Zechariah 1:7-17 "Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the WORD of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. Then said I, O my LORD, what are these ? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will show thee what these be. And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the Earth. And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the Earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt THOU not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which THOU hast had indignation these threescore and ten years ? And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I AM jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I AM very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the LORD; I AM returned to Jerusalem with mercies: MY house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; MY cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem."
The GOD of Israel has a purpose and a plan for HIS people and for HIS holy city Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24-27). Following the Rapture of the church (1st.Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10 pictured above), the LORD will deal with Israel once again, first by way of judgment in the Great Tribulation and then through HIS glorious blessing in JESUS CHRIST's earthly millennial reign that follows. ALL prophecy will be fulfilled !
Today's text contains the first of eight visions that came in quick succession to Zechariah. This vision speaks of GOD's great jealousy -- HIS guarded love "for Jerusalem and for Zion" (v.14). HE "shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem" (v.17 pictured above). But what about the rest of the world, which seems totally oblivious to GOD's loving plan for the ages and for Israel's future glory ? Zechariah sees the LORD standing "among the myrtle trees" (v.11), somewhat veiled and difficult to be seen by the casual observer. This scene is comparable to what we experience today -- GOD's purpose is not obvious to the common man and must be sought out in the WORD and believed on by faith. The ones sent forth "to walk to and fro through the Earth" (v.10) returned with their report: "The Earth sitteth still, and is at rest" (v.11). Not only were the heathen indifferent to GOD, but they even opposed HIM (v.15) -- how similar to the day in which we live. But "good and comfortable" words (v.13) were available for those who would hear and heed this prophecy. The remnant of Judah had work to do (v.16), but they also could look forward to a far greater future glory in GOD's plan for Jerusalem (v.17 pictured above). We will get a view of this glorious age as Zechariah's prophecy unfolds ! DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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