The Temple Completed

Ezra 6:15-22

“And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.” (Ezra 6:15) 

Cyrus had given the command to rebuild the city and temple during his first year reigning over Babylon.  Six years later his son Cambyses assumed the throne taking the name Ahasuerus.  Seven years later he was killed and about six months after his death, Darius assumed the throne.  The temple was finally completed six years after his reign began, and nearly twenty years after Cyrus gave the order to build it.

“And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy, And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.” (Ezra 6:16-17) 

For eighty years, there had been no temple, although the Jews had offered sacrifices and practiced the Jewish religion since their return.  To finally have a permanent place to worship as a reminder of their faith was a tremendous blessing best understood by churches that have rented temporary quarters for a time.  Compared to what had been offered at the dedication of the original, it was pretty small, but for them it was a tremendous sacrifice.

Undoubtedly, the fact that the celebration coincided with the celebration of Purim, reminding them of the way God spared them from death by Haman’s decree made it even more exciting.

“And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.” (Ezra 6:18)

Twenty years before, it had been decided some of the priests could not assume their duties until a high priest was dedicated according to Ezra 2:61-63.  “And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.  And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.”  Until the temple was completed, there was no place for them to serve as there was no way to perform many of rituals and duties.

With the temple complete and a high priest to serve as the mediator between God and man, They could finally perform all the various activities as prescribed by the law.

“And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.  For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.” (Ezra 6:19-20) 

Just a month after dedicating the temple and celebrating Purim, the Jews celebrated Passover at the proper time.  Finally they were able to have the Levites and priests perform that part of their duties as well after more than eighty years without doing it.  It was a special time of remembering how much God had done for them.

“And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” (Ezra 6:21-22)

The Jews who’d returned from Babylon, and the ones who were still there as well as some of the neighboring people who had turned to God then kept the feast of unleavened bread celebrating the seven days between their leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea, when God prevented the Egyptian army from catching them.  It was a time of great rejoicing.  The Assyrians had set out to completely eliminate the nation almost two hundred years before, and now the Persian kings ruled Assyria and had helped to rebuild the temple.


Historical note

According to historians, based on Persian, Greek and Egyptian records, Darius reigned thirty six years, which when coupled with the seven years of Ahasuerus’ reign and six years of Cyrus’ reign accounts for the seven weeks or forty nine years of Daniel 9:25.  “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times."

Because of Darius’ sponsorship, the Jews lived in relative peace until his death.  After his death, anti-Jewish forces again gained power, with the result that completion of the wall of Jerusalem faced a lot of opposition, fulfilling the prophecy, “…the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

After Darius’ death we have some disagreement between historians.  Jewish and Egyptians records do not reference any king between Darius and Artaxerxes.  Persian records are such that it is unclear whether there was a separate king named Xerxes or not in between, but Greek historians record a king named Xerxes between them, although Herodotus lists him as from a different empire.  Herodotus, Ctesias, and Aristotle give conflicting accounts of Artaxerxes’ ascension to power, giving rise to questions whether Xerxes I actually existed, or if he did whether he may not have been confused with the king of another country at the time.  Modern historians disagree about  Xerxes I as a result, making it unclear as to the exact time or Darius’ death.  We do know that Artaxerxes came to power about 465 BC.   If the Greek historians are correct, Darius died about 486 BC, but if they are in error. He died about 465-466 BC.  It is a relatively minor discrepancy.

Daniel 11:2 declares, “And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.”  According to the prophecy, there would only be four Persian kings.  Believing the prophecy to be from God, and knowing Ezra was present when these events happened, I tend to think the biblical record is more accurate than that of some historians over a hundred years later in another country.  I have no trouble believing that the Greek historians could make such a mistake.





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Defeat Of Antichrist’s Armies

Zechariah 14:12-21

“And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. 

And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.” (Zechariah 14:12-13)

When the armies of the world turn on Jerusalem and Judah, God will fight for them.  Revelation 19:15 describes Christ winning the victory at the head of the heavenly army.   And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

When he speaks what sounds like a flesh eating bacteria infects them, devouring their bodies much like what happened to Herod in Acts 12:21-23.  In their panic over what happens they kill each other trying to get away, similar to what happened among the Middianites when Gideon’s men sounded their trumpet in Judges 7:20-22.

