4, 12; 3:2; 7:7; 8:3, 4, 8, 15, 22; 9:9, 10; 12:2, 3, 5-11; 13:1; 14:2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21);
[ land ] (1:21; 2:6, 12; 3:9; 7:5, 14; 9:16; 11:6, 16; 12:12; 13:2, 8; 14:10); [ judgment ] (3:7; 7:9; 8:16); [ temple ] (6:12-15; 8:9); [ house ] (1:16; 3:7; 4:9; 5:11; 7:2, 3; 8:9; 9:8; 11:13; 14:20, 21), [Thus saith the ] (1:3, 4, 14, 16, 17; 2:5, 6, 8, 10; 3:7, 9, 10; 6:1, 2; 7:9, 13; 8:2, 3, 4, 6; 7:9, 11, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23; 10:12; 11:4, 6; 12:1, 2; 13:2, 7, 8); [ word ] (1:1, 7: 4:6, 8; 6:9; 7:1, 4, 8: 8:1, 18; 9:1; 11:11; 12:1) [ angel of the Lord ] (1:12, 13; 3:1, 3:5, 6; 12:8)
OUTLINE FOR ZECHARIAH
I) INTRODUCTION: {ZECHARIAH 1:1}
II) ENCOURAGE & MOTIVATE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-6:15}
A) A CALL TO REPENTANCE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-1:6}
B) EIGHT VISIONS: {ZECHARIAH 1:7-6:15}
III) QUESTIONS & FOUR MESSAGES: {ZECHARIAH 7:1-8:23}
IV) ENCOURAGE & HOPE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-14:21}
A) 1ST BURDEN - DIVINE WARRIOR/RESTORE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-11:11}
B) 2ND BURDEN - REJECT MESSIAH: {ZECHARIAH 11:12-13:9}
C) REIGN OF MESSIAH: {ZECHARIAH 14:1-14:21}
MISC: ZECHARIAH’S CHOICE SELECTIONS {ZECHARIAH 1:12 – 14:16}
(1) The angel of the LORD intercessors for Jerusalem & Judah {Zechariah 1:12}
(2) The angel of the LORD, Satan, & Joshua the high priest {Zechariah 3:1-12}
(3) Not by might or power but by the Holy Spirit {Zechariah 4:6}
(4) Jesus, the BRANCH, as both King & Priest {Zechariah 6:12-13}
(5) People from all nations will come to Jerusalem to see LORD {Zechariah 8:22-23}
(6) Coming of Jesus the Prince of Peace on donkey (1st & 2nd) {Zechariah 9:9-10}
(7) Thirty pieces of silver for betrayal of Jesus {Zechariah 11:12-13}
(8) Jerusalem a major problem for nation {Zechariah 12:2-3}
(9) Jesus, pierced by friend, Judas & the Jewish people {Zechariah 12:10, 13:6-7}
(10) Fountain for sin & uncleanness {Zechariah 13:1}
(11) Siege of Jerusalem with Jesus second coming leading victory {Zechariah 14:1-5}
(12) All nations will go up to Jerusalem yearly to worship, Jesus the king, on feast of Tabernacles {Zechariah 14:9, 16}
I) INTRODUCTION: {ZECHARIAH 1:1}
WHO: LORD WHOM: Zechariah
Zechariah 1:1 "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the [ word ] of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
Darius: King of Babylon allows some 50,000 people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Building is ceases when Zerubbabel (governor) refuses the help of the Samaritans (mixed blood Jews and gentiles). They send letters to Babylon. 4 kings later they build..
Zechariah: Name means remembrance of the Lord. He was a Priest, born in Babylon, and returned from exile with Zerubbabel in 536 BC. He was a young man (2:4) when he received his first visions.
Ezra 5:1 "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, unto them."
Ezra 6:14 "And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia."
Nehemiah 12:7 "Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua."
Nehemiah 12:16 "Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;"
Matthew 23:35 "That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar."
Berechiah: Name means blessed of Lord.
Iddo: Name means great calamity. A Priest (see Nehemiah scriptures above). The Grandfather of Zechariah.
II) ENCOURAGE & MOTIVATE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-6:15}
A) A CALL TO REPENTANCE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-1:6}
Zechariah 1:2 "The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers."
WHAT: Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you
Zechariah 1:3 "Therefore say thou unto them, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me , saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts."
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Turn ye unto me..and I will turn unto you:
MAJOR VERSE: This is repentance on man's part and God will respond.
WAY: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and your evil doings
Zechariah 1:4 "Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD ." Learn the lesson.
Zechariah 1:5 "Your fathers, where they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?"
WAY: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and your evil doings
Zechariah 1:6 "But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us."
A) EIGHT VISIONS: {ZECHARIAH 1:7-6:15}
MISC: EIGHT VISIONS {ZECHARIAH 1:7 – 6:15}
(1st) Vision: Man among the Myrtle Trees & Drove of Horses {Zechariah 1:7-1:17}
(2nd) Vision: Four Horns & Four Carpenters {Zechariah 1:18-1:21}
(3rd) Vision: Man with the Measuring Line {Zechariah 2:1-2:13}
(4th) Vision: Cleaning of the High Priest {Zechariah 3:1-3:10}
(5th) Vision: Golden Candlestick & Two Olive Trees {Zechariah 4:1-4:14}
(6th) Vision: Flying Roll {Zechariah 5:1-5:4}
(7th) Vision: Woman in the Ephah {Zechariah 5:4-5:11}
(8th) Vision: Four Chariots 6:1-8 & Crowning of High Priest {Zechariah 6:10-15}
1st Vision: Man among the Myrtle Trees & Drove of Horses 1:7-1:17
Zechariah 1:7 "Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the [ word ] of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
Word of the Lord unto Zechariah:
MISC: SCRIPTURE PROPHET OF THE LORD
Prophet: A spokesman for another, as for God. Other names/titles in the Bible are as follows: Man of God; Servant of the Lord; Messenger of the Lord; and Seer (to see).
Exodus 7:1-2 "And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. {2} Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land."
Jeremiah 1:7 "But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."
Amos 3:7-8 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. {8} The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"
1 Samuel 9:9 "(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for now a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)"
TRUE & FALSE PROPHETS TESTS:
(1) Spoke only in the name of the Lord (Yahweh).
(2) His life matches his position. He did not practice divination.
(3) Do not assume signs and wonders prove his position.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, {2} And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; {3} Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
2 Thessalonians 2:9 ", whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"
(4) His message was in harmony with previous revelation.
(5) History will confirm his authenticity.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? {22} When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
(6) Moral quality and spiritual essence of the message.
(7) Inner witness to the Holy Spirit believer.
1 Corinthians 14:29 "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."
Zechariah 1:8 "I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that in the bottom; and behind him red horses, speckled, and white." Zechariah had all eight visions one night.
Myrtle Trees: Symbolizes Israel. They are 8 feet, but this is at the bottom or a tree crushed that emits a sweet fragrance.
Red horses, speckled, and white: Red symbolizes blood, war & death
Speckled symbolizes bay of pail or sorrel. White symbolizes victory
Revelation 6:4 "And there went out another horse red: and was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword."
Zechariah 1:9 "Then said I, O my lord, what these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will show thee what these ."
Zechariah 1:10 "And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth."
These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro..earth:
Job 1:7 "And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."
Zechariah 1:11 "And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest."
Exodus 3:2-4 "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush not consumed. {3} And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. {4} And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here
KEY WORD: ANGEL OF THE LORD, JESUS {ZECHARIAH 1:12 – 12:8}
(1) The angel of the LORD answered, LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem {Zechariah 1:12}
(2) The LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words {Zechariah 1:13}
(3) Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan {Zechariah 3:1}
(4) the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk {Zechariah 3:6-7}
(5) In that day, the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them {Zechariah 12:8}
Zechariah 1:12 "Then [ angel of the LORD ] answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on [ Jerusalem ] and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?" 70 years of Jeremiah.
