*Zechariah 1:18-21 / *Zech. 1:18 -
The four horns of the Gentiles (Zechariah 1:21b) could represent four kings (cf. Daniel 7:24) of Babylon who scattered Judah in the time of the prophet Zechariah, during the seventy years of the Jews' Babylonian captivity (Zechariah 1:12) in the sixth century BC. The four horns could represent Nebuchadnezzar (Ezra 2:1), Evilmerodach (Jeremiah 52:31), Nabonidus, and Belshazzar (Daniel 7:1).
In Zechariah 1:20-21 the four carpenters would be Jewish. For in Zechariah 1:21 they are contrasted with the Gentile horns. And just as carpenters build things up, so the four carpenters could represent four Jewish leaders who helped to build Israel back up again after its Babylonian captivity; that is, Jewish leaders who succeeded in reasserting Jewish control over the land of Judah back in the time of Zechariah. They could represent Zerubbabel (Haggai 2:2, Zechariah 4:9), Joshua the high priest (Haggai 2:2, Zechariah 6:11), Ezra (Ezra 7:25), and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:26).
Also, we must not forget that Jesus Christ Himself is a Jew (John 4:9,22, Luke 2:21), who was literally a carpenter at His first coming (Mark 6:3). And He will restore the Davidic kingdom of Israel at His future, Second Coming.
(See paragraphs 4-5 of Acts 1:6 below)
In Zechariah 1:21 the original Hebrew word (charad: H2729) translated as "fray", like the English word, can mean to make afraid (Amos 3:6). While it is not clear how the Jewish leaders would have made any of the Babylonian kings afraid, this could be hyperbole, along with the image of the Jewish leaders "casting out" the Babylonian kings/horns in Zechariah 1:21b. That is, it could be a vigorous, poetic way of expressing the feeling of victory that the Jews felt in receiving back their land after their subjugation by the Babylonians.
--
*Zechariah 2 / *Zech. 2 -
This was not fulfilled at Jesus Christ's first coming. For non-Christian Jerusalem was left spiritually desolate at Jesus' first coming (Luke 13:34-35). Instead, Zechariah 2 will be fulfilled at Jesus' future, Second Coming, just as Zechariah 14 will be.
(See Zechariah 14 below)
--
*Zechariah 2:13 / *Zech. 2:13 -
(Be silent)
(Re: What does God say to you most often?)
"Be quiet", in the sense of a mental quiet (cf. 1 Peter 3:4). For God hates mental prayers which are too repetitive (Matthew 6:7), and too verbose (Ecclesiastes 5:2,7), as this only shows a lack of faith in His powers. Just be still and know that YHWH is God (Psalms 46:10, Isaiah 32:17). That is, once you have prayed about something, just leave it in His hands, and actually believe that He will take care of it (Mark 11:24); and you will have peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
~
God being "raised up" (`uwr: H5782) in Zechariah 2:13 does not require that He is angry at that time, which is the future time of the Millennium, after Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming (Zechariah 2:10-13, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6); just as, for example, Cyrus being "stirred up" (`uwr: H5782) in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 does not require that Cyrus was angry at that time.
--
*Zechariah 3:1-7 / *Zech. 3:1 -
This refers to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest in the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 6:11) and the prophet Haggai (Haggai 1:1,12,14, Haggai 2:2), after the kingdom of Judah had returned from its Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BC.
Zechariah 3:1-7 is a symbolic vision whereby Joshua the son of Josedech is cleansed from his sins by God so that he might serve as high priest in the time of the prophet Zechariah.
Joshua the son of Josedech's sins are symbolized by a dirty garment, and the righteousness God gives him is symbolized by a clean garment (Zechariah 3:4-5).
The same imagery is used with reference to the Church in Revelation 19:8, where the clean garment of the bride represents the righteousness (Revelation 19:8b) which those in the Church have now through their faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). Compare also what Revelation 3:4 says.
--
*Zechariah 3:8 / *Zech. 3:8 -
(See Zechariah 6:11 below)
Zechariah 3:8 could refer not to the 24 elders in heaven (Revelation 4:4), but to some men on the earth such as Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah (Zechariah 6:14), who could have sat before the high priest Joshua, the son of Josedech, in the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 6:11) in the sixth century BC.
--
*Zechariah 3:9b / *Zech. 3:9b -
This refers to what Jesus Christ will do at His future, Second Coming (Isaiah 4:4,2, Romans 11:26), just as Zechariah 3:10 refers to the subsequent Millennium (Micah 4:4,1-3).
--
*Zechariah 4 / *Zech. 4 -
In Zechariah 4:2,11 the single candlestick represents the Lord (Zechariah 4:14), Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:11). Its seven lamps represent the same thing as the seven "eyes" of YHWH (Zechariah 4:10, Zechariah 3:9, Revelation 5:6).
In Zechariah 4:3,11 the two olive trees represent the two anointed men who stand by the Lord (Zechariah 4:14). They will be God's future, Two Witnesses and olive trees in Revelation 11:3-4.
