God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6)

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1 INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER - WES HALL ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH IN THE END TIMES 2012 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) I. REVIEW A.God raised up Zechariah and Haggai to encourage the people of Judah in their work of rebuilding the Temple after the exile to Babylon. The people had started building with great zeal but had given up quickly because of negative circumstances and the apparent insignificance of what they were doing. Only two years after they had begun to build, they gave in to apathy and indifference, focusing their time and energy on building their own houses and businesses. B.There is much opposition against those who set themselves to build the house of prayer. It is easy to see what we are doing as insignificant in light of external circumstances. God is looking for those who will stay steady until the breakthrough comes (cf. Luke 18:1-8). C.The Lord raised up Zechariah to re-envision the people. They were burnt out and discouraged. They had forgotten the significance of what they were doing. They needed a fresh vision of God s affections for them and fresh understanding of why they were doing this project in the first place. God knew that they would never get the project finished unless they were doing it out of desire rather than duty. D.As we build the house of prayer it is critical that the prophetic anointing is in our midst, to give us vision for why we are doing what we are doing. It is important to be continually reminded of our prophetic history (the promises God has spoken over us personally, corporately and through our understanding of the prophetic endtime scriptures). We must give ourselves to understanding God s affections (growing in intimacy with God) and understanding God s end-time plans (eschatology). E.The Apostle Paul was consumed with a hope for the future. It was what sustained him through the pressures and opposition of the moment and enabled him to endure suffering with joy. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 24 For we were saved in this hope. (Rom. 8:18, 24) 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:57-58) F.God gave Zechariah eight visions over a period of one night, full of encouragement for His weary people. They were messages that reminded the people of God s prophetic promises to them and of His continuing commitment to fulfill those promises. The visions are distinct but contain a single overarching message: God remembers! G.Zechariah s visions contain as much encouragement for God s people today who are seeking to build the house of prayer as they did for the people of Judah in Zechariah s day. The key to understanding the visions is being able to make sense of the symbols contained in them.

2 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 2 H.All eight visions contain symbols which would have been meaningful and highly significant to the people of Zechariah s day. To get the most out of each vision we must put ourselves in the position of Zechariah and his audience and ask, first, What did these visions mean to them? and then, How do they apply to us? I.The first vision encourages the people by reminding them that God has great zeal for Jerusalem and that he has not forgotten his promises to them. In short, God remembers! J.The next seven visions and the crowning prophetic action outline God s end-time plan for the nation of Israel. These can be summarized as follows: 2) Enemies Routed; 3) Cities Rebuilt; 4) People Redeemed; 5) Ministry Restored; 6) Unrighteousness Reckoned With; 7) Wickedness Removed; 8) God Will Rest; (Prophetic Action) A Priest Will Rule. II. THE FIRST VISION: GOD REMEMBERS (ZECH. 1:7-17) 7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet: 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white 10 These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth. (Zech 1:7-10) A.Historical Context 1.Darius I came to the throne of Persia amid a period of great instability and social upheaval in the Persian empire. He spent his first two years in power putting down revolutions in various places throughout the empire that had erupted as a result of a coup against the previous king of Persia. 2.Haggai had recently prophesied the overthrow of Gentile powers (see Hag. 2:21-23) and the restoration of Israel in its wake. The inhabitants of Judah must have anticipated an imminent overthrow of world power and the establishing of God s kingdom on earth as foretold by former prophets. 3.Darius, however, was quickly able to restore order to the empire and, towards the end of his second year in power (Feb. 519 BC), every insurrection had been successfully put down and the empire was at rest (see Zech. 1:11). The Persian Empire was stronger than ever and Darius had a sophisticated intelligence system in place to ensure that he was aware of everything that was going on in every corner of the empire. 4.Darius had divided his empire into twenty states (satrapies) and linked them with a 1,500-mile highway that stretched from Susa (Iran) to Sardis (Turkey). Mounted patrols known as the eyes and ears of the king toured the empire and reported on local conditions. The sight of these patrols reminded the subject peoples who was in charge and that they were being watched. B.In light of Darius seeming iron grip on power and oppression of the peoples under him, the people are asking, Has God forgotten us? Doesn t God care about the acts of injustice that are being committed against us? Why do the wicked prosper? How long until you judge Your enemies and fulfill your promises to us? Hope deferred makes the heart sick (see Prov.13:12), and their hope has been deferred.

