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Hope and Forgiveness… (2 visions)
- 1st – The 3rd vision – The measuring line… vs. 1-13
- 1st – Jerusalem will overflow… vs. 1-5
- Zechariah looked up and saw a man with a measuring rope in his hand…
- So he asked the man where he was going – the answer was to measure Jerusalem…
- We have no idea who this man was – only what he was going to do…
- He was going to measure the length and width of the city – see how big the city was!
- The angel who was with Zechariah went out to meet a second angel…
- This NEW ANGEL told the first angel to RUN and tell the young man – Zechariah…
- Jerusalem will be inhabited as a town without wall – because of the multitude of men!
- This was important news – note the angel was to RUN and tell Zechariah about it!
- Only 50,000 people returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Joshua…
- And they were living in a ruined city (no walls) – no larger than a few hundred acres…
- Nehemiah would return to rebuild the walls of the city 75 years later – 445 BC
- Because walls were the only tangible way to keep a city safe from invading armies…
- And those walls would define the city of Jerusalem for millennia to come!
- Even now the Old Walled City of Jerusalem is only around 250 acres – built in 1541 AD
- But today the city has busted at the seams – its population exploding to almost 1 million…
- Overflowing the boundaries of the wall – so the city now encompasses 31,000 acres!
- This explosion of population – and security of the people – will not go unnoticed…
- In the book of Ezekiel we have the prophecy called the Magog invasion…
- Right before the rapture of the church – God will cause Russia to go to war with Israel…
- Iran / Syria / Lebanon / Sudan / Libya / Turkey – will also join with Russia!
- Ezekiel 38:11 – “You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with un-walled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!”
- How do we know that Magog is Russia – Genesis 10 – the Table of Nations…
- We have heard of the country of Germany – 100 years old – used to be called Prussia…
- Turkey / Saudi Arabia / Qatar – 80 years old – used to be called Ottoman Empire…
- The problem with names is that we are always changing them!
- So if God wants to talk about a country in the Bible – what name does He use…
- He goes back to the beginning – the table of nations – and uses their first names!
- And Josephus tells us ‘Magog’ was the forefather to the Scythians – modern day Russians!
- Also Ezekiel 38:6 – they are from the FAR north – Moscow on same parallel as Jerusalem!
- But the Lord will be a wall of fire – and the glory in her midst… vs. 5
- God Himself will be the wall to keep His people safe from foes!
- Much like when He stood between the armies of Egypt and Israel – Exodus 14:19-20
- God will intervene and miraculously protect His people from an overwhelming force!
- Ezekiel 38:22-23 – “I will bring [Magog] to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”
- Jerusalem has exploded – no more walls – and Russia has aligned with the Middle East…
- The chess board has been set – all that we are waiting for is the rapture
- It is easy to forget today might be the day – Jesus could come tonight!
- It is easy to get caught up in the cares of this life – forget that Jesus is coming!
- Zechariah looked up and saw a man with a measuring rope in his hand…
- 1st – Jerusalem will overflow… vs. 1-5
- Luke 21:28 – “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
- 2nd – Flee from the north… vs. 6-9
- The NEW ANGEL continued – tell the people to flee from the North…
- From the 4 winds where God had scattered them in punishment – Deuteronomy 28:64
- Stand up Zion – those who still dwell with the daughters of Babylon…
- The majority of the Jews stayed in exile – because it had become comfortable!
- The world was hard to break away from – they were comfortable living far from the Lord!
- It ultimately took the Holocaust to break the Jews free and get them to come home!
- Isaiah 43:5-6 – “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar… from the ends of the earth.”
- Since May 14 -1948 the Jewish population in Israel has surged to roughly 6.5 million…
- There are now more Jews living in Israel today than any other nation on earth!
