Zechariah- A Study on the Eschatology in the Book of Zechariah from a Dispensational Pre-Millennial View (By Rudi van Zyl)

A Study on the Eschatology in the Book of Zechariah from a Dispensational Pre-Millennial View

Introduction:

The book Zechariah contains many prophecies which address basically three advents: (a) The rebuilding of the ‘Post-Exilic Temple’ and the spiritual restoration of the remnant of Jews, (b) The first coming of the Lord Jesus; and (c) The second coming of the Lord Jesus with the related events. This study focuses on the last advent predicted by Zechariah.

Throughout the prophecy of Zechariah the ‘apocalyptic character’ is reflected. Freeman (1968:335) writes: “The prophecy of Zechariah is to the Old Testament what the book of Revelations is to the New”. Zechariah is called “The Prophet of the Long Vision” (Thompson 1997:2076). He looked very far into the future behind Jesus’ first coming, and he saw Jesus’ future Kingdom on earth.

Three main problems occur in Zechariah’s prophecy. Firstly, the fact that Zechariah didn’t prophesied in chronological order like John did in Revelations (Prinsloo 2008:7). This will cause the student to carefully analyze the predictions made by Zechariah in comparison with the order the rest of Scripture gives to the apocalyptic events. Secondly, the interval of time between Jesus’ first and second coming needs to be discovered. It appears that these intervals didn’t concern Zechariah at all (McGee 1982:969). McGee (p.955) writes: “When the first and second comings of Christ were tied together in one passage, the prophets “inquired and search diligently” (1Peter 1:10, KJV), but they were unable to make the distinction. They just had to write it down as the Spirit gave it to them although they themselves didn’t understand it”. Great attention is needed by the student to identify these intervals. Thirdly, the ‘parallelism’ in some of the prophecies needs to be identified. Like many other prophecies, some of Zechariah’s prophecies were fulfilled in a sense at Jesus’ first coming, just to be completely fulfilled at the Second. Some of Zechariah’s prophecies actually have a three-fold meaning: “The contemporary meaning, the continuing meaning, and the consummation” (McGee 1982:963).  König (1970:163) mentions the fact that the writers of the New Testament saw Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in phases, and then he refers to Zechariah 12:10 as an example.

Zechariah’s prophecy is written in a “highly figurative style” (Thompson 1997:2076), and this causes some of the theologians to interpret this whole prophecy allegorically. Walvoord (1959:24) writes that all Bible scholars agree that strict litteral interpretation of phophecy always brings the Bible student to ‘Pre-Millennialism’.

This study is focussed on the ‘Escatology in Zechariah’ as seen by ‘Dispensational Pre-Millennialist’. This is therefore neither a complete eschatological study nor a complete exegetical study of Zechariah. This also doesn’t mean that the writer of this paper intends to consider the outcome of this study as the only absolute truth, but he wants to reflect the view as seen by many of the theologians which are interested in ‘End-Time Bible Prophecies’. Although many of the sources the writer used are ‘Dispensasional Pre-Millennialists’, a variety of other schools of though are also consulted and used for this study.      

Four apocaliptic events as read in Zechariah will be discussed: The Great Tribulation, The Battle of Armaggedon, The Second Coming of Jesus, and the Millenial Kingdom.

1.    The Great Tribulation:

By the term ‘The Great Tribulation’ it is meant the literal period of seven years which follows directly after the ‘rapture of the Church’ took place. During these seven years the Antichrist will reign over the whole world while God’s plagues will be thrown on the earth. It must be noted that the concept of the ‘rapture’ never occurs in the Book of Zechariah. This can be explained by Freeman’s (1968:335) claim that “the nation of Israel is the subject of the prophecy from beginning to end”. ‘Pre-Millennialists believe that the ‘rapture’ concerns only the ‘Church’ and not the Nation of Israel. Zechariah prophesied about the first event of the ‘end time’ which relates to Israel.  

1.1  The Reason for the Tribulation:

God will use the ‘seven year of great tribulation’ to prepare Israel for His Millennial Kingdom (EGK n.d.:87). In Zechariah 13:9 (KJV) God said:

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God”.

God is holy, and therefore He will deal with the sins of the people of Israel. During the ‘tribulation period’ God will punish people, especially the Jewish people, for their lawlessness and transgressions. God Himself will be active in Israel’s affliction during this period. This is the reason why the roll (Zechariah 5:1) is seen in relation with the Law (Malan 2005:30). Verse 3 says:

“Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it” (KJV).

