Zechariah

Zech 4:6 – Zechariah the Man who Saw Tomorrow!

Intro:  Today we will be looking at the book of Zechariah.  He was a man who had the privilege of seeing in the spiritual realm.  He was an extra ordinary prophet and sees the Messiah in ways no other prophet did.

Background.

1.  From our notes we learn that Zechariah was the younger contemporary of Haggai.  He

     Has the same mandate as Haggai to encourage the people to rebuild the temple.   He

     Spoke to  Zerubabbel and Joshua the High Priest.

a.  Zechariah’s name means, “The Lord remembers.”  He was a prophet, poet and priest. 

    Who wrote this book around 525-520 B.C.  He was the son of a man named Iddo

b.  Zechariah love to quote other prophets to bring home the point of God’s earlier

     redemptive work.  He reminds his audience and us that, “what God has done before,

   He will do again.” 

c.  He helps his audience or readers to look forward to the future Kingdom of God with

     its many scriptural promises.  

d.  The book of Zechariah was you see from your notes talks about 8 different visions.

     Each having a specific reference to Jesus or His coming Kingdom.

a.  The myrtles trees and horses.                                            1:7-17

b.  Four horns and craftsman.                                              1:18-21

c.  The plump line.                                                                 Ch 2

d.  The cleansing of the High Priest.                                     Ch 3

e.  Golden lamp stand and olive trees.                                   Ch 4

f.  The flying scroll.                                                                5:1-4

g.  Woman in the basket.                                                        5:5-11

h.  Four chariots and the crowning of the High Priest.        6:1-15

1.  So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel.  Not by might nor by

     Power, but my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.”

a.  Talk about how Zechariah and Haggai went to Zerubbabel.  This is his

     encouragement, exhortation or prophetic statement.  This is God’s word for him and

     us.

b.  It is not by might, human effort, cunning, wisdom, experience, manipulation or

     strength.  It is not by power, the exercise of human authority, sheer strength of will,

     character, nature or desire of man.  It will not be done through a legislative body or

     human government.  It will be done by the Spirit.  No religious institution or religion

     will change human history or a heart.  It is Spirit.

c.  The Holy Spirit is God.  He has the power to saved, regenerate, heal and delivered. 

     He can do in five seconds what a human being could never do.  He can transform both

     An individual and society.  Because He is God there is nothing He cannot do. 

     Zechariah reminds Zerubbabel and the leaders, that no human force, government or

     Heavenly entity can stop the Spirit.  No throne, dominion, authority, principality,

     Power, ruler or spiritual host can stop the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  In fact in the

      Following verses.  Zechariah states the through the grace of God every mountain

      becomes a plain or level place. 

2.   As Zechariah ministered to Judah and the people of Jerusalem, he called them to

      Rebuild the house of God, to prosper, to finish the work they were called to do.

a.  He spoke against religious indifference.  The church in Canada, is plagued by apathy,

     procrastination, lethargy and apostasy, all cause by sedition, division, strife and plain

     old rebellion.  But God is still calling His people to draw near, call unto Him, seek

     His face, pray, humble ourselves, refuse to compromise, watch, be strong, be

      transformed, walk in unity, refuse to be drawn into small controversy, live

      righteously, read, His word, make His house a topic priority and remember HHis

     promises.

b.  Zechariah had four main themes. 

1.  The true glory of a city or individual is found in their devotion to God.  Is Jesus

     Number one. 

2.  The pastor or shepherd’s are to guard, feed and guide the flock.  He had very strong

      Words for those who did not.

3.  Fating is useless if a heart is not pouring itself out to God. 

4.  The godly have present assurance of a future hope.

c.  Zechariah sees the conflict, capital, encouragement and judgment that individuals and

     nations face.  He spoke against the motives and secret sins of spiritual enterprises.

     He saw that people could do things in the Lord name from selfish and perverted

     Motives. 

d.  Zechariah had incredible visions where He saw Jesus.  He saw Him as the Prince of

     Peace and how His coming would usher in peace both now and in the future.

e. .He saw Jesus, coming in lowliness, crucified, forsaken and despised.   Zechariah in

     his writing gave 59 distinct messages from God.  What has He said to you today?