These threescore and ten years (70):
Jeremiah 25:11 "And this whole land shall be a desolation, an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years."
Zechariah 1:13 "And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me good words comfortable words."
Zechariah 1:14 "So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; I am jealous for [ Jerusalem ] and for Zion with a great jealousy."
I am jealous for Jerusalem & Zion..displeased with heathen at ease:
Jeremiah 25:12 "And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations."
Zechariah 1:15 "And I am very sore displeased with the heathen at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction."
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 1:16 "Therefore thus saith the LORD I am returned to [ Jerusalem ] with mercies: my [ house ] shall be built in it, [ saith the ] LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon [ Jerusalem ]."
My house shall be built in it:
Ezra 6:14-16 "And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. {15} And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. {16} And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,"
Line shall be stretched: 2:1; Symbol of restoration; Jeremiah 31:39
Zechariah 1:17 "Cry yet, saying, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose [ Jerusalem ]."
Choose Jerusalem: See also 2:12 & 3:2
2nd Vision: Four Horns & Four Carpenters 1:18-1:21
Zechariah 1:18 "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns."
Four horns: Symbol of strength. Maybe Assyria, Egypt, Babylonis, & Medo-Persia.
Zechariah 1:19 "And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What these? And he answered me, These the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and [ Jerusalem ]."
Zechariah 1:20 "And the LORD showed me four carpenters."
Four Carpenters: Craftsman that tear down former nations.
Restoration of Israel and Jerusalem. Undo what the four horns of the gentiles have done to Judah.
Zechariah 1:21 "Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up horn over the [ land ] of Judah to scatter it." Horn also have pride.
3rd Vision: Man with the Measuring Line Chapter 2
Zechariah 2:1 "I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand."
A measuring line in his hand..to measure Jerusalem:
Restoration and enlargement to Jerusalem under the Messiah.
Zechariah 2:2 "Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure [ Jerusalem ], to see what the breadth thereof, and what the length thereof."
Zechariah 2:3 "And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,"
Zechariah 2:4 "And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, [ Jerusalem ] shall be inhabited towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:"
This young man: Zechariah is a young man at this point.
Zechariah 2:5 "For I [ saith the ] LORD , will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the { glory } in the midst of her."
Zechariah 2:6 "Ho, ho,, and flee from the [ land ] of the north, saith the LORD : for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, [ saith the ] LORD ." Jews come back to Israel.
Zechariah 2:7 "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest the daughter of Babylon."
Zechariah 2:8 "For [ thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; After the { glory } hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye."
He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye:Closeness to God
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Zechariah 2:9 "For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me."
Zechariah 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, [ saith the ] LORD ."
Zechariah 2:11 "And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in [ that day ], and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee."
Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day: See 8:20-23
Daniel 7:13-14 "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. {14} And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom which shall not be destroyed."
Zechariah 2:12 "And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy [ land ], and shall choose [ Jerusalem ] again."
Holy Land:God's land, Israel, given to Jews. Bible only reference.
Exodus 3:5 "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest holy ground."
Zechariah 2:13 "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD : for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."
4th Vision: Cleaning of the High Priest Chapter 3
Zechariah 3:1 "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the [ angel of the LORD , and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." Angel of the Lord=Jesus,
Joshua the high priest:
Zechariah 6:11 "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;"
Satan:
Job 1:6-7 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. {7} And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."
Zechariah 3:2 "And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen [ Jerusalem ] rebuke thee: not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"
Lord said unto Satan..Lord rebuke thee, O Satan:
Jude 1:9 "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."
Zechariah 3:3 "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel."
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments:
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean, and all our righteousnesses as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Zechariah 3:4 "And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."
I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee..change of raiment:
Psalms 32:1-2 " of David, Maschil. Blessed transgression forgiven, sin covered. {2} Blessed the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit no guile."
Zechariah 3:5 "And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And [ angel of the LORD stood by."
Zechariah 3:6 "And [ angel of the Lord LORD ] protested unto Joshua, saying,"
Angel of the Lord.if thou wilt walk in my ways.wilt keep my charge:
See Zechariah 1:11
Zechariah 3:7 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in /\ my /\ ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also [ judge ] my [ house ], and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."
Zechariah 3:8 "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH ."
I will bring forth my servant the Branch: See also Zechariah 6:12.
One stone shall be seven eyes: Jesus is the stone builders rejected
Isaiah 11:1-2 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: {2} And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;"
Zechariah 3:9 "For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that [ land ] in one day."
I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day:
Isaiah 66:8 "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."
Zechariah 3:10 "In [ that day ], [ saith the ] /\ LORD /\ of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree."
5th Vision: Golden Candlestick & Two Olive Trees Chapter 4
IN CHAPTER 4 - ISRAEL WAS CLEANED
Zechariah 4:1 "And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep," Waken vision
Zechariah 4:2 "And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which upon the top thereof:"
What seest thou.candlestick all of gold.seven pipes to seven lamps:
Seven is symbolic of completion. Israel is given complete light. Lamps used oil as energy. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Israel will have the Holy Spirit Baptism. Israel's took as its symbol the candelabrum.
Revelation 4:5 "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."
Revelation 1:4 "John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;"
Isaiah 11:1-2 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: {2} And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" These are the seven Spirits.
Zechariah 4:3 "And two olive trees by it, one upon the right of the bowl, and the other upon the left thereof."
Two olive trees by it:
Two is symbolic of unity (Jesus as both King & High Priest as one Zechariah 6:13). Olive tree is symbolic of Israel in Romans 11:24.
Matthew 20:20-22 "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. {21} And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. {22} But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."
Revelation 11:3-6 "And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. {4} These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. {5} And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. {6} These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." Model Moses & Elijah ministries. Some believe this is Enoch & Elijah the two people who never died.
Zechariah 4:4 "So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What these, my lord?" For each vision,
Zechariah asked angel a question. He gets his answer in verse 14.
Zechariah 4:5 "Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord."
WHAT: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This the [ word ] of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my /\ spirit , saith the LORD of hosts."God's way.
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord:
MAJOR VERSE: Also 1:3. Oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit.
Zechariah 4:7 "Who thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone shouting, , Grace, grace unto it."Mountain overcome. Headstone = Jesus; Grace = un-merited favor.
Mark 11:23 "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."
Zechariah 4:8 "Moreover the [ word ] of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 4:9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this [ house ]; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you."
Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house & shall finish it
John 2:19 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. {11} For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Zechariah 4:10 "For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel those seven; they the eyes of the LORD , which run to and fro through the whole earth."
Seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to fro.whole earth:
Eyes are symbolic of all seeing and all knowing. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. See notes on 4:2 & Is 11:1-2.
Zechariah 4:11 "Then answered I, and said unto him, What these two olive trees upon the right of the candlestick and upon the left thereof?" Second time asked.
Zechariah 4:12 "And I answered again, and said unto him, What two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden out of themselves?"
Golden: Symbolic of purity.
Oil out of themselves: Holy Spirit as never ending source.
Zechariah 4:13 "And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these? And I said, No, my lord."
Two olive branches..are two anointed ones..stand by Lord of earth:
Two witnesses prophesy: 2 Olive trees. Olive tree symbolic Israel
These two are Jewish. In Revelation 11:5-6 they model Moses & Elijah ministries. Some believe these to be the two people in the Bible who never died (Elijah and Enoch).
Two Witnesses: Deut 17:6, 19:15; Job 33:14; Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1
Zechariah 4:14 "Then said he, These the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."Jesus is the earth Lord.
6th Vision: Flying Roll 5:1-5:4
IN CHAPTER 5 – ISRAEL IS A LIGHT TO WORLD
Zechariah 5:1 "Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll." Roll = scroll
Flying roll..is curse..everyone that steal's or swear's is cut off:
Zechariah 5:2 "And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits." cubit = 1.5 - 2 feet
Zechariah 5:3 "Then said he unto me, This the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off on that side according to it."
