Zech. 1: 1-6 A
YOUNG MAN WITH AN OLD MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE
Introduction:
Zechariah preached his first message just two months after Haggai preached his first message, Haggai 1:1. Haggai had a very short, but effective ministry. He started two months before Zechariah. Haggai was old, but Zechariah was young.
I. A young
man preaching an old message
A. Zechariah never used the words “repent” nor “repentance.”
B. But his message was clearly that of repentance.
1. He declared the guilt of the forefathers; God had been sore displeased with the forefathers because of their sin, V. 2.
2. This was evident by the captivity and by the ruins of both the temple and the city of Jerusalem.
3. He called for the people to turn to God.
C. The promise was that if the people would turn to God then God would turn to them.
1. Thus, God required both repentance and faith on the part of the people.
2. This was in keeping with the covenant God had made with the forefathers.
D. He warned them not to be rebellious like their forefathers, V. 4.
E. Yet even the forefathers had testified that God’s word spoken to them was true, V. 5-6. (The fathers and the prophets were gone, but the fact of the fulfillment of God’s word was still around.)
F. Hence, God would forgive the sins of the people, but only if they genuinely repented.
1. They were already rebuilding the temple, but that was not enough.
2. The forefathers had the temple and God had been sore displeased with them.
II. Some
practical lessons for us
A. We see sin in the lives of men.
1. It had been in the lives of the forefathers and was also in the lives of the people of Zechariah’s time.
2. Even so we see it in the lives of people in our own time. (In our own lives.)
3. We see sin often repeated again and again.
4. God was sore displeased with them and He is no less displeased with our own sin.
B. We see God’s love and a remedy for sin offered.
1. “Turn to me and I will turn to you.”
2. Repentance and faith were required.
3. A similar offer is made to all men, Romans 10:13; John 3:16 and Acts 16:31.
4. Rebuilding the temple back then would not bring a right relationship with God and neither will church activity today bring a right relationship with God.
C. We see that genuine repentance and faith produces a change.
1. If they would genuinely turned to God, they would rebuild the temple.
2. If people today genuinely repent it will produce changes in their lives.
3. It should produce baptism, church membership, generous giving and godly living.
D. We see that God calls men to preach His word.
1. He called Haggai even at a late date in life.
2. He called Zechariah at a young age. (That is when most are called.)
3. Even in our day God still calls men to preach His word.
Conclusion:
1. God wants lost sinners to be saved. (If you are lost, He wants you to be saved.)
2. God wants saved sinners to dedicate their lives to His service.
3. God wants every saved person to join a Biblically sound church.
4. God may want some of you to preach His word.
Zech. 1:7-13 THE
MAN AMONG THE MYRTLE BUSHES
Introduction:
Actually this was an angel. He only took the appearance of a man. He bore good news for Judah, V. 13. In this text we turn back time to the second year of Darius, the king of Persia, and to the 24th day of the 11th month. (About mid-February to mid-March). Zechariah sees a vision of a man among myrtle bushes.
I. The vision
and its meaning
A. The vision was the first of eight to come in one night.
B. It came exactly 5 months prior to the time the work on the temple resumed, Haggai 1:14-15. (God wanted them to know that He was well pleased with their efforts to rebuild the temple.)
C. The vision was of horses and angels. (Angels appearing as men).
1. One angel was the main spokesman to Zechariah, V. 8a.
2. Behind him were other angels on horses, V. 8b.
D. Zechariah inquired of the meaning of he vision, V. 9.
1. These angels had been on a scouting mission for God, V. 10.
2. The angels were disturbed that the Gentiles were faring better than the Jews, V. 11-12,
E. God promised to improve conditions for the Jews, V. 13.
1. God was jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, V. 14.
2. He was sore displeased with the Gentiles, V. 15.
3. He was now returned to Jerusalem with mercies, V. 16;;.
4. He would yet prosper and comfort Jerusalem and Zion, V. 17.
II. A message
of good news for us today
(I am not riding a horse and I am not standing among myrtle trees, but I am a man who bears good news today.)
A. I have a message of good news for the unsaved.
1. God loves you and desires to save you. (Isn’t that good news?)
2. He sent Jesus to the cross to die for you that you might be saved. (Isn’t that good news?)
3. God offers you an opportunity now to repent and trust Jesus. (Isn’t that good news?)
4. When you do repent and trust Jesus , you will be saved. (That means that you will not go to hell; you will go to heaven. Isn’t that good new?)
B. I have good news for backslide children of God.
1. Judah had sinned and gotten out of fellowship with God.
2. When they repented and turned to God then God received them, forgave them and restored them to fellowship with Him.
3. Even though you have sinned, yet when you repent and turn to God then God will welcome you and receive you.. (Isn’t that good news?)
C. I have good news for children of God who, although not out of fellowship with God, are, never-the-less, enduring great hardship and suffering .
1. Not all Christian hardships and suffering are chastisements from God.
2. Some are testings and trials.
3, The time of testing and trials will end and the time of rewards and blessings will come. (Isn’t that good news?)
D. I have good news about the return of Jesus Christ.
1. As the Lord had returned to Jerusalem with mercies for Israel, even so He will return to this earth with great blessings.
2. He will return and the saints of God will be raptured.
3. The tender mercies of God will be poured out upon the redeemed of God, they will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years. (Isn’t that great news?)
E. I have good news about Satan and the unredeemed. (Not good news for them, but good news about them.)
1. Satan will be imprisoned for the millennium. (He will be locked up where he will be unable to bother God’s people.)
2. Then after the millennium he will be cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. (There he will never be able to bother God’s people any more.)
3. Every unredeemed person will be cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone to suffer with Satan. (likewise, they will never be able to bother God’s people any more.)
Zech. 1:18-21 THE FOUR HORNS AND THE FOUR CRAFTSMEN
Introduction:
In the same night that Zechariah saw the vision of the man in the myrtle bushes he saw the horns and craftsmen.
I. The vision
and its meaning
A. Zechariah saw four horns., V. 18
1. The horn was symbolic of military power and, therefore, here was representative of a nation or kingdom which had a military force. (It is still a symbol of strength and power today. TV ads display the head of a ram sheep and say, horns and says, “Dodge trucks are built ram tough.”)
2. Zechariah inquired of the meaning of the four horns and was told that they represent the four kingdoms that have scattered (oppressed) Israel and Judah, V. 19. (He makes special mention of Jerusalem which was the chief city of the Hebrew people.)
3. Although the nations are not named, it
appears that the horns represent
a. Egypt, the long time enemy of the Hebrews.
b. Assyria, to whom the northern kingdom, Israel, fell
c. Babylon, to whom the southern kingdom, Judah, fell
d. The Medo-Persian kingdom, which was in power at that time
B. Then Zechariah saw four skilled craftsmen, V. 20. (Carpenters, masons, smiths)
1. Again Zechariah had to ask what these represent (V. 21) and was told that these had come to drive out the four horns, the Gentiles, who had scattered and oppressed Israel and Judah.
2. It should be noted that Egypt, Assyria and Babylon had been already driven out. (This was not a mere coincident. It was the work of God.)
3. At that very time the Greeks were preparing to drive out the Medes and Persians. (This, too, was not a mere coincidence. It, too, was the work of God.)
4. The implication is that whatever other Gentile power might occupy the holy land and oppress and scatter the Jewish people would also be driven out. (History now reveals that this includes the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Syrians, the Romans and the Turks. In due time this will include the PLO, all Arab forces, the armies of the Anti-Christ and any other Gentile force which oppress the Jewish people.)
II. Lessons
for us today
A. It is not a disgrace to have to ask for an understanding of Holy Scripture.
1. Even though Zechariah was a prophet of God yet he had to ask.
a. Even though he was the very prophet to whom the vision was given, yet he had to ask its meaning.
b. Twice he had to ask.
2. It should not seem strange if we do not at first understand such books as Zechariah, Daniel and Revelation.
3. But we can study the scriptures and we can ask God for understanding. (He knows all the answers.)
B. Canaan belongs to Israel.
1. It really belongs to God, but He has given it to Israel to dwell in.
2. The PLO and other Arabs seek to control the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and part of the city of Jerusalem.
3. Prophesy foretells a time when Canaan will be overrun by the forces of the Anti-Christ.
4. But all of these will be driven out.
C. The enemy will be overcome.
1. The real enemy of Judah and Israel is Satan.
2. He is also the real enemy of Christians.
3. He has done untold damage to Christian lives and to the Lord’s churches.
4 He has caused untold numbers of Christians to be martyred.
5. But one of these days he, too, will be cast out, Rev. 20:10.
Conclusion:
Get on the winning side:
1. By repenting of your sins and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Savior.
2. By joining a good New Testament church and working for Jesus.
3. By dedicating your life to God and His
will.
Zech. 2:1-5 THE
MAN WITH A MEASURING LINE
Introduction:
In this third vision Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line. First, consider the circumstances which the Jews were in. The northern kingdom had fallen to Assyria. Judah had fallen to Babylon. Babylon had fallen to the Medo-Persians. Some Jews had returned to Jerusalem. Some had been scattered throughout the nations. Most were still in Assyria and Babylon. Zechariah was in Jerusalem with those who were rebuilding the temple. The city of Jerusalem, itself, still lay in ruins.
l. The vision
and its meaning
A. Zechariah saw a man with a measuring line, V. 1
1. He inquired where the man was going, V. 2a.
2. The man replied that he was going to Jerusalem, V. 2b.
B. God wanted to reassure the Jews that Jerusalem would be rebuilt.
1. If you saw some man measuring off a piece of land and driving down stakes you would understand that something was about to be built.
2. Zechariah was informed that Jerusalem would be rebuilt, V. 3-4.
3. The workers who at that time were involved in rebuilding the temple must have longed to see the time when all of the rubbish and debris in the city of Jerusalem would be removed and wondered if it was just wishful thinking on their part or if it would really happen.
4. They must have been overjoyed at the good news they received from the man. (That is, from an angel of God who had the appearance of a man.)
C. The city of Jerusalem would be rebuilt and would be “...as towns without walls for the multitude,” V. 4. (That is, walls could not hold them all.)
1. This does not mean that there would literally be no walls. (Only as if there were no walls.)
2. Nehemiah would come in due time and build the walls, but the multitude would be so great that the walls could not hold all of them.
3. They would not ever actually be dependent on walls for their protection; the Lord would be their protection, V. 5a.
D. The Lord would also be their glory, V. 5b.
E. This prophecy would be fulfilled in different stages.
1. It would be partly fulfilled by a call for Jews to flee from Babylon and return to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, V. 6-7. (A note of urgency would be in that call, V. 8-9. Darius, the Persian would conquer Babylon and would issue the call for Jews to return to Canaan and rebuild Jerusalem.)
2. It would be partly fulfilled at the completion of the temple when the rebuilding of the temple would be completed and the glory of the Lord would enter the new temple.)
3. It would be partly fulfilled in the first coming of Christ to earth and by His entrance into the temple. .
4. It will be completely fulfilled in the second coming of Christ to the earth.
F. The vision was designed to have had a great impact on the Jews of Zechariah’s day ---particularly on those who were in Jerusalem attempting to rebuild the temple. . .
1. It should lift their spirits so that they would be encouraged even though they lived under very depressing circumstances. V. 10-13 (What they heard was good news.)
2. They should become so enthused that they would greatly renew their efforts to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem.
3. It should encourage them to be faithful to carry out the project of rebuilding the temple with great enthusiasm. (They should not slack up or quit until the job is finished.)
II. Lessons
to be drawn from this passage
A. We who are saved should have a great spirit of optimism.
1. Sometimes we live in difficult circumstances.
2. Yet knowing that there is a better world ahead should give us great joy in the Lord even under our present difficult circumstances.
B. It should cause us to labor with great enthusiasm in the Lord’s cause.
C. There should be no time to quit or slack up. (It should cause us to be faithful to the end.)
Conclusion:
One obvious omission in this passage of Scripture is an appeal for the unsaved to turn to the Christ and be saved. Never-the-less, there are many such appeals in the Bible. God calls upon all men everywhere to repent of their sin. He also calls upon everybody in all the world to look to Jesus Christ and be saved. So if any of you are not jet saved you should be able to see the urgency of repenting while there is time and opportunity to do so. You should call upon the Lord Jesus Christ while there is time and opportunity and ask Him to be your Savior.
Likewise, those of us who are saved should enthusiastically get in the work of the Lord, knowing that our efforts to serve Him are not in vain.
Zech. 2:6-13 A MESSAGE OF DELIVERANCE
Introduction:
In verses 1-5 of this chapter an angel of the Lord delivered a message to the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem. In verses 6-13 he sends a message a message to the Jews who yet remained in captivity
I. The vision
and its meaning, V. 6-13
A. A call is given for those Jews who yet remained in those Gentile regions north of Canaan; they were called upon to flee and to return their homeland, V. 6a.
B. They are reminded that it was the hand of the Lord which, as a means of chastisement, had removed them from their homeland and scattered them among the Gentiles, V. 6b
C. The Lord now makes it possible for them to be delivered and to return to their homeland, but He places the responsibility for their deliverance upon themselves, V. 7a.
1. He called upon those who still remained in Babylon to flee --- to get out --- to deliver themselves.
2. This implies that it will be dangerous for them to remain in Babylon.
D. The danger is very real, V. 8-9.
1. God had not interfered when the Gentiles chose to invade Judah, to destroy the cities, rob the people of their valuables, slaughter them by the hundreds and carry the survivors away into captivity, but God would hold them responsible for their cruelties to His people.
2. God said that by harming the people of Judah, the Babylonians had touched the apple of His eye, V. 8. (The Jewish people are the apple of God’s eye.)
3. God said that He would shake His hand upon them or at them, V. 9a. (I get the impression that this means He would shake His fist at them.)
4. God said that they would become a spoil to their own servants. (To people who had once been their servants.)
5. Ant Jew who remained in Babylon when God’s wrath was poured out would suffer along with the Gentiles.
E. The Lord revealed great future blessings for Israel,
1. He said there would be singing and rejoicing, V. 10a.
2. He said that He would come and dwell in their midst, V. 10b.
3. He said that many nations would be allied with Israel, V. 11.a (Gentile nations)
4. He said that many Gentile people would be His people, V. 11b.
5. .He repeated that some day He would dwell among the people of Israel, V. 11c.
