GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading   : Zechariah 7

Theme                    : True Religion

False Religion (1-7). The people of Bethel want to know whether they should continue to fast to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, now that the temple is being rebuilt. God does not just reply to the people of Bethel, but replies to the whole land. God reveals that their outward religious fasting and other rituals are empty because they were not done from the right motivation: love for God (cf. Matt. 6:1, 16-18). Fasting and other rituals were observed for themselves, just like their sinful forefathers had done, whom God exiled. In chapters 7-8, God proceeds to correct their unfaithfulness by warning them of His judgment (hell) and by reminding them of the glorious future of Israel (heaven). God again lays out two choices before them: faith in God that results in covenant keeping and heaven or unfaithfulness to God that results in covenant breaking and hell (Deut. 27-28).

True Religion (8-14). God states that true religion is a faithful relationship with God that results in loving others and being kind to others, especially the weak (James 1:27). This is what He values the most: the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:34-40). Rituals are important but must be performed with right motives. Their forefathers did not worship God with the right motives, so God destroyed them for their sins. God warns them of the same outcome if they do not repent.

Praying the Scripture

1. God’s punishment of past generations’ sins is meant for the current generation to learn and then repent of their sins. Sadly, instead of humbling themselves, many people resent God even more for punishing their family members. Some people also resent that the gospel was not available for their forefathers to hear. If people have never heard the gospel it is because their forefathers rejected it and even persecuted God’s people for spreading the gospel just like many communist countries. People should not blame this on God, but should blame their own forefathers and learn from their mistakes and repent. Even when people continue to reject God, God graciously keeps reaching out to them just as Jesus continued to reach out to the gentiles even after they had rejected Him by sending the healed maniac in Luke 8:39 as a witness to the gospel. God is more gracious than you think. His love is amazing. His love should lead us to repentance, not indifference or hatred, or to take it for granted (Rom. 2:4).

2. God, we confess that many times we are like these Israelites who worship you and serve you not out of thankfulness and love for you, but out of our own selfish desires. We often serve you because of our pride, fear, guilt, self-protection or personal gain. We do not love you perfectly as we ought. Sometimes we are just going through the motions. Please forgive us. Thank you that Jesus has died for all of our sins. Apart from Jesus, we deserve hell for our ugly, adulterous sins. Please give us the spiritual strength to live for you and to be pure in our motives.

Scripture Reading   : Zechariah 6

Theme                    : Chariots of Judgment and Fulfillment

Chariots of Judgment (1-8). Chariots are like the tanks of ancient warfare. It represents God’s power and judgment. This vision is similar to the first vision. It depicts how God will judge the nations and restore Israel. Red horses represent bloodshed and judgment. Black represents famine and death. White represents victory. Dappled represents a mixture of them (cf. Rev. 6:1-8). The two bronze mountains most likely represent the split Mount of Olives when Christ returns (14:4) to judge the world. Bronze is associated with judgment of sin (Ex. 27:2). The chariots are angelic beings that will go out to conquer Israel’s enemies in the north and south. The north is where the antichrist is prophesied to come (2:6; Joel 2:20). When God conquers the northerner, His Spirit will be at rest.

Crowning of High Priest (9-15). At the end of the eighth vision, God speaks about the future Messiah who will be both king and priest. The reference to the Messiah indicates that all eight visions will be completely fulfilled in the Messiah who will cleanse His people of sin on Calvary in ONE day (3:9) and remove evil from Israel and the nations, and then bless the whole world. Zerubbabel will build the restored temple but the Messiah will build the messianic temple (12, Eze. 40-48). Amazingly, the second temple was financed by the Persian government (Ezra 6:4), which was a common policy by the government through God’s providence. The gentile financing of the second temple is a typological prophesy of the future financing of the millennial temple by gentiles (15-17; cf Hag. 2:7). OT prophesies in minor prophets are often in typological from, i.e. pattern form (e.g. Matt. 2:15, out of Egypt I called my Son).

Praying the Scripture

1. The number of prophesies in the Bible that have been fulfilled is astonishing. Some estimate that there are about 2,500 prophecies in the Bible. About 2,000 have been fulfilled in detail. Just as God has fulfilled many prophecies regarding Jesus’ first coming, so He will faithfully fulfill prophecies about His second coming. It is as sure as the rising of the sun. Let us always desire His return and prepare for it by cleansing ourselves of every known defilement (1 John 3:3).

2. The person and work of Jesus is the centrality of the Christianity faith. The OT believers, in faith, were looking forward to His salvific work on the cross and His transformational work of the messianic kingdom. Church era believers, in faith, look back to the cross and also look forward to His kingdom. Christ is the perfect revelation of God’s character and work (Heb. 1:2). Most major doctrines in the Bible find their culmination and apex in the person and work of Christ. Let us adore Him, praise Him and live for Him for He is worthy of honor, glory and praise. Blessed be His name!

Scripture Reading   : Zechariah 5

Theme                    : Purging of Sin

Flying Scroll (1-4). The flying scroll represents the Ten Commandments, which in term represent the whole Mosaic Law. No stealing is the eighth commandment (Ex. 20:15), no swearing falsely by His name is the third commandment (Ex. 20:7, taking His name in vain). These two sins are highlighted because people were greedy and were willing to pollute the land for riches. God warns those who persist in these sins will be destroyed by Him, just He destroyed their fathers for their sins. Israel will be blessed when God purges all unrepentant people from Israel (13:2-3).

