I Know Who Sees Tomorrow

The city of Jerusalem is frequently in the news these days, and people are asking, “What is the future of this ancient city? Can the Jews hold Jerusalem? Will it be attacked again?”

The answers to these and many more questions are found in the Book of Zechariah.

The city of Jerusalem is mentioned forty-two times in this book.

In 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.”

Prior to this interlude, Zechariah had recounted visions he had received from God.

Zechariah prophesied at a time when Jerusalem was still in ruins. In 586 the Babylonians had destroyed the city and had taken the people captive to Babylon. In 536, after the fall of Babylon, Cyrus permitted a remnant of the Jews to return to their land, and in 535 they laid the foundation for the temple. But the work stopped, and it was not until 520 that the Jews again began to rebuild God’s house. This was under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah. But Zechariah did not see a weak nation in a ruined city; he looked down the centuries and saw the future of the city and the coming of Jerusalem’s King, the Messiah. He knew the temple would be rebuilt (1:16; 4:9; 6:12–14; 8:9). Trace in Zechariah the great events related to the city of Jerusalem.

The city of Jerusalem is frequently in the news these days, and people are asking, “What is the future of this ancient city? Can the Jews hold Jerusalem? Will it be attacked again?”

· The answers to these and many more questions are found in the Book of Zechariah.

The answers to these and many more questions are found in the Book of Zechariah.

· The city of Jerusalem is mentioned forty-two times in this book. In 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.”

The city of Jerusalem is mentioned forty-two times in this book. In 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 prophesied at a time when Jerusalem was still in ruins.

Zechariah prophesied at a time when Jerusalem was still in ruins.

Zechariah prophesied at a time when Jerusalem was still in ruins.

o In 586 the Babylonians had destroyed the city and had taken the people captive to Babylon.

In 586 the Babylonians had destroyed the city and had taken the people captive to Babylon.

o In 536, after the fall of Babylon, Cyrus permitted a remnant of the Jews to return to their land, and in 535 they laid the foundation for the temple.

In 536, after the fall of Babylon, Cyrus permitted a remnant of the Jews to return to their land, and in 535 they laid the foundation for the temple.

In 586 the Babylonians had destroyed the city and had taken the people captive to Babylon.

o But the work stopped, and it was not until 520 that the Jews again began to rebuild God’s house. This was under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah.

But the work stopped, and it was not until 520 that the Jews again began to rebuild God’s house. This was under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah.

In 536, after the fall of Babylon, Cyrus permitted a remnant of the Jews to return to their land, and in 535 they laid the foundation for the temple.

o But Zechariah did not see a weak nation in a ruined city; he looked down the centuries and saw the future of the city and the coming of Jerusalem’s King, the Messiah.

But Zechariah did not see a weak nation in a ruined city; he looked down the centuries and saw the future of the city and the coming of Jerusalem’s King, the Messiah.

But the work stopped, and it was not until 520 that the Jews again began to rebuild God’s house. This was under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah.

But Zechariah did not see a weak nation in a ruined city; he looked down the centuries and saw the future of the city and the coming of Jerusalem’s King, the Messiah.

I. Protected by the Lord (9:8)

I. Protected by the Lord (9:8)

When we get to Chapter 9…we enter the 2nd half of the prophetic part of the book. Many scholars feel like there has been a long period of time between the first visions…and now the concluding visions of the prophet.

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In 9:1–8, the prophet describes the conquest of Alexander the Great, the Greek general. History tells us that Alexander destroyed many cities, but not Jerusalem. He threatened the city but never carried out his threats. Before the general arrived, the Jewish high priest had a dream which he felt was from God, and in the dream he was told to dress in his robes and meet Alexander outside the city. With him went the priests in their white robes. The scene dazzled Alexander. In fact, he claimed that he too had dreamed of this very scene. Alexander entered Jerusalem peacefully and never harmed the people or the city in any way.

These concluding chapters in Zechariah…contain many things that are obscure.

In 9:1–8, the prophet describes the conquest of Alexander the Great, the Greek general.

History tells us that Alexander destroyed many cities, but not Jerusalem.

He threatened the city but never carried out his threats.

Before the general arrived, the Jewish high priest had a dream which he felt was from God, and in the dream he was told to dress in his robes and meet Alexander outside the city. With him went the priests in their white robes.

