God has a plan. The remnant of Israel that returned from captivity to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple foreshadowed the fulfilment of that plan. By laying the foundation of the new temple they were heralding a crucial turning point in the history of mankind.

When Christ took the sins of this world on his own shoulders and laid down his life for all of mankind the foundation of the spiritual temple was laid. His action established the process of salvation that would eventually reconcile mankind to God. Through him the curses caused by sin will be lifted in the future and all of mankind will receive the opportunity to obtain eternal life and enter God’s Kingdom. He was the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham that through a descendant of his all families of the earth would be blessed.

Both the religious and civil leaders, Zerubbubal and Joshua, represented Christ who will take over those roles when he returns to rule the world.

Not long after the remnant had resumed restoration of the temple Zechariah, a contemporary of Haggai, had a number of visions. Zechariah’s visions were incredibly rich in symbolism that not only predicted the near future of the people of that time, but also events ranging from around four hundred years to thousands of years into the future.

Jerusalem (First Vision, Zechariah 1:7-17)

Zechariah’s first vision indicated that since the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians some seventy years earlier, the world scene was relatively peaceful and God was now prepared to show mercy to the remnant of His people whom other prophets refer to as Jacob. He still had a special purpose for Jerusalem and was keen to have the temple rebuilt because it was preparing the way for the foundation of the spiritual temple that was to be laid. The temple that the remnant rebuilt in Zechariah’s time foreshadowed the spiritual temple that Christ, the chief cornerstone, is building today. He is the chief corner-stone of a much greater temple.

Because the four horsemen seen among the myrtle trees in Zechariah’s vision, ‘sent to walk to and fro through the earth’ were answerable to the angel that spoke to Zechariah they are believed to be angelic servants of God sent to assess world conditions. They found the world at rest, “And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.” (Zechariah 1:11).

The angel then indicated that God had not been pleased with the way the enemies (adversaries) of His people had acted with unnecessary violence when He had removed His protection from them, seventy years earlier, “So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.” (Zechariah 1:14-15). Because Jerusalem still featured in His plan God was keen to have it rebuilt, “Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 1:16-17).

Adversaries (Second Vision, Zechariah 1:18-21)

In a second vision it was shown that the adversaries who had over-stepped the mark in their enthusiasm to destroy and scatter Israel and Judah would in turn receive a similar fate, “Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.” (Zechariah 1:18-21).

According to the Jewish Study Bible (JPS Tanakh Translation), the horns are symbolic of power and the number four is believed to represent totality by implying the four points of the compass. In this case the four horns represent the adversaries of God’s people whom God had promised would be punished for their over-enthusiasm in the downfall of both Israel and Judah (Jacob). There is a list of nations in Jeremiah 25, most of whom were consumed by the Babylonian empire which in turn was overtaken by the Medo-Persian empire. The final reckoning for Jacob’s adversaries will be on the Day of the Lord (see article - 'Jacob’s Adversaries').

The people referred to as ‘heathen’ in verse 15 (above), and ‘gentiles’ in verse 21 are those who were not God’s people also referred to as the ‘nations’.

The four carpenters are symbolic of the divine powers, or princes that will bring about the fulfilment and could well be indicative of the four angels mentioned in Revelation, “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:1-3). Also, “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” (Revelation 9:13-15).

Daniel talks about the spirit powers behind world leaders (Daniel 10:13, 20-21, also Ephesians 6:12 - see article - 'Know your Enemies').

Without Measure (Third Vision, Zechariah 2:1-13)

In his next vision Zechariah saw a young man stopped from measuring the city, “I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him.” (Zechariah 2:1-3)

He was stopped because Jerusalem of the future will be without measure. It will be a city without walls to confine it and God will dwell in its midst, “And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” (Zechariah 2:4-5).

In describing the new Jerusalem he saw in his vision centuries later, the Apostle John said, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:2-3).

The city that they were restoring at that time foreshadowed the heavenly Jerusalem of the future that the apostle John also saw in his vision over four hundred years later .