Curse..stealeth (Eighth Commandment)..sweareth (Third Commandment):
Deuteronomy 27:26 "Cursed he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen."
Matthew 5:34, 37 "But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: {37} But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
James 5:12 "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."
Zechariah 5:4 " I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."
7th Vision: Woman in the Ephah 5:4-5:11
Zechariah 5:5 "Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what this that goeth forth."
Zechariah 5:6 "And I said, What it? And he said, This an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This their resemblance through all the earth." Ephah = 3 pt measurement basket
Zechariah 5:7 "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."
Women: The Hebrew word wickedness is feminine in gender.
Zechariah 5:8 "And he said, This wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof." Weight = evil which could not be held down.
This is wickedness: Moral, religious, and civil evil.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. {7} For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth, until he be taken out of the way. {8} And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:"
1 John 2:15-16 "Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For all that in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
Zechariah 5:9 "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven." Stork=occult
Zechariah 5:10 "Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?" ephad: see Zechariah 5:6
Zechariah 5:11 "And he said unto me, To build it an [ house ] in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base."
Land of Shinar: Name means scatter every way. Chaldaea & Babylonia
8th Vision: Four Chariots 6:1-8 & Crowning of High Priest 6:10-15
Zechariah 6:1 "And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains mountains of brass."
Four Chariots: Four angels to destroy
Revelation 6:2-8 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. {3} And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. {4} And there went out another horse red: and was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. {5} And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. {6} And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and thou hurt not the oil and the wine. {7} And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. {8} And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."
Zechariah 6:2 "In the first chariot red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;" Red: See Revelation 6:4 ;
Black: Revelation 6:5
Zechariah 6:3 "And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses." White: See Revelation 6:2 Grisled & Bay: Revelation 6:8 (Pale)
Zechariah 6:4 "Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What these, my lord?"
Zechariah 6:5 "And the angel answered and said unto me, These the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth."
Zechariah 6:6 "The black horses which therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country."
Zechariah 6:7 "And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth." To and fro: See Zechariah 1:10
Zechariah 6:8 "Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country."
Zechariah 6:9 "And the [ word ] of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 6:10 "Take of the captivity, of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;"
Zechariah 6:11 "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;"
WAY: Behold the man whose name The BRANCH he shall build the temple
Zechariah 6:12 "And speak unto him, saying, [ Thus specketh the ] LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name The BRANCH ; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the [ temple ] of the LORD :"
WHY: He shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule upon his throne and he shall be a priest upon his throne
Zechariah 6:13 "Even he shall build the [ temple ] of the LORD ; and he shall bear the { glory }, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."
Behold the man whose name is the Branch; He shall build the temple;
He shall bear the glory: See also Zechariah 3:8
Isaiah 11:1 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"
Hebrews 3:3 "For this was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house." Jesus is the creator & ruler over Israel & church.
Shall sit & rule on his throne..he shall be a priest on his throne:
Genesis 14:18 "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he the priest of the most high God."
Hebrews 7:1-2 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; {2} To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;"He is Jesus
Zechariah 6:14 "And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the [ temple ] of the LORD ."
Zechariah 6:15 "And they far off shall come and build in the [ temple ] of the LORD , and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God ."
III) QUESTIONS & FOUR MESSAGES: {ZECHARIAH 7:1-8:23}
WHEN: Fourth year of king Darius in the fourth of the ninth month
Zechariah 7:1 "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, the [ word ] of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth of the ninth month, in Chisleu;"
WHERE: in Chisleu
Zechariah 7:2 "When they had sent unto the [ house ] of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD ,"
Zechariah 7:3 " to speak unto the priests which in the [ house ] of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?"
Zechariah 7:4 "Then came the [ word ] of the LORD of hosts unto me,"
Zechariah 7:5 "Speak unto all the people of the [ land ], and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, to me?"
When you fast and mourned, & Did you at all fast unto me?:
MISC: SCRIPTURE EXAMPLES FOR FASTING
How to Fast:
Isaiah 58:3-7 "Wherefore have we fasted,, and thou seest not? have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. {4} Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as day, to make your voice to be heard on high. {5} Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes ? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? {6} not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? {7} not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"
(1) To stand in gap for people:
Deuteronomy 9:18 "And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
(2) To learn God's will:
Ezra 8:21 "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance."
(3) To stand in gap for healing country:
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
(4) To heal child for parents sin:
2 Samuel 12:16 "David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth."
(5) To heal someone:
Matthew 17:21 "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Zechariah 7:6 "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat, and drink ?"
Zechariah 7:7 " not the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when [ Jerusalem ] was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when inhabited the south and the plain?"
Zechariah 7:8 "And the [ word ] of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
WHAT: Execute true judgment and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother
Zechariah 7:9 "[ Thus speaketh the ] LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true [ judgment ], and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:"
WAY: Oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart
Zechariah 7:10 "And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart."
Execute true judgment..show mercy & compassion..oppress not any:
Hosea 6:6 "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Micah 6:8 "He hath showed thee, O man, what good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, to keep himself unspotted from the world."
Zechariah 7:11 "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 7:12 "Yea, they made their hearts an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts."
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 7:13 "Therefore it is come to pass, as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:"
Zechariah 7:14 "But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the [ land ] was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate."
Zechariah 8:1 "Again the [ word ] of the LORD of hosts came, saying,"
Zechariah 8:2 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, & I was jealous for her with great fury."
WHY: I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem which shall be called a city of truth
Zechariah 8:3 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD ; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of [ Jerusalem ]: and [ Jerusalem ] shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain." Jesus is truth (John 14:6). He will rule from Jerusalem
Jerusalem called a city of truth: Jesus presents as King of kings. See Zecharaih 14:16
Zechariah 8:4 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of [ Jerusalem ], and every man with his staff in his hand for very age."
Zechariah 8:5 "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof."
Jerusalem street: boys, girls, & old people:
Isaiah 65:19 "And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying."
Zechariah 8:6 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 8:7 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;"
I will save my people from the east country & west country:
Isaiah 11:11-12 "And it shall come to pass in that day, the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. {12} And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
WHILE: They shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness
Zechariah 8:8 "And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of [ Jerusalem ]: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God , in truth and in righteousness."See also Zechariah 10:10
They shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem/they shall be my people:
Jeremiah 31:1 "At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people."
Zechariah 8:9 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which in the day the foundation of the [ house ] of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the [ temple ] might be built."
Zechariah 8:10 "For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour."
Zechariah 8:11 "But now I not unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 8:12 "For the seed prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these ."
Zechariah 8:13 "And it shall come to pass, as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, let your hands be strong." See also Zechariah 10:6
Zechariah 8:14 "For [ thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:"
Zechariah 8:15 "So again have I thought in these days to do well unto [ Jerusalem ] and to the house of Judah: fear ye not."
Zechariah 8:16 "These the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the [ judgment ] of truth and peace in your gates:" See also Zechariah 7:9-10
Speak ye the truth...execute the judgment of truth...peace in gate:
Leviticus 19:18 "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I the LORD ."
Matthew 22:39-40 "And the second like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {40} On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Zechariah 8:17 "And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these that I hate, [ saith the ] LORD ."
Imagine evil in your hearts...false oath...all these things I hate:
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Luke 6:31 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
Zechariah 8:18 "And the [ word ] of the LORD of hosts came unto me,"
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 8:19 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace."
Zechariah 8:20 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; yet , that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:"
Zechariah 8:21 "And the inhabitants of one shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD , and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also."
Zechariah 8:22 "Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in [ Jerusalem ], and to pray before the LORD ."
Many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord:
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Zechariah 8:23 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; In those days, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard God with you."
