¹ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying. The Lord gave the message to the prophet Zechariah (meaning remembered by Yahveh), son of Berekiah (meaning blessed of Yahveh), and grandson of Iddo, being one of the Nethinim. (Ezra 8:17).

² The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers. God was very angry with the ancestors of Zechariah.

³ Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. Tell the people this. Return to the Lord, and the Lord will return to you.

⁴ Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord. Don't be like your ancestors who did not listen or pay attention to what the prophets said to them. They did not turn from their evil ways and got what they deserved.

⁵ Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? Where are they now? Your ancestors and the prophets are long dead.

⁶ But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. Everything God said through His prophets happened to the ancestors of Zechariah, just as He said. They repented and said that they deserved what happened from the Lord. (God always does what He says).

⁷ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying. Three months later God sent another message to Zechariah.

⁸ I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. It was in a vision during the night when Zechariah saw a man sitting on a red horse in a small valley among the myrtle trees. Behind him were riders of red, brown and white horses.

⁹ Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. The angel of the Lord will show Zechariah what the horses mean.

¹⁰ And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. The horses among the myrtle trees are the ones the Lord has sent out to patrol the earth.

¹¹ And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. "The other riders reported to the angel of the Lord." The whole earth is at peace. "This should bring our attention to: (Revelation 6:4, 19:19-21). (Remember the wars and rumors of wars mentioned in Matthew 24:6 and Mark 13:7). Satan will utilize this time to try to bring peace to the earth gaining favor with those who follow him. Through his peace he will deceive and destroy many. (Daniel 8:25).

¹² Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? He prayed this prayer: "O Lord of Heaven's Armies, for seventy years you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. How long till you show mercy to them." (Jeremiah 25:11-12, Daniel 9:2).

¹³ And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. Then the Lord gave the angel comforting words.

¹⁴ So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. The Lord's message was: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. (Mount Zion is one of God's favorite places).

¹⁵ And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. I am angry with the other nation that now enjoy peace and security. They inflicted harm on them far beyond My intentions.

¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. The Lord has returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. "My Temple will be rebuilt, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies." (Zechariah 4:9, Ezra 6:14-15, Isaiah 44:26-28, Haggai 1:14).

¹⁷ Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity and the Lord will comfort Zion. (Isaiah 51:3, Zephaniah 3:15-17). 

¹⁸ Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. Referring to the four beasts of: (Daniel 7:3-8, 8:3-14), The four great beasts that emerge from the sea of people are kings and their kingdoms. They are also the four hidden dynasties of the end time. (The political system, financial system, educational system, and the religious system). "The one world government." The lies and deception of Satan are polluting these dynasties.

¹⁹ And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. These horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. As Zechariah lived after the time of Nebuchadnezzar, there was yet four great empires that would have power to scatter Judah, Israel and Jerusalem. These empires or horns many scholars believe are, Medo-Persia, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and the partly strong partly weak kingdom which has arisen from the 10 nations that came out of the break up of the Roman Empire. This has re-emerged in recent times in the founding nations of the European Union. Whereas the regimes of the Caliphs and Ottomans occupied the land of Judea and Israel they did not, as the Romans and the Crusaders did, scatter the people of Judah.

²⁰ And the Lord shewed me four carpenters. Part of the second vision. These carpenters were (iron smiths), blacksmiths.

²¹ Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it. The four carpenters (blacksmiths, or it may denote the supernatural princes over the kingdoms), have come to terrify these four horns (nations), that have scattered and humbled Judah. They represent the Divine agencies raised up by which Yahveh will overthrow them. Similar to the "four carpenters" we have the "four horns of power" (four angels), that come from the altar of God in the book of Revelation. These four angels, (which are bound in the great river Euphrates), will be loosed in the sixth trump to slay the third part of men. (Revelation 9:13-15).

¹ I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. I saw a man (an angel of the Lord), with a measuring line in his hand.

² Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. The angel was going to measure Jerusalem.

³ And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him. Two angels to do the measuring.

⁴ And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein. The two angels speaking. One saying that it will be a waste to measure Jerusalem because someday it will be so full of people and livestock that there will not be enough room for everyone. "We learn from Josephus, that Jerusalem actually overflowed with inhabitants, and gradually extended itself beyond its walls, and that Herod Agrippa fortified the new part, called Bezetha." (Jeremiah 30:18-19).

⁵ For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. God is a protecting fire and also a consuming fire. (Isaiah 4:5, Hebrews 12:29), God is a consuming fire that will warm the hearts of those who love Him, but will take vengeance on those who do not know Him and follow Satan. (II Thessalonians 1:8).