3 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 3 C.The biggest temptation was to give up and conclude that either God had forgotten his promises or they were not true in the first place. This was a people who were living in a season of divine delay, and the visions given to Zechariah were designed to be an encouragement to a people living in the now but not yet of God s purposes for Israel. D.In the first vision God answers resoundingly. He has not forgotten! While Darius has his surveillance network, God also has His. The horses in the vision have returned from having walked to and fro (patrolled) throughout the earth (see v.11) and they have returned to the rider on the red horse (the Angel of the Lord) to report on the condition of the nations. E.The Angel of the Lord is stationed in a valley (or deep place) filled with myrtle trees. The low growing, fragrant myrtle is used by Isaiah to represent new life coming to Israel out of a period of great tribulation and persecution at the hands of the nations (Isa. 41:19; 55:13). We could say that the myrtle trees in the vision are representative of Israel and God s promises of life and hope for her. F.Though a degree of new life has come to Israel since the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the temple 16 years earlier, the nation is still situated in the depths. The nation is destined to be under Gentile dominion and oppression for several thousand more years until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (see Lk. 21:24). However, the encouragement to the people of Judah is that the Lord (represented by the rider on the red horse) is stationed in their midst. He has not left them. 1 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isa. 43:1-3) G.Contrary to what many scholars and theologians may say, God has not and will never cast off Israel and fail to fulfill all His promises to her despite her sin and disobedience to Him throughout history. Paul confidently affirms this: I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!...god has not cast away His people whom He foreknew (Rom.11:1-2). H.The returning patrols bring a negative report that all the earth is resting quietly (1:11). This arouses an intercessory cry to the Father from the Angel of the Lord (Israel s chief advocate). It is not acceptable to Him that the nations are at ease while little Israel suffers under cruel oppression from the enemies of God and there is no symbol of God s presence in their midst (the temple). 1.Jerusalem is in ruins and the house of the Lord is not built; yet the nations who have oppressed Israel are at ease. The turmoil that accompanied the start of Darius reign and gave the people of God great hope is coming to an end and no deliverance is in sight for Israel a depressing picture indeed. 2.The peace that the nations are experiencing is a false peace, because there can be no true peace when the prince of peace is not ruling from Jerusalem. They are resting in complacency, unaware that that they are the objects of God s wrath. It is a terrifying peace, like the calm before the storm.

4 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 4 3.On behalf of the nation of Israel, the Angel of the Lord lifts His voice upon receiving the report to ask, How long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem? It is the cry of the righteous throughout history, Why do the wicked prosper? When will You vindicate my cause? Arise, Oh Lord! 4.This is great encouragement for the fledgling nation the Angel of the Lord is asking the very same question they are. He is on their team! This picture gives us great insight into the character and heart of Jesus for His people. He ever lives to intercede. He is the great intercessor. I.An answer comes from the throne; it is described as both good (adequate) and comforting (giving strength) J.The answer is described as good and comforting. It is a good answer to the question. It explains the heart of God towards His people in an adequate way. It contains comforting words, words that will comfort or strengthen God s people in this season. 14 Proclaim Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped but with evil intent. 16 Therefore thus says the LORD: I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it, says the LORD of Hosts. (Zech 1:14-16) K.God declares that the little piece of real estate where they are building is not insignificant, rather it is the object of His fiery affection. He is telling them, I have not forgotten! Everything within me is fixed on this piece of property (see also Isa. 62:1). Restoring Jerusalem is at the heart of God s plan to establish His kingdom on earth and fill the earth with His glory (Isa.11:9). 1.God declares that He is zealous, or jealous, for this small burnt-up city of no consequence in the Middle East. 2.What does it mean for God to be zealous for something? What does it look like for Him to have great zeal? 3.Why is God so passionate about this one geographic location? Scripture talks on many occasions about God s jealous love for one city Jerusalem. It is difficult to understand this burning zeal of the Almighty for what seems to be a relatively insignificant city in the Middle East until we understand that it is going to be the capital city of the new world order in the Millennium under the leadership of Jesus. L.If Jesus is going to rule on the earth then He must rule from a geographic location. Scripture is clear that the Messiah will rule over David s Kingdom (kingdom of Israel) and that He will sit on David s throne (in Jerusalem). For Jesus to fulfill biblical prophecy, both the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem must exist forever. One of Jesus names is Son of David. M.God has established Jerusalem as His choice for Jesus global headquarters on the earth in the Millennium. Jesus called it the City of the Great King (Mt. 5:35) for it is the city from which God s appointed Messiah will rule over the earth (see Isa. 9:6-7)