6. He said the Jewish people would know for a certainty that God the Father had sent Him, V. 11d.
7. He said that He would inherit Judah and dwell in the city of Jerusalem, V. 12.
8. He called upon all people to be silent and reverent in that day, V. 13.
II. The
fulfillment of the prophecies
A. The vision had a partial fulfillment on a short-term basis.
1. Many of the Jews in Babylon did soon return to Judea and to Jerusalem.
2. Upon the completion of the rebuilding of the Jewish temple at Jerusalem the glory of the Lord did enter the temple and, thus, the very presence of the Lord did dwell with the Jews once again.
B. Likewise, at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the Lord did come and dwell among the Jews in the bodily presence of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
C. Furthermore, when Jesus returns bodily to earth He will dwell in Jerusalem He will rule the world from His throne in that city.
III. Some lessons
A. The people of Israel are God’s people nationally and Israel is still the apple of God’s eye. All nations should know that it is dangerous to hurt the Israelite people.
B. The individual Christians are God’s people spiritually and it is equally dangerous for anyone to hurt one of the Christians.
C. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity did come to earth and dwell in human flesh. His name is Jesus. He was crucified. He arose from the grave. He ascended back to heaven.
D. One day He will return to this earth and when He does everybody in the world will know that He is God..
Conclusion:
1. Just as it was the responsibility of flee from Babylon and to return to Judea even so it is the responsibility of each individual person to flee to the Lord Jesus Christ by calling on His name and trusting Him to cleanse his soul from in.
2. It was dangerous for those Jews not to return to Judea and even so it is dangerous for one not to turn to Jesus Christ and trust Him to save his soul
3. We will all bow to the Lord Jesus Christ some day. Let us do it now and serve Him now.
Zech. 3:1-10 CLEAN
GARMENTS FOR JOSHUA AND GREAT BLESSINGS FOR JUDAH
Introduction:
Joshua was the high priest of Judah in Zechariah’s day. In this vision Zechariah sees Joshua receive clean clothes and the promise of great blessing from the Lord.
I. The opposition
to the blessings, V. 1-2
A. Joshua, the high priest stands before the Lord to plead for blessings on Judah, V. 1a. (Especially on their effort to rebuild the temple.)
B. But there stood an enemy to oppose him, V. 1b.
1. That enemy was Satan.
2. In the light of the Book of Job, he accused the Jews of all manner of sin and opposed God giving His blessings on them.
C. But God rebuked Satan and blessed Judah, V. 2.
1. God interceded to bless the Jews.
2. He interceded to bless not only the rebuilding of the Temple, but all of Jerusalem and all of Judah.
3. God’s choosing of Jerusalem is a hint of millennial blessings.
II. The
reason for the blessings, V. 3-5
A. Joshua was seen in filthy garments, symbolic of the sins of Judah, whom he served as high priest, V. 3.
B. The Lord instructed that the filthy garments be taken away and clean ones be given him, V. 4. (This was symbolic of forgiveness of the sins of the nation of Judah.)
C. Even Zechariah got enthused and called for a clean miter to be given to Joshua, V. 5.
III. The way
of blessings revealed, V. 6-7
A. The word, “protested,” is translated by some as “testified.,” V. 6.
B. What the angel testified unto Joshua was the ways of the Lord, V. 7. (If the people would walk in His ways, God would add His blessings.)
IV. The
source of the blessings, V. 8
A. The BRANCH would come.
B. Both Isaiah and Jeremiah had prophesied of the coming of the BRANCH, Isa. 11:1; Jer. 23:5.
C. The BRANCH is the Christ, through whom all blessings flow.
1. Without forgiveness of sin neither the temple not Jerusalem would be restored..
2. The fact that the Christ would come would make forgiveness possible.
V. The one
day which makes the blessings possible,, V. 9
A. I am not sure about the stone and the eyes. (Ask me about them during the millennial reign of Christ. If I still do not know the answer, I will find out.)
B. I am sure about the removing of iniquity in one day. (The crucifixion of Christ took place in one day.)
1. Christ suffered for all mankind of all ages.
2. Once for all time He paid the redemption price.
3. I am also sure that at His return to earth iniquity in Israel will be removed in one day and deliverance from all enemies of that nation will take place in that one day.
VI. An
example of the blessings, V. 10
A. This verse looks ahead to the millennial reign of Christ.
B. There is liberty for Judah. (Bondage at that time will be forever past.)
C. The fig tree and the vine are symbols of the blessings of God. (Like milk and honey were symbols of His blessings in the promised land)
Conclusion:
1. Satan is an enemy of the Jews, of the nation of Israel, of each New Testament church, of each Christian, and of each person --- even of those who are on his side, promoting his cause.
2. Yet God proposes to forgive sin and to give blessings.
3. God has revealed how to be saved and how to walk in His ways.
4. All these blessings are possible through the BRANCH --- the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. One day on Calvary He died and gave His blood and His life to make salvation possible.
6. One day He will return to earth.
7. He not only has the glorious millennial reign in store for all His people, but He has the blessing of the eternal ages already planned and waiting for His redeemed people.
Zech. 4:1-14 THE
CANDLESTICK, THE OLIVE TREES AND
THE MOUNTAIN
Introduction:
In this vision Zechariah sees a golden candlestick and two olive trees. The candlestick was evidently patterned after the candlestick of the temple. The candlestick of the temple had been carried into Babylon, but apparently had been brought back with the other holy vessels of the temple. The candlestick stood about 5 feet high. It had seven golden bowls in which olive oil was burned to give light.
The symbolic meaning was: (1) Jehovah God is Light. Thus, the one and only God is the one and only spiritual light; (2) Israel, is the candlestick. That is, Israel is God’s chosen nation through which His light would shine to the world. (3) The olive oil represents the Holy Spirit of God which enables Israel to let her spiritual light shine to the world.
I. The vision
of the candlestick , the olive trees and a mountain, V. 1-3, 7s
A. The candlestick in the vision had a bowl at the very top, V. 1-2a.
1. There were 7 bowls or lamps at a lower level on the candlestick, V. 2b.
2. There were seven pipes or tubes leading from the upper bowl to the seven lower bowls, V. 2c.
3. The bowls below it were designed to receive their supply of olive oil from the upper bowl through pipes or tubes.
B. There were two olive trees, one on each side of the candlestick, V. 3.
1. The implication is that the two olive trees continuously furnish oil to the supply-bowl which is on the tip of the lampstand.
2. The supply bowl then would continuously supply oil through the pipes or tubes to the seven lower bowls.
3. Therefore, the lights of the lamps would continuously burn. .
C. There was a third item in the vision which is not mentioned until verse 7.
1. That item is a mountain, V. 7a.
2. In the vision the mountain become a plain, V. 7b.
II. An explanation
of the candlestick and the mountain, V. 4-10
A. The explanation was that the vision was to emphasize that the rebuilding of the temple would not be accomplished by the might of men, but by the power of the it of the God, V . 4-6.
B. The meaning of the mountain is not explained by the angel because its meaning is so obvious, V. 7.
1. In the vision the high mountain became a plain, a flat, level area.
2. Therefore, it represented the great mountainous difficulties that faced the Jews as they tried to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem.
3. But by the might and power of the Spirit of God the mountain would be made flat; the task would be accomplished; the rebuilding of the temple would be completed and the headstone would be laid, V. 7b. .
4. There would be shouts of joy from the people giving God the praise God for enabling them to accomplish this great task, V. 7c.
C. The promise was that as Zerubbabel had already laid the foundation for the temple, even so he would finish , V. 7-10..
D. Yet it would not be done by the might of Zerubbabel and his people; it would be done by might and power of the Spirit of God.
III. An
explanation of the two olive trees, V. 11-14
A. Zechariah inquired of the meaning concerning the two olive trees, V. 11-12.
B. The angel seemed surprised that Zechariah did
not already know the answer; the answer
must have seemed so obvious to the angel, V. 13.
C. He must be surprised at a lot of us who even now
must also answer as Zechariah did.
(Zechariah did not know and some of us must confess that we really do
not know.)
D. His only explanation to Zechariah was that
they are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth, V.
14. (And that is the only satisfactory
answer that I can give to you.)
IV, Some
lessons for us today
A. Just as Zerubbable and the people who helped him had a mountainous task to do for the Lord, even so do we.
1. It cannot be accomplished by the preaching ability of God’s preachers.
2. It cannot be accomplished by the knowledge and wisdom of the good deacons nor the good Bible teachers.
3. It cannot be accomplished by good programs in the churches.
4. It cannot be accomplished by having good comfortable beautiful church buildings
B. It can only be accomplished by the great Holy Spirit of God as He works through us.
1. Yet only as the people of God are willing to yield to the will of God in our lives will the Holy Spirit of God give us the help we need to do His work.
2. Only when the leadership of God’s people are yielded to God and live godly lives.
3 Only when the saved people of the community are willing to listen to the truths of God’s world can we enlist them to help us to do God’s work
4. Only when the unsaved are willing to repent of their sin and get right with God will they trust the Lord Jesus as Savior and join us in the great work of God.
Conclusion:
1. For me the question is: Am I willing to let the Lord have His way in my life?
2. For each saved person the question is: Are you willing to let the Lord have His way in your life? Are you ready to really get in the work of the Lord?
3. For you who are unsaved the question is: Do you really want the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul or would you prefer to die and go to hell? Are you ready now to call upon Jesus and trust Him to save your soul?
Zech. 5:1-4 THE
FLYING PARCHMENT
Introduction:
Zechariah has prophesied nothing but good news for Judah. The temple, the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Judah would be restored. The Messiah would come, the atonement would be made and eventually the millennial kingdom would be established. But in this text he pronounces a curse upon sin. God did not intend to restore this nation and then sit idly by and watch her go right back into sin without taking measures to correct her. .
I. The vision
of the flying parchment, V. 1-4
A. Zechariah saw a flying roll, V. 1.
1. This was a parchment, a sheet of writing material.
2. It is here called “a roll” because that is the way parchments were usually stored.
3. It was called “a flying roll” because it floated in the air.
B. The parchment measured 20 cubits long and 10 cubits wide, V. 2.
1. This would be about 30 feet long and about 15 feet wide.
2. The parchment was extended out as a sheet as if it floated. (It was not rolled up.)
3. It must have been a strange sight and attracted Zechariah’s full attention.
C. God explained that written on this parchment was a curse which pertained to the whole land of Judah, V. 3.
1. The word which here is translated “earth” is sometimes translated “land.” (In the context of this verse “land” would seem to be the better translation and would apply particularly to the nation of Judah.)
2. The curse was directed against two particular sins: Stealing and false swearing (stealing and lying)..
3. The curse for stealing was written on one side and the curse for false swearing was on the other side.
D. Prior to the captivity in Babylon idolatry had been Judah’s most prominent sin, but at this time it was stealing false swearing.
1. This included the related sin of covetousness and greed.
2. The Jews had an insatiable craving for material wealth and they did not hesitate to sin in order to get it. {Like the story about the Jewish clothing salesman trying to sell a coat which is much too large and he says to the customer, “Just a fit. Just a fit.”)
E. God warns that their sin will bring punishment, V. 4.
1. In the vision the parchment would enter the home of the guilty party and destroy the man and his home.
2. This illustrated that the individual person and the individual home would be destroyed.
3. One might sin and because the curse (or penalty) does not come immediately he may think that he is getting by with his sin, but he isn’t.
F. God used these two sins for the vision because there were most prevalent, but actually He would punish any sin.
II. A lesson
for Gentiles
A. The sins of stealing and lying are prominent in all generations ----- and among all races of people. (It is not limited to just one nationality.)
B. It is just as big a sin for a Gentile to lie and steal as it is for a Jew to lie and steal, Ex. 20: 15-17.
C. Whenever a man disobeys the express will of God then he sins and the punishment of God is brought upon him.
D. The punishment may not come immediately, but it does come surely.
1. An unsaved man can get so set in his ways of sin that he refuses to repent and seek forgiveness of God. (It is his failure to repent and trust the Lord that seals his doom, Luke 13:3; John 3:18, 36.)
2. A saved man can bring the curse of God upon himself.
a. He will not so sin as to lose his salvation, I Peter 1:5.
b. But he can so sin as to destroy all chances of happiness here in this life.
c. Any child of God who thinks that he can lie and cheat and steal or drink booze and commit adultery or lay out of church or commit any other sin and get by with it will be sadly mistaken.
Conclusion:
1. I cannot appeal to all sinners, but I can appeal to you.
2. I appeal to you who are unsaved to repent and trust Jesus Christ to save your soul.
3. I appeal to all who are saved to hate the sin in your own life and avoid it like a poison.
4. I appeal to you Christians who are not active in church to find a good Bible believing, Bible preaching, Bible practicing church and be faithful to attend its services. It will help you to live a better life.
Zech. 5:5-11 THE
WOMAN IN THE EPHAH
Introduction:
Zechariah sees an ephah. An ephah was a basket-like container used for grain. This one had a lead lid. The lid was raised and a woman sat in the ephah under the lid. The woman was called “wickedness.” The lid was shut with the woman in the ephah and carried away to Shinar.
I. The interpretation of the vision
A. The woman represents Judah.
1. The nation of Judah would become wicked.
2. She had already done so once and had been carried into captivity.
3. She had repented, had been delivered from captivity and at that time back in Judah.
B. Because she would become wicked again she would go into Babylonia again. (Not into the city of Babylon, but into Babylonia.)
II. The
fulfillment of the prophecy
A. By the time of Christ Judah had once again become a wicked nation.
1. She had not gone into idolatry nor into rioting and violence or loose morality.
2. Instead she had become overly self-righteous.
3. Her wickedness is most evident in her rejection of the Son of God.
B. The fulfillment of the prophecy was brought about by Roman oppression.
1. The Jews could flee from the Roman yoke by going either to Europe or to Babylonia; most chose Babylonia.
2. It actually began about 100 years B. C. (Those who went to Babylonia were added to those who had never come out of Babylonia from the earlier captivity.)
3. In 70 A. D. when Titus destroyed the Temple there was a mass exodus made to Babylonia.
4. They were not carried into bondage, but they were forced to leave their homeland and their homes.
C. After the fall of the temple in 70 A. D. some Jews remained in Palestine. (At the coastal city of Jabneh they set up a synagogue, an academy and the beginning stages of the Sanhedrin.)
D. The Jews who remained in Palestine rebelled against Rome again during the years 132 to 135 A. D. (Another mass exodus was made to Babylonia.)