- Far too often we get way to attached to this world and forget…
- We are not home yet – our home is a place we have yet to see – our home is heaven…
- It seems that church is on the bottom of the list for most people…
- They may be willing to go to church – so long as there is NOTHING else to do…
- People are more concerned about ‘having fun’ – than getting to heaven…
- We need to remember to keep a light touch on things here – Hebrews 11:13
- Thus says the Lord of Hosts – plunder… vs. 8
- After the glory of the return of Israel to the Land – the angel will be sent to plunder…
- Because anyone who touches Israel touches the apple of Gods eye – Genesis 12:3
- He will raise His first (shake) and crush them – their own slaves will plunder them!
- Try touching your eye – it is VERY sensitive – if someone else touches it – VERY irritating!
- If someone touches Israel – it REALLY irritates God – and that is not a smart thing to do!
- God does not play around when it comes to harming His children…
- He is a VERY protective Father – and will deal with anyone who threatens His kids!
- Then Israel will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me!
- Notice that the ‘Me’ at the end of verse 9 is capitalized – in the NKJV…
- It is very possible that the NEW ANGEL speaking here is Jesus Christ!
- And when Jesus subdues all the nations – defeats the antichrist at Armageddon…
- Then Israel will look on Him who their pierced and believe – Zechariah 12:10!
- The NEW ANGEL continued – tell the people to flee from the North…
- 3rd – The Lord is coming… vs. 10-13
- The NEW ANGEL finishes by encouraging the people to sing (rejoice)!
- For behold I AM coming – and I will dwell in your midst – says the Lord…
- In that day MANY nations will be joined to the Lord – and become His people!
- And I (the Lord) will dwell in their midst – and they will know the Lord has sent Me!
- Note that the Lord is talking to Himself in this verse – the Son to the Father!
- And He will take possession of Judah – and will again choose Jerusalem!
- Initially fulfilled in the birth of the church – many nations joined to the Lord…
- When people from every tribe / tongue / and nation became the people of God!
- God has always had a heart for all nations to come and worship before Him!
- Revelation 5:9 – “You have redeemed us… out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation…”
- Ultimately fulfilled in the restoration of Israel in the Millennial reign – Revelation 20:1-7
- Be silent all flesh before the Lord…
- Although it appeared God was silent as Israel suffered at the hands of their enemies…
- The day was coming when it would be the enemies of God who would be silent…
- Because He will spring into action from His Holy habitation…
- And in that day no one will have any excuse – either judgment or salvation!
- Matthew 22:11-14 – Jesus gave the parable of the wedding feast…
- One man came in HIS clothes – HIS righteousness – HIS own good works…
- The master asked him how he had come without the wedding clothes (white robes)…
- The man was speechless – muzzled – and he was cast into outer darkness!
- A lot of people think that they will be able to reason with God on Judgment day…
- Plead their case – argue their merits – and try to weasel their way into heaven…
- But in the presence of the Lord – we are speechless – silent before a Holy God!
- The NEW ANGEL finishes by encouraging the people to sing (rejoice)!
The one who removed all our sin on the cross of Calvary!
2nd – The 4th Vision – Joshua the Priest… vs. 1-10
1st – The court room… vs. 1-7
Zechariah saw a 4th vision… vs. 1-2
The High Priest Joshua was standing before the Angel of the Lord (Jesus Christ)…
And satan (adversary) was standing at his right hand make accusations against Joshua!
But the Lord said to satan – the Lord rebuke you!
Picture a courtroom – we are on trial for our sins – God is the judge…
Satan is accusing us – Revelation 12:10 – wants to see us condemned to hell…
He has all the ‘evidence’ he needs – all our sins / our immoral thoughts…
But Jesus – our defender – comes to our rescue – and rebukes our accuser…
All our sins were paid for in full on the cross – we are not guilty!
And if God is the one defending us – who can possibly be against us – Romans 8:31
The Lord who chose Jerusalem rebukes you…
A subtle little addition – God chose Jerusalem knowing it was a rebellious city…
Meaning He was not surprised by their sin – He knew what he was getting!
God still chooses the rebellious people of the world – I Corinthians 1:26-28
That should bless you – since God knew we were foolish – what does He expect from us…
He is not shocked when we make mistakes – He knows we are but dust – Psalm 103:14
God chose us – desires to use us – knowing full well the sinners that we are!