⁶ Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 3:18), When the northern tribes were taken out of their land by the Assyrians (from 740-719 B.C.), they were concentrated in a camp in northern Persia. When Babylon grew in power, the Assyrians went to war. This gave the Israelites the occasion to escape. Many of the Assyrian guards went along, and they escaped to the north and west over the Caucasus mountains and settled in Europe and the Americas.

⁷ Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. Come out of Babylon (confusion)! "We need to come out of confusion today, as many are in bondage by false teachings and traditions of men."

⁸ For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. God is against those who harm His children. This word "apple" used here is "babah" Strong's H892 "the pupil of the eye."  Any one who harms one of God's children is like touching the pupil of His eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalms 17:8, Matthew 25:40).

⁹ For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me. God will raise His fists among the enemy and their own servants will plunder them.

¹⁰ Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. "Shout for Joy, O Jerusalem, for the Lord is coming to live among you." (Psalms 40:7), We have the Word of God and the "Holy Spirit" with us today.

¹¹ And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. Many will join themselves to the Lord on that day and will be His people. What day? "The Lords day." (Revelation 11:15), The seventh and final trump, the return of Christ, and the time we put on our spiritual bodies. (Our gathering back to Christ right here on earth). The Lord and His anointed shall now rule the world from this day to eternity.

¹² And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. God's favorite place is Mount Zion and He will return there. (Zechariah 1:17, Isaiah 41:9).

¹³ Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. The Lord will spring into action from His Holy Dwelling. (Psalms 11:4, 68:5, Jeremiah 25:30).

1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. In a vision Zechariah saw Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The (Accuser), Satan, was at the right hand of the angel, making accusations against Joshua. (Just as he will make accusations against you when you do the work of the Lord). "He loves to get between you and the Lord when he has the chance." Don't let him! We have power over Satan and his angels. (I Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:9-10).

² And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? The Lord said to Satan, I reject your accusations against Joshua and rebuke you.

³ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. Joshua's clothing was filthy as he stood before the angel. (This was a symbol of the defiling nature of sin). (Isaiah 64:6).

⁴ And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Take off those filthy clothes (take away your sins), and I will give you fine new ones. This should bring out attention to the end times when those who come out of the tribulation, have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb, which is Jesus Christ. (Revelation 7:13-14).

⁵ And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by. The angel of the Lord said to set a turban (head dress), on Joshua's head and gave him new clothes to wear as the angel of the Lord stood by. "Referring to the end times and the 24 elders clothed in white raiment and crowns of gold." (Revelation 4:4, 4:10).

⁶ And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying. Now the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Joshua.

⁷ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. "We have a condition here from the Lord." If you follow My ways and carefully serve Me, then you will be given authority over My Temple and it's courtyards. "I will let you walk among these others standing here." Who were these others? Those who overcome the tribulation and are written in the book of life. (Revelation 3:4-5, 3:21).

⁸ Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch. Listen Joshua and you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring My servant the Branch. Who is the Branch? "The Messiah." (Zechariah 6:12, Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, Psalm 80:15). 

⁹ For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. The stone laid before Joshua was the head stone, Jesus Christ, the stone that was rejected. (Psalms 118:22, Isaiah 8:14-15, Isaiah 28:16, Acts 4:11, Romans 9:33, I Peter 2:4-8). Who will remove the sins of the world. (Jeremiah 31:34, John 1:29, Hebrews 7:27, I John 2:2). Make sure that Christ is your High Priest and Rock, not Satan.

¹⁰ In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree. All the nations will be joined to the Lord in that day, and will be called His people. (Zechariah 2:11). Again, many will join themselves to the Lord on that day and will be His people. What day? "The Lords day." (Revelation 11:15). Again, the seventh and final trump, the return of Christ, the time we gather back to Christ in our spiritual bodies.

1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep. The angel who was doing the talking to Zechariah returned and woke him as if he was asleep. (Gave him another vision).

² And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof. According to Bullinger (Campion Bible), candlestick here is a single seven-branch lamp stand, as in the Tabernacle and in the second Temple as seen in the Arch of Titus, in Rome. (Ref. Pent. Ex. 25:31); not to Solomon's Temple, in which there were ten separate lamp stands. (I Kings 7:49, Jeremiah 52:19). and his seven lamps. (Ref. Pent. Exodus 25:37), seven pipes. This looks forward to the future, as described in (Revelation 11:3-12). The two olive trees and two candle sticks (the two witnesses), standing before the God of the earth. (Zechariah 4:12). "The lamps of fire burning before the throne, are the seven spirits of God." (Revelation 4:5).

³ And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. Again looking forward to the two witnesses standing before God. (Revelation 11:4).