John’s vision portrayed a time when those who are reconciled to God will be part of spiritual Jerusalem, a city that Zechariah indicates has no physical limitations. A city representing the Kingdom of God in which they will dwell in the presence of God the Father and His son Jesus Christ and be without evil, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:22-27).

The prophet Isaiah said that there would be no end to this Kingdom, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Diaspora

While Jerusalem was being rebuilt in their time the rest of the remnant of Israel that stayed in Babylonia flourished as a major centre of Judaism. According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia (under ‘diaspora’), “the colony in Babylonia remained a stronghold of orthodox Judaism and produced its own Talmud.”. Other historic sources claim that over a period of one thousand years many whom we now refer to as Jews, dispersed from Babylonia. Over four hundred years before it occurred Zechariah prophesied about the diaspora, “Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD. Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.” (Zechariah 2:6-7).

By Zechariah’s time the Babylonian Empire had absorbed most of the enemies of God’s people listed in Jeremiah 25 and had itself had been taken over by the Medo-Persian Empire whose leader had let the remnant return to Jerusalem. But the name Babylon was still used in some prophetic literature to symbolize Jacob’s adversaries not only of that time but also in the end-time.

God referred to the Medo-Persian empire as the daughter of Babylon from which He told the remnant to leave because He would eventually invoke the curse of Genesis 12:3 against them, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”.

He told them to, “Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.” (Zechariah 2:7-9).

However, the ultimate fulfillment of this curse will not take place until the final fall of Babylon in the end-time, “And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.” (Revelation 18:9-10).

After Babylon is destroyed there will be a time when people from all other nations shall become God’s people and enter His Kingdom which is represented by the new Jerusalem. He shall dwell among them, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” ( Zechariah 2:10-11).

During his thousand year reign over the earth Christ who is part of the God-Head, will in effect be dwelling among God’s people (Revelation 20:4-6). And through His Holy Spirit which will then be freely available, God will make His abode within individuals who turn to Him.

Church and State (Fourth Vision, Zechariah 3:1-10)

Zechariah’s fourth vision involves Joshua the High Priest who is portrayed as a brand plucked from the fire, “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (Zechariah 3:1-2).

His filthy clothes representing sin are taken away from him and he is given clean garments, “And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” (Zechariah 3:4).

In this vision it is believed that Joshua’s role of high priest represents the Branch through whom the whole world will be blessed, “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.” (Zechariah 3:8-10).

According to Jeremiah the Branch is the Davidic heir who will rule over all the earth, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

Zechariah says that the Branch shall build a temple and rule in a fashion that combines the roles of both church and state which had been separate since Israel had been established, “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” (Zechariah 6:12-13).

Priest and King

Jesus Christ who came to redeem mankind is our high priest today. Redemption means deliverance from evil by payment of a price. That price was his life which he laid down for all of mankind, “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9:11-12).

He is not only our High Priest but also our king, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14).

Christ is the Lamb of God, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).

Chief Cornerstone

Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of that temple who will remove all iniquity from the world through the redemption he has obtained for all of mankind, “For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” (Zechariah 3:9).

We are that temple built on the foundation that Christ laid as the chief cornerstone, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Ephesians 2:20). And, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (I Corinthians 3:16-17). Also, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (II Corinthians 6:16).

It is believed that the seven eyes upon the symbolic ‘stone’ that was laid before Joshua implied perfection and omniscience, “For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” (Zechariah 3:9). Also, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” (Revelation 5:6, see also Revelation 1:4 and 3:1).

The day Christ was sacrificed for the sins of this world was in effect the day he removed all iniquity from the world. In that one day he made the necessary sacrifice that would redeem all of mankind. He opened up the way for sin to be overcome and banished forever.

