­­Purpose for writing Zechariah:

Power Point Study for Zechariah 14

Zechariah was written to comfort and encourage the returning Babylonian remnant to repent of their evil ways, to return to the Lord and to rebuild the temple. The people who had just returned from Babylonian exile felt like their efforts were insignificant and the future was uncertain. Not only were they just a remnant of the Jews, their kindred tribesman of Judah who still lived in Babylon, they weren’t even an independent nation – just a client state of a mighty Mede-Persian empire.

Zechariah’s message focuses on the future of Israel-Judah and proclaims that God would send the Messiah to establish His Kingdom through the submission, then destruction of the Gentile empires; i.e. the salvation of His people Israel.

JIV NOTE: I find it amusing and a bit proverbial that the New Testament Zechariah (a priest by the same name as O.T. Zechariah) was the father of John the Baptist whose sole purpose in his life was to proclaim that the first advent of the Messiah had come. Elisabeth was Mary’s cousin and gave birth to John the Baptist 3 or 4 months prior to our “Jesus is born in Bethlehem” history. O.T. Zechariah prophesied to the End Time; the second advent of Christ. Keep in mind that Zechariah means: “God/the Lord remembers”

Here is a list with locations of the 8 *visions in Zechariah:

Most Bible students think that the *visions connect together somehow. Unfortunately, they do not all agree on how they connect.

Here is one idea:

*visions 1, 2 and 3 are about the return from *exile;

*visions 4 and 5 are about the leader;

*visions 6, 7 and 8 are about the removal of *sin.

Here is another idea:

*visions 1, 2 and 8 are about the relationship of Judah with other countries;

*visions 3-7 are about the future of Judah/Israel as a nation.

Probably both ideas are useful to Bible students.

Four *visions (1, 3, 4 and 5) also have messages from the *LORD. They are in:

*Vision 1 – Zechariah 1:13-17;

*Vision 3 – Zechariah 2:6-13;

*Vision 4 – Zechariah 3:6-10;

*Vision 5 – Zechariah 4:5-10

Minor Prophets: There is a coded Bible message within the Minor Prophets and the focus of their writings or meaning of their names. Read the following as if it is a statement. WHY? Because there is a message to “them who have ears to hear” (Revelation 2 & 3: to the 7 churches).

• Hosea (Osee)                                    Salvation;
• Joel                                                     Day of the Lord; YHWY is God;
• Amos                                                  Carried; he preached during a time of a very large earthquake
• Obadiah (Abdias)                             Servant of YHWY; the divine judgment and restoration of Israel
• Jonah (Jonas)                                    Dove; (Holy Spirit, the comforter?)
• Micah (Micheas)                              Who is like YHWY
• Nahum                                               Comforter;
• Habakkuk (Habacuc)                       Embrace;
• Zephaniah (Sophanias)                   YHWH has hidden;
• Haggai (Aggeus)                                festive; festival; celebration
• Zechariah (Zacharias)                      YHWY remembers
• Malachi (Malachias)                        my messenger

Salvation, the Day of the Lord; YHWY is God; carried the servant of YHWY, the divine judgment and restoration of Israel [like a] Dove [of peace]. Who is like YHWY, the comforter? Embrace YHWY [for a] festival and celebration [is] hidden. YHWY remembers [his] messengers.

Yes, there are hidden bible codes; coded messages of reassurance to which we must pay attention but only those close or in tune with GOD/YHWY will ever understand.

Drj.
July, 2015