Genesis 26:28 "And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;"
Isaiah 2:2-3 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. {3} And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."
IV) ENCOURAGE & HOPE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-14:21}
A) 1ST BURDEN/ORACLE - DIVINE WARRIOR/RESTORE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-11:11}
Zechariah 9:1 "The burden of the [ word ] of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, toward the LORD ."
Lord against northern countries by Alexander the Great:
Hadrach: No other scripture reference.
Damascus: Syria
Zechariah 9:2 "And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise." Coastal cities.
Hamath: Amos 6:2
Tyrus: Phoenician, Lebanese
Zidon: Phoenician, Lebanese
Zechariah 9:3 "And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets." Tyre means rock. It was an Island fortress.
Zechariah 9:4 "Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire."
Zechariah 9:5 "Ashkelon shall see, and fear; Gaza also , and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited."
Ashkelon: Jere 47:5
Ekron: Philistia northernmost city
Zechariah 9:6 "And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines." Bastard or foreigner.
Ashdod: Philistines (eventually named Palestine). Also Canaan.
Zechariah 9:7 "And /\ I /\ will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, for our God , and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite."
Jebusite: Ancient inhabitants of Jerusalem were absorbed into city.
Zechariah 9:8 "And I will encamp about mine [ house ] because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes."
I will encamp about mine house:
Psalms 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
WHAT: Thy King cometh unto thee: he just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass
Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of [ Jerusalem ]: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Donkey is lowly animal for servant.
King cometh..riding upon an ass..colt the foal of an ass:
See my papers: "Jesus in the Old Testament" for more information on this subject.
Matthew 21:5 "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."
Isaiah 62:11 "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward with him, and his work before him."
WAY: His dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth
Zechariah 9:10 "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from [ Jerusalem ], and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth."
His dominion shall be from sea to sea..to the ends of the earth:
Psalms 22:27-28 "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. {28} For the kingdom the LORD'S: and he the governor among the nations."
Zechariah 9:11 "As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein no water"
By the blood..covenant..I have sent forth prisoners out of the pit:
Probably Moses covenant. Pit without water.
Genesis 37:24 "And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit empty, no water in it." Joseph.
Zechariah 9:12 "Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare I will render double unto thee;"
I will render double unto thee:
Isaiah 61:7 "For your shame double; and confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them."
Zechariah 9:13 "When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man."
Zechariah 9:14 "And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south."
Zechariah 9:15 "The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, as the corners of the altar."
Zechariah 9:16 "And the LORD their God shall save them in [ that day ] as the flock of his people: for they the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his [ land ]."
Zechariah 9:17 "For how great his goodness, and how great his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."
Zechariah 10:1 "Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; the /\ LORD /\ shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field."
Latter rain..Lord shall give them showers of rain..grass in fields:
Joel 2:23 "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first."
Many religious groups use this scripture as a end time ministry. They believe that God will save many in the end days or give them super-natural signs and wonders to heal & to restore the dead.
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 10:2 "For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because no shepherd."
Idols spoke vanity..diviners..seen lie..false dreams..vain comfort:
Genesis 31:19 "And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that her father's." Household gods.
Zechariah 10:3 "Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle."
Flock was troubled, because no shepherd.Mine anger against shepherd
See my papers: "Church Officers and their Qualifications" for more information on this subject.
Ezekiel 34:5 "And they were scattered, because no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered."
Ezekiel 34:22-23 "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. {23} And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd."
Ezekiel 34:31 "And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, men, I your God, saith the Lord GOD."
Zechariah 10:4 "Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together." Corner could be Jesus (Cornerstone).
Zechariah 10:5 "And they shall be as mighty, which tread down in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded."
WHY: I will save the house of Joseph; I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off
Zechariah 10:6 "And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I the LORD their God , and will hear them." Judah/Joseph = southern/northern kingdoms united.
I have mercy upon them as though I had not cast them off, I am God: See also Zechariah 8:13
See my papers: "Israel & Jewish People in God’s Plan" for more information on this subject.
Zechariah 10:7 "And Ephraim shall be like a mighty , and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see , and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD ."
Zechariah 10:8 " I will hiss for them, and gather them; for /\ I /\ have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased."
See my papers: "Salvation Biblical Word Glossary" for more information on this subject.
Redeemed: To buy back.
See my papers: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.
1 Corinthians 6:20 "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God'
Zechariah 10:9 "And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again."
WHILE: I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt
Zechariah 10:10 " I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and shall not be found for them."
I will bring them from Egypt, Assyria, Gilead and Lebanon:
Isaiah 11:11 "And it shall come to pass in that day, the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea."
Jeremiah 16:15 "But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers."
Jeremiah 23:3 "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase."
Zechariah 10:11 "And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away."
Zechariah 10:12 "And I will strengthen them in the LORD ; and they shall walk up and down in his name, [ saith the ] LORD ."
See my papers: "Man’s Greatest Need – Relationship with God" for more information on this subject.
Zechariah 11:1 "Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars."
Zechariah 11:2 "Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down."
Zechariah 11:3 " a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their { glory } is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled."
Zechariah 11:4 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD my God ; Feed the flock of the slaughter;"
Zechariah 11:5 "Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed the LORD ; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not."
Zechariah 11:6 "For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the [ land ], [ saith the ] LORD : but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the [ land ], and out of their hand I will not deliver."
Zechariah 11:7 "And I will feed the flock of slaughter, you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock."
Zechariah 11:8 "Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me."
Zechariah 11:9 "Then said I , I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another."
Zechariah 11:10 "And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people."
Zechariah 11:11 "And it was broken in [ that day ]: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it the [ word ] of the LORD ."
B) 2ND BURDEN - REJECT MESSIAH: {ZECHARIAH 11:12-13:9}
MISC: MESSIAH, JESUS, SOLD & SUFFERING {ZECHARIAH 11:12 – 13:7}
(1) Give me my price; so they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver {Zechariah 11:12}
(2) Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD {Zechariah 11:13}
(3) They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him {Zechariah 12:10}
(4) What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends {Zechariah 13:6}
(5) Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: {Zechariah 13:7}
Zechariah 11:12 "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty of silver."
Zechariah 11:13 "And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty of silver, and cast them to the potter in the [ house ] of the LORD ."
Thirty pieces of silver...cast it unto the potter:
Matthew 27:9-10 "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; {10} And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me."
Jeremiah 18:2 "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words."
Zechariah 11:14 "Then I cut asunder mine other staff, Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel."
Zechariah 11:15 "And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd."
Zechariah 11:16 "For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the [ land ], shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces."
Zechariah 11:17 "Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened."
SECOND BURDEN/ORACLE: Jerusalem's final siege; Jesus return & kingdom
Zechariah 12:1 "The burden of the [ word ] of the LORD for Israel, [ saith the ] LORD , which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him."
Zechariah 12:2 "Behold, I will make [ Jerusalem ] a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah against Jerusalem."
I will make Jerusalem cup of trembling unto all people round about:
Isaiah 51:17 "Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, wrung out."
Zechariah 12:3 "And in [ that day ] will I make [ Jerusalem ] a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."
All the people of the earth gathered together against it: Zech 14:3
Zechariah 12:4 "In [ that day ], [ saith the ] LORD , I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness."
I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah:
Psalms 33:18 "Behold, the eye of the LORD upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;"
Zechariah 12:5 "And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ] my strength in the LORD of hosts their /\ God /\."
Zechariah 12:6 "In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and [ Jerusalem ] shall be inhabited again in her own place, in [ Jerusalem ]."
Judah like hearth of fire:
Isaiah 1:31 "And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench."
Zechariah 12:7 "The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the { glory } of the inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ] do not magnify against Judah."
Zechariah 12:8 "In [ that day ] shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ]; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David as God , as [ angel of the LORD ] before them."