Woman in a Basket (5-11). The woman in the basket represents wickedness in the land of Israel. For God to purify Israel, He must remove this wickedness from the land of Israel. Zechariah sees the woman is carried away from Israel and placed in Babylon (land of Shinar, v. 11). Since the Babylonian empire no longer exists when Zechariah saw this vision, most likely, this is referring to the end time Babylon which represents the evil system of the world that is idolatrous and anti-Christ (2:6-7; Rev. 18:2-4). God will destroy this Babylon in the end and be victorious over evil.

Praying the Scripture

1. Even though the church is not Israel, Jesus has commanded the church to purge itself of anyone who commits serious sins that denigrates the name of God and His church (Matt. 18:15-20). If a church does not purge gross sins from the church, it will not be blessed by God but will be corrupted (1 Cor. 5:5-6). The goal of church discipline is not to embarrass people but to restore their soul and to preserve the purity of the church, the bride of Christ. Church discipline is to be done with prayers, grieve and firmness.

2. Christians are sojourners in this evil world that is still controlled by Satan. We are called to escape this evil system that seeks to destroy our souls (2:6-7). From birth, the world programs people to worship themselves and to pursue greatness (cf. Gen. 11:4) through money, sex, power or pleasure. Such thinking is the foundation of the world. It is anti-God and anti-Christ. God calls us to get out of this Babylon. Revelation 18:4, “Come out of her, my people, so that you do not take part in her sins, and so that you do not share in her plagues.” We are not of this world (John 17:16), but we are in the world to save people of this world.

Scripture Reading   : Zechariah 4

Theme                    : Not by Might, but by His Spirit

God will Build the Temple (1-10). The lampstand is the seven-branched kind in the tabernacle except with a bowl on top it from which oil is supplied to the lamps. Oil represents the Holy Spirit (v.6). The constant flow of oil from the bowl to the seven lamps represent God’s perfect, omniscient and unlimited power to supply everything that is needed to be accomplished (10). In this case, it is referring to the monumental task of building the temple by a small group of Jews. God encourages the people to continue the work and finish the temple even though it seems impossible. Because God is behind the work, even a mountain of obstacles will be nothing before God and His people. He is teaching them that small things can become great when God is in it (cf. Matt. 14:17-20).

Priestly King (11-13). The two olive trees, in context of chapters 3-4, represent the office of priesthood (Joshua) and the office of kingship (Zerubbabel). They foreshadow the future offices of the Messiah, who will be both king and priest (6:13), which was unheard of in Israel. Uzziah the king was punished for trying to fill the role of a priest (2 Chron. 26:21). Only the Messiah can be both king and priest.

Praying the Scripture

1. Lord, we humble ourselves and give you all the glory because it is by your Spirit and might, not by our might that we can accomplish anything. It is a illusion to think that our accomplishments are based on our might and wisdom (Ps. 127:1). Let us learn to pray to you first for blessing, and then backup our prayers with our effort. May we not work and then backup our effort with prayer.

2. O God, you are the great supplier. Forgive us for often doubting you of your power and supply. When we do not trust in you, but trust in ourselves, we only get disappointments and vain attempts to try (James 4:2). May we acknowledge you as our great supplier who knows what is best for us. May we trust in you, pray to you, live for you, and anticipate great things from you (Eph. 3:20) for your honor and majesty. Hallow be your name!

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

Scripture Reading   : Zechariah 1

Theme                    : Repentance and Visions

Zechariah began prophesying two months after Haggai. They ministered to the people who returned to Israel after exile in Babylon (Ezra 6:14). There were about fifty thousand people (Ezra 2:64-65). Zechariah spoke a lot about the coming Messiah.

Call to Repent (1-6). The people who returned from exile were becoming unfaithful to God, so God rebuked them and warned them to repent lest they end up like their forefathers who were destroyed by God for unfaithfulness. The people repented and committed themselves to God by agreeing with God’s righteous dealing with them and their fathers (6).

First Vision (7-17). God responded to their repentance through eight visions in order to encourage them. The man on the red horse in the myrtle trees is also referred to as the angel of the Lord (11), which is most likely the pre-incarnation of Jesus (Judg. 13:21-22). Red means judgment and bloodshed (Is. 63:1-2), white means victory (Rev 19:11), sorrel is perhaps a mixture of the two. The glen symbolizes the lowliness of Israel at the time of the return, but the myrtle trees represents future messianic glory (Is. 55:13). This vision encourages the people by reminding them that even though they are lowly now, God will judge the nations and give Israel glory through the coming messiah. This vision serves as the general outline of the rest of seven visions. The seven other visions fill in the details.

Second Vision (18-21). The four horns represent four kingdoms that conquer Israel. Most likely, they are Babylon, Persia, Greek and Rome (cf. Dan. 2 and 7). But the four craftsmen will destroy these four horns.

Praying the Scripture

1. It is very clear from Scripture that all people are born with a sinful nature that corrupts every aspect of a person: his will, thinking, attitude, desires and sense of greatness. Even after returning from Jerusalem, people continue to backslide. God calls the people to repent of sin and to be committed to God. Every generation needs to hear the truth of the Bible afresh. Every generation needs to hear the gospel to prompt them to repent and commit to God. Let us be diligent to listen to God’s truth and to teach it to our children and to share it in our community.

2. When we feel lost or distraught in this world, God’s word reminds us over and over again to put our identity and hope in our eternal destiny in the future glory of the messianic kingdom. Our character, our priorities and values must be shaped by this kingdom, not this earthly temporal kingdom. We pray, O God, that you will enable us to desire this glorious kingdom with Christ.