[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙:𝟛
"Therefore
say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return to Me," declares
the LORD of hosts, "that I may return to you," says the LORD of
hosts.’"
The first message of Jesus, the Son of
God was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" The first message of
John the Baptist, the greatest prophet ever lived was "Repent, for the
kingdom of God is near!" The first message of Zechariah is also a call to
repentance, "Return to Yahweh!"
The thousand years of the history of
Israel is a call to repentance. Because humans, even the best of man, the
saints of Yahweh, the redeemed of God are sinners. There's always a call to
repentance.
We have already repented. Done never to
do again. Once and for all in terms of Justification (Salvation) but in our
Christian living, we have to live a life of repentance always, which we call
Sanctification. Battling sins. Turning away from known sins. Getting up when
fallen.
ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟚:𝟙𝟙
"Many
nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people.
Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has
sent Me to you."
God's grace is for all nations. God's
Kingdom is for all people of the earth. People just need to be like Abraham: to
believe in the promise of God.
Notice the tense in this verse and
passage. It's future tense. It wasn't fulfilled at the time of this prophecy.
It has never been fulfilled till today. There's no way it will be fulfilled in
this present scenario. But it will come!
ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟛:𝟛-𝟜
“Now Joshua was
clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said
to those who were standing before him, saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from
him.’ Again he said to him, ‘See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and
will clothe you with festal robes.’”
This is the picture of God's cleansing:
God's forgiving and accepting of sinners. Joshua wasn't told to remove his
filthy garment. He can't. He didn't have the ability or capacity. He didn't
even have the will, I would dare say so. And he wasn't told to put on the clean
garment. He can't, wouldn't, and didn't have the ability and capacity.
Because this is a picture of
justification before God. Specifically, the cleansing of the Israelites before
God. Removing and Clothing was done by God. That's why we say, salvation is of
God.
C. S. Lewis portrays for us a good
analogy in his novel and movie "Chronicle of Narnia" when
Edmund was turned into a golden Dragon for going astray. Aslan breathed upon
him, burning his skin yet giving him life again. It was painful when his skin
was burnt up! Similarly, Repentance, which is turning to God, is not an easy
road. Painful but worth every bit of it.
BTW, once we are saved (justified) we are
told to put on because we are made able now. Ephesians 4. That's why we are
commanded to after God has made us alive, able, and active!
ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜:𝟜-𝟝, 𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛
“Then I said to
the angel who was speaking with me saying, ‘What are these, my lord?’ So the
angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, ‘Do you not know what
these are?’ And I said, ‘No, my lord.’”
Last time I mentioned that Jesus has a
way of answering a question with a question. You see, the angel also answered
him with a question each time Zechariah asked, in this chapter! Zechariah
should have replied in question too, right? 😂 Something like this: "Do you
suppose me to know them, my lord?"😂
ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟝:𝟛
"Then he
said to me, ‘This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole
land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing
on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the
writing on the other side.’"
When nobody is serious, even a diligent
man gets discouraged and gives up. But God is not a man. He is not giving up His
standard. If everyone sins, He will damn everyone. There's no escape from Him.
Notice the flying scroll for everyone to
see. The curse, judgment is sure. Notice the word "everyone"
"will be purged," there's no escape! And when wicked people are
purged, symbolized by the women being taken away, blessed will be the land!
Don't we recall the pleasure and
satisfaction and joy when we overcome sin and temptation; when sin is purged in
our life?
A day will come when every sin and
wickedness will be taken away from us, individually and from the land! What a
glorious day that will be!
ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟞:𝟙𝟛
"Yes, it
is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and
sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the
counsel of peace will be between the two offices."
Prophesying about the Coming reign of
Jesus Christ. He is both the Priest and King! That day has not been realized
yet. That day will come.
This prophecy is interesting. It's given
in the context of judgment. Because in the end evil shall not be the last
chapter, even it be, it's about its destruction. Righteousness must triumph in
the end.
The leaders of Israelites, both the kings
and priests had led the people astray. And the people themselves had been
equally disobeying God. They needed a judgment. But if they all would be
killed, where would be the power of God? It would look like a triumph to the
devil.
God always has a remnant like Lot in
Sodom, Daniel in a pagan land, and Joseph in Potiphar's home. And Messiah will
rule over them. Wicked people will be purged. The righteous will multiply,
dominate the earth, and reign with Christ!