--
*Zechariah 5:1-4 / *Zech. 5:1 -
(Re: Is the flying roll the same as the "book" in Revelation 5:1? For they are both first seen in "5:1" verses, and they both have writing on both sides)
We should not read anything into the Bible's chapter and verse numbers. For they were man-made, not added until centuries after the Bible's original manuscripts were written down. And nothing requires that the Bible's chapter and verse numbers were inspired by God (although John 6:66 and Acts 14:14 are intriguing).
Also, the flying roll (Zechariah 5:1) could be different from the book (scroll) sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5:1), which is not shown as flying.
Also, the flying roll is huge (Zechariah 5:2), twenty cubits by ten cubits (thirty feet by fifteen feet), while the book sealed with seven seals can be held in a hand (Revelation 5:1).
The flying roll could have gone forth back in the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 5:3), who lived in the sixth century BC, whereas the book sealed with seven seals was still unsealed in the first century AD. For its unsealing is part of the "things which must be hereafter" (Revelation 4:1) in relation to the time when the apostle John saw the vision of the book of Revelation in the first century AD. For Irenaeus says that John saw the vision of Revelation toward the end of Domitian's reign (Against Heresies 5:30:3c), which ended in 96 AD.
Zechariah 5:3-4 could mean that the flying roll is just one specific curse against everyone who steals and everyone who takes an oath falsely in God's name (one side of the flying roll being against all thieves, the other side being against all those who take an oath falsely in God's name), which curse could result in them being cut off and their houses being destroyed (Zechariah 5:3-4), whereas the description of the unsealing of the book sealed with seven seals in Revelation makes no reference to any "curse", nor to any thieves or people taking oaths falsely in God's name. Also, the book sealed with seven seals contains some blessings, such as literal white robes given to the souls of the Christian martyrs in heaven (Revelation 6:9-11). And what happens right after the first seal is unsealed (Revelation 6:1-2) could represent the blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ reaching the nations (Matthew 24:14).
--
*Zechariah 5:11 / *Zech. 5:11 -
The original Hebrew word (bayith: H1004) translated as "house" can mean a "temple" (1 Chronicles 6:10; 2 Chronicles 23:10). A temple built for "wickedness" (Zechariah 5:8-11) in Shinar -- which is in Babylonia (Daniel 1:1-2), now part of Iraq -- could be a future, literal temple building which will be built for the future Antichrist and Satan in the literal, rebuilt city of Babylon, in Iraq. For the Antichrist is called "that Wicked" (2 Thessalonians 2:8), and he will proclaim himself God (Daniel 11:36), and have the whole world worship him (Revelation 13:8) and Lucifer/Satan the dragon (Revelation 13:4, Revelation 12:9).
This temple could be made the spiritual center of the world, so that people from around the world will want to travel to the temple in Babylon and worship there. And those who manage to do so could be greatly honored when they return back home, like how, for example, Muslims today who manage to make the pilgrimage (the "hajj") to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and then return back home are honored, and even given a special title before their name: "Hajji" (Pilgrim), meaning one who has made the hajj.
(See also Revelation 13:1 below)
--
*Zechariah 6:1-8 / *Zech. 6:1 -
This could have occurred in the time of the prophet Zechariah in the sixth century BC, just as Zechariah 6:10-11 occurred in his time. The two mountains of brass in Zechariah 6:1 could be in heaven, for the four chariots which go forth from them are "the four spirits of the heavens" (Zechariah 6:5).
--
*Zechariah 6:3 / *Zech. 6:3 -
The original Hebrew word (barod: H1261) translated as "grisled" can mean spotted (Strong's Hebrew Dictionary).
The Hebrew word ('amots: H0554) translated as "bay" can mean red
--
*Zechariah 6:11-12 / *Zech. 6:11 -
This and Zechariah 3:8-10 meant by type that the Christ, the Messiah, would be a high priest (Hebrews 6:20) named "Joshua", or "Jesus", "Jesus" being the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua" (like how, for example, "Juan" is the Spanish form of the English name "John"). "The Branch" (Zechariah 6:12, Zechariah 3:8) is a title of the Christ (Isaiah 4:2-6, Jeremiah 33:14-17). And where it says: "upon one stone shall be seven eyes" (Zechariah 3:9), this too is fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the stone (1 Peter 2:7), who is at one point symbolically shown as having seven "eyes" (Revelation 5:6). "I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day" (Zechariah 3:9) will be fulfilled at Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming (Isaiah 4:4-6). And Zechariah 3:10 refers to the subsequent time of the Millennium (Micah 4:4), when the returned Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-4).
~
(He shall build the temple)
See Zechariah 14:20 below.
--
*Zechariah 6:13 / *Zech. 6:13 -
(Peace between them both)
This could be referring to the preceding phrase: "he shall be a priest upon his throne". That is, the Messiah/Christ would hold both the offices of high priest (Hebrews 6:20) and King (Revelation 19:16), without there being any conflict between His two roles.
~
(His throne)
See paragraphs 4-5 of Acts 1:6 below.