According to Ezekiel 39:1-6, only one sixth of the world’s army will survive.  “Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.  Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.  Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.  And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

“And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.  And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.” (Zechariah 14:14-15)

A vast amount of  money will be needed to finance such a huge and powerful army and when they die they will leave behing huge amounts of weapons and supplies.  It will take seven years for Judah to dispose of all the bodies and weapons according to Ezekiel 39:9-12.

“And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD. 

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.  And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.” (Ezekiel 39:9-12)

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 

And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.  And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.  This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.” (Zechariah 14:16-19) 

The survivors all surrender to Christ as king and Revelation 19:15 says Christ “…shall rule them with a rod of iron…”   Isaiah 11:1-10 describes what the kingdom will be like in that day.  “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

It will be the Utopia people have sought for millennia by their own efforts.   There will be no crime, hunger, or sickness.  For a thousand years there will be no war or reason for people to be afraid, and no religious squabbles.   They will all worship God, for the first time since creation.

“In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.  Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 14:20-21)

During that thousand years, there will not be enough utensils in the temple for all the people to worship God and they will end up using any container they find in Jerusalem.  There will not be any like the Canaanites who rejected God in the temple in that day. Revelation 21:27 says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

Messiah’s kingdom

Zechariah 14:1-11

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.  And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 

And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” (Zechariah 14:1-5)

We have already looked at descriptions of this flight from their enemies  in Revelation 12:13-17.   Matthew 24:15-22 gives additional description.  “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

Mid way through the tribulation period, the Antichrist will break the treaty with Israel, eventually stopping them from using the temple for worshipping, and converting it to worship his own religion, blaming their incorporation for the failure of his policies.  At that point the entire world will turn on the Jews, much like Hitler did in World War II.

When that happens, Christ will intercede on Israel’s behalf.  Revelation 19:11-21 describes these events.  “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Re 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”

Ezekiel 38-39 address this same series of events giving additional detail.  The Antichrist and his followers will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire forever.  Christ will then take his throne.  One thousand years later, according to Revelation 20, Satan will stir up the people.  After that he will be cast into the lake of fire himself and the unbelieving world will be judged.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.  And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.” (Zechariah 14:6-8)

Revelation 22:1-5 describes the conditions in the city of New Jerusalem after the world is judged.  “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

“And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.  All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.  And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. “ (Zechariah 14:9-11)

Revelation 21:23-27 describes Christ’s kingdom in that day.  “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” (Revelation 21:23-27)

This will fulfill the prophecy of Ezekiel 39:25-29.  “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.  When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.  Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.”

Prophecy And Idolatry To Cease

Zechariah 13:2-9

“And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.  And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.” (Zechariah 13:2-3) 

For fifteen hundred years, Israel had vacillated between serving God and worshipping various idols and false gods, despite their covenant with God to serve only God.  God had given them instructions for identifying false prophets but time after time they allowed someone who claimed to have special insight into what God wanted or what was right to lead them into sin against God, because they ignored these instructions.

In Deuteronomy 13:1-3, God commanded, “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”  If a prophet came speaking in the name of another god, it didn’t matter whether the prophecy came to pass or not, they were to kill him and ignore his prophecy.  God was just allowing them to decide if they were really committed to God or not.

Unfortunately, some false prophets pretend to be from God, and Deuteronomy 18:20-22 tells how to test their message.  “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”  

When a prophet came claiming to have a message from God, thare was to be a short term prophecy they could check.  If that short term prophecy didn’t happen, they were to kill the prophet because he had lied about God, claiming he had said something he didn’t say.  He had gone beyond his authority.  A prophet is a person who tells what God has said.  When Christ is king, there will be no need for prophets because everyone can communicate directly with Christ.  I Corinthians 13:8 declares, “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”  

When Christ sets up his earthly kingdom, the Jews will finally realize God no longer needs prophets to give parts of the message, because it is complete.  They will no longer follow those who purport to be prophets or have all the answers.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.  And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. 

