View source for Template:DOD protected/September 28

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[[Zechariah]] ministered with [[Haggai]] during the difficult days when 50,000 [[Jews]] had returned to Palestine to reestablish their city and their Temple worship. The remnant went back in 536 b.c., and laid the foundation of the Temple in 535 b.c. We must remember, however, that opposition arose and work stopped, In 530 b.c., the [[Lord]] raised up [[Haggai]] and [[Zechariah]] to stir up the people and the leaders; and in 525 b.c., the work was finished.

[[Zechariah]] was both a [[prophet]] and a priest (see Nehemiah 12:4,16) and from [[Zechariah]] 2:4 we learn that he was a young man. His name means "[[Jehovah]] remembers"; his father's name, Berechiah, means "[[Jehovah]] blesses"; and his grandfather's name, Iddo, means "His time." Putting them together we have "[[Jehovah]] remembers to bless in His time.".

The theme of the Book of [[Zechariah]] is, "One that unveils [[God]]'s future plan for the [[Jews]]." This book actually ranks next to Daniel as an [[Old Testament]] revelation for [[God]]'s future plan for the [[Jews]]. The city of [[Jerusalem]] is mentioned some 39 times in this book. The key verses are 14-17 of chapter 1. These verses tell us that [[God]] is jealous for [[Jerusalem]]; that He will punish the heathen for what they did to His city; and that He will one day restore the city in glory and [[peace]]. The fact that [[God]], in His [[grace]], has chosen [[Jerusalem]] is mentioned often (see 1:17; 2:12; 3:2). He will have mercy on the city (chapter 1:12), and one day will dwell in the city (chapter 8:3-8).

In chapter 1 [[Zechariah]] warns the people against the evident rising tendency to return to the ways of their dishonest fathers who had brought them to their present pitiful condition. He then encourages them with visions which [[God]] had given him of the future. In chapters 1--4 we see several visions given by [[God]], and each have a meaning relative to [[Jerusalem]] or the people of [[Jerusalem]].

As with most [[Old Testament]] prophecies, we must distinguish between the near and the distant meanings of what [[Zechariah]] says. In one verse he will be describing the fall of [[Jerusalem]] under the [[Romans]], and in the next he will picture the coming of the [[Messiah]] to reign.

[[Zechariah]] 's favorite name for [[God]] is "[[Lord]] of hosts." He sees the [[Lord]] coming to defeat [[Israel]]'s enemies and establish [[Jerusalem]] in [[peace]] and glory. To apply these magnificent prophecies to the Church Age is to rob this book of its meaning and power. Certainly there are spiritual applications for all ages, but the basic interpretation must be for the Jewish nation and [[Jerusalem]].

In chapters 1--6 the [[prophet]] describes eight visions of encouragement, all of which summarize the message of [[Zechariah]] . The rider (chapter 1:7-17) is encouragement that [[God]] has not forgotten [[Jerusalem]]; the horns and craftsmen (chapter 1:18-21) is a promise that [[God]] will destroy [[Jerusalem]]'s enemies; the surveyor (chapter 2:1-13) is a promise that [[Jerusalem]] will be restored; the cleansing of Joshua the high priest (chapter 3:1-10) is a picture of the future cleansing of the nation; the candlesticks and the trees (chapter 4:1-14) is a promise that [[God]]'s power will enable Joshua and Zerubbabel to finish their difficult task; the flying roll (chapter 5:1-4) promises that [[sin]] will be judged in the land; the ephah (chapter 5:5-11) is a picture of wickedness carried from the land of [[Babylon]], which is the source of all idolatry and religious error. The last [[vision]], the four chariots (chapter 6:1- 8) promises that [[God]] controls the nations and [[Jerusalem]] is safe.

We see the crowning of the Priest-King in chapter 6:9-15. This is the climax of [[God]]'s plan for the restoration of [[Israel]] under [[Messiah]] King-Priest.