Looking To The Future

Zechariah’s answer to the question the delegation from Bethel asked about continuing or discontinuing the public fasts was in the form of reproof. In this chapter he is ordered to change his voice, and to speak words of encouragement to the obedient priests and people.

Zechariah is told to tell the priests and the people the Lord of hosts says, “I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for Her. 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.”

The great wrath that was against Jerusalem (7:12) will be turned against her adversaries. The sins of Zion that were her worst enemies, and had done her the most harm the Lord in His jealousy for her honour and comfort will take them away and He will dwell in Zion.

There will be a great reformation in Jerusalem, and the religion of Israel. The power of it will prevail and flourish throughout the land. Jerusalem will once more become famous for her fidelity and honesty that she shall be called “the City of Truth.” The faithful city that had become a harlot (Isaiah 1:21) shall become the dwelling place of the Lord. What had been the “Mount of corruption” (2nd Kings 23:13), will become the mountain of the Lord of hosts. There shall be in Jerusalem a great increase of people. It will become a peaceable and prosperous city. “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 the streets.”

The streets that had been filled with the bodies of the slain, or deserted and left desolate men and

women who have not been cut off by untimely deaths, either through their own intemperance or God’s vengeance, will have their days lengthened. They shall have their staffs to support them as Jacob worshipped the Lord leaning on his staff (Hebrews 11:21).

Because the city has become the “City of Truth” it is blessed with a multitude of children. They will increase and replenish the city. The children will be healthful, and strong, and active. They shall be hearty, cheerful, and play in the streets, a dangerous place in this 21st century. They will enjoy perfect security. Playing in the streets is a sign that there is little fear there. Their will be love and peace among them. There will be no fighting in the streets, as it is in cities that are divided into factions and parties and the children express their resentments of the parents and the law. When Jerusalem becomes the “City of Truth” the children shall play in the streets and not devour one another. The games they play shall be harmless and inoffensive. The childish youthful games that will be played in the streets will be confined to the age of childhood and youth.

While it is a pleasing sight to see boys and girls playing in the streets it is not a pleasing sight to see men and women who should be spending their time with work and business loitering . It is a good thing, which we see very little of in this 21st century, to see children sitting with the elderly asking questions, but it is no fit way for men and women, who are able to work stand all day in the streets doing nothing worthwhile.

The Lord of hosts will save His people from being lost, or losing themselves, in Babylon, or in Egypt, or in any other country where they were driven. They shall neither be detained by the nations among whom they sojourn nor shall they be incorporated into them. The Lord of hosts will separate His people from the nations and bring them to their own land. He will renew His covenant with His people. He will be faithful to them and make them faithful to Him. They will be His people and He will be their God. They will obey His laws and He will secure their future. He

will never leave nor forsake them and they shall never leave nor forsake Him as they have done in the past.

These promises were not fulfilled between the captivity and Christ’s time. They will be fulfilled in

the age to come. In that heavenly Jerusalem which is from above. All these promises are ratified, and the doubts of the Lord’s people silenced, with the question

asked in verse six, “If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will