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” (Zechariah 13:6-9)

People will no longer proclaim themselves prophets, nor will they call attention to themselves by the way they dress.  Instead they will conceal their past claims focusing on a common trade.   When questioned about scars from their punishment for false prophecy, they will claim they were just accidents.

God will bring Judgment on the pastors and leaders who have encouraged his people to follow those false prophets, causing them to be scattered.  He will then judge those who have not gone completely away.  Two thirds of them will be destroyed because of their lack of commitment to God, separating out and firming the commitment of the other third to God.  Numerous other passages refer to this same period of God’s judgment of Israel.

Mark 13:13-20 describes the time.  “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.  For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.  And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”

Revelation 12:13-17 gives another picture of Satan’s attack on Israel.  Israel is portrayed as the woman who bore Christ.  “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 

And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

When Satan is unable to destroy Israel, he will turn his attention to the Christians.  Revelation 13:4-8 describes his attack on them.  “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Revelation 7:13-17 describes those who survive the attacks of Satan.  “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

Christ To Ascend The Throne

Zechariah 12:1-13:1

“The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.  Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.  And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” (Zechariah 12:1-3) 

God gave Zechariah a burden or message for Israel, just as he had give to other countries by different prophets.  While many of the others were of judgment, God is promising Israel, and particularly Judah his eternal protection, and especially in the end of time, as described in Revelation 20:7-9.  “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”

“In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.  And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. 

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.  The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. 

In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12:4-9)

Literally, the attacks by the nations of the world on Jerusalem and Judah will result in their destruction ultimate destruction, not just at the end of the thousand year reign but before it as well as described in Revelation 19:19-21.  “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.  And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.” (Zechariah 12:10-13)

In that final time, the Nation of Israel will finally recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah and realize what they have done to him.   It will result in individual repentance by each of the families for their rejection of him.  There will no longer be any competition between the families, just total acceptance of Christ as their king.  Revelation 19:11-16 describes him in that role.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

“In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” (Zechariah 13:1) 

When Christ is king, forgiveness will be readily available to everyone, not just the Jews.  Revelation 22:1-3 describes that fountain.  “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”

Prophecy Of Judah’s Rejection Of Christ

Zechariah 11:1-17

“Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.  Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. 

There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.  Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;  Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. 

 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. ” (Zechariah 11:1-6)

A family I know hired a man to herd their sheep. Agreeing to pay him a certain amount each month.  After a couple of months they noticed the herd seemed smaller than before and they suspected he wasn’t paying as much attention to ethe sheep as he needed to.  They started checking and found where he had butchered one of the sheep instead of using the groceries they had provided,  that kind of upset them, but they shrugged it off because it is hard to find sheepherders, and he said it had gotten hurt and was going to die anyway..

Later they went and found the sheep out with no one watching them.   Fearing something had happened to the herder they started asking the neighbors where he normally took the sheep.  One of them said that he had spent the last several days at a bar several miles away.  They went to get him and learned that he had sold several of the sheep to a trader to get money to get drunk on.  They fired him and filed charges against him for stealing their sheep.  

Because of their sin God had turned Israel over to the surrounding countries to teach them to serve God.  Like the shepherd my friends hired, these neighbors took advantage of the situation killing off God’s people or selling them out to others.  Now God is going to punish them for what they have done to his people.  Unlike the Jews, he will have no pity on them.

“And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. 

Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me.” (Zechariah 11:7-8)

God took back his people to care for them, dividing them into two bands, Israel and Judah. Because of their treatment of his people, God overthrew three of the groups he had placed to teach the Jews to serve God.  He refers particularly to those who occupied Lebanon, the Egyptians, and the Syrian, Moabite and Ammonites who occupied what had originally been the land of Bashan in present day Jordan.  All had been subjected by the Babylonian and Persian Empires, and all of them were trying to stop the worship of God at this time.  Zechariah is performing the actions God has prescribed to provide a visual illustration of what God is planning.

“Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.  And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.  And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.” (Zechariah 11:9-11)

Because the nation of Israel had rejected God completely, God refused to provide the blessings he had promised in his covenant, chopping the walking stick up to make it clear the covenant was broken and God would focus primarily on Judah from that time on.  Some of the poor and less proud people understood this was God‘s plan and would serve God for a time.

