Thursday, March 27 – Zechariah 9, 10

1. With what words did Zechariah prophesy the glorious day of the King’s entrance into Jerusalem? (Zechariah 9:9)

2. By what blood would Jerusalem (and the Church) be saved? (Zechariah 9:11)

3. What precious promise does God give us through the prophet, showing how much we are worth to Him? (Zechariah 9:16)

4. What Zechariah’s prophecy reminds us of the Lord’s promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? (Zechariah 10:1)

5. With what words are God’s people warned against valuing the “teraphim” (figures of false gods)? (Zechariah 10:2)

6. What comforting promise does God assure that He will return His people? (Zechariah 10:9, 10)

Beloved students, Zechariah’s prophetic ministry has brought us to the final phase that frames the Old Testament. Zechariah shares the prophetic burden with Haggai at a crucial moment when the Jews return to Jerusalem under the protection of a royal decree, which is later interrupted by an enemy of Israel, known as the “False Smerdis.”

We are now in the last quarter of the 5th century B.C. Later, the decrees of Darius and Artaxerxes Longimanus would provide the final push for completing the Temple and the city walls.

Zechariah’s prophecies extend into the future with Messianic anticipation.

In chapters 9 and 10, Zechariah highlights how God defends His people. His vision points to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey’s colt, following the ancient custom of Israel’s kings.

The New Testament writers recognized in Jesus’ entry into the Holy City the precise fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy, written more than 550 years earlier.

These chapters also emphasize divine promises of victory and God’s protective care. However, the prophet clearly warns that the people must seek God and not idols, which had led their ancestors astray, bringing upon them defeat and exile.

But just as God punished sin within His flock, He also promised to save and restore them.

“So it may be now. Let Christians put away all dissension and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come. The outpouring 26 Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8 of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was “the former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant. What is the promise to those living in these last days? “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.” “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Zechariah 9:12; 10:1.’” (Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, page 21).

Beloved, let us fervently ask for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Without His work in us, we cannot be ready for the coming of the Lord.