ROUTE 66 EP 043

ROUTE 66  043 ZECHARIAH

 

Opening Context and Purpose

• The pastor launched a new study in Zechariah after completing Haggai, beginning in the New Testament to frame Israel’s role in God’s plan and to avoid theological conceit.

• Aim:

  • Understand God’s dealings with Israel and the Church.

  • Prepare to read Zechariah with hope and faith.

  • Cultivate humility, discernment, and biblical fidelity in an American culture far removed from biblical times.

Scripture Framing: Israel and the Church

• Highlighted Scriptures:

  • Romans 11:25 — “Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”

  • Romans 11:28–29 — “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

• Key Teaching:

  • God has a distinct, ongoing plan for physical Israel; the Church must not replace Israel’s promises.

  • Israel’s national blindness is partial and temporary; individual Jews are saved today the same way as Gentiles—by faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

  • The “fullness of the Gentiles” likely points to the rapture; afterward, God’s prophetic focus turns back to Israel in the tribulation.

• Application:

  • Walk humbly in God’s plan; reject theological pride and ecclesial replacementism.

  • Affirm salvation by grace through faith for Jews and Gentiles alike.

  • Support Israel biblically: honor legitimate authority without endorsing sin (as Peter honored Nero), akin to honoring parents without approving wrongdoing.

Example: David and Saul — Honoring God’s Anointed

• Narrative Reference: David spares Saul twice despite Saul’s unjust pursuit (post-Goliath era).

• Application:

  • Saul pictures rebellious Israel; David pictures the believer’s posture of honoring God’s anointed and trusting God’s timing.

  • Do not endorse sin, but recognize God’s covenantal choice of Israel.

• Cultural Alert:

  • Warning against rising anti-Semitism, even within Christian circles; call to vigilance and biblical fidelity.

Transition to Zechariah: “The Lord Remembers”

• Title/Theme: Zechariah means “The Lord remembers.”

• Prayer Emphasis:

  • Inviting Jesus to lead; asking the Spirit to reprove, rebuke, and exhort; seeking obedience and undistracted hearts.

• Core Premise:

  • God remembers His covenant people Israel and also remembers His Church.

  • Zechariah contains intricate, sometimes difficult prophetic details: believers are called first to trust what God has revealed; understanding often follows faith.

Historical Setting: Zechariah alongside Haggai

• Context:

  • Post-exilic remnant returned from Babylon; the temple was neglected due to self-focus.

  • Haggai as God’s “alarm” calling the people to wake up and rebuild; Zechariah as the encourager affirming they can finish the work.

• Encouragement:

  • Different prophetic personalities serve one mission: “Thus saith the Lord.” God uses diverse servants to awaken and strengthen His people.

The Day of the Lord and Messianic Focus

• Theological Emphasis:

  • Zechariah richly details the coming Messiah and end-time events (second only to Isaiah; proportionally dense with second-coming prophecies).

  • “That day” language often signifies the Day of the Lord and the millennial rest.

• Reading Posture:

  • Believe first, understand later; trust the Word even when prophetic imagery is complex.

Hope Passages in Zechariah

• Highlighted Scriptures:

  • Zechariah 9:12 — “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope... I will render double unto thee.”

  • Zechariah 8:3 — “Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem... a city of truth... the holy mountain.”

• Application:

  • Return to God as your stronghold; God offers concrete hope and promises His dwelling presence.

Simple Outline of Zechariah

• Two Major Sections:

  • Chapters 1–8:

    • Chapters 1–6: Eight visions focusing on “the people and the temple,” urging the remnant to rebuild and assuring them God remembers.

    • Chapters 7–8: Four messages/sermons addressing practical and spiritual concerns during the rebuilding era.

  • Chapters 9–14:

    • Messianic and kingdom prophecies with extensive second-coming focus.

    • Written over a longer span, after the temple’s completion; organized as two “burdens”:

      • First burden: Zechariah 9–11.

      • Second burden: Zechariah 12–14.

