While Zechariah was a prophet during the same time as Haggai, his prophecy should not be
taken literally but should be taken allegorically. Some have tried to give a timeline and compare parts of Zechariah with Revelation, but both books express the conflicts God’s people go through in their struggles with life; they really describe a vision of God verses evil with the positive affirmation that God will succeed and His people will be blessed if they are true to Him.
There are a few references to the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in Zechariah. See if you can find them.
Outline
- 1A. Vision 1 – November 520 B.C. 1:1-6 The message of repentance of the generation that was taken into captivity.
- 2A. Vision 2- February 519 B.C.
- 1B. The riders and God’s message. 1:7-21. God’s displeasure with the nations He used to punish Judah.
- 2B. The future prosperity of Jerusalem. 2:1-13.
- 3B. The cleansing of the high priest and the coming of the Messiah. 3:1-10.
- 4B. The promise to bless Zerubbabel so he can finish rebuilding the temple. 4:1-14.
- 5B. The curse on all sin. 5:1-11.
- 6B. The messengers of God punishing the world, and the promise of the Messiah Who will be both King and Priest of the earth. 6:1-15.
- 3A. Vision 3 – December 7, 518 B.C.
- 1B. The difference between true religion and hypocrisy. 7:1-14.
- 2B. The blessings that will come in completing God’s kingdom. 8:1-23
- 3B. The struggle between God and evil until the end. 9:1-14:21
Theme: Hope in spite of life’s struggles.
Key Verse: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task.” Zechariah 8:9 NLT.