Zechariah at a Glance

This book describes some eight heavenly visions given to Zechariah, all dealing with God’s past, present, and future relationships with Israel, concluding with a series of specific prophecies in reference to the first and second coming of the Messiah.

Bottom Line Introduction

THE KING IS COMING. A BOTTOM LINE SUMMARY. THIS BOOK, FOR ITS SIZE, GIVES MORE CHRIST-CENTERED PROPHECIES THAN ANY OTHER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

The author of this book, Zechariah, also received the greatest number of visions in the shortest time (eight in one night) of any Old Testament prophet.

Facts Regarding the Author of this Book

1. Who? Zechariah. He was a contemporary of Haggai whose book, for its size, has more to say about both Christ’s first and second coming than any other Old Testament book, including His triumphal entry (Zech. 9:9). His betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12, 13), crucifixion (Zech. 12:10), and future return to the Mt. of Olives (Zech. 14:4).

2. What? The Book of Zechariah.

3. When and where? 520 B.C., from Jerusalem.

4. Why? Prophecies to comfort Jerusalem. Facts concerning the first and second coming of the Messiah.

5. To whom? The returning Jewish remnant.

Key Events

1. Vision of the cleansing of the High Priest Joshua

2. Vision of the flying scroll

3. Prediction of the building of the millennial temple

4. Prediction of the Messiah's triumphal entry

5. Prediction of the Messiah's betrayal for 30 pieces of silver

6. Prediction of the Messiah's crucifixion and of Israel's eventual repentance

7. Prediction of Armageddon and of Messiah's triumphal second coming and subsequent blessings

Key Individuals

1. Zechariah: contemporary of Haggai who ministered to the first group of returning Jews to Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity, who also wrote more prophecies regarding the future Messiah’s first and second coming than any other Old Testament book for its size.

2. Joshua: first high priest to serve the returning Jews, whom Zechariah encouraged

3. Zerubbabel: political leader of the first return from Persia to Jerusalem who was greatly encouraged by Zechariah in the rebuilding of the second temple

Key Places

1. Land of Shinar: a reference to Babylon, the location and origin of pagan worship (Gen. 11), and, according to Zechariah (chapter 5), where it will have its termination.

2. Mt. of Olives: a hill overlooking Jerusalem, upon which the Messiah will touch down at His second coming

Unique Features

1. The book of Zechariah provides much insight into the ministry of angels. (See 1-2). Like the book of Job (Job 1-2) it offers a glimpse into the heavenlies where we view the confrontations between God and Satan (3:1-5).

2. According to Genesis (Gen. 11:1-9), the land of Shinar (ancient Babylon) was Satan’s original headquarters. According to Zechariah (5:5-11), the land of Shinar will become Satan’s future headquarters.

3. Jewish tradition says Zechariah was a member of the great synagogue that collected and preserved the Old Testament books. Jesus said (Mt. 23:35) he was murdered by his own wicked countrymen, just as an earlier Zechariah (a high priest had been murdered) (2 Chron. 24:20-21).

4. His book is the longest of the minor prophets. It is the only biblical book referring to Canaan as the Holy Land (2:12). For its size, Zechariah is quoted from or alluded to more than any other Old Testament book.

5. Zechariah’s writings resemble those of Daniel. Daniel was born in Palestine, but wrote his prophecies in Babylon. Zechariah was born in Babylon, but wrote his prophecies in Palestine. His book is, in essence, a summary of Jesus and Jerusalem, the Son of God and the city of God.

● Facts about the Son of God:

a. His commission from God (2:8-11)

b. His present-day work (3:1-2)

c. His concern over Jerusalem (1:12)

d. His title (6:12)

e. His millennial temple (6:13)

f. His triumphal entry (9:9)

g. His betrayal (11:12)

h. His crucifixion (12:10; 13:7)

i. His final recognition by the Jews (12:10)

j. His appearance on Mt. Zion (14:4)

k. His supernatural canal connecting the Great Sea to the Salt Sea (14:4, 8)

l. His worship by all nations (14:16)

m. His victory at Armageddon (14:3)

● Facts about the city of God:

a. To be called a city of truth (8:3)

b. To be surrounded by a wall of fire – God’s glory (2:5)

c. To be filled with boys and girls playing (8:5)

d. To be visited by all nations (8:20-23)

e. To be once again besieged by its enemies (12:2; 14:2)

f. To see its enemies destroyed (12:9; 14:12-14)

g. To have its citizens recognize their Messiah (12:10)

h. To be filled with God’s holiness (14:21)

6. His book has often been called the apocalypse of the Old Testament.

7. Martin Luther referred to it as the “model pattern, and quiescence of the prophets.”

8. Zechariah is the only biblical book describing angels in the feminine gender (5:9).

9. It contains the clearest declaration of the deity of Christ in all the Bible. “The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn” (12:1, 10).

10. Zechariah alone predicts that the builder of the millennial temple will be none other than Jesus Himself (6:12, 13).

11. His book is the final of three Old Testament books referring to the Messiah as Branch (Isa. 4:2; 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12).

12. Zechariah records what is undoubtedly the most terrifying divine plague in the entire Word of God! “And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth” (14:12).

13. Finally, it is the only biblical book issuing a divine warning to the nations in the millennium (14:16-19).

Comparison with Other Bible Books

Isaiah:

• Zechariah uses the title “Lord Almighty” (or “Lord of hosts”) as does Isaiah.

• Both use similar names and images for the Messiah:

a. “servant” (3:8; Isa. 42:1; 52:13; 53:11)

b. “branch” (3:8; Isa. 11:1)

c. “stone” (3:9; Isa. 8:14; 28:16)

• Both speak of the nations going up to Jerusalem to worship in the messianic age (14:16; Isa. 2:2-4).

Micah:

• Micah predicted the location of the Messiah’s first coming (5:2).

• Zechariah predicts the location of the Messiah’s second coming (14:4)

Ezekiel:

• Both describe the supernatural fountain in the millennial temple (Ezek. 47:1-12; Zech. 14:8, 9).

Revelation:

• Both describe Satan’s great harlot (Zech. 5:8; Rev. 17:1-6).

Titles for and Types of Jesus

1. The Lord of Hosts (1:3)

2. The Angel of the Lord (1:12)

3. The Branch (3:8; 6:12)

4. The Builder of the Millennial Temple (6:12, 13)

5. The Coming King Priest (6:13)

6. The Palm Sunday King (9:9)

7. The Pierced One (12:10)

8. The Returning Warrior to Mount Olivet (14:4)

9. The King of the Earth (14:9)