***A Disclaimer Note: It ought to be pointed out that historically the Jews, whose Bible perspective it is, the Traditional Christian world and also, in order to be in line with the 'general consensus', the LDS Course and Religious Manuals of the Church, have all assumed the position that Zechariah's vision in Chapter 3 was intended to be likened or directly applied to Jews of 'that day'. They being Joshua the local immediate high priest of Jerusalem who was contemporary with Zechariah and Zerubbabel who was charged with rebuilding the temple. HOWEVER, Here the wider perspective of the Vision is considered to be taken from that of the 'Vision of All' commencing with the pre-mortal council of determination between Jehovah the selected Messiah named Jehoshua (Jehovah-Redeemer) and Lucifer (Satan), who had stood to oppose Jehovah and God the Father in the war in heaven. From that beginning until the promouncement of the great millennial day, does this vision run and is so detailed in this present commentary of this vision of Zechariah. ~ drh |
Jehovah and Lucifer Judged Before God the
Father
The Divine Investiture of JESUS Before God the Father
The Jews did see in this vision of Zechariah that which they did liken unto themselves. They likened Jehoshua (Joshua) to the current Jewish priest of the temple. This is what preserved the vision unto us in our day for the Jews did not receive of the prophet's testimony of Jesus the Son of God, as they would rather reject any such prophet and persecute them and even stone them to death as they did Stephen. But the common people of the Jews did retain their testimony of 'Jesus' to come which was alive and well in the time of Jesus Christ. Now of this vision, we are to liken it to our day and time which is the 'fullness of times' and complete understanding. Having the revealed understanding of God's plan, God's selection of Jehovah the Son and God's rejection of Lucifer, we ought to easily see through the lens of restored truth in the fullness of times, past, present and future, that this vision is of that Judgment Council betwixt Jehovah and Lucifer just prior to Lucifer being cast out of heaven and excluded from participation in the Plan of Happiness as a peaceful follower of Jehovah.
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CHAPTER 3
Zechariah speaks Messianically: The Branch shall come--At the Second Coming, iniquity shall be removed in one day. |
This is a vision shown Zechariah of the Preexistence and the Hearing before God where Lucifer was named Satan and Jehovah was named Jehoshua or Jesus. | A better translation could be given of this preexistence event, but even with a lack of comprehension upon the part of the Kings James Bible translators, a very vivid vision still is presented. |
The Investiture of Jesus—Joshua—JEHOSHUA The Divine Investiture of JESUS the High Priest   If this record would have been written in Greek and then translated into English as the New Testament records had been translated from the Greek to English, then there would be little discussion to be had on the matter of this being a vision concerning Jesus Christ. For it would then state clearly throughout the vision that it was 'Jesus' being spoken of. And the openning verse would read: |
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1 ¶
AND
hea shewed me
Joshuab
[Yehoshua/JESUS]
the high priestc standing
before the
aangel of the LORDd,
and bSatane
standing at his right handf
to cresist ["accuse"]
him.
.2 And the LORD said unto Satan, aThe LORD rebuke theea, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen bJerusalemb rebuke thee: is not this a abrand plucked out of the firec?
in the Old Testament Well, with close study of the Bible, it becomes apparent that the Old Testament prophets did know him by name also. In the inspired Book of Moses, the LORD is stated to be JESUS CHRIST (JEHOSHUA MESSIAH). The New Testament Jews also seemed well to understand from their comprehension of the scriptures that the name of the LORD would be 'JEHOSHUA/JOSHUA'. And we do find here in Zechariah chapter 3 that the LORD, the SON of GOD, our Great High Priest, is called by name 'JEHOSHUA' in the Hebrew Bible and JOSHUA in our transliterated King James version. When one comes to know all of the names of God which refer to Jehovah, the Messiah, even Jesus Christ; it is easy to see that all of the prophets of God did speak and testify of the Lord and his anointed mission in behalf of mankind. Yet here in Zechariah chapter 3 we have a very unique occurrence in the Jewish supplied Old Testament, in which JESUS, who is Jehovah, is actually being called by that very name 'JESUS'. Remember that 'Jesus' is the transliterated Greek form of the name 'Joshua'. And the more proper and complete name is Jehoshua or Yehoshua meaning 'In Jehovah Is Salvation'. In Zechariah 3, Jehovah is referred to by his eventual earthly name of Jehoshua as the Hebrew Bible records that the more formal name is being used, 'Yehoshua'. Jesus was not named after Joshua the son of Nun. Moses renamed 'Oshea' with one of the names of Jehovah, 'Jehoshua' or 'Yehoshua'. JESUS was named in the preexistence by God the Father as 'Jehoshua' or 'Yehoshua'. And when Gabriel commanded that the Christ Child be named JESUS, he was not naming the Christ after the prophet and judge Joshua. He was commanding that the name given Jehovah in the preexistence by God the Father be the name of the Christ Child on earth.