--
*Zechariah 7:1 / *Zech. 7:1 -
"Chisleu" (H3691), which can also be transliterated as "Chislev", "Kislev", "Kislav", or "Kisleu", is the name of the ninth month of the Hebrew religious calendar, referred to previously in the verse.
--
*Zechariah 7:12 / *Zech. 7:12 -
The original Hebrew word (shamiyr: H8068) translated as "adamant stone" can mean a "diamond" (Jeremiah 17:1), in this case referring not to its beauty, but to its hardness, as in a hard heart (Hebrews 3:15).
--
*Zechariah 8 / *Zech. 8 -
This could refer to the second Jewish temple period (from the sixth century BC to the first century AD), with the last two verses looking ahead to the future Millennium (of Revelation 20:4-6).
--
*Zechariah 8:10 / *Zech. 8:10 -
The original Hebrew word (sakar: H7939) translated as "hire" can mean "wages" (Genesis 30:28), in the sense of gainful employment.
--
*Zechariah 8:13 / *Zech. 8:13 -
This can include genetic Jews from every tribe of Israel, just as Acts 2:36,22,5 and Acts 26:7 do.
(See the "Lost Tribes?" section of Romans 11:17 below)
--
*Zechariah 9:1 / *Zech. 9:1 -
"Hadrach" (H2317) could refer to a city in ancient Syria.
--
*Zechariah 9:13 / *Zech. 9:13 -
While God uses His people as weapons (Zechariah 9:13), ultimately it is His Word that is His weapon (Ephesians 6:17, Jeremiah 23:29). Christians are never to employ any physical weapons or violence against anyone (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Matthew 26:52, Matthew 5:39).
(See Matthew 5:39 below)
--
*Zechariah 9:14-17 / *Zech. 9:14 -
This refers to Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, when He will be seen (Zechariah 9:14, Matthew 24:30) and the trumpet of God shall be blown (Zechariah 9:14, Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Zechariah 9:15-16 refers to the same thing as Zechariah 14:3-5,14.
--
*Zechariah 10:5-12 / *Zech. 10:5 / *Zech. 10:6 -
This can refer to Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming and the start of the future Millennium. For Zechariah 10:5 says: "YHWH is with them". And the fighting of the Jews against their enemies in Zechariah 10:5-7 is the same as the post-Second-Coming (Zechariah 14:3-4) fighting of the Jews against their enemies in Zechariah 14:14.
(See also paragraph 2 of John 1:1 below)
--
*Zechariah 11:2 / *Zech. 11:2 -
The original Hebrew word (batsiyr: H1210) translated as "vintage", like the English word, can refer to a harvest of grapes (Isaiah 24:13). And the Hebrew word (ya`ar: H3293) translated as "forest" does not have to always refer to a forest of trees, but can refer to any place with a lot of vegetation, in this case with a lot of lush grape vines, which have "come down" in the sense of them being cut down by an invading army.
--
*Zechariah 11:7 / *Zech. 11:7 -
The original Hebrew word (no`am: H5278) translated as "Beauty" can mean just that (Psalms 27:4). It can also mean "Pleasantness" (Proverbs 3:17, Proverbs 15:26), in this case the pleasantness of God's covenant with the people of Judah and Israel (Zechariah 11:10).
The Hebrew word (chebel: H2256) translated as "Bands" can mean "Portions" in the sense of possessing portions of the land of Israel (Joshua 17:5). It can also mean "Companies" in the sense of groups of people (1 Samuel 10:10), in this case the two groups of Judah and Israel (Zechariah 11:14).
--
*Zechariah 11:16-17 / *Zech. 11:16 -
This could refer to a future, ultra-Orthodox Jewish false "Messiah" (cf. Matthew 24:24) who will rise up in Israel and start trying to get all of the ultra-Orthodox Jews there to violently rebel against the current, secular government of Israel. The sword being upon his right eye, and his arm being dried up, could refer to a top assassin in the Mossad or Shin Bet succeeding in an attempt to stab this false Messiah in his eye with a knife.
The reason for the assassin attempting to stab this false Messiah in his eye instead of his heart could be because of the knowledge that he is wearing a bulletproof -- and so a knife-proof -- vest. And the reason for using a knife instead of a gun could be because of the need to get the assassination weapon past metal detectors set up by the false Messiah's security detail at the place of the assassination attempt. The knife could be completely ceramic so as to not set off any metal detectors.
The knife could pierce this false Messiah's right eye, leaving him blind in that eye. (It is interesting that Muslims believe that the man whom they will call "the False Messiah" will be blind in one eye.) The knife could also pierce beyond the back of his right eye in an upward thrust far enough into his brain to injure the sensorimotor area of his cerebral cortex responsible for sensation and movement in his left arm, leaving him paralyzed in his left arm, and causing it to curl up. Also, the fact that it is his right eye which will be stabbed could suggest that his assassin will be left-handed. Compare Ehud the left-handed, Jewish knife-assassin in Judges 3:15-22. Indeed, the Mossad or Shin Bet operation to take out the false Messiah could even be called: "Operation Ehud".