⁴ So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? What are these Zechariah asked the angel?

⁵ Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Don't you know what these are?

⁶ Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: "It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirits, says the Lord. "Not by the might of men or the power of the flesh, but by the power of God." (Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian Captivity in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia. The date is generally thought to have been between 538 and 520 BC. Zerubbabel also laid the foundation of the second temple in Jerusalem soon after).

⁷ Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Not even a mountain will stand in Zerubbabels way and when he sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout for Joy to the Lord. This should bring our attention to Christ becoming our head cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22, Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Act 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, I Peter 2:7). 

⁸ Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. Another message from the Lord.

⁹ The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. The hands of Zerubbabel (the prince of Judah if you will), laid the foundation of this temple, and he will complete it. (Ezra 3:8-13).

¹⁰ For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. Here is the explanation of the vision. The seven lamps represent the "eyes of the Lord" that search around the world. Future reference: (Revelation 5:6). Read our study topic: "Eyes of The Watchman."

¹¹ Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? What are the two olive trees? (Zechariah 4:3, Revelation 11:4).

¹² And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? What are the two olive branches? 

¹³ And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Don't you know the Angel asked?

¹⁴ Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. They represent the two heavenly beings (the two witnesses), "the anointed ones," "the two sons of oil," who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth. (Revelation 11:3-13), especially associated with Messiah's dominion in the earth. Who are these two witnesses? Many believe that they are Mosses and Elijah.

1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu. A few years later (Around December 518 B.C.), Zechariah receives another vision.

² When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the Lord. Sharezer and Regemmele were sent by the people of Bethel to pray before the Lord.

³ And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the Lord of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? What happened here is that during the Babylon captivity, the Jews started a annual time of fasting. It was to commemorate en event that took place in the fifth month in 586 B.C., a way to remember the loss of the Temple. (Jeremiah 52:12-13). What they wanted to know is that, since they were rebuilding the Temple, do they still need to fast. 

⁴ Then came the word of the Lord of hosts unto me, saying. The Lord sent His message to Zechariah concerning the fasting.

⁵ Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? Ask the people and the priests that during these seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11) of exile, when you fasted and mourned, was it really for Me? Remember that the destruction of the Temple happened because God had grown tired of their centuries of rebellion against His ways.

⁶ And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Even now in your holy festivals, aren't you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?

⁷ Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? Isn't this the same message that the Lord proclaimed through the prophets in the past, when Jerusalem and the town of Judah were full of people? (They were good at keeping the fasting day, but weren't concerned about God's law through the prophets who had warned them).

⁸ And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying. Another message to Zechariah from the Lord.

⁹ Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother. The message said: Judge fairly and show kindness to one another. (John 13:34-35, James 2:13-17).

¹⁰ And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. Don't oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. More important, "do not scheme against one another." (Proverbs 3:29, 6:18, Micah 2:1). In today's world, it is all about scamming the public. Bogus law suits, internet scams, marketing scams, and abusers of the system just to name a few. (God does not like it).

¹¹ But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. "Your ancestors refused to listen and they just turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing the Word of the Lord." (Nehemiah 9:26, 9:29, Proverbs 1:24-32, Jeremiah 6:16-17, Ezekiel 3:7), a bunch of hard headed idiots. (We see them today in all the races).

¹² Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. The reason God was so angry with them was because their hearts were as hard as stone. They never listened to the instructions of God sent to them through the prophets.

¹³ Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts. They wouldn't listen to God; so God would not listen to them. You see it enough in today's world. People do not want to listen to God's Word, or study His scriptures, but when something bad happens to them they say: Please help us Lord, we need you now, forgive us if we have sinned against you. (A bunch of hypocrites)!

¹⁴ But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. God scattered them among the distant nations, where they were strangers. Their land became so desolate that no one even traveled through it. (Zephaniah 3:6), a warning to our nation and all the nations of the world today. We need to get back to God and His ways.

1 Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying. This will be a word of encouragement from the Lord.

² Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Mount Zion is one of God's favorite places. (Yes we have a jealous God). (Zechariah 1:14-16, Psalms 78:58-59, Isaiah 42:13-14). God is very passionate towards Jerusalem.

³ Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain. Christ will return to Mount Zion at the second advent. (Isaiah 2:2-3).

⁴ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. In the days of future fulfillment, the city (city of truth), will once again be safe and the people will be able to grow old and sit together in the city squares. (Isaiah 65:20-22).

⁵ And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Once again safe for the children to play in the streets.

⁶ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts. Remnant here is speaking of the exiles who then returned. (Haggai 1:12). It may have seemed impossible to the people in Zachariah's day, but nothing is impossible to God. (Jeremiah 32:17, 32:27, Luke 18:27).