The Lord defend Jerusalem:
Exodus 4:16 "And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God."
Exodus 7:1 "And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet."
David as angle of the LORD:
Zechariah 12:9 "And it shall come to pass in [ that day ], /\ I /\ will seek to destroy all the nations that come against [ Jerusalem ]."
I will seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem:
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
WHAT: I will pour upon the house of David the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced
Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ], the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for only , and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for firstborn."
I will pour upon the house of David spirit of grace & supplication:
Isaiah 32:15 "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest."
They look upon me whom they have pierced and mourn: See Zech 13:6
Psalms 22:16 "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet."
John 19:34 "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water."
Zechariah 12:11 "In [ that day ] shall there be a great mourning in [ Jerusalem ], as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."
Zechariah 12:12 "And the [ land ] shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;"
Nathan:
Luke 3:31 "Which was of Melea, which was
ZECHARIAH:
GOD SOVEREIGNTY OF GLORIOUS MESSIANIC COMING TO ESTABLISH HIS ISRAEL KINGDOM & CONTROL OVER THE EARTH
Zechariah 3:8-9 "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. {9} For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." BRANCH is Jesus
Zechariah 14:3-5 "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. {4} And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. {5} And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee."
Zechariah 14:9 "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one."
CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS
OVERVIEW
OUTLINE
TOPICS
CHAPTER(S) THEMES I) Prophecy
Prophet Zechariah
Introduction
{1:1} Prophet vision
II) Encourage & Motivate – Israel’s present A) A call to repentance
According to His ways not our ways
{1:2-6} Turn unto God from evil & He will turn unto you
" B) Eight visions
The man named, BRANCH, will build the temple as He, Jesus, is a priest & rules upon His throne
{1:7-6:15} Not by your might or power but by God’s spirit you build temple
III) Questions & four messages
Fast {7:1-3}, Failed religion {7:4-14}, Zion’s restoration {8:1-23}
God will return unto Zion to dwell in city of truth, Jerusalem
{7:1-8:23} Execute true judgment & to show others mercy
IV) Encourage & hope – Israel’s future
A) 1st burden – Divine warrior/restore
King Jesus will come to Israel lowly & just as ruler of all things
{9:1-11:11} Jesus comes as king riding colt-ass to rule earth
" B) 2nd burden – Reject Messiah
Wounds in hands in house of my friend, & God’s refines Israel
{11:12-13:9} Smite the shepherd, & the sheep scatter
" C) Reign of Messiah
The day of the LORD - Jesus 2nd coming as king of earth
{14:1-21} LORD shall be king over all the earth
AUTHOR: Prophet Zechariah DATE: 520 BC FROM: Judah TO: Judah
PURPOSE:
- EXHORT & MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO CONTINUE BUILDING THE TEMPLE INCLUDING A REAL HOPE FOR THE MESSIAH COMING TO THE TEMPLE
Zechariah 1:16 "Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."
KEY WORD(S)/VERSES:
Zechariah 1:3 "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This
[ that day ] (2:11; 3:10; 9:16; 11:11; 12:3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11; 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 8, 9, 13, 20, 21); [ day of the Lord ] (14:1); [ Jerusalem ] (1:12, 14, 16, 17, 19; 2:2, 4, 12; 3:2; 7:7; 8:3, 4, 8, 15, 22; 9:9, 10; 12:2, 3, 5-11; 13:1; 14:2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21);
[ land ] (1:21; 2:6, 12; 3:9; 7:5, 14; 9:16; 11:6, 16; 12:12; 13:2, 8; 14:10); [ judgment ] (3:7; 7:9; 8:16); [ temple ] (6:12-15; 8:9); [ house ] (1:16; 3:7; 4:9; 5:11; 7:2, 3; 8:9; 9:8; 11:13; 14:20, 21), [Thus saith the ] (1:3, 4, 14, 16, 17; 2:5, 6, 8, 10; 3:7, 9, 10; 6:1, 2; 7:9, 13; 8:2, 3, 4, 6; 7:9, 11, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23; 10:12; 11:4, 6; 12:1, 2; 13:2, 7, 8); [ word ] (1:1, 7: 4:6, 8; 6:9; 7:1, 4, 8: 8:1, 18; 9:1; 11:11; 12:1) [ angel of the Lord ] (1:12, 13; 3:1, 3:5, 6; 12:8)
OUTLINE FOR ZECHARIAH
I) INTRODUCTION: {ZECHARIAH 1:1}
II) ENCOURAGE & MOTIVATE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-6:15}
A) A CALL TO REPENTANCE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-1:6}
B) EIGHT VISIONS: {ZECHARIAH 1:7-6:15}
III) QUESTIONS & FOUR MESSAGES: {ZECHARIAH 7:1-8:23}
IV) ENCOURAGE & HOPE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-14:21}
A) 1ST BURDEN - DIVINE WARRIOR/RESTORE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-11:11}
B) 2ND BURDEN - REJECT MESSIAH: {ZECHARIAH 11:12-13:9}
C) REIGN OF MESSIAH: {ZECHARIAH 14:1-14:21}
MISC: ZECHARIAH’S CHOICE SELECTIONS {ZECHARIAH 1:12 – 14:16}
(1) The angel of the LORD intercessors for Jerusalem & Judah {Zechariah 1:12}
(2) The angel of the LORD, Satan, & Joshua the high priest {Zechariah 3:1-12}
(3) Not by might or power but by the Holy Spirit {Zechariah 4:6}
(4) Jesus, the BRANCH, as both King & Priest {Zechariah 6:12-13}
(5) People from all nations will come to Jerusalem to see LORD {Zechariah 8:22-23}
(6) Coming of Jesus the Prince of Peace on donkey (1st & 2nd) {Zechariah 9:9-10}
(7) Thirty pieces of silver for betrayal of Jesus {Zechariah 11:12-13}
(8) Jerusalem a major problem for nation {Zechariah 12:2-3}
(9) Jesus, pierced by friend, Judas & the Jewish people {Zechariah 12:10, 13:6-7}
(10) Fountain for sin & uncleanness {Zechariah 13:1}
(11) Siege of Jerusalem with Jesus second coming leading victory {Zechariah 14:1-5}
(12) All nations will go up to Jerusalem yearly to worship, Jesus the king, on feast of Tabernacles {Zechariah 14:9, 16}
I) INTRODUCTION: {ZECHARIAH 1:1}
WHO: LORD WHOM: Zechariah
Zechariah 1:1 "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the [ word ] of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
Darius: King of Babylon allows some 50,000 people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Building is ceases when Zerubbabel (governor) refuses the help of the Samaritans (mixed blood Jews and gentiles). They send letters to Babylon. 4 kings later they build..
Zechariah: Name means remembrance of the Lord. He was a Priest, born in Babylon, and returned from exile with Zerubbabel in 536 BC. He was a young man (2:4) when he received his first visions.
Ezra 5:1 "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that
Ezra 6:14 "And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished
Nehemiah 12:7 "Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These
Nehemiah 12:16 "Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;"
Matthew 23:35 "That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar."
Berechiah: Name means blessed of Lord.
Iddo: Name means great calamity. A Priest (see Nehemiah scriptures above). The Grandfather of Zechariah.
II) ENCOURAGE & MOTIVATE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-6:15}
A) A CALL TO REPENTANCE: {ZECHARIAH 1:2-1:6}
Zechariah 1:2 "The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers."
WHAT: Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you
Zechariah 1:3 "Therefore say thou unto them, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me , saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts."
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Turn ye unto me..and I will turn unto you:
MAJOR VERSE: This is repentance on man's part and God will respond.
WAY: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and
Zechariah 1:4 "Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and
Zechariah 1:5 "Your fathers, where
WAY: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and
Zechariah 1:6 "But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us."