The scene dazzled Alexander. In fact, he claimed that he too had dreamed of this very scene. Alexander entered Jerusalem peacefully and never harmed the people or the city in any way.

With him went the priests in their white robes. The scene dazzled Alexander. In fact, he claimed that he too had dreamed of this very scene. Alexander entered Jerusalem peacefully and never harmed the people or the city in any way.

Problems of interpretation begin with our first few verses.

II. Visited by the Messiah (9:9)

II. Visited by the Messiah (9:9)

In these passages, Zechariah foretells coming judgment against the enemies of Israel...

Perhaps Zechariah saw in Alexander’s visit a small foregleam of the coming of Jesus Christ to the holy city, for in the very next verse (9:9) he predicts Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem. This was fulfilled on “Palm Sunday” when Jesus rode into the city (; ). Alexander came for war; Jesus came with peace. How did they treat Him? tells us He was to be arrested () and smitten. He was sold for the price of a slave (; ). The result: He was wounded in the house of His friends () and pierced on the cross (). What a tragedy that the “City of Peace” should reject her “Prince of Peace” and crucify Him.

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Perhaps Zechariah saw in Alexander’s visit a small glimpse of the coming of Jesus Christ to the holy city, for in the very next verse (9:9) he predicts Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem.

This was fulfilled on “Palm Sunday” when Jesus rode into the city.

See this in and in (CSB) — 12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.”

Alexander came for war; Jesus came with peace. How did they treat Him? tells us He was to be arrested () and smitten. He was sold for the price of a slave (; ). The result: He was wounded in the house of His friends () and pierced on the cross (). What a tragedy that the “City of Peace” should reject her “Prince of Peace” and crucify Him.

Alexander came for war; Jesus came with peace.

How did they treat Him? Jumping ahead a little bit but tells us He was to be arrested and beaten.

He was sold for the price of a slave (; ).

The result: He was wounded in the house of His friends () and pierced on the cross ().

What a tragedy that the “City of Peace” should reject her “Prince of Peace” and crucify Him.

III. Destroyed by Rome (11:1–14)

In these passages, Zechariah foretells coming judgment against the enemies of Israel...

III. Destroyed by Rome (11:1–14)

Read Zechariah 11:1-14

He begins with the Syrians. (vv 1-2a)

The entire section is a graphic picture of the last days of Jerusalem and her destruction by the Roman armies, announced 600 years before it occurred. Zechariah sees the land spoiled; he hears the howling of the people. What caused this tragedy? The unfaithfulness of the rulers (shepherds). The religious leaders of the people rejected the truth and permitted their own Messiah to be crucified. Israel had been “God’s people, the sheep of His pasture,” but now they were a “flock of slaughter” (vv. 4, 7), destined to be slaughtered by Rome. Zechariah here pictures the Messiah as He uses the two staves of the shepherd (), one called Grace (Beauty) and the other Union (Bands). When Israel sold her Messiah (v. 12), then God’s day of grace was about to come to an end for the nation. No longer was she united in the Lord; the nation would have to be broken. In A.D. 70 Rome invaded Israel and Jerusalem was destroyed. See .

The entire section is a graphic picture of the last days of Jerusalem and her destruction by the Roman armies, announced 600 years before it occurred.

Zechariah sees the land spoiled; he hears the howling of the people. What caused this tragedy?

The unfaithfulness of the rulers (shepherds).

The religious leaders of the people rejected the truth and permitted their own Messiah to be crucified.

Israel had been “God’s people, the sheep of His pasture,” but now they were a “flock of slaughter” (vv. 4, 7), destined to be slaughtered by Rome.

Zechariah here pictures the Messiah as He uses two staffs to picture the Savior...one called Grace (Beauty) and the other Union (Bands).

When Israel sold her Messiah (v. 12), then God’s day of grace was about to come to an end for the nation.

No longer was she united in the Lord; the nation would have to be broken.

In A.D. 70 Rome invaded Israel and Jerusalem was destroyed.

We see the following in (CSB) — 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!”

