The first 8 verses of the ninth chapter of Zechariah mentions the conquering of sereral cities but upon closer examination, we find the prophesy that would change the course of the ancient world in a significant way - the rise of the Greek empire. How would this prepare the world for the Messiah? First of all, it would provide a uniform languare for the then known world - Greek - the language that the New Testament would be written in with all of its precision. The Greek empire set the stage for the Roman empire. The Roman empire would bring the cenus that had Mary go to Bethlehem and take the Messiah to the cross-the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. What we can find encouraging in prophesy is that God will have what ought to be come to be in His time. Our world is a mess that is getting messier as mankind tries to solve problems apart from God. But there is hope! God will reorder this broken world and what ought to be will be - He promises this!

The people of Zechariah's day were facing the monumental task of rebuilding the temple while facing opposition from enemies. They could easily become discouraged, but the prophet wanted to remind them that God was with them and they still had a future because of God's faithfulness. Future hope forges strength today.

The people of Zechariah's day were looking for the bare minimum in maintaining a relationship with God, just as their ancestors had done. This is never the way to pursue a relationship with anyone - especially God. Any relationship based on duty rather than devotion is doomed to fail.

When we look at our world, we see a world in disarray - wars, nuclear threats, terrorism - we can feel vulnerable, frightened, and perhaps even angry with those who oppose us and would seek our demise. But there is one who is in control over all these things. Zechariah 6 reminds us that God controls the nations and that the Messiah is coming. He will bring all of the disorder into order by His glorious presence. Just like us, the band of exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild needed these words also.

Just as the people of God in Zechariah's day had allowed the spirit of Babylon to creep in to their values and confuse their moral choices, we must compare our world view against the Word of God carefully. As believers we will be foreced to make choices about who we follow and what constitutes evil or wickedness in our culture and our society right now.

Sin leads us toward destruction, but God in His grace, snathces us from the fire anyone who will turn to Him!

Zechariah has a series of 8 visions that came to him during the night of February 15, 519. These visions where to encourange and inspire a group of exiles who had returned to Jersulaem to rebuild the Temple. Because of outside pressure, they wondered if God was really with them and if they could complete the task. These visions were to remind them that God is still in control!

Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai preaching to a group of 50,000 Israelites who had been sent by a Persian king to rebuild the temple. The people had become distracted and work had ceased. They were heading toward the sinful patterns of disobediience of their ancestors. Zechariah relates visions he received from the Lord and seeks to call the people to repentance and obedience and offer hope that God still has plans for their future.

Malachi the prophet was calling people to come back to God, to remember who He is and how as a people they should respond to Him. He also reminds us who holds the future. To choose a course away from God is to choose a path that puts us on the wrong side of things.

Three requirement for disciples of Christ. How are you imitating Christ as you make others disciples like Jesus?