THE FUTURE KINGDOM (Zechariah 8:1-8)
INTRODUCTION:
God’s prophets often spoke of the glorious hope of Jesus Christ’s future kingdom. The capital city of that kingdom will be Jerusalem, where the Messiah will reign both over the nation of Israel and the entire world. Chapter 7 was Yahweh of hosts response to ritualism and false worship with the past generation used to illustrate the consequences of not listening or heeding the words of God. Chapter 7 ended reminding the people of Zechariah’s day that it was the sin and rebellion of their ancestors that sent them into exile and brought about the desolation of Jerusalem and the land of Israel. This desolation is what they returned to and were struggling to overcome as they rebuilt. This was God’s warning to not walk in the same way as their ancestors, but to repent and seek God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and to show that devotion by loving their neighbors. Often in prophecy after a warning or declaration of judgment, God then announces hope for Messiah’s the future kingdom for those who have heard the warning and have repented and turned to God in faith. The unimaginable blessings of Messiah’s future kingdom will last for one thousand years; this will be the climatic conclusion to human history before the beginning of the eternal state. The visions of Zechariah already introduced the subject of the millennial kingdom, but the direct revelation from Yahweh of hosts in this passage expands upon this subject with greater detail. Our passage from this morning gives an in-depth look at the time that Christ will reign over the whole earth. Within this direct revelation are five powerful declarations about the future millennial kingdom. Let’s pray and then read our passage.
--PRAY--
SCRIPTURE:
Turn in your Bibles to Zechariah 8:1-8. Please, if you are able, stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word, and follow along as I read.
Zechariah 8:1-8,
“Then the word of the Lord of hosts came, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.’ “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of age. ‘And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.’ “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘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 hosts. “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘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.’” (Zechariah 8:1–8, NASB95)[1]
GOD’S JEALOUSY FOR HIS PEOPLE (Zechariah 8:1-2)
The prophet announces that the word of Yahweh of hosts came to him again. He had just finished Yahweh of hosts direct revelation of rebuke to the people in chapter 7. The rebuke was for their ritualism and false worship. Here, in chapter 8, God’s revelation is one of encouragement and exhortation. Instead of rebuking them for what they are doing wrong, this chapter gives them instructions for how to do what is right. To respond rightly required that they focus on and rejoice in the hope of the Messiah’s future millennial kingdom.
As you may have noticed when we read this morning’s passage, it is set up around a series of statements that are introduced with the phrase “Thus says the LORD (Yahweh) of hosts.” Anyone who might question if there will truly be a future kingdom for Israel, this passage clearly states that there is and it is backed by Yahweh of hosts Himself. The phrase, “Thus says Yahweh” or “Thus says Yahweh of hosts” is repeated ten times in this chapter, which reinforces that this promise of a future kingdom for Israel is true because it comes from God Himself. The repeated phrase gives the reader complete assurance that Yahweh will keep His promises to His people Israel. For Zechariah’s audience, this repeated phrase was a reminder and for some a wake-up call that they needed to make their relationship with God a priority so that they were in right relationship with Him for this future day. Instead of going through the motions of external rituals, they need their hope and their hearts focused on the Lord and His promises.
Yahweh of hosts first declaration to His people reveals His zeal for Israel. He declares, “I am exceedingly jealous for Zion.” (Zechariah 8:2b, NASB95)[2] This is not the first time that Yahweh has made this declaration, He said it first time during the first night vision of chapter one, verse 14. Both times it is stated it describes how passionately devoted God is to His people. In this context, to be exceedingly jealous has nothing to do with envy but has everything to do with love. Like a husband is rightfully jealous for his wife, so God was jealous to have Israel as His own. This does not mean that He overlooked their idolatry, this is why they had gone into captivity. But He determined to do whatever was necessary to fulfill His purposes for Israel. Because of this He made commitments to His people and to the city of Jerusalem where He had chosen to have His name dwell.
This declaration did not end here, but Yahweh of hosts continued by stating, “…yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.” (Zechariah 8:2c, NASB95)[3] God’s jealousy for His people Israel not only spoke of His passionate love for her (Israel), but it also indicated His readiness to dispense great wrath against Israel’s enemies. He had declared this same anger against the nations in the first night vision. He stated at first He was only a little angry but then the nations furthered the disaster, and His anger toward the unbelieving nations became one of violent fury. When God first made His promises to Abraham in Genesis 12 He warned that any nation that curses His people will be cursed, and any nation that blesses Israel will be blessed. A day will come when that promise will be fully carried out. God’s great wrath will come upon those nations that persecuted His people. The prophets referred to this day of vengeance as the Day of the LORD or the Day of Yahweh when He comes to set up His kingdom and conquers and crushes His enemies.