⁷ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country. He will rescue His people from the east and the west. (Malachi 1:11), people will be brought from all around the world. It is going on today. Jews are returning from Russia, Peru, Ethiopia, Spain, the United States etc. (Many of them who went north over the Caucasus mountains and settled in Europe and the Americas).

⁸ And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. They will live safely again in Jerusalem, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God. (Jeremiah 4:2).

⁹ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. You have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building. Haggai and Zechariah were those two prophets speaking to the people at this time. (Haggai 2:15-19).

¹⁰ For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour. Before the work on the temple began, there were no jobs and money to hire the people. Travelers were not safe from the enemy because they were surrounded by all sides. "After the foundation of the temple was laid, the enemies of the Jews worked to have the project stopped." (Ezra 4:4-5).

¹¹ But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts. I will treat the remnant like I treated them before. (In contrast with the former days).

¹² For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. Seeds of peace and prosperity will be planted among the people. The vines will be heavy with fruit and the earth will produce good crops. (Ezekiel 34:27). The remnant in Judah and Israel will inherit these blessings. Who is this remnant? "God's elect." (Zechariah 8:6, Micah 4:6).

¹³ And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. The other nations look upon Judah and Israel as a cursed nation. Now you will be a symbol and source of a blessed nation. (Ezekiel 37:16-19). All nations that worship the true God and those who have derived the whole knowledge of God through the prophets, apostles, and teachers, and that the Savior (Jesus Christ), "in whom all nations shall be blessed," sprang from that favored race, emphatically explains what is meant by "ye shall be a blessing." The full accomplishment of this prediction, however, is probably reserved for the future restoration of the Jews and all Israel. "Jews and Gentiles alike." (Galatians 3:14, 3:28-29). 

¹⁴ For thus saith the Lord of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts, and I repented not. I "The Lord of Heavens Armies" was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered Me, and I did not change My mind. (Ezekiel 24:14, Jeremiah 4:28).

¹⁵ So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. God was determined to punish them, and now He is determined to bless them. (Zechariah 8:13, Zephaniah 3:16-17).

¹⁶ These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. This is what pleases the Lord. Tell the truth to each other and render verdicts that are just in your courts. "Speak the truth especially in your teaching of the Word." Forget all the traditions of men and false doctrines. "God's Word is all about truth." (John 14:6, I John 1:5, Ephesians 4:25).

¹⁷ And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord. Stop scamming each other and stop your love of telling lies that you swear are true. "God hates these things." (Psalms 10:3, Proverbs 6:16-19, Jeremiah 44:4).

¹⁸ And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying. Another message to Zechariah.

¹⁹ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. These traditional fast were appointed by man. Now they will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people.

²⁰ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities. People from nations around the world will travel to Jerusalem. (Zechariah 2:11). Many will join themselves to the Lord on that day and will be His people. What day? "The Lords day." (Revelation 11:15). The seventh and final trump, the return of Christ, and the time we gather back to Christ in our spiritual bodies. The Lord and His anointed shall now rule the world from this day to eternity.

²¹ And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. From one city to another the people will say: "Come to Jerusalem and seek the Lord." Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:3). Know what? The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 13:11). What is this former and later rain? The latter rain, ripening earth's harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. This was spoken about by the prophet Joel. "That in the last days (the later rain), God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh." It's happening now! (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:16-21).

²² Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. All will come to seek the Lord and ask for His blessings. (Galatians 3:8, Revelation 15:4).

²³ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. In other words, many will grab the sleeves of those who know God. They want the easy way out. They do not know God through the Word and many could care less. They just want the salvation. Don't be like the lazy ones who want a free ride. "It doesn't work that way." Study Gods Word and learn the truth. "It is that truth that will make you free." (John 8:32).

1 The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord. The message from the Lord against the land of Hadrach and the city of Damascus. (Isaiah 17:1-3, Jeremiah 49:23-27).

² And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. Hamath is a Syrian city north of Damascus. Tyre and Sidon are Phoenician cities on the coast of modern Lebanon, north of Israel.

³ And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. Tyre (the capital of the Phoenicians) had built a strong fortress and was loaded with silver and gold. The Phoenicians were known for their ship building and because of it's great ships it was a city of merchants, and very wealthy from trade.

⁴ Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. The Lord will strip away all her positions and destroy her power, and it will be burned to the ground. (Amos 1:10). The Assyrians tried to lay siege to Tyre but they gave up. Nebuchadnezzar tried to capture Tyre for over 13 years, but the people moved the city to an island off shore. Then Alexander pushed all the rubble into the ocean (left over from Nebuchadnezzar's siege of the city), and built a land bridge out to the island where it conquered the city.

