How To Interpret Prophetic Visions - Zechariah (Part 4)

HOW TO INTERPRET THE PROPHETIC VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH How should we interpret these 8 prophetic visions? Some like a moral story for children Parts of a Children’s Moral Story simple introduction the event(s) of the story the explanation/moral Is it possible to misinterpret a moral tale for children? https://assets.americanliterature.com/al/ images/story/three-little-pigs.jpg https:// assets.americanliterature.com/al/ images/story/three-little-pigs.jpg http://clipart-library.com/clipart/8ixrGgr8T.htm https:// assets.americanliterature.com/al/ images/story/three-little-pigs.jpg https:// assets.americanliterature.com/al/ images/story/three-little-pigs.jpg What’s the lesson of the 3 little pigs? It all depends on which version of the story is told and whom you ask. “The short story "The Three Little Pigs" by James Orchard Halliwell symbolises a much deeper meaning than what first meets the eye. The wolf seemed to be motivated by greed to pursue the third little pig, but in the end he should have been content with what he had.” https://www.ipl.org/essay/Symbolism-In-The-Three-Little-Pigs-P3SRE5PBGXFV. accessed 12 November 2021 “The primary moral lesson learned from “The Three Little Pigs” is that hard work and dedication pay off. While the first two pigs quickly built homes and had more free time to play, the third pig labored in the construction of his house of bricks.” https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-is-the-theme-of-the-story-of-the-three-little-pigs/. accessed 12 November 2021 “Work hard and don’t be lazy. Prepare for the worst and protect your assets. Defend your family and put a steel protective cap on the top of your chimney.”—Win https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-moral-behind-the-story-of-the-three-little-pigs-If-so-what-is-it. accessed 12 November 2021 “When all is said and done, however, the bottom-line lesson to learn from the Three Little Pigs is this: BACON GOES GOOD WITH EVERYTHING!” —Rodney https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-moral-behind-the-story-of-the-three-little-pigs-If-so-what-is-it. accessed 12 November 2021 Ultimately, the meaning of any fictional or futuristic story depends on the author’s explanation. How do we figure out the author’s intended meaning? 1. Look for the author’s main point. A. The main point will be the focus of the author’s explanation. Note: Do not get hung up on details that are not the main point. B. The main point is often (though not always) repeated. WHAT IS THE MAIN POINT OF THE VISION OF THE HORSEMAN IN ZECHARIAH 1:8? Zechariah 1:8 (ESV) “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.” What is the main point? the colour of the horses? the number of the horses? the type of tree? something else? If in doubt, keep reading your Bible. Zechariah 1:9 (ESV) Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’ Zechariah 1:10 (ESV) So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they . . .’ Zechariah 1:10 (ESV) So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.’ The author’s focus is not on the number of the horses, the color of the horses, or on the myrtle tree. What is the author focused on? Zechariah 1:11 (ESV) And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold . . . What did the angels behold on their patrol? Zechariah 1:11 (ESV) And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.’ The author’s focus is on the information that the angelic patrols bring back. How do we know that the information from the patrol is the point? Zechariah 1:12–15 (ESV) Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?’ 13And the Lord answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked 14 with me. So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 15And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. Zechariah 1:16–17 (ESV) Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over 17 Jerusalem. Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’ ” Principles of Interpreting a Prophetic Vision 1. Find the author’s main point. 2. Listen to the author’s explanation. 3. Look for connections to a preceding vision or to a preceding explanation of a vision. A vision often connects to the vision before it and/or the explanation of the vision before it. Zechariah’s 2nd Vision: the horns and the craftsmen Zechariah 1:18 (ESV) And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! What’s the meaning of the 4 horns? Zechariah 1:19 (ESV) And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are . . . What do the 4 horns signify? Zechariah 1:19 (ESV) And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” Zechariah 1:21 (ESV) He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.” What about the 4 craftsmen? Zechariah 1:20-21a (ESV) 20Then 21And the Lord showed me four craftsmen. I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said . . . Zechariah 1:21 (ESV) He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these [craftsmen] have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.” “These [craftsmen] have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.” How do the four horns and the 4 craftsmen connect to what comes before in chapter 1? The 4 horns grow on the 4 horses in v. 8. The 4 craftsmen ride the 4 horses of v. 8 The 4 horns and the 4 craftsmen go with something in the explanation of the 1st vision (vv. 12-17) Where have the nations already been mentioned? Zechariah 1:15 (ESV) And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. Application: Understanding prophetic visions requires careful reading. What does careful reading require? time desire reading skills Application: The reason why most Christians don’t read carefully is because they don’t take the time. Failing to take the time to read God’s Word carefully is a failure, at one level, to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).