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July 8, 2009

Zealous For Zechariah

7/08/2009 10:20:00 AM Jeffrey K Radt ("JRed") 1 comment

Who needs Synchro-Pop when you have the Holy Bible!?! After tossing Synchro-Pop overboard yesterday, I immediately thought to refocus, jump in, and study an obscure and difficult Book of the Bible otherwise known as the Book of Zechariah. I figured that doing so would be a good substitute -- like a Nicotine Patch of sorts -- to help wean me off my previous unhealthy addiction.

Joyce Baldwin noted that "...chapters 9-14 [of Zechariah] are the most quoted section of the prophets in the Passion narratives of the Gospels and, next to Ezekiel, Zechariah has influenced the author of Revelation [sic] more than any other OT writer" as her way of saying an entire devotional study could probably be created for these chapters alone.

If Zechariah is that important, then maybe we should all turn to its pages and try to understand what it may have to say to us today, right? So, I thought I would take a quick look at what to expect from a study of this remarkable prophetic document. This will serve as a general introduction while I'm sure there will be more in-depth studies on this Book to follow in the days ahead.

One thing I found is that Zechariah had a great deal to say about a situation that many churches find themselves in today -- a time when God has done nothing major in their midst for a great many years and when His people have failed to do what they knew God had told them to do in years passed.

Zechariah prophesied in the reign of Darius the Persian (or Darius II of Persia) at the building of the Temple. His prophecies were to cover the period from the building of the Second Temple to its furbishing and over its life and destruction. The prophecy then goes on to the Messiah and the construction of the Church of God, which is the Spiritual Temple, up until the return of the Messiah. It then deals with the construction of the final administration in Jerusalem over the millennial system of Messiah. The work is highly significant to the last days and the nations that attack Judah.

In fact, just stop to think how relevant this Book is to current events. The city of Jerusalem is in the news all the time these days, and many are asking, "Will it be attacked again?" The answers to this, and many more questions, are found in the Book of Zechariah.

The city of Jerusalem is mentioned 39 times in this Book. In (Zechariah 1:12-17). God makes it clear that He is in control of the destiny of the city: "I will have mercy...I am jealous for Jerusalem...My house shall be built...The Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet choose Jerusalem"!

Zechariah was the son of Berechiah, the grandson of Iddo (Zechariah 1:1,7). Zechariah therefore means "Jehovah Remembers". His father's name (Berechiah) means "Jehovah Blesses", and his grandfather's name means "His Time."

Put them together and you have "Jehovah Remembers To Bless In His Time", which is an appropriate promise for us to rest on in this late and urgent hour. Still, how incredible is that statement to us in this Age of Grace on the cusp of the Tribulation?

Christ is the main character of the Book. Actually, I found that Jesus Christ is mentioned more in Zechariah than any other Old Testament Book!

As previously mentioned, this Book ranks next to Daniel as an Old Testament unveiling of God's plans for the Jews. The fact that God has chosen Jerusalem in His grace is often mentioned in this Book (Zechariah 1:17; 2:12; 3:2). He will have mercy on the city (Zechariah 1:12) and will one day dwell in the city (Zechariah 8:3,8).

Another major theme is that the Book was meant to be a comfort to Israel (and to us) during the end times events as they unfolded upon the world stage. Something tells me we might want to become familiar with this Book fast because we'll be needed that comfort soon.

The purpose of this Book is not strictly historical but theological and pastoral. The main emphasis is that God is at work and plans to live again with His people in Jerusalem. He will save them from their enemies and cleanse them from sin.

Please stay tuned as we'll be looking closely at this Book in the days ahead.

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1 Comments:

cindybythesea said...

Jred,
I found it interesting that G-d has put it on your heart to share from the extremely interesting and propehtic book of Zechariah. I have been debating for some time now, about sharing something with you, in regard to this amazing book. In thinking and praying about it, I had decided that unless the L-rd opened the door, I would not. As I read your post tonight, I believe that door was opened.
You and some of your readers who read the comments section may recall that sometime back, I had been given after praying, a vision by the Lord of the number 111. The day of the vision was Feb 15 of this year. I wasn't quite sure what the number 111 was in reference to, but, decided it was 111 days - which counting 111 days from Feb 15, came out to be June 6, 2009 - the anniversary interestingly enough, of the six day war. The day Jerusalem was restored once again in to Jewish hands.
A few weeks before June 6, I had a very vivid dream. In this dream, I was told twice to read from Zechariah chapter one. When I woke up, I was very intrigued to see what this passage had to say, because off hand, I couldn't ever recall reading it specifically. If I had ever read it before, it had certainly never stood out in my mind. So, I got my Bible out and started to read. One of the first things I noticed was the very specific dates of the visions that had been given to Zechariah. As I looked at the dates of the visions, I was astounded to see the date of the second vision in verse 7, was also Feb 15!!! (the 24th day of the eleventh month 519 BC) Wow, after reading that, I was more excited than ever to find out what it was God wanted to show me from this passage.
After much thought and prayerful consideration, this is my interpretation. Although June 6, (111 days after February 15) came and went with out fanfare - it did fall on the heels of President Obama's Cairo speech on June 4. This is important, because, in this speech, the intention is outlined for the creation of what is being called the "two state" solution - a plan to not only strip Israel of its hard earned land, but a plan to ultimately divide Jerusaelm. Let it be said, Jerusalem is G-d's City. The rights of which He restored to the Jewish people in 1967. This is the city to which the Messiah will return -the City in which Messiah will sit on the throne of his father David. WOE to the people who pressure Israel to divide the land and the city! The connection to Zechariah chapter one and June 4/6 events is found, I believe in verse 14: 'Then the angel who was speaking to me said, "Proclaim this word, This is what the Lord Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion", but, I am very angry with the nations that feel at ease and secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity."
As I see it, G-d has been a little angry with the gentile nations, particularly, this(USA) gentile nation, because of all of our sins in light of the blessings that have been given to us - but, because of His love, He has been patient with us - but, now HE IS VERY ANGRY". Pressuring Israel to divide the land, I believe, is the last straw. I personally, think we are a short walk from God destroying this country altogether. The handwriting, as they say, is on the wall. The United States will cease to exist as we know it, and in the not to distant future, the newly re-built Babylon will provide the capital for the NWO and the headquarters for the anti-christ. G-d's word is Holy and true and will be fulfilled to the letter, just as He has said.
For the world, these are uncertain times, but for us as believers, we take encouragement from the words Moses spoke to the Israelites as they were about the cross the Red Sea in Exodus chapter 14. "Do not be afraid, Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today" - Standing firm with you, in His grace - cindy

July 9, 2009 3:45 AM

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