Book of Zechariah

Old Testament Commentary ~ Zechariah

The Bible book of Zechariah gives a panoramic perspective to the Plan of Salvation or Exaltation, even to the work of Christ for His people, from the preexistent councils of heaven to the Second Coming and judgment of the Lord.

1 Israel is intreated to 'turn' or 'repent' from ways of their wicked fathers—horses; comfort; horns 8 The Lord's return to Zion; remnant; peoples yet come

2 The measuring line; escape and joy of Zion 9 Protection and redemption - tabernacle feasts

3 Vision of the Judgment Council in Heaven Between Jehovah and Lucifer—with foreshadowings even unto the Millennial Day 10 Judah and Israel restored

4 Light: lampstand and olive trees 11 The Shepherds and the Broken Covenant

5 Flying scroll and woman in a basket 12 Deliverance for Judah; mourning for the pierced one

6 Four chariots; crown for the Branch 13 Idolatry ended; sheep scattered; refining

7 Obedience; exiled for disobedience 14 Faithful gathered, wicked as at end of 1000 yrs.

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As is the case with many of the Prophets of God who are called to witness unto the people, they are men of vision or visions, even to the extent of that vision of all. Often that vision is given with the accompaniment of a spiritual guide. And it ought to be considered in such reference to the visions of all, that in the Celestial world all is before one, seen in a sea of glass, past, present and future, in a vision of the 'eternal now'. And often that vision or series of visions are seen from the status quo of the times in which that prophet is contemporay. And as Nephi has pointed out, may be applied unto 'ourselves'. And thus there are often 'dualistic' and even 'multiplistic' applications to be had. Yet in their more eternal perspective they are of the nature of a panorama from beginning to end. So such is of the visions of Zechariah, as per the perspective to the contempory Jews, Zeahariah's visions are applied unto themselves in their own time. Yet we may also read and apply them to ourselves in our time as will, as they are indeed visions which have that perspective of the 'eternal now'. And further in that more universal perspective, these visions may be seen as 'visions of all' from beginning to end of the plan and workings of God. Thus such parallels of Zechariah's visions align with those seen by John recorded in his book of Revelation. And such chapters as chapter 3 and others, may be seen from the pre-councils of heaven even down and until that great and Millennium Day and unto the end thereof.

The Prophet Zechariah Zechariah was alive and prophesied from the 2^nd to the 4^th year of Darius (c. 520-518 B.C.). He was a younger contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Zechariah was the son of Berechiah who was the son of the more famous Iddo of the priestly family of Levi. It was Iddo who was listed in the priestly families who returned with Zerrubbabel. Both Zechariah and Haggai were called at a time when a good portaion of the Jews had returned to Jerusalem and whose purpose it was to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Labors on the temple lagged and it seems to be the purpose of Haggai and Zechariah to so motivate the Jews into a more earnest effort in the building of the temple. The Book of Zechariah
It is only with the understanding that all the holy prophets have testified of Christ that the book of Zechariah can be fully appreciated, for the book of Zechariah is indeed a witness that this is indeed the case. From the perspective of the 'eternal now', this amazing book coveres (1) events from the preexistance of the council of judgment before which Jehovah as Jehoshua and Lucifer as Satan stood before the Father in judgment, (2) the days and events of the coming of Christ as the BRANCH in his mortal ministry of the atonement for the redemption of the righteous, (3) his second coming and Millennial ministry, and (4) the after that 1000 year reign, the very ending days of the final judgment before the bar of God when all sin is removed in a single day. As such of the Old Testament books Zechariah is one of the most Messianic, apocalyptic concerning events of the last days and eschatological, meaning the consideration of the plan of salvation which is Christ/Jehovah's effective intent as Jehoshua ministering the work and glory of God in bring to pass the eternal destiny of man. It's scope is uniquely unparallel and comparable to such prophetically far reaching texts as the books of Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Matthew 24 and Revelations. (This assessment parallels and enlarges upon, to an extent, a Quotation from Philip G. Samaan, Portraits of the Messiah in Zechariah. Review & Herald, 1998.)