If you don't
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the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
DECEMBER 21
Just a few more days before
Christmas. Today in beginning Zechariah it will be like getting Revelation in
stereo. Both books zero in on the last days of this tragic earthly history we
are following Christ through. What is interesting is that both books will talk
about some of the same things, but each will provide unique details. Both books
end with the glory of God and with humanity safe and sound with the Savior, and
that is a great way to end the year.
Zechariah 1
In
talking about Haggai, I mentioned that both he and Zechariah showed up at the
same time. The time was when the returned exiles had been in Jerusalem about 18
years and they were stalled in building the temple. There must have been
something very crucial going on at this time that you don't see explained in
the history that Ezra shares. Just knowing this time frame and the sudden
arrival of these two prophets should give us a greater appreciation for these
books, and for God coming through in the clutch and motivating the people to
action to save them. In Haggai, God gave Zerubbabel and Joshua a shot of
motivation, and then He gave them a look at the future to show them that their
work would not be in vain. Zechariah continues this look at the future and is
like a little book of Revelation in the OT. It will also be good for us to
think about why God is giving them these visions of the future. Maybe we need
that too.
Take a look at the chart at the
end of these notes titled, “Dates of Key Events in Haggai's and Zechariah's
Time.”
V.
1 If you compare the date of this message with the messages of Haggai, you'll
see that Zechariah began speaking about a month after Haggai's second message.
Vs.
2-6 This message is very much like what Haggai was saying and, miracle of
miracles, the people obeyed. Notice the illustration given here. Although their
fathers died and although the prophets died, the Word continued and was
fulfilled. This was true of the past judgment and it would be true of the
future glory promised to Israel.
Now,
Zechariah is given eight night visions. The chart of the same name is located
at the end of this document and it may be helpful to look at. One thing to note
here is that he will see these all in one night. What a night.
Vs.
7-17 The vision of the riders.
V.
7 Notice that this vision was three months after his first message. Haggai had
stopped preaching by now.
Notice
that these angels patrol the earth. We saw something like this in Job 1:6-8.
These angels seem to have a special commission from the Lord. It is interesting
to think that even though God is omniscient, He still gives angels
responsibilities. It is also interesting to think that angels are still on
patrol, as we speak.
Vs.
8-12 Read this carefully. I have missed this every time. The rider of the red horse is very important. Notice that
He is standing while the other riders are on their horses. Apparently He is the
leader. In v. 9 Zechariah speaks to another angel who is with him. In v. 10
Zechariah is answered by the rider of the red horse. In v. 11 this angel rider
of the red horse is addressed as the
angel of the Lord. This is the pre-incarnate Jesus. You'll see this when we
get to Zechariah 3:4 where this angel takes away the sin of Joshua the high
priest. Only God has that authority.
V.
12 Notice that the world is at rest, but Jerusalem is not. The focus here is
Jerusalem. The question asked in v. 12 launches the visions dealing with the
city and the people. This is very similar to Daniel's question regarding the
city. Daniel received the vision of the 70 weeks. Here, Zerubbabel and Joshua
receive these visions through Zechariah. Since their lives have been focused on
the temple, the worship and the city, God will encourage them regarding the
future of these.
Notice
that this is the only place in Scripture where the angel of the Lord intercedes and pleads to the Father, the Lord of hosts. The Son is still making
intercession today.
Vs.
13-17 As a result of this request, God, who is very jealous for Jerusalem,
promises to restore Jerusalem, the fulfillment of which will be in the
Millennial Kingdom. Still, for Zerubbabel and Joshua and all the people, God's
favor on Jerusalem would be good to know. In spite of the challenges they were
facing, God confirmed and encouraged them that He would comfort Zion and choose
Jerusalem.
Vs.
18-21 The vision of the horns.
V.
