Bible Prophecy II - Zechariah and Revelation

Zechariah 11:17-14:21

Zechariah 11:17

This verse speaks of a foolish shepherd. The word translated as foolish means morally deficient and corrupt. Jesus spoke of this shepherd in John 5:43, where He warns the people who reject Him that they will one day accept one who comes in his own name (Antichrist). Daniel 9:27 spoke of him making a covenant with Israel, most likely so they could build their temple again, so he could set himself up to be worshiped (2 Thess 2:1–12; Rev 13:1). It is not the lost sheep of Israel he seeks to help, but himself. Zechariah says as much when he says that he does not care for the sheep.

Zechariah 12

This chapter speaks of a future attack on Jerusalem during which they turn to the Lord when they “look on Me whom they have pierced.” This event, when God fights for them, is undoubtedly the time when Antichrist comes to destroy them. They now know that their Messiah is not the one who gave them temporary peace, but the One whom they rejected.

Zechariah 13

This chapter begins by declaring how the false prophets of the day will either turn or be rejected (1-5). It also tells of the true Prophet whom they rejected (6-7). Following this, God relates how two-thirds of the inhabitants of Jerusalem perish in the battle.

Zechariah 14

This chapter presents the scene of the Second Coming (Rev 19) as a day when God destroys the enemies of His people and sets up His kingdom. God does not kill every human being, but only those who oppose His rule. This time is the time of Ezekiel’s Temple (Ezek 40-48), where there is no division between worshippers, just as in the original Temple, not like Herod’s, where Gentiles were excluded and threatened with death if they left their area. All of God’s people, Jew and Gentile, worship together as one body, fulfilling Jesus’ statement in John 16:10 concerning the two flocks, the OT and NT saints, which came from both groups. The Feast of Booths is the only feast that has not been fulfilled, so it is celebrated as all of God’s people “tabernacle” together.