January 12, 2001
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Zechariah
Zechariah 7-8 (2006/12/17)
Pastor Nishida thought it best that we study Zechariah as well as Haggai to give us a better understanding of the imagery in Revelation. Much of what is mentioned in Revelation has already been mentioned before in the Old Testament. Although the similarities are indeed amazing, let us not stop there. Both messages were given in similar historical contexts. There were both messages to Israel and John. What is God doing and communicating in history?
Zechariah 7-8 are addressed to the Jews who remained in the plundered land of Israel. The temple restoration had begun. The Jews had been keeping four fasts, the origin of which can be found in II Kings 25. There was a fast in the 10th month in memory of the Babylonian armies coming to Jerusalem, as fast in the 4th month when Jerusalem fell, a fast in the 5th month when the temple was destroyed and a fast in the seventh month to commemorate the slaying of a Babylonian ruler in Israel.
The people come with a question as to whether it is necessary to keep the 5th month fast now the the temple is being rebuilt. God answers their question with a question of His own, "Was it really for me that you fasted?" The people had approached both feasting and fasting with the same attitude, for them selves and not for God. God wanted fasting to be done in a spirit of repentance, not as a mere ceremony.
The people had not followed God's will. The temple, "Immanuel," "God with us" had been removed, and their fasting included no repentance for not having followed God's heart and will. They had a history of ignoring God's will. God had told them what He wanted through both His Word and the prophets, and the people had ignored it all. God's anger had been aroused to the point where they would call upon Him, but He would not listen.
Chapter 8 takes on a different tone. There are no words of judgement here, only of grace and salvation. There are images of a Jerusalem at peace. It will seem to be miraculous, but it is what God has planned all along. In verse 9 we see covenant language in which God promises a restoration of His covenant and His "Immanuel" presence to His people. As Haggai offers encouragement to the returnees from Babylon, Zechariah offers encouragement to those who remained behind.
In verse 14, the people are assured that as surely as disaster and judgement fell upon them, now blessings and salvation would be poured out upon them. This time they are to have a proper response to the grace shown to them, and the requirements given are the same as the 10 commandments given from Mount Sinai.
Matthew 22:36-40 tells us the most important law at the center of God's heart. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
We serve the same God and his unchanging heart is the same now as it was then. What will this God do for Israel? God's goal is restoration and the return of His "Immanuel" presence. But there is more to God's final objective. It is also God's goal to have all turn to him, not only Jews. Both Haggai and Zechariah reach this same conclusion.
The Christians suffering Roman persecution would be reminded and reassured by these prophets who provided encouragement during the restoration of the temple. They would be victorious. Even if those who are God's people and should be worshipping Him forget, God does not forget and works to restore them to himself. It is His wish to bring all to Himself, those in Japan, too.
Zechariah 1 (2006/12/31)
I realize that this is out of order, but Pastor Nishida handled Zachariah 7-8 first, and I will follow the schedule according to his calendar. He said that we also need to read Ezra to obtain a better understanding of Haggai-Zechariah, and he was becoming a bit frustrated that there seemed to be no end of what we must go back to in order to understand Revelation.
In Chapters 7 and 8, Zechariah has been speaking to Jews who stayed behind in the land of Israel during the Babylonian captivity. In Chapters 1-6 he speaks to returnees from Babylon.
In Zechariah 1:1 we read that Zechariah received a message from God two months after Haggai received his, allowing the two messages to reinforce each other. Even if the people returned and erected a temple, this did not mean that they had returned to God Himself. If the people would not return to God, then God's presence would not return to them. God reviews their past history for them and urges them not to make the same mistakes as their forefathers. They had sinned in the wilderness after being rescued from slavery in Egypt by lacking faith and accusing God of putting them on a path to death rather than life. They had sinned later by placing their faith in idols and were carried off to Babylon. They had been warned by the prophets, but continued in their rebellion and disobedience.
God's words and the desires of his heart are not things that fade away over time. They are eternal and He will continued repeating them and will always continue to repeat them. the message that we are to turn from evil and do good will never cease. In verse 6 the people say that they have now understood the message and will repent of their pastx
Three months later, Zechariah receives a vision which begins in verse 7. He sees a red, brown and a white horse with three riders who he is told are agents of God. They report that all is rest and peace, which may also mean that there is no sign of movement towards the restoration of Jerusalem. In verse 13, God shows his merciful nature, and in verse 14 we read of God's jealous love.