19 These horns do not seem to stand for animals or kings, but rather for the
power or pride of nations. Horns might be like a threat of strength or pain,
like weapons. If you look at 1 Kings 22:11, you'll see a false prophet make
iron horns. Things like this might have been put on shields or wagons. If
actual nations are in view here, they might be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and
Persia. At that moment in history, neither Greece nor Rome had risen as a
threat to Jerusalem and Judah or scattered the people. Generally, it might just
be referring to the pride of any nations that seek to persecute Israel. Toward
the end of Zechariah we will see a very unique insight into the persecution
Jerusalem will be enduring the very minute the Lord returns.
Vs.
20-21 Since the horns are manufactured, the craftsmen can destroy them. These
angels will work to humble the nations that rise against Israel. Again, that is
a promise that the godly leaders of Israel can depend on.
Zerubbabel
and Joshua had endured many years of oppression by the Persian government and by
the surrounding nations. This vision showed them that God would destroy this
opposition. In God's hands Israel was secure. That's a good thing to know,
especially reading Revelation 12.
Revelation 12
This
is a great chapter of Revelation and it describes more fully the mystery of the
victory God will secure over Satan and the world through the suffering of His
people.
Vs.
1-2 The woman is Israel. Israel has always been "pregnant" with the
Savior of the world, as promised to Abraham. The sun and moon sounds like
something that Joseph dreamed, and the twelve stars are the sons of Jacob.
Joseph was the first visual "type" or hint of a savior coming from
Israel.
The
deeper imagery here is from Genesis 3. There is the dragon (serpent, v. 15),
the woman and the male child.
Vs.
3-4 This is interesting information. Satan has always known that the Savior was
to come from Israel and therefore Israel has suffered so much. In corrupting
Israel, Satan (in his mind) has held back salvation from the world. Getting
Israel to crucify their Messiah was his master work, which fell back on him
because he never realized that God was incarnate or that the sacrifice of Jesus
could work salvation for all mankind through faith.
Notice
that Satan took a third of the angelic world with him in his rebellion.
V.
5 The child was Jesus. Jesus’ entire life, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection
is summed up with Jesus seated at the Father’s right hand.
V.
6 This is the Tribulation as shown in the 1260 days or 3.5 years. I think that
toward the end of the first 3.5 years of peace in Israel, the army of the north
(Ez. 39:6) will come to loot Israel; but God will destroy them with fire or
some other miracle (probably through the witnesses). The antichrist will
arrive, maybe to save Israel, but the glory of this salvation by God will cause
him to lose his mind. (And a mind is a terrible thing to lose.) In heaven the
decree is given to allow the "little horn" to wage war with the
saints and prevail (Daniel 8:24-26). The antichrist kills the two witnesses,
desecrates the temple (Matt. 24:15) and begins a great persecution of the Jews,
and then any believers he can get his hands on. This begins the "Great
Tribulation."
But
Israel will hide in the mountains around the Dead Sea and live off of the supplies
of the destroyed army. Since the world is wrecked and primitive, it will be
easy for God to hide them 3.5 years. Actually, for God, it would always be easy
to hide them anyway, but having wrecked the world, He was preparing for this
event.
Vs.
7-9 During this time, there is a battle in heaven and Satan loses. You might
wonder why this didn't happen before, but I think that the slaughter of
Christ's followers is already underway and is a key factor in Michael's
victory.
Vs.
10-11 Notice that v. 11 is written in the past tense as if it has already been
going on. This, I think, is what gave Michael and his forces the power they
needed. I think this victory of the saints through their testimony and deaths
is what Satan never saw coming, the mystery. It brings judgment and wrath upon
him and gives power to the angelic forces defending Israel. These two verses
hold amazingly deep spiritual truth.
Notice
that although there is a declaration made in v. 10, the battle is not over.
Also, notice that this declaration seems very similar to the declaration made
in Revelation 11:15.
V.
12 This is wonderful for those in heaven, to have the neighborhood finally
cleaned up; but now Satan and his angels are defeated and earthbound. Isn't it
interesting that he knows his time is short? This shows the psychotic nature of
Satan's evil and sin in general. Why does he keep destroying? He will not rule
in hell. Those he deceives do not become his slaves in some fiery underworld
cartoon. Satan will be tormented and punished just as all men will. In hell,
all are utterly incapacitated in pain. There are no card games and parties.
