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Zechariah Chapter One

1. Zechariah’s first message (Zech. 1:1-6) comes in between Haggai’s second and third messages.  He calls upon the returnees to not repeat the mistakes that led to the captivity.
2. Three months later, and two months after Haggai’s final message, Zechariah receives a series of eight night-visions (Zech. 1:7ff.).
   1. The rider on the red horse (Zech. 1:7-17).
   2. The four horns & four craftsmen (Zech. 1:18-21).
   3. The man with the measuring line (Zech. 2).
   4. Joshua the High Priest (Zech. 3).
   5. The golden lampstand & two olive trees (Zech. 4).
   6. The flying scroll (Zech. 5:1-4).
   7. The ephah and the women (Zech. 5:5-11).
   8. The four chariots (Zech. 6:1-8).
3. The first night vision (Zech. 1:7-17).
   1. Zechariah has an angelic narrator (Zech. 1:14) who accompanies him and offers explanation.
   2. A man riding on a red horse.  Behind him were three other horsemen—red, sorrel & white horses (Zech. 1:8).
      1. These are not to be identified with the chariots of the 8th vision (Zech. 6:1-8).
      2. Nor are they the white, red, black & ashen horsemen of the apocalypse (Rev. 6:1-8).
   3. The horsemen patrol the earth and establish peace through Persia (Zech. 1:11).
   4. With the world at peace the Angel of the Lord cries out to the Lord and asks “how long?”
   5. The Lord of Hosts assures the Angel of the Lord that His perfect timing is bringing about blessing to Zion.
4. The second night-vision (Zech. 1:18-21).
   1. Zechariah sees the four horns (rulers) responsible for the scattering of the Jews.
   2. Zechariah sees four angelic craftsmen that are sent to throw down the Gentile powers that afflicted the Jews.

Zechariah Chapter Two

1. Chapter 2 contains the third of the eight night-visions that Zechariah received.
2. Zechariah sees another angel who is tasked with the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Zech. 2:1).
3. The Lord dispatches another angel to instruct Zechariah’s narrator to inform Zechariah of the circumstances of Millennial Israel (Zech. 2:2-13).

Zechariah Chapter Three

1. Night vision #4 is a view of Joshua the High Priest, and how he stands in heaven.
   1. In the courtroom of heaven, the Angel of the Lord (Lord Jesus Christ) is our advocate (1st Jn. 2:1).
   2. In the courtroom of heaven, Satan is our accuser (Rev. 12:10).
2. The Lord called upon the Lord to rebuke Satan (Zech. 3:2).
   1. The (Angel of the) Lord Jesus Christ did not rebuke the Devil, but called upon the Lord (God the Father) to do so.
   2. Joshua has no condemnation as he is a brand plucked from the fire (born-again believer).
3. Joshua’s eternal reward is seen, as his filthy garments are removed and he is clothed with festal robes.
   1. The turban is a special blessing in eternity reward for Joshua’s faithful service.
   2. Governance in eternity is a reward based upon faithfulness in time (Lk. 19:11-27)—as is free access to angelic realms of heaven (Rev. 3:4,5; cf. Rev. 3:12).
4. Just as Zerubbabel has Messianic Kingship promises given to him (Hag. 2:20-23), Joshua receives Messianic Priesthood promises given to him (Zech. 3:8-10).  Branch is a title for Jesus Christ (Zech. 6:12; Isa. 4:2; 11:1; 53:2; Jer. 23:5-6).

Zechariah Chapter Four

1. Night vision #5: a golden lampstand and two olive trees (Zech. 4:1-14).
2. Zechariah is eager to learn the significance of this vision, and insistently asks for greater explanation (Zech. 4:4-5).
3. The angel does not answer Zechariah’s question, but delivers a Word of the Lord message (Zech. 4:6-7).
4. Zechariah likewise receives a Word of the Lord message (Zech. 4:8-10).
5. Zechariah still insists on understanding the symbolism of the vision (Zech. 4:11-14).
   1. As with the Tabernacle, the lampstand is Christ.
   2. Oil in Scripture is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
   3. The olive trees are anointed believers in service to the Lord.
   4. Zerubbabel and Joshua were the two olive trees of Zechariah’s day.  Two more will rise in the Tribulation (Rev. 11:4).

Zechariah Chapter Five

1. Night vision #6: a flying scroll (Zech. 5:1-4).
   1. The Lord of Hosts is dispatching a curse upon the whole earth.
   2. Thieves are going to come into account by the One Who sees in secret.
   3. There are physical thieves and there are spiritual thieves (Mal. 3:8-10).
2. Night vision #7: the ephah and the women (Zech. 5:5-11).
   1. Zechariah sees a traveling ephah (basket).
   2. He is allowed to peek under the lead cover and sees a woman inside, named Wickedness.
   3. Wickedness is sealed up and carried away.  It has no place in Jerusalem, but will be removed to the source of its wickedness for judgment.
   4. Shinar is a reference to the region of Babylon from its earliest time (Gen. 10:10), and looking ahead to the fall of Babylon in the end times.

Haggai Chapter Two

1. Chapter 2 contains messages two through four of Haggai’s short ministry.
2. In message #2 Haggai asks the elders who remembered Solomon’s temple to make comparisons (Hag. 2:1-9).
   1. Ezra’s temple cannot compare with Solomon’s.
   2. Neither temple can compare with the temple yet to come (Ezekiel’s temple).
3. In message #3 Haggai uses the people’s own knowledge of ritual purity and defilement to illustrate their need of an attitude adjustment (Hag. 2:10-19).
4. In message #4 Haggai speaks to Zerubbabel the Persian governor (Hag. 2:20-23).
   1. He communicates the Lord’s promise to replace the signet ring which he removed in the days of Coniah (Jehoiachin) (Jer. 22:24).
   2. The eschatological theocratic kingdom blessings described here show how the son of Zerubbabel will rule to the glory of God (cf. Matt. 1:12-16).

Ezra Chapter Five

1. Zerubbabel & Jeshua responded to the tough messages of Haggai & Zechariah by resuming their work on the temple (Ezr. 5:1-2).

(Chapter Five continues tomorrow)