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Zechariah Series - Session #2 - Bible Verse Handbook
Session 2 The Coming Victory (Zech. 1:1-21) I. THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ZECHARIAH 1 A• The book of Zechariah emphasizes the zeal of God and His glorious plans for Jerusalem, the Jewish people, and the land of Israel The Lord Will Comfort Zion 12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” 13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem 16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord : “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; Vision of the Horns 18 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.” Vision of the Measuring Line2 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 So I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, 4 who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. 5 For I,' says the Lord , ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.' ” Future Joy of Zion and Many Nations6 “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord ; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord . 7 “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me. 10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord . 11 “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 12 And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord , for He is aroused from His holy habitation!” (Zech.1:12-2:13) 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; 3 “Thus says the Lord : ‘I will return to Zion, 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Old men and old women shall again sit 6 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, 7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, 11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,' says the Lord of hosts. 12 ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, 14 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Just as I determined to punish you 18 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, 20 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, It makes clear that Jesus will be seen as Messiah in His supremacy in all the nations. 11 “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. (Zech.2:11) 12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim 14 Then the Lord will be seen over them, 10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. 10 All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin's Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. 17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. (Zech.14:10, 17) B• The temple in Jerusalem will be the worship center of the earth in the Millennium 16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. (Zech.14:16) The Lord called Zerubbabel's temple the “house of prayer” 7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, a nd make them joyful in My house of prayer. Jesus affirmed this 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.' ” C. Zechariah called Israel to repent and return to the Lord, and then promised that He would return to them. So it is surprising that its first message was a call to repentance with warnings of judgment. 1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ' But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord . 5 “Your fathers, where are they? It is one of the strongest repentance messages in the Bible, and acts as a foundation to the book's message of hope. 3 “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you.” (Zech. 1:3) 2. I will return to you: 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom. 2:4) D. God's emotions: Zechariah 1 highlights four divine emotions—zeal, anger, mercy, and patience. 1. Zeal: 14“Proclaim…‘I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal.'” (Zech. 1:14) 2 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal.'” (Zech. 8:2) 2. God has great zeal for Jerusalem 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; With tender mercy in dealing with the sins of her people 12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” 16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord : “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, 6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, Therefore, He comforts her 13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The Lord was angry with Jerusalem. 2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” For a short time 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; E. Proclaim: The book of Zechariah is a forerunner message that must be proclaimed 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; F. The negative part of the Lord's view of Israel and the nations is difficult to say. Thus, Zechariah needed to be commanded to proclaim the full message that he received. 35…the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. (Mt. 23:35) 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation. (Lk. 11:51) II. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK (1:1) A. The timing of the book of Zechariah is dated by the reign of Darius since there was no king of Israel. 1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet… (Zech. 1:1) This indicates the times of the Gentiles 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Lk. 21:24) B. Eighth month: 1• Haggai called Israel to start rebuilding the temple 2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord 's house should be built.” ' ” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “ Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” 5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 6 “You have sown much, and bring in little; 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord . 9 “ You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” 12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the Lord . 13 Then Haggai, the Lord 's messenger, spoke the Lord 's message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the Lord .” 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius. (Hag. 1:12-15) 2. In Haggai's second message he called them to be strong ( or to be resolved to not quit) , to work diligently, and to resist fear In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the Lord ; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the Lord , ‘and work; for I am with you,' says the Lord of hosts. (Hag. 2:1-4) 3. In Zechariah's first message he called them to repentance In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ' But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord . 