Zechariah 8:1-8
1 Then the word of the Lord of armies came, saying,
2 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’
3 The Lord says this: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of armies will be called the Holy Mountain.’
4 The Lord of armies says this: ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each person with his staff in his hand because of age.
5 And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its squares.’
6 The Lord of armies says this: ‘If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?’ declares the Lord of armies.
7 The Lord of armies says this: ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west;
8 and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.’
The Future Restoration and Prosperity of Jerusalem (2)
The future promise
This is our second study of this passage. The Lord loves Zion with such intense jealousy. Therefore, the future prosperity of Jerusalem is prophesied: “The Lord says this: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of armies will be called the Holy Mountain’” (v 3). (1) “I will return to Zion” is a prophecy of the Second Coming. (2) Because the Lord will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, it will be called “the City of Truth.” As it is written, “Then I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning; after that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city” (Isa. 1:26; see also Isa. 60:14). (3) Furthermore, Mount Zion will be called “the Holy Mountain.” This is a prophecy of the fulfillment of the Millennial Kingdom (there are prophecies of the Millennial Kingdom in Ezek. 40-48).
Condition of the Millennial Kingdom
“The Lord of armies says this: ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each person with his staff in his hand because of age. And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its squares’” (v 4-5). (1) In the Millennial Kingdom, both those of great age and children will dwell there together. (2) This seems marvelous in human eyes. However, it is not marvelous to God. “The Lord of armies says this: ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness’” (v 7-8). (1) The Lord will save His people from the land of the east and from the land of the west, bring them back to Zion, and cause them to dwell in Jerusalem. (2) “They shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness” is a prophecy of the national salvation of the people of Israel. The word “marvelous” (v 6, NIV) means something that only God can do. Our God is the One who keeps His promises and brings them to fulfillment. Just as the people of Israel were encouraged by this message of hope, let us also rejoice that our salvation will be completed in Christ.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, for You there is nothing “marvelous.” You are the ruler over history. Please lead me today also in the path of victory. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.