There is nothing for Satan to gain by destroying more people, except the
satisfaction it gives him to vent his hate toward God and to see men damned by
God.
Vs.
13-17 God protects those who obeyed Him and fled to the wilderness. Whatever
this flood was, an army or actual waters, God will so visibly protect them that
Satan knows it is useless to pursue them. God will protect them for 3.5 years.
The only danger to them is being fooled into thinking that the Lord has
appeared, and going out to visit the many impostors who will appear (Matt.
24:26). Toward the end of this 3.5 years something will happen that brings the
Jews (believing and unbelieving) out of hiding and back into Jerusalem.
V.
13 Read Genesis 3:14-15. You have the woman, the serpent and the male child.
Satan
then turns his anger to rounding up Christians all over the world. He will
slaughter many, but the more he hurts them, the more he weakens himself. And,
there will be many from all nations who, on seeing the persecution of Jewish
and Gentile believers, will awaken to faith and help them.
I'm not sure what the
sand really is, but the first thing that comes to mind is the promise to
Abraham in Genesis 22:16-18, By
myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not
withheld your son, your only son, 17I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as
the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring
shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,
because you have obeyed my voice.
Satan
can stand on the sand (the Jews/believers), but the sand will defeat him and
become a blessing to all nations. Knowing what these future disciples will
endure and how they will defeat the enemy should encourage us to deny
ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him into the harvest.
27But
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is
weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God
chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring
to nothing things that are (1
Cor. 1:27-28).
Psalm 140
It
is easy to read a psalm like this and not really read it at all. We need to
sense the despair and trouble and anxiousness David felt. You know how you can
have one good day and seem to have all the stress under control, and the next
day you are a mess? This is what David lived through for 10 years on the run
from Saul. Anxiousness and trouble are not our downfall. Our downfall is not
having this habit of life, living close to the heart of God, in His Word,
crying out to Him.
Vs.
1-5 Not only was David asking for deliverance and protection from these very
real dangers, but there is the sense that the poison of this was close to
entering his heart and mind.
Vs.
6-8 The protection of David's head, like the helmet of salvation, was actually
confidence and protection of his heart and thoughts. That protection is found
in knowing God's heart and knowing He is our salvation. It is found in the Word
and obeying the Word in faith.
Vs.
9-11 This is a call for justice in kind. As they have done, let it be done to
them. But notice, David is not wanting to dispense justice. That is the Lord's
job.
Vs.
12-13 David's strength was found in resting on the Lord. Verses 6-7 and 12-13
are the things David learned in the ebb and flow of his emotions. God is a
rock. Our emotions move. The creation, the sun, the sea are always there. They
are visual aids that God's love and faithfulness never change. It takes
hopelessness to reveal this to us, but then, only if God is our hope and our
foundation.
Proverbs 30:17
How should one figuratively
understand the second half of this verse? This could just be a common curse
people gave at that time, or it could be referring to a warning about what
happens to our understanding when we ignore what God says. Jesus told His
disciples, and then the people, that if your eye turns away from receiving what
God says, it results in darkness. Take a look at Matthew 6:22-23 and Luke 11:34-36.
I guess the safest thing to do
is just to obey the first half of the verse and honor God by honoring our
parents.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are interested in growing
deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the
growth of a discipleship culture in the church, that is, groups of 3-4
disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to
reach out and make disciples, who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most
universal and important discipleship manual we have and it is the key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here,
or what we are to be doing, or whom we are to be following. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are
designed to keep us, as disciples, focused on Christ and our role in His
harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be
willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their
growth as disciples, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome
to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own
observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition
or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any
point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as
I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm doing
this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that will
keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are reading. Remember,
the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a supplement, a disciple’s
commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we will keep following our
Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make
disciples. Being in the Word every day,
sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the essential essence of
being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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