Joshua was the HIGH PRIEST – if anyone was good enough it should have been him… vs. 3-4
But like a branch from a fire – God had snatched Joshua out of the flames of hell…
Joshua was clothed in filthy garments – standing before the Angel (Jesus Christ)…
So the Angel had to take away his filthy clothes and put on him rich/royal robes!
God is unapproachable by sinful men – we cannot hope to approach a Holy God…
If we try to come to God on our own merit – our own good deeds – death…
Isaiah 64:6 – “All our righteousness are like filthy rags…”
There are only two options as to what we can ‘wear’ as we stand before a Holy God…
We can stand in our own clothes – our own good deed – our righteousness…
And we will be judged by our works – condemned because we are hopelessly guilty…
Or stand in the robes of righteousness given freely to those who believe in Jesus!
Revelation 3:5 – “He who overcomes will be clothed in white clothes!”
Zechariah also asked if a clean turban could also be put on – and it was… vs. 5-7
The turban was the mark of the High Priest – Exodus 28:36-38
On the turban was a medallion with the words – Holiness to the Lord
The idea is that even though he was not worthy – God called Joshua to serve!
But although he was called to serve – the Lord admonished Joshua…
ONLY IF he walked in the ways of the Lord – and kept His commands…
THEN he would judge the house of Israel – and be in charge of the Temple (courts)…
AND be allowed to walk in the presence of the Lord – like the angels stood before Him!
I Corinthians 4:2 – “It is required of servants to be proven faithful.”
A lot of people step up and say they want to be used by God…
Only to be handed a broom / or asked to wash the dishes…
And they walk away – because they think they are better than menial work…
Or they start serving – but do not continue because it is not important to them!
They want to walk among the angels – but forget to walk in the ways of the Lord!
To be used by the Lord – we must have the heart of a SERVANT like the Lord!
Mark 10:45 – “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”
2nd – The Branch… vs. 8-10
Hear oh Joshua – you and the other priests are a wonderful sign…
They were a symbol of something far greater that was coming – THE High Priest!
The role of the high Priest – Kohen Gadol – was a bridge between God and men…
But the flaw of every high priest – no matter how great – was they were still sinners…
So God established a better priesthood for us – He gave us a priest who is perfect!
Hebrews 7:26-27 – “A High Priest… who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”
People get the impression Pastors are somehow bigger / more holy – than others…
So they tend to put spiritual leaders / pastors up on a pedestal…
The danger in men looking to a person/pastor – is that they will fail…
We need to point people to a perfect High Priest – rather than to imperfect men!
The titles of this new High Priest – the SERVANT – the BRANCH – the STONE!
The Lord would bring forth a permanent solution for Israel / and all nations…
He will be the perfect SERVANT – speaking of His mission…
Isaiah 54:13 / 55:5 – “Behold, My Servant… He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities…”
He will be the BRANCH from the stump of David – He would come from the Kingly line…
Isaiah 11:1 – “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot–yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.”
He will be the STONE laid before Joshua with seven eyes – no doubt the ‘corner stone’…
Speaking of His destiny – to be the foundation of the House of God – I Corinthians 3:11
Psalm 118:22 – “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.”
The seven eyes may refer to the perfect sight that God has – He sees all!
Revelation 5:6 – “I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes…”
With an engraved inscription – that will remove all sin in a day!
Perhaps speaking of the fact that the Lord sees those who are His…
And to them He will give an engraved stone – showing their sin has been removed!
Revelation 2:17 – “Everyone who is victorious… I will give a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.”
The impact of this new High Priest…
Everyone will invite his neighbor to share in the good news (vine and fig tree)!
We know the Lord is coming soon – signs prophesied 2500 years ago are coming to pass…
We know God has a heart for the nations – He wants every nations to hear…
We know that no one is righteous – that our accuser has all the evidence he needs…
But we also know that Jesus paid the price for our sin – we are forgiven…
I suppose that just leaves the question – do we like Joshua take up the turban…
Are we willing to walk in the ways of the Lord – share His message with a lost world…
Not being the answer – but invite others to meet the SERVANT / BRANCH / STONE…
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