Scripture Reading : Zechariah 3
Theme : Four Vision: The Cross
Cleansing of Defilement (1-8). This vision depicts God’s gracious cancellation of Israel’s sins based on His election of Israel, not based on their righteousness. Joshua the high priest represents Israel (see v.8). Israel is vividly pictured as a burning stick that is snatched out of fire. They were being consumed by God’s judgment for their defilement, but God has snatched them out of fire. They will be saved graciously by the skin of their teeth. God will remove their filthy clothes, representing defilement of sin, and give them pure and clean clothes, representing perfect righteousness (Rev. 19:8). Satan no longer can bully God’s people (cf. Col. 2:15). In the end time, when Israel is cleansed and obeys God, it will rule over God’ house and courts (His temple) and have free access to God’s presence. God will fulfill Israel’s original role as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex. 19:6). Israel will rule the nations in the messianic kingdom.
Method of Cleansing (9-10). This is a vivid prophesy of the cross of Jesus. As a righteous God, He cannot simply cancel sin, the debt must be paid. This debt will be paid by the Branch, the Messiah (Is. 11:1, Jer. 23:5). He is also referred as a stone (Is. 28:16). The seven eyes most likely represent the perfect sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit on the Messiah (Rev. 5:6, Is. 11:2). God engraves an inscription, this most likely means God will seal this vision. Its occurrence is guaranteed. The Messiah will take away their sins in one day, which is fulfilled on the victorious day of the cross. As result of this salvation, “in that day,” meaning in the future, Israel will also be blessed physically. Vine and fig tree symbolize abundance.
Praying the Scripture
- This vision is a beautiful picture of the cleansing flow of Christ’s blood that graciously, decisively and eternally atones our sins in ONE day. The day of atonement in Leviticus 16 points to this glorious salvation in one day (Heb. 9:11-14). Sin is not just disobeying God. It defiles our soul and body (cf. 2 Cor. 7:1). We are image bearers of God, sin defiles our image of God. This is why God hates sin, just as parents hate their children to be dirty. Let us cleanse ourselves of our defilement by coming to the cross daily. Let us acknowledge our sins and believe God’s forgiveness through the final and complete sacrifice of Christ on ONE, non-repeatable day. No catholic masses are needed (Heb. 9:28). And then let us strive to obey Him out of gratitude for Christ, not out of a desire to earn God’s forgiveness, for that would be filthy righteousness.
- The nation of Israel will not just be restored in the messianic kingdom, but it will play a vital role as the chief of nations, ruler of the world (cf. Amos 9:12). Those who believe that the church has replaced Israel must spiritualize/allegorizing much of prophecies in the OT about Israel. Such interpretation degrades God’s faithfulness and our trust in Him. The current existence of the nation of Israel is a testimony to God’s faithfulness. It is a miracle for all unbelievers to see the truth of the gospel and for all believers to increase their trust in God.
经文：撒迦利亚书3
主题：第四个异象: 十架
洁净污秽（1-8）。这个异象描绘的是神因着祂对以色列的拣选，在恩典中抹去了她的罪；这一切并不在乎以色列的义。大祭司约书亚代表的是以色列（见8节）。以色列被形容是从火中抽出来的一根柴；神从火中将他们抢出，其危如千钧一发。神会脱去他们污秽的衣服，也就是罪的玷污，并给他们纯洁干净的衣服，也就是完全的公义（启19:8）。撒旦不能再欺压神的子民了（参西2:15）。到了末日，当以色列得洁净并服从神后，她会治理神的家和院宇（祂的殿），并随时能朝见神。神会使以色列作祭司的国度，成为圣洁的国，如起初所设计的（出19:6）。以色列会在弥赛亚的国度中治理列国。
洁净的方式（9-10）。这是对耶稣十架的一个生动预言。神是公义的，绝不能随意抵消罪债，必须得到偿还。这笔债是由枝子弥赛亚还的（赛11:1，耶23:5）。祂也被称是石头（赛28:16）。七眼大有可能代表圣灵对弥赛亚的七项完美事工（启5:6；赛11:2）。神要雕刻这石头，这有可能表示神会封了这个异象；它必然会成就。弥赛亚总有一日会抹去他们的罪，而这在十架的荣耀日应验了。因着这个救恩，“当那日”，即将来，以色列也会在物质上享福。葡萄树和无花果树象征丰盛。
用经文祷告
- 这个异象是个荣美的画面，是基督洁净的宝血在一日内永恒地、决然地凭恩典赎我们脱离罪恶。利未记16章中的赎罪日便暗示了这荣耀的救恩日（来9:11-14）。罪不单单是悖逆神；它还玷污了我们的身心灵（参林后7:1）。我们是按神的形象造的，而罪毁了这个形象。这就是神为什么恨恶罪恶，如父母讨厌他们的孩子总是脏兮兮的。让我们每日就近十架，从而洁净我们的污秽。让我们承认自己的罪，并信靠神借着基督在那一日的最后、完整的献祭。我们不需要天主教的弥撒（来9:28）。接着，我们要凭着对基督的感激试着顺服祂；这不是为取得神的赦免，因为那是污秽的公义。
- 以色列国在弥赛亚国度中不但会得复兴，她还要扮演重要的角色，做列国之首，做世界的领袖（参摩9:12）。相信教会取代以色列的人必须对旧约所提有关以色列的预言加以寓意化，但这种解释降低了神的可信度以及我们对神的信靠。以色列国至今的存在是对神之信实的见证。非信徒能在福音中得见真理是奇迹；信徒对神增加信心也是奇迹。