Lamp Stand (Fifth Vision, Zechariah 4:1-14)

In the fifth vision Zechariah sees a golden lampstand with seven lamps and an olive tree either side. When he asked what they signified he was told that the vision of the lampstand symbolized, in summary, the spiritual perfection and power by which God will accomplish His plan to bring salvation to the world and that it will be accomplished through Christ the chief cornerstone, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” (Zechariah 4:6-7). The Jewish Study Bible (JPS Translation of the Tanakh) translates ‘headstone’ as ‘that excellent stone’.

The lampstand of this vision relates to the heavenly lampstand shown to Moses on Mount Sinai as the pattern for the one in the Tabernacle and described in Exodus 25:31-40. A marginal reference in the KJV against verse 40 confirms that it was patterned on that lampstand “which thou wast caused to see”. It had seven lamps. Seven is believed to be the number of spiritual perfection which the lampstand symbolizes.

Not only does it symbolize spiritual perfection, it is also styled after an almond branch signifying the Branch who brings light to the world. Jesus Christ is that Branch, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). He is the branch that shall build the spiritual temple, “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:” (Zechariah 6:12).

Oil

The oil that fuels the lamps is symbolic of God’s Holy Spirit and as Zechariah says, ‘by my spirit’ these things will be accomplished, not by the effort of men. And the reference to a mountain becoming a plain signifies that nothing will stop God accomplishing what He sets out to do, “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” (Zechariah 4:7).

Light

The light from the lamp is the word of God which lights the world, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:1-12).

Jesus Christ is that light, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12, see also John 12:46). His gospel is light, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (II Corinthians 4:4).

Headstone

The headstone menti0one in Zechariah 4:7 that Zerubbabel shall bring forth is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who according to the genealogy in Matthew 1 (verse 12) is a direct descendent of Zerubbabel. The term headstone is believed to refer to the headstone of the foundation, or chief cornerstone from which the whole building is aligned.

God said that He would lay such a stone in Zion, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isaiah 28:16). Paul said that this stone shall cause offence to those who do not believe, “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:33). The stumbling stone was Jesus Christ.

Although that stone was rejected by the religious leaders in Jerusalem at that time it will not prevent God from accomplishing His plan, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,” (1Peter 2:7, Luke 20:17). The spiritual temple will be built, “After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:” (Acts 15:16, from Amos 9:11).

Under Construction

That temple is under construction right now! “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (I Corinthians 3:16-17). And,“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

After that the Angel said to Zechariah, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:9-10). The Jewish Study Bible (JPS Translation of the Tanakh) translates ‘the plummet’ as ‘the stone of distinction’, noting that it can also be translated as ‘the stone of the plumb’ or ‘plummet’. A plumb line is a weighted line used to align the building to the perpendicular.

Joshua and Zerubbabel Represent Christ

Not only did the earthly temple foreshadow the heavenly temple of the future, Zerubbabel the builder also foreshadowed his descendant by whom the foundation of the spiritual temple was to be laid. Both Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor of Judah represented the coming Messiah who is our High Priest. Christ will assume the role of both High Priest and King when he returns, “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (Hebrews 8:1-2).

And, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14).

Day of Small Things

The ‘day of small things’ implies that the earthly shadow was a small beginning of the heavenly substance and was not to be despised because the end result is the supremacy and omniscience (seven eyes) of Christ in whose hand is the builder’s plumb line (plummet). He is the wise masterbuilder constructing the spiritual temple, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” (I Corinthians 3:10).

Two Olive Trees

When Zechariah asked about the two olive trees that empty the oil out of themselves into the lamp’s bowl he was told, “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:14). Some translations call them “The two sons of the oil, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Darby and Young’s Literal Translation). ‘Sons of oil’ as opposed to sons of God, or sons of man, seems to indicate that they are angelic beings administering to the Branch who we have already established as Jesus Christ.

The two covering cherubs over the mercy seat in the tabernacle indicate a similar role, “And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.” (Exodus 25:18-20). It is interesting that those who where with Christ when he ascended saw two men, or angelic beings, “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;” (Acts 1:10). Were these angelic guardians, or witnesses?

