Part 4: The Millennial Kingdom of Messiah (2.1-5, 10-13; 4.1-14; 6.9-15; 8.1-8, 20-23; 9.10; 14.16-21)
We have reached the last major theme in our chronological advance through Zechariah. Our goal was to arrange prophetic passages in the book in the order of the life ministry of Messiah. We’ve reviewed the preincarnate ministry of the Messiah, the first advent of Messiah, and the revelation in glory of the Messiah. Our last study will look at the Millennial Kingdom in Zechariah.
“Behold, a Man with a Measuring Line” (2.1-5)
This passage indicates that Jerusalem is measured to prepare for its millennial glory (1-2). The Millennium is a literal 1000 year period of time when Christ will reign to fulfill prophesy in the OT. It is mentioned in Revelation 20.2-7.
The text indicates that there will not be a need for walls in millennial Jerusalem (3-5). There are two reasons for this: 1) Because Messiah shall protect it (5a); and 2) Because Messiah shall preside over it (5b).
“I …will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”
-Zechariah 2.5
Behold, Him in the Midst (2.10-13; 8:1-8, 20-23)
Messiah’s Choice of Jerusalem (2.10-13)
During His reign, Jesus Christ shall dwell in the midst of His people (10). Many nations shall join them and become His people as well (11). He will once again choose Jerusalem (12); she will be His holy habitation (13).
The “solemn injunction to all humanity to be silent before YHWH (v. 13) [is] an understandable reaction to the glorious revelation just disclosed. How can human lips speak in the presence of a holy God, one who has saved His people in mighty demonstrations of power in the past and who is now aroused once more to do the same” (Merrill, 127-28)?
“Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”
-Zechariah 2.13
Messiah’s City of Truth (8.1-8, 20-23)
This text outlines what is clearly needed for the millennial reign. There must be a King, subjects, and a dominion to rule over.
1. The King: The Presence of Its Maker (1-3) - Zechariah 8:3 states, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain (c.f., Daniel 2) of the LORD of hosts, the Holy Mountain.’”
We have reached the last major theme in our chronological advance through Zechariah. Our goal was to arrange prophetic passages in the book in the order of the life ministry of Messiah. We’ve reviewed the preincarnate ministry of the Messiah, the first advent of Messiah, and the revelation in glory of the Messiah. Our last study will look at the Millennial Kingdom in Zechariah.
“Behold, a Man with a Measuring Line” (2.1-5)
This passage indicates that Jerusalem is measured to prepare for its millennial glory (1-2). The Millennium is a literal 1000 year period of time when Christ will reign to fulfill prophesy in the OT. It is mentioned in Revelation 20.2-7.
The text indicates that there will not be a need for walls in millennial Jerusalem (3-5). There are two reasons for this: 1) Because Messiah shall protect it (5a); and 2) Because Messiah shall preside over it (5b).
“I …will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”
-Zechariah 2.5
Behold, Him in the Midst (2.10-13; 8:1-8, 20-23)
Messiah’s Choice of Jerusalem (2.10-13)
During His reign, Jesus Christ shall dwell in the midst of His people (10). Many nations shall join them and become His people as well (11). He will once again choose Jerusalem (12); she will be His holy habitation (13).
The “solemn injunction to all humanity to be silent before YHWH (v. 13) [is] an understandable reaction to the glorious revelation just disclosed. How can human lips speak in the presence of a holy God, one who has saved His people in mighty demonstrations of power in the past and who is now aroused once more to do the same” (Merrill, 127-28)?
“Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”
-Zechariah 2.13
Messiah’s City of Truth (8.1-8, 20-23)
This text outlines what is clearly needed for the millennial reign. There must be a King, subjects, and a dominion to rule over.
1. The King: The Presence of Its Maker (1-3) - Zechariah 8:3 states, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain (c.f., Daniel 2) of the LORD of hosts, the Holy Mountain.’”
2. The Subjects: The Presence of Its Citizens (4-5) - Zechariah 8:4-5 state, “Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.” One would expect great age due to the fact that the kingdom is established for 1,000 years. Those repopulating the earth during this time will reach pre-flood ages.
3. The Realm: The Promise of Its Restoration (6-8, 20-23) - YHWH will save His people and bring them back to Jerusalem. He shall dwell in the midst of them. “They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness” (8.8) “…Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD” (8.23).