(See also Daniel 9:26 above, and the "Dajjal" section of Revelation 13:4 below)
~
(Re: Would not the Shin Bet have infiltrated this false Messiah's following with paid informants, who could also serve as assassins in a private setting, for example, by putting poison in his tea during a luncheon?)
The false Messiah could have psychic powers (given to him by demons), so that he will be able to identify any traitors among his followers and cast them out. His assassin will have to be unknown to him and come upon him suddenly, before he can scope the assassin out psychically and avoid him.
Also, just as the false Messiah could have psychic powers given to him by demons (cf. Acts 16:16), so he could have the power to perform amazing miracles by the power of demons (Matthew 24:24; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9), which miracles will result in his gaining a huge following in Israel, including many Jews there who had not considered themselves to be religious before.
(Compare 1 Samuel 28:3 above)
--
*Zechariah 11:17 / *Zech. 11:17 -
The original Hebrew word ('eliyl: H0457) translated as "idol" can mean just that (Isaiah 2:20). It can also mean "of no value" (Job 13:4), "a thing of nought" (Jeremiah 14:14), that is, worthless. Zechariah 11:17's "idol shepherd" is worthless because he leaves the flock.
--
*Zechariah 12 / *Zech. 12 -
Zechariah 12:1-9 will happen at Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming (Zechariah 14:2-21, Revelation 19:11-21), just as Zechariah 12:10-14 will happen at His Second Coming (Romans 11:26). A few years before His Second Coming, Israel could be completely defeated and occupied during the horrible, future war of Revelation 6:4-8 and Daniel 11:15-17.
(See the "War" section of Revelation 13:5 below. And see Zechariah 12:9 below)
--
*Zechariah 12:9 / *Zech. 12:9 -
This does not mean that Jesus Christ will destroy all non-Christians at His future, Second Coming. For some non-Christians will be left alive by Him at that time.
(See paragraph 3 of Luke 17:26 below)
--
*Zechariah 12:10 to 13:2 / *Zech. 12:10 / *Zech. 13:1 -
This, like Romans 11:25-29, will not be fulfilled until Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, when the still-living, non-Christian elect Jews will see the physically returned Jesus in person ("they shall look upon me whom they have pierced") and believe in Him and be saved (Romans 11:26-29).
--
*Zechariah 13:3-5 / *Zech. 13:3 -
This will not occur until after Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming. While Zechariah 13:3-5 is mainly a statement against false prophets, it could also include the cessation of the operation of the true gift of prophecy (of 1 Corinthians 12:10) at the Second Coming (1 Corinthians 13:8-12, cf. 1 John 3:2).
--
*Zechariah 13:6 / *Zech. 13:6 -
This could refer to a child, for example, during the future Millennium, asking the physically returned Jesus Christ about the wounds of the Crucifixion in His hands (cf. John 20:25-31).
--
*Zechariah 13:7 / *Zech. 13:7 -
This was fulfilled the night that Jesus Christ was arrested (Matthew 26:31).
--
*Zechariah 13:8-9 / *Zech. 13:8 -
This could refer to the "sheep" (the early Christians in Judaea) in Zechariah 13:7 (Matthew 26:31), two-thirds of which could have ended up dying in the land during the Jewish revolts against Rome in 66-70 AD.
Also, Zechariah 13:8-9 could include reference to both the Christians and non-Christian elect Jews who will be trapped in Judaea (southern Israel) during the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24. For the subsequent verses (Zechariah 14:1-21) refer to a pillaging of Jerusalem right before Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, and the establishment of the physical, Millennial aspect of His Kingdom on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29).
--
*Zechariah 14 / *Zech. 14 -
This chapter is about Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming with all of His saints (Zechariah 14:5b; 1 Thessalonians 3:13b), in the sense of all Christians of all times; and about the subsequent Millennium, when Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8-21, Micah 4:1-4). Zechariah 14:3 refers to the Second-Coming battle of Revelation 19:19-21. And Zechariah 14:4 shows that at Jesus' Second Coming, He will physically land on the Mount of Olives (just east of Jerusalem), just as at the end of His first coming, He physically ascended from the Mount of Olives. Acts 1:11-12 says that Jesus will return in like manner as He left.
Before Jesus Christ returns, at the very end of the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 the world's armies will gather at a staging area at Armageddon (Revelation 16:14,16) (Har Megiddo, Mount Megiddo in northern Israel). They will then move south and pillage Jerusalem right before Jesus returns and totally defeats them (Zechariah 14:2-5, Revelation 19:19-21). Jesus will then remain on the earth as King (Zechariah 14:9), and the non-Christians left alive on the earth (Matthew 24:40) will be forced to come up to Jerusalem and worship Him annually (Zechariah 14:16-19). Jesus and the physically resurrected Church will rule the non-Christian survivors of the nations with a rod of iron during the Millennium (Revelation 2:26-29, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 20:4-6).
Also, Zechariah 12:2-14 refers to the same future time as Zechariah 14.