⁵ Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall and will be filled with fear. Gaza will also shake with terror. Gaza's king will be killed, and Ashkelon will be deserted.

⁶ And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. A bastard (half-breed, or mongrel), will sit as king and I will destroy the pride of the Philistines. (Amos 1:8).

⁷ And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. The Lord will grab the bloody meat from their mouths and snatch the detestable sacrifices from their teeth. The surviving Philistines will worship God and become like a clan of Judah.

⁸ And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. God will guard His Temple and protect it from invading armies. (Isaiah 4:5, Joel 3:16-17).

⁹ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Rejoice people of Zion. Your King is coming and He will be righteous and victorious. He is humble, riding on a colt, the foal of an ass. (We are speaking of the first advent here when Jesus came riding upon a donkey's colt). (Matthew 21:5-7, Mark 11:7, Luke 19:30-35, John 12:14-16). There will be a day in the near future when Jesus arrives on a white horse, (The Second Advent). When He returns as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

¹⁰ And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. Destroy all weapons used in battle, and your King (Jesus Christ), will bring peace to all nations. His dominion will stretch from sea to sea to all the ends of the earth. Referring to a yet future coming of the Messiah. (The second advent). (Isaiah 2:4, 9:6-7, Micah 5:4, Revelation 11:15). 

¹¹ As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon. "The New Covenant through the blood of Jesus." Those who are in bondage and imprisoned to false teachings and traditions of men will be set free. (These waterless pits were cisterns that were empty and drained of water. They were often used as dungeons or prisons). (Genesis 37:24).   

¹² Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. Come back to a place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope. (Those still in Babylon or confusion). I promise to repay two blessings for each of your troubles. (Isaiah 61:7).

¹³ When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. Judah is My bow, and Israel My arrow. Jerusalem is My sword, and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the Greeks. (Isaiah 66:19, Daniel 11:2, Joel 3:6). And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. (Daniel 11:2). I will show you what the future holds. Three Persian kings will reign, succeeded by a forth that is far richer then the others. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. (Daniel 11:3). The mighty king shall rise in Greece who will rule this vast kingdom. (The little horn of Daniel 8:9). And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. (Daniel 8:9). The little horn became very strong and attacked the south and east, and made war against the land of Israel. (Talking future here and return of anti-Christ).

¹⁴ And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. The Lord will be with His people and His arrows will fly like lightning. He will sound the trumpet and will attack like a whirlwind. (Psalms 144:5-6, Isaiah 27:13, 66:15).

¹⁵ The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. The Lord will protect His people and trample on the enemies weapons, and they will defeat their enemies. Filled with blood like a bowl on the corners of the altar. (Leviticus 4:25, Zechariah 14:20).

¹⁶ And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. On that "Day" the Lord will rescue His people, just as the shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown. On what day? "The Lords day." (Isaiah 11:10-12, II Peter 3:10, Revelation 6:17, 16:14). For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:17). Remember (Revelations Chapter 1 verse 10), this is the Lord's Day, and the wrath of the Lord has come. Who will survive It? There is two tribulations. The tribulation of anti-Christ which comes first and then the tribulation of the real Christ. The first tribulation we stand against the anti-Christ and if you are in Christ, you do not need to worry about the second tribulation, Christ is not coming to harm you.

¹⁷ For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. Whatever gifts God gives us, we must serve Him cheerfully. When we are refreshed with blessings, we must say, "How great is His goodness." (Revelation 5:12-14). This is the Lord's day when every knee will bow.

1 Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. Ask the Lord for the rain and He will send it. The rain in Israel comes in two seasons. The former rain (September-October), and the latter rain (March-April). The spiritual meaning of the former rain was partially fulfilled. (Acts 2:1-8). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the cloven tongue of Pentecost. Everyone present was filled with the "Holy Spirit" and began to speak in languages they did not know. (Literally, in languages they did not know). The "Holy Spirit" gave them the ability to understand in every language spoken. Man cannot do that, only the "Holy Spirit" can. The spiritual meaning of the later rain will be fulfilled in the near future, "on the Lords Day." (Acts 2:16-21, Joel 2:28-31). A pouring out of His Spirit (The Holy Spirit), among all those who believe in Him, and they shall prophesy. (Galatians 3:28). "We will be all one in Christ." In the end times His Spirit will be poured upon all people. Servants, men, and women alike. (I Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11). Again, this is taking place now my friend. "God's Spirit is strong among His followers." (They are learning truth like never before in time).