5 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 5 N.It is not about Israel being God s favorite, but about the Father s promise to His Son to rule the nations. The covenant God made with Abraham was not so much about Israel, but about His sovereignty. It is about Jesus displaying His splendor to all the earth. 13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: 14 This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. (Ps. 132:13-14) O.If we understand these foundational premises, then it becomes clear why God s number one focus in human history is the city of Jerusalem. P.God encourages Judah by declaring that He has no plan B. He is fully committed to His chosen people and city. He is going to return to Jerusalem (in the person of Messiah), His house will be built there (temple), and the nation of Israel will once more be the head and not the tail (see Deut. 28:1-14). What they are doing now in building the house of prayer is a critical part of preparing for the breaking in of God s kingdom in Jerusalem in the days to come. One of IHOP KC s key mandates is about connecting with God s heart for Israel and contending for Zion s sake. God is raising up a prayer movement across the world to contend for the spiritual rebirth of the nation of Israel. This is the mandate upon us as a people (Isa. 62:6-7) Q.Zechariah 1:15 speaks of God s anger, which is directed towards the nations that are at ease and who have been oppressing His people, Israel. He declares that He has been a little angry with Israel, but He is exceedingly angry at the nations who have oppressed the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the second vision God elaborates on His plan to destroy His enemies, and the significant role that God s people have in that process. R.Through these visions God is giving His people His perspective on events. It is critical that, like the psalmist, we give ourselves to meditating on God s prophetic promises and His faithfulness so that we do not lose hope and cast our lot in with the wicked. 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning 16 When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. (Ps. 73:12-16) III. THE SECOND VISION: ENEMIES ROUTED (1:18-21) A.The focus of Zechariah s second vision is the defeat and overthrow of the Gentile nations who have oppressed Israel for thousands of years. Scripture is clear that ultimately all nations will oppose Jerusalem and seek her destruction (Ps. 2:2; 83:2-4; Zech. 12:3; 14:2). There is a day when the wickedness of humanity will reach its fullness under the leadership of the Antichrist. In that day, Jesus will return to deliver the nation of Israel, defeat His enemies, and establish His kingdom on the earth from Jerusalem (Ps. 2:6-8; Zech. 14:3-5; 9).

6 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 6 B.Zechariah sees four horns and four craftsmen. Typically, in Scripture a horn represented human strength and was often used to represent the ruling powers of the world (specifically nations that opposed God) (Ps. 75:4-5,10; Jer. 48:23; Dan. 8:20-21; Rev. 17:12). Zechariah is told that these four horns are political powers, responsible for the scattering of Israel. C.Commentators have suggested the four horns in Zechariah represent the four empires discussed by the book of Daniel (Dan. 2:31-44; 7:3-7), commonly believed to be Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. However, in contrast to Daniel, Zechariah is given no specific characteristics of the horns to identify what they represent. It is impossible to know for certain whether or not the four horns represent four specific Gentile powers. A strong possibility is that they represent the fullness of Gentile power, which has been used to oppress and scatter Israel throughout her history (this would include but is not limited to the four specific empires of Daniel 2 and 7). The number four is often used in Scripture to indicate fullness (e.g. The four winds of heaven; the four corners of the earth (Isa.11:12; Dan. 7:2; Jer. 49:36; Ezek. 1:17; 14:21; 37:9; Zech. 2:6; Rev. 7:1; 20:8). D.Zechariah is told that the four craftsmen represent the means by which God is going to overthrow ( terrify and cast out ) Israel s enemies and oppressors. The term craftsman was typically used in the Old Testament to refer to those who were engaged in building the temple and the tabernacle. It was sometimes translated as mason, carpenter, or artisan. 7 And David said to Solomon I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the LORD there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work. 16 Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the LORD be with you. (1 Chron. 22:7-16) 12 and they hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD. (2 Chron. 24:12) E.God is declaring that there is a relationship between the people who are building the temple (house of prayer) and the overthrow of God s enemies (and the breaking in of God s kingdom on earth; see Dan. 2:44). Zechariah s vision encourages the people of Judah by letting them know that what they are building has great significance to the breaking in of the kingdom and the release of God s judgments against His enemies. F.The Bible shows, in many places, a direct relationship between the house of prayer, the breaking in of God s judgments against wickedness. and the establishing of His kingdom on earth (2 Chron. 15, 16, David s tabernacle; 2 Chron. 20, Jehoshaphat; Rev. 5:13-6:1; 8:2-6; 15:2-16:1, end time judgments; Rev. 22:17, return of Jesus). God is restoring the house of prayer in our day as a preemptive strike against His enemies. It will culminate in the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. G.The most terrifying thing to the Antichrist s kingdom at the end of the age will be a fearless people of God living in their identity as the house of prayer under an open heaven (habitation), offering prayers and worship which release God s judgments upon the earth. IV. THE THIRD VISION: CITIES REBUILT (2:1-13)