E. By the end of the 4th century Babylonia was the center of Jewish life and culture. (This is now a matter of history.)
1. The Babylonian Talmud had been written.
2. Jewish academies had multiplied and Jewish scholarship was in Babylonia.
3. Even a new Jewish council had been set up in Babylonia. (Another stage in the development of the Jewish Sanhedrin Council.)
III. Lessons
for us today
A. God wants His people to live righteous lives.
1. God had tried to get this message across to Judah before they went into captivity.
2. That is what He tried to get across to them when they went into captivity.
3. That is what He would once again try to teach them by sending them again into Babylonia.
4. That is what He wants us to know.
B. God’s people are so very inclined to slip back into the ways of sin.
1. Judah had cried unto the Lord to be delivered from Babylonia, but once God delivered them they went back to living their lives according to their own choice.
2. Similarly, we who are Christians have cried out to God to be delivered from the bondage of sin and from the hardships that it brings, but once we are delivered we, of our own free choice, go right back into sin.
C. God chastens His people for their sin. (He chastened Judah, He chastened the apostles and He chastens us, Heb. 12:6.)
D. God is gracious to forgive when men repent of their sin and seek forgiveness. 1. God forgave Judah when they repented after the Babylonian captivity and He restored them to their land.
2. He forgave Judah again after their 70 A. D. dispersion and He has now restored them to their homeland once again. (They have become a nation, a mighty nation once again.)
3. God forgave the Apostle Peter of denying the Christ at His trial and crucifixion and made him into a mighty leader in the early days of Christianity.
4. God will forgive an unsaved person when he repents of his sin and trusts Jesus Christ to save him from the everlasting penalty of his sin, Rom. 10:13.
5. God will forgive a wayward child of God and restore him to sweet fellowship with God if he will repent and seek forgiveness.
Conclusion:
I am confident there will be some unsaved person who will read this writing. Let me say that you need to turn to God in repentance and you need to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of your soul. Do it right now. Turn to God confessing your sinfulness to Him and ask Him to have mercy on you. Call upon Jesus Christ, who is listening to the prayers of your heart and ask Him to be your Savior. Will you do it? Will you do it right now?
I am also confident that there are saved people who will read this message who need to turn to God in repentance because of sin in your life. You need the Lord. You need His help. You need His strength. You need your sweet fellowship with Him restored. Will you do it? Will you do it right now?.
Zech. 6:1-8 GOD’S
WAR CHARIOTS AGAINST THE GENTILES
Introduction:
In the opening vision Zechariah saw riders of horses among the myrtle bushes. They were angelic servants sent to scout out conditions in the world. They reported that the Gentiles were at rest while the Jews were in turmoil. God declared to Zechariah that He was displeased with the Gentiles because they were oppressing His covenant people, Zech. 1:5. God pledged to improve conditions for Judah. In this text He pledges to send punishment upon the Gentiles because of their abuse to the people of Judah. .
I. The
appearance of four chariots, V. 1-5
A. Four chariots with various colored horses rode out from between two brass mountains, V. 1-4.
1. The chariots were war chariots.
2. These came from standing before the Lord, V. 5.
3. The two mountains are as though they were the gate posts to the entrance to heaven.
B. The chariots represented God’s warrior forces from heaven.
1. These would make war with the Gentile powers of the world.
2. God does not intend to destroy the Gentiles completely, only to punish and subdue them.
C. These nations are to the north, south, east and west of Israel.
1. To the north of Judah lay Syria, Assyria, Babylon and Persia. (In modern terms: Syria, Iraq, and Iran)
2. To the south there was Sinai, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and Lybia. (Perhaps other nations to the south would also be targeted.)
3. To the east there was Ammon and Edom. (Jordan & Saudi Arabia)
4. To the west: Turkey, Greece and Italy.)
II. The kind
of war God would wage against the Gentiles
A. God would use three different types of warfare.
1. The red horses pictured actual military warfare.
2. The black horses pictured famine. (Famine can come without military war, but always follows military war.)
3. The grizzled (speckled) horses pictured plagues of diseases
B. The white horses pictured victory over the Gentiles and the subjection of the Gentile powers.
III. The lack
of specific details in the vision
A. The vision does not give details about how this will be fulfilled in the various nations.
B. The only nations specifically mentioned are those of “the north country,” V. 6 and 8.
1. The nations of Assyria and Babylon had already been subdued once, but the implication is that they would yet be subdued again in the future. (The events described in verses 6 and 8 were yet future.)
2. .The naming of these nations gives an example of what would happen in all other Gentile nations which oppress the Jews.
IV. The
fulfillment of the prophecy
A. We can look back into Bible history and see what has happened to some of the nations which have oppressed Israel.. (Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria and Rome)
B. We can look into secular history and see that this prophecy has already been fulfilled to some measure in nations which have oppressed the Israelite people. (Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and modern Egypt)
C. We can look into prophetic future and see that it will continue to be fulfilled. (Armageddon)
V. The
warning
A. This should serve as a warning to all Gentiles. (Israel is the only nation in the world with which God has made a covenant promising to defend and avenge her.)
B. Let the nations beware.
1. Let Russia, Syria, Lybia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran beware!
2. Let the Palestine Liberation Organization beware!
3. Let even the United States beware lest she be tempted to become an enemy to Israel!
4. Let the entire United Nations beware!
VI. The warning applied from the spiritual
viewpoint
A. The same God who protects Israel protects New Testament churches and New Testament Christians.
1. God does not prevent all oppression from coming upon Christians and upon His churches.
2. But He is highly displeased when ungodly unbelievers persecute His churches and His people.
3, God has promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His churches, Mt. 16:18.
4. If God’s hand not protected His churches from extinction there would be no New Testament churches in the world today..
B. God has most certainly had His protecting hand on the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Overton, Texas..
1. In well over 100 years of history there must have been many who slandered this church and her leadership.
2. But God has protected this church and she has withstood such slanders.
3. We can be sure that God has waged war against those who sought to harm this church.
Conclusion:
1. Since God wages war against those who oppose His work, it pays to be on the Lord’s side.
2. Have you ever repented of your sin and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Savior? (If not, then it may come as a surprise to you, but you are not on the Lord’s side. You must repent of sin and trust in Jesus Christ to save your soul to get on the Lord’s side.)
3. Have you ever followed the Lord in baptism and united with one of His New Testament churches? If not then you need to do so now in order to let people know that you are on the Lord’s side.
Zech. 6:9-15 THE
CROWNING OF JOSHUA, THE HIGH PRIEST
Introduction:
Up to this point God had used visions to reveal the prophecies to Zechariah. In this text He uses a real-life situation.
I. The
situation, V. 9-11
A. Three Jews had come from Babylon with gifts of silver and gold to help with the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem, V. 9-10.
1. They were guests in the home of Josiah, the son of Josedech.
2. They possibly also contributed a little labor at the temple while they were there in Jerusalem.
3. They would soon be returning back to Babylon from which they had come.
B. The prophet Zechariah was to take some of the silver and gold and make a crown (literally “crowns”) and was to go into the home of Joshua, the son of Josedech, V. 11.
1. Josedech was said in this verse to be the high priest in Judah, but because of the destruction of he temple and the captivity of the people, he had been unable to be active in that office.
2. Now, because of old age he was still inactive in the office and it was his son, Joshua, who was actually overseeing the rebuilding of the temple.
3. Josedech was still honored by being called by the title of high priest even though he was no longer serving in that office. (This was much the same as calling an ex-president of the United States “Mr. President.” 4. Yet in reality it was his son, Joshua, who was serving as high priest.
C. It was unheard of for a priest to wear a crown.
1. The priests were of the .tribe of Levi and the king was to be of David.
2. Yet God instructed Zechariah to put the crown upon the head of Joshua, the high priest.
3. God did not intend for Joshua to be a king, but a rather a type a king who was yet to come.
II. The
prophecy involved, V. 12-13
A. Joshua, as the officiating high priest who was overseeing the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem in the days of Zechariah, was a type of the
BRANCH who at some time in the future would
come and oversee the rebuilding of the Temple in
Jerusalem.
1, Joshua was a type of the BRANCH and the BRANCH is the Christ.
2.. The BRANCH, the Christ, will someday return to this world and when He does He will rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem and He will sit in that Temple as Deity God.
B. Joshua, high priest of Judah, was a type of the Christ who is the High Priest of all mankind. .
1. As high priest, Joshua after the rebuilding of the temple was completed, on the day that was appointed, would enter into the Holy of Holies there in the temple and sprinkle the blood of atonement on the mercy seat.
2. Thus, he would be a type of the Christ, who on the appointed day would enter into The Holy of Holies in heaven and would sprinkle His own blood on the Mercy Seat of God in heaven as an atonement for the sins of sinful man.
3. Thus, the Christ would make it possible for a lost sinner to repent of his sin and call upon the Christ for mercy and have all of his sins forgiven.
C. The crowning of Joshua, the high priest, was prophetic of the return of the Christ to earth and of His crown that will be placed upon His head upon His return, V. 12-13
1. In our text Joshua is said to be the BRANCH, V. 12.
2. Back in the 4th vision the BRANCH was portrayed as a coming king,
V. 12.
3. Yet it was not God’s intention for that man, Joshua, to be a king in Judah. (If God had intended for him to become king in Judah he would have become king in Judah, but he never became king.)
4. Rather, it was God’s intention that Joshua, the high priest of Judah, would be crowned to portray the coming of the Christ, who would be both High Priest and King, V. 13..
5. When the Christ returns to earth He will sit upon a throne in Jerusalem and from that throne He will rule the world.
III. An
additional prophecy involved, V. 14-15
A. The crowns would then be taken by Zechariah from the head of Joshua, the high priest, and placed in the temple in the name of the men who had brought the silver and gold, V. 1415.
B. These men are types of men who will come from all parts of the world to Jerusalem during the millennium and bring their gifts to the Christ.
IV. The name
of the high priest
A. His name was Joshua. (It is no accident that this particular high priest bore this particular name.)
B. The Hebrew word, Joshua, came through the Greek language into the English language as “Jesus.”
C. It could be no accident that the high priest who was crowned by Zechariah and was a type of the Christ bore the same name as Jesus of Nazareth.
1. The only difference is that Joshua was a Hebrew word and Jesus is an English word.
2. God used this method give evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Christ.
3. Jesus is our High Priest. (He made an atonement for our sins with His own blood.)
4. Jesus is our King. (He is King in the spiritual Kingdom of God. When He returns to earth He will sit upon the throne in Jerusalem and rule the whole world during the millennium.)
Conclusion:
You and I have no choice in whether or not Jesus will be High Priest and King in the millennium. We cannot cause it to happen nor can we prevent it from happening. What you can do now is to choose Him be your Savior and King. You can do that right now. You can call upon Him in prayer and confess to Him that you are a sinner and that you need to be forgiven of all your sin. You can ask Him to save your soul and keep you out of the fires of hell. You can trust your soul into His care to make sure that you get to heaven when you die. You can also crown Him to be your personal King starting right now. You can give your life and loyalty to Him as your King starting right now. . Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved...” Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Right now you can call upon Him and choose Him to be your Savior and King.
Zech. 7:1-14
(Text: V. 3) A QUESTION ABOUT THE FAST
Introduction:
The Jews observed 4 fasts annually commemorating 4 events connected with their captivity. (1) Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem, (2) The fall of Jerusalem, (3) The burning of the temple and (4) The murder of the governor of Jerusalem. The question in the text involves the fast which commemorated the burning of the temple.
I. The
circumstances involving the question, V. 1-3
A. The setting was about two years after God had given to Zechariah the eight visions which have already studied in this series of messaged. Hence, was about two years after the beginning of the rebuilding of the temple, Chap. 1:1; Chap. 7:1.
B. Every year in the 5th month of the year the Jews observed a fast. (They stopped eating and stopped doing anything pertaining to pleasure. They put on sackcloth and ashes and wept bitterly.)
C. It finally dawned on the Jews: “Maybe we ought to be rejoicing instead of weeping. We should be happy that we are rebuilding the temple.”
D. Hence, they sent messengers to Jerusalem to ask, V. 2-3.
II. The
answer from the Lord, V. 4-14.
A. God did not want them to continue the fast.
1. He had not wanted them to start it in the first place.
2. He had never been pleased with it during the 70 years they had been doing it.
3. When they had fasted it had not been done for God’s honor and glory; it had been done to bemoan their own sufferings, V. 4-5. .
B. Even on those occasions when the people had feasted even that had not been done to honor God, V. 6.
C. If they wanted to know God’s will, it had already been told them through the former prophets, V. 7.
1. God now through Zechariah repeated the same message which He had earlier given through the former prophets, V. 8-10
2, A fast was not needed to show repentance; If they would change their ways that would show repentance and that would please God. (But a fast without repentance would not please God.)
3. God’s counsel was: Do not do like the forefathers who refused to repent, V. 11-14.
III. The
conclusion
A. Man looks on the outside; God looks on the heart.
B. The fast had every outward appearance of repentance, but it wasn’t and therefore, it had never pleased God.
C. Only a relatively few Jews had true repentance of the heart.
IV. Some
lessons for us today
A. True repentance is a matter of the heart and not of outward show.
1. This does not mean that God does not want an open profession of faith and an open expression of repentance, Rom. 10:10.
2. It does mean that a profession alone is not enough, (There must first be a change in the heart, Rom. 10:10.)
B. God wants to see a change in conduct after one is saved.
1. There will not be perfection nor anything near perfection.
2. There might even be a time of backsliding.
3. But if there is never any change, there was no repentance.
C. God wants service to Him out of love
1. He asked those Jews, “Did you do it for me?”
2. Why do you do what you do in God’s service? (Why do you give? Why do you sing? Why do you pray? Why do you play?)
D. A wrong attitude toward God’s word can hinder prayer. (Those Jews had refused to hear and heed God; therefore, God refused to hear and answer their prayers, V. 13.)
E. The Christian should spend more time thanking God and less time bemoaning his sorrows.
F. Those who continue unsaved are without excuse.
1. God had told them a long time ago what a man must do to be saved, Herb. 2:4. .
2.. He has told him through the prophets of the Old Testament; He has told them through the apostles of the New Testament. He has told them through writers of the Holy Bible.
3. Now through this message He calls upon you to repent and trust Jesus Christ and be saved, Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:13.