Notice that God speaks in the present tense.  In John 8:57-58, the Jews challenged  Christ.  “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”  God is omnipresent, eternally in the present, and not bound by time.  Even though it would not happen for almost five hundred years, he was able to be present at Judas’ betrayal of Christ.

“And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. 

And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (Zechariah 11:12-13) 

In his betrayal of Christ, Judas typifies the attitude of most people, that they will go along as long as they get what they want, but when  a decision is needed, they will choose the immediate benefit over the eternal.  Judah was no different, considering a grave site as worth more than their own salvation.

“Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.” (Zechariah 11:14)

Zechariah then cut up the second staff to demonstrate that when Judah rejected Christ, God would refuse to protect them in the same way he had earlier refused to protect Israel, leaving them on their own.

“And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.  For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.” (Zechariah 11:15-16) 

Next Zechariah was instructed to take up the tools of an uncaring shepherd, unsuitable clothing, and a broken shepherd’s crook or a staff that is too short and weak to be effective since he doesn’t intend to work with the sheep anyway.  Judah will be subject to nations who have no interest in them or God and will only seek to extract as much as possible from them without concern that they are destroying the source of their income.

“Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.” (Zechariah 11:17)

Unlike the Babylonian and Persian empires, these future rulers will not benefit from controlling the land of Judah.  Instead it will be a source of conflict and an ongoing expense they never recoup.  A study of the history of Israel since the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans shows that to be a true prophecy.

Training Israel For God’s Purpose

Zechariah 10:1-12

“Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” (Zechariah 10:1) 

Almost a thousand years before, in Leviticus 26:3-4, God had promised Moses and the Children of Israel, “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”  His promise still stood in Zechariah’s day and continues to the present time.

“For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.” (Zechariah 10:2) 

A shepherd has two primary duties, to see that the sheep are fed, and to keep them out of danger.  The false prophets and idol worshippers taught the people it was not important to walk in God’s statutes or do his commandments.  The shepherds or leaders had not done their job by warning them of the danger or trying to keep them away from it, so it was as if they had no shepherd.

“Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.” (Zechariah 10:3) 

While it was the shepherds who allowed them to get into these things, it was the goats who refused to come out when God tried to lead them to the proper place and they had to be punished to get them to follow.  God has had to teach them like a person training good  roping horse.

“Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.  And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.” (Zechariah 10:4-5)

The horse has to learn to trust his rider and ignore distractions like a swinging rope or a falling hat.   He has to learn to pay attention to what the target animal is doing, and react accordingly.  In order to teach him, it is necessary to expose him to the common situations and teach him not to panic, even when he doesn’t like what is happening.   Sometimes you have to punish him or allow him to be hit to learn that while it may be painful, it is not unbearable.  A well trained horse will do things totally contrary to their natural instincts that amaze even other horsemen.

“And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.” (Zechariah 10:6)

The problems are not toe destroy but to strengthen and train Israel,  He has not rejected them but is preparing them for a future purpose, and like a good trainer, he is monitoring them closely to see that they are not harmed by his efforts.

“And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.  I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.  And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.” (Zechariah 10:7-9) 

It is a pleasure to watch a well trained horse with a skilled rider because they so obviously enjoy what they are doing and work so well together they seem to almost read each other’s minds.  That is the kind of relationship God wants to produce with his people, enjoyed by both sides.  

“I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.  And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.  And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.” (Zechariah 10:10-12)

A trainer will often farm out horses out to different trainers they feel will be best able to teach a particular horse for his basic training, before returning them to the main yard for finishing.  In a similar fashion, god has farmed out groups of Jews to other nations for training.  The time will come when they are all returned to Jerusalem for finishing.  When that time comes there will not be room enough in Israel for them all, and god will have to enlarge the area for them, reaching across the Jordan into present say Jordan, and northward into Lebanon.  Those who have ruled them in the past will no longer be a threat, and they will be recognized as God’s people.

God’s Care For Israel

Zechariah 8:11-17

“But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.  For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.  And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. 

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.” (Zechariah 8:11-15) 

For seventy years, the temple had lain in ruins, and Judah was almost deserted.   God had set out to punish their sin and had refused to stop until the punishment was complete.  As a result the Jews had been a curse and a source of mockery to the surrounding nations.