According to Malan (2005:31), this will be the reason why only one third of the Jews will survive the ‘tribulation period’. Although God punished Israel by sending them into the captivity to Babylon in the Old Testament and by the scattering them abroad in the New Testament because of their continuous offending against God’s Law, He will use the ‘Tribulation period’ to finally punish the Nation of Israel collectively because of their sins.  

  

1.2  The Main Character in the Tribulation:

The Antichrist as the most prominent person on earth during the ‘Tribulation period’ will dominate the world. Malan (2005:55) believes that Zechariah 11:17 refers to this particular person when writing about the “idol shepherd” (KJV). This particular prophecy follows directly after the prophecy regarding the rejection of Jesus as the ‘good Shepherd’. Malan’s interpretation of this verse is substantiated by Jesus’ warning that the Jews will accept another one after they rejected Him (John 5:43). Here the Antichrist is accepted by Israel as their ‘shepherd’ because of the covenant he will make with Israel at the beginning of the ‘Tribulation period’ which he will break in the middle of the ‘Tribulation period’ (Daniel 9:27). McGee (1982:970) says: “The false shepherd, the Antichrist, will actually be the one who brings in the Great Tribulation in all its fury”. Although Zechariah didn’t mention the interval between the ‘good Shepherd’ and the ‘false shepherd’, as he was probably not aware of such interval himself, he recognized a prominent world figure who will be a diabolic opponent of Jesus Christ.    

1.3  The Nature of the Tribulation:

The ‘Tribulation period’ will be characterized by wickedness in its ultimate form. Zechariah’s vision of the ‘woman in the ephah’ (Zechariah 5:5-11) symbolizes the character of the ‘Tribulation period’ where the wickedness will be exposed for what it really is. The ‘ephah’ was used to measure barley, flour, and other food especially for the purpose of trade (McGee 1982:928). Also ‘a talent of lead’ was used to weight money when trading. Scofield (1917:1) mentions “greed and luxury of commercialism” as the meaning of this vision like read in Revelations 17:1-6, 18:3 en 18:11-20. Keathley (1997:300) is more specific in his interpretation when considering this vision as referring to the commercial Babylon as the false religious system. According to him, there is a very clear distinction between the ‘religious system of Babylon’ (Revelations chapter 17) and the ‘political and economical system of Babylon’ (Revelations chapter 18). The three-fold foundation of the Antichrist’s reign will be political, economical and religious base of power (Taylor 2008:102). While the wickedness in this three-fold system will initially be covered by subtly deceit, it will suddenly be exposed as Babylonian Paganism when the ‘woman in the ephah’ is taken back to “her own base” (Zechariah 5:11, KJV). This corresponds with the exposing of the Antichrist as a diabolic dictator during the middle of the “Tribulation Period’.    

Another facet of the ‘Great Tribulation’ is revealed by Zechariah’s vision of the chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8). He mentions four colors of horses: red, black, white, and grisled and bay. This ‘grisled and bay’ horses can also mean ‘pale horses’ (McGee 1982:932). This corresponds with the vision of John in Revelations 6:2-5. John explicitly gives the meaning of the colors of these horses: ‘White’ symbolizes the victory of the Antichrist which will only be temporarily, ‘Red’ symbolizes war on the earth, ‘black’ refers to famine, and ‘pale’ to death. These chariots have no horseman, and that speaks to Malan (2005:35) about God’s judgments which will be thrown on earth during the seven years of tribulation. It will be initiated by God.

1.4  Manifestation of the Tribulation:

Zechariah prophesied about a holocaust during the ‘Tribulation Period’. In Zechariah 13:8 (KJV) he said:

“And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein”.

The Antichrist will persecute the Jews and succeed in killing two thirds of them. Malan (2005:61) calculates the number of Jews that will be killed by this demon-possessed world leader at thirteen million. This is more than twice the number of Jews (approximately six million) killed by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime during the previous century (Prinsloo 2010:25).  Verse 9 tells how the remnant of Israel will flee from the Antichrist and will be saved. EGK (n.d.:119) mentions the assumption made by many scholars that the remnant of Jews will hide at Petra in Edom (Jordan). When Jesus returns they will flee to the cliff in the Mount of Olives as read in Zechariah 14:5 (KJV):

“And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal”.