Conclusion:
1. Repent, trust Jesus and be saved.
2. After you are saved live godly.
3. Do it for your good and for God’s honor and glory. .
Zech. 8:1-23 EXCEEDING
GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES TO THE JEWS
Introduction:
After 70 years of captivity some Jews had returned to their homeland and were rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem. In this text God gives them special words of encouragement. An even greater fulfillment of these promises will be fulfilled in the millennium.
I. The promises
A. God promised to be jealous for Zion, V. 1-2.
1. Zion is Mt. Zion on which the temple was being built.
2. God had allowed the Babylonians to destroy the former temple which stood there, but now He promises to protect and bless Zion. (Thus, He would protect and bless the new temple and the people who would worship there..)
B. God promised to return to Zion, V. 3.
1. The glory of God had earlier indwelt the former temple, but had departed from it long before it was destroyed by the Babylonians..
2. Now He promised to return and to indwell the new temple.
3. This promise would have its greatest fulfillment in Christ’s return to earth and His presence in the temple during the millennium.
C. Jerusalem would be called the city of truth, V. 3b.
D. God promised that old people and young children would fill the streets, V. 4-5.
E. The city of Jerusalem would become a marvel, V. 6. (This would contrast sharply with the turmoil, violence and bloodshed which has taken place there through the years.)
F. He would return exiled Jews from the east and from the west, V. 7-8.
G. Israel would prosper materially, V. 10-12.
H. Israel would become a blessing to other nations (Gentile nations), V. 13.
I. God would be as faithful to bless Israel as He had been to punish her, V. 14-15.
J. All fasting would turn to feasting, V. 18-19.
K. Gentile nations would become friends to Israel, V. 20-23.
II. Instructions
from the Lord,, V. 9, 16, 17
A. He instructed the Jews to be strong in rebuilding the temple, V. 9.
B. They were to teach truth to others, V. 16a
C. They were to live godly lives, V. 16b-17.
III. What
this passage meant to the Jews
A. It was a big inspiration and a big challenge to the Jews of Zechariah’s day.
1. It encouraged them to believe God’s promises and to do the work of rebuilding the temple..
2. It challenged them to love God and to live for Him.
B. It should stand as an inspiration to Jews down through the years.
1. As God restored the temple in that day even so He will do it again.
2. The Messiah is yet to come and dwell among them.
3. In the millennium Israel will become the greatest nation in the world.
IV. What the
passage should mean to Christians
A. This is one of the greatest millennial passages in the Bible. (Therefore, it should be studied diligently.)
B. It should cause us to lift up our eyes of faith and look for the coming of Jesus.
C. It should cause us to work to build up our churches. (We should work as hard to build the church as they did to build the temple.)
D. It should cause us to live godly lives.
V. What the
passage should mean to the unsaved
A. It ought to cause them to see how futile it is to be on the side which opposes opposite the Lord.
1. Many Gentiles have through the years been against Israel, but they will finally learn better. (Some will have to learn the hard way.)
2. It is just as futile to fail to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. (Jesus has said, “He who is not for me is against me.”)
B. It ought to cause the unsaved to see what great things await them if they would trust Jesus and be saved.
1. God promised great things to the Jews in the text;.
2. God has promised even greater things to those who trust Jesus Christ for salvation, Rom. 8:16-18.
Zech. 9:1-8 GOOD
NEWS AND BAD NEWS FROM THE PROPHET
Introduction:
In verses 1-7 Zechariah gives bad news to some of the Gentile nations. In V. 8 he gives good news to Judah.
I. The bad
news for the Gentile nations, V. 1-7
A. Zechariah gave bad news to Persia, V. 1a.
1. Hadrach was a symbolic term which Zechariah used to speak if Persia.
2. The Persians had conquered the Babylonians and had taken over the Babylonian empire, including the land of Judah.
3. The Persians had allowed some of the Jews to return to their homeland to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem and to rebuild the city of Jerusalem itself.
4. But they still maintained their rulership over the Jews and in many ways were still oppressing them.
5. Therefore, God would bring judgment upon them and punish them for their mistreatment of Judah.
B. Zechariah gave bad news to the Syrians, V. 1b-2a.
1. The Syrians had long been bitter enemies of Judah.
2, God would bring judgment on them.
C. He had news for the Phoenicians, V. 2b--9.
1. Tyre and Sidon were the chief cities of the Phoenicians.
2. Tyre was known for its worldly wisdom, V. 2b.
3. Tyre was an almost impregnable fortress, V. 3a.
4. They had stock piled silver and gold like dirt, V. 3b.
5. God would bring judgment on them, V. 4.
D. He had bad news for the Philistines, V. 5-7.
1. These were located in the Gaza Strip.
2. They were enemies of the Jews and they had the abominable practice of drinking blood in their religious services, V. 7a.
3. God would bring judgment on them and only a remnant would remain and would blend with the Jews. (Be incorporated into Judah) V. 7b
II. The good news for Judah, V. 8
A. God would encamp about Judah to protect her, V. 8.
B. No enemy would be able to successfully oppose Judah, V. 8.
III. The
fulfillment of the prophecy, V. 8
A. An army with a mighty leader would come to bring God’s judgment on these nations, V. 8.
B. Zechariah did not tell what army this would be, but Daniel had already told that it would be the Greek army.
C. This prophecy would be fulfilled about 200years after Zechariah made it.
1. Alexander the Great marched in and took these lands.
2. But he never laid one finger against the Jews. (The Jewish priests met him and read to him Daniel’s prophecy of his coming and he showed them kindness.)
IV. Bad news
and good news for today
A. There is bad news to all who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
1. Some think that because of their powerful position in government or industry, they cannot be brought to justice. .
2. Some think that because of their great learning and intellect they can outsmart God.
3. Some think that because of their great wealth they can buy their way out of any kind of trouble.
4. Some think they have built an impregnable defense.
5. Some think that their religious activities get by with their sinful deeds.
6. But God will surely bring judgment upon them and cast them into everlasting fire.
B. But there is good news for all who will repent of their sin and trust in Jesus. 1. God will save them, Rom. 10:13;; Acts 16:31.
2. God will indwell them and protect their souls, Rom. . 8:9. (The Holy Spirit will indwell them.)
3. All the forces of Satan cannot drag one believer down to the fires of hell, I Peter 1:5.
4. All the glories of heaven await them.
Conclusion:
You have a choice. You can either accept God’s good news and trust Jesus Christ to be your Savior or sooner or later you will have to accept the bad news about hell.
`Zech, 9:9-10 JOYOUS NEWS OF THE COMING KING
Introduction:
The outlook for Judah was dim. Comparatively few Jews had returned to Canaan and resettled the land. Yet they were still under Persian rule. After the Persians they would be under the Greeks and then the Romans. But Zechariah foresaw the time when their own Jewish King would rule and Zacharias burst forth in joyous prophecy of His coming.
I. The
declarations made in this prophecy
A. Zechariah declared that one of their own people would come and rule, V. 9.
1. The Gentile powers over them would be broken and a Jewish King would reign.
2. At the time when the prophecy was made a Jewish king had not reigned in Israel for more than 70 years. (As of now a Jewish king has not reigned for almost three thousand years.)
3. But the time will come when He will reign.
B. In the prophecy He is called “thy King,” V. 9.
1. This again emphasizes that He will be Jewish.
2. But the main emphasis is that He will be Messiah King.
C. The term “King” implies an exalted ruler.
1. There was never a king like this King. (Not Nebuchadnezzar who built beautiful Babylon; not Alexander the Great in all his pomp and power; not Solomon in all his wisdom and splendor)
2. He is indeed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
D. Yet this prophecy declares that He will be lowly, V. 9.
1. This is in sharp contrast to His true power and glory.
2. He would come riding on a colt, the foal of an ass, Matt. chapter 21.
3. He would humble Himself by becoming a man and by going to the cross. .
E. The prophecy declares that He will be just, V. 9.
1. This term means “righteous.”
2. He was righteous in all His earthly life. (He kept every jot and tittle of the Mosaic law.)
3. He will be righteous in His reign. (His every act of His government will be in keeping with the strictest laws of justice.)
F. The prophecy declares that He will have salvation.
1. This means that He, Himself, will be the Savior.
2. He will be the Savior of lost humanity.
3. He will be the Savior of the nation of Judah. (He will save the nation of Judah from total destruction by the Anti-Christ and his armies.)
4. He will even save the material world from the curse of sin, Rom. 8:22.
G. The prophecy declares that He will establish peace, V. 10.
1. Jesus did not reign as king at His first coming.
2. But when He returns He will rule the world for 1000 years and will establish and maintain peace in all the world. .
3. The suggestion is that beyond the millennium He will bring in the heaven ages wherein there will be peace and holiness.
II. How the
message applies to us
A. The outlook for all mankind was dim.
1. The first man fell into sin.
2. All have sinned and come short of God’s perfect standard of perfection.
3. All stood in danger of the fires of hell.
B. But Jesus humbled Himself in our behalf and died on the cross that we might be saved.
C. He plans to return to raise from the dead all who are saved and carry them to glory. .
D. He offers to save all who will repent of sin and trust Him to save their soul.
Conclusion:
1. There are many hell-bound sinners who need to repent of their sin and trust in Jesus and be saved.
2. Perhaps you are one of those lost sinners and you may intend to call upon Jesus some day and get saved, but you have just kept putting it off until some other time. .
3. Let me ask you this: If someone were to offer you a trip ;to Hawaii, would you put it off until you knew that you were about to die? (Why put off salvation until some later time?)
4. If you know that you are unsaved, call upon the Lord now without delay.
5. And if you are saved, do not delay surrendering your life in service to the Lord.
Get in service to the Lord today. Let Him be your King starting now.
Zech. 9:11-13 SET
FREE FROM THE PIT
Introduction:
In this text God declares “I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit.” The pit, in this case, is Gentile dominion of the Jews. .
I. The
prophecy as it involved the Jews, V. 11-13
A. There is a sense in which they were already freed, V. 11.
1. They had been freed from the Babylonians by the Persians.
2. They had been allowed to resettle the land of Judah.
B. There is a sense in which they were still prisoners, V. 12.
1. In verse 12 they were called “prisoners of hope.”
2. They were still under Gentile power and would be for many generations to come.
C. The prophecy looked to a time of complete deliverance.
1. All Gentile power over the Jews will be broken.
2. Although this prophecy does not say so, Jerusalem will someday be the capital city of the world.
D. This is made possible and made sure by the blood covenant, V. 11.
1. The covenant referred to is God’s covenant with Israel which was sanctioned by blood, Ex. 24:8. (The blood of the animals pictured the real blood of the covenant.)
2.. The real blood of the covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ.
3. This not only makes it possible that Israel will be freed from the pit, but makes it sure and certain.
E. A double blessing will be given to Israel when the Jews are freed, V. 12. (This nation which has suffered so much will be doubly blessed.)
F. The Gentile oppressors will be punished.
1. The Babylonians had already been punished by the Persians.
2. The Persians would be punished by the Greeks.
3. The Greeks would likewise be punished, V. 13.
4. The implication is that all Gentile powers who afflict Israel will be punished.
II. The pit
of sin
A. All mankind was in a pit of sin, Rom. 3:23.
B. It was impossible for man to get himself out of the pit. (Not by works of righteousness, not by baptism, not by church membership, Eph 2:9; Titus 3:5)
C. But God has made a covenant with man that provides a way out of the pit. (This is a blood covenant concerning the blood of Jesus Christ, Acts 16:31;
I John 1:7.)
D. At first there is only a partial deliverance.
1. When one trusts Jesus Christ to be his Savior the inner spirit man is delivered. (The inner spirit man is freed from all guilt of sin and can never sin again, I John 3:9.)
2. But the fleshly body with its sinful nature is not yet delivered. (He is not yet delivered from committing sin and he is not yet delivered from suffering. It still suffers.)
3. And he is not yet delivered from a sinful environment.
E. But those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation are “prisoners of hope” and the time will come for complete deliverance.
1. The time will come when the flesh nature of the believer will be changed and will also be free from sin. .
2. In the rapture or resurrection the believer will be given a new and sinless body so that even his body will never sin again. .
G. The believer will be blessed with exceedingly great blessings, Eph. 2:7. (There will not only be double blessings, but blessings multiplied manyfold. Human eye has not yet seen such blessings. The human mind has never been able to conceive of such marvelous blessings. The human heart has never experienced such joy.) .
Conclusion:
1. You need to be out of the pit of sin. .
2. There is something within your heart that wants to be out of the pit
3. Jesus Christ and only Jesus Christ can set you free from this pit.
.
Zech. 9:14-17 STORM
WARNINGS
Introduction:
In our previous text God used a pit to portray His deliverance of Israel from Gentile rule. In this text God issues a warning. He issues a storm warning. So many of the warnings which He has given through the Old Testament prophets were warnings to Israel that it seems somewhat strange that this warning is not to Israel. Rather, it is to the Gentiles.
It is a storm warning. Figuratively God is giving a weather alert to Gentile world powers. God is warning the Gentile world powers that He will come upon them like a storm because of their oppression of His people, Israel. The Gentile nations need to take note of the fact that Israel is the only nation in the world with whom God has personally made a covenant.
Let us take note of this weather alert which God has given through the prophet, Zechariah.
I. The Lord
pictured as a storm cloud, V. 14
A. The word, cloud, is not used in this verse, but the description is that of a cloud. 1. The Lord is seen in the air above the people like a cloud.
2. This is very much like the pillar of cloud which appeared above the camp of Israel during their journey from Egypt to Canaan..
3. Even back in the wilderness that cloud was not a weather cloud. It was a pillar of cloud in the daytime, but it became as a pillar of fire at night. (It was a visible manifestation of God. Himself.)
4. So it is in this weather alert: Almighty God, Himself, will be the protector and defender of His people, Israel.
B. It is said that the arrow of the Lord will go forth as lightening.
1. The arrow, as it is spoken of in this text, is a weapon of warfare.
2. In this case, God’s arrow is not used against Israel, but rather in her defense.
3. When an arrow is released from the bow it moves swiftly.
4. So it is with lightening; God will shoot His arrows as lightening from the storm cloud. (They will strike with deadly accuracy and with deadly force.)
C. There is one item mentioned here that may seem to us somewhat out of place.
1. However, let us remember that God does not put things out of place. (He is always accurate is what He says.)
2. The item mentioned is the sound of a trumpet. (A trumpet does not usually sound off from a storm cloud.)
3. Some have suggested that the sound of the trumpet here is representative of the thunder which usually accompanies lightening..
4. It is the thunder which is heard from a distance which gives warning that the storm cloud is moving in and that one must take shelter.
