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HEAVEN’S BEST GIFT (ZECHARIAH). Lesson 12 for June 22, 2013.
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HEAVEN’S BEST GIFT (ZECHARIAH) Lesson 12 for June 22, 2013
Zechariah wrote amazing prophecies about the messianic time. Those prophecies should have been fulfilled in Israel time, but they were fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus and will be fulfilled in our time and in the glorious future God is preparing for us. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Zec. 9:9) Judas’ betrayal (Zec. 11:12-13) Jesus is arrested (Zec. 13:7-9) The crucifixion (Zec. 12:10) The Gospel is spread (Zec. 8:20-23) The final battle and God’s eternal kingdom (Zec. 14)
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM (ZEC. 9:9) Jesus wanted to be presented as Messiah and King before His death; He was acclaimed as so.
JUDAS’ BETRAYAL (ZEC. 11:12-13) It’s amazing how that prophecy was fulfilled. Not only the amount of silver was predicted, but also that those pieces of silver were going to be brought to the Temple.
JESUS IS ARRESTED (ZEC. 13:7-9) When Jesus —the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11)— was arrested, all the disciples fled frightened.
JESUS IS ARRESTED (ZEC. 13:7-9) Jesus —the “Good Shepherd”— forgave His disciples and went to bring them back to the sheepfold. After His resurrection, Jesus looked for Peter (Luke 24:34), for the disciples in the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32), for the apostles (Luke 24:36), for Thomas (John 20:26-29)… and He also looks for you and me. We must follow Jesus’ example and be kind to those who fail and help them to come back to the sheepfold.
THE CRUCIFIXION (ZEC. 12:10) When we look at the cross, we are drawn to Jesus (John 12:32) When we understand that Jesus died in our place for our sins, we bitterly cry and God gives us “the Spirit of grace and supplication”.
THE GOSPEL IS SPREAD (ZEC. 8:20-23) “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’” (Zechariah 8:23) How can people see that God is with us (Zechariah 8:16-17)? God decided to save the world through the preaching of the Gospel (1Co. 1:21). He uses each of us as His instruments. Zechariah explains that many people will come to us to hear the Gospel because they will see that we are with God because of the way we live.
“There is a day just about to burst upon us when God’s mysteries will be seen, and all His ways vindicated; when justice, mercy, and love will be the attributes of His throne. When the earthly warfare is accomplished, and the saints are all gathered home, our first theme will be the song of Moses, the servant of God. The second theme will be the song of the Lamb, the song of grace and redemption. This song will be louder, loftier, and in sublimer strains, echoing and re-echoing through the heavenly courts. Thus the song of God’s providence is sung, connecting the varying dispensations; for all is now seen without a veil between the legal, the prophetical, and the gospel. The church history upon the earth and the church redeemed in heaven all center around the cross of Calvary. This is the theme, this is the song,—Christ all and in all,—in anthems of praise resounding through heaven from thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand and an innumerable company of the redeemed host. All unite in this song of Moses and of the Lamb. It is a new song, for it was never before sung in heaven” E.G.W. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, cp. 16, pg. 433)