A man with a measuring line

To summarize the content of the third vision: “Jerusalem will become the capital of the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom).” Let us confirm this. (1) The characters are: (a) Zechariah, (b) the man with a measuring line (the pre-incarnate Messiah), and (c) an ordinary angel. (2) The man with the measuring line is about to go and measure Jerusalem. The measuring line indicates that construction work is about to begin. In other words, it is a symbol of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. (3) Another angel (an ordinary angel) appears, and he receives a command from the man with the measuring line (the Messiah) and delivers the following message to Zechariah (that young man): “‘Jerusalem will be inhabited as open country because of the multitude of people and cattle within it. But I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire to her on all sides, and I will be the glory in her midst’” (v 4-5).

A wall of fire

The words of verses 4-5 brought great encouragement to the people of Israel who had returned from the Babylonian captivity and were suffering both spiritually and materially. (1) Jerusalem will become “a city without walls.” The reason is that the city will prosper so greatly that it cannot be enclosed by walls, and many people and livestock will dwell in it. Furthermore, “a city without walls” also means a secure city. An example of this expression is found in Ezekiel 38:11: “And you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, who live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates.’” The image of a prosperous Jerusalem is the picture of Jerusalem in the Messianic Kingdom. (2) Instead of a wall of stone, the Lord Himself will be “a wall of fire” surrounding the city of Jerusalem. All who attempt to come up against Jerusalem will be consumed by that fire. There is no greater security than this. (3) The ultimate promise is, “I will be the glory in her midst.” In other words, the Messiah will be present in the city of Jerusalem and will cause the Shekinah glory to shine. Ezekiel foresaw the return of the Shekinah glory (the glory of the Lord) to the temple (Ezek. 43:2-5). And Zechariah sees the Shekinah glory filling Jerusalem and the whole earth (ref. 14:16-21). Blessed is the one who sees hope in the future. God will surely fulfill His promises. This is our assurance and our hope.