In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
ZECHARIAH
The Book of Zechariah is the eleventh of the twelve books of the
Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. The name Zechariah comes from
the Hebrew word Zekaryah meaning, “God has remembered”. Along with
Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the people to complete the temple in
Jerusalem. The prophecies of Haggai, Zechariah and
Malachi spanned an
era from c. 520-425 BC with Zechariah c. 520-470 BC.
Zechariah reminded the people of the future importance of the temple.
His prophecies looked forward to the time Jesus Christ, the Messiah,
would inhabit the temple. He prophesied both the first and
second
advents of Christ and the ultimate restoration of
Israel. Zechariah
called the people to repentance and gave them comfort regarding God’s
covenant with them through David.
The first eight chapters were written during the restoration of the
temple. Zechariah calls the people to repent, describes eight visions
interpreted by an angel, and gives four messages. The first five visions
proclaim that God will rebuild Zion and cleanse His people through the
Branch of Joshua. The last three visions proclaim that God will judge
sin and the Gentile nations who oppress
Israel. From the Branch,
Christ will be crowned King and Priest.
In his four messages, Zechariah reminds the people of their past hypocrisy
and disobedience, and tells of Israel’s future restoration.
In the last six chapters, Zechariah describes the two advents of
Christ. In the First Advent, Christ,
the Branch of Joshua from the line of David, would ride into Jerusalem on
a donkey, be sold for thirty pieces of silver, and be crucified.
In the Second Advent, Christ will return
as a warrior on a white horse to save
Israel from her oppressors. He will cleanse His people, judge
all nations, and
rule the world from Jerusalem.
Zechariah 1-6: Call to repentance; the eight visions; the crowning of
Joshua
Zechariah 7-8: Fasting, obedience and disobedience; the four messages
Zechariah 9-14: Advents of Christ; judgment of nations;
salvation of Israel; Christ's kingdom