Now God was offering them something better.  He would bless them and cause their crops and orchards to be productive.  The rains and dew would come when needed, and the people could again possess things like other people, if they would just make the commitment to trust God.  

“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.” (Zechariah 8:16-17) 

To receive this promise the Jews would have to follow God’s law again, sticking strictly to the truth in everything they did, keeping their judgment of disagreements strictly based on the truth and justice so there would be no grudges and enmity.  They were not to assume or imagine their neighbors doing evil, nor were they to enjoy deceitful contracts and agreements because God hates such behavior.


“And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.” (Zechariah 8:18-19)

The Jews had asked if they should continue the fasting of the fifth month praying for God to restore the land.  God said they should keep it as well as feasts of the various other months as a celebration of what God had done for them instead of complaining about what they had lost.  If they would focus on the truth and peace God provided, they’d have little to complain about.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.  Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. 

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zechariah 8:20-23)

People are struggling everywhere,  as Job 5:6-7 says, “Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”   Man’s problems don’t just happen or grow from the soil, but man causes problems.  They will tend to congregate where people are not being overcome by the problems.  When the Jews began to rejoice in what they had instead of complaining about what was missing, people would be attracted the Jerusalem, hearing that God was with them.

While there have been a few periods of history when people sought Jerusalem, especially in Jesus’ day and shortly thereafter, most of the time Jerusalem has been relatively unimportant.  This prophecy is mostly about the end times, when the Jews will finally keep god’s law and experience his blessings to the fullest.  

“The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.  And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.  And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. 

Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.  Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. 

And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.  And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. 

And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.” (Zechariah 9:1-8)

When they finally turn to the. Lord, Syria will no longer pose a threat , and the entire world will look to him.  The Phoenician Empire would no longer pose a threat, as it would no longer exist.  The Philistine cities will no longer have their own kings and the leader would be an illegitimate son.  The Palestinians of today claim the Philistines as their ancestors, but they are actually of mixed ancestry and not pure Philistine as a result of numerous relocation programs.  In that final day, even they will turn to God.
 
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.  And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:9-10) 

The Messiah, Jesus Christ would come riding on a donkey colt, as an ordinary man, yet bringing salvation to the world.  When he takes his kingdom, it will not reach just from the Mediterranean to the Jordan river, but from sea to sea, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Jordan river to the ends of the earth.  This is described in the very end of time in Revelation 20.

“As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.  Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.” (Zechariah 9:11-13)

Ultimately, God will bend Judah to his will, and draw back his people, raising them up against the descendants of the Greek empire, the Antichrist of Revelation, and giving them the victory like a mighty swordsman.  

“And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.  The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.  And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.  For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.” (Zechariah 9:14-17)

Revelation 20:8-9 and Ezekiel 38-39 give more details about these events.  Israel’s survival will be recognized finally to entirely God’s doing.

God’s Plan For Jerusalem

Zecharaiah 7:1-8:10

“And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” (Zechariah 7:1-3)

For  about fifteen years, court orders had blocked construction of the temple.  About three and a half years before, Haggai and Zechariah had prophesied to them and they had resumed construction, although there was concern that they might be stopped at any time.  From the time of the original captivity to Babylon to the present time, every year they had had a time of fasting and praying to be allowed to finish the work.  Finally they had permission,, and there was some question whether they should hold the fast again that year.

“Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?  And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?” (Zechariah 7:4-7) 

God pointed out that even in their fasting and praying since going into captivity, the emphasis had been on their own benefit and protection.  They had made the same mistake many Christians make today.  James 4:3 says, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”  God is not obligated to give us whatever we ask for, contrary to what many preach.  I John 5:14-15 tells us, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

The Jews needed to hear what God had said about why they were in trouble and correct the sin, before they expected God to deliver them.  Far too many people ignore most of the conditions God set forth in II Chronicles 7:14.  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  Just praying is not enough.  There needs to be obedience as well.  God had never been satisfied with those annual fasts because they never got around to repentance.

“And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. 

