December 27, 2006 - Zechariah 1-4 and Revelation 18
I know that when I have waited a long time for something to happen that it is very hard to believe that it is finally going to actually happen. This is especially true when it is a very significant or difficult event. Both of these passages speak of such a time. Zechariah prophesied about the end of the 70 years of exile in Babylon and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. John prophesied about the end of the world system as we know it and the coming of God's kingdom on earth. Both of these events show us the great power of God to bring about His will on this earth. It should cause us to praise Him and to pray more for His will to be done in our world today.
God shows Zechariah various visions to communicate His message. It reads a lot like the book of Revelation doesn't it? With each vision the message is clear. God was going to allow the people to return home and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.(1:16) God would defeat the enemies of Israel and be a wall of fire around them. (1:21; 2:5) He would rebuke Satan, sanctify the priests again, and eventually send the High Priest, Jesus. (3:2,4,8) All of this would not be done by might or by power, but by His Spirit. (4:6) The same is true today. We will never do anything significant or difficult by our own power. We must depend on Him!
Then, Revelation 18 tells us of the fall of Babylon. It could be speaking about a specific city falling, but I believe it is symbolic of the world system that is opposed to God and His values. God is going to bring it all down when He is ready to send Jesus back to set up His kingdom on the earth. It will be a great shock to many people to find out that materialism is not the meaning of life. It will be a huge shock when they see that Jesus is really Lord. It would be much better for all of us to realize these things now and allow Jesus to reign in our lives every day. Then, He can work His will by His Spirit for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 5-8 and Revelation 19.
God shows Zechariah various visions to communicate His message. It reads a lot like the book of Revelation doesn't it? With each vision the message is clear. God was going to allow the people to return home and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.(1:16) God would defeat the enemies of Israel and be a wall of fire around them. (1:21; 2:5) He would rebuke Satan, sanctify the priests again, and eventually send the High Priest, Jesus. (3:2,4,8) All of this would not be done by might or by power, but by His Spirit. (4:6) The same is true today. We will never do anything significant or difficult by our own power. We must depend on Him!
Then, Revelation 18 tells us of the fall of Babylon. It could be speaking about a specific city falling, but I believe it is symbolic of the world system that is opposed to God and His values. God is going to bring it all down when He is ready to send Jesus back to set up His kingdom on the earth. It will be a great shock to many people to find out that materialism is not the meaning of life. It will be a huge shock when they see that Jesus is really Lord. It would be much better for all of us to realize these things now and allow Jesus to reign in our lives every day. Then, He can work His will by His Spirit for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 5-8 and Revelation 19.