• Reading Aid:

  • Track whether a passage addresses historical restoration or future fulfillment.

Prophetic Timeline Flyover

• Church Rapture:

  • “God hath not appointed us to wrath”; after the rapture, prophetic attention returns to Israel.

• Fulfillment from Zechariah:

  • Zechariah 9:9 — Palm Sunday prophecy: “Rejoice greatly... behold, thy King cometh... just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt...”

• Applications:

  • First coming is marked publicly in the kingly entry into Jerusalem.

  • Human fickleness: crowds hail Jesus then call for crucifixion within a week—trust God over the crowd.

  • Prophetic contingency: had Israel received the King, John the Baptist would have fulfilled Elijah’s role; since they rejected, Elijah still has future fulfillment.

• Next Reading Cue:

  • Zechariah 11:12–13 — will be addressed next; the pastor requested a public reading.

Prophecies Fulfilled and the Unfolding of God’s Plan

Overview

• The pastor connected multiple passages in Zechariah to Passion Week, the Church Age, and eschatological timelines, emphasizing fulfilled prophecy and future expectations.

• Focus:

  • Who God is—faithful, sovereign, and precise in His promises.

  • Who we are—redeemed through Christ’s blood and called to faithfulness.

  • How to live—watchful, discerning, anchored in Scripture, and hopeful in God’s plan.

Fulfilled Prophecies Around Passion Week

• Palm Sunday and Betrayal

  • Zechariah 11:12–13 — Judas’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver.

  • Moral anchor: “The love of money is the root of all evil” applied to Judas’s motive.

  • Teaching:

    • God’s Word is exact; prophecy aligns precisely with historical events.

    • God allows human choices while accomplishing His sovereign plan.

  • Application:

    • Love God, not money; guard against greed.

    • Trust Scripture’s reliability in a skeptical culture.

• Scattering of the Disciples

  • Zechariah 13:7 — “Smite the shepherd… and the sheep shall be scattered.”

  • Teaching:

    • God foretells human weakness yet provides redemption.

  • Application:

    • Acknowledge weakness; cling to Christ in trials.

    • Let fulfilled prophecy strengthen confidence in the Bible.

• Piercing at Calvary

  • Zechariah 12:10 — “They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced…”

  • Teaching:

    • God revealed specific details centuries in advance.

    • God’s grace and “spirit of supplication” invite repentance.

  • Application:

    • Mourn over sin; look to Christ for mercy; live repentantly and gratefully for the cross.

• Setting Captives Free

  • Zechariah 9:11 — “By the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.”

  • Context:

    • Christ liberates captives through His blood; OT saints awaiting perfection (Luke 16).

  • Teaching:

    • God’s covenant blood liberates; He fulfills hope across ages.

  • Application:

    • Assurance of Christ’s victory over death; salvation is entirely God’s work.

The Church Age as a “Parenthesis”

• Concept:

  • The Church was a mystery, hidden in the OT and revealed in the NT.

  • Its duration relates to Israel’s rejection of Christ; roughly 2,000 years of mission and hope.

• Teaching:

  • God wisely orders redemptive history; His mysteries unfold on His timetable.

• Application:

  • Live as Christ’s Bride—faithful, doctrinally sound, and expectant of His return.

Post-Rapture: The “Idle Shepherd” (Antichrist)

• Zechariah 11:16–17 — “I will raise up a shepherd… Woe to the idle shepherd… his arm shall be clean dried up, his right eye shall be utterly darkened.”

• Context:

  • Antichrist rises after the rapture; peace-treaty dynamics; possible mortal wound tied to Revelation 13.

• Teaching:

  • God forewarns of deceptive leadership and judgment; Scripture coheres across the canon.

• Application:

  • Be discerning; resist false shepherds and cultural pressure.

  • Live watchfully, expecting Christ’s return, anchored in heaven.

The Latter Half: The Great Tribulation Details

• Two Witnesses and the 144,000

  • Zechariah 4:11–14 — “two anointed ones” resonating with Revelation’s two witnesses.