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 7:8-12) 

For centuries, the Jews had refused to obey Gods commands and fulfill their contract or covenant with God, cheating and taking advantage wherever they could of those who were worse off.  When God sent prophets to warn them, they ignored them or in some instances even killed them, causing God to become angry.

“Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.” (Zechariah 7:13-14)

The only reason they had been in captivity was that their refusal to listen had angered god to the point he had caused them be taken captive and dispersed throughout the other nations, leaving Israel and Judah almost uninhabited and barren so no one bothered to go there.  By simply obeying, they could have avoided the whole problem.

“Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.  Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.  And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.” (Zechariah 8:1-5)

The Israelites were still God’s people and he protected them like a man protecting his children, despite his anger at them.  He was still going to give them another chance. Living among them and teaching them.  They would once again live out their lives at peace, with the children again playing freely in the streets instead of hiding in theirs homes.  

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” (Zechariah 8:6-8)

While they were amazed at the things that had happened, it was no surprise to God.  He knew what his plan was, and would bring the Jews who had been taken into the eastern countries and into the western countries back to Jerusalem.  When they finally returned, they would worship sincerely and completely.  That still hasn’t happened.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.  For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.” (Zechariah 8:9-10) 

If they were to experience what God intended for them, they would need not only hear, but act on the what the prophets had told them.  Their refusal to obey the law had resulted in everyman considering only their own benefit, leading to constant infighting and unwillingness to help each other.  They were afraid to hire anybody to work because they expected to get ripped off, and God had caused that distrust.  He would do it again if they refused to listen.

Authorization To Build Is Settled

Ezra 6:1-14

“Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.” (Ezra 6:1)

Probably about three or four months after the Jews had resumed construction on the temple, Darius got the letter from Tatnai and the rulers of the areas around Jerusalem.  He ordered a search of the records to find out if Cyrus had ordered construction of the temple as the Jews claimed.  If such a record existed, then they were obligated to allow the Jews to continue.

“And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written: In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house: And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.” (Ezra 6:2-5)

With no computer records and everything written on scrolls, the search woud be a major undertaking, made worse by the age of the scrolls.  Eventually, the proper record was found, not at the main palace in Shushan, but at Achmetha.  It not only authorized the rebuilding, but ordered that the ancient Jewish religious artifacts be returned to their proper places.  After almost a year, Darius responded to the letter challenging the Jews right to build the temple.

“Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.” (Ezra 6:6-7)

Based on Cyrus’ order, Darius warned the neighboring groups not to interfere, but to stay completely away and allow the Jews to build the house of God as they were authorized to do.  He also made a decree of his own relating to the temple.

“Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.  And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.” (Ezra 6:8-10)

Besides declaring that the Jews were authorized to build the temple, Darius ordered that the necessary building materials and sacrificial animals be paid for with the taxes the various rulers collected, without any squabbling, because he wanted them to pray for him and his children.

“Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.  And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. 

I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.” (Ezra 6:11-12)

He stated the punishment for failure to obey his orders.  Anyone who hindered construction would have his own house demolished by Darius’ troops, and be hanged on a gallows made from beams taken from it, leaving him dead and his family homeless.  A king or country who interfered could expect God himself to destroy their country.

“Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.  And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” (Ezra 6:13-14) 




Two or three months after Darius sent his decree, the various governors got the letter.  They immediately stopped interfering and began to deliver materials as he had commanded.  The Jews were glad they had listened to Hagai and Zechariah.  Work progressed much faster with a ready supply of materials and no vandalism or opposition from other groups.  While construction would take another three years, they never had to stop work again.  After Darius’ death, Artaxerxes would follow a similar policy towards the Jews. 

Condition Of The Rest Of The World

Zechariah 6:1-15

“And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.  In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. 

 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?” (Zechariah 6:1-4)

Still during the same vision as in previous chapters, Zechariah saw four chariots coming out from mountains of brass, mountains that would be nearly impregnable.  Each chariot was pulled by a different colored  matched team.  Zechariah asked what they meant.

“And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.  The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.  And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. 

Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.” (Zechariah 6:5-8)

The black horses go to the north and settle things down in the north country and are followed by the white horses.  The grisled or speckled or dapple horses go to the south.  The bays travel from area to area, and the red horses are not mentioned and apparently go everywhere.  Revelation 6:1-8 gives a similar picture that provides a clue as to the meaning of different horses of this prophecy.