5. Therefore, this would illustrate that the sounding of God’s trumpet is fair warning to all the nations of the world that they should cease to oppress and mistreat God’s covenant people, Israel. (If men will not head the warning of God then they will face the fierce wrath of God..)
D. It is then that the whirlwinds of the south will strike those who oppress Israel.
1. He will send the whirlwinds of the south against them.
2. Some of the most powerful storms of the middle-east would come from the hot-dry desert land which lies south of Israel. (Therefore, the term “whirlwinds of the south” would speak of the worst kind of storms.)
3. So it is that if Gentile nations do not heed God’s warning and they continue their bitter hatred and their violent treatment of the Jewish people, then God will send His mighty forces against them.
II. Victory
promised to Israel, V. 15-16
A. God will defend the Israelites, V. 15.
1. The enemy might easily defeat Israel if God did not defend them. 2. But with God as their defender there is no way that any enemy can destroy them.
B. To the contrary, it is promised that Israel will devour her enemies, V. 15.
1. Some translators think that the word “with” in the expression should be left out.
2. Therefore, the idea would be as though the enemy were fighting against Israel with sling-stones or sling-shots. (They are easily defeated by the overwhelming power of the Lord who fights for Israel.)
C. The enemy will be defeated and devoured, V. 15.
1. It will be as though the armies of Israel devour the flesh and drink the blood of the enemy.
2. The Israelites will be exhilarated as if they were intoxicated with wine.
D. The Lord explains why He protects the people of Israel and blesses them with such great blessings, v. 16.
1. The reason is that in His eyes they are like the precious jewels that adorn the crown of a mighty king.
2. The Lord takes great delight in the nation of Israel. (This is the covenant nation which He has pledged to bless.)
III. The
fulfillment of this prophecy
A. It appears that this prophecy was not intended to portray just one particular event; Rather, it seems to portray the way that God would protect Israel and defeat her the enemies on many different occasions.
1. For instance, the prophecy seems to describe God’s protection of the people of Israel during the time of the Maccabees.
2. It seems also to explain why Israel was able to defeat the mighty nation of Egypt in “The Ten Day War.”
3. It, likewise, explains how Israel was able to have an even greater victory in “The Six Day War.”
4. Otherwise, how could we explain such swift overwhelming victories by such a small nation against the mighty nation of Egypt?
B. Yet the chief and final fulfillment of this prophecy will take place in the Armageddon War.
1. It will be at that period of time that the hatred of Jews and Christians will be at its peak.
2. The armies of the world will be gathered in the middle-east and the Anti-Christ and his armies will seek the final downfall of Israel.
3. At a time when it will appear that there is no hope for Israel and that the enemies of Israel will be victorious the Lord Jesus Christ will break through the clouds and bring the downfall to the Anti-Christ and his armies and save the nation of Israel from final destruction. .
Conclusion:
1. You did not have a choice whether or not you
would be born into the nation of
2. You did not have a choice as to what racial lineage you would be born into..
3. But you do have a choice as to what spiritual family you will be in. If you repent of your sins and trust the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul you will be born again spiritually. You will be born spiritually into the family of God. You will live in eternal glory with God. But if you fail to repent and trust Jesus you will suffer eternally in The Lake of Fire and Brimstone.
4. The storm warnings are out. You have heard the forecast. Will you take refuge and seek safety by turning to God? Will you acknowledging that you are an unworthy sinner and will you call upon Jesus Christ, the Savior, and trust Him to save your soul? Will you do it now?
Zech. 9:17 THE
GREAT GOODNESS OF GOD
Introduction:
There
is no question mark at the end of the first sentence in this verse. Instead, there is an exclamation mark. After hearing of all the good things God had
planned for
I. Let us
consider the great goodness of God in view of the prophecies of Zechariah
A. Zechariah had prophesied that God would
deliver the nation of
B. He had prophesied that God would punish the Gentiles who oppress the Jews. (One such prophecy was made in V. 13.)
C. He had prophesied of great material blessings
for
V. 17b.
D. He had prophesied that God would defend
E. He prophesied that God would save
F. We can say with Zechariah, “How great is His goodness!”
II. Let us
consider the great goodness of God in view of His material provisions
for all
mankind
A. God had provided food for all mankind.
1. Some skeptics may say, “But man planted the seed, man cultivated the field and man harvested the crop.”
2. Man may have put the seed in the ground, but God made it grow.
B. God has provided water for man to drink.
1. God created an abundant supply of water.
2. He set up a system whereby we would have a continual supply of fresh water.
C. God has provided air for man to breathe.
1. I know of no planet other than the earth which has been discovered with an atmosphere of oxygen.
2. He has set up a system whereby we would have a continual supply of oxygen.
D. God has provided light for man.
1. God set the sun, moon and stars to bee lights for man.
2. They give light for vision, warmth, energy and seasons (spring, summer, fall, summer), direction, the marking of time into days, months, years, etc.
E. We can say with Zechariah, “How great is His goodness!”
III. Let us
consider the great goodness of God in view of His saving grace
A. Of all the things God has done for man, nothing compares to His saving grace.
B. If God would save any man, it was necessary for Him to send Jesus to the cross.
C. God did send Jesus to the cross and through Jesus He has provided a way whereby every hell bound sinner in the world could trust Jesus and be saved, John 3:16.
D. This is a greater deliverance than for a man to be delivered from the death penalty after he has been found guilty by a court of law.
E. This is a greater deliverance than for a terminally ill person to be spared from death.
F. This is a greater deliverance than for a nation to be spared from destruction by an overwhelmingly more powerful enemy.
G. We can say with Zechariah, “How great is His goodness!”
IV. Let us
consider the great goodness of God in view of blessings that come from
Him
daily
A. This week we will celebrate “Thanksgiving Day.”
B. God has been so good to me. (Good health, a good wife, a calling to the ministry, a good church to pastor, The Good Book to study, the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit as Comforter in times of difficulty, strength from above and the best nation in the world in which to live)
C. I am confident that He has also poured out many good blessings upon you.
D. We can say with Zechariah, “How great is His goodness!”
V. Let us consider what we should do as a result of His goodness
A. We ought to praise Him in our hearts.
B. We ought to praise Him with our lips.
C. We ought to support His work with our means.
1. All that we have is from Him.
2. At least a tenth should be given to the church of our membership to be used for His glory.
3. All that we have should be used in a way that would honor His name 4. None of what we have should be used in a way that would dishonor Him.
D.. We ought to learn to do good to others. (God has been good to us.)
E. We who are saved ought to live for the Lord. (He died for us; we should live for Him.)
F. We ought to tell the whole world of His saving grace.
G. You who are unsaved ought o trust Jesus Christ and be saved. (Otherwise all of God’s goodness to you will suddenly be cut off and you will suffer excruciating pain forever.)
Conclusion:
1. There may be some of you who need to turn to Jesus today and ask Him to save your soul and keep you out of hell.
2. I am calling upon every unsaved person to consider how great and how good God is to offer you an opportunity to have all your sins forgiven.
3. Consider how great and how good God is to offer you the opportunity to stay out of the fires of hell.
4. Consider how good and how great God is to offer you the opportunity to go to heaven when you die.
5. Call on Jesus now and ask Him to save your soul.
Zech. 10:6,10 THE
GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Introduction:
Every
prophecy which promises blessings for
I. The
prophecy of the regathering of Israel
A. The promise of material blessings is renewed, V. 1.
B. The reason for the scattering is reviewed, V. 2.
C. Deliverance from the Gentile shepherds is assured, V. 3.
D. The exaltation of
E. The fierceness with which
F. Both the northern and the southern kingdoms would be restored, V. 6-7. (and be reunited)
G. God will say, “Pssssssst. Come here” ------- and they will come, V. 8.
H. God will multiply them among the nations and bring them to their land, V. 9-10.
I. It will seem every bit as miraculous as His
deliverance of
V.. 11. (All obstacles will be overcome.)
J. God will strengthen them in spiritual truth and grace, V. 12.
II. The
fulfillment of the prophecy
A. Until World War II only a handful of Jews were
in the
B. Under Hitler’s persecution the Jews began to move back to their homeland. (God said, “Pssssst. Come here.”)
C. On May 14, 1948
D. She has become a mighty nation in just a few
short years. (She fought two major wars with
E. But the main fulfillment will be during the millennial reign of Christ. (God will say, “Pssssst. Come here.”)
III. Another
gathering of God’s people
A. There is a gathering of a people for God taking place even today.
B. Through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ God is saying to the lost sinners of the world, “Pssssst. Come here,” Isa. 45:22; Mt. 11:28.
IV. A special
gathering in the future
A. God has promised that Jesus is going to return. Acts 1:11.
B. When He does return, He is going to stop somewhere up in outer space and ---in effect -- say, “Pssssst. Come here.” (Then the dead in Christ will rise first and all of the saved who are not dead will be caught up together to meet the Lord, II Thes. 3:17.)
Conclusion:
If the Lord were to call right now, would you be one who would go up?
Zech. 11:1-14 A
TRAGEDY PORTRAYING THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Introduction:
God had
given Zechariah promises of great blessings to encourage the people of
I. The skit
was introduced with a prophetic poem, V. 1-2
A. The poem spoke of a great fire that would
devour the land. (It would begin in the cedars of Lebanon, sweep through the
oaks of Bashan, burn the brushy banks of
B. This poem meant that trouble would so sweep the land like a fire. (The trouble will be further described in the skit which follows.).
II. The
visionary skit, V. 3-14
A. The skit begins in verses 3-5.
1. In the skit evil shepherds were ravaging the flocks which were in their care. (They were supposed to be feeding the flocks and protecting them.)
2. Zechariah was told to play the part of a shepherd in the skit and to feed the flock and tenderly care for them, V, 4. (This would put himself in opposition to the evil shepherds who were oppressing the people..).
B. God tells that He, Himself, will withhold
blessings from
1. Zechariah does not say why God’s blessings would be withheld, but it seems apparent that it is because the people would reject him as their leader and would reject the great truths of God which he sought to teach them. It seems that they still prefer to follow the evil shepherds.
C. Under the directions of God, Zechariah began to present himself in the skit in the role of the Good Shepherd, V. 7a.
1. In his portrayal of the Good Shepherd ,
Zechariah would seek to feed the flock of
2. In this he portrayed that the Good Shepherd
would feed the flock of
D. In the skit Zechariah took to himself two shepherd staves, V. 7b.
1. He named one stave “Beauty.” (This pictured the goodness of God which would be poured out upon
2. He named the other stave, “Bands.” (This pictured God’s offer to reunite the people of
E. God announced that in one month He would cut off three of the evil shepherds, V. 8.
1. He gave two reasons why He would cut them off.
2. One reason was because He had come to loath them.
3, The reason that He had come to loath them and, therefore, the reason why He cut them off is because they abhorred Him.
F. It was at that point in the skit that
Zechariah announced that he would no longer attempt to feed the flock of
1. The apparent reason that he refused to continue feeding them was that they had rejected him as their shepherd.
a, They preferred the Gentile shepherds rather than Zechariah.
b. They preferred the Jewish Pharisees and Sadducees as their shepherd rather than Zechariah. .
2. He broke the staff which he had named “Beauty” to show that He had quit, V. 10-11.
G. In the skit Zechariah stated that if they saw fit they could pay him for the time that he served as their shepherd, V. 12a.
1. In mockery they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver, V. 12b. (The price of purchase for a slave)
2. Hey! That rings a bell! That is the price that the Jewish leaders later paid Judas to betray Jesus.
H. In the skit, Zechariah was told to cast the thirty pieces of silver at those who paid him, V. 13. (This, too, rings a bell. This is what Judas did with the 30 pieces of sliver which the Jewish leaders paid to him.)
I. Then Zechariah cut the other staff which he had named “Bands,” V. 14.
III. The prophecies
involved in the skit
A. The evil shepherds represented the Gentile rulers and also the Jewish leaders (The Jewish Sanhedrin was made up of Pharisees and Sadducees)
B. Zechariah represented the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
1. When Jesus came to Israel He sought to teach them the truths of God.
2. His very coming presented to them an opportunity to accept Him as the Christ, the Son of God, the promised Redeemer.
3. Even after He was crucified it was preached to them that Jesus had risen from the grave and they had opportunity to accept Him as their Savior and Lord.
C. But God knew that the Jewish leaders and the masses Jewish people would reject Him and crucify Him and the 30 pieces of silver were prophetic of the price which they have now paid to Judas to betray Him into their hands.
D. In the skit God even revealed that Judas would throw the 30 pieces of silver back at the priests who paid him and that this would then be used to buy the potters field.
E. The breaking of the staff named “Beauty”
represented God turning away from the nation of
F. The breaking of the staff named “Bands”
portrayed that the devision between
IV. The great tragedy
A. This skit would be classified as a tragedy.
1. It was a tragedy for the nation of
2. The Jews would be scattered in 70 A. D. by the Romans and would remain under Gentile dominion for many years.
B. It was tragic for those individual who rejected the Christ as their Savior. (They are now in the fires of hell and they will burn and suffer forever.)
C. It was tragic for their children and grandchildren. (Many generations of Jews have rejected Jesus as the Christ because of their forefathers who rejected Jesus back at the time of His crucifixion. Down through the centuries the great majority in their nation have rejected Jesus as Savior because of them.
D. It is tragic for all people of all races and nations who reject Jesus Christ as Savior.
E. It would be tragic for someone today to reject this message and, therefore, rejects Jesus as Savior.
Conclusion:
Are you numbered among those who has never yet received Jesus Christ to be their Savior? If so, it is urgent that you turn to Jesus Christ without delay. Call upon Him now and ask Him to save your soul.
Zech. 11:1;5-17 A
CHOICE BETWEEN THE GOOD AND BAD SHEPHERDS
Introduction:
In our previous text Zechariah played the part of the Good Shepherd in a skit. In this text he is to play the part of an evil shepherd who does great harm to his sheep rather than seeking their good, V. 15.
I. The
prophetic meaning of the skit
A. An Evil Shepherd would arise to afflict
1. The Jews rejection of the Christ means that God will send the Anti-Christ.
2. When he comes he will be received by many as a great hero. (He will establish a seven year peace treaty for the mid-east, Dan. 9:27a.)
B. But in the midst of the seven year plan he will break the treaty and will over-run the holy land with armies, Dan. 9:27b.
