Calvary Chapel of Westmoreland's Podcast

God always remembers His people! Return to me and I will return to you is the theme of Zechariah. We as His people are always in the spiritual state of returning to God in deeper ways. God uses adversity to get our attention and to cause us to really desire His Lordship in our lives. When nothing seems to be working and we become overwhelmed in our lives by personal trials, and look at the ungodliness of a world gone mad in sin, we can easily become fearful. If in our affliction we choose to dedicate our lives to His will no matter what, we become calm in the midst of the storm knowing for certain God is with us. If we are weak in affliction, we're commanded to be strong in the Lord. If we are troubled in our adversity, we're commanded to be anxious for nothing and pray. If we feel like there is no possible deliverance, we are reminded throughout scripture, God makes a way where there is no way. We are to trust Him alone with our very lives. He knows what He is doing and it will work out for our good and His glory.

Zechariah has the unique calling of being a prophet to Israel in times past while also giving them insight of their millennial future. As students of God's Word, we learn from the mistakes of Israel regarding the consequences of disobedience and pride. But we are also encouraged as we see God's never ending mercy and grace as He is a God who always restores us to a place of blessing as we live in humility and repentance.

The consequences in our lives for not listening and obeying the voice of God made manifest by the Holy Spirit through His Word is disastrous. Israel always seemed to listen and have blessing initially, then they forgot the admonitions given to them, became hard-hearted and refused to obey. The heart of human beings is given to rebellion and pride which always results in lives being disciplined by God. Our lives then are trapped in bondage and we sacrifice spiritual-life and freedom for self-centered living, which always is eventually judged by God. Zechariah clearly hears from God and history teaches all of us that disobedience ruins our lives.

As Israel understood intellectually the reason for fasting unto The Lord, they had forsaken the heart of the fast that would be reflected by how they obeyed The Lord. 1 Samuel 15:22 discusses this regarding God desiring heart sacrifice over dead religious ritual. Christians can fall into this pattern of dead religious duty or obligation versus experiencing the freshness of serving God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, which gives us the ability to be living waters of grace. We can learn from Israel about the importance of recognizing that God sees whether we truly love Him by doing what He commands us to do. Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." To obey Him is better than religious ritual. It's all about our hearts...

Today's final Vision is the eighth vision and it deals again with God's angelic messengers and how they will be used to bring judgement upon the nations at the end of the Tribulation - prior to Christ's Second Coming. This judgement levels the playing field of the people who have been the adversaries of God's plan to bring forth His Millennial Kingdom that will be established when Jesus returns. We are to be spiritually prepared for the final culmination of Biblical Prophecy, and Zechariah, through the Visions, has given us insights into our great need of daily repentance so we are ready to one day meet our Savior face-to-face.

Today we look at two visions , the 6th vision has to do with God purifying the Remnant of sins that have ruined their lives, and the 7th vision has to do with God purifying the believer from the wicked world system symbolized by Babylon.

The constant supply of oil flowing from the Olive Trees represents The Holy Spirit flowing into us as His vessels. No matter what we encounter in our lives we can be assured that God's power is never absent. He provides for us all we need in times of being overwhelmed with the challenges of life. This chapter reminds us in whatever challenging times we find ourselves it is not by our might or our power but by His Spirit we overcome. Lord help us to be humble crying out to you for your ability in us to face the unexpected times of life for you alone have all power!

How Joshua depicts Christ and His priestly ministry of Christ's intercession for us against the accusations of Satan. This is also prophetic regarding the millennial kingdom yet to come!

Today, we continue to look at the Eight Visions that Zechariah had on one evening. We will cover the 2nd and 3rd Visions this morning. What's fascinating regarding these visions is that they deal with the present and future plans God has for the Nation of Israel and also God's plans for the entire earth during the Last Days. The 2nd vision deals with God's judgement upon the nations who persecuted Israel. The third vision deals with the rebuilding of the temple and the city of Jerusalem, but also the future Messianic Kingdom that we, as His people, are looking for in the future. These visions are to bring comfort to His people.

God spoke through the Prophet Zechariah detailing through a vision describing His intentions for the rebuilding of the Temple. The writer was given specific supernatural revelation regarding what was to come to pass. God's favor is now upon Israel once again in spite of their previous rebellion that cost them 70 years in exile from their homeland. As they have now repented and turned to the Lord they would see the beauty of the Lord's vision for them as His people. God has returned to Jerusalem with mercies, He is making comfortable promises to His chosen remnant. For us today as believers when we depart from God's will we suffer His discipline. Yet when we return God desires to extend His tender mercies that we may live a fruitful and abundant life.