Verse 18 mentions four horns and four craftsmen. The horns represent Israel's enemies that were used as an instrument of chastening for the sins of the people. Although God chastened the people through Babylon and Assyria, the cruelty of the invading countries was undue, so God judged them as well, and their kingdoms were caused to fall. We can also read of this in Jeremiah and Isaiah. When the chastening becomes too severe, God will move in to stop what is not being carried out according to His intention.
Within the historical context of Revelation, Rome had gone too far in its excesses in persecuting the church, and in a manner similar God moved against Rome and it fell. When an undue situation exists, God who is merciful will move to make it stop.
Zechariah 2 (1/7/2007)
The vision continues, and Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line. He is told to measure Jerusalem, which is a promise of restoration not only of the temple, but of Jerusalem itself. We will also see this image of "measuring Jerusalem" in Revelation. The measurer is told that he will never finish his job because it will be too big for walls. The walls will be the very Shekinah glory of God Himself.
In verse 6 those Jews who are free to return from Babylon but are not doing so are urged to return to Israel. They may be thinking that there is reconstruction will never happen and that there is nothing to which to return. God urges them to remember who they are and return to the land of the promise. They also are precious to God and the apple of his eye. They are not overlooked or forgotten, and God promises that those who dare to touch them will become their servants.
They may feel that God has deserted them, but it is not so. God declares forgiveness and restoration. There is again a revelation of many nations coming to worship God, believing Gentiles included (also seen in Zech. 8:20-23). They are urged to "be still" and know that God is already moving to do the things that they consider impossible.
Our attention was then drawn to Jeremiah 31:27-40. Jeremiah preached to those who stayed behind during the Babylonian captivity. As surely as judgement has come, so will come restoration. The consequences of the sins of the fathers had fallen upon the children, but this would be no more. Israel would never cease to become God's chosen nation. As surely as natural laws will not cease, neither will God's love. It is impossible.
God never deserted the church in Rome, and He will never desert us.
Zechariah 3 (1/14/2007)
An angel continues to speak to Zechariah. This angel is God's representative, so whatever the angel says can be considered as coming from God. We see Joshua, who is responsible for rebuilding the temple. Satan the accuser is also present to say that Joshua is unworthy, insufficient and unsuitable for the job. This is what Satan always does. He reminds us of our past dirt and failures and discourages us from doing the work that God has for us. The past is all true, but Jesus has taken care of our past sins on the cross and declares us worthy. Joshua is also declared worthy. God says that the restoration of Jerusalem is a matter of his sovereignty and that no one has anything to say about it. He has chosen to have mercy, to bless Israel and to raise up a high priest, and no one can speak against what God in his sovereignty has determined to do. Satan may try ti interfere, but he can not.
Joshua has been chosen out of the remnant that remained from the captivity for blessing through God's sovereignty. His garments were soiled, so he would not become High Priest automatically, but he would purified of his sin and given the proper priestly garments to perform his duties. He would continue to perform his duties as long as he proved himself worthy by keeping away from sin.
In verse 8 "my servant, the Branch" and a "seven eyed stone" are mentioned. Compare Isaiah 4:2, 11:1-5 and Revelation 5:1-5, and we will see that these three passages reinforce each other and that they all point to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Revelation contains a stone metaphor that we see in other passages.
Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16 "So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." Compare also Exodus 14, Psalm 118:22-23, Matthew 21:42-44. Isaiah 11:6-9 is a portrayal of peace that is a result of the work of the "Branch."
The readers of Zechariah's vision would understand that the return of peace to Jerusalem would take place, but they could not have understood the total contents of the vision and the incarnation and work of Jesus Christ. We live after the fact in time, and now understand that Jesus is standing next to Joshua as he does his work of restoration. Anything only becomes possible if Jesus is there - the return from captivity and the rebuilding of the temple. Nothing can take place without Him.
In Genesis we read of how Adam had broken his convenant with God and that all men had fallen and needed forgiveness. No matter where people are in time, they are forgiven through Christ's death on the cross, in advance or after the fact. Any forgiveness to anyone anytime is on that basis and on that basis alone. We all walk the same path to the centrality of the cross.
Zechariah 4 (1/21/2007)
Zechariah is shown two golden lampstands. Temple lampstands are usually shaped like a menorah - funny thing about that - a menorah being shaped like a menorah. Anyway, the lampstands of the vision are arranged in a circle rather than being a flat arrangement, and there is a constant supply of oil flowing from the center of the lampstand through seven channels to the seven lamps. We see these lamps again in Revelation 1:20 where they are referred to as the seven churches. The vision in Zechariah would have been read by Jews, but the lamps of Revelation represent spiritual Israel, the body of Christ. There are two olive trees, one on either side of the lamp to give a never ending supply of oil.
