Zechariah 12
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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS
The Beginning of Zechariah’s Second Prophetic Burden
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
In that day, Israel will be delivered from all her enemies.
In that day, Israel will look on their Messiah, whom they pierced.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Have you mourned the death of Christ by yourself?
QUESTIONS
What was the historical context when the book of Zechariah was written? To whom was it written? Why was it written?
Who was the governor at that time?
The prophecy of Zechariah was encouraging in two points. What were they?
Why the delay in the fulfillment of some of the prophecies in Zechariah?
What is the next event on God’s timetable? When will it take place?
What event will come after the next event on God’s timetable? And the next event after this?
What does “in that day” refer to?
ANSWERS
The people of Israel had returned from their seventy-year captivity in Babylon. This burden of Zechariah was given to encourage them and to motivate them to finish the job of rebuilding the temple.
Zerubbabel
It predicted the completion of the rebuilt temple and it looked forward to the glorious future of Israel under the kingship of the Messiah.
Because the Messiah was rejected by Israel when the Lord came the first time. Some of the prophecies await fulfillment until the Lord comes a second time.
The Rapture of the Church. It is imminent; it could take place at any time.
The Rapture of the Church will be followed by the Tribulation Period of seven years, followed by the return of the Lord to this earth to set up His earthly kingdom, which will extend for 1,000 years (called the Millennium).
The end times
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
In the end times, all nations will be gathered against Israel, whose capital is Jerusalem. In light of current events, it’s easy to see how this could come about in the near future. However, the Lord has the last word, and the key to Israel’s deliverance will be the Lord Himself. The nations are no match for the Lord, who will defend Israel and deliver the land of Judah and the city of Jerusalem from all her enemies. This is the time in the prophecy of Daniel chapter 2 when the image of Gentile power is crushed to powder and blown away. Then the dynasty of David will be re-established and the Lord Jesus will reign. Jerusalem will finally be a city of true peace. What a great day that will be!
During the Tribulation Period, there will be a great spiritual awakening among the Jewish people. (Refer Romans chapter 11 in this connection.) The groundwork for this awakening is taking place even today. God is at work. During the Tribulation, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists of Revelation chapter 7 will preach the gospel of the coming kingdom and the return of the Messiah. Many will turn to the Lord at that time. Then the Lord will return, and Israel will look on her Messiah whom they pierced (Zechariah 12:10). This is more than the prediction of the piercing that would take place at the crucifixion of Christ. It is that, but this prophecy looks on to the Second Coming of Christ, when believing Israel will mourn with great mourning when they see the Lord. What a moment it will be when Jesus returns and Israel receives Him as their Messiah, the Messiah they once rejected!
CHALLENGE
Mourning for the Messiah is on an individual basis (Zechariah 12:12-14). Salvation is always an individual matter, and no one can repent for you. Have you come to the place in your life where you realize that the Lord Jesus died for your sins personally? Have you mourned the death of Christ by yourself?
KEY VERSES
“In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem…I will destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:8-9
“In that day they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him.” Zechariah 12:10