5 “Your fathers, where are they? “So they returned and said: ‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us, 4. Haggai's third message Zerubbabel Chosen as a Signet20 And again the word of the Lord came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth. 23 ‘In that day,' says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says the Lord , ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,' says the Lord of hosts.” (Hag. 2:10-23) 5. Zechariah's second message 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius. (Hag. 1:15) C• Son of Iddo: The genealogies in Ezra do not mention Zechariah's father, Berechiah, but only his more prominent grandfather, Iddo Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. (Ezra 5:1) 14 So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. (Ezra 6:14) III. ZECHARIAH'S FIRST MESSAGE (1:1-3): A CALL TO REPENTANCE A. Zechariah's first message was a call to repentance 1 The word of the LORD came to Zechariah…saying, 2 “The LORD has been very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.'” (Zech. 1:1-3) 1• Return to Me: Jesus, John the Baptist, the apostles, and all the prophets boldly called the people to repent. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt. 4:17) John the Baptist In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Mt. 3:1-2) Peter 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (Acts 3:19) Paul 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, (Acts 17:30) 2. I will return to you: 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; 9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! 3 Then the Lord will go forth 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, Thus the Lord my God will come, 10 All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin's Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. (Zech. 14:3-5, 10) 3. Very angry: 2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; B. Zechariah appeals to Israel's past refusal to repent and the resulting judgment 4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways…'” But they did not hear nor heed Me”… 5 "Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 Yet surely My words …did they not overtake your fathers? So they returned and said: ‘Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us, according to our ways…so He has dealt with us.'” (Zech. 1:4-6)4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways…'” But they did not hear nor heed Me”… 5 "Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 Yet surely My words …did they not overtake your fathers? So they returned and said: ‘Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us, according to our ways…so He has dealt with us.'” (Zech. 1:4-6) 1. God's words overtook Israel: 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; 2• God releases His judgments and blessings as He promised in His Word. 15It shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD…that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you…45Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments… (Deut. 28:15, 45) 3. They returned: 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, 11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,' says the Lord of hosts. 12 ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, 14 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Just as I determined to punish you 4• As the Lord determined: 6 Yet surely My words and My statutes, “So they returned and said: ‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us, a ccording to our ways and according to our deeds, s o He has dealt with us.' ” 5.The Lord insists that Israel acknowledge their sin that causes Him to judge them. 40But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers…41…if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt 42then I will remember My covenant…43The land shall be left empty...they will accept their guilt, because they despised My judgments and because their soul abhorred My statutes. 44Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away… (Lev. 26:40-44) 5• Where are your fathers: 5 Your fathers, where are they? (Zech. 1:5a) 6• Man's life span is short, but God's Word transcends every generation. 5 And the prophets, do they live forever? (Zech. 1:5b) 7• Man's life span is short, but God's Word transcends every generation. 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. (Deut. 28:15, 45) IV. INTRODUCING THE FIRST VISION (1:7) C. 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius. (Hag 1:14-15) 7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah… (Zech. 1:7) V. FIRST VISION: THE MAN ON A RED HORSE (1:7–17) A. Summary: 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.” 1• Most commentators see only two angels in this passage, The Angel of the Lord (or the man among the myrtle trees) 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. 10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” (Zech.1:8, 10) The “angel who talked with me” 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are. ” 13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. 2. There were four persons or groups interacting in this vision a. The man on the red horse 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. 10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” (Zech.1:8, 10) Who is the Angel of the Lord 11 So they answered the Angel of the Lord , who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.” 12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” (Zech.1:11-12) b. The prophet Zechariah c. The interpreting angel, called “the angel who talked with me” 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are. ” 13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem a nd for Zion with great zeal. B. The man: He is also probably the same man who measured Jerusalem in the third vision Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 So I said, “Where are you going?” (Zech. 2:1-2) C. Angel of the Lord: The Angel of the Lord is the preincarnate Christ. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord , and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zech. 3:1-2) The Angel of the Lord addresses the Lord as a separate person 12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” In some passages, the Angel of the Lord is distinct from God, but is then described as if He is the Lord 7 Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” 9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” 10 Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.” 11 And the Angel of the Lord said to her: “Behold, you are with child, 13 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” 14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered. (Gen. 16:7-13) 11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.' And I said, ‘Here I am.' 12 And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.' ” (Gen. 31:11-13) 2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” 4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” 6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.' ” 20 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. 22 But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. (Ex. 23:20-22) 22 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord , she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord , she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam's anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” 30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “ Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.” 