In verses 6 and 7 we read "'Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit,' says the Lord." Things are not done according to man's power, position or authority, but by God's. It may have appeared that Zerubbabel was causing construction of the temple to proceed, but it was actually God who was making things happen. The mountain that will be removed could be a literal mountain, but let us also consider possible symbolic meaning of obstacles that may have been blocking the way.
Zerubbabel putting the capstone into place is mentioned. A capstone is the stone at the top of an arch that completes the arch and without which the arch will fall. This is the same stone mentioned in Zech. 3:9, Jesus Christ. Without Jesus the temple will fall. It will have no meaning. At this point in history, those involved do not yet understand any other meaning than that of construction, but it is indeed a Messianic prophecy.
In verse 8 we read God Himself declaring that the work on the temple will surely be completed. Verse 10 assures us that even though at present all that is seen is a plumb line used at a ceremony to begin construction, that those who believe that the work will be completed will rejoice when it is completed in reality.
The olive trees pour out golden oil. Who are the two men that the trees represent? It is possible that they are Zerubbabel, annointed to be king, and Joshua, annointed to be high priest. God, "Immanuel" will be with them, to help them carry out all of their tasks.
The vision of Joshua and Zerubabbel reconstructing the temple may give an appearance of the two men leading the way in the building of the temple, but we must remember that it is actually God who is in the lead to accomplish the work. They must never forget this, and we must never forget it, either.
We see only a narrow slice of history with our own eyes, but God sees and controls it all, from Genesis to Revelation "by His Spirit." We are promised this same Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17, "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
John 14:26-27 says, " But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
God IS in control of history, and His will WILL be done in history. We can be at peace, not because we have peace as the world knows it, but because we have received the greatest gift possible, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Zechariah 5 - 6 (1/28/2007, 2/4/2007)
Chapter 5 contains two more visions. The first is of a flying scroll, 30 x 15' or 9 x 4 1/2 meters. The measurement is based on 20 x 10 cubits, a cubit being from the elbow to the fingertip. At any rate, the scroll is jumbo sized. The law of Moses is written on it, and mentioned are the 8th and 9th commandments regarding stealing and bearing false witness. Those who do not keep these are considered cursed, that is not blessed. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 says, "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse - the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known."
Other blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience can be read in Deut. 28:1-14(blessings) and 15-68(curses). We can see other curses in the Old Testament, such as the slaying of the firstborn at the Passover and the denial of entry to the Promised Land for those who disobeyed by unbelief. In Zech. 8:14-17 God declares that those who live in His country should obey His laws and His heart.
Verse 5 begins another vision with a woman in a basket. A possible interpretation is that the woman represented the sins of Israel. (Pastor Nishida said that he did not think women were evil and the he didn't have time to deal with this potential can of worms in this sermon. Just trust him, ok?) God has closed the basket and is in control of whatever is inside. Two women with stork's wings take the basket to "Shinar" or Babylon. Storks are symbolically considered as friendly to God's purposes. A possible meaning is that Israel's sins have been purified and left behind in Babylon.
Jerusalem is being rebuilt, but there is also mention of a house being built for the sinful woman in Babylon. She is a symbol of idolatry and iniquity. She is not free, however; her movement is limited by God. We will see her meet her end later in Revelation 17:1-6, when she will be finally dealt with, but Zechariah leaves off with her in Babylon.
God has all of the sins in a basket. He is in control, and there is no where that His hand cannot reach. Sin once reigned, but now Christ reigns. Our sin has been totally and completely removed. Romans 5:18-21 says, "Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In Zechariah 6 we see Joshua crowned as high priest, and foreshadowing of Christ crowned as king.
At this point Pastor Nishida returned to Revelation.
I am going to stay in Zechariah a bit more because there are several fantastic Messianic philosophies here! Chapter 9 predicts Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
Chapter 11 mentions the nation of Israel insulting God by throwing Him thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, for all of the pains that He has taken for them. God declares that He will no longer be their shepherd. Compare this to Matthew 26, where Jesus is sold by Judas for 30 pieces of silver.
Chapter 12 tells of how Israel will recognize that Jesus Christ is indeed their Messiah, and they will "look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great..."
Chapter 13 foreshadows the crucifixion.
Chapter 14 tells of "that day" when the Lord comes and reigns over all.