  • Teaching:

    • God maintains witnesses even in darkest times; His Word stands.

  • Application:

    • Trust God’s ongoing work; don’t lose heart amid global turmoil.

• The Curse upon Unbelievers and Followers of the Antichrist

  • Zechariah 5:4 — “I will bring it forth… it shall enter into the house of the thief… and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.”

  • Cross reference: Leviticus 13 — leprosy affecting houses.

  • Teaching:

    • God’s judgments are just and thorough; He exposes and consumes wickedness.

  • Application:

    • Live holy and truthful; refuse compromise with systemic evil; warn others compassionately.

• Mystery Babylon: The Woman and the Ephah

  • Zechariah 5:5–11 — woman in the ephah carried to Shinar; institutionalized wickedness.

  • Revelation 17–18 — Religious and Commercial Babylon.

  • Teaching:

    • God reveals spiritual systems behind global deception and will judge them.

  • Application:

    • Recognize and resist Babylon’s influences: idolatry, materialism, spiritual infidelity; stay loyal to Christ.

Key Themes About God

• God is faithful and precise: Prophecy in Zechariah aligns exactly with Christ’s Passion events.

• God is sovereign over history: He orders the Church Age, the rise and fall of leaders, and future judgments.

• God is gracious: He pours out grace and supplication, invites repentance, and liberates captives by the blood of the covenant.

• God is just: He confronts false shepherds, judges deception, and dismantles Mystery Babylon.

Who We Are in Christ

• Redeemed by Jesus’s blood—perfected by His sacrifice.

• Christ’s Bride—set apart to fidelity amid spiritual infidelity.

• Witnesses—called to watchfulness, discernment, and hope as we await Christ’s return.

• Pilgrims—living biblically in modern American culture, resisting Babylon’s allure.

Applications for Today’s Believers

• Guard your heart from the love of money; treasure Christ over prosperity.

• Trust Scripture’s reliability; fulfilled prophecy validates God’s Word.

• Practice repentance and prayer; look upon the One pierced.

• Live watchfully and missionally; expect Christ’s return and warn about deception.

• Evaluate media, commerce, and spiritual trends through biblical truth.

• Find assurance in Christ’s victory; He sets captives free and will judge wickedness.

Noted Scriptures Highlighted

• Zechariah 13:7; Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 9:11; Zechariah 11:16–17; Zechariah 4:11–14; Zechariah 5:4; Zechariah 5:5–11

• Luke 16; Revelation 13; Leviticus 13; “The love of money is the root of all evil”

God Remembers — Zechariah: A Message of Hope

Introduction: Personal Testimony and the Burdens God Removes

• The pastor shared a personal testimony of getting “right with Jesus” after a difficult phone call and experiencing a release of burden.

• Key idea:

  • Bitterness can become a “mountain” that hinders God’s work; God can crush mountains and turn them into plains where fruit can grow.

• Application:

  • Identify personal “mountains” (unforgiveness, bitterness, doubt) and invite God to remove them; trust God to transform obstacles.

Zechariah’s Name and Central Theme

• Zechariah means “God remembers.”

• Thesis:

  • Zechariah is a message of hope when there seems to be no ground for hope. God remembers His people—Israel and the Church—and His promises.

“You Are Not Forgotten”: Missionary Illustration

• Missionary Brian Calloway’s rescue mission address: “You guys are not forgotten.”

• Rather than sensational stories, Brian shared a simple testimony of God’s goodness despite personal failure, magnifying Jesus as the hero.

• Application:

  • In seasons of rejection or homelessness, receive the reminder: God has not forgotten you. Testimony of Christ’s grace often outweighs extraordinary events.

Biblical Examples of “God Remembers”

• Joseph (Genesis 37–50)

  • Betrayed, imprisoned, and seemingly forgotten by the chief butler; God exalted him at the right time.

  • Application:

    • What Satan meant for evil, God turns for good; trust His timing.

