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In this study we see the LORD, declaring through Zechariah, that the pride of this world will be broken, and that he will restore his people. A king is coming to rule and reign on this earth who will right every wrong, rule with justice and righteousness. This is our hope in the midst of the storms of this life. Some find themselves prisoners to fear; some are prisoners to anxiety; some are prisoners to loneliness or emptiness; some are prisoners to the expectations of others… and the list goes on. Those who trust in God are prisoners to hope! It is hope that constrains us, it is hope that stops us sinking beneath the waves, it is hope that will not let us give up the belief that there is a brighter tomorrow; it is hope that will not let us forget that, though weeping may endure for a night, HIS joy comes in the morning! Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prov 13:12), but our hope is sure, it is steadfast, it is an impenetrable stronghold, for it is in God Himself. “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8). May you be blessed and encouraged by this teaching.

In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul speaks of the 'Mystery of Israel'. David Torrance said: “Despite wars, persecutions and repeated attempts to obliterate them, they have kept their peculiar identity. They have remained a people apart from the other nations of the world, a testimony to the preserving hand of God. “For I the Lord do not change therefore , you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed” (Mal 3:6). “The very existence of the Jews in history, together with all that has happened to them in their long turbulent history, is proof that there is a God present and active, through His Holy Spirit, in history. By all normal laws of geography, history and ethnography, they ought as a distinct race to have disappeared long ago!”. Most books on 'systematic theology' cover every major area of doctrine except one: the calling, purpose and future of the Nation of Israel. Yet 5/6ths of the Bible are devoted to the family of Abraham, and God's unconditional promises to them. Sadly, the erroneous doctrine that God has somehow finished with Israel has swept through the Christian church, leaving many unaware of just how important Israel are in God's plan of redemption, salvation and restoration. In this study we look at the Biblical origins of the nation of Israel, God's unconditional covenants with them regarding the Nation, the Land, the Monarchy and the city of Jerusalem. May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.

Chapters 7 & 8 are an historical interlude in the book of Zechariah, between the prophetic visions of the first six chapters and the prophetic climax to the book, from chapter 9-14. In chapter 7 we see two individuals sent down from Jerusalem to Bethel (The House of God), to ask whether they should continue to keep the fasts they had been observing in the fifth month. It was on the 5th month (from the 5th to the 10th day) that the Babylonian army of Nebuchadnezzar has destroyed and burned the temple and city of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. During their time in Babylon, the Jews had commemorated this time by fasting and mourning for the city and temple. But now they were back in the land the question is asked, do they need to continue this practice, after all, it wasn’t like the Feast of Moses that they were instructed to keep. God’s response through Zechariah was to question why they had kept the fasts in the fist place. Was it for God they had done it? Or was is it for themselves? What was their motive? God them reminds them of the Nation’s history that had led up to the captivity in the first place. It had been characterised by injustice, cruelty, and the leaders of the nation, in particular, had hardened their hearts toward God, not wanting to hear His Law or Prophets. God now asks in effect, are your hearts still hard? Are you concerned about your ways or my ways? When you ‘celebrate’ your fasts, in the 5th month (when the city and temple were destroyed), or in the 7th month (when Gedaliah, the governor of Judah was assassinated), or in the 10th month (the anniversary of when the siege of Jerusalem had begun), are you celebrating with your thoughts on God? Or are you merely following a ritualistic practice, thinking that in some way, this makes God pleased?

In this study we look at the last of a series of eight visions that the prophet Zechariah had in one night. Each vision unveiled a little more of God’s plan to restore and rebuild the nation of Israel following the Babylonian captivity. The scope of these visions takes us from 518 B.C. when Zechariah had these visions, to the time ahead of us when Jesus will return to establish His kingdom on Earth. In this eighth vision Zechariah sees two ‘mountains’ in juxtaposition, as if squaring up for battle. These may well represent the kingdom of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of this world, for we see that in the midst of them come riding four horsemen and chariots that bear a striking resemblance to the four horsemen we see in Revelation chapter 6. These are angelic beings that are ushering in a time of judgment, after which Israel’s enemies will be silenced and our King & high priest will be crowned. May you be blessed and encouraged by this teaching.