These words were not only a warning to Israel’s enemies, but they were also a powerful reminder to God’s people of His jealous love for them. Yahweh of hosts’ covenant commitment to Israel was evident both in His passionate love for His people seen in His constant pursuit of them and in His great wrath toward her enemies. He would not only save and deliver His people, but He would utterly destroy those who opposed her. Israel needed to take their eyes off themselves and their religious rituals, so that they could see the Lord of hosts who loved them and was pursuing them relentlessly, if they turned their eye upon Him they would behold His glory and goodness.
GOD DWELLING WITH HIS PEOPLE (Zechariah 8:3)
Yahweh speaks again, making the second of His five declarations in this passage, and this declaration shifts the focus to God dwelling among His people during the millennial kingdom. Zechariah writes, “Thus says the LORD (Yahweh), ‘I will return to Zion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.’ ” (Zechariah 8:3a, NASB95)[4] If you haven’t noticed this passage parallels much of what Yahweh said in the first vision. This declaration was also stated in the first night vision in chapter 1, verse 16. Ezekiel had recorded and witnessed the glory of God departing from Jerusalem because of Israel’s sin, here God promises that His glory will one day return again in all its majesty and brilliance. When Yahweh’s presence is again dwelling in Zion, it will truly be the capital, the political and the religious (in the truest sense) center of the whole world. This returning of Yahweh brings out a significant point for Israel made in the first four verses of this book; God will return to His people as they return to Him in repentance.
Yahweh not only said He would return but that He would dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
The statement that Yahweh will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem shows us God’s focus on the city of Zion and His close fellowship with the city’s inhabitants. God’s people will surround Him in worship even as He surrounds them with His presence. Remember in earlier times the people were forbidden to be in the presence of His glory or to even attempt to approach His glory. In this future time, God’s people will enjoy intimate fellowship with God through the Messiah as they participate in vibrant worship at the millennial temple. This future fellowship with God will be perfect, a type of intimacy that had previously existed only in the Garden of Eden when God had walked and communed with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening. When Adam fell, that closeness ended. But praise God, one day He will once again walk and dwell among a holy people. That hope will be experienced when the Lord returns to Jerusalem to set up His earthly kingdom. God will be known by His people as He had always intended.
Yahweh has more to say in this declaration about His return, when He dwells in the midst of Jerusalem He says, “Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth.” (Zechariah 8:3b, NASB95)[5] The glorious presence of God dwelling in Jerusalem will transform the city. Even though God had chosen Jerusalem as the place where His name would dwell, Jerusalem’s past was filled with wickedness and rebellion. Scripture calls the city a harlot (Isaiah 1:21) and it is compared to Sodom and Egypt (Revelation 11:8) and it is condemned for it lack of those who seek the truth (Jeremiah 5:1). If you look at the city of Jerusalem down through history, it has not been a city of truth. But when Yahweh returns and dwells with His people, the city will be transformed, and the situation will be altogether different. The city of Jerusalem will finally be the City of Truth. It will be the place where people will know God’s Word and live in light of it. Besides this, it will be the place where the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Faithful and True will reign in messianic glory.
This transformation of Jerusalem will not stop there, Yahweh says, “The Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.” (Zechariah 8:3b, NASB95)[6] This is an end times title for Jerusalem. This title identifies Jerusalem as the place from which the Lord will reign with a rod of iron and command the hosts of heaven. At that future time when Jerusalem is known as the City of Truth and the Holy Mountain, all the nations will come to the mountain of Yahweh to learn and submit to His law. Jerusalem will be the capital city of all creation. The city in Zechariah’s time was in disrepair, having been destroyed by invading armies. This contrast was to be a picture of hope, a future kingdom in which Jerusalem is the center of the whole world.