• The Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21–28)

  • Humble, persistent plea for her daughter’s healing; Jesus commends her faith.

  • Application:

    • Persist humbly in prayer; Jesus knows what He’s doing—even through delays.

God’s Awareness: From Global Events to Private Hearts

• Zechariah’s visions include difficult end-time events yet emphasize God’s sovereign awareness of both world turmoil and personal needs.

Scriptural Anchors: God Does Not Forget

• Psalms 13

  • David laments feeling forgotten; yet God daily sustains him.

  • Application:

    • Pray honest lament while trusting God’s unseen care.

• Hebrews 6:10

  • “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love…”

  • Application:

    • God sees unseen service; He remembers.

• Paul’s imprisonment and promise (Acts 23:11; Acts 24–28)

  • God promised Paul he would testify in Rome; delays did not equal divine neglect.

  • Application:

    • Trust God’s promise and timing amid long waits.

Esther: God’s Invisible Hand

• Esther 6:1–3; cf. Esther 4:16

  • King’s insomnia exposes Mordecai’s unrecognized service; God orchestrates deliverance.

• Application:

  • God remembers and acts behind the scenes; seek Him in prayer and fasting.

Humble Persistence in Prayer

• 1 Peter 5:6–7

  • “Humble yourselves… casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

• Exhortation:

  • Though we often forget God, He does not forget us; be “noisy” toward God—persistent, humble prayer.

Intertextual Echo: Hezekiah’s Plea

• Isaiah 38

  • Hezekiah cries for remembrance; God adds years to his life.

• Application:

  • Cry out for God’s remembrance; He hears and responds.

Summary of Zechariah’s Message

• Zechariah showcases hope: God remembers His people and His promises—even amid complex prophetic details.

• Application:

  • Let “God remembers” drive you to cry out to Him; be confident in God, not self.

God’s Heart Toward His People

• Isaiah 49:15–16

  • “Can a woman forget her sucking child… yet will I not forget thee… I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands…”

• Theology:

  • God’s love exceeds a mother’s love; His remembrance is constant and covenantal.

• Identity:

  • As God’s child, you are remembered, engraved on His hands, and cared for.

Gospel Invitation and Assurance

• Call to respond:

  • Surrender to Jesus Christ; salvation is a free gift, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9, alluded).

• Spiritual courtroom imagery:

  • The devil accuses; Jesus Christ the Righteous is our Advocate (1 John 2:1, alluded).

• Christ in Zechariah:

  • Jesus permeates Zechariah’s visions and promises; live to exalt Christ—like the donkey that carried Him, lift Him high.

Congregational Prayer and Commission

• Prayer themes:

  • Encouragement for those feeling forgotten; assurance of God’s remembrance in macro and micro details.

  • Evangelistic plea—today could be the day of salvation; names written in the Book of Life.

  • Commission Maple City Baptist Church to shine for Christ and “make Him look good” this week.

Practical Applications (Summarized)

• Identify and surrender “mountains” to God; let Him turn obstacles into fruitful plains.

• Remember: God sees and honors unseen service.

• Persist in humble, “noisy” prayer; don’t quit when answers seem delayed.

• Trust God’s providence behind the scenes; engage in prayer and fasting.

• Anchor hope in God’s promises (Zechariah’s theme): He remembers His people.

• Exalt Jesus daily—live as His witness in your community.

Scriptures Highlighted

• Psalms 13; Hebrews 6:10; Esther 6:1–3; cf. Esther 4:16; 1 Peter 5:6–7; Isaiah 38; Isaiah 49:15–16

• Genesis 37–50; Acts 23:11; Acts 24–28; Matthew 15:21–28

• Ephesians 2:8–9 (alluded); 1 John 2:1 (alluded)

The Lord of Hosts in Zechariah: Babylon, Israel’s Tribulation, and Christ’s Return

Opening Context: Babylon’s Two Aspects and the End Times Framework

• Babylon’s dual character:

  • Religious Babylon — Revelation 17: global religious system (city on seven hills); warning against empty religion—only Jesus saves.