Hundreds of years later the Apostle John had a vision depicting the end-time with similar imagery and it was explained that the lamp he saw represented the churches among whom Christ moved and the two olive trees were described as the two witnesses who will have supernatural powers to do God’s work, “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.” (Revelation 11:3-5).

It is possible that the two witnesses in the end-time who proclaim Christ's return are the same two angelic beings who witnessed his departure?

Spiritual Foundation Laid

Zechariah’s vision of the lampstand depicted the spiritual power by which the physical temple would be completed. Similarly John’s vision of a lampstand depicted the same spiritual power by which the spiritual temple will be built. The spiritual foundation has been defined as, “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Ephesians 2:20). Zechariah indicated that figuratively even mountains could not stand before that power, “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” (Zechariah 4:7). Nothing will prevail against the power of Christ, who is that rock (foundation) upon which the spiritual temple will be built, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18).

On that foundation the spiritual temple, symbolized by the seven lamps (seven implying spiritual perfection), comprising those who have God’s Spirit are being perfected through Christ by that same spiritual power, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:” ( Ephesians 2:21). “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” ( I Corinthians 3:16).

The same Divine power that laid the foundation and built the earthly temple has also laid the foundation of, and is currently building, the spiritual temple.

Flying Scroll (Sixth Vision, Zechariah 5:1-4)

In a further vision Zechariah saw a flying scroll, “Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.” (Zechariah 5:1-3).

The scroll appears to represent the main divisions of the law which Christ summarized as follows, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40). Swearing falsely by God’s name contravenes the 'love toward God' aspect of the law and stealing contravenes the 'love toward neighbour' aspect.

Paul described the law as a curse because it defines sin, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Galatians 3:13). Since sin entered the world mankind has been under the curse of the law’s penalty which is death (see also Genesis 3:15-24), “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Romans 5:12-13).

Zechariah’s vision indicates that unless sin is overcome it will destroy the sinner because of the judgment that will eventually be executed, “I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.” (Zechariah 5:4).

Seat of Sin (Seventh Vision, Zechariah 5:5-11)

In association with that vision he saw a large container into which a woman is cast and sealed up, “And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.” (Zechariah 5:6-11).

The woman probably symbolizes the wickedness of the whole Babylonian system and the false religion that exists within it – all of which will be destroyed. The land of Shinar is associated with Babylon (Genesis 10:10 and 11:2).

There is a similarity in this respect with John’s vision in Revelation 18 where the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the iniquity of this world’s social, economic and religious systems, is finally destroyed, “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” (Revelation 18:1-3). And the words of verse 10,“Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.” reminding us that Christ will remove iniquity very swiftly when he returns, “For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” (Zechariah 3:9).

Four Chariots (Eighth Vision, Zechariah 6:1-8)

In the next vision Zechariah sees four chariots in a similar role to the four horsemen in Zechariah 1 who were associated with laying of the foundation of the earthly temple, “And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.” (Zechariah 6:1). They are described as representing, “The four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.” (verse 5).

The purpose of the four chariots seems similar to that of the four horseman, i.e. either to report that the world powers are relatively stable, or to suppress them while the next step of the plan is executed. The significance of chariots as opposed to horsemen in Zechariah 1 may simply be to demonstrate the importance of the spiritual temple compared with the earthly temple, the earthly being a mere shadow of the spiritual. The significance of the two mountains is not made clear.

King and High Priest

Craftsmen are then summoned to make a crown for Joshua the high priest who foreshadows Christ the Branch who is High Priest of the spiritual temple, “Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Zechariah 6:11-15).

We are informed that Christ the Branch, who will be born in Jerusalem, shall not only build the spiritual temple but will also rule as both King and High Priest. He is our High Priest today (Hebrews 4:14) in an age when gentiles are being called to be part of that temple, “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:11-13).

According to Bullinger the crowns (plural) in Zechariah’s vision referred to a number of circlets forming a composite crown (singular) with which Christ will be crowned.

END Continue to Part Three - Pronouncements and propheciess

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Last modified: 10/03/07

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