-
Next entry / Prior / Table of Contents
Nov 26, 2018
The four horns of the Gentiles (Zechariah 1:21b) could represent four kings (cf. Daniel 7:24) of Babylon who scattered Judah in the time of the prophet Zechariah, during the seventy years of the Jews' Babylonian captivity (Zechariah 1:12) in the sixth century BC. The four horns could represent Nebuchadnezzar (Ezra 2:1), Evilmerodach (Jeremiah 52:31), Nabonidus, and Belshazzar (Daniel 7:1).
In Zechariah 1:20-21 the four carpenters would be Jewish. For in Zechariah 1:21 they are contrasted with the Gentile horns. And just as carpenters build things up, so the four carpenters could represent four Jewish leaders who helped to build Israel back up again after its Babylonian captivity; that is, Jewish leaders who succeeded in reasserting Jewish control over the land of Judah back in the time of Zechariah. They could represent Zerubbabel (Haggai 2:2, Zechariah 4:9), Joshua the high priest (Haggai 2:2, Zechariah 6:11), Ezra (Ezra 7:25), and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:26).
Also, we must not forget that Jesus Christ Himself is a Jew (John 4:9,22, Luke 2:21), who was literally a carpenter at His first coming (Mark 6:3). And He will restore the Davidic kingdom of Israel at His future, Second Coming.
(See paragraphs 4-5 of Acts 1:6 below)
In Zechariah 1:21 the original Hebrew word (charad: H2729) translated as "fray", like the English word, can mean to make afraid (Amos 3:6). While it is not clear how the Jewish leaders would have made any of the Babylonian kings afraid, this could be hyperbole, along with the image of the Jewish leaders "casting out" the Babylonian kings/horns in Zechariah 1:21b. That is, it could be a vigorous, poetic way of expressing the feeling of victory that the Jews felt in receiving back their land after their subjugation by the Babylonians.
--
*Zechariah 2 / *Zech. 2 -
This was not fulfilled at Jesus Christ's first coming. For non-Christian Jerusalem was left spiritually desolate at Jesus' first coming (Luke 13:34-35). Instead, Zechariah 2 will be fulfilled at Jesus' future, Second Coming, just as Zechariah 14 will be.
(See Zechariah 14 below)
--
*Zechariah 2:13 / *Zech. 2:13 -
(Be silent)
(Re: What does God say to you most often?)
"Be quiet", in the sense of a mental quiet (cf. 1 Peter 3:4). For God hates mental prayers which are too repetitive (Matthew 6:7), and too verbose (Ecclesiastes 5:2,7), as this only shows a lack of faith in His powers. Just be still and know that YHWH is God (Psalms 46:10, Isaiah 32:17). That is, once you have prayed about something, just leave it in His hands, and actually believe that He will take care of it (Mark 11:24); and you will have peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
~
God being "raised up" (`uwr: H5782) in Zechariah 2:13 does not require that He is angry at that time, which is the future time of the Millennium, after Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming (Zechariah 2:10-13, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6); just as, for example, Cyrus being "stirred up" (`uwr: H5782) in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 does not require that Cyrus was angry at that time.
--
*Zechariah 3:1-7 / *Zech. 3:1 -
This refers to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest in the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 6:11) and the prophet Haggai (Haggai 1:1,12,14, Haggai 2:2), after the kingdom of Judah had returned from its Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BC.
Zechariah 3:1-7 is a symbolic vision whereby Joshua the son of Josedech is cleansed from his sins by God so that he might serve as high priest in the time of the prophet Zechariah.
Joshua the son of Josedech's sins are symbolized by a dirty garment, and the righteousness God gives him is symbolized by a clean garment (Zechariah 3:4-5).
The same imagery is used with reference to the Church in Revelation 19:8, where the clean garment of the bride represents the righteousness (Revelation 19:8b) which those in the Church have now through their faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). Compare also what Revelation 3:4 says.
--
*Zechariah 3:8 / *Zech. 3:8 -
(See Zechariah 6:11 below)
Zechariah 3:8 could refer not to the 24 elders in heaven (Revelation 4:4), but to some men on the earth such as Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah (Zechariah 6:14), who could have sat before the high priest Joshua, the son of Josedech, in the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 6:11) in the sixth century BC.
--
*Zechariah 3:9b / *Zech. 3:9b -
This refers to what Jesus Christ will do at His future, Second Coming (Isaiah 4:4,2, Romans 11:26), just as Zechariah 3:10 refers to the subsequent Millennium (Micah 4:4,1-3).
--
*Zechariah 4 / *Zech. 4 -
In Zechariah 4:2,11 the single candlestick represents the Lord (Zechariah 4:14), Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:11). Its seven lamps represent the same thing as the seven "eyes" of YHWH (Zechariah 4:10, Zechariah 3:9, Revelation 5:6).
In Zechariah 4:3,11 the two olive trees represent the two anointed men who stand by the Lord (Zechariah 4:14). They will be God's future, Two Witnesses and olive trees in Revelation 11:3-4.