God's Plan, supported by Jehovah, was to allow man the opportunity to become even as God was. Since Lucifer's plan and design was to thwart man eternal progression, remove from him his self-actuating agency, and to rule over 'them' as their eternal overseer; God the Father would not allow such to occur. Rather God the Father put an end to that War of Words and cast Lucifer and Lucifer's followers out of Heaven down to the temporal world and under the condition and situation that they would never obtain temporal bodies of flesh and bone, and that for attempting to remove from man his agency, that they would never be able to become like God is. What also ought to be noted here is that, that War did not end over the souls of man. Satan still tries to take away from man his free agency and the God given Liberty to choose. Satan inspired earthly kingdoms and rulers have continued to attempt to rob man of that given right of exercise of agency. Now with that agency may has the opportunity to become like God is. Also the condidtion of that agency is that man is held responsible for his choices and justice must be satisfied. But the Father also allows man to obtain a redeption by and through and of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah, as he will suffer the pains of sin for all those who take upon them his name and do follow him and obey the commandments of God, and thus being enabled to become one with the Father and Son even as they are one in Heaven themselves. |
1a he As is the case of many
such 'panoramic' visions of this nature, a guide is provided to point out that
which he who is receiving the vision ought to pay attention to and record.
This was the case in the vision given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon of
D&C section 76. In that vision it was given to them is segments and it was
further told to them that which they not only were to pay attention to but
precisely what portions of their vision series they were to record. This is
the same in Lehi's vision of the tree of life which Nephi also received. They
both had an 'angel guide' and though it was the 'same' vision, Nephi seems to
have been guided 'further' in the vision than was Lehi, for Nephi recorded
more than Lehi and was even told which part(s) of the visionary series he
was NOT to record as it had been reserved for the Apostles John to record,
which was the vision of Revelation. It is at this point that we may consider
that is was the 'vision of all' particularly pointed out and guided through
by the angel guide that these prophets were being guided through. And though
that 'entire' vision was reserved unto Mahonri Moriantumr to record, which is
in the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon, it would seem that many other
prophets have seen it and in part particularly guided to that portion(s) of
the vision which they were to report on and record. Such may been considered
or seen which Zechariah is being sequenced through in his visionary experience
of his series or segments of vision(s).
1b Joshua [Yehoshua/Jehoshua] This is not Joshua the prophet and judge of Israel, the son of Nun (See Num. 13:16) who was named by Moses one of the names of Jehovah being called Jehoshua or 'In Jehovah Is Salvation'. Nor is this the later priest of the day of Zechariah, though the Jewish application of this to him is what has preserved this vision and hide it from the understanding of the Jews that it might have been preserved. This is Jehovah and the event of this vision is when Jehovah, renamed Jehoshua, and Lucifer, renamed Satan, stood before the judgment bar of the Angel of the LORD or God the Father. 1b the high priest This is 'The High Priest' of the Covenant of God, who is none other than Jehovah or Jesus Christ himself (See Hebrews 3:1). 1c angel of the LORD This is 'The Angel of the LORD', God's Presence or Presence of the Father before Whom, Jehovah and Lucifer did stand. Lucifer 'Resisted and Accused' the Plan of God and Jehovah as the source of Salvation of mankind. 1d Satan Lucifer was 'branded' by the fiery judgment of God the Father with the name of Satan, meaning 'Adversary' or 'Accuser', Lucifer leading the opposition against Jehovah in the War in Heaven. 1estanding at his right hand Though SATAN is standing to the right of JESUS/JEHOVAH, it is from the perspective of the FATHER which is important. With SATAN upon the right of JESUS/JEHOVAH, that places SATAN upon the left hand of the FATHER from the perspective of the FATHER and it places JESUS/JEHOVAH upon the right hand of the FATHER as the FATHER is facing them so as to represent the FATHER blessing JESUS/JEHOVAH rightfully upon the right hand of GOD, and unlike the instance of Jacob with Ephraim and Manasseh, the FATHER would not have to reach the right hand across to give the rightful blessing upon the head of the rightful firstborn JEHOVAH. 2a Satan, the LORD rebuke thee God the Father rebukes or casts Satan off from Heaven as the accuser and the adversary of Jehovah and the Plan of God (See Rev. 12:9-10). And then Jude records that Adam as Michael the archangel did remind the devil that it was the Lord, God the Father, who had rebuked or judged Satan as so recorded here in Zechariah 3:2 (See: Jude 1:9). 