Zechariah had a series of visions, all apparently in one night. These visions not only gave comfort to Zechariah and the remnant that had returned from captivity in Babylon at that time, but also prophetically outline significant events that will take place as God restores His people Israel and readies the earth for the Millennial reign of Christ. In the 4th vision Zechariah sees a menorah – the 7-branched lampstand that God gave Moses the instructions to build for the Tabernacle in Exodus 37. In Revelation chapter 1, Jesus tells us that this lampstand, that was made from one solid piece of pure gold and hammered into shape, is an idiom of the Church. The Church also is one body in Christ, hammered into shape by our Master craftsman’s tender love and moulding. We are purified through the testing of our faith (see James 1: 2-3). As with the menorah we are to be filled with the oil of His Holy Spirit and bear His light to all around us. Either side of this (that is, either side of the Church), Zechariah sees two olive trees, representative of the Nation of Israel. It is no coincidence that following the return from Babylon, God dealt with Israel up until the time they rejected their Messiah (see Luke 19:41-44). Whilst the early Church was indeed entirely Jewish, it soon became clear that the Gospel was to now go to the gentiles (see Acts ch10). Though many Jews believed, as a Nation, Israel’s eyes will remain blinded ‘until the fulness of the gentiles has come in’ (See Romans 11: 25-26). God gives Zechariah comfort, declaring that the Temple will be rebuilt, that all the problems then facing the Nation of Israel, that seemed like a mountain to overcome, would be levelled. God’s promises to Israel would be fulfilled, not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. It would be God’s Spirit that would be breathed upon and indwell the Church. The Church would be a work of Divine grace for Jew and gentile alike. From what we read in scripture, following the Church-age, God’s attention will be once again wholly turned to Israel. Zechariah’s attention in then focused upon the two olive branches (seemingly as distinct yet part of one of the olive trees). Zechariah is told that these are two anointed individuals that will (one day) stand before God, to serve Him. We see these two individuals appear again in Revelation ch 11, as two witnesses whom God will raise up to preach to the world after the Church has been removed at the time of the Rapture. They will perform miraculous signs and wonders as a witness and demonstration of God’s omnipotence and sovereignty during the first three-and-a-half-years of the coming time of Tribulation. Zechariah Chapter 5 also seems to foretell an event that will occur during this time. All false religion began in Babylon at the time of Nimrod and the Tower of Babel, shortly after the time of the Flood (see Genesis 10). Throughout the ages, false religion has taken many forms and faces, but Revelation 17 & 18 reveal that a One World religion is on our horizon, that will come under the umbrella of the Roman Catholic Church. This religious system has and will exert incredible pressure and influence over the kings of the earth, and Zechariah sees that it will eventually return to the plain of Shinar (modern Day Iraq) where Babel was located. There God will use the kings of the earth to pour out His wrath and judgment on this ‘abomination’ that has kept so many from the truth. Isaiah 13/14, Jeremiah 50/51 and Revelation 17/18 all foretell this coming judgment that was birthed and will be consumed in Babylon.

Zechariah was part of the new generation of Jews born back in the land following the Babylonian captivity. On night, God gave Zechariah a series of visions to encourage and strengthen the hearts of the people, and to reveal to them what their future would be; and even though the Devil himself would stand against them, God was on their side. God had chosen Jerusalem and see that His chosen people would eventually prosper and be at peace when their Messiah would one day establish His kingdom, not only over Israel, but over the whole earth. In this 4th vision, Zechariah sees his friend and co-worker, Joshua, the High Priest, standing before the throne of God. Satan is there accusing him, tying to discourage him and pointing out his unworthiness – and in type, Israel’s unworthiness to stand before God. But God intervenes and silences Satan. God has chosen Jerusalem; Joshua’s sin is taken away and Joshua’s filthy robes are replaced by clean and perfect garments. As Joshua stands before God on behalf of his people, he is crowned with a mitre. The word mitre derives from the Greek mitra, which signifies a headband or diadem (royal crown). For Joshua’s faithfulness and obedience God promises him that he will “judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by” (Zech 3:7), in other words, be given the rule over the people and over the whole land. This is the vision, and no doubt, it was a great encouragement to Zechariah, Joshua and the returned exiles; but this was more than just a vision of the present. It was a vision of what will be for the Nation of Israel, and for the whole world. The Hebrew name ‘Joshua’ (Yeshua) means ‘The Lord Saves’; and when translated into Greek, is the name Jesus! Thus, this whole vision depicts Jesus standing before the throne of the Father on behalf of His people – both Jews and Gentiles. Satan, ‘the accuser of the brethren’ (Rev 12:10), constantly brings accusations and tries to make us think we are unworthy, that we are clothed in ‘filthy rages’ (our best efforts and our sin) none of which is befitting a child of God! But God declares that we have been ‘plucked from the fire’, pulled out before we were consumed by His wrath, because He has pronounced us clean! We have been clothed in His righteousness because our Joshua (Jesus) took our sin and filthiness’ upon Himself… “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor 5:21). The problem of sin, which is the root of all suffering, sickness and death, which began in a garden some 6000 years ago, was dealt with once and for all, on a cross in Judea. It was all paid for in one day. In the same way that all who have put their faith and trust in Jesus now are cleansed in a day, so one day, Israel will realise that Yeshua is their Messiah and will repent and put their trust in Him. Our Messiah will return, receive the throne His Father will give Him, and then rule over the whole earth. The Gentiles will be at peace and Israel will dwell safely in their land. May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.