--
*Zechariah 5:1-4 / *Zech. 5:1 -
(Re: Is the flying roll the same as the "book" in Revelation 5:1? For they are both first seen in "5:1" verses, and they both have writing on both sides)
We should not read anything into the Bible's chapter and verse numbers. For they were man-made, not added until centuries after the Bible's original manuscripts were written down. And nothing requires that the Bible's chapter and verse numbers were inspired by God (although John 6:66 and Acts 14:14 are intriguing).
Also, the flying roll (Zechariah 5:1) could be different from the book (scroll) sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5:1), which is not shown as flying.
Also, the flying roll is huge (Zechariah 5:2), twenty cubits by ten cubits (thirty feet by fifteen feet), while the book sealed with seven seals can be held in a hand (Revelation 5:1).
The flying roll could have gone forth back in the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 5:3), who lived in the sixth century BC, whereas the book sealed with seven seals was still unsealed in the first century AD. For its unsealing is part of the "things which must be hereafter" (Revelation 4:1) in relation to the time when the apostle John saw the vision of the book of Revelation in the first century AD. For Irenaeus says that John saw the vision of Revelation toward the end of Domitian's reign (Against Heresies 5:30:3c), which ended in 96 AD.
Zechariah 5:3-4 could mean that the flying roll is just one specific curse against everyone who steals and everyone who takes an oath falsely in God's name (one side of the flying roll being against all thieves, the other side being against all those who take an oath falsely in God's name), which curse could result in them being cut off and their houses being destroyed (Zechariah 5:3-4), whereas the description of the unsealing of the book sealed with seven seals in Revelation makes no reference to any "curse", nor to any thieves or people taking oaths falsely in God's name. Also, the book sealed with seven seals contains some blessings, such as literal white robes given to the souls of the Christian martyrs in heaven (Revelation 6:9-11). And what happens right after the first seal is unsealed (Revelation 6:1-2) could represent the blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ reaching the nations (Matthew 24:14).
--
*Zechariah 5:11 / *Zech. 5:11 -
The original Hebrew word (bayith: H1004) translated as "house" can mean a "temple" (1 Chronicles 6:10; 2 Chronicles 23:10). A temple built for "wickedness" (Zechariah 5:8-11) in Shinar -- which is in Babylonia (Daniel 1:1-2), now part of Iraq -- could be a future, literal temple building which will be built for the future Antichrist and Satan in the literal, rebuilt city of Babylon, in Iraq. For the Antichrist is called "that Wicked" (2 Thessalonians 2:8), and he will proclaim himself God (Daniel 11:36), and have the whole world worship him (Revelation 13:8) and Lucifer/Satan the dragon (Revelation 13:4, Revelation 12:9).
This temple could be made the spiritual center of the world, so that people from around the world will want to travel to the temple in Babylon and worship there. And those who manage to do so could be greatly honored when they return back home, like how, for example, Muslims today who manage to make the pilgrimage (the "hajj") to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and then return back home are honored, and even given a special title before their name: "Hajji" (Pilgrim), meaning one who has made the hajj.
(See also Revelation 13:1 below)
--
*Zechariah 6:1-8 / *Zech. 6:1 -
This could have occurred in the time of the prophet Zechariah in the sixth century BC, just as Zechariah 6:10-11 occurred in his time. The two mountains of brass in Zechariah 6:1 could be in heaven, for the four chariots which go forth from them are "the four spirits of the heavens" (Zechariah 6:5).
--
*Zechariah 6:3 / *Zech. 6:3 -
The original Hebrew word (barod: H1261) translated as "grisled" can mean spotted (Strong's Hebrew Dictionary).
The Hebrew word ('amots: H0554) translated as "bay" can mean red
--
*Zechariah 6:11-12 / *Zech. 6:11 -
This and Zechariah 3:8-10 meant by type that the Christ, the Messiah, would be a high priest (Hebrews 6:20) named "Joshua", or "Jesus", "Jesus" being the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua" (like how, for example, "Juan" is the Spanish form of the English name "John"). "The Branch" (Zechariah 6:12, Zechariah 3:8) is a title of the Christ (Isaiah 4:2-6, Jeremiah 33:14-17). And where it says: "upon one stone shall be seven eyes" (Zechariah 3:9), this too is fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the stone (1 Peter 2:7), who is at one point symbolically shown as having seven "eyes" (Revelation 5:6). "I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day" (Zechariah 3:9) will be fulfilled at Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming (Isaiah 4:4-6). And Zechariah 3:10 refers to the subsequent time of the Millennium (Micah 4:4), when the returned Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-4).
~
(He shall build the temple)
See Zechariah 14:20 below.
--
*Zechariah 6:13 / *Zech. 6:13 -
(Peace between them both)
This could be referring to the preceding phrase: "he shall be a priest upon his throne". That is, the Messiah/Christ would hold both the offices of high priest (Hebrews 6:20) and King (Revelation 19:16), without there being any conflict between His two roles.
~
(His throne)
See paragraphs 4-5 of Acts 1:6 below.
