Zechariah 1:18-2:13 - "God's Protection & Provision"
Zechariah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Intro
Opening Illustration - Ever been in such a big mess that you couldn’t see your way out? There was no possible good in your future? The rubble was piled so high that you couldn’t see over it?
Welcome to the Jewish remnant who were living during Zechariahs ministry. His 2nd and 3rd visions are gonna help them (and by extension, us) see over that rubble.
Ever been in a corn maze?
When you’re in the corn maze, you can’t see your way out.
But sometimes in the corn maze they have a tower that you can climb to get a better view of where to go.
Sometimes, just shifting your perspective to see the long view gives you that hope you need - to get above the corn...or the rubble in your life.
Big Picture -
The remnant had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. And they worked for two years before giving up, and taking a 10 year hiatus resulting in national apathy. But with the twin ministries of Haggai and Zechariah they have begun to be spiritually revitalized and the reconstruction has now gone on for about 4 months.
But the work has just begun. And four months after it begun, Zechariah had a single night filled with eight visions.
Last week we covered the first vision - the “Four Horsemen” We saw that God see’s...everything, not only in Israel, but He see’s the “nations” (rest of the world). Jesus was on a worldwide reconnaissance mission.
The intel report concluded that the “nations” had made God “exceedingly angry,” because they abused Israel when they were used by God to simply exile them (discipline).
And I mentioned last week, the the “recon” mission often precedes the battle.
This week we will see in the 2nd Vision that there IS a battle.
Prophetically for Israel.
And personally for all of us.
And in the 3rd Vision that there something special is waiting on the other side of the battle…
How this relates to us here today? -
(V#2) Do you believe there is a battle being fought on your behalf?
Do you life like it? Do you live in victory? Or do you live in depression and fear?
(V#3) Despite the rubble, do you know what is past it?
Are you focusing on the rubble?
In a big sense - Maybe your life hasn’t “panned out” the way you wanted it to?
Regarding love, your health, or your finances.
All Rubble.
In a smaller sense - Maybe you are consumed the rubble play out in the news?
With the Iran conflict? Or within our politics? Or within our culture.
Maybe your stuck in the rubble from past church hurt.
What is your rubble that you’re focused on?
One thing is for sure…we have no shortage of rubble! It’s easy to spot.
But, don’t you want to see what’s on the other side of the rubble?
I know I do.
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (Zech 1:18 - 21)
(v. 18) Then I raised my eyes and looked - this is Zechariahs 2nd Vision
(v. 18) And there were four horns - this will be the main subject of the first vision. And so you might wonder, just as Zechariah wondered, (v. 19) “What are these (horns)?”
These Horns are not connected to an animal - just the horns themselves. They are pictured here as symbolic of something.
Horns typically represent strength, power, and authority. A government, nation, kingdom, or king.
(v. 21) Spells it out - the horns of NATIONS that lifted up their horn against Judah - the horns are nations who abused, plundered, and abused Judah. They beat or punished Judah when they were only supposed to spank or discipline Judah.
Other Scriptures use “horns” in the same way.
I’m gonna take us on a quick survey of Daniel 2, 7, 8 (and Rev 13). And how they “overlay” upon each other to provide a detailed picture and a high level of confidence.
As an air defender, a TAI has possible layers of information (radar, IFF, additional electronic signals, and voice communications), that when combined, my confidence increases in what it is.
Daniel had a dream of four beasts, where here he speaks about the fourth beast -
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings.
We’re gonna come back to this.
For now, just see that these horns represent kingdoms.
Daniel had another vision, this one of a Ram and Goat fighting...
Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.
The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia.
Again, horns in this case is speaking of nations - the two nations of Medo-Persia who had a close partnership.
Just a side note - the Bible is (mostly??) self-interpreting (objective). You don’t need to guess what stuff is (subjective). You can read it for yourself!
Just read the surrounding context.
If it’s still unclear, don’t force a meaning.
Give it time.
Interpret through the lens of other, clearer, Scripture.
Always remain open to grow in your understanding of Scripture.
We ALL have more to learn in the Scriptures.
Jumping all the way to Revelation - there is another (future) beast pictured,
This beast (the Antichrist) in Rev 13 will also have ten horns, representative of a ten-kingdom coalition that come against God’s people, Israel.
(v. 20) So he answered me, “These are the horns (kingdoms/nations) that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”
Three popular views what this could mean:
A “symbolic” view where the number four, speak speaks of earthly completeness (four corners of the earth; or N, S, E, W; etc) and the horns just “generically” represent the nations that scattered Israel/God’s people.
A “historic” view where the number four represent the four nations who scattered them (past tense).