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.  And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2)

In this prophecy, the white horse represents a spirit of conquest and empire building.  Beginning with the Greek empire, the regions north of Israel have seen repeated efforts to build empires, even to the present day.

“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.  And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Revelation 6:3-4)

The red horse represents war, and it has never been limited to a single area of the world.

“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.  And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6)

The black horse represents famine.  One of the main reasons for the various empires to gain power throughout Europe was famine in various countries creating dissatisfaction with the rulers at the moment.  When things got bad enough it relatively simple for the Romans, the Huns, the Holy Roman Empire or the third Reich to take over vast areas.  Their wars usually involved entire nations.

“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:7-8)

The pale horse of Revelation is light colored horse.  It represents death, as a result of murders and local conflicts, disease, starvation, and animal attacks.  In Zechariah, the grisled and bay horses seem to represent similar things.  The grisled horse going to the south portrays much of Africa’s history with famines and disease intermixed with various empires and tribal wars.  Most of Africa’s records were destroyed during the European colonial period, but we do know that while their were many great civilizations, they were seldom so clearly marked out either geographically or time wise as those in Europe or western Asia.

The bay horse going from region to region portrays the disease and starvation throughout the world.  None of these things were limited to one area, but tended to strike one area at a time.

Knowing this is what the world was going to face, the prophecy about God’s blessing of Judah and Israel presents an exciting contrast.

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” (Zechariah 6:9- 13)

Joshua, the high priest had come from Babylon with Zerubbabel.  God told Zechariah to make crowns of silver and gold and put them on Joshua’s head to symbolize Christ, the messiah, who would build the temple and be seated on the throne at the right hand of God.

“And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.  And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Zechariah 6:14-15)

The other crowns were to be placed on the heads of those who had done the work symbolizing the crowns those who serve God will receive in heaven.  He makes it clear that those who were not Jews will also come in that day.  As he states, this will all happen if they would obey the Lord.

God Assures Completion Of The Temple

Zechariah 4:1-5:11

“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? 

And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? 

And I said, No, my lord.” (Zechariah 4:1-5)

In his vision, the angel awakened Zechariah, who saw a candlestick or lamp with a central reservoir and tubes carrying oil to seven lamps.  An olive tree stood on each side of the candlestick.  While he knew they must be important Zecharaiah had no idea what they represented and asked the angel.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:6-10)

Zerubbabel had led the group from Babylon to Judah about almost twenty years before and started building the temple.  He had been forced to stop during Ahasuerus’ day, but had resumed construction under Haggai and Zechariah’s encouragement.  Now the neighbors were demanding he stop construction and people were getting discouraged.  God  reminding them with the candlestick that the power did not come from their efforts.

It is similar to the vision John saw in Revelation 1:12-20, where the seven candlesticks represented the churches of God and the seven stars the leaders responsible for overseeing them.  These seven lamps or candles are described as the eyes of the Lord overseeing the work, just as they were earlier in this prophecy in  Zechariah 3:9.

“Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:11-14)

The two olive trees used golden pipes to drain the oil from themselves into the central reservoir which supplied all the lamps.  They represent the archangels, Michael and Gabriel, who act for God to protect his people and hold back Satan’s power, according to Daniel 10.

“Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. 

And he said unto me, What seest thou? 

And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. 

Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.  I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.” (Zechariah 5:1-4) 

Next, Zechariah saw a giant scroll which the Angel describes as being the curse by which people will be judged.  Galatians 3:10 warns. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”  In Matthew 5:18-19, Jesus said, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

While Romans 10:4 says, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth,” his sacrifice does not free those who don’t believe.  They are still under that curse.

“Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.

 And I said, What is it? 

And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.  And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.  And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. 

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. 

Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? 

And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.” (Zechariah 5:5-11)

Then Zechariah saw an ephah, or measure for grain.  Instead of grain is about seventy pounds of lead which he describes as a woman sitting in it.  The angel describes her as wickedness, and two women with wings, similar to the modern pictures of angels carry it to build a place for it in the land of Shinar, the region where Babylon is.