1. This will mean the greatest trouble in the
history of
2. This is the time of Jacob’s trouble, the Great Tribulation.
3. The atrocities of Hitler will seem mild by comparison.
4. He will be the meanest man to ever live in human flesh.
5. Except this time be short no flesh would survive, Mt. 24:22.
C. Why will the nation of
1. Because by this time they will have rejected the Good Shepherd.
2, As of now their rejection of the Good Shepherd is history.
3.
4. They must now await the coming of the Evil Shepherd, the Anti-Christ.
II. A similar
choice for the Gentiles
A. Our text speaks only of
B. The gospel of Jesus Christ was sent first to the Jew, but then also to the Gentiles.
1. Let it be understood that both some Jews and some Gentiles have received Jesus Christ as Savior.
2. By head count this would be a large number of people, but comparatively it would be only a few. (The great majority of people, both Jew and Gentile, have rejected Jesus as Savior. It is sad that even many people who hold membership in Christian churches have never trusted Jesus to save their souls. They just joined a church.)
C. Therefore, it is because the great majority of both Jew and Gentile have rejected the Christ that both Jew and Gentile will endure the horrible atrocities of the world’s most brutal and cruel human being ever to live on the face of the earth.
D. Therefore, it is most vital that any man, woman, boy or girl, whether Jew or Gentile repent of their sin and trust Jesus Christ to be their Savior (But the saved will have special help from God in that day which the unsaved do not have.).
III. The
choice that every unsaved person faces
A. What it all boils down to is this: If you are unsaved you face a similar choice between the Savior, Jesus Christ and that old Devil, whom we call “Satan.”
B. You can choose the Christ and live eternally with Him or you can reject the Christ and live eternally with Satan in the fires of hell.
1. By repenting of your sin and trusting Jesus Christ to be your Savior you will choose Jesus Christ, The Good Shepherd, to be the shepherd of your soul. .
2. By refusing to trust Jesus as your Savior -- or at least by neglecting to do so --- you will be choosing that wicked old Devil, Satan, to be the shepherd of your soul.
C. If you choose Jesus to be the Shepherd of your soul, you may or may not live on earth during the Great Tribulation period under the cruelties of the Anti-Christ, but in eternity you will live in glory with God forever.
D. If you fail to choose Jesus to be the Shepherd of your soul, you may or may not live during the Great Tribulation under the cruelties of the Anti-Christ, but in eternity you will suffer in The Lake of Fire and forever.
Conclusion:
1. Those who accept the Christ as their Shepherd will never have cause to regret it.
2. Those who reject the Christ and let Satan rule their lives make a tragic mistake. 3. If in the past you have not chosen to let Jesus be the Shepherd of your life, correct that mistake now while it can be corrected. If you wait until you die to seek Jesus as your Shepherd, you will never be able to correct your mistake.
Zech. 12:1-9
Introduction:
Our text
sees
I. The
awesomeness of the prophecy, V. 1
A. The prophecy contains burdensome words, V. 1a. (Not the gospel, not good news, but bad news, very bad news, exceedingly bad news)
B. It is a prophecy that is never-the-less true, V. 1b. (The very God of creation has uttered it.)
II. Jerusalem,
a cup of trembling, V. 2
A. The picture is of a cup or bowl from which the people drink and become drunk or drugged and stumble, V2. (The word “trembling” here does not indicate fear, but stumbling.)
B. Thus, the armies which will invade
III. Jerusalem,
a burdensome stone, V. 3
A. The analogy is of a heavy stone with sharp edges. (Those who try to lift this stone hurt their backs and cut themselves.)
B. Thus, the armies which surround
IV. Astonished
horses and mad riders, V. 4
A. The horses in this text may be literal horses rather than symbols of modern weaponry.
B. The word “astonish” here means “terrify.”
1. God will spook the horses and blind them.
2. It will drive the riders mad trying to control the horses.
V. Jerusalem,
an emblem of God’s help, V. 5
A. As long as
B. If
VI. The governors
of Judah , like a hearth of hot coals,
V. 6-8
A. The picture is that of a hearth or pan of hot coals being covered over with a pile of wood, V. 6. .
1 The coals would smolder and heat the wood making it ready to burst into flame.
2. Eventually the smoldering coals burst into flame and become a torch to the wood that is piled upon it.
B. So it will be with Judah and the Gentile armies.
1. From the human point of view it will seem as
though the Gentiles cannot lose and that
2, But the picture in the text reveals that
VII.
A. God will provide deliverance for the people
of the cities and villages of
B. This provision is spoken of in Revelation 12:13-14.
1. In this Scripture the dragon (Satan) will
persecute The Woman (
2. But the Lord will provide a refuge for her in
a wilderness place (Thought to be in the city of
3. They will find refuge in this wilderness place for 3 and a half years. (From there they will wage guerrilla warfare against the invading Gentile armies.)
C. Then at the close of the three and a half
years God will deliver the city of
1. This prophecy does not tell how He will
defend
2. He will, of course, be victorious.
3. The armies of the Anti-Christ will be destroyed. (Like the wood that is set afire by the coals of fire.)
D. The Gentile governments and Gentile citizenry who promoted the war against the Gentiles will be severely dealt wilts by the Lord, V. 9.
Conclusion:
The Great Tribulation is going to be a terrible time for all who live on the earth in that period of time. It is going to be The Super Bowl of Trouble of World Trouble. Never-the-less God will remember the promises which He has made and He will keep them.
In our
text He has promised to deliver
God promises to help and bless His people in this life and reward them in the next life for their service to Him. .
Zech. 12:10-14 REPENTANCE AT LAST IN
Introduction:
In the first
9 verses of this chapter we saw all nations gathered around
I. The event
that is pictured in our text
A. God will pour out the spirit of grace and supplication, V. 10a;.
1. “Grace” means “unmerited favor.”
2. “Supplications” means “The act of asking for grace.”
B. This spirit will be poured out upon all of
C. The Jews will look upon the Christ whom they have crucified.
1. They crucified Him nearly 2000 years ago and they rejoiced at that time.
2. But when He returns and they look upon Him they will mourn.
D. And how they will mourn!
1. They will mourn as at the death of an only child, V. 10b.
2. They will mourn as a family mourns at the death of the firstborn, V. 10b.
. 3. They will mourn as a nation mourns at a great national tragedy, V. 11. . (Like when Josiah was killed in battle)
E. Every family will gather together in great sorrow, V. 12-14.
1. They will feel so sorry that their forefathers crucified the Christ.
2. They will feel so sorry that the succeeding generations continued to reject the Christ for over 2000 years.
3. They will feel so guilty that they, personally, were so blind to the teaching of the Scriptures that they did not recognize that Jesus is the Christ. .
4. They will feel so guilty that they had failed to heed the Two Witnesses who had witnessed to them that Jesus is the Christ. .
5. How could they have been so blind!!!!
F. But at that time there will be no way to avoid the fact that Jesus is the Christ.
1. Jesus has made a spectacular return to earth. (Every eye has seen Him descend from heaven.)
2. He has fought in battle against the enemies of Israel and rescued Israel from destruction..
3. He has established Himself on a throne in Jerusalem.
G. All the people of Israel can do is to weep and mourn and ask God for forgiveness.
II. Lessons
that we learn
A. We learn that the burden of one’s sins is a very heavy load.
1. They had been guilty all along, but without sorrow. (They suddenly realized their guilt.)
2. Even so one can sin for a long time without it seeming to bother him, but when he finally realizes his guilt, it is almost more than he can bear.
B. We learn that it is a terrible thing to reject the Christ.
1. It is open defiance of God.
2. It is a rejection of His holy word.
3. It calls God a liar.
4. It shuts one out of heaven.
5. It dooms one to the fires of hell..
C. We learn that the love of God is long lasting.
1. How could God still love Israel after their crucifixion of the Christ.
2. How could He love them after they had continued to reject them for more rejected Him for more than 2000 years?
2. How could He love us even after the sins that we have committed and after our own long period of rejection of the Christ?
Conclusion:
1. Do not be so hard to convince as Israel has been. Most of them will not be convinced until they see Him.
2. Every unbeliever is lost in sin and is headed for hell, John 3:18.
3. Repent now while you have an opportunity do so and trust the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul, Acts 16:31. .
Zech. 13:1 A
FOUNTAIN FOR CLEANSING
Introduction:
In chapter 12 the people of Israel see the Lord Jesus Christ and repent. Our text tells about a fountain that will be provided for their ceremonial cleansing.
I. The
fountain as pictured by Ezekiel
A. Zechariah tells about the fountain , but does not describe it, however, Ezekiel does.
1. Ezekiel foresees it as it springs forth from the millennial temple..
2. The millennial temple will be a marvelous structure. (The temple which Solomon built would fade in comparison to it.)
B. The fountain will spring up at the east end of the millennial temple, Ezek. 47:1.
C. It will quickly enlarge so as to become a great river, Ezek. 47:2-5
II. The
significance of the prophecy to the Jews
A. The Jews in Zechariah’s day knew nothing about New Testament symbols, but two symbols from the Mosaic Law would help to show there would be a ceremonial cleansing for Israel in the waters of this fountain.
B. A law for the ceremonial cleansing from a dead body was given in Numbers 14: 11-12. (This ceremonial cleansing was to be done with water.)
C. A law for the ceremonial cleansing of the Levites was given in Num. 8:5-7. (This ceremonial cleansing by water was to prepare the Levites for service in the holy tabernacle or temple.)
III. The
application to the Jews
A. When Jesus returns the Jews will repent and receive Jesus as the Christ and as Savior..
B. When the Jews accept Jesus as the Christ and as their Savior, the blood which Jesus shed on the cross will be spiritually applied to them and will cleanse them from their sin.. (This will cleanse the soul of each one who trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation.)
C. But the nation will need ceremonial cleansing.
1. The nation of Israel need will need to be ceremonially cleansed because of their involvement in the death of Jesus Christ.
2. The nation of Israel will need to be ceremonially cleansed in order to qualify them for service to Christ in the millennial temple.
D. The stream from the fountain will provide the means of ceremonial cleansing for the nation of Israel.
1. The ceremonial cleansing which will be required of them is not likely to be done according to the Old Testament law given by Moses.
2. Rather, it is likely to be done by New Testament baptism which is also a ceremonial cleansing for a believer in Jesus Christ, Acts 22:16.
3. Baptism will clearly symbolize their conversion to Jesus Christ.
IV. The
cleansing only ceremonial
A. No water can ever literally cleanse the soul and take away sin. (It touches only the body and cleanses only the body, but it does picture the cleansing of the soul.)
1. Water did not literally cleanse one from sin under Old Testament law.
2. Nor does do so in New Testament baptism.
B. The only fountain that literally cleanses from sin is draw from Emmanuel’s veins, I John 1:7. (That cleansing takes place when one repents of his sin and trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation of the soul, John 3:18; Acts 20:21.)
Conclusion:
1. God wants people to first be saved and this comes by repenting of sin and trusting Jesus Christ for salvation.
2. But after one is saved God wants that person to be ceremonially cleansed in baptism to prepare them to help prepare them for service to Christ, Mt. 28:19..
3. Then after being saved and Scripturally baptized God wants that person to be faithful in service to Jesus Christ, Mt. 4:19.
Zech. 13:2-6 THE
DOWNFALL OF FALSE RELIGION
Introduction:
There are several things in our text which we should get firmly fixed in our minds.
I. The time
element
A. The time element is established in chapter 12 as the end time, Zech. 12:9-10. (This speaks of the Armageddon and the return of Jesus.)
B. The time is further established in Zech. 13:1-2. (This speaks about the millennial reign of Christ.)
II. The main
part of the prophecy, V. 2
A. When Jesus returns and rules the world false religion will be eliminated, V. 2.
B. Two things point to false religion:
1. Idolatry is false religion and it will be eliminated.
2. False prophets are teachers of false religion and they will be cut off. (This will include false priests and false preachers.)
C. By this we are to understand that all false religion will be eliminated.
III. The
elimination of false religion to be world wide, V. 2
A. The word “land” might be thought of as speaking of the land of Israel. (Truly it will be eliminated in Israel.)
B. But the Lord will rule over the entire world and will, therefore, element false religion in the whole wide world, Rev. 19:15-16. (He will element it in every place which He rules.)
IV. The guilt
and shame of the false religionists in that day, V. 3-6
A. If at that time one persists in preaching his heretical doctrine he will be put to death, V. 3.
1. If he will not turn from his false doctrine even his own parents may call for his death.
2. This is not to indicate cruelty of the parents or others who call for his death, but, rather, the wickedness being a false prophet. (It is more wicked for a man to preach a false way of salvation than to take a shotgun and blow somebody’s brains out.
B. Most will be ashamed that they ever served as leaders in a false religion, V. 4. (They will stop wearing special garments which identify them with the false religion.)
C. Some will pretend that they were never preachers and, therefore, did never preach any false religion, V. 5-6.
1. They will claim to be of some other trade, V. 5.
2. But many will have the evidence in their own bodies that they were in a false religion which called for the mutilation of their bodies, V. 6. (They cut their hands, their arms, their neck and their chest.)
3. They will lie again claiming to have gotten those cuts in the house of their friends. (This verse has no reference to Jesus.)
V. What false
religion involves
A. False religion takes in every religion except true religion.
B. Every religion that does not recognize Jesus Christ as Deity God is false.
1. They must recognize Him as being eternal Deity, John. 1:1-3, 14. (Not just He became Deity)
2. That elements the cults and several so-called “Christian” religions.
C. Every religion that teaches any plan of salvation other than salvation totally by the grace of God is a false religion, Eph. 2:8-9.
D. Any religion that substitutes anything for a local visible church congregation is a false religion; at least they hold to a false doctrine. (If it’s make up is of a nation-wide or world-wide nature)
E. Any religion that substitutes the doctrines of man for the doctrines of God is a false religion.
F. Any religion that has gotten away from New Testament teaching condemning the church ordinances and/or church government is a false religion.
Conclusion:
1. All true religion is centered around three things:
a. Jesus Christ as eternal god and Savior.
b. The whole Bible as the inspired word of God and New Testament teachings as the rule of faith and practice.
c. The local New Testament church congregation. (A group of Scripturally baptized believers in Jesus Christ covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission. )
2. We ought to love and support such churches as this.
Zech. 13:7 THE
SMITING OF THE SHEPHERD
Introduction:
The voice of God cries out against the Shepherd. This raises several important questions:
I.
Who is the Shepherd spoken of in this verse?