7 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 7 A.The Jews of Zechariah s day were expecting that God would overthrow their enemies, rebuild Jerusalem, and restore the glory of God to His land and people. The third vision speaks of God s plans to rebuild Jerusalem and fill it with His glory to such an extent that other nations would want to join themselves to Israel and become part of God s people. B.Zechariah sees a man who is measuring Jerusalem in preparation for it to be rebuilt. This man is thought by many commentators to be the same figure as the Angel of the Lord in the first vision. C.A measuring line would be used in the early stages of planning a building project. The message that this man (the Lord) wants to convey urgently to Zechariah ( run, speak to this young man v. 4) is that He has a definite plan for rebuilding this city, which He is already working on. The city will be completely rebuilt and restored. It is not a question of if, but when. D.God has a plan to completely rebuild and restore Jerusalem, filling it with His glory (v. 5). He will cause the city to prosper to such an extent (v. 4) that the natural city walls will not be able to contain the population. Israel will not need natural defenses, however, for God s manifest presence will surround the city as a wall of fire (v. 5), protecting the city from any further attacks of the enemy. Those nations who were formerly Israel s enemies will become their servants (v. 9), and many nations will seek to be joined to the God of Israel in that day (v. 11). God will fulfill His promise to release blessing to the nations through Abraham (Gen.12:3). E.This vision encourages Zechariah s audience that God is still committed to everything He spoke about Jerusalem s future through the former prophets (e.g. Isa. 4:5; 33:20; 44:26; 54:11-17; 60:4-18; 61:4-5; Jer. 30:18; 31:38-40; 33:6-9; Ezek and many others). While He is committed to blessing Jerusalem in the future, He is also committed to punishing the nations that have effectively poked Him in the eye in the harsh way they have treated Israel (v. 8-9). In light of this certain future, God s people are exhorted to return to Jerusalem from cities which have been marked for God s judgment, and to give themselves to God s plan and purpose. F.God is about to release judgment on the earth; the only safe place is pursuing God and His kingdom. It will mean hardship and affliction because it does not make sense in the eyes of the world (or most of the Church). 4 Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven and God has remembered her iniquities. (Rev. 18:4-5) V. THE FOURTH VISION: PEOPLE REDEEMED (3:1-10) A.The fourth and fifth visions were addressed to the two main leaders of Judah: Joshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the governor, respectively. They address the issue of how God is going to prepare his people, Israel, to inherit the future promises of the previous vision. They deal with God s plan to cleanse her from all sin and restore her to her function as a kingdom of priests God s witnesses to the earth.

