Sermon - The Return of the Lord – Zechariah 1-2
Background info:
605 & 597 BC – First & second groups of Jews exiled to Babylon
586 BC – Jerusalem and temple destroyed by the Babylonians. More exiles taken to Babylon.
539 BC - Persian king Cyrus conquers Babylon.
538 BC – Cyrus issued an edict allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
536 BC – Foundation of the temple is laid, but many difficulties caused rebuilding to stop. (Ezra 4)
522 BC - Darius took control of Persian empire.
520 BC (6th month) – construction on temple resumes (Hag 1:14-15).
520 BC (8th month) – Zechariah 1:1
General structure of Zechariah:
· Chapters 1-6 – contain eight-night visions promising restoration
· Chapters 7-8 – contain a narrative section
· Chapters 9-14 – contain two prophetic oracles portraying the Lord's return
1) ___ of God's Return – 1:2-6
2) ___ of God's Return – 1:7-17
3) ___ at God's Return – 1:18-21
4) ___ to God's Return – 2:1-13
-The exiles were told to escape to Zion in light of God's coming judgment. How is this similar to the message of the Gospel?
-What was significant about the temple for the nation of Israel in the OT? How does Jesus fulfill this in the NT? What does Revelation 21:22 say about the ultimate fulfillment?
-In what areas of your life do you need to return to the Lord?
Other passages to consider: Dt 28; 32:10; Ezra 1:1-4; 4:24; Ps 2; Jer 25:4-12; Hag 1:14-15; Jn 1:14; Eph 2:13-18; Rev 21:9-27.