Zechariah

THE FUTURE—that vast uncharted sea of the un-

known, holding joy or terror, comfort or pain, love or

loneliness. Some people fear the days to come, won-

dering what evils lurk in the shadows; others consult

seers and future-telling charlatans, trying desper-

ately to discover its secrets. But tomorrow’s story is

known only to God and to those special messengers

called prophets, to whom God has revealed a chap-

ter or two.

A prophet's primary task was to proclaim the word pf the LORD, pointing out sin, explaining its consequences, and calling men and women to repentance and obedience. Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, and Amos stand with scores of others who faithfully delivered God’s message despite rejection, ridicule, and persecution. And at times they were given prophetic visions foretelling coming events. Nestled near the end of the Old Testament, among what are known as “minor prophets,” is the book of Zechariah. As one of three postexilic prophets, along with Haggai and Malachi, Zechariah ministered to the small remnant of Jews who had returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple and their nation. Like Haggai, he encouraged the people to finish rebuilding the Temple, but his message went far beyond those physical walls and contemporary issues. With spectacular apocalyptic imagery and graphic detail, Zechariah told of the Messiah, the one whom God would send to rescue his people and to reign over ail the earth. Zechariah is one of our most important prophetic books, giving detailed messianic references that were clearly fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. The rebuilding of the Temple, he says, was just the first act in the drama of the end times and the ushering in of the messianic age. Zechariah proclaimed a stirring mespage of hope to these ex-captives and exiles—their King was coming! } Jesus is Messiah, the promised “great deliverer” of Israel. Unlike Zechariah’s listeners, we can look back at Christ’s ministry and mission. As you study Zechpriah’s prophecy, you will see details of Christ's life that were written 500 years before their fulfillment. Read and stand in awe of our God, who keeps his promses. But there is also a future message that has not yet been fulfilled—the rejurn of Christ at the end of the age. As you read Zechariah, think through the implications of this promised event. Your King is coming, and he will reign for- Byer and ever. God knows and controls the future. We may never see more than a moment Rent but we can be secure if we trust in him. Read Zechariah and strengthen your faith in God—he alone is your hope and security.

🖼 Map, chart or picture (see the original page image) — text in this graphic: Be

Zechariah encouraged the people to put away the sin in their tives and to continue rebuilding the Temple. His visions described the judgment of Israel's enemies, the blessings to Jerusalem, and the need for God's people to remain pure—avoiding hypocrisy, superticiality, and sin. Zechariah’s visions provided hope for the people. We also need to carefully follow the instruction to remain pure until Christ returns.

🖼 Map, chart or picture (see the original page image) — text in this graphic: ee