  • Commercial Babylon — Revelation 18: global finance and commerce; broad international structures.

• Link to Old Testament:

  • Genesis 11 — “land of Shinar” denotes Babylon; Zechariah glimpses Revelation 17–18 and the latter half of the tribulation.

• Key point:

  • One kingdom with two systems (religious and commercial), seductively deceptive like the “strange woman” in Proverbs (religious seduction included).

Zechariah’s Prophetic Timeline and Israel’s Tribulation

• Zechariah 14:1–2

  • “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh… I will gather all nations against Jerusalem…”

  • Rising global anti-Semitism noted; sober warning of city capture and suffering.

• Israel’s wilderness preservation

  • Revelation 12 — Israel flees into the wilderness; God preserves the remnant.

The Second Coming and Geographic Transformation

• Zechariah 14:4

  • The Lord’s feet stand on the Mount of Olives; the mountain splits east-west, forming a valley.

  • Acts 1 — Jesus ascends from the Mount of Olives; angels promise He will return the same way.

• Escape route for the remnant

  • Zechariah 14:5 — Newly formed valley provides escape for persecuted Jews; echoes Exodus 14.

Armageddon and Related Passages

• Zechariah 14:3 — The Lord fights against the nations; identified as Armageddon.

• Zechariah 12:9–11 — Linked to the same region and conflict.

• Israel’s National Repentance and Salvation

  • Zechariah 12:10 — “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced…”

  • Parallel to Genesis 45 — Joseph revealing himself; and Paul’s conversion—humbling realization of Christ.

Millennium and Final Judgment

• Zechariah 13–14

  • Jesus reigns; Israel restored; Gentile nations submit.

• Revelation 20 (implied)

  • Great White Throne Judgment follows the millennium.

Holiness in the Holy Land: Zechariah’s Climactic Vision

• Zechariah 14:20–21

  • “Holiness unto the LORD” on bells; common vessels become holy; no more Canaanite in the house of the LORD.

  • Anticipation: Land truly holy under Christ’s rule.

God’s Macro and Micro Work: Creator and Caretaker

• Zechariah 12:1

  • “The LORD… stretcheth forth the heavens, layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.”

  • Matthew 10:30 — God numbers the hairs of our head.

• Encouragement:

  • God is grand and intimate—Creator and caretaker; when feeling forgotten, remember His detailed care.

Israel: The Apple of God’s Eye

• Zechariah 2:8

  • “He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”

• Clarification:

  • God is impartial in salvation (Acts 10:34–35; Romans 2:11) yet has chosen Israel for a specific purpose and will restore them.

• Warning:

  • Do not be ignorant of biblical teaching on Israel.

Pictures and Titles of Christ in Zechariah

• The Lord of Hosts

  • God’s military name; deliverance for Israel is spiritual and physical.

• The Great Appeal

  • Zechariah 1:3 — “Turn ye unto me… and I will turn unto you” — call to repentance.

• The Branch

  • Zechariah 3:8; Jeremiah 23:5; Isaiah 11:1 — Jesus as the Branch bringing life to a dry nation; echo of Numbers 17 (Aaron’s rod budded).

• By My Spirit, Not by Might

  • Zechariah 4:6–7 — “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit… Who art thou, O great mountain?… thou shalt become a plain.”

  • Psalm 97:5 — “The hills melted like wax…” God levels obstacles; Zerubbabel completes the temple.

  • Application:

    • God is Lord of hills and valleys; circumstances do not change His sovereignty or care.

Pastor’s Personal Example: Forgiveness Before It’s Asked

• Counseling moment with his daughter:

  • Question: “Should we forgive someone who hasn’t asked for forgiveness?”

  • Answer shaped by Christ’s example:

    • Luke 23:34 — “Father, forgive them…” regarding Israel at the crucifixion; in Acts, God gives another chance to Israel.