This could be speaking of: Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, and Medo-Persia.
Not very clear ID of which four nations though (IMO) except for Assyria and Babylon.
Not very clear with part B of this vision (the four “craftsmen”).
A “Daniel” view where the four horns align with the four nations that Daniel predicted would oppress Israel during the “Time of the Gentiles.”
Aligns with Dan 2, Dan 7, Dan 8 and Revelation 11.
And they (Jerusalem) will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Dan 2 - Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of this statue made of 4 different metals, that Daniel (not Zac) interprets representing four future kingdoms that will serve as a sort of “superpower,” each for a time:
Head of Gold is Babylon - Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar that “you are this head of gold” (Dan 2:35).
Chest and Arms of Silver (two arms) - Who might this be?
Belly and Thighs of Bronze (Dan 2:32) - Who might this be?
Legs of Iron, feet of iron and clay (Dan 2:33); feet and ten toes are clay and iron (Dan 2:42)- Who might this be?
And the statue (dream) became animated, where the entire statue would be obliterated by a “stone cut out without human hands (Dan 2:45) and set up it’s own kingdom, “which shall stand forever” (Dan 2:44) - Who might this be?
Daniel 2 only reveals the head of gold as Babylon.
Dan 7 adds to the picture - this time its Daniel’s dream - a dream of a Lion, Bear, Leopard, and an indescribable terrifying beast.
Dan 7:1-14 describes the images.
Dan 7:15-28 interprets the images.
‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.
A Lion (Babylon), and Bear, a Leopard, and an Indescribable beast.
Dan 8 Adds to the picture - Daniel having another prophetic vision - a ram with two horns (with one higher than the other) and a male goat with one horn showdown (Dan 8:5-6)
This was also interpreted for Daniel
The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king.
Three of the four horns are now ID’d, just by Daniel.
Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece (in that order)
Who is the fourth?
History reveals the fourth would be Rome, as it fits the description perfectly.
Made up from parts of every beast before it. Strong and mean. Made up of Iron and Clay (Dan 2)
Rome II - eventually morphs into ten toes (Dan 2:42) -
Which aligns with the Beast in Dan 7:15-27 who had ten horns - out of which the Antichrist will come.
It’s my belief - the Antichrist comes out of the Revived Roman Empire.
This demonically possessed man will hate Israel with a putrid hate never before seen.
All of the Gentile kingdoms - beginning with Babylon and ending with Rome - scattered and persecuted the Jewish people.
Then finally, the “Times of the Gentiles” (Gentile world domination) is over when “the stone cut out without human hands (Jesus’ Kingdom),” strikes the (Gentile) statue down. (Dan 2:45). Jesus’ Kingdom then reigns forever.
This fulfills Daniel’s prophecies and the promise God made to King David about the Messiah coming from him.
These dreams were recorded during the Babylonian kingdom.
But - each of the first four kingdoms have already occured - exactly as prophesied.
The fifth (Rome II - Ten Toes) and sixth (Messianic Kingdom - the stone) have not occured - yet.
I assume this “quick survey” of Daniel may cause more questions then answers. Study it on your own. Dan 2, 7, 8 and Rev 11.
But this survey is like us climbing up into the Corn Maze tower to look around across the nations and across time.
I lean toward the “Daniel” view of the four horns being: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
Because it aligns very well with Daniel
Also because, (v. 20) Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen, (v. 21) And I said, What are these (craftsmen/engraver/hammerer) coming to do?…the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.
Who might these craftsmen be?
Craftsman #1 - Medo-Persia scattered Babylon.
Craftsman #2 - Greece scattered Medo-Persia
Craftsman #3 - Rome scattered Greece
Craftsman #4 - The Ancient of Days (God/Jesus Christ) every Gentile power.
The point? (1) This vision shows that God will fight for His people. And (2) no nation will “get away” persecuting His people.
They will be hammered away as God has decreed.
Secondarily:
We should be good to God’s people
We should bless Israel (Gen 12:3). At the very least you can,
Pray for them; for their peace, joy, safety, and chance to live a decent life free of oppression or threat of persecution from outsiders.
Speak of them in high regard due to their prominence in Scripture, their preeminence as the tree that the church was grafted into, and…
The renewed focus back on Israel during the end times.
Rom 11 Paul explains the mystery that the gospel went out from the Jews, to the Gentiles, but it will come back to the Jews.
Israel will be grafted back into their own tree.
For if you (Gentiles) were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these (Jews), who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
Share the gospel with them.