1.5  The United Confederation in the Tribulation:

The Antichrist government will be an extension of the Roman Empire which is still alive, although it may not appear to be the case. McGee (1982:541) writes how the modern invisible Roman Empire exists out of many Europe countries, having a very strong influence on several facets of society. The Antichrist will mobilize his whole ‘Roman Empire’ to accomplish in his satanic inspired rebellion. Greece is included in this plan as written in Daniel chapters 8 and 11. Zechariah 9:13 (KJV) confirms this by saying:

“When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man”.

To this verse, Dake (1963:921) responds by saying: “This is one of a number of Scriptures predicting the revival of the Grecian Empire under Antichrist to fight against Israel in the last days”.

The prophet Zechariah saw the future suffering of the Jewish nation during the ‘Great Tribulation’. The suffering of the ‘Babylonian captivity’ can’t be compared to the brutality against the nation of Israel during this coming event.

Zechariah isn’t the bearer of only ‘bad news’ but also of ‘good news. He also saw the second event of the ‘end times’.    

2.    The Second Coming of Jesus:

The term ‘The Second Coming of Jesus’ in this context means the instantaneous return of the Lord Jesus to the earth. Although ‘The Second Coming of Jesus’ in a general sense includes several events, in this context it only refers to the particular event which will take place at the end of the seven year of Tribulation when Jesus comes back to earth to establish His Kingdom.

2.1  The Nature of Jesus’ Return:

In Zechariah 9:9 (KJV) Jesus’ physical and visible second coming is described:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”.

Greathouse (1966:383) makes it clear that there is an agreement between liberal and conservative theologians, both Christian and Jewish, that this prophecy refers to the coming of the Messiah. Here is an example of ‘parallelism’ in Bible prophecy. This particular prophecy is partly fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of an ass as recorded by writers of the Gospels (Pfeiffer 1962:906). Baldwin (1972:164) confirms this by mentioning the fact that both Matthew and John quotes only verse 9 when reporting Jesus’s entrance, but they kept silent about verse 10 which was obviously not fulfilled during Jesus’ first comming. Dake (1963:921) put it as followed: “Here we have another example of the first and second commings of Messiah being reffered to in the same passage”. The event reported by the Gospels is actually a promise of Jesus’ second comming, according to Jamieson (1999:1).  Matthew (21:5) only mentions Jesus’ meekness, but kept silent about Zechariah’s statement that “he is just, and having salvation”. It is notable that several times when reference is made to Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom, ‘salvation’ and ‘justice’ are mentioned, like in Isaiah 45:21, Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16, and Malachi 4:2. This explains why Matthew kept silent about these two characteristics, because it will be fulfilled at Jesus second coming when He comes to reign, and not to die like at His first coming. Therefore it can be accepted that this prophecy will be ultimately fulfilled at Jesus’ second coming with the difference of riding on the back of a white horse according to Revelations 19:11. Burden and others (1987:317) says that this prophecy of Zechariah refers to the coming of the Messiah in the ‘end times’. 

2.2  The Place of Jesus’ Return:

Zechariah is very specific when telling about Jesus’ second coming. In Zechariah 14:4 (KJV) he says:

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”

Pfeiffer (1962:910) writes: “Words cannot express more plainly the personal, visible, bodily, literal return of the Lord Jesus Christ in power”. When Jesus ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives, it is promised that He will return the same way He ascended (Acts 1:11). When He come back to the Mount of Olives, Zechariah says that the mountain will be devided. The ‘cliff’ which will be made by Jesus appearance is considdered by Walvoord and Zuck (1983:1570) as probably ‘the Valley of Jehoshaphat’ where God will deal with the Gentile nations according to Joel. It is assumed that the battle will begin here and will develop toward Megiddo.     

2.3  The Purpose of Jesus’ Return:

Zechariah mentions that the main thing which will be accomplished by Jesus’ return is the spiritual restoration of Israel (Zechariah 12:10-13:9). The “spirit of grace and of supplications” (Zechariah 12:10, KJV) that will be poured out refers according to Walvoord and Zuck (1983:1567) to the Holy Spirit which will be poured out for a second time for the purpose of Israel’s repentance. That will happen when they see Jesus and recognize Him as the Messiah Whom they crucified (Dieleman 2007:133). There will be a national mourning and then Israel will repent to Jesus, and they will be cleansed from all their sins (Malan 2005:59). They will also be saved from their idolatry.  