Revelation 17 and 18 give  more detail about this vision, of an organization centered in Babylon who is dominates and is used by the world rulers, and the anti-Christ to control the world.  It will be a focal point for the evil of that day, and a burden to the entire world.

Israel To Be Cleansed And Marked As God’s People

Zechariah 3:1-10

“And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 

And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 

And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.” (Zechariah 3:1-5)

In his vision, Zechariah saw the high priest, Joshua representing the nation of Israel.  Satan has done his best to stop or destroy them, and they have become quite involved in sin.  God rebukes Satan describing Israel as a brand plucked from the fire, a nation that is saved from sure destruction.

God will cleanse them, taking away their sin and giving them a robe of righteousness.   It will be totally God’s work and not their own that saves them, and he will place on their head the mitre proclaiming “Holiness to the Lord”, marking them as God’s people.  This is the picture in Revelation 7:3-9.  “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

“And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. 

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. 

For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.” (Zechariah 3:6-10)

The angel promises that if they will serve God, he will give them a place among the others that serve God.  He will send his servant, the Messiah or Christ and take away all their land, leaving them to dwell in peace, in accordance with the prophecy in Isaiah 11:1-12.

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” (Isaiah 11:1-12)

Isaiah 65:7-25 Describes the same events as taking place when God creates a new heaven and a new earth.  Revelation gives additional description of the same period. God is reaffirming his promises from two hundred fifty years before as a way of encouraging the people.

Future Glory Of Jerusalem

Zechariah 1:7-2:13

“Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.” (Zechariah 1:7-8)  

Five months after they had resumed construction on the Temple, God sent Zechariah the following prophecy.  It would still be several months before there could be a response to the letter by Tatnai and the other governors challenging the Jews’ right to build the temple.  This prophecy would serve to encourage them that there was more involved than just construction of the temple itself.

“Then said I, O my lord, what are these? 

And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will show thee what these be. 

And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. 

And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. 

Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?” (Zechariah 1:9-12 

Zechariah had seen a vision of a man on a red horse among some trees, with a group on red, dappled or spotted and white horses behind him.  When he asked who they were he was told these were Angels who were kind of like security guards, watching to see that nothing goes wrong and to intervene if something happened.  They were reporting that nothing was happening.

The Angel revealing the vision then asked when Israel would be freed from their judgment.  They had had been punished for seventy years, but even twenty years after release from captivity, were still struggling just to survive.

“And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. 

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.  And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. 

Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.  Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 1:13-17)

God’s response was that he was protective of Jerusalem and Judah like a mother of her child when other kids pick on them.  He was angry with the people who were content to sit by and make fun of their efforts to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem, and deliberately interfere from time to time.

God has committed to intervening on Judah’s behalf, and they will successfully rebuild.  The temple will be completed, and the cities of Judah will be prosperous because of his blessing.  Once again Jerusalem will be a place known as God’s city.

“Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.  And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? 

And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. 

And the LORD showed me four carpenters.  Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.” (Zechariah 1:18-21)

The four horns are symbolic of the four kingdoms that have scattered Judah and taken away her pride.  The four carpenters are ones God has sent to cut them down and destroy their power because they have thought to destroy Israel by scattering the people.

“I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.  Then said I, Whither goest thou? 

And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. 

And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” (Zechariah 2:1-5)

In those days, even huge cities such as Babylon were fortified to deter attacks by opposing forces.  God was sending a surveyor to measure the city because the population would be too large to fortify successfully.  Instead Jerusalem would be like a small unfortified town with God providing the protection, as a wall of fire around it and with him as the focus of the city.  This prophecy goes far beyond their immediate situation, reaching far into the future.

“Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.  Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:6-8)

The Assyrians had deliberately scattered the Jews, and Babylon had established several colonies.  The scattering would continue through the Greek and Roman periods.  One day they would be called back from the northern lands mentioned in Daniel 11, and God would judge the nations which had done so because of his love for Israel.

“For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.  Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.  And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.  And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.  Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.” (Zechariah 2:9-13)

When God fulfills his purpose all the nations will turn to God, worshipping him in Jerusalem.  This is a prophecy closely related to that in Revelation 21, about the New Jerusalem.