2b chosen Jerusalem The City of Peace, or in other words of those who peacefully accepted God's Plan of Happiness and did not contend against it. It is an ancient name given here in the pre-mortal world, it is the 'Holy City of God' or community and the people of the Lord who are the 'Pure in Heart', the same being the Zion of the Lord; the Lord being the Bridegroom and Zion being the bride. From before the world was, was the people and the 'city or kingdom of the Lord' known by the name of Jerusalem. Here in this vision of the judgment council in favor of Jehovah who is Jehoshua or Jesus and Satan, those who did select, follow and support Jehovah were stated to be members of 'Jerusalem'. This is the much universal, extensive and panoramic consideration of Jerusalem being the city of the Lord from the beginning to the end of these particular ages of time. 2c brand plucked from the fire The 'Judgment' of God is as a burning fire. God's All Searching Eye knows the inner man and all his workings. Lucifer stood before the Angel of the LORD, God the Father, and was judged with such a burning judgment, which comes only by the Spirit of Truth who sees thru all men to their very core. Lucifer was branded with the name of Satan, as that was his guilt, being the adversary and accuser of Jehovah, in his rebellion against God the Father and His chosen Messiah, the Savior of the world.
It is quite one thing to have a differing point of view and to talk it out to an understanding, being in the end reconciled unto God. It is quite another when one insists on his intended change over and above the ruling authorities in their proper position. Satan was in the process to ursurp and take the place of the rightful heir. And he was intending to do it according to his own set of rules, which did not comply to the end goal and by the proper means of attaining that goal as was in place as an integral part of the Plan of Exaltation with its underlying concept of Eternal Progression. Without becoming fully self-actuated, God's children could not maximize their potential in becoming as God it. Lucifer was in the process of so placing himself above all else and not as a co-heir with those who did so qualify to become one even as the Father and the Son were one. |
1a
TG
Angels b HEB the Adversary or Accuser (also v. 2); Ps. 109:6 c HEB accuse 2a Jude 1:9 2a Amos 4:11 2b Matt. 5:35
Complaints in God's Earthly Kingdom concerning those called in the Church are handled in much the same manner. The accusing party is brought in to confront the one called upon the matter in question. It is resolved by the spirit of discernment by a priesthood council. If the accusation is found to be true, the person called is not appointed until a resolution is found. If the accusation is found false, then the accuser is give the opportunity to repent and reconcile himself to the facts of the matter. If the opposition is continued despite the truth, as was the case with Lucifer, then the person must be disfellowshiped, cast out off, or excommunicated from the Church or Kingdom of God.
Admittedly, this may cause some confusion and thus the need for spiritual guidance in scriptural interpretation. But such was the case when King David, so guided by the spirit, spoke of both Father Elohim and Son Jehovah in Psalm 110:1: "The LORD [Elohim, Father of Spirits] said unto my Lord [Jehovah the son, Jesus Christ], Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." This Jesus quoted to the Jews in so delineating that he, Jesus Christ the 'Lord', who was Jehovah, was the Son of God, the the son of the 'LORD' GOD ELOHIM, even God the Father of Spirits. |
Likening ScriptureIt is true that Nephi has advised us to liken all scripture unto ourselves, but in so doing we ought to also understand that in just so doing we are making a dualistic application of that scripture for certainly in the majority of the cases it also has a broader scope of application and understanding beyond just being likened unto our current status quo of the 'moment of our immediate concern'. So it is in the case of Zechariah 3 and the visions of Zechariah. His visions were taken by his contemporary Jews and likened unto themselves at the contemporary time in which they lived. Yet Zechariah's visions and inspired writings convey a much broader panorama which parallels even the visions of John in Revelation and others. It is clear that Zechariah has seen from his own perspectives the vision of all which many prophets have seen. That there was at the contemporary time a priest named Joshua actually has worked to preserved in the Jewish Old Testament a vision of Jesus or 'Jehovah Deliverer' by name 'Jehoshua' or 'Joshua'; Joshua being the Hebrew name which is the same as the Greek 'Jesus'.And while Zechariah's contemporary Jewish perspective has likened Zechariah's vision unto themselves, it has in fact a far more reaching message and dimension. When understood from the 'vision of all', from before the world was to the end thereof, it is a vision of the 'judgment council' before God the Father of Spirits betwixt Jehovah and Lucifer just prior to when Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven. The whole of the mission of the Redeemer is proclaimed in summary as this commentary explains. Such likening of the scriptures to the immediate circumstances has also 'hid' other broader meanings from us. Many have presumed 2 Nephi 3 when it speaks of the 'writer' and 'spokesman' of the Book of Mormon to be Joseph Smith and such as Oliver Cowdery/Sydney Rigdon or some such other. Not so as pointed out by Bruce R. McConkie in his text 'A New Witness for the Articles of Faith', page 425 where he presents correctly Mormon as the definitive 'writer' of the Book of Mormon. Yet not even that restores the whole of that as a close consideration of the original Book of Mormon text reveals much more that is missed (See: Commentary of 2 Nephi 3), and that Moroni, who is the Angel flying in the midst of heaven is the more definitive model of the Book of Mormon's spokesman. |
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3
Now Joshua was clothed with afilthy
garmentsa, and stood before the
angel.