Zechariah was born in Israel shortly after the nation had returned from their 70 year captivity in Babylon. In the first 6 chapters we have recorded a series of 8 visions that all occured in the same night. The visions depict the future of the nation of Israel from that time to the time when the Messiah returns and establishes His kingdom on earth. In the first 2 visions we are shown that: 1) The Messiah will come to Jerusalem. 2) His house shall be built in Jerusalem. 3) Jerusalem’s boundaries would expand 4) God will, once again, choose Jerusalem In this study we look at the 3rd vision which expands the 3rd and 4th points. This 3rd vision focuses on 'The man with the measuring line'. There is clearly a picture of Nehemiah, who led the work of rebuilding following the captivity. But that is just a type of what was to come. Just as a builder uses a measuring line as he is planning to build, to prepare the foundation, so God did this with Israel, not just in Nehemiah's day, but in recent times also. What happens when you are about to take possession of a piece of land or a property? A survey has to be completed. Jonathan Cahn comments: 'The land must be defined or redefined, its length, its breadth, its borders, its parameters. And if there’s no existing survey, then a survey must be made. The land must be defined, mapped out . . . measured and so the measuring line. So in the days of Zechariah, when the Jewish people were returning to the land, the man with the measuring line comes to the city in a vision. And his appearance is a sign of what is yet to take place. It happened in the ancient world. So too it would happen again in the modern. The ancient sign would again manifest in the world . . . in modern times. The man with the measuring line would again come to Jerusalem. And his appearance would be a sign of what was yet to come'. Prophetically, the man with the measuring line was the British army officer Charles Warren. In 1867 he came to Israel at the request of Palestine Exploration Fund on a mission to survey and map out Jerusalem, to measure the Holy City. Warren's work would constitute the first extensive excavation of biblical Jerusalem, the first extensive measuring of the biblical foundations of the Temple Mount and of the city itself. It would usher in a new age of biblical archaeology. Jonathan Cahn again comments: "After nearly two thousand years of exile, the man with the measuring line reappeared in Jerusalem as a sign that God was about to bring about a restoration. A measuring line is used when one is about to build something. So then the reappearance of the man with the measuring line in the person of Charles Warren was a sign that God was about to act, to move again, to build something . . . to rebuild that which once was and had fallen . . . the nation of Israel!”

