In this message, we continue to look at the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah and how he continues to focus on the second coming of Jesus Christ. There is a slight interlude though in verse 7 which explains very clearly Who the Shepherd is and where He comes from. In other words, contextually there are false shepherds who continue to exploit the word of God and they are contrasted with the One True Shepherd, the Messiah Jesus. The reason for this verse is because it should give the reader a clear understanding of the salvific plan and work of God. There have been many true prophets like Jeremiah, Elijah, and Ezekiel to name only a few who follow God and worship the Lord who live lives like the Lord Jesus would. Lives of persecution and resistance to the message of Yahweh! The companion spoken of here is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ and when He will be struck, the sheep will be scattered and the Lord will turn against Israel until the 2nd coming and redemption of the Jews is finalized. This prophecy shows us very clearly that 2/3 of all people in the land of Israel will be cut off, mostly Jews, for rejecting the Messiah. This is known as the judgement of the Messiah and the rest of the remnant as it is known in the whole testament, who will be brought through the refiners fire, a third of them, will be saved. It is those who called upon the name of the Messiah Jesus who find salvation and the Lord says to them “my people”. What a blessed message and encouragement but yet what an indictment on the unbelief of so many. Through this message we learn that the Lord will test and refine the believer in a church age to seek obedience and to see if they will do His will. May we learn from this truth!
#sermon #jesus #prophecy