A) EIGHT VISIONS: {ZECHARIAH 1:7-6:15}
MISC: EIGHT VISIONS {ZECHARIAH 1:7 – 6:15}
(1st) Vision: Man among the Myrtle Trees & Drove of Horses {Zechariah 1:7-1:17}
(2nd) Vision: Four Horns & Four Carpenters {Zechariah 1:18-1:21}
(3rd) Vision: Man with the Measuring Line {Zechariah 2:1-2:13}
(4th) Vision: Cleaning of the High Priest {Zechariah 3:1-3:10}
(5th) Vision: Golden Candlestick & Two Olive Trees {Zechariah 4:1-4:14}
(6th) Vision: Flying Roll {Zechariah 5:1-5:4}
(7th) Vision: Woman in the Ephah {Zechariah 5:4-5:11}
(8th) Vision: Four Chariots 6:1-8 & Crowning of High Priest {Zechariah 6:10-15}
1st Vision: Man among the Myrtle Trees & Drove of Horses 1:7-1:17
Zechariah 1:7 "Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which
Word of the Lord unto Zechariah:
MISC: SCRIPTURE PROPHET OF THE LORD
Prophet: A spokesman for another, as for God. Other names/titles in the Bible are as follows: Man of God; Servant of the Lord; Messenger of the Lord; and Seer (to see).
Exodus 7:1-2 "And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. {2} Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land."
Jeremiah 1:7 "But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I
Amos 3:7-8 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. {8} The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"
1 Samuel 9:9 "(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for
TRUE & FALSE PROPHETS TESTS:
(1) Spoke only in the name of the Lord (Yahweh).
(2) His life matches his position. He did not practice divination.
(3) Do not assume signs and wonders prove his position.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, {2} And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; {3} Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
2 Thessalonians 2:9 "
(4) His message was in harmony with previous revelation.
(5) History will confirm his authenticity.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? {22} When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that
(6) Moral quality and spiritual essence of the message.
(7) Inner witness to the Holy Spirit believer.
1 Corinthians 14:29 "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."
Zechariah 1:8 "I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that
Myrtle Trees: Symbolizes Israel. They are 8 feet, but this is at the bottom or a tree crushed that emits a sweet fragrance.
Red horses, speckled, and white: Red symbolizes blood, war & death
Speckled symbolizes bay of pail or sorrel. White symbolizes victory
Revelation 6:4 "And there went out another horse
Zechariah 1:9 "Then said I, O my lord, what
Zechariah 1:10 "And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These
These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro..earth:
Job 1:7 "And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."
Zechariah 1:11 "And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest."
Exodus 3:2-4 "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush
KEY WORD: ANGEL OF THE LORD, JESUS {ZECHARIAH 1:12 – 12:8}
(1) The angel of the LORD answered, LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem {Zechariah 1:12}
(2) The LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words {Zechariah 1:13}
(3) Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan {Zechariah 3:1}
(4) the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk {Zechariah 3:6-7}
(5) In that day, the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them {Zechariah 12:8}
Zechariah 1:12 "Then [ angel of the LORD ] answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on [ Jerusalem ] and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?" 70 years of Jeremiah.
These threescore and ten years (70):
Jeremiah 25:11 "And this whole land shall be a desolation,
Zechariah 1:13 "And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me
Zechariah 1:14 "So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; I am jealous for [ Jerusalem ] and for Zion with a great jealousy."
I am jealous for Jerusalem & Zion..displeased with heathen at ease:
Jeremiah 25:12 "And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished,
Zechariah 1:15 "And I am very sore displeased with the heathen
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 1:16 "Therefore thus saith the LORD I am returned to [ Jerusalem ] with mercies: my [ house ] shall be built in it, [ saith the ] LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon [ Jerusalem ]."
My house shall be built in it:
Ezra 6:14-16 "And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished
Line shall be stretched: 2:1; Symbol of restoration; Jeremiah 31:39
Zechariah 1:17 "Cry yet, saying, [ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose [ Jerusalem ]."
Choose Jerusalem: See also 2:12 & 3:2
2nd Vision: Four Horns & Four Carpenters 1:18-1:21
Zechariah 1:18 "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns."
Four horns: Symbol of strength. Maybe Assyria, Egypt, Babylonis, & Medo-Persia.
Zechariah 1:19 "And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What
Zechariah 1:20 "And the LORD showed me four carpenters."
Four Carpenters: Craftsman that tear down former nations.
Restoration of Israel and Jerusalem. Undo what the four horns of the gentiles have done to Judah.
Zechariah 1:21 "Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These
3rd Vision: Man with the Measuring Line Chapter 2
Zechariah 2:1 "I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand."
A measuring line in his hand..to measure Jerusalem:
Restoration and enlargement to Jerusalem under the Messiah.
Zechariah 2:2 "Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure [ Jerusalem ], to see what
Zechariah 2:3 "And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,"
Zechariah 2:4 "And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, [ Jerusalem ] shall be inhabited
This young man: Zechariah is a young man at this point.
Zechariah 2:5 "For I [ saith the ] LORD , will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the { glory } in the midst of her."
Zechariah 2:6 "Ho, ho,
Zechariah 2:7 "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest
Zechariah 2:8 "For [ thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; After the { glory } hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye."
He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye:Closeness to God
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Zechariah 2:9 "For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me."
Zechariah 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, [ saith the ] LORD ."
Zechariah 2:11 "And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in [ that day ], and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee."
Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day: See 8:20-23
Daniel 7:13-14 "I saw in the night visions, and, behold,
Zechariah 2:12 "And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy [ land ], and shall choose [ Jerusalem ] again."
Holy Land:God's land, Israel, given to Jews. Bible only reference.
Exodus 3:5 "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest
Zechariah 2:13 "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD : for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."
4th Vision: Cleaning of the High Priest Chapter 3
Zechariah 3:1 "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the [ angel of the LORD , and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." Angel of the Lord=Jesus,
Joshua the high priest:
Zechariah 6:11 "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set
Satan:
Job 1:6-7 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. {7} And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."
Zechariah 3:2 "And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen [ Jerusalem ] rebuke thee:
Lord said unto Satan..Lord rebuke thee, O Satan:
Jude 1:9 "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."
Zechariah 3:3 "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel."
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments:
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean
Zechariah 3:4 "And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."
I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee..change of raiment:
Psalms 32:1-2 " of David, Maschil. Blessed
Zechariah 3:5 "And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And [ angel of the LORD stood by."
Zechariah 3:6 "And [ angel of the Lord LORD ] protested unto Joshua, saying,"
Angel of the Lord.if thou wilt walk in my ways.wilt keep my charge:
See Zechariah 1:11
Zechariah 3:7 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in /\ my /\ ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also [ judge ] my [ house ], and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."
Zechariah 3:8 "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they
I will bring forth my servant the Branch: See also Zechariah 6:12.
One stone shall be seven eyes: Jesus is the stone builders rejected
Isaiah 11:1-2 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: {2} And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;"
Zechariah 3:9 "For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone
I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day:
Isaiah 66:8 "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?
Zechariah 3:10 "In [ that day ], [ saith the ] /\ LORD /\ of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree."
5th Vision: Golden Candlestick & Two Olive Trees Chapter 4
IN CHAPTER 4 - ISRAEL WAS CLEANED
Zechariah 4:1 "And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep," Waken vision
Zechariah 4:2 "And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all
What seest thou.candlestick all of gold.seven pipes to seven lamps:
Seven is symbolic of completion. Israel is given complete light. Lamps used oil as energy. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Israel will have the Holy Spirit Baptism. Israel's took as its symbol the candelabrum.
Revelation 4:5 "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and
Revelation 1:4 "John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace
Isaiah 11:1-2 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: {2} And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" These are the seven Spirits.
Zechariah 4:3 "And two olive trees by it, one upon the right
Two olive trees by it:
Two is symbolic of unity (Jesus as both King & High Priest as one Zechariah 6:13). Olive tree is symbolic of Israel in Romans 11:24.