As Christians, we are persecuted too, so we get a tinge of what it feels like to be scattered. We don’t like it. So have some empathy for Israel and anyone who is persecuted for Christs sake.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Understand that Jesus Christ (the “Angel of the Lord of Hosts,” the red horseman) is watching (vision #1), and He is going to hammer those nations who took advantage of His people (vision #2)…
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Read along (Zech 2:1-13) Vision #3
(v. 1) Then I raised my eyes and look, and behold - Vision #3
A continuation of the last vision. After the judgement of the Gentile nations, God will enlarge and protect Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.
(v. 1) A man with a measuring line in his hand. (v. 2) So I said, “Where are you going?”
To measure Jerusalem - four times in Scripture Jerusalem (or the Temple) is measured. (Ezekial, Zechariah, and twice in Revelation)
(v. 4) Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.
Jerusalem was presently a pile of rubble from Babylon who destroyed her 80 years prior. The people dejected and discouraged.
Yet this “man” (highly possible this was the Son of Man) says, Jerusalem will be inhabited again
without walls - indicating lasting peace, with no threat of invaders! From their perspective, this is saying a lot. When has Israel enjoyed lasting peace?
multitudes of men and livestock - Jerusalem will be full of life again!
(v. 5) For I, says the LORD, will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst - Jerusalem will be protected by God Himself.
Just like how God protected Israel from the Egyptians as they escaped Egypt by closing in the Red Sea as they were chased.
And the Glory in their midst - just like how the Shekinah glory filled the tabernacle and the first temple.
(v. 6) During this writing, Most of Israel still lived abroad, haven’t returned from exile, even though they’ve been given permission. Here they are being urged to return.
God urges you, who have been living in exile, to return
He will provide protection for you as a wall of fire
He will be the glory in your midst.
(v. 8) The Nations who plunder you, who touch you…has touched the apple of His eye - those who injure Israel, are poking God in His eye, the most sensitive body part.
How would you expect God to react to the nations poking Him in the eye?
Here’s how,
(v. 9) Surely I will shake My hand against them, becoming spoil…then you will know the Lord of hosts has sent Me.
God will scatter them…it will be so apparent that you will know it was God who does it.
A read through Ezek 38-39 will see the specific language that God will personally defend His people who seek to plunder them.
Ezek 38-39 has not been fulfilled in any time in history. Meaning that God will still, yet future, personally defend His people…Israel.
(v. 10) So what should their response be? Sing and rejoice!!…I am coming and I will dwell in your midst.
Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall become My people -
Looking over top of your rubble to seeing what the Lord has promised in your future should invigorate epic JOY, PEACE, and a renewed RESOVLE to follow His purposes and plans!
Last week, I pointed out how God is God over all the nations, in the sense that He knows their rejection of Him and His people. He sees the bad.
But here, take note that God is God over all the nations, in the sense that He knows of many who will accept Him and His people. He sees the good!!
The Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem
(Borrowing heavily from Don McClure) The man measuring seemed to have expectation that Jerusalem will be glorious again.
The people there and then...are like us now. We ONCE BEFORE had hope for great things....but over time we get discouraged. But if you could see the Lord...He's measuring out your life...and all the blessings that exist that He can see.
You can focus on the rubble. Or you can focus on the promises of God
The believer is as much an heir as Abraham is
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
You are as much a part of God’s promises found in the Word of God
that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
God came to this earth. Defeated death. And invited all who believe in Him to follow Him,
And you will rise again and spend eternity in His Holy presence. What is better than that?
The promises apply to us
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
What is God’s response when you call on His promises for your life?
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
God looks at you and I and He says "I love you," and "I have a promise for you," I know you're in rubble, I know the trials, I know of the trash....but He passes by with His measuring stick...
And for "the person who looks up" will be distracted from this world and attracted to the Lord.
Now when these (end times) things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.
Closing
Closing Illustration
The Promises of God -
The promises of God? A pastor friend of Don McClure's had an old lady approach him after a service and was complaining about this and that after looking at all the rubble in her life...
And the pastor said, let me ask you a question, what do you do with the promises of God? She said I underline them in blue.
This story really struck me personally, because
For years, everytime I come across God’s promises in the Bible, I’ve been highlighting them in blue.
Well I highlight the promises of God in blue in my Bible. What do I do with the promises of God?
Do I focus on my rubble? Or His blessing?
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Don’t just underline his promises in blue...but rather import them into your life….live them…call on them.
There are supposedly more than 3,000 promises in the Bible…waiting for you.
But there is the most important promise - to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior if you have not done it.
But Jesus doesn’t impose this promise on the unwilling. You have to call on Jesus to enter into your life.
You have to die to self - Get out of the control center of your own life.
And give it over to God - He’ll do a much better job than you anyway.
If that’s you I want to pray for you this morning.
Let’s Pray
Benediction