A. Back in chapter 12 shepherds were spoken of.
1. One was an evil shepherd, the Anti-Christ. (If God were calling for the sword against him we would most certainly understand.)
2. The other is the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. (If God the Fattier was crying out for the sword against Him, it might be more difficult for us to understand.)
B. But without doubt, it is the Lord Jesus Christ to whom the text refers.
1. God the Father speaks of Him as “my Shepherd.” (The Shepherd of my flock; the one who shepherds for me.)
2. God calls Him “my fellow.” (One of my associates, one of the fellows in the God-head)
a. This text teaches the doctrine of the Trinity..
b. The Old Testament may not teach the Trinity as clearly as it is taught in the New Testament. but it definitely teaches it, Gen. 1:27.)
3. God speaks of this Shepherd as a man.
a. He is Deity and He is man, John 1:1-3, 14.
b. He did the work of Joseph until He was 30 and then He did the work which the Heavenly Father assigned to Him.
II. What did
God call for to happen to the Shepherd?
A. He called for the sword to awake against the Shepherd and to smite Him.
B. This was not to indicate that Jesus was to die from the wound of a sword.
C. But the sword in the text was used as a symbol of hostility and of death. (Long before the mob cried, “Crucify Him!” God the Father cried, “Smite Him!”
D. The sword also indicated the violent nature of His death.
E. The sword was directly involved in His death.
1. The Roman government, which pronounced His death, ruled by the sword.
2. Those who arrested Him came with swords and clubs.
III. Why? What was God’s motive behind this?
A. God did not cry out for the sword to be against Him because of any wrong doing on His part.
1. It was not for any breaking of the law of the land.
a. God has set up governments to rule in earth and God leaves it up to the government which rules to punish those who break the laws of the land.
b. It is a great tribute to Jesus that Pilate said, “I find no fault in Him.”
2. It was not for any wrong doing against the Jews.
a. The Jews arrested Him and demanded His crucifixion.
b. Yet He had not wronged them; His only offense toward them was that He had told them the truth.
3. It was not for breaking the laws of God. (He had fulfilled the law; He had kept law of God even to every jot and tittle.)
4. It was not for disobeying the Father in any way, Mt. 3:17.
B. The reason God cried out for the sword to be against Him was twofold.
1. God loves man and wants to provide a way of salvation for man.
a. God wants to spare man from punishment in hell and God wants to share with him the glories of heaven.
b. God wants to save man at any cost.
2. God loves His Son and wants His name to be exalted above every name, Phil. 2:9.
Conclusion:
1. Every man, woman, boy and girl upon the face of the earth is a sinner and must be cleansed of all sin in order to go to heaven. Rom. 3:23. .
2. Every man, woman, boy and girl upon the face of the earth is called upon to repent of sin and to trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of all sin, Acts 17:30; Is. 45:22.
3. If you will acknowledge your sinfulness and trust in Jesus Christ to cleanse you from all sin He will save your soul and take you to heaven, Acts 20:21, Acts 16:31.
4. It will bring untold joy to you both in this life and the next life .
5. It will bring honor and glory to God and greatly exalt the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Zech. 13:7-9 PURIFIED
THROUGH SUFFERING
Introduction:
There is an analogy in this text. Fire is used to heat metal and burn out the impurities. Even so suffering is used to burn out the impurities of Israel to produce a Christ believing, righteous, dedicated nation.
I. The time
element in the prophecy
A. It is always import in the study of prophecy
to get the time element fixed. (Especially in this one which sweeps from
the of the crucifixion of the Christ to the end-time.)
B. The smiting of the Shepherd in verse 7 deals with the crucifixion of Jesus.
C. The scattering of the sheep is a result of
the smiting of the Shepherd speaks of what happened in 70 A. D. (The Israelite people were scattered by Cyrus
and his Roman army;.)
D. Verses 8 and 9 jumps to the end-time.
II. A problem
in interpretation
A. I tried at first to apply verse 8 to the scattering which took place in 70 A. D.
1. I took “...shall be cut off...” to mean: Cut off from the land by dispersion or scattering. .
B. This, I understood that two-thirds of Israel would be scattered in the 70 A. D. dispersion.
C. But I ran into a problem.
1. The text says that the two-thirds would die, V. 8. (Not be scattered, but die)
2. Other prophecies tell that the scattered Jews will return, Ezek. 20:41; 34:11-16.
III. the
solution to the problem
A. The two-thirds are not cut off by dispersion, but by death.
1. They are not scattered to die away from the land, but they will die in the land.
2. Hence, the prophecy deals not with Jews scattered from the land in the 70 A. D dispersion, but those who will die in their land in end-time events.
B. The prophecy is actually about some national catastrophe that will strike Israel somewhere about the middle of the seven years of Tribulation.
1. It could be the result of earthquakes, famines or other natural castrophes.
2. It could be the result of the invasion by armies of the Anti-Christ, Dan. 9:27.
C. But in order to envision how enormous this catastrophe will be let us suppose
that the population of Israel at that time might be about 6 million.
1. That would mean that about 4 million Israelite people would die in a very short period of time.
2. It would mean that only about 2 million would survive to enter the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation.
IV. Great
suffering for the one-third who are left
A. The one-third will suffer fiery trials, V. 9.
B. This will be during the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation. (During that time which is properly called “The Great Tribulation.”
1. This three and a half years will be worse than the national certainty when the two-thirds were killed.
2. It will be worse than any period of history.
C. The Hebrew word which is translated “through” here carries the idea of “into.”
1. Thus, the prophecy is not that this one-third will be brought alive completely through the Great Tribulation.
2. Rather, it means that they will be brought into the only one-third of Israel will be brought into the Great Tribulation.
D. Thus, of the 2 million or so Jews (whatever the number might be) who will go into that period of time only a small remnant will live through it.
1. At the end the Anti-Christ and His armies will be encamped around Jerusalem and Jesus will come to rescue the remnant of Jews.
2. But it will be only a few left, Revelation chapter 7.
3. Assuming that there will be about 2 million Jews to enter the Great Tribulation and assuming that only about 144,000 survive that would mean that less than 10 percent would survive. (About 90 percent would die.).
E. But they will be purified by their suffering, V. 9.
V. Observations
from this prophecy
A. Not all Jews will be saved.
1. Some teach that all Jews from all the past will have a second chance and that they will all be saved.
2. Not so. The majority will die in their rebellious state, still rejecting Jesus as the Christ.
3. Everyone who dies an unbeliever, whether Jew or Gentile, will go to hell, John 3:18.
B. It often takes fiery trials of suffering to get the unsaved to turn to Jesus Christ. (This is true of both Jew and Gentile.)
1. As long as things are rosy men tend to neglect turning to Jesus Christ.
2. But when great physical or emotional sufferings come men are a lot more inclined to turn to Jesus, confess their sins and trust Him to cleanse them from their sins.
3. This is true of Israel and it is true of us Gentiles.
C. It usually takes suffering to bring even a Christian to a live a life of purity and dedication to the Lord.
Conclusion:
1. You who are unsaved may have already experienced suffering, but if you die unsaved, you will experience suffering far greater than anything you have ever experienced or imagined. .
2. Some of you have already considered your need of calling upon Jesus and trusting Him to save your soul. So --- do it right now.
3. Some of you who are saved need a closer walk with the Lord. Turn to Him now. Do not make it necessary for God to use suffering to bring you to a closer walk with Him.
Zech. 14:1-5 THE
COMING OF THE LORD TO MT. OLIVES
Introduction:
In chapter 13 Zechariah has foretold a time of great suffering for Israel. In this prophecy he foretells great deliverance for the remnant in Jerusalem.
I. An
examination of the prophecy
A. The “day of the Lord’ will come, V. 1.
1. This does not refer to a 24 hour period of time.
2. Rather, it speaks of a time when the Lord will display His power.
3. This text speaks of the last three and a half years of the Tribulation. (This last half of the Tribulation may be properly described as “The Great Tribulation,” because the suffering will be much more intense.)
B. The spoil of Jerusalem will be divided, V. 1. (Jerusalem itself will be invaded, the enemy will be somewhat victorious and the spoil of war will be divided by the enemy.)
C. The conflict will involve many nations, V. 2.
1. This is Armageddon, Rev. 16:12-16.
2. Half of Jerusalem will fall to the Gentiles and half will remain in the hand of the Jews, V. 2.
3. The Gentile armies will overrun Jerusalem for 42 months, Rev. 11:2.
D. After three and a half years a handful of Jews will remain alive and the Lord will come forth to fight for them, V. 3. (That is, He will come visibly to fight for them.).
E. His feet will touch Mt. Olives and the mount will split, V. 4.
1. Half of the mount will move to the north and half will move toward the south.
2. A fault line runs north and south just east of the Jordan River.
3. A secondary fault runs east and west through Mt. Olives.
4. Geologists predict a major quake in that area soon.
5. Is that earthquake which split the mountain and move half of it northward and half of it southward.
F. A valley will be formed through which the Jews trapped in Jerusalem can flee from the Anti-Christ, V. 4-5a.
G. The resurrected saints will come to Mt. Olives with the Lord, V. 5b. (This is in keeping with what the Apostle Paul said in I Thes. 4:14-17.)
H. Presenting this prophecy was a very emotional time for Zechariah, V. 5.
1. He suddenly stopped talking about the Lord and began to speak directly to Him.
2. In the first part of verse 5 he talks about the Lord, but in the last few words of the verse he talks directly to the Lord..
II. Highlights
of the prophecy
A. The main highlight is the second coming of Jesus Christ.
1. The two comings of the Lord are the highlights of all prophecies.
2. All hope for mankind depended on His first coming.
3. Now all hope for mankind depends on His second coming.
4. His first coming was to provide redemption for lost sinners; His second coming will be to consummate the redemption of saved sinners.
B. Another highlight is the touching of Mt. Olives. (Human eyes have seldom beheld such a great display of God’s power.)
C. Still another highlight will be His bringing of the resurrected saints with Him when He comes on down to earth.
D. One more is His deliverance of the trapped Jews in Jerusalem.
Conclusion:
We know not when Jesus will return, but we do know this::
1. We know that He will return.
2. We know that He will return soon.
3. We know that now is the time for lost sinners to be saved.
4 We know that now is the time for saved sinners to give themselves in service to Him.
Zech. 14:6-7 THE
WORLD’S MOST PECULIAR DAY
Introduction:
The setting for this text is better understood in light of Joel 2:30-31 and Mt. 24:29-30. It takes place immediately prior to the Lord’s coming to Mt. Olive. It is the world’s most peculiar day.
I. One of a
kind
A. Verse 1 declares, “But it shall be one day...” (That is, it shall be one of a kind. There has been none like it.)
B. There have been other peculiar days.
1. Dark storm clouds have made it almost dark temporarily.
2. An eclipse of the sun by the moon has brought temporary haziness and darkness.
3. On the day of the crucifixion of Jesus darkness was from the sixth to the ninth hour.
4. In the days of Ahaz, king of Judah, the sun went down 10 degrees.
5. In Hezekiah’s day it reversed by 10 degrees, Jer. 38:8. (About 5 hours)
6. In Joshua’s day daylight was extended one full daylight period, Josh. 10::12-14.
C. But none have been like the day predicted in our text.
1. At a time when it should be broad daylight in the holy land darkness will come and remain throughout the daylight period. (It will be a semi-darkness --- not day nor night --- not clear daylight nor fully dark as night.)
2. Then when the sun gets on the other side of the earth and the darkness of night should set in, it will become light like broad daylight.
II. The certainty of the coming of this day
A. Skeptics mock at statements like this. (They do not understand how it can be possible, and, therefore, they reject it.)
B. But we can be sure that it will happen.
1. We can be sure that it will happen because God has said that it will. (Zechariah’s prophecy was not from Zechariah. It was from God, I Peter 1:21)
2. We can also be certain that it will happen because there is a perfectly good explanation of how it will happen.
a. All along the major fault lines volcanic eruptions will take place.
b. The sun and the moon will be darkened by the volcanic ash in the sky, Joel 2:30-31; Mt. 24:29-30.
c. With the sun darkened by the ash particles the daylight period will be darkened. (The daylight period will not be clear nor completely dark, V. 6.)
d. When nighttime comes and it would normally be dark the sunlight from the far side of the globe will be reflected to the earth by the ash particles and it will be as bright as day, V. 7. (It will be as though a giant mirror in the sky reflected the light to the backside of the earth.)
C. This will be a time of rejoicing for those Jews who will be fleeing from the Anti-Christ and his armies at the time of the coming of the Christ, V. 4-7.
III. Some
lessons from the prophecy
A. When will the skeptics stop closing their minds to the word of God and believe its message?
1. They close their minds out of prejudice to the Biblical message about the beginning of the world and they close their minds to God’s message about end-time events.
2. Most important: They close their minds to God’s message of salvation through Jesus Christ, Acts 20:21. .
B. When will lost sinners stop putting off salvation and get right with God?
1. Many who know that they are unprepared to go into eternity and who know what God requires to get to heaven just keep putting it off until some later time, II Cor. 6:2..
2. For many it will soon be too late..
C. When will children of God learn to put God first in their lives and not be distracted by the affairs of the world? (For some it will not be until Jesus comes back to earth.)
D. We should all learn that the second coming of Jesus will bring great joy to all who have trusted Jesus for salvation.
1. In a time of great tribulation when it seems that there is no hope for the world, there will come the dawning of a bright new day.
2. At the world’s darkest hour there will come the light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus will come to put an end to the Great Tribulation and to bring about 1000 years of peace and righteousness.
Conclusion:
1. If you have not yet called upon Jesus and trusted Him to save your soul, then delay no longer. Do it now.
2. If you are saved, but have not committed your life to the worship and service of Jesus Christ, then delay no longer. Do it now.
Zech. 14:8-11 GREAT
CHANGES IN MILLENNIAL TIMES
Introduction:
The millennial reign of Christ is such a great subject that I will not have time to deal with it in depth. I will confine myself to the changes which are outlined in our text.
In this chapter we have already noted a lot of geological activities that will take place in the end-time, Zech. 14:4-7. The geological activity in the text are a result of that same activity.
