Zechariah
Chapter One
Zechariah received 8 visions from the Lord in one night
– Visions are from the Lord and go along with God’s Word – Acts 2:17-21
Israel had it rough and were in captivity for 7o years, but now the Lord says it is time to bless Israel – vs12-13
Proclaim – means to cry out with energy and spirit/to make something publicly known
v17 – I WILL PROSPER YOU
Spread out – means to be superabundant
– Like water coming from everywhere
1. Prosperity comes from the Lord – James 1:17
2. Prosperity is for everyone
– Chosen – means to select and God has selected everyone to prosper
3. Prosperity is to be given away – Genesis 12:2
4. Prosperity is the result of obedience to the Word of God – Matthew 6:33
Zechariah 1:18-21
Vision #2 – THE VISION OF THE 4 HORNS AND 4 CRAFTSMEN
V18 – Zechariah looks up to heaven
– Physically – with his eyes
– Spiritually – with spiritual eyes to see
4 horns – represents 4 empires that follow each other
Babylon
Medo Persian
Grecian
Rome
v19 – What are these?
– These are 4 empires that took over Israel
scattered – means to sift/disperse/oppress/rule/hurt/wound/oppose
horns – speaks of power and authority
v20 – 4 Craftsmen – means workmen who are skilled in working with wood, metal and stone – a professional
– They represent the 4 empires who are ready to take action
v21 – These 4 craftsmen are doing 2 things:
(1) They came to scatter Israel – hurt…wound…oppress
(2) They came to defeat the existing empire
– The Kingdom of God will rule over all other empires – Rev 19:11-21
– The Lord is in control
Zechariah 2
VISION #3 – THE MAN WITH THE MEASURING LINE
(1) vs1-5 – ISRAEL’S FUTURE
v1 – lifted up my eyes – Zechariah was wide awake and received this vision
Behold – means attention and Zechariah wants everyone’s attention
vs2-4 – The man is Jesus Christ
– He is called a man because He is the God-man….Phil 2:5-11
He is measuring the size of Israel as it will be in the future as they follow Him. Israel’s future will only be one of blessing
v4 – Your borders will expand….they will be blessed numerically, agriculturally & economically
– The church will be blessed today as stated in Jeremiah 29:11……
v5 – 2 Characteristics of God
(1) OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE – v5
– This fire protects Israel from their enemies
(s2) OUR GOD IS A GOD OF GLORY – v5
Glory – represents the presence of the Lord
– Peaks of weight…The weight of God’s presence can be felt and seen on peoples’ lives
*** What brings the glory of God down?
1. Suffering – 1 Peter 4:12-13
2. Praise and Worship – 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 & 7:1-3
(2) vs6-9 – ISRAEL’S CALL
v6 – Zechariah is calling Israel out of the world
-Land of the north is Babylon which speaks of the world
v7 – Up Zion – speaks of all born again believers
Dwell – speaks of rubbing shoulders with/getting close to
– Escape from the world system
v8 – The Jewish people did not want to leave. They were comfortable…& prospered…
v9 – God’s judgment is coming in 2 years. Get out
1 Thess 1:9-10 & 1 Thess 5:9-11 – God’s judgment is not on His children
Great is the man and women who can handle the blessings of God………
Israel’s Call is a 2-Fold Call
(1) A CALL FOR EVERYONE TO VE SAVED – ACTS 2:21
– THIS IS FOR GENTILES AND JEWS
(2) A CALL FOR EVERY BELIEVER TO STAY CLOSE TO JESUS – 2 Cor 6:14-18
Unequally yokes – refers to marriage…business…media…TV…Internet
(3) vs10-13 – ISRAEL’S POSITION
v10 – Sing and rejoice – to shout and be glad outloud
Zion – Speaks of believers & no matter what you are going through
behold – Means to get someones attention
I am coming – Jesus is coming back again
– He will live and dwell in Jerusalem and rule in the temple
v11 – Many nations will join with me – many people will get saved
v12 – The Lord will take possession of Judah
– The Lord Himself will rule over the universe
– Chose Jerusalem – this city will be the capital of the world
v13 – Aroused – the Lord is awake and alert
Holy habitation – is heaven where Jesus returns from
Be Silent – I hear your cries for me to come back soon, but I am just waiting for more people to repent…….