² For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. In other words, there idols were worthless and gave no advice. Their fortune tellers and interpreters of dreams only predicted lies and falsehoods that give no comfort. They wonder like lost sheep because they have no shepherd. (Ezekiel 34:8, Matthew 9:36). Don't be lost without a shepherd. Jesus Christ is our shepherd and our comfort is found in Him.

³ Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle. The anger of the Lord was against their shepherds (idols, fortune tellers, and interpreters of dreams), and He will punish these leaders ruling over the nations. (Isaiah 24:21, Zephaniah).

⁴ Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together. These are all descriptions of the Messiah. The corner (Matthew 21:42), the nail (Isaiah 22:23), the battle bow (Zechariah 9:10), The oppressor = governor or ruler.

⁵ And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. Like mighty warriors in battle who trample their enemies and the Lord is with them. (Zechariah 14:3, Revelation 19:13-15). Christ's second advent and His return. "His army is coming." His mouth is a two edge sword. (Revelation 1:16). Striking down the nations with power and He will rule them with an iron grip. This wrath is only against His enemies, not His people.

⁶ And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them. I will strengthen Judah (The Southern kingdom), and save Israel (The Northern kingdom). I will restore them again because of My compassion. (Hosea 1:11, Romans 11:25-26).

⁷ And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord. The people of Israel will become like mighty warriors and their hearts will be filled with joy.

⁸ I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. This word "hiss" is "sharaq" Strong's H8319 a shrill or whistle or call. The Lord will whistle and they will come running. (Isaiah 5:26, 7:18), and they will be as numerous as the sands of the sea. (Hosea 1:10).

⁹ And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again. They were scattered like seeds among the nations, but will remember Me in Distant lands. (The true believers have never forgotten God). We can see it going on today. The Jews are returning to Israel from all over the world.

¹⁰ I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them. This might be looking back to when God brought the Jews out of Egypt into the promise land.   

¹¹ And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away. They will pass safely through the sea of distress. Possibly looking forward to when God removes any obstacles that would keep them from returning home.

¹² And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord. The Lord will make His people strong, and go where they wish in the name of the Lord. (Psalms 68:34-35, Isaiah 41:10, Micah 4:5, Colossians 2:6).

1 Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. The cedars of Lebanon will be destroyed by fire. (Jeremiah 22:6-7, 22:23).

² Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. Weep you cypress trees, for the most majestic cedars have fallen and the thick forests have been cut down. (Isaiah 2:12-17, 10:33-34). 

³ There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. Shepherds represents the rulers of the State. The young lions are the greedy nobles.

⁴ Thus saith the Lord my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter. Go and care for the flock that is intended for the slaughter. "Zechariah is to represent a good shepherd, and is sent to the people who's rulers destroy them." Just as they destroyed the prophets before. (Acts 7:52).

⁵ Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the Lord; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. A picture of the leaders of Israel not caring for their flock, allowing them to be slaughtered. (Jeremiah 23:1-2, Ezekiel 34:2-3, Matthew 23:14). The same takes place with many Priests and Pastors today. They feed themselves (with food and riches), (I Timothy 6:5-10), but they do not feed the people the truth in the Word. (Remember that judgment begins at the pulpit).

⁶ For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. God will no longer have pity on the people of this land and He will let them fall into the hands of their neighbor's and king. They will turn their land into a wilderness. "This should bring our attention to the end times when Christians will be betrayed both by parents, brethren and friends." (Matthew 10:21, 10:34, Luke 21:16, 21:16-17).

⁷ And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. God will feed the flock intended for slaughter that was oppressed. "God told Zechariah to feed the flock of the slaughter." (Zechariah 11:4). Representing a good shepherd of the people at the time. This word "Staves" here is "maqqel maqqlah" Strong's H4731 meaning to germinate, a shoot, a rod, staff. God is sending out two shoots. One called beauty "noam" Strong's H5278 meaning delight, splendor, grace, beauty. (Jesus Christ), and the other is called Bands "chebel chebel" Strong's H2256 meaning a noose, ruin, destruction, pain, snare, sorrow. (Satan as anti-Christ), referring to the end times when anti-Christ comes before the the real Christ. (John 10:11-14). Christ cares for the sheep (His Children), Satan is like a hireling, and does not care for the sheep. He is also like a wolf that likes to scatter the sheep. 

⁸ Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. I got rid of their three evil shepherds in a single month. We can identify these with three classes of evil shepherds that dominated the life of Israel during the ministry of Christ. (The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians).

⁹ Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another. When Jesus was rejected by the Jews, He stopped being their Shepherd. (Jeremiah 23:33, 23:39, Matthew 13:10-11, 21:43).

¹⁰ And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. The day is coming when God will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. (Hebrews 8:8-13).

