9 Oct 2015, Zechariah 2 撒迦利亚书 2, Third Vision 第三个异象

Posted on Oct 5, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |

Scripture Reading   : Zechariah 2

Theme                    : Third Vision

Future Expansion (1-5). The current resettlement of Jerusalem by the people from exile is only a foreshadow of the amazing expansion of Jerusalem in the messianic kingdom. No wall will be needed because God will protect them and they will be too numerous (Is. 49:19-20).

Future Escape (6-7). These two verses abruptly hark back to Babylon, even though Babylon has been conquered by Persia when Zechariah received this vision. Most likely, this is about the end time when God calls His people to flee from Babylon which figuratively represent the corruption of the world that encourages people to worship idols and reject Jesus (5:11; Rev. 18:2-4).

Future Exaltation (8-13). For God’s glory, God will send the Messiah to destroy the nations who will plunder Israel, but restore Israel. In the end time, the messiah will dwell in Jerusalem. Both Israel and the nations will be blessed and God will fulfill His promise to Abraham: to bless all the families on earth (Gen. 12:3). All of this will occur during the millennial, messianic kingdom. In light of His amazing plan, God calls everyone to be silent in astonishment.

Praying the Scripture

History is His story. All of history is moving toward God’s goal. History will not delay, but always moving to His story (Hab. 2:3). For the OT Jews, the culmination of all history is the messianic, millennial kingdom on earth, where the Messiah/Christ will rule over Israel and all the nations. Both major and minor prophets repeatedly prophesy about the messianic kingdom. NT reveals this messianic kingdom is the precursor of the eternal new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21-22). Both will be very similar in likeness. For the OT Jews, heaven is mostly described in terms of the messianic kingdom. In the messianic kingdom, God will fulfill all His promises to Israel and the nations. All families on earth will be blessed (Gen. 12:3). All OT believers and church era believers will be resurrected and partake of this glorious messianic kingdom. We are citizens of this glorious country. Imagine being on earth with Abraham and David, Paul and Peter, and playing with lions (Is. 11:6). It will be full of wonders. What a glorious plan God has for His people. Be silent in astonishment!!! And worship God!!!

经文：撒迦利亚书2

主题：第三个异象

未来的扩展（1-5）。流放归回，重新安顿好的耶路撒冷只是一个预示；弥赛亚国度中的耶路撒冷将会更大更奇妙。耶路撒冷也无需城墙，因为神会保护他们，而且城内的人数也甚多（赛49:19-20）。

未来的逃脱（6-7）。这两节经文突然提起巴比伦；撒迦利亚看见异象的时候，巴比伦已经被波斯占领了。这里大有可能指的是末日之时，当神召祂的子民逃离巴比伦，而巴比伦象征世界的败坏，导致人拜偶像，拒绝耶稣（5:11；启18:2-4）。

未来的升高（8-13）。神会为祂的荣耀差遣弥赛亚消灭掳掠以色列的诸国，同时复兴以色列。末日时，弥赛亚将住在耶路撒冷。以色列和列国将蒙福，而神也会履行对亚伯拉罕的承诺：祝福地上的万族（创12:3）。这一切将在弥赛亚的千禧年发生。由于神奇妙的计划即将展开，祂召每一个人要在惊叹中静默无声。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 历史是神的故事。历史的转变都是朝向神的目标前进。历史必然不拖延，总按神的故事进行（来2:3）。对旧约的犹太人而言，历史的巅峰就是弥赛亚在地上的千年国度，也就是当弥赛亚或基督统治以色列和列国之时。大小先知一再地对弥赛亚国度做出预言；新约对此也有启示，说明弥赛亚国度是永恒新天新地的前导（启21-22）。两者会非常相似。对旧约的犹太人来说，天堂多数是以弥赛亚国度的言语叙述的。在弥赛亚的国度里，神会应验祂向以色列和列国所下的应许。地上的万族都要得福（创12:3）。所有旧约的信徒和教会时代的信徒都会复活，参与这荣耀的弥赛亚国度。我们是这荣耀家乡的子民。试想与亚伯拉罕和大卫，保罗和彼得一同在世，与狮子游戏（赛11:6）。那是多么奇妙啊。神对祂的子民有何等荣耀的计划！我们要在惊叹中静默无声，并敬拜神！！