.4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before hima, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of araiment. 5 And I said, Let them set aa fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with agarments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. 6 And the angel of the LORD protested [proclaimed] unto Joshua, saying, 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt awalk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my bcharge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courtsa, and I will give thee places to walk among cthese that stand by.
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3a
Joshua [Yehoshua/Jesus] was clothed with filthy
garments Understanding the context of the event of this recorded
vision of the preexistence, a better translation would yield the concept that
the sins of the world, 'the filthy garments', were to be judged upon the
Redeemer or Jehoshua who is Jehovah. He takes upon himself the sins of the
world and suffers for them, for all who will accept him as their Redeemer.
4a those that stood before him These were members of the ruling council of the heavenly preexistent court. These were a number of the great and noble ones. And it was confirmed before them that Jehovah was the 'True' Messiah who would take away the sins of the world. Through the atonement the sins of the world are removed from off the 'scapegoat's' back as he suffers for them satisfying God's justice of punishment for sin. 7a If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts The literal fulfillment of this condition was met by Jesus Christ in the meridian of time during his ministry, atonement and crucifixion. Jesus Christ himself has stated that he has met these requirements and will so judge the world in D&C 19:1-3. (See also Isa. 53:12 and Mosiah 14:12) |
3a
TG
Filthiness 4a Lev. 16:4; [Commentary] 5a Lev. 16:4; [Commentary] 5a HEB a clean (pure) cap ~ This is reflective of the Temple priestly cap, hat or crown of priesthood glory bestowed upon Christ by the Father.; Lev. 16:4; [Commentary] 7a TG Walking with God b Deut. 11:1 c IE the heavenly messengers ~ OR all the spirit hosts of heaven who keep their first estate by remaining faithful.
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8 ¶ Hear now, O Joshua
[Jehoshua Jesus/Jehovah in Whom is Salvation] the
ahigh
priest, thou, and thy fellowsa that
sit before thee: for bthey are men wondered
at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the
aBRANCHb.
9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshuaa; upon one stone shall be seven eyesb: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one dayc. 10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the avine and under the afig tree.
'HaShem' Before the foundation of the world, God the Father named his son by 'the name' (HaShem) after which the 'people', the 'city', the 'Zion', the 'Church' of the Lord was to be called and named, taking upon them His name, becoming his people. This is stated, along with that 'name', in Philippians 2:9-11, where it states the name was given by the Father and it was 'Jesus' Christ, Jesus Christ being the King James version name for the Greek Iesous Christos. And the Greek 'Iesous' is a transliteration of the name of 'Joshua' or 'Jehosuha', the being the same name. Now 'Jesus' or 'Jehoshua', who was commanded to be so named by Noah as the angel Gabriel, was not named after the great military leader and prophet Joshua. In fact it was the other way around. Moses renamed the son of Nun through revealed inspiration as Joshua as recorded in Numbers 13:16. The fact that Jehovah was already named by the Father before the foundation of the world is confirmed in the Book of Moses, where it is stated that Enoch (and Adam) knew that 'name' to be 'Jesus Christ' even in his day and time. And there are a number of Book of Mormon references which also testify that it was known in Old Testament times that his name was 'Jesus' Christ. Of course the Nephites wrote in reformed Egyptian and the exact 'Reformed Egyptian' name and pronunciation is not to be had, but it was translated into that same common language of the English King James Bible as 'Jesus' Christ. Also, Adam would have spoken and written the 'pure Adamic Language' which was lost at the Tower of Babel. Thus just how Adam wrote and pronounced the name is not known but is supplied in the common form of the day as also being 'Jesus' Christ. More important than the exact pronunciation or written form of 'the name' is its meaning, which reflects the appointment of the 'redeemer' by the Father's anointing. It means, 'Jehovah in whom is Salvation' the anointed Son of God the Father. That is the literal meaning of the name Jesus Christ or Yehoshua Messiah or however it was pronounced or spelt in Reformed Egyptian or the Adamic Language of Adam. |