I. Living
waters from Jerusalem, V. 8
A. Zechariah had already mentioned this back in chapter 13 verse 1.
1. There will be a fountain flowing from Jerusalem.
2. This will be a result of that same activity.
B. Both Joel and Ezekiel had prophesied of it.
1. According To Ezekiel it will be a great river, Ezek. 47:5.
2. Some believe that the earthquake will divert the Jordan River into it through the Kidron valley.
C. The river will divide and half will flow into the Dead Sea and half into the Mediterranean, V. 8.
D. They will flow both summer and winter. (It will not dry up in the summer.)
E. These waters will make the land very productive, Ezek. 47:5.
1. This verse deals with that land toward the Dead Sea.
2. In like manner he waters toward the Mediterranean will bring abundant production, Isa. 35:1. (Food not only for the holy land, but for the nations of the world)
II. A plain
from Geba to Rimmon, V. 10
A. Geba is a city that lay on the northern boundary of Judah.
B. Rimmon, which is south of Jerusalem, lay on the southern boundary.
C. Thus, all of Judah will be made a plain.
1. Presently lit is all mountainous from Geba to Rimmon.
2. This will all be changed, evidently in the same earthquake that split Mt. Olives.
D. This will make it more easily cultivated and more productive.
III. Jerusalem
lifted up, V. 10
A. Zechariah said, “...and it shall be lilted up...”
B. This speaks not of the plain, but of the city of Jerusalem.
1. The old boundary of the city is outlined by the specific gates which are named.
2. Thus, the land around Jerusalem is lowered and the city itself is raised.
C. It is very fitting that the city from which Jesus will rule the whole world will exalted is this manner.
IV. The Lord
King, V. 9
A. This change will not be geological, but political and spiritual.
B. Shortly before our Lord will return the Anti-Christ will reign.
1. He will control the economy of the world. (None will be allowed to buy or sell without the mark of the Beast, Rev. 13:17.
2. He will control most of the religion of the world, Rev. 13:12.
C. There will be a sudden drastic change, V. 9. (In one event the Anti-Christ will be dethroned and Jesus Christ will be enthroned.)
V. Peace
established, V. 11
A. The peace spoken of in this verse refers specifically to Jerusalem and to Judah.
B. But actually it will be worldwide, Isa. 9:6. .
1. The world that has known no peace since Cain slew Abel will finally know peace.
2. There has not been one generation without a major conflict in hundreds of years.
3. But when the Prince of Peace returns to earth there will be peace for 1000 years, Rev. 20:6.
Conclusion:
We need not wait until the millennium to make changes. There are many changes which should be made now:
1. There should be a change in our attitude toward sin. We should so turn to the Lord that we will not longer love sin and seek to commit sin. We should hate sin. If we could only understand how sin hurts us we would hate it.
2. There should be a change in our attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ. We should no longer try to avoid contact with the Lord in our lives. We should not longer avoid His word and His will for our lives. If we could only understand that Jesus is our only hope of staying out of hell and getting in heaven we would have a different attitude toward Him.
3. For those who are saved there should be a change in the way we live. We should follow Jesus in baptism, be an active member of a New Testament church and live a godly life.
The question is: Who is ready to make this change? Are you?
Zech. 14:12-15 THE DEFEAT OF THE ARMIES OF ANTI-CHRIST
Introduction:
This text backs up to the closing of the Armageddon and shows the defeat of the armies of the Anti-Christ. Verse 2 speaks of the coming of he armies of Anti-Christ to the holy land. They will take one-half the city of Jerusalem. They will divide the spoil of war and ravage the whole land of Israel for three and a half years. A few Jews will somehow manage to remain in Jerusalem and some will flee to the wilderness seeking safety.
It is in this setting that Jesus will return to Mt. Olives. Mt. Olive will divide and the Jews who remain in Jerusalem will flee through the valley made by the splitting of Mt. Olives.
I. The
consuming of the eyes and tongues of the armies of Anti-Christ, V. 12
A. The Lord will smite the armies of Anti-Christ and their eyes and their tongues will be consumed, V. 12.
1. The verse says that their flesh shall consume away.
2. It would be easy to assume that this means that the flesh of the whole body will consume away, but apparently it does not mean that.
3. The verse specifies that it will be their eyes and their tongues which will be consumed. (This implies that these people will be temporarily left alive even though their eyes and their tongues will be consumed.)
B. They will be blinded and made speechless.
1. This will be a fitting judgment for them.
2. With their eyes they have coveted the land and they have defied God to stop them from taking the land which He has given to the Jews.
3. With their tongues they have pledged allegiance to Anti-Christ and have blasphemed the God of heaven and His Christ.
II. Mass
confusion and killing one another, V. 13
A. These people will still be alive after their eyes and tongues are consumed, V. 13.
1. They will be thrown into mass confusion. (Tumult)
2. They will not be able to see what is going on.
3. Nobody will be able to speak and take command of them.
B. In this confused state they will proceed to kill one another.
III. The
retaking of Jerusalem by the Jews, V. 14
A. The Jews who will have been trapped in Jerusalem will flee when Mt. Olives splits, V. 5; (Some had already fled the wilderness where they sought refuge for three and a half years, Rev. 12:14.
B. The two groups of Jews will re-unite and return to Jerusalem to retake it,
V. 14.
1. God will give them the privilege of retaking the city.
2. He will also gives them much spoil of war.
IV. Accounting
for the great numbers killed
A. The text gives three means of afflicting the Gentile armies.
1. The eyes and tongues of many will be consumed.
2. They will become confused and start killing one another not knowing that they are killing their own people.
3. The Jews who retake Jerusalem will likewise kill many.
B. But all of this combined does not fully account for such great numbers which are described in Rev. 14:19-20.
C. Only the sword of the mouth of the Lord accounts for so many, Rev. 19:20-21.
D. In view of such mass numbers of people who will be killed verse 15 seems insignificant, but it does help to complete the picture and help to account for to many being killed. .
V. A decisive
defeat and a decisive victory
A. Never in the history of warfare has an army had such great advantages only to meet with total defeat as the armies of the Anti-Christ.
B. Likewise, never in the history of warfare has an army been so outnumbered as those Jews and yet have such a deceive victory. (But their victory will not be accomplished by their own might nor skill; their victory can only be accounted for by the presence and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.)
VI. A few observations
A. There will be no way that the armies of Anti-Christ can win.
1. They cannot win because they will have chosen the wrong side. (They will have rejected the Christ and given their allegiance to the Anti-Christ.)
2. Likewise, there is no way that anyone else can win who rejects the Christ.
B. On the other hand, there is no way that the Jews could lose.
1. The Lord, Himself, will go out to battle for them, V. 3.
2. Likewise there is no way for one to ultimately lose who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. He may lose his wealth, his health and even his life, but the Lord Jesus Christ will raise him from the grave in great victory.
4. He will bask in the glories of heaven while the godless Christ rejecters burn in the fires of hell.
Conclusion:
Listen,
if you are unsaved please do not wait another year --- nor another month ---
nor another week --- nor another day --- nor another hour --- nor another
minute to call on the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to save your soul! Trust Jesus Christ to save your soul! Trust Him now! Trust Him RIGHT NOW!
Zech. 14:16-19 A
TIME OF GREAT REJOICING IN JERUSALEM
Introduction:
Zechariah has already informed us of the fighting of the Armageddon War and the destruction of the Gentile armies involved in that war, Zech. 14:12-15. Now we learn that some among the nations will survive the Armageddon to repopulate the world during the Millennium. They will have an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles.
I. The Feast
of Tabernacles as observed by Israel
A. The Feast of Tabernacles was observed in the fall following the harvest.
B. The Israelite people would come from far and near to Jerusalem and dwell in temporary green-branch huts or booths.
C. It was a gayla occasion with feasting, singing and praises to God. (There were 7 days of such festivities.)
D. It signified 3 things:
1. It signified deliverance from Egyptian bondage. (The Israelites had lived in such huts in the wilderness for 40 years as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan.)
2. It signified God’s providential care and provisions for them in the wilderness. (They had no walled city for protection. They had plowed no fields. They harvested no crops. Yet God had provided for them.)
3. Once they had reached Canaan’s land they had reaped abundant harvests. (They were truly in a land that flowed with milk and honey.)
E. In Old Testament times the Feast of Tabernacles was strictly an Israelite festival.
II. The Feast
as it will be observed in Millennial times, V. 16
A. Both Jews and Gentiles will be invited to this feast. (In fact, Gentiles will be required to attend.)
B. The observance of the feast will take on a new and broader meaning:
1. It will signify deliverance of the world from bondage to Satan.
a. Satan already reigns as god of this world.
b. His rule will be more evident than ever during the reign of Anti-Christ.
c. But Christ will come and deliver the world from Satan. (Satan will be bound and cast into The Bottomless Pit for 1000 years, Rev. 20:1-3.)
2. It will signify great material abundance during the millennium. (The world will experience an agricultural bananza. The desert will blossom like a rose.)
C. It will be a festive revival time with emphasis on the goodness of God through Jesus Christ.
III. Punishment
for the nations who fail to attend this feast, V. 17-19
A. If for any reason any nation fails to send representatives to The Feast of Tabernacles will have no rain for a year, V. 17-19.
1. Thus, their material blessings will be cut off.
2. Water will not be restored to them until they send representatives to The Feast of Tabernacles next year.
B. Egypt is used as an example in the text.
1. Someone may say, “But Egypt does not have anything to worry about. They do not have rain any way. They average less than 2 inches of rain per year.”
2. But even Egypt is dependent upon rain to put water into the Nile River.
3. After one whole year without water they will be glad to send representatives to the next Feast of Tabernacles.
4. So will any other nation.
IV. What this
passage says to us today
A. It says that Jesus Christ is Lord.
1. One day Jesus Christ will sit upon a throne in Jerusalem and rule the world.
2. Men many scoff at the idea of our Lord’s return and of His rulership over the whole world, but one day He will return and will rule.
B. It says that all good things come from the Lord even now.
1. The Lord has the power to shut of f the rain at any time and any place
2. But instead He sends rain and harvest.
3. Even so all blessings are from Him.
C. It says that the greater joy and rejoicing is to be found in the Lord.
1. Those Jews really had a festive occasion back in Old Testament times when they observed the Feast of Tabernacles.
2. In the millennial times the Feast of Tabernacles will be a time of real revival --- a time of real rejoicing.
3. Even now the greatest of joy is to be found only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Men may have their wild parties, but they do not have as much joy as God’s people who meet and worship at God’s house.
D. People ought to turn to the Lord for salvation. (The same Lord who will save the world from Satanic dominion can save the soul even now.)
E. There is danger in neglect.
1. The nations which neglect to send representatives to the Feast of Tabernacles during the millennium will have their water supply cut off for a year.
2. All who neglect to get saved will be cast off permanently from all blessings..
F. We who are saved by the grace of God should honor and glorify the Lord.
1. In the millennium we will joyfully praise and serve Him.
2. We ought to praise Him and serve Him now and we ought to be overjoyed for the privilege of doing so.
Conclusion:
This very day can become a time of special joy and rejoicing to some troubled hell-bound sinner. It will become a time of joy for you if you will repent of your sin and call upon Jesus to save your soul.
Zech. 14:20-21 A TIME OF WORSHIP AND DEDICATION
Introduction:
Before examining our text let us review some of the verses of this chapter and get the background for the text.
I. The
background
A. In verse 4 we learned that Jesus will return to earth and will touch down at Mt. Olives.
1. This is the same mountain from which He left, Acts chapter 1.
2. Thus, when He returns He will come back to the very same mountains from which He left.
B. In verse 9 we learned that when He returns He will rule the world..
1. He will rule from Mt. Zion which is just a short distance from Mt. Olives where He will touch down.
2. He will not dwell in what would usually be called a palace, but He will dwell in the millennial temple.
3. This was all foreshadowed by the Old Testament Temple.
a. In the Temple was a room called “The Holy of Holies;” in the Holy of Holies was the Mercy Seat; on the Mercy Seat were Cherubim and the Shekinah Light.
b. In the millennial temple the Holy of Holies, the Mercy Seat will be His throne from which He will rule. (Thus, the very presence of God will be on the Mercy Seat.)
C. In verses 16-19 we learned that in the millennium nations of all the world will come to Jerusalem to worship.
1. They will come right into the throne room to worship.
2. In Old Testament times only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies.
II. An
exposition of the text
A. Upon the bells which adorn the horses will be written, “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD,” V. 20.
1. In Old Testament times these words were written only in 2 sacred places: On the headpiece of the high priest (Ex. 28:36-38) and in Scripture..
2. In millennial times they will be written virtually everywhere --- even on the common bells which adorn horses.
B. At the alter stew pots will be just as sacred as gold and silver bowls.
1. In Old Testament worship the gold and silver vessels used to carry the blood of sacrificial animals were most sacred.
2. Common stew pots stew pots used to stew sacrificial meat were sacred, but not as sacred as the gold and silver bowls.
3. In millennial times anything even remotely connected to the worship of
the Lord will be most sacred. (There will be some which are considered common and some sacred. All will be sacred.)
C. Every stew pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be used in the sacrifices to the Lord, V. 21.
1. In Old Testament times only those pots specifically dedicated for temple use could be used.
2. But when people from all the world will gather in Jerusalem to worship the Lord every pot in all Judah will be needed and used.
D. There will be no Canaanite allowed in the Millennial temple, V. 21.
1. This word, Canaanite, has to be used symbolically.
a. Most Canaanites were killed or driven from the land by Joshua.
b. The few who remained were not allowed in the tabernacle nor in the temple which replaced the tabernacle. .
c. By the time of Zechariah there were no Canaanites by bloodline.
2. But through the years there have been Jews lived like the Canaanites who did enter the temple grounds. (They were base, immoral people, who worshipped idols, but they also made a pretense of worshipping Jehovah God.)
3. But in the millennium no immoral person nor idolatrous person will be allowed to enter the temple grounds.
III. A few
observations
A. Just as Jesus, in the millennium, will rule the world, even so right now He is Supreme.
1. Then He will sit upon a throne in Jerusalem, but now He sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven.
2. Every man, woman, boy and girl should worship Him and be dedicated to Him.
3. We should be just as faithful to Him now as we will be then.
B. All who are truly dedicated to the Lord are precious in His sight. (He does not view one group as common and another group as elite.)
C. In that day Holiness will be required and no immorality or false worship will be tolerated. (Even so , today the child of God should be clean morally and doctrinally.)
Conclusion:
1. This ought to be a time of worship and dedication.
2. If you are unsaved, do not wait, but turn to the Lord today and trust Him to save your soul.
3. Let those of us who are saved dedicate our lives to the worship and service of the Lord.