¹¹ And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord. The poor of flock - perhaps the Jewish believers, Jesus disciples. They realized that the scriptures were being fulfilled after they saw what was happening.

¹² And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. The shepherd asks for his pay. They paid him thirty pieces of silver. (The value of a slave in Exodus 21:32). Sound Familiar? (Matthew 26:15, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6).

¹³ And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. Throw it to the potter, the sum at which they value me. Judas realized what he had done and wanted to give the money back to the chief priests. They took the money and bought a potter's field as a place to burry strangers. (Matthew 27:3-10).

¹⁴ Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. The bond between Judah and Israel was broken. (Isaiah 11:13).

¹⁵ And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. Go again and play the part of the worthless shepherd. (Ezekiel 13:3, Matthew 15:14), They rejected the good shepherd just as they do today. It is like the blind leading the blind and many will be deceived.

¹⁶ For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. This looks forward to the anti-Christ; for one of his titles is "the idol shepherd."

¹⁷ Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. Sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd who abandons the flock. The sword will cut his arm and pierce his right eye and he will become blind and useless. "The deadly wound." (Revelation 13:3, 13:14).

1 The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. A message from the Lord to remind them just who He was. He laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit. (Genesis 1:1,  2:7, Isaiah 45:18, Jeremiah 10:12, Hebrews 1:10-12). Read our newsletter study topic titled "Three Earth Ages," about the foundations of the earth. 

² Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. Gods cup of wrath poured out in the end times. Zechariah is describing the battle of Armageddon. The final battle before Christ returns to earth at the second advent.

³ And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Jerusalem will become a immovable rock. Those who come against Jerusalem will fail and be cut into pieces. (Micah 4:11-13, Revelation 16:14, 17:12-14, 19:19-21, 20:8-9). Assyria, Persia, Rome, Greece, Egypt, of old, and in later days Spain, Portugal, and Russia have been so lacerated on account of their treatment of the Jews.

⁴ In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. What Day? "The Lord's Day." God will cause every horse to panic and every rider to lose his nerve that come upon the people of Judah. (Zechariah 10:5).

⁵ And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. They will say that they have found strength in the Lord. (Psalm 118:10-14).

⁶ In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. The leaders of Judah in that day will be very strong. They will burn up all the Neighboring nations while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure. (We can see it heating up over their today).

⁷ The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. The Lord will give victory to the rest of Judah first, before Jerusalem and the royal line of David will not have greater honor than the rest of Judah.

⁸ In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. On the day of the Lord He will defend the people of Jerusalem. The weakest among them will be as mighty as "King David." The royal descendants will have the angel of the Lord before them.

⁹ And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. On the day of the Lord, He will begin to destroy all nations who come against Jerusalem. (Isaiah 54:17, Haggai 2:22).

¹⁰ And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. God will pour out His spirit of grace on the family of David and the people of Jerusalem. They will look upon the one they have pierced and mourn for Him. "Referring to Jesus Christ." (Jeremiah 31:9, 50:4).

¹¹ In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. The morning in Jerusalem will be like the great mourning for Hadad Rimmon in the valley of Megiddo. (II Kings 23:29). This was the place where the nation mourned for King Josiah after he was killed by Pharaoh Necho.

¹² And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart. All Israel will mourn, each clan by themselves. The clan of David will mourn alone as the clan of Nathan. Why were they mourning? Because they realize that Jesus, whom they have rejected for two thousand years, is their Messiah. Nathan was the son of David. (II Samuel 5:14, 7:2-4, Luke 3:321).   

¹³ The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart. The clan of Levi (The priestly tribe), and the clan of Shimei. (Numbers 3:18).  

¹⁴ All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. The surviving clans from Judah will mourn separately, and with the husbands separate form their wives. In other words, in the end times, it won't just be a general national turning to Jesus, but an individual turning to Jesus. "We need to have a personal relationship with Jesus." (Proverbs 9:12).

1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. On the Lords day (Points to the future), a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem. A fountain of cleansing from sins and impurity. (Revelation 7:13-14). These are the ones who hung in there through the tribulation and were not deceived by Satan. They did the work they were supposed to do, and they washed their robes with the blood of the Lamb which is Christ.

² And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. No more idol worship and no more false prophets. (Revelation 20:1-3). All the roles of Satan shall be bound. Remember that Satan is a play actor and a fake with many rolls that he plays throughout the bible. Satan's evil spirit is locked up so that he cannot fool the nations any more until the thousand years are finished. But, then he must be loosed for a short period of time. Why? To test those who never new the truth before. There will be many at this time of the millennium (1,000 years of teaching), who never had a chance to know God's Word, and also those who have been deceived in God's Word most of their lives.

