Explaining Romans 11:19-22

Those verses read:  Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.  Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not high minded, but fear:  for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.  Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off (Romans 11:19-22).

On the surface these verses appear to speak of loss of salvation, but they do not. What is being explained here is that the apostle Paul is talking about is through the Hebrews unbelief, the way of salvation has been opened to the Gentiles (i.e. heathen