The book of Zephaniah was written to the Jews who had returned from captivity in Babylon. The principle message was one of hope for the future of the nation of Israel, but Zechariah also writes to stir up their love for God who had delivered and preserved them, and who would deliver and preserve them. Zechariah himself was part of the new generation of those born back in the land, but he opens this book by giving the warning that Israel’s forefathers had not heeded the warnings of the prophets, and as a result had brought judgment upon themselves – specifically the 70 years of captivity in Babylon. To whom much had been given much was required! Israel should have been a witness and a blessing to the world, instead they had become an object of ridicule among the nations – nations whom God had then used to judge His people. But those nations had gone too far; they had overstepped their remit and dealt cruelly with Israel. God was not ignorant of this and through Zechariah a solemn warning is given that God will not sit idly by while the gentiles afflict His people Israel. God gives the young (17 yrs old?) Zechariah a series of 8 visions in one night that prophetically span the time from the return from Babylon to the 1st coming of the Messiah, to the 2nd coming of the Messiah. In these visions God unveils his love for His people Israel, His view of the gentile nations who had scattered and afflicted His people, and His plan to restore and bless national Israel, in fulfilment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The eight visions are: 1. Man Riding on a Red Horse 1:7–17 2. Four Horns and Four Craftsmen 1:18–21 3. Man with a Measuring Line Chap. 2 4. Joshua the High Priest Chap. 3 5. The Golden Lampstand & 2 Olive Trees Chap. 4 6. The Flying Scroll 5:1–4 7. The Woman in a Basket 5:5–11 8. The Four Chariots 6:1–8 As we go through each of these visions, we will see that they are all connected and each successive vision builds on the one before, painting a picture of the past, present and future of Israel.

Israel had returned from Babylon in 537 B.C. following the decree of Cyrus to allow them to return home. 19 years later the prophet Haggai stepped onto the scene and declared "Consider your ways"! In just a few months the heart of the people had changed from one of fear to one of boldness and the foundation of the Temple, that by then had lain in ruins for 89 years, was started. Two months after Haggai started to preach, another young jewish man, in his mid to late teens, part of the new generation of Jews born in the land, stood up to reveal a series of 8 visions God had given him in one night. These visions were so profound they challenge world governments and the religious establishment even to this day. As we begin a journey though this incredible book, we will have unveiled, the history and future of the nation of Israel from their return from Babylon, to the first coming of Messiah, and then to the second coming of Messiah. We will see God's verdict pronounced on the gentile nations of this world for their mistreatment of Israel, and God's ultimate plan to bless the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when the LORD God Himself will rule over the whole earth from Jerusalem. In the opening verse of chapter 1 we are given a brief genealogy of Zechariah: "the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet". There are no meaningless details in the Bible, and this opening statement is an example of that fact, for in this list of names are a statement that sets the tone for the whole of this book. Zechariah = “Whom Yahweh Remembers.” Son of Berechiah = “Yahweh Blesses.” Son of Iddo = “The Appointed Time.” This book of Zechariah is the account of a God who remembers, and who blesses His people at the appointed time! May you be blessed and encouraged as we journey through this book.

Edmund Spencer once said: “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all argument, and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance. That principle is condemnation before investigation”. To reject something because you’ve investigated it and found it to be nonsense is just common sense! Who in their right mind wants to knowingly believe fables? But to reject something – in this case a presentation of evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ – simply because of prejudice, i.e., you don’t think it’s true, or worse still, you don’t want to believe it’s true, is foolish. But why does it matter? Well, quite simply, if the Resurrection can be shown to be an historical event, it provides a formal proof for Jesus' Deity and God’s existence, one that is tangible, one that anyone can verify for themselves; and if God can be shown to be real, then it follows that the Bible and all therein, about life, death, sin, judgment, salvation, eternity - is true. It means every life is of value, there is a purpose and reason for our existence. It means we are not just meaningless blobs of matter in a pointless and random universe; and it means this life is not the end. Eternity no longer remains a concept for those who “have faith”, but a reality we all have to face. Ultimately, if the Resurrection can be shown to be a true fact of history, it means we all have to make a choice; and that choice becomes the single most important one of our lives. The famous British mathematician and author, C.S. Lewis once said: “Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if true, is of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important”. Paul contends that the very basis for the Christian faith is firmly rooted in an historical event that occurred in a garden in Judea some 2000 years ago, namely, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. If that event did not take place, Paul says we might as well just pack up and go home! There is no point just believing this thing ‘cos it gives us a warm fuzzy feeling. It is either true, and we can substantiate it, or it’s false and we should just get on with our lives and stop being so silly. What Paul actually said was: “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain… And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins... If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Cor 15:13-19) Did you get that? Paul says that if you (or your sceptic friend) want to disprove Christianity, simply show that the Resurrection did not take place; show that it was all a hoax or some elaborate plot. Paul was that confident in the historical and factual basis of the Resurrection and knew that without it, there could be no Christianity, because everything Christians believe hangs on that one event.

