Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”  Zechariah 3:1-2

One of the most amazing scenes in the Bible is here and most people don’t even talk about it. Very similar to the scene in Job where Satan, (Job 1:6-12)the accuser, comes to the throne of God , to condemn Israel. 

The first thing to notice is the “Angel (Messenger) of The Lord (Yahweh) is Christ himself standing at the throne of His Father with Lucifer, known as Satan (Isaiah 14:12) the fallen angel, who is looking to condemn everyone because he is already condemned. 

One detail I think many miss is this high priest figure named Joshua, who is representing the nation of Israel. Is it a coincidence that his name is Joshua, which in Hebrew can be translated as Yeshua or better known in our English language Jesus? While there is speculation about who this figure is, I believe this is a prophecy of the Messiah which will be named Yeshua, which Jesus is literally standing there to rebuke Satan. 

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” Zechariah 3:3-4

Notice now the Messiah figure Joshua (Yeshua) was clothed with filthy garments, which represents the sins of Israel and the world. The Messiah will take the penalty for our sins as prophesied by Isaiah  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

The sins of the world were removed by God because of the sacrifice of the Messiah (Christ)  “See I have removed your iniquity from you”

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by. Zechariah 3:5

The clean (sinless) turban putting on the head of the Messiah, represents Joshua (Yeshua) is the priests of all priests, the perfect high priest who sacrifice himself once and for all, for the sins of the world,  we see this explained in the book of Hebrews 

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. Hebrews 7:26-28

“Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the LORD; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the LORD. “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” Zechariah 2:6-7

The prophet Zechariah begins this section with a warning from God for the Jewish people to scatter to all parts of the world. As The Lord says “I have spread you abroad like the four winds of Heaven” Now for those who say all of this was already fulfilled during the Babylonian exile, were the Jews dispersed across the entire world?

This is a significant detail to understand the prophecy, for the prophecy to be fulfilled The Jews had to be dispersed across the entire world and then brought back to Jerusalem. From a historical perspective, I dont we have ever seen this fulfillment until modern day Israel was reborn in a day (Isaiah 66:8) which was fulfilled in 1948

For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2:8

Here’s the next challenging question, “Says the Lord of Hosts, HE sent ME” Who was sent? Scripture says its the LORD of Host speaking, this is obviously Christ sent by The Father, this is a Messianic prophecy. So when was this fulfilled? Short answer it hasn’t yet, this is the future return of Christ to save Israel from the nations

As Christ says “to the nations which plunder you (Israel), so how does God view Israel? Christ reveals  as “the apple of His (God) eye” Why is the world so anti-semetic? Because Israel is still the apple of Gods eye!

For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. Zechariah 2:9

“ I (Christ) will shake My (Christ) hand against them (nations)” The reason I believe the book of Zechariah is very important for the Church today because it deals alot with the return of Christ and His salvation plan for Israel

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the LORD. Zechariah 2:10

The Lord says “I am coming” this is Christ explicitly revealing His return to Israel, and Christ will dwell in your midst. If only the nation of Israel would repent and turn to The Lord Jesus for salvation!

“Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. Zechariah 2:11

What about the Church? Here’s Christ promise about the New Covenant “Many nations (Gentiles) shall be joined to The Lord in that day, and they shall become My people (Church) The reality is when Christ returns many people, Jew and Gentile will become saved, as the wicked will be destroyed

And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem Zechariah 2:12

People will say “But Israel today is unsaved”? When Christ returns “The Lord will take possession of Judah as His (God) inheritance in the Holy Land, and will AGAIN choose Jerusalem”

God will once again redeem Israel through Jesus Christ, Marantha!