--
*Zechariah 7:1 / *Zech. 7:1 -
"Chisleu" (H3691), which can also be transliterated as "Chislev", "Kislev", "Kislav", or "Kisleu", is the name of the ninth month of the Hebrew religious calendar, referred to previously in the verse.
--
*Zechariah 7:12 / *Zech. 7:12 -
The original Hebrew word (shamiyr: H8068) translated as "adamant stone" can mean a "diamond" (Jeremiah 17:1), in this case referring not to its beauty, but to its hardness, as in a hard heart (Hebrews 3:15).
--
*Zechariah 8 / *Zech. 8 -
This could refer to the second Jewish temple period (from the sixth century BC to the first century AD), with the last two verses looking ahead to the future Millennium (of Revelation 20:4-6).
--
*Zechariah 8:10 / *Zech. 8:10 -
The original Hebrew word (sakar: H7939) translated as "hire" can mean "wages" (Genesis 30:28), in the sense of gainful employment.
--
*Zechariah 8:13 / *Zech. 8:13 -
This can include genetic Jews from every tribe of Israel, just as Acts 2:36,22,5 and Acts 26:7 do.
(See the "Lost Tribes?" section of Romans 11:17 below)
--
*Zechariah 9:1 / *Zech. 9:1 -
"Hadrach" (H2317) could refer to a city in ancient Syria.
--
*Zechariah 9:13 / *Zech. 9:13 -
While God uses His people as weapons (Zechariah 9:13), ultimately it is His Word that is His weapon (Ephesians 6:17, Jeremiah 23:29). Christians are never to employ any physical weapons or violence against anyone (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Matthew 26:52, Matthew 5:39).
(See Matthew 5:39 below)
--
*Zechariah 9:14-17 / *Zech. 9:14 -
This refers to Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, when He will be seen (Zechariah 9:14, Matthew 24:30) and the trumpet of God shall be blown (Zechariah 9:14, Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Zechariah 9:15-16 refers to the same thing as Zechariah 14:3-5,14.
--
*Zechariah 10:5-12 / *Zech. 10:5 / *Zech. 10:6 -
This can refer to Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming and the start of the future Millennium. For Zechariah 10:5 says: "YHWH is with them". And the fighting of the Jews against their enemies in Zechariah 10:5-7 is the same as the post-Second-Coming (Zechariah 14:3-4) fighting of the Jews against their enemies in Zechariah 14:14.
(See also paragraph 2 of John 1:1 below)
--
*Zechariah 11:2 / *Zech. 11:2 -
The original Hebrew word (batsiyr: H1210) translated as "vintage", like the English word, can refer to a harvest of grapes (Isaiah 24:13). And the Hebrew word (ya`ar: H3293) translated as "forest" does not have to always refer to a forest of trees, but can refer to any place with a lot of vegetation, in this case with a lot of lush grape vines, which have "come down" in the sense of them being cut down by an invading army.
--
*Zechariah 11:7 / *Zech. 11:7 -
The original Hebrew word (no`am: H5278) translated as "Beauty" can mean just that (Psalms 27:4). It can also mean "Pleasantness" (Proverbs 3:17, Proverbs 15:26), in this case the pleasantness of God's covenant with the people of Judah and Israel (Zechariah 11:10).
The Hebrew word (chebel: H2256) translated as "Bands" can mean "Portions" in the sense of possessing portions of the land of Israel (Joshua 17:5). It can also mean "Companies" in the sense of groups of people (1 Samuel 10:10), in this case the two groups of Judah and Israel (Zechariah 11:14).
--
*Zechariah 11:16-17 / *Zech. 11:16 -
This could refer to a future, ultra-Orthodox Jewish false "Messiah" (cf. Matthew 24:24) who will rise up in Israel and start trying to get all of the ultra-Orthodox Jews there to violently rebel against the current, secular government of Israel. The sword being upon his right eye, and his arm being dried up, could refer to a top assassin in the Mossad or Shin Bet succeeding in an attempt to stab this false Messiah in his eye with a knife.
The reason for the assassin attempting to stab this false Messiah in his eye instead of his heart could be because of the knowledge that he is wearing a bulletproof -- and so a knife-proof -- vest. And the reason for using a knife instead of a gun could be because of the need to get the assassination weapon past metal detectors set up by the false Messiah's security detail at the place of the assassination attempt. The knife could be completely ceramic so as to not set off any metal detectors.
The knife could pierce this false Messiah's right eye, leaving him blind in that eye. (It is interesting that Muslims believe that the man whom they will call "the False Messiah" will be blind in one eye.) The knife could also pierce beyond the back of his right eye in an upward thrust far enough into his brain to injure the sensorimotor area of his cerebral cortex responsible for sensation and movement in his left arm, leaving him paralyzed in his left arm, and causing it to curl up. Also, the fact that it is his right eye which will be stabbed could suggest that his assassin will be left-handed. Compare Ehud the left-handed, Jewish knife-assassin in Judges 3:15-22. Indeed, the Mossad or Shin Bet operation to take out the false Messiah could even be called: "Operation Ehud".