³ And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. Anyone who continues to prophesy (false prophets), will be put to death. (Deuteronomy 18:20), Remember that judgment begins at the pulpit.

⁴ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive. The false prophets will be exposed in the end times, and they will no longer be able to deceive the people. (Matthew 7:15). A prophet is a true man of God and teacher of the Word. Plenty of fakes out there deceiving people teaching their own doctrine and traditions of men. Christ warns us to stay away from these wolves in sheep's clothing.

⁵ But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. They will deny being a prophet and claim to be a farmer or another trade.

⁶ And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. If they ask about the wounds on your chest, what will you say? I would say that I was wounded at a friends house. In the past sense, the false prophets would make wound on themselves while trying to call in their gods. (I Kings 18:28). In the future sense, Messiah is spoken of in contrast with these prophets. Referring to His past rejection, and to the time when His wounds have been received. (John 1:11).

⁷ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Smite the Shepherd and the sheep will scatter. The fulfilling of: (Isaiah 53:5-10).

⁸ And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. Two thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die, but one third of the people will be left in the land. Many will die, but a remnant of Gods elect will be saved. (Joel 2:31-32, Matthew 24:22, Mark 13:20, Romans 11:26).

⁹ And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. I will bring that remnant through the fire and make them pure. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. (Romans 10:12-14, Hebrews 8:10, Revelation 21:7).

1 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. The day of the Lord, referring to Jerusalem in the end times when Christ returns. (Isaiah 2:11-12, 13:6).

² For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. The nations will fight against Jerusalem. (Referring to the yet future and final siege on Jerusalem). The remnant of the people shall not be cut off. (Zechariah 13:8-9, Matthew 24:22).

³ Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. The Lord will fight against those nations that come against Jerusalem. (Isaiah 63:1-6, Revelation 19:11-16).

⁴ And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. When Christ returns at the second advent His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives will split into two parts, making a wide valley. I believe this could be referring to "The valley of decision." (Joel 3:12-14).

⁵ And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. This valley would be like an escape route for the remaining people in Jerusalem. "The Lord will come with His army of saints clothed in fine linen." (Revelation 19:14).

⁶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark. In other words it would be kind of a gloomy day. Not light and not dark.

⁷ But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. There will be no normal day and night, but even in the evening time it will still be light. In other words, there will be a new source of light. "Jesus Christ." (Revelation 21:23, 22:5). "The Shekinah Glory." Jesus would say... "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD." (John 12:46).

⁸ And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. Again, what day? "The Lords Day." Life giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean Sea, flowing year round. (Ezekiel 47:1-12, Revelation 22:1-2). Jesus spoke of these living waters. (John 4:14, 7:38).

⁹ And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He shall reign forever. (Revelation 11:15).

¹⁰ All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. Jerusalem will become one vast plain, but will be raised up in it's original place. (Zechariah 12:6, Jeremiah 30:18).

¹¹ And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. They will dwell safely in Jerusalem, never to be destroyed again. (Jeremiah 33:15-16).

¹² And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. The Lord will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. "Tested by fire, because God is a consuming fire. He can warm the hearts of His people while He consumes the rudiments of evil." (Revelation 18:8).

¹³ And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. This word "tumult" Strong's H4103 is "confusion or uproar." They will be in confused and in an uproar, terrified and stricken by the Lord, and neighbors will rise against each other. (Ezekiel 38:21).

¹⁴ And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. Judah will also fight at Jerusalem and will capture all the wealth of the heathen around her. "Heathen used here is the neighboring nations." (Isaiah 23:18).

¹⁵ And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. The same plague will strike all their animals also.

¹⁶ And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. In the end, the enemies who survive the plague will go to Jerusalem each year to worship the Lord of Host. "The feast of Tabernacles" will be celebrated by the nations of the world." (Leviticus 23:33-36).

¹⁷ And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. Those who do not participate will experience drought. (Revelation 11:6). The two witnesses have the power to control nature any way they please. They will also be able to control people and turn them to the truth.

¹⁸ And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. If the people of Egypt refuse to attend the festival, they will receive the same plague that the other nations who refused.

¹⁹ This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. Punishment among the nations who do not receive the "Light of the world." (John 3:19).

²⁰ In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness Unto The Lord; and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. When Christ returns at the second advent, He will clean house and make everything right. This brings my attention to when Christ cleaned out the temple of the money changers. (Matthew 21:12-13).

²¹ Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts. The Canaanites were peddlers of merchandize, and there will no longer be traders in the Temple of the Lord of hosts. (Zephaniah 1:11).