Although the prophet Zechariah saw Jesus’ first coming, He was blessed to see much further. He saw the return of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. He didn’t see the Messiah only coming to Jerusalem on the back of the ass to make peace, but he also saw Him coming back to defeat and conquer.   

3.    The Battle of Armageddon:

The Second Coming of Jesus will be accompanied by the most notorious war of all times. The question is often asked whether the Battle of Armageddon will be World War III. The writer of this paper will avoid speculation, but due to the intensity of this war as described by the prophet Zechariah, the possibility thereof cannot be excluded. The fact is that this war will be unique. 

3.1  The Subjects Involved in this Battle:

When the battle of Armageddon was initially revealed to the prophet Zechariah, it was through the vision which contained symbolic speech. 

“Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it” (Zechariah 1:18-21, KJV).

A brief explanation of this prophecy needs to be given. A ‘Horn’ often symbolizes ‘power’ (Malan 2005:13) as seen in Deuteronomy 33:17, 1Kings 22:11, Psalm 92:10, Jeremiah 48:25, and Micah 4:13. Scripture itself gives the meaning of this symbol in Revelations 17:12 (KJV): “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings”. It corresponds with Daniel 7:24 (KJV): “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise”. Malan (2005:13) considers this four ‘horns’ as symbols of the four World-powers described by the prophet Daniel chapter 7. Pfeiffer (1962:900) considers this interpretation as “the best substantiated view”. A “Carpenter” is ‘workman’ and a hammer is the tool mostly related to a workman (Baldwin 1972:104). Calvin considered this four ‘carpenters’ as the supernatural way God works (McGee 1983:910), and Malan (2005:13) takes it a bit further by saying that it refers to “powers generated by God to destroy the four ‘horns’. Considering Daniel’s prophecies regarding the four world-kingdoms (Daniel chapters 2 and 7), it makes sense that this vision of Zechariah confirms that. The ‘first horn’ was the Babylonian kingdom which was destroyed by the Mede-Persian kingdom as the ‘first carpenter’, but then this same ‘carpenter’ became the ‘second horn’ who was destroyed by the ‘second carpenter’ – the Greece Kingdom. This ‘second carpenter’ actually became the ‘third horn’ which was destroyed by the Roman kingdom as the ‘third carpenter’. On his turn the ‘third carpenter’ became the ‘forth horn’ which was never destroyed by any other kingdom, but gradually decreased in power because of internal corruption (McGee 1983:911). The Roman kingdom as the ‘forth horn’ will revive just to be totally and finally destroyed by the ‘forth carpenter’ – The Messiah’s Kingdom at the battle of Armageddon.   

Years after the above mentioned vision, God explicitly told Zechariah about the battle of Armageddon.

“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle…” (Zechariah 14:2, KJV).

Gunther (2010:43) holds the view that ‘all nations’ refers to the Arabic world, and that this war will be an ‘Islam war’, while De Jager (1965:87) holds the view that every nation in the whole world will come to fight against Israel. This war will be between Jesus Christ and the Antichrist with his armies (Taylor 1983:50). Although Jesus will be accompanied by the ‘armies of heaven’ He alone will destroy His enemies. Zechariah 14:3 (KJV) says:

“Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle”.

The words “go forth” refers according to Walvoord and Zuck (1983:1570) in military terms to ‘go into battle’, and this is exactly what Jesus will do. He will go out as a “warrior” to fight and defeat. This is in line with the prophet Isaiah’s prediction of Jesus’ victory at Armageddon, saying:

“I have trodden the winepress alone….  And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me” (Isaiah 63:3-5, KJV).

  

3.2  The Warfare Method of this Battle:

It is not certain what kinds of ‘weapons’ Jesus Christ will use, but it can be assumed that He will use also man’s ‘self-destruction weapons’ against him. Zechariah 14:12 (KJV) describes:

“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”.

De Jager (1965:93) writes: “This was exactly the effect of the explosion of the atomic bomb in Japan when the cities Hirosjima and Nagasaki in 1945 were ruined”. De Jager explains how the intensive heat caused people’s muscles and bones to be separated, while many people were killed and totally consumed. The developing threat of ‘Chemical and Biological Warfare’ in the current day is no secret. There is no reason why God will not use the same weapons man made against them. In verse 13 of Zechariah 14 it is also described how God will cause confusion between the enemies so that they will kill one another. Without realizing it, the nations of the earth are on a no-return path to self-destruction.