31 Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.” 34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord , “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.” 35 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. (Num. 22:22-35) 11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” 13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” 15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” 16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall [ e ] defeat the Midianites as one man.” 17 Then he said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me. 18 Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You.” And He said, “I will wait until you come back.” (Judg. 6:11-18) D• The angel who talked with me: 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are. ” 13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem a nd for Zion with great zeal. 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” (Zech. 1:9, 13, 14, 19) 3 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, (Zech. 2:3) Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” (Zech. 4:1, 4) 5 Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, “Lift your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth.” 10 So I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?” (Zech. 5:5, 10) 4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” (Zech. 6:4) E• What are these: Zechariah asked for understanding of the horses 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are. ” (Zech. 1:9) The interpreting angel described them as an angelic patrol of the earth who reported to God 10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” 11 So they answered the Angel of the Lord , who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.” (Zech. 1:10-11) He asked the same angel seven times: “What are these?” 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” (Zech. 1:9a, 19a, 21a) 4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” 11 Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” 12 And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?” (Zech. 4:4, 11, 12) 4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” (Zech. 6:4) F• Walked to and fro: There is a deep interaction between the activity in the spirit realm and the natural realm Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 So I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, 4 who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. (Zech. 2:1-4) Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by. (Zech. 3:1-5) 1 Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. 2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds. 4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The one with the black horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country.” 7 Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. 8 And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My Spirit in the north country.” (Zech. 6:1-8) 12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. (Dan. 10:12-13, 20-21) 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12) First Seal: The Conqueror 6 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. Second Seal: Conflict on Earth3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:1-8) 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Rev.12:7-9) G• Resting quietly: 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; 1.We must not misinterpret the “rest” of oppressive nations as God approving of them 11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Eccl. 8:11) 2. The Lord allowed the nations to rest at that time but He destroyed them later. 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.” (Zech. 1:15, 21) 1Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. 2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds. 4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The one with the black horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country.” 7 Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. 8 And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My Spirit in the north country.” (Zech. 6:1-8) 4. God is patient with the nations in order to give them more time, so that: 1• More people will be saved 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9) 2• The guilt of their national sins will be filled up 18On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— (Gen. 15:18) 3. He may discipline His people by nations like Assyria 5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger a nd the staff in whose hand is My indignation. (Isa. 10:5) Babylon 8 “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Because you have not heard My words, 9 behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,' says the Lord , ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations. (Jer. 25:8-9) 4. He may show mercy and give them time to repent and avoid judgment 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. (Rev. 2:20-23) H. Myrtle trees: 15 and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” (Neh. 8:15) I. Stood among the myrtle trees: 12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” VI. THE HORSES (1:8) A. The colors of the horses were red, sorrel (speckled), and white 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. (Zech. 1:8) Angelic riders on horses patrolling the earth suggest a military context 10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” (Zech. 1:10) B. There are horses in the heavenly realm. Elijah and Elisha saw horses with heavenly chariots 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kgs. 2:11) 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “ Lord , I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kgs. 6:17) Jesus will return on a horse, with the saints also riding horses 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. (Rev. 19:11, 14) C. Four: The number four is the number of the earth, or that which is worldwide. It speaks of the four corners of the earth coming under and being affected by these judgments 11 So they answered the Angel of the Lord , who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.” (Zech. 1:11) 5 And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth. (Zech. 6:5) D. The four sets of horses in Zechariah. 6 Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. 2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds. 4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The one with the black horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country.” 7 Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. 8 And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My Spirit in the north country.” (Zech. 6:1-8) Seem connected to the four horses in Revelation Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. Second Seal: Conflict on Earth3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:1-8) 1• In Zechariah 1 the horses are red, sorrel (speckled), and white. 