Zechariah prophesies in the second phase of Israel's captivity. At the time, Israel was partially being restored. This time saw a lot of animosity too, from people who were not pleased at the new found status of Israel. Related to our age, we do live in a similar dispensation, especially in the spirit, the helm of it divided between two principalities.
Now our warfare shifted to the spirit world as it is written, we do not wrestle, as Israel under the leadership of Moses, against flesh and blood. The principality and glory of Babylon was split between two powers, Media and Persia. Cyrus the Median King decreed the first return to rebuild Jerusalem. In the same reign arose the Prophet Nehemiah, Ezra ,and Haggai who led the people of God to rebuild the desolate temple. Spiritually, the current atmosphere of the Kingdoms of this world is a replica of this prophesy's. Jerusalem, the city of peace in translation, is more than a city. It is the center of power for Israel, who earlier under Solomon and David had used it as the center of power lorded over the surrounding
kingdoms.
Like Jerusalem, the "city of peace," is the principality of Christ. His Kingdom is a Kingdom of peace. Even Christ has His eyes on possession of the same. Remember though, that the principality of Christ is not of this world.
Romans 14:17 | Read whole chapter | See verse in context
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Spiritually, Jerusalem signifies a lot more. For this reason, when her King was born, so was a star in the heavens, which caught the attention of the Kings of the East, the first to pay homage to Christ, therefore referred to as "wise." Thus had a new King of Jerusalem had been born. But He said, "my kingdom is not of this world..." His Kingdom is of a different realm. Another principality of peace that Jerusalem represented. The Kingdom of God has increased in stature. Like yeast in dough, a mustered seed in fertile soil the Kingdom expands. It is hidden in the simplicity of the hearts of men. He said, the Kingdom (of God) is within us.
As an age draws near a turnaround, just as Israel drew to exile(remember the warning by Christ; "when you see Jerusalem surrounded, flee"), with the rise of an imposing power for purposes of correction (Zechariah 1:4-6) provision is set for them to last in the captivity for a set period of time as their land holds a Sabbath denied. As soon as the brief moment of captivity is fulfilled, an order to rebuild comes forth. The sword of the Babylonian heritage still reigned over the land and its people. This is our season.
Zechariah's prophesy introduces the angels of the season (Zechariah 1:8,10). The are the principles appointed to march the principalities of the powers of darkness that are also released for the specific time, the four kings (Zechariah 1:18, compare Daniel 7.) Their purpose is, as put, "to trouble the heathen,"(Zechariah 1:15, 21) and to facilitate the restoration of Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:16.)
Chapter 3 of the prophesy reveals the state of the tabernacle of God in the spirit. At the time of the prophesy, Joshua was the high priest of the temple of God. His garments need a bit of cleaning. Translate to spirituality, the prophet speaks to an age of darkness, when the state of the temple leaves little to be desired. The clothes of the high priests are filthy in his vision (Zechariah 3:3.) Historically, Israel is still in captivity, but with grace to rebuild the temple. This filthiness of the garments is a reference to iniquity, a product of accusations of the devil (Zechariah 3:1,) which accusations are disabled by the justification of God(Zechariah 3:1.) He gives an angel charge over him, a result of restoration and change of season. This justification and change of season shall be accomplished in the same manner in this age to, for the priesthood of God bound by accusations, for which reason we have an advocate in Christ, referred to as "the branch (Zechariah 3:8,9,) Christ shall come with power to justify.
This is how righteousness shall be able to reign in the millennial reign of Christ: justification and the binding of the accuser (Revelation 12:10.) Like the Revelation of John, the prophet Zechariah has left crucial parts of his prophesies unsealed, leaving a lot of room for comparison of the two. The similarities are uncanny and increase in the last chapters.
Now our warfare shifted to the spirit world as it is written, we do not wrestle, as Israel under the leadership of Moses, against flesh and blood. The principality and glory of Babylon was split between two powers, Media and Persia. Cyrus the Median King decreed the first return to rebuild Jerusalem. In the same reign arose the Prophet Nehemiah, Ezra ,and Haggai who led the people of God to rebuild the desolate temple. Spiritually, the current atmosphere of the Kingdoms of this world is a replica of this prophesy's. Jerusalem, the city of peace in translation, is more than a city. It is the center of power for Israel, who earlier under Solomon and David had used it as the center of power lorded over the surrounding
kingdoms.
Like Jerusalem, the "city of peace," is the principality of Christ. His Kingdom is a Kingdom of peace. Even Christ has His eyes on possession of the same. Remember though, that the principality of Christ is not of this world.
As an age draws near a turnaround, just as Israel drew to exile(remember the warning by Christ; "when you see Jerusalem surrounded, flee"), with the rise of an imposing power for purposes of correction (Zechariah 1:4-6) provision is set for them to last in the captivity for a set period of time as their land holds a Sabbath denied. As soon as the brief moment of captivity is fulfilled, an order to rebuild comes forth. The sword of the Babylonian heritage still reigned over the land and its people. This is our season.
Zechariah's prophesy introduces the angels of the season (Zechariah 1:8,10). The are the principles appointed to march the principalities of the powers of darkness that are also released for the specific time, the four kings (Zechariah 1:18, compare Daniel 7.) Their purpose is, as put, "to trouble the heathen,"(Zechariah 1:15, 21) and to facilitate the restoration of Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:16.)
Chapter 3 of the prophesy reveals the state of the tabernacle of God in the spirit. At the time of the prophesy, Joshua was the high priest of the temple of God. His garments need a bit of cleaning. Translate to spirituality, the prophet speaks to an age of darkness, when the state of the temple leaves little to be desired. The clothes of the high priests are filthy in his vision (Zechariah 3:3.) Historically, Israel is still in captivity, but with grace to rebuild the temple. This filthiness of the garments is a reference to iniquity, a product of accusations of the devil (Zechariah 3:1,) which accusations are disabled by the justification of God(Zechariah 3:1.) He gives an angel charge over him, a result of restoration and change of season. This justification and change of season shall be accomplished in the same manner in this age to, for the priesthood of God bound by accusations, for which reason we have an advocate in Christ, referred to as "the branch (Zechariah 3:8,9,) Christ shall come with power to justify.
This is how righteousness shall be able to reign in the millennial reign of Christ: justification and the binding of the accuser (Revelation 12:10.) Like the Revelation of John, the prophet Zechariah has left crucial parts of his prophesies unsealed, leaving a lot of room for comparison of the two. The similarities are uncanny and increase in the last chapters.
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