He then moves on to the Phoenicians (vv 2b-4)

IV. Protected by Antichrist (11:15–17)

IV. Protected by Antichrist (11:15–17)

Then the Philistines (vv. 5-6)

The flock of Israel rejected their true Shepherd and smote Him (13:7), but they accepted the false shepherd, the “idol shepherd”—Antichrist. Jesus predicted this in . tells us that after the church has been raptured, the leader of Federated Europe (the ten kingdoms of ) will make a covenant with the Jews to protect them for seven years. Jerusalem will have three and a half years of peace, a false peace that will be the prelude to three and a half years of awful tribulation. During those first three and a half years, the two witnesses of will be giving God’s message; and relates them to the two olive trees of . In Zechariah’s day, the two olive trees represented Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor, through whom the Spirit was working. But the final application is to the two witnesses in the last days.

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The last group mentioned…isn’t named…simply referred to as the blood in the mouth of the Philistines…will be converted to Judaism and will become a remnant of God (vv. 7-8)

The flock of Israel rejected their true Shepherd and beat Him (13:7), but they accepted the false shepherd, the “idol shepherd”—Antichrist.

A study of this passage finds that this group is mentioned in …and referred to as Jebusites.

Jesus predicted this in (CSB) — 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.

Before giving a greater description of the judgment coming against the enemies of Israelites…I want us see an introduction that Zechariah makes.

tells us that after the church has been raptured, the leader of ten kingdoms or nations will make a covenant with the Jews to protect them for seven years.

tells us that after the church has been raptured, the leader of Federated Europe (the ten kingdoms of ) will make a covenant with the Jews to protect them for seven years. Jerusalem will have three and a half years of peace, a false peace that will be the prelude to three and a half years of awful tribulation. During those first three and a half years, the two witnesses of will be giving God’s message; and relates them to the two olive trees of . In Zechariah’s day, the two olive trees represented Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor, through whom the Spirit was working. But the final application is to the two witnesses in the last days.

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Jerusalem will have three and a half years of peace, a false peace that will be the prelude to three and a half years of awful tribulation.

This Redeemer is none other than Jesus Christ!

During those first three and a half years, the two witnesses of will be giving God’s message; and relates them to the two olive trees of .

Later gospel writers would speak of this event.

In Zechariah’s day, the two olive trees represented Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor, through whom the Spirit was working. But the final application is to the two witnesses in the last days.

(CSB) — 5 Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

So…is this just a history lesson?

(CSB) — 15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.

Is this just a lesson about the history and future of Israel.

These verses all apply to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem…prior to His crucifixion and resurrection.

APPLICATION:

Charles Spurgeon once said that at the end of whatever subject he was going to preach on that weekend, he would always “plow a trough back to the gospel.”

Christ is depicted as a humble King…He will bring peace to His people…and His reign will be the entire earth.

Charles Spurgeon once said that at the end of whatever subject he was going to preach on that weekend, he would always “plow a trough back to the gospel.”

Zechariah then turns his attention back to the judgment of the enemies of Israel.

Right now…I want you to bow your heads…close your eyes.

Notice how the Israelites are described.

Present Gospel.

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gospel was and is the only power that can sustain you to accomplish whatever it is you’re trying to do. It’s not in your own ability to do better and try harder, but a greater understanding of the gospel. The gospel is the only thing that promotes true and authentic transformation.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only power that can sustain you to accomplish whatever it is you’re trying to do.

“prisoners from the waterless cistern…or prisoners from the pit.”

It’s not in your own ability to do better and try harder, but a greater understanding of the gospel.

He also states that God will make Judah His bow…and Ephraim (Israel) his arrow.

The gospel is the only thing that promotes true and authentic transformation.

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In 9:13, the reference to Greece…in in regards to the coming of Alexander the Great…some 200 years later.

History tells us that Alexander destroyed many cities, but not Jerusalem.

He threatened the city but never carried out his threats.

Before the general arrived, the Jewish high priest had a dream which he felt was from God, and in the dream he was told to dress in his robes and meet Alexander outside the city. With him went the priests in their white robes. The scene dazzled Alexander. In fact, he claimed that he too had dreamed of this very scene. Alexander entered Jerusalem peacefully and never harmed the people or the city in any way.

In we see further assurance of Israels success against her enemies.

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In Zechariah sees a restoration of …the house of Joseph…and Ephraim.

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They were scattered but listen to what God says of them.

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They were scatted in Egypt…scattered in Assyria...

History tells us in the 2nd Century B.C. there were large colonies of Jews in both places…they would return in such numbers that according to Vs. 10…the place wouldn’t hold them.

Zechariah compares there coming and number…to a second Exodus…Read Vs. 11