Zechariah 8- The Reign of Christ

Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’ Zechariah 8:18-19

God is revealing and acknowledging, that these fasts , which are literal and historic, are coming to full completion, that God is going restore Israel and Jerusalem

Fast of 4th Month- Breaching of Jerusalem’s walls (2 King 25:3-4)

Fast of 5th Month- Destruction of The Temple (2 Kings 25:8-9)

Fast of 7th Month- assasination of Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:25)

Fast of 10th Month- Beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege (2 Kings 25:1)

These fasting of mourning have been turned into joy because of Gods great promise and restoration, this should give us all hope, as this is also pointing to the Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20)

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also.” Zechariah 8:20-21

Not only will Jerusalem be restored for Israel, but for the entire world. “People shall yet come” this is not just reference to the Jewish people, but for the Gentiles also. Everyone will come to Jerusalem to seek The Lord Jesus Christ! This was also foretold by the prophet Isaiah:

In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3

Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, And to pray before the LORD.’ “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ” Zechariah 8:22-23

Many people, including strong nations shall come to seek Jesus Christ, the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords (Phillipians 2) People from every language (all nations) Let us Go with you! God is with You!

This is not just a prophecy for the Jewish people, but for the entire world, this is the New Covenant instituted by Christ (Luke 22) this is the Millennial Reign of Christ, Jesus is sitting on the throne in Jerusalem and will rule with a rod of iron, Amen!

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10

Daily writing prompt
Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

Zechariah 8- The Millennial Kingdom

But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, The vine shall give its fruit, The ground shall give her increase, And the heavens shall give their dew— I will cause the remnant of this people To possess all these. And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.’ Zechariah 8:11-13

Now we are seeing a shift in Gods dealing with Israel, “I (God) will not treat the remnant (The True Israel) of these people in the former days. This appears to be a promise of the Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:1-6) When Jesus returns , defends and restores the remnant, the elected nation of Israel (Romans 11)

So I (God) will save You, Israel can’t save itself, just as nobody can save themselves. Only Christ can save Israel, just as only Christ can save us. The promise of God , he will save and restore Israel once again is echoed throughout the entire Bible

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD. Joel 2:32

“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Just as I determined to punish you When your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘And I would not relent, So again in these days I am determined to do good To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear. Zechariah 8:14-15

What a prophetic message, even today! God loves those he disciplines (Hebrews 12:6) Just as God punished Israel for its wickedness and rebellion, God will also save and restore them, because Israel is the “Apple of His eyes” (Zechariah 2:8) 

God has determined to do good to Jerusalem and the house of Judah (Israel) Do not fear! While the world lives in hopelessness and despair, God is in complete control, and everything that is happening right now is part of His divine plan to restore Israel

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ Says the LORD.” Zechariah 8:16-17

Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) If Israel truly loves The Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) Then they must obey and love The Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

When Israel is truly restored in Christ, you will see the fruits of Israel that love God and love their Neighbor!

Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:11-12