Matthew 20:20-22 "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. {21} And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. {22} But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."
Revelation 11:3-6 "And I will give
Zechariah 4:4 "So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What
Zechariah asked angel a question. He gets his answer in verse 14.
Zechariah 4:5 "Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord."
WHAT: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord:
MAJOR VERSE: Also 1:3. Oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit.
Zechariah 4:7 "Who
Mark 11:23 "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."
Zechariah 4:8 "Moreover the [ word ] of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 4:9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this [ house ]; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you."
Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house & shall finish it
John 2:19 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. {11} For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Zechariah 4:10 "For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel
Seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to fro.whole earth:
Eyes are symbolic of all seeing and all knowing. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. See notes on 4:2 & Is 11:1-2.
Zechariah 4:11 "Then answered I, and said unto him, What
Zechariah 4:12 "And I answered again, and said unto him, What
Golden: Symbolic of purity.
Oil out of themselves: Holy Spirit as never ending source.
Zechariah 4:13 "And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these
Two olive branches..are two anointed ones..stand by Lord of earth:
Two witnesses prophesy: 2 Olive trees. Olive tree symbolic Israel
These two are Jewish. In Revelation 11:5-6 they model Moses & Elijah ministries. Some believe these to be the two people in the Bible who never died (Elijah and Enoch).
Two Witnesses: Deut 17:6, 19:15; Job 33:14; Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1
Zechariah 4:14 "Then said he, These
6th Vision: Flying Roll 5:1-5:4
IN CHAPTER 5 – ISRAEL IS A LIGHT TO WORLD
Zechariah 5:1 "Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll." Roll = scroll
Flying roll..is curse..everyone that steal's or swear's is cut off:
Zechariah 5:2 "And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof
Zechariah 5:3 "Then said he unto me, This
Curse..stealeth (Eighth Commandment)..sweareth (Third Commandment):
Deuteronomy 27:26 "Cursed
Matthew 5:34, 37 "But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: {37} But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
James 5:12 "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and
Zechariah 5:4 " I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."
7th Vision: Woman in the Ephah 5:4-5:11
Zechariah 5:5 "Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what
Zechariah 5:6 "And I said, What
Zechariah 5:7 "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this
Women: The Hebrew word wickedness is feminine in gender.
Zechariah 5:8 "And he said, This
This is wickedness: Moral, religious, and civil evil.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. {7} For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth
1 John 2:15-16 "Love not the world, neither the things
Zechariah 5:9 "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind
Zechariah 5:10 "Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?" ephad: see Zechariah 5:6
Zechariah 5:11 "And he said unto me, To build it an [ house ] in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base."
Land of Shinar: Name means scatter every way. Chaldaea & Babylonia
8th Vision: Four Chariots 6:1-8 & Crowning of High Priest 6:10-15
Zechariah 6:1 "And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains
Four Chariots: Four angels to destroy
Revelation 6:2-8 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. {3} And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. {4} And there went out another horse
Zechariah 6:2 "In the first chariot
Black: Revelation 6:5
Zechariah 6:3 "And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses." White: See Revelation 6:2 Grisled & Bay: Revelation 6:8 (Pale)
Zechariah 6:4 "Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What
Zechariah 6:5 "And the angel answered and said unto me, These
Zechariah 6:6 "The black horses which
Zechariah 6:7 "And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth." To and fro: See Zechariah 1:10
Zechariah 6:8 "Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country."
Zechariah 6:9 "And the [ word ] of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 6:10 "Take of
Zechariah 6:11 "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set
WAY: Behold the man whose name
Zechariah 6:12 "And speak unto him, saying, [ Thus specketh the ] LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name
WHY: He shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule upon his throne and he shall be a priest upon his throne
Zechariah 6:13 "Even he shall build the [ temple ] of the LORD ; and he shall bear the { glory }, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."
Behold the man whose name is the Branch; He shall build the temple;
He shall bear the glory: See also Zechariah 3:8
Isaiah 11:1 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"
Hebrews 3:3 "For this
Shall sit & rule on his throne..he shall be a priest on his throne:
Genesis 14:18 "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he
Hebrews 7:1-2 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; {2} To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;"He is Jesus
Zechariah 6:14 "And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the [ temple ] of the LORD ."
Zechariah 6:15 "And they
III) QUESTIONS & FOUR MESSAGES: {ZECHARIAH 7:1-8:23}
WHEN: Fourth year of king Darius in the fourth
Zechariah 7:1 "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius,
WHERE: in Chisleu
Zechariah 7:2 "When they had sent unto the [ house ] of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD ,"
Zechariah 7:3 "
Zechariah 7:4 "Then came the [ word ] of the LORD of hosts unto me,"
Zechariah 7:5 "Speak unto all the people of the [ land ], and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh
When you fast and mourned, & Did you at all fast unto me?:
MISC: SCRIPTURE EXAMPLES FOR FASTING
How to Fast:
Isaiah 58:3-7 "Wherefore have we fasted,
(1) To stand in gap for people:
Deuteronomy 9:18 "And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
(2) To learn God's will:
Ezra 8:21 "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance."
(3) To stand in gap for healing country:
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
(4) To heal child for parents sin:
2 Samuel 12:16 "David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth."
(5) To heal someone:
Matthew 17:21 "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Zechariah 7:6 "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat
Zechariah 7:7 "
Zechariah 7:8 "And the [ word ] of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
WHAT: Execute true judgment and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother
Zechariah 7:9 "[ Thus speaketh the ] LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true [ judgment ], and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:"
WAY: Oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart
Zechariah 7:10 "And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart."
Execute true judgment..show mercy & compassion..oppress not any:
Hosea 6:6 "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Micah 6:8 "He hath showed thee, O man, what
James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
Zechariah 7:11 "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 7:12 "Yea, they made their hearts
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 7:13 "Therefore it is come to pass,
Zechariah 7:14 "But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the [ land ] was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate."
Zechariah 8:1 "Again the [ word ] of the LORD of hosts came
Zechariah 8:2 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, & I was jealous for her with great fury."
WHY: I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem which shall be called a city of truth
Zechariah 8:3 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD ; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of [ Jerusalem ]: and [ Jerusalem ] shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain." Jesus is truth (John 14:6). He will rule from Jerusalem
Jerusalem called a city of truth: Jesus presents as King of kings. See Zecharaih 14:16
Zechariah 8:4 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of [ Jerusalem ], and every man with his staff in his hand for very age."
Zechariah 8:5 "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof."
Jerusalem street: boys, girls, & old people:
Isaiah 65:19 "And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying."
Zechariah 8:6 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 8:7 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;"
I will save my people from the east country & west country:
Isaiah 11:11-12 "And it shall come to pass in that day,
WHILE: They shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness
Zechariah 8:8 "And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of [ Jerusalem ]: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God , in truth and in righteousness."See also Zechariah 10:10
They shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem/they shall be my people:
Jeremiah 31:1 "At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people."
Zechariah 8:9 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which
Zechariah 8:10 "For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither
Zechariah 8:11 "But now I
Zechariah 8:12 "For the seed
Zechariah 8:13 "And it shall come to pass,
Zechariah 8:14 "For [ thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:"
Zechariah 8:15 "So again have I thought in these days to do well unto [ Jerusalem ] and to the house of Judah: fear ye not."
Zechariah 8:16 "These
Speak ye the truth...execute the judgment of truth...peace in gate:
Leviticus 19:18 "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I
Matthew 22:39-40 "And the second
Zechariah 8:17 "And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these
Imagine evil in your hearts...false oath...all these things I hate:
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Luke 6:31 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
Zechariah 8:18 "And the [ word ] of the LORD of hosts came unto me,"
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 8:19 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth
Zechariah 8:20 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts;
Zechariah 8:21 "And the inhabitants of one
Zechariah 8:22 "Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in [ Jerusalem ], and to pray before the LORD ."
