Looking Forward, Living Now: A Mission 119 Guide to Zechariah

The book of Zechariah is the most Messianic centered of the Twelve (the Minor Prophets). Haggai and Zechariah were contemporaries who faithfully ministered to the Jewish remnant that returned to Israel after the Babylonian captivity. Both encouraged the completion of the rebuilding of the Temple and a concomitant spiritual renewal. But whereas Haggai focused largely on the present attitudes and actions of the Jewish remnant, Zechariah's messages were predominantly oriented to future events. To a remnant with reason to despair, the prophet encouraged the people by revealing a glorious future for Jerusalem, a reunited Israel, a large scale regathering of the scattered Jewish people from the nations back to the Promise Land, the removal of Israel's enemies, and most of all, the coming priest-king who would bring physical and spiritual salvation and implement his kingdom comprised of the faithful from all nations.For the Christian reader, we see some of the prophecies literally fulfilled in the first century when the good shepherd Jesus Christ was rejected by the people, betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, and crucified. But most of what Zechariah saw remains to be fulfilled. Some today discount the value of studying prophecy, but the Bible shows us that the prophetical material is foundational to the Christian walk. The modern reader, as with the original audience, is to live with one foot firmly planted in the now and the other in God's promised future blessings-to look forward with hope while living now in the firm conviction of God's Word.