As impressive as that future city will be, the main point of this statement is that the mountain of Yahweh of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain. Holiness speaks of God’s perfection, loftiness, His distinction from all others. The rest of the Old Testament looks forward to this designation of Jerusalem and even describes a number of reasons why Jerusalem will be designated as God’s holy mountain. Psalm 2:6 states that Jerusalem will be a holy mountain, unique and set apart from all others, because Messiah will reign from there. Ezekiel 20:40 explains that Jerusalem will be called a holy mountain because Israel will serve God there in holiness. In Isaiah 11:9, Jerusalem will be called a holy mountain because it conforms to God’s perfect character. Because the Lord will be in His holy mountain, “… the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6–9, NASB95)[7]
GOD’S PEACE FOR HIS PEOPLE (Zechariah 8:4-5)
For the third time in this passage the phrase “Thus says the LORD of hosts…” (Zechariah 8:4a, NASB95)[8] is repeated. This indicates for us that Yahweh is about to make another declaration concerning the future kingdom. This declaration concerns the universal peace that will abound during the millennial kingdom. This peace will be a result of God presence dwelling among His people. Yahweh describes this peace with these words, “Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of his age.” (Zechariah 8:4b, NASB95)[9] What Yahweh is describing is a lasting peace and security where even the elderly can sit in the street without care or concern. Streets can be a dangerous place even in the present or the past. Lamentations 4:18 which was written after Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians spoke of the people of Jerusalem being unable to enter the streets for fear of their enemies. But the future kingdom of the Messiah, even the most vulnerable members of society, the elderly, will feel completely safe in the streets of Jerusalem. They will not only walk in those streets but even sit and relax in quietness and peace.
This peace is like no other peace that has ever existed on this earth. By describing the elderly as each having his staff in his hand because of his age is the description of someone who is exceedingly old, requiring a staff to get around and even to sit down. Life expectancy during the millennial kingdom will increase dramatically. Isaiah says that a person who dies at the age of 100 years old will be considered but a youth in the kingdom (Isaiah 65:20). What this means is the effects of sin, which includes the brevity of our lives, will be dramatically extended because of Christ’s reign. Methuselah is credited with living longer than any other person, he lived 969 years. In the millennium there will be many that out live Methuselah. What Yahweh describes here is that both old men and old women will age gracefully in this way. With the effects of the curse lifted and with no threat of war or crime, life in the millennium will be characterized by both quantity and quality. The peace that will exist during the Messiah’s earthly reign not only prevents conflicts in the political realm but also restrains the effect of the curse on the natural world. This peace is consistent with the character of our Lord, who is the Prince of peace.
Yahweh continued speaking of the peace by saying, “And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.” (Zechariah 8:5, NASB95)[10] Again what is described here is in contrast to Lamentations 2:11-12 which describe little ones and infants fainting with hunger in the streets of Jerusalem. In the future millennial kingdom, the streets will again be filled with children, but they will be playing rather than starving. Families will grow to be large because of the length of life and the security and prosperity of this time. The peace of the Messiah does not just extend to the elderly but also to the young. As these boys and girls play, they display the busyness of joyful activity and laughter both which indicate a long and good life in the land. God had promised blessings for Israel’s children if they walked in obedience, both to Him and to their parents.
The peace that will characterize Christ’s future reign will embrace nations and individuals, old and young, men and women, parents and children. The blessings of this peace brought about by Christ’s reign are both quantity of life seen in exceedingly old age and quality of life as seen in security and stability, as the citizens of the kingdom walk in obedience to the Lord. For a thousand years, life on this earth will again be like Eden. This is the hope of God’s people as they anticipate the Messiah’s future kingdom.
GOD’S INFINITE POWER FOR HIS PEOPLE (Zechariah 8:6)
Again, for a fourth time we have the statement “Thus says the LORD of hosts…” (Zechariah 8:6a, NASB95)[11] The promises that Yahweh of hosts has just made in the preceding verses are marvelous truths about the Messiah’s future kingdom. So marvelous are these promises some might wonder if these truths will really come to pass. God responds to any doubters in this fourth declaration with a rhetorical question. He says, “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?” (Zechariah 8:6b, NASB95)[12] The obvious answer to the question is “no.” There is not one thing that God promised about the future kingdom that will fail to be fulfilled. All of the promises will be fulfilled just as He has declared.
This rhetorical question provided Zechariah’s audience with the absolute assurance that God possesses the power to carry out what He has promised. From man’s perspective these promises may seem impossibly difficult to fulfill. Without a doubt, God’s promises are huge and stretch the imagination, especially when compared with the present circumstances that the Israelites were facing. The Lord’s promises seemed to good to be true as they struggled to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. Given the small remnant that they were and the challenges that they faced, it is no wonder that it would be difficult to believe the way God’s presence and peace would one day transform the world.