(See also Daniel 9:26 above, and the "Dajjal" section of Revelation 13:4 below)
~
(Re: Would not the Shin Bet have infiltrated this false Messiah's following with paid informants, who could also serve as assassins in a private setting, for example, by putting poison in his tea during a luncheon?)
The false Messiah could have psychic powers (given to him by demons), so that he will be able to identify any traitors among his followers and cast them out. His assassin will have to be unknown to him and come upon him suddenly, before he can scope the assassin out psychically and avoid him.
Also, just as the false Messiah could have psychic powers given to him by demons (cf. Acts 16:16), so he could have the power to perform amazing miracles by the power of demons (Matthew 24:24; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9), which miracles will result in his gaining a huge following in Israel, including many Jews there who had not considered themselves to be religious before.
(Compare 1 Samuel 28:3 above)
--
*Zechariah 11:17 / *Zech. 11:17 -
The original Hebrew word ('eliyl: H0457) translated as "idol" can mean just that (Isaiah 2:20). It can also mean "of no value" (Job 13:4), "a thing of nought" (Jeremiah 14:14), that is, worthless. Zechariah 11:17's "idol shepherd" is worthless because he leaves the flock.
--
*Zechariah 12 / *Zech. 12 -
Zechariah 12:1-9 will happen at Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming (Zechariah 14:2-21, Revelation 19:11-21), just as Zechariah 12:10-14 will happen at His Second Coming (Romans 11:26). A few years before His Second Coming, Israel could be completely defeated and occupied during the horrible, future war of Revelation 6:4-8 and Daniel 11:15-17.
(See the "War" section of Revelation 13:5 below. And see Zechariah 12:9 below)
--
*Zechariah 12:9 / *Zech. 12:9 -
This does not mean that Jesus Christ will destroy all non-Christians at His future, Second Coming. For some non-Christians will be left alive by Him at that time.
(See paragraph 3 of Luke 17:26 below)
--
*Zechariah 12:10 to 13:2 / *Zech. 12:10 / *Zech. 13:1 -
This, like Romans 11:25-29, will not be fulfilled until Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, when the still-living, non-Christian elect Jews will see the physically returned Jesus in person ("they shall look upon me whom they have pierced") and believe in Him and be saved (Romans 11:26-29).
--
*Zechariah 13:3-5 / *Zech. 13:3 -
This will not occur until after Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming. While Zechariah 13:3-5 is mainly a statement against false prophets, it could also include the cessation of the operation of the true gift of prophecy (of 1 Corinthians 12:10) at the Second Coming (1 Corinthians 13:8-12, cf. 1 John 3:2).
--
*Zechariah 13:6 / *Zech. 13:6 -
This could refer to a child, for example, during the future Millennium, asking the physically returned Jesus Christ about the wounds of the Crucifixion in His hands (cf. John 20:25-31).
--
*Zechariah 13:7 / *Zech. 13:7 -
This was fulfilled the night that Jesus Christ was arrested (Matthew 26:31).
--
*Zechariah 13:8-9 / *Zech. 13:8 -
This could refer to the "sheep" (the early Christians in Judaea) in Zechariah 13:7 (Matthew 26:31), two-thirds of which could have ended up dying in the land during the Jewish revolts against Rome in 66-70 AD.
Also, Zechariah 13:8-9 could include reference to both the Christians and non-Christian elect Jews who will be trapped in Judaea (southern Israel) during the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24. For the subsequent verses (Zechariah 14:1-21) refer to a pillaging of Jerusalem right before Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, and the establishment of the physical, Millennial aspect of His Kingdom on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29).
--
*Zechariah 14 / *Zech. 14 -
This chapter is about Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming with all of His saints (Zechariah 14:5b; 1 Thessalonians 3:13b), in the sense of all Christians of all times; and about the subsequent Millennium, when Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8-21, Micah 4:1-4). Zechariah 14:3 refers to the Second-Coming battle of Revelation 19:19-21. And Zechariah 14:4 shows that at Jesus' Second Coming, He will physically land on the Mount of Olives (just east of Jerusalem), just as at the end of His first coming, He physically ascended from the Mount of Olives. Acts 1:11-12 says that Jesus will return in like manner as He left.
Before Jesus Christ returns, at the very end of the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 the world's armies will gather at a staging area at Armageddon (Revelation 16:14,16) (Har Megiddo, Mount Megiddo in northern Israel). They will then move south and pillage Jerusalem right before Jesus returns and totally defeats them (Zechariah 14:2-5, Revelation 19:19-21). Jesus will then remain on the earth as King (Zechariah 14:9), and the non-Christians left alive on the earth (Matthew 24:40) will be forced to come up to Jerusalem and worship Him annually (Zechariah 14:16-19). Jesus and the physically resurrected Church will rule the non-Christian survivors of the nations with a rod of iron during the Millennium (Revelation 2:26-29, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 20:4-6).
Also, Zechariah 12:2-14 refers to the same future time as Zechariah 14.
-
Next entry / Prior / Table of Contents
Nov 26, 2018