3.3  The Purpose of this Battle:

The Lord Jesus will defeat the Antichrist’s sytem, which exists for already thousands of years. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2Thessalonians 2:7 that “the mystery of iniquity doth already work” (KJV). According to Malan (2005:37), it is a known fact that all forms of organized rebellion against God originated at Babylon, which is also referred to as the ‘North’. In Zechariah 6:8 (KJV) God is quoted saying:

“Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country”.

The Antichrist will be defeated at this battle which will bring an end to the ecomical, political, and spiritual deceit which originated in the “North country”. Now, after destroying this enemy, God will feel satisfied. 

Jerusalem as the Holy City will be liberated from the Antichrist. God said in Zechariah 12:2-3 (KJV):

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it”.

Two metaphorical expressions are used to describe the defeat over the Antichrist and his allies: It will be like someone who drinks more than he is able to hold, and like someone who tries to lift something which is too heavy for him to move (Walvoord and Zuck 1983:1566). Again, the concept of ‘self-destruction’ by the nations is very clear, even in the above mentioned prophecy. This prophecy is a promise of God’s protection of Israel, and cannot be allegorized to fit the Church. Freeman (1968:335) writes: “The main criticism of the spiritualization method of interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the future of Israel is that in its effort to explain away even the clearest prophecies about Israel, it applies every promise of blessing to the church, while it carefully leaves the curses to the Jews!” God has a definite plan with the nation of Israel. The physical and spiritual salvation of the remnant of Jews will be priority to God. Zechariah 10:11-12 tells that God will save His people (Fourie 1999:99). Also in Zechariah 9:16 (KJV) it is written:

“And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land”.

While the ‘Battle of Armageddon’ will be a catastrophic event to all the enemies of God, it will be the greatest day of redemption for the remnant of Israel. The prophet Zechariah saw how this battle will lead to the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ.

4.    The Millennial Kingdom:

This event refers to literally one thousand years of absolute peace on earth. The description Zechariah gives to this event doesn’t fit into any historical period, but is promised as a future event. Three main characteristics of this event are given by Zechariah.

4.1  The Millennium Temple:

The ‘Temple’ in Jerusalem will play an important role during the Millennium. The concept of this ‘Millennium Temple’ is for the opponents of ‘Pre-Millennialism’ a huge problem, but EGK (n.d.:141) teaches that the description of this Temple fit in none of the other six temples described in the Word of God. In Zechariah 1:16:17 (KJV) it is written:   

“Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem”.

           

This prophecy has a parallel fulfillment. It has been fulfilled in a sense during the lifetime of the prophet Zechariah when the rebuilding of the temple was completed in 515BC (Walvoord 1990:316), but the ultimate fulfillment will take place during the Millennium (Malan 2005:12).  This is confirmed by Zechariah 6:13 (KJV):

“Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both”.

In above mentioned verse it is clearly said that ‘the Branch’, which refers to Jesus Christ, will build the temple. This prophecy was never fulfilled before. This refers to the ‘Millennium Temple’ according to McGee (1982:934).

Zechariah also mentions that Jerusalem will be the religious capital of the world (McGee 1982:951). In Zechariah 8:20-23 (KJV) it is written:

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you”.

People from all over the world will come every year to Jerusalem to pray and to participate in the ‘Feast of the Tabernacles’ (Dake 1963:920). Considering Zechariah 9:7, this includes the Philistines (McGee 1983:953) which is also known currently as the Palistinians.

4.2  Jesus as Priest and King:

Jesus Himself will dwell in Jerusalem during the Millennium. He will do it literally (McGee 1982:915). Three times in Zechariah chapter 2 He promised this: Verses 5, 10, and 11. McGee writes: “He intends to come to that geographical spot on the earth called Zion and to a certain group of people who will be there, Israel the daughter of Zion”. This is confirmed by Zechariah 8:3 (KJV):

“Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain”.

The vision Zechariah had in chapter 4:14 about the ‘two anointed ones’ is considered as a reference to the double office of Priest and King by the Lord Jesus during the Millennium (Malan 2005:28). This is confirmed by the symbolic crowning of Joshua, which refers to the Lord Jesus:

“Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest… he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” (Zechariah 6:11-13, KJV). 