But what seems impossible from a human perspective is by no means difficult to God. “’…will it also be too difficult in My sight?’ declares the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 8:6c, NASB95)[13] The repetition of the word difficult formed a direct contrast between man’s finite weakness and God infinite power. The point is that nothing is too difficult or impossible for God. He is the Creator of all, who spoke the universe into existence, these promises will be fulfilled precisely as He has said. Because God’s power guarantees His promises, the people of Israel could have certainty that all He foretold would come to pass. When we face difficulties and circumstances that make it seem there is no way out, true hope is found in remembering that nothing is impossible with God.
To emphasize the divine source behind these promises, the text repeats that these declarations come from Yahweh of hosts, the sovereign Commander over the armies of heaven. The word “declares” indicates that this is an official announcement, a decree that is formal and fixed. God’s decision is fixed, His commitment to His word will not change, He will not change, so His kingdom promises are sure.
GOD’S FUTURE FOR HIS PEOPLE (Zechariah 8:7-8)
For the fifth time we come upon this phrase, “Thus says the LORD of hosts…” (Zechariah 8:7a, NASB95)[14] In this declaration God declared His future plan for each Israelite person alive at His return. To begin with, Yahweh of hosts says, “Behold, I am going to save My people…” (Zechariah 8:7b, NASB95)[15] The word save is a word that speaks of an act of deliverance from beginning to end. It includes God’s spiritual work of salvation but here focuses on the rescue of His repentant people from their exile. This deliverance is completely and only an act of God. Wherever His people are He will intervene to save them “from the land of the east and from the land of the west.” (Zechariah 8:7c, NASB95)[16] Literally translated from the land of the rising sun and from the land of the setting sun, this means wherever they are on the entire globe, from one end of the world to the other, God will deliver them. No place will be to far or exempt from His reach. A deliverance of this magnitude has never occurred in Israel’s history; therefore, this promise is yet future.
Not only will He deliver them, but He says, “and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 8:8a, NASB95)[17] God is going to regather His people and bring them back to the Promise Land. For the first time since the initial deportation of Israel into exile, every Israelite scattered across the world will be brought back to one place. This will not simply be a restoration of the nation, but a restoration of the nation to what it was always intended to be. This statement that they will live in the midst of Jerusalem was to remind the people that Jerusalem would one day be a vibrant and populated city. The word live not only emphasizes where the people will reside but also the way they will relate to God. They will live in God’s presence, and He will live in theirs, again speaking of that intimate fellowship they will enjoy with God through the Messiah.
The result of this will be, as stated by God, “and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.” (Zechariah 8:8b, NASB95)[18] This speaks of the pinnacle of God’s relationship with Israel. On one side, God will fully draw near to His own, as He stated, “they will be My people.” Israel will become everything the Lord intended them to be. They will be cleansed, forgiven, justified, sanctified, and redeemed. They will truly be His own people. On the other side, the people will utterly draw near to God, as He stated, “I will be their God.” There will be no more idolatry in that future kingdom. God will occupy a singular place of devotion in their lives and their hearts. Yahweh will be their God in truth and righteousness. For the first time in history, Israel will exhibit this kind of worship and obedience. They will know God in truth, as their love for Him flows from sincere hearts. They will know God in righteousness, as their thoughts and deeds conform to Him in complete obedience. They will love God as He always desired.
CONCLUSION:
There is a future kingdom coming when God’s glory will return, Jerusalem will be transformed, peace will cover the earth like a blanket, and God’s people gathered from all over the world will love Him in truth and righteousness. All this has been declared by Yahweh of hosts; this is what He has in store for His people Israel. For Zechariah’s audience, those Israelites to whom He ministered, the promise made by God in this passage were needed to help them change their ways and not go the same way their ancestors had gone. They were warned to not seek to earn God’s favor through external actions and religious rituals. Going through the motions was not what God desired. Zechariah reminded them that their starting point should never be their works, merit, or efforts. Instead, they needed to begin by looking to the Lord and His promises, fixing their hope on Him, and resting in His grace.
This is also the same for us; we cannot hope to earn our way into God’s house because we can never do enough. Good works will never outweigh sin. The sin must be dealt with, and we are helpless to deal with it, only God can deal with sin through the death and resurrection of His Son. When we turn to Him in repentance and believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ then we too will be cleansed, forgiven, justified, sanctified, and redeemed. Then we are to hope in the promise of God for Israel because as the bride of Christ we will enjoy those blessings as well.
[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[2]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[4]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[5]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[7]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[8]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[9]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[10]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[11]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[12]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[13]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[14]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[15]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[16]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[17]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[18]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.