8a thy fellows These are
the humble and meek followers of Jehovah, the noble and great ones who
supported and upheld Jehovah, fighting against Satan and his followers in
the preexistence. 8b my servant the BRANCH God the Father sets out that he will bring forth His Servant the BRANCH who is the Anointed Messiah (See also Zechariah 6:12-13). 9a stone that I have laid before Joshua The stone is the Gospel which is to roll forth until it fills the whole earth as presented in D&C 65:2 and in Daniel 2:34,45. It is the gospel plan the plan of salvation as set forth before Jehovah in whom is salvation (Jehoshua). This is the meaning of the stone being set forth before Jehoshua who is Jehovah in whom is Salvation, even Jesus (Jehoshua/Joshua) Christ. 9b upon one stone shall be seven eyes The seven eyes are the seven servants of the Lord which administer the seven dispensation of time from Adam until Joseph Smith (see JST Revelation 4:5; 8:2; 15:1; 21:9). And because of this gospel, the stone, and the administration of the seven servants, the sins of the earth will be removed in that one day of the Lord. 9c remove iniquity of that land in one day The miracle of the atonement is that the sins of the world will be removed from the earth in the day of the Lord. Whether this 'day' is the 'Great Day of the Lord's Judgment' or whether it be the day of forgiveness bestowed upon each individual in the day that their sins are forgiven and removed, it will occur due to the suffering of the Lord performed in the Garden of Gethsemane as Christ once suffered, the just for the unjust, redeeming us all from the Fall of Adam to receive a reward according to the good works performed. This is the Day of Atonement and it has significance in the Law of Moses as the day of feast and celebration at the time of cleansing the humble souls who do follow Christ.
Symbolically, the Day of Atonement, is set forth before the Father in the vision of Zechariah, Israel cleansed from all sin, the sins of the world removed from Jehoshua/Jesus by the atonement. This a spiritual cleansing portrayed before the Father in the preexistence in the vision of Zechariah, which occurs for all the world after Christ's coming. |
8a
TG
High Priest,
Melchizedek 8a TG Jesus Christ, David Descent TG Jesus Christ, Prophecies abt 8b IE Peculiar People; Isa. 29:14; 2 Ne. 27:26 TG Peculiar People 10a Micah 4:3-4
Gaining perspective of the Lord's work in the plan of salvation from beginning to end, from the preexistent eternity to God's celestial eternity, as this vision given to Zechariah provides, brings forth great understanding and comprehension concerning the nature of the ceremonies, sacrifices and feast of the Law of Moses and their representation of Jehovah as Jehoshua/Jesus, He in whom salvation is found. |
Under the Vine & Under the Fig TreeUnder the vine and under the fig tree is a great metaphorical manner of refering to that Great Millennial Day of the Reign of Jehovah as King David, the Beloved, on Earth, which leads directly into the Great and Final Day of Judgment and the End of the Ages of Time. Thus in one respect we have here a overall perspective of the mission of Jehovah as Jesus Christ from the beginnings of the Councils in Heaven to the last of the latter-days into the final Millenial Judgments. It is in measure from the beginning of the ages of time to the end thereof as it were, being cut out of the endless eternity to mark the days and times of man. Jehovah as Jesus Christ is thus the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, of the ages of time marked out and taken from eternity as a mere 'snippet' of the marked days of man and his probationary station in the great plan of God's eternal progression for his sons and daughters. |
It is said that at the inauguration of the Second Temple a reenactment was performed of Zechariah's fourth vision and the high priest Joshua did in actual fact stand as Jehovah as Jesus and another stood at his right hand before the throne of God as Lucifer, that is Satan. Thus the living direct application of Zechariah's vision was strongly applied to Joshua the high priest. But as in all such temple vignettes the greater meaning was a depiction of what had happened in heaven concerning the everlasting covenant. And what better way to open the 'new' temple dedication but with a reenactment of the reconfirmation in heaven of the Covenant of God with 'Israel', God's people, than to perform that great last judgment council between Jehovah and Lucifer which disbarred Satan from heaven and confirmed the Covenant unto Jehoshua/Y'hoshua, Jehovah and those who had chosen to prevail in and follow him, after all, that is the Great Gospel Covenant of heaven to so provide a redeemer for God's people.
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