Dake (1963:919) enlightens that this double office of King and Priest will be combined in one Person, and in the Messiah there will be harmony between these two offices (Gemster and others 1958:2044). Malan (2005:38) refers to Hebrews 7 where Jesus is declared to be Priest and King “after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 7:17, KJV) who was “king of Salem” (Jerusalem) and “priest of the most high God” (Hebrews 7:1, KJV). According to Malan (2005:38), Jesus will be revealed to be King and Priest in the Millennium. Davidson (1953:752) writes: “The continuity of the Church is guaranteed by this vision. Christ, her Head, unites Priesthood and Kingship in Himself, and she receives all needed grace out of His fullness”. The Millennial Kingdom will be a global ‘Theocracy’. 

4.3  Peace, Safety and Prosperity:

During the Millennium there will be no threat or danger on earth, except to those who will not obey the Lord Jesus (Isaiah 65:20). There will be indeed peace and safety on this whole planet for one thousand years. Zechariah actually focuses on the peace and safety in Jerusalem during the Millennium. It is notable that Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) means “City of Peace” (Cohen n.d.:104) while this same city is already “invaded, captured, and governed” by twenty different nations during the past five thousand years (Vasko n.d.:104). Before and after Zechariah’s prophecy, even in the current day, Jerusalem is characterized by bloodshed. The prophet Zechariah looks into the future and predicts that Jerusalem will become the capital of the peaceful millennial Kingdom. McGee (1982:909) makes a remarkable statement by saying: “All nations of the earth are to understand that there will never be peace on earth until there is peace in Jerusalem. That is the key to peace on this earth.” Zechariah prophesies about Jerusalem without having any walls (Zechariah 2:4). Until today Jerusalem was never without her walls, except during her destructions. This prophecy cannot refer to the ‘New Jerusalem’ because it will have walls (Revelation 21:12). This prophecy relates to the Jerusalem of the Millennium (Malan 2005:15). Zechariah also predicts a Jerusalem without having weaponry (Zechariah 9:10) because it will be not necessary anymore (McGee 1983:957).  Baldwin (1972:166) writes: “The chariot, the war horse and the battle bow and their modern equivalents will be banished, for they will be entirely incongruous when there is a ruler competent to care for the true welfare of all the nations”. Zechariah also writes:

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof” (Zechariah 8:4-5, KJV).

To this verse Pfeiffer (1962:905) writes: “The picture is one of peace and security. Doubtless some of these features were present in Maccabean times, but conditions of that day will not suffice for the full realization of these promises. They await fulfillment in Messiah’s reign”.

Zechariah 9:17 (KJV) further tells about the characteristic of joy in the Millennium when saying:

“For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids”.

While Baldwin (1972:170) considers this verse as a prediction of young people that will grow up in this land, Burden and others (1987:318) mention prosperity regards to agriculture as well as population-growth as further characteristics of the Messiah’s Kingdom.

The prophet Zechariah looked behond the religious, economical, and political issues in the post-exelic period he prophesied in, and he saw a perdiod of time in a distant future where the Messianic hope is fulfilled.  

Conclusion:

Zechariah prophesied to the post-exelic Jews to give them hope for the future. His prophecies referred in a sense to that particular generation, but God also shown him the future coming of the Messiah which the Jews expected for many years. Zechariah had the privilege of seeing also the ‘last days’. The ‘scope’ of his prophecies includes more detail. He tells about the ‘Tribulation period’ where God will deal with Israel while they will suffer more than ever before under the reign of a diabolic dictator called ‘The Antichrist’. The prophet then also tells about the physical and visible return of the Lord Jesus to Jerusalem to restore them spiritually. Zechariah also mentions the deliverance of God’s people out of the hands of the Antichrist by the ‘Battle of Armageddon’ by great supernatural force. Finally the prophet tells about the coming Millennium where Christ Jesus will reign over the whole world out of Jerusalem where all nations will come and worship Him. There is a prospect of a temple, of Jesus as Priest and King, and of peace, joy and security. Zechariah’s ‘observation’ regarding the Apocalypse (the third observation in his visions and revelations) is clearly reflected in his prophecy. He was indeed a ‘prophet with a long vision’.

This study only focused on the Apocalypse in Zechariah’s prophecy. The correspondence between Zechariah’s prophecy and other Bible prophets’ revelations couldn’t properly be covered in this study, and needs much further research.     

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