Zechariah: Plan for the Future
Introduction:
It is hard to plan for the future.
Save for college for children – lots of time
Save for retirement – lots of time
Instead of planning for future, we are mortgaging our future
Most people live in the “here and now” mode
We do not worry or think about the future – old age, death, retirement
Drunk drivers kill people, don't plan on getting home safely
Study of Olympic athletes take performance-enhancing drugs – over 50% said yes
Many births out of wedlock – just live in the moment
Many will not go to heaven – don't plan for the future
Planning for the future requires work in the present
Kids have dreams – when I grow up I want to be – baseball player, doctor, lawyer
Without doing the hard work – study, prepare, it will not happen.
Doctor – neglect study in science
Athlete – must practice every day
Marriage better
Get out of debt
Change habits – eating, exercise, rest, weight, health issues
Zechariah -
Longest of the minor prophets – 14 chapters
About 30 men with this name in the Bible
Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers”
Contains 8 visions:
Apocalyptic language – like Revelation
Prophecies of Christ
Promises of doom for Jerusalem
Jewish tradition says he started the “great synagogue”
He was involved in collecting, preserving the inspired writings
Zechariah has much to say about Christ
Christ talked about Zechariah – Matthew 23:35
Theme of the book: BUILD FOR THE FUTURE TODAY!
Conclusion:
These symbols and visions are all well and good for them, but what do they have to say to us today?
God keeps His promises.
God’s chosen people are those in His church—not physical Israel.
God’s kingdom is ruled by Jesus the Christ, the King and High Priest of the church.
As such we must follow Him and His examples.
The inhabitants of God’s kingdom are supposed to be inviting others to come to the feast!
Ultimately, the thing to remember is this: Plan for the future by obeying God today!