  • Personal conviction:

    • The Spirit prompted him to forgive someone who had wronged him for years, even without their request—illustrating obedience to Christ-like forgiveness.

Who God Is and How He Responds to Humans

• God is sovereign over history and nations (Day of the Lord, Second Coming, Armageddon).

• God is faithful to His covenant people (Israel preserved; national repentance).

• God is Commander (Lord of Hosts) and Redeemer (the Branch).

• God works cosmically and personally—forming the spirit within man—caring for details and providing escape and deliverance.

• God judges empty religion and calls for genuine faith in Jesus Christ.

Who God Says You Are and How to Live Now (Application in American Culture)

• Identity in Christ:

  • Saved saints who will return with Him (Zechariah 14:5).

  • Called to holiness now, anticipating the coming kingdom (Zechariah 14:20–21).

• How to live:

  • Turn to the Lord (Zechariah 1:3): repentance precedes help.

  • Reject empty religion; trust Jesus alone (Revelation 17 warning).

  • Be discerning of seductive systems—religious and commercial.

  • Pray for and understand Israel; align with God’s plan (Zechariah 2:8).

  • Walk by the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6); bring your “mountains” to God.

  • Practice proactive forgiveness (Luke 23:34); release bitterness through obedience.

  • Hope in the Second Coming (Zechariah 14:4–5; Acts 1); live with courage and holiness.

Key Scriptures Mentioned

• Zechariah: 1:3; 2:8; 3:8; 4:6–7; 8:3; 9:9; 9:11; 9:12; 11:12–13; 11:16–17; 12:1; 12:9–11; 12:10; 13:7; 14:1–5; 14:20–21

• Romans 11:25; Romans 11:28–29; Acts 1; Acts 10:34–35; Romans 2:11

• Revelation: 12; 13; 17; 18; 20 (implied)

• Genesis 11; Genesis 37–50; Genesis 45

• Exodus 14; Numbers 17; Psalms 13; Psalm 97:5; Proverbs (strange woman motif)

• Matthew 10:30; Matthew 15:21–28; Luke 16; Luke 23:34

• Esther 6:1–3; cf. Esther 4:16; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 38; Isaiah 49:15–16

• Jeremiah 23:5; Ephesians 2:8–9 (alluded); 1 John 2:1 (alluded)

Key Points (as stated by the pastor)

1. Babylon has two end-time aspects: religious (Revelation 17) and commercial (Revelation 18); Zechariah hints at both.

2. The Day of the Lord brings severe tribulation to Israel (Zechariah 14:1–2), but God preserves His remnant.

3. The Second Coming occurs at the Mount of Olives, splitting the mountain and reshaping geography (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1).

4. God provides a miraculous escape for persecuted Jews (Zechariah 14:5), echoing the Exodus.

5. Armageddon is God’s battle against the nations (Zechariah 14:3; 12:9–11).

6. Israel’s national repentance: “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10).

7. Millennial reign: Jesus enthroned; Israel restored; Gentiles aligned under God’s order (Zechariah 13–14).

8. Holiness saturates the land under Christ’s rule (Zechariah 14:20–21).

9. God is both cosmic Creator and intimate Caretaker (Zechariah 12:1); He cares about your details.

10. Israel is the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8); God’s impartiality pertains to salvation, yet He has chosen Israel for His purposes.

11. Titles of Christ: Lord of Hosts, the Branch; call to repentance (Zechariah 1:3; 3:8).

12. Life by the Spirit: not by human might, but by God’s Spirit; mountains become plains (Zechariah 4:6–7).

13. Practical forgiveness: follow Jesus’ forgiving heart (Luke 23:34); release bitterness through obedience.

Closing Encouragement

• Trust God’s sovereign plan amid global upheaval and personal trials.

• Refuse empty religion; cling to Christ.

• Pray for Israel and anticipate the Lord’s return.

• Bring your mountains to God; He melts them like wax.

• Practice forgiveness as Christ forgave, even before it’s asked.