8 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 8 B.In the fourth vision, Joshua (as a representative of the entire nation of Israel, see Zech. 3:8-9; Heb. 9:7) stands before the Lord (v. 1; posture of repentance), dressed in filthy garments (v. 3), which are representative of Israel s sin and rebellion against God. Satan is standing there to accuse him before God (v. 1, see Job 1:6-12; Rev. 12:10). He wants to convince God that because of sin Joshua is disqualified from fulfilling his priestly calling and should be cast from His presence. C.The Lord rebukes Satan. Joshua was on the way to destruction, but the Lord has rescued him like a twig is rescued from a blazing fire, because of His choice of Jerusalem and the promises He has made to them (v. 2). He sees the yes in the heart of Joshua (repentance produced through tribulation, see Zech. 13:9; Jer. 30:7-11), removes the filthy garments, and clothes Joshua with rich garments (priestly garments representing righteousness) and a clean turban (proof of Joshua s acceptance before God, see Ex. 28:36-38). D.The Lord promises Joshua great authority and free access to the very counsel of God if he will pursue 100% obedience in every area of his life (in secret and in public ministry, v.7). E.Joshua is told that this vision is a symbol or sign of what God promises to do for the entire nation of Israel in the days to come (v. 8-10). He is bringing forth the Branch (Messiah), through whom Israel will be completely redeemed in one day (v. 9) when they cry out to the Lord in repentance for their sin (see Zech. 12:10-13:2; Isa. 59:20; 60:21; 61:3-11; 33:8; 50:20; etc.). He will restore their authority as a kingdom of priests and give them leadership over the nations after the return of Jesus. F.God wants to offer mercy (a fresh start) to those who say yes (recognize their sin and repent). God is able to deal with sin, no matter how serious (cf. David, who committed graver sins than Saul). Once cleansed, we need to persevere in holiness to get authority and fulfill our calling. VI. THE FIFTH VISION: MINISTRY RESTORED (4:1-14) A.The fifth vision is addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor. His primary battle was not with spiritual issues, but with the natural obstacles that the people in Judah faced as they sought to rebuild the temple. They seemed like a mountain that could not be moved. It seemed that Israel would never be able to take her place again as a light to the nations. Only a restored kingdom of priests would be able to fulfill Israel s original call to be a light to the nations and there could be no kingdom of priests without a temple. This vision promises that the temple will be completed and that God will, ultimately, restore Israel s function as a light to the world. B.Zechariah saw a blazing lampstand, which was fueled by raw olive oil contained in a bowl situated on top of the lampstand. The oil was being supplied to the lampstand directly from two olive trees (one at either side of the lampstand). In the temple, the lampstand symbolized Israel s calling to be God s witness nation to the earth. As a kingdom of priests they were called to both minister to the Lord on behalf of the nations and to minister to the nations on behalf of the Lord.

9 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 9 C.God declares that inspite of all obstacles, He is going to restore Israel s ministry to the nations as He promised two hundred years earlier through Isaiah. 1 For Zion s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. 2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. (Isa. 62:1-2) D.God promises that salvation, deliverance, and righteousness will go forth to the ends of the earth from the perfected nation of priests (Isa. 61:11-62:3). The goal of the Godhead is to bring forth bright righteousness from Jerusalem that will result in the earth being filled with God s glory. E.The fulfillment of God s covenant promises to Israel will be a work of the Spirit of God, not dependent on man s ability or faithfulness, but absolutely dependent on God s faithfulness and ability. This will result in the glory being God s alone! F.He is going to be their supply through His ministry as King and Priest (two olive trees). There have been (will be) various stages of God working on behalf of Israel in this way: 1) Joshua and Zerubbabel; 2) Two Witnesses (Rev. 11); 3) Jesus the King and Priest. These offices will ultimately be united in Christ. When Israel comes to God through Jesus, the promised Holy Spirit will empower them to be ministers to God and the nations. G.As we say yes to building the house of prayer in the day of small beginnings (plumb line in hand of Zerubbabel), when the work seems insignificant, we can have confidence that He rejoices in us and promises that He will help us. 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6) VII. THE SIXTH VISION: UNRIGHTEOUSNESS RECKONED WITH (5:1-4) A.If the fourth and fifth vision deal with the future glory of those in Israel who repent and return to the Lord, the sixth, seventh and eighth deal with the consequences of those who persist in rebellion against the Lord. B.In the sixth vision, Zechariah sees a flying scroll going out over the land of Israel. It represents God s judgment of unrighteousness among His people. In Scripture, scrolls often represent God s judgments. The opening of a scroll seems to represent the execution of those judgments (Ezek. 2:9-10; Rev. 5:1; Dan. 12:9; Rev. 5:7; 6:1, 2).