Many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord:
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Zechariah 8:23 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD of hosts; In those days
Genesis 26:28 "And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us,
Isaiah 2:2-3 "And it shall come to pass in the last days,
IV) ENCOURAGE & HOPE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-14:21}
A) 1ST BURDEN/ORACLE - DIVINE WARRIOR/RESTORE: {ZECHARIAH 9:1-11:11}
Zechariah 9:1 "The burden of the [ word ] of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus
Lord against northern countries by Alexander the Great:
Hadrach: No other scripture reference.
Damascus: Syria
Zechariah 9:2 "And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise." Coastal cities.
Hamath: Amos 6:2
Tyrus: Phoenician, Lebanese
Zidon: Phoenician, Lebanese
Zechariah 9:3 "And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets." Tyre means rock. It was an Island fortress.
Zechariah 9:4 "Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire."
Zechariah 9:5 "Ashkelon shall see
Ashkelon: Jere 47:5
Ekron: Philistia northernmost city
Zechariah 9:6 "And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines." Bastard or foreigner.
Ashdod: Philistines (eventually named Palestine). Also Canaan.
Zechariah 9:7 "And /\ I /\ will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he,
Jebusite: Ancient inhabitants of Jerusalem were absorbed into city.
Zechariah 9:8 "And I will encamp about mine [ house ] because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes."
I will encamp about mine house:
Psalms 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
WHAT: Thy King cometh unto thee: he
Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of [ Jerusalem ]: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he
King cometh..riding upon an ass..colt the foal of an ass:
See my papers: "Jesus in the Old Testament" for more information on this subject.
Matthew 21:5 "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."
Isaiah 62:11 "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward
WAY: His dominion
Zechariah 9:10 "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from [ Jerusalem ], and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion
His dominion shall be from sea to sea..to the ends of the earth:
Psalms 22:27-28 "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. {28} For the kingdom
Zechariah 9:11 "As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein
By the blood..covenant..I have sent forth prisoners out of the pit:
Probably Moses covenant. Pit without water.
Genesis 37:24 "And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit
Zechariah 9:12 "Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare
I will render double unto thee:
Isaiah 61:7 "For your shame
Zechariah 9:13 "When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man."
Zechariah 9:14 "And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south."
Zechariah 9:15 "The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink,
Zechariah 9:16 "And the LORD their God shall save them in [ that day ] as the flock of his people: for they
Zechariah 9:17 "For how great
Zechariah 10:1 "Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain;
Latter rain..Lord shall give them showers of rain..grass in fields:
Joel 2:23 "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first
Many religious groups use this scripture as a end time ministry. They believe that God will save many in the end days or give them super-natural signs and wonders to heal & to restore the dead.
CONCLUSION: Therefore
Zechariah 10:2 "For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because
Idols spoke vanity..diviners..seen lie..false dreams..vain comfort:
Genesis 31:19 "And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that
Zechariah 10:3 "Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle."
Flock was troubled, because no shepherd.Mine anger against shepherd
See my papers: "Church Officers and their Qualifications" for more information on this subject.
Ezekiel 34:5 "And they were scattered, because
Ezekiel 34:22-23 "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. {23} And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them,
Ezekiel 34:31 "And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture,
Zechariah 10:4 "Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together." Corner could be Jesus (Cornerstone).
Zechariah 10:5 "And they shall be as mighty
WHY: I will save the house of Joseph; I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off
Zechariah 10:6 "And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I
I have mercy upon them as though I had not cast them off, I am God: See also Zechariah 8:13
See my papers: "Israel & Jewish People in God’s Plan" for more information on this subject.
Zechariah 10:7 "And
Zechariah 10:8 " I will hiss for them, and gather them; for /\ I /\ have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased."
See my papers: "Salvation Biblical Word Glossary" for more information on this subject.
Redeemed: To buy back.
See my papers: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.
1 Corinthians 6:20 "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God'
Zechariah 10:9 "And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again."
WHILE: I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt
Zechariah 10:10 " I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and
I will bring them from Egypt, Assyria, Gilead and Lebanon:
Isaiah 11:11 "And it shall come to pass in that day,
Jeremiah 16:15 "But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers."
Jeremiah 23:3 "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase."
Zechariah 10:11 "And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away."
Zechariah 10:12 "And I will strengthen them in the LORD ; and they shall walk up and down in his name, [ saith the ] LORD ."
See my papers: "Man’s Greatest Need – Relationship with God" for more information on this subject.
Zechariah 11:1 "Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars."
Zechariah 11:2 "Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down."
Zechariah 11:3 "
Zechariah 11:4 "[ Thus saith the ] LORD my God ; Feed the flock of the slaughter;"
Zechariah 11:5 "Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed
Zechariah 11:6 "For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the [ land ], [ saith the ] LORD : but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the [ land ], and out of their hand I will not deliver
Zechariah 11:7 "And I will feed the flock of slaughter,
Zechariah 11:8 "Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me."
Zechariah 11:9 "Then said I , I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another."
Zechariah 11:10 "And I took my staff,
Zechariah 11:11 "And it was broken in [ that day ]: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it
B) 2ND BURDEN - REJECT MESSIAH: {ZECHARIAH 11:12-13:9}
MISC: MESSIAH, JESUS, SOLD & SUFFERING {ZECHARIAH 11:12 – 13:7}
(1) Give me my price; so they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver {Zechariah 11:12}
(2) Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD {Zechariah 11:13}
(3) They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him {Zechariah 12:10}
(4) What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends {Zechariah 13:6}
(5) Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: {Zechariah 13:7}
Zechariah 11:12 "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give
Zechariah 11:13 "And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty
Thirty pieces of silver...cast it unto the potter:
Matthew 27:9-10 "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; {10} And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me."
Jeremiah 18:2 "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words."
Zechariah 11:14 "Then I cut asunder mine other staff,
Zechariah 11:15 "And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd."
Zechariah 11:16 "For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the [ land ],
Zechariah 11:17 "Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword
SECOND BURDEN/ORACLE: Jerusalem's final siege; Jesus return & kingdom
Zechariah 12:1 "The burden of the [ word ] of the LORD for Israel, [ saith the ] LORD , which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him."
Zechariah 12:2 "Behold, I will make [ Jerusalem ] a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah
I will make Jerusalem cup of trembling unto all people round about:
Isaiah 51:17 "Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling,
Zechariah 12:3 "And in [ that day ] will I make [ Jerusalem ] a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."
All the people of the earth gathered together against it: Zech 14:3
Zechariah 12:4 "In [ that day ], [ saith the ] LORD , I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness."
I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah:
Psalms 33:18 "Behold, the eye of the LORD
Zechariah 12:5 "And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ]
Zechariah 12:6 "In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and [ Jerusalem ] shall be inhabited again in her own place,
Judah like hearth of fire:
Isaiah 1:31 "And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench
Zechariah 12:7 "The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the { glory } of the inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ] do not magnify
Zechariah 12:8 "In [ that day ] shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ]; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David
The Lord defend Jerusalem:
Exodus 4:16 "And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be,
Exodus 7:1 "And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet."
David as angle of the LORD:
Zechariah 12:9 "And it shall come to pass in [ that day ],
I will seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem:
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
WHAT: I will pour upon the house of David the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced
Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of [ Jerusalem ], the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for
I will pour upon the house of David spirit of grace & supplication:
Isaiah 32:15 "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest."
They look upon me whom they have pierced and mourn: See Zech 13:6
Psalms 22:16 "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet."
John 19:34 "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water."
Zechariah 12:11 "In [ that day ] shall there be a great mourning in [ Jerusalem ], as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."
Zechariah 12:12 "And the [ land ] shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;"
Nathan:
Luke 3:31 "Which was