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. (Zech. 1:8) 2• In Zechariah 6 the horses are red, black, white, and dappled (spotted grey) 2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds. (Zech. 6:2-3) 3. In Revelation 6, the horses are white, red, black, and pale (grayish green) E. Red horses: 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Rev. 6:4) The man riding a red horse symbolizes the impending judgment on the nations who mistreated Israel. 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.” (Zech. 1:21) Isaiah describes the Messiah coming to Israel in red garments, because it is the day of vengeance Who is this who comes from Edom, “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” 2 Why is Your apparel red, 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, F. Sorrel horses: G. White horses: White is a symbol for victory, connected to going forth to conquer 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev. 6:2) H. Black horses: 5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. (Rev. 6:5) I. Pale horses: 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:8) VII. THE ANGEL OF THE LORD INTERCEDED FOR GOD TO INTERVENE (1:12-13) A. The Angel of the Lord interceded for mercy for Israel and released comfort to them. 12The Angel of the LORD answered and said, “O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” 13The LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. (Zech. 1:12-13) B. How long: 11 And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 ‘Then it will come to pass, when seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,' says the Lord ; ‘and I will make it a perpetual desolation. (Jer. 25:11-12) D. Comforting words: God's answer to the intercession was given to the interpreting angel 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem a nd for Zion with great zeal. (Zach. 1:14) 1 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” says your God. 2 “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned.” (Isa. 40:1-2) VIII. THE MESSAGE OF COMFORT (1:13-17) A• Zechariah was commissioned with a specific message to proclaim 13The LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 14So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. 15I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped—but with evil intent.” 16Therefore thus says the LORD: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house [the temple] shall be built in it…and a surveyor's line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.”' 17Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.” (Zech. 1:13-17) This is the first of four prophetic oracles that Zechariah received regarding the eight visions that he had in one night 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem 16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord : “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; 6 “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord ; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord 7 “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me. 10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord . 11 “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 12 And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord , for He is aroused from His holy habitation!” (Zech. 2:6-13) 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel 9 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 10 “Receive the gift from the captives—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! 14 “Now the laborate crown shall be for a memorial in the temple of the Lord for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah. 15 Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the Lord . Then you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.” (Zech. 6:9-15) B. Proclaim the sure destruction of her enemies 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.” (Zech. 1:21) C. Zeal of God: 2. Zealous to live in Jerusalem: The Lord is zealous to live in Jerusalem forever 16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord : “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts, 5 For I,' says the Lord , ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.' ” 10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord . (Zech. 2:5, 10) Jerusalem is the city of the great king Great is the Lord , and greatly to be praised 4 For behold, the kings assembled, 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. (Mt. 5:35) Jerusalem will be the political, spiritual, educational, and financial capital of the millennial earth 2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days 17 “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord , and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord , to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. (Jer. 3:17) 16“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house [the temple] shall be built in it.” (Zech. 1:16) 3. Zealous to build the temple: Jesus will build His house as the place of His throne 6 Then I heard Him speaking to me from the temple, while a man stood beside me. 7 And He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places. (Ezek. 43:6-7) 12The Man [Jesus] whose name is the BRANCH…shall build the temple of the LORD (Zech. 6:12) 6 I heard Him speaking to me from the temple…7 He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne…where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever.” (Ezek. 43:6-7) 4. The Lord helped Zerubbabel to build the temple in Zechariah's generation 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel He completed it in five years. 15 Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. (Ezra 6:15) Jesus called Zerubbabel's temple the house of prayer, and expressed zeal for it 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.' ” (Mt. 21:13) 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” (Jn. 2:17) D. Surveyor's line: 16I am returning to Jerusalem…and a surveyor's line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. (Zech. 1:16) E. Exceedingly angry: 15I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped— but with evil intent.” (Zech. 1:15) 1. Exceedingly angry: 2. At ease: Those anti-Semitic nations were at ease and at rest 11 So they answered the Angel of the Lord , who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.” 