GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

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.