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Bible Pathways 9/28/2000



September 28

Zechariah 1 -- 7

Zechariah foretold a future time when the Son of God would be among the Israelites. He wrote: Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the Lord (Zechariah 2:10; compare John 1:14). But, sadly, when Jesus came, the religious leaders rejected Him and His Word. Jesus exposed them as hypocrites, saying: How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only? . . . For had you believed Moses, you would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words? (5:44-47).
Zechariah foretold the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, His teachings, His second coming, and His millennial reign. Zechariah also saw beyond the restoration of the Jewish nation to include all Gentiles who turn from their sins in repentance and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives. Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of you (Zechariah 2:11).
Until Jesus, the Prince of Peace, returns, there is no possible hope for peace on earth or even in the city of Jerusalem. Mounting deception, violence, suffering, and chaos will prevail. It is usually when we come to the end of our resources and lose confidence in our own abilities that we learn to trust only in the Lord. It was at just such a time that the angel said to Zechariah: This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain (of human obstacles such as Syria, Babylonia, and Egypt)? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! (4:6-7).
Through His prophet, the Lord assured His people that the mountain of discouragement and suffering was intended to cleanse them from sin and prepare them for their Savior.
The work of God is not accomplished by might, meaning our strength, talents, zeal, attributes, or finances; nor by power, meaning human efforts; but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. The power of the Word of God, anointed by the Holy Spirit, is indispensable. This is the key that imparts faith and yields eternal results. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Zechariah foretold a glorious revelation of Jesus as the Branch: He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the Temple of the Lord (Zechariah 6:12). Upon His return to earth, Jesus will build the Millennial Temple of which both Isaiah and Ezekiel spoke. Then He shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a Priest upon His throne. . . . And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God (6:13,15), you will enjoy these blessings. The word "if" here does not mean that Israel's failure, or the church's, will in any way impede God's plan for Christ's return -- that depends only on God Himself. Receiving the blessing, however, is dependent upon obedience.
Let us persevere, that we may overcome all difficulties, join Him with grateful worship, and receive from Him the reward of overcomers. To him that overcomes will I (Jesus) grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne (Revelation 3:21). He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son (21:7).
Christ Revealed:
As My Servant the Branch (Zechariah 3:8; 6:12; also Isaiah 4:2; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15). Christ was brought forth into the world in the fullness of time, and took upon Him the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7; also Gal. 4:4).
Word Studies:
1:15 helped forward the affliction means furthered the disaster; 1:19 horns means world powers; 1:21 fray means terrorize; 3:5 fair mitre means clean turban; 5:1 roll means scroll.

Prayer:

Government Officials: Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (NY) and Rep. Steve Largent (OK) · BPM Staff: Pam Pendergrast · Pray for our Arabic translator · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by William H. Lupton · Country: El Salvador (5 million) in Central America · Major language: Spanish · Some intolerance of Protestants by government officials · 96% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks for the privilege of assembling with other Christians each week (Hebrews 10:25).
Memory Verse for the Week:
Titus 2:14


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