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; For I was a little angry, And they helped— but with evil intent. ” (Zech. 1:11, 15) 11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Eccl. 8:11) 3. A little angry: 2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; 4. They helped: 6 I was angry with My people…and have given them into your hand. You [Babylon] showed them no mercy; on the elderly you laid your yoke very heavily. (Isa. 47:6) F. The Lord promised that the cities of Judah would overflow with prosperity 17“Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.” (Zech. 1:17) However, the fullness of prosperity in the cities of Israel will occur after Jesus returns to live in Jerusalem 16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord : “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; 1. My cities: He will personally care for, provide for, and protect these cities as His inheritance. 4 who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. 5 For I,' says the Lord , ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.' ” (Zech. 2:4-5) 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You 2. Again choose Jerusalem: 6 Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.' 34 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. 36 “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to a land far or near; 37 yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness'; 38 and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name: (2 Chr. 6:6, 34-38) In Zechariah, He again chooses Jerusalem to be the epicenter of His worldwide kingdom 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The Lord will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.” (Zech. 1:17) 12 And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. (Zech. 2:12) 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zech. 3:2) 2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days 6 “I have chosen Jerusalem that My name may be there.” (2 Chr. 6:6) IX. SECOND VISION: FOUR HORNS AND FOUR CRAFTSMEN (1:18-21) A. Zechariah saw four horns representing the Gentile world powers that scattered Israel 18 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” (Zech. 1:18-19) The second vision gives more details about the Lord's message of comfort 13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; It shows us what God will do to the Gentile world powers with whom He was “exceedingly angry” 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; 18Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. 19And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, “These are the horns [empires] that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” (Zech. 1:18-19) B• Horns: Symbolic of power 17 His glory is like a firstborn bull, 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; “He will give strength to His king, 11 Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, “Thus says the Lord : ‘With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.' (1 Kgs. 22:11) 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 21 Save Me from the lion's mouth 10 “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, 17 For You are the glory of their strength, 24 “But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, 10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; 9 He has dispersed abroad, 17 There I will make the horn of David grow; 25 The horn of Moab is cut off, 21 ‘In that day I will cause the horn of the house of Israel to spring forth, and I will open your mouth to speak in their midst. Then they shall know that I am the Lord .' ” (Ezek. 29:21) 7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. 24 The ten horns are ten kings 3 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 5 And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power. 20 The ram which you saw, having the two horns— they are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. (Dan. 8:3, 5-6, 20-21) 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Rev. 5:6) 1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. (Rev. 13:1) 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. (Rev. 17:3, 7, 12) Animals defend themselves and attack with their horns. C. What are these: Zechariah asked the interpreting angel for understanding of the horns 18 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. (Zech. 1:18) The horns are the empires that have scattered Israel 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” (Zech. 1:19) D . The four horns: These probably represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome—the four Gentile world empires seen by Daniel 1 “You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. 32 This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 “This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. 37 You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; 38 and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold. 39 But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. 41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” (Dan. 2:31-45) 2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it. 5 “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!' 6 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. Vision of the Ancient of Days9 “I watched till thrones were put in place, 11 “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 “I was watching in the night visions, H. Zechariah saw four craftsmen overthrowing the four horn-empires that attacked Israel. 20Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.” (Zech. 1:20-21) J. Four craftsman: 1. These four craftsmen represent the empires of Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and Messiah. 34 You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” (Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45) K. To terrify and cast out: 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, L. God will curse everyone who curses Israel 3 I will bless those who bless you, The fullness of this prophecy will occur at the end of the age 3 “My anger is kindled against the shepherds, a nd I will punish the goatherds. 6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, a nd I will save the house of Joseph. 9 “I will sow them among the peoples, a nd they shall remember Me in far countries; 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. 4 In that day,” says the Lord , “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in the Lord of hosts, their God.' 6 In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem. 7 “The Lord will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah. 8 In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. 9 It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; 3 Then the Lord will go forth And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, Thus the Lord my God will come, 12 And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, 13 It shall come to pass in that day 15 Such also shall be the plague 16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. (Zech. 14:2-5, 12-16) M. Israel is indestructible because of God's covenant with her. He has promised to make a full end of all nations where He scattered Israel, but He will not make a full end of Israel. 11Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice… (Jer. 30:11)
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