This concluding part of our study in the book of Haggai was given on 3rd April 2022 by pastor Barry Forder. The scene, as we move into chapter 2 of Haggai, is that the people had been moved by Haggai's preaching; they had 'considered their ways' (Haggai 1:5) and the preparation for the rebuilding of the house of the Lord (the Temple) was well underway. But there was still fear. The Samaritan threat was still there; at any moment they could resort to violence and try to stop the work of rebuilding. Or, maybe as had already happened in the past, the king of Persia might, by royal decree, put and end to the plans to rebuild. But it is to this fear that Haggai speaks, with a twofold message: Firstly he tells his people they do not need to fear! There is about to be a big shaking of the world's nations which would cause Israel's enemies to crumble. Secondly, the Temple they were now ready to start building would one-day exceed Solomon's temple for the glory it will contain. From a purely architectural point of view, the 2nd temple may not have matched the 'glory' of the first - even with the additions made by Herod. But the glory spoken of has nothing to do with what man could do, it was not to be the work of man's hands, but rather a work of God, infinitely greater. It was to the 2nd Temple that Jesus was taken at 41 days old to be dedicated to the Lord (Simeon and Anna finally getting to witness this 'glory' they had so long awaited). It was to this 2nd Temple Jesus came as a 12 year old boy, with his family to celebrate the Passover, and for a number of days He was found teaching from the very building Haggai's fearful Jews would now build. This was the Temple Jesus' declared should have been a house of prayer, as He turned over the tables of the money-changers. It was to be in this Temple that the curtain would be split from top to bottom signifying the way to God through the shed blood of Jesus was now open to all who came by faith. The shaking Haggai spoke of, did indeed apply to the Persian empire in Haggai's day, but the writer to the Hebrews makes it clear that there is also a future prophetic fulfilment, where all the nations of this world will be shaken in God's wrath at the time of the Second Coming. In the same way, there is a (4th) Temple that will be built when the Messiah returns and establishes His kingdom and rule over the whole earth. The glory will eclipse all that had gone before as the Lord Himself will dwell there during the millennium. In conclusion, Haggai tells the people that now they are walking in God's way, seeking His kingdom, the blessings will flow in abundance. No longer will they put their money in a 'bag with holes' or see their harvest fail (Haggai Ch1: 6). The day the foundation was finally laid was the exact same day the 70 years of desolation prophesied by Jeremiah came to an end! (Jer 25:11) The twofold lesson is: 1) to not fear man as we serve and work for the Lord, knowing that the 'nations' are all too soon be shaken in the fire of God's wrath; 2) recognise that 7 times in the New Testament the Holy Spirit calls you His Temple! The glory, literally in you, is greater than the glory in either the 1st or 2nd Temple. Don't look back thinking of what was, look forward in expectation of all God will do and the glory that shall be revealed in you (Romans 8:18)! May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.

Haggai was one of three prophets that God sent to speak to the nation of Israel following their return from captivity in Babylon (Zechariah and Malachi being the other two). For 19 years they had been back in the land, but had failed to rebuild the city of Jerusalem or their beloved Temple. Much of this was due to the intimidation and hostility of those now inhabiting the land. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah detail the oppression and threats the Children of Israel faced, and even the letters sent to the kings of the ruling Persian Empire seeking an injunction – which was granted – preventing the Jews rebuilding. It was a time of national discouragement. Yet into this gloomy scene comes Haggai. His ministry is remarkable, for in just 24 days he changed the heart of a nation! His message was clear. ” Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. (Haggai 1:4-5) ‘Cieled houses’ refers to panelled houses, i.e. houses that had wood panelling. Nothing wrong with that you may think; but this cedar panelling had originally been destined for the rebuilding of the Temple. Because of the oppression they faced, it had ended up being used to line their own homes instead. The devil will ‘let us be’ if we forsake the work of God’s house and invest our time building our own. It is no threat to the kingdom of darkness if we are occupied trying to build our own houses, trying to provide for ourselves. We toil and labour to put bread on the table, we work hard to clothe ourselves, yet Jesus made it clear: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. (Matt 6:25-33) Oswald Chambers comments: “Take no thought for your life.” “Be careful about one thing only,” says our Lord—“your relationship to Me.” Common sense shouts loud and says—“That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first”