10 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 10 C.The unique dimensions of the scroll seem to represent God s standard of righteousness and holiness both in ministry to Him and in ministering to others. The scroll is the same size as both the holy place in the tabernacle of Moses (where the priests ministered to the Lord) and the porch in Solomon s temple (where the priests ministered to the people). The two commands on the scroll are representative of the entire Law (first and second commandments). D.Before Israel, as a nation, can inherit the promises of glory, she is going to be refined by the Lord himself (Zech. 13:8-9; Mal. 3:2-7). There are great blessings for those who return to the Lord and embrace the righteousness of Christ (see Rom.10:12; Gal. 3:26-29), but God will swiftly judge those who persist in unrighteousness by His revealed standard of righteousness. E.The judgment will remain, or lodge, in the sinner s house. God s judgment is permanent, it cannot be revoked. The consequence for those who continue in sin is the same as that of mildewed or leprous houses in Bible times (they will be completely destroyed, Lev. 14:44-45). F.When God sends out his judgment against sin there is nowhere to hide. God will find us wherever we are (Ps. 139:7-12). Everything will be laid bare before Him to whom we must give an account. Our challenge: say yes to righteousness and no to wickedness. VIII. THE SEVENTH VISION: WICKEDNESS REMOVED (5:5-11) A.God is not only going to judge unrighteousness, He is going to remove wickedness from the land of Israel completely. Zechariah s seventh vision shows us what wickedness looks like and shows us where it will grow to fullness. B.The measuring basket (or ephah) and the talent were the largest units of weight and measurement in Zechariah s day. They would have been commonly used in trade and commerce. The woman in the basket is thought by some commentators to be a female idol, since it would be difficult for a woman to fit inside a fivegallon basket. C.Zechariah is being shown the form that unrighteousness takes in his day. I believe that the basket and talent represent the love of money (greed), which was prevalent in Zechariah s day because of the increase of trade after the exile. Both Jesus and Paul warned of the danger of pursuing money, which is no more than a form of idolatry (wickedness). 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Lk. 16:13) 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness (1 Tim. 6:9-10)

11 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 11 D.God is going to remove all wickedness from the land of Israel, while it is going to grow to fullness in a place called Shinar (Babylon), where a house (religious system) will be built for it (Zech. 5:9-11; cf. Rev. 17, 18). The people of God are exhorted to have nothing to do with Babylon, which will be destroyed because of the fullness of wickedness that is within her. 4 Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven and God has remembered her iniquities. (Rev. 18:4-5) E.There will be two houses, God and Mammon. Which one will you choose? One leads to eternal life, the other to destruction. IX. THE EIGHTH VISION: GOD S SPIRIT WILL REST (6:1-8) A.The final vision depicts God s war chariots going out from God s dwelling place (v. 5) to destroy Israel s enemies. They are described as patrolling throughout the earth, but those who go towards the north and south are specifically noted. God s judgments are going to be released against wickedness throughout the earth, but particularly against Israel s historical enemies who had invaded Israel from the north and the south (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome). B.The horses that go to the north country are described as giving God s Spirit rest. It is possible that the judgment against the land of the north, or Babylon, is what will signal the end of God s work in judgment against wickedness as the most wicked of cities is finally destroyed. Nothing more remains to be done before Jesus can begin His program of world restoration. 17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done! And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. (Rev 16:17-19) 1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her. 3 Again they said, Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever. (Rev. 19:1-3) X. PROPHETIC ACTION: A PRIEST WILL RULE (6:1-15)

12 God s Plan for Israel s Future (Zechariah s Night Visions: Zech. 1-6) Page 12 The series of visions is crowned by a prophetic action carried out by Zechariah the following morning. He is told to crown Joshua the high priest with a royal crown as a sign that God is going to restore the earth under the a King whose authority flows from the fact that he is a priest. He will rebuild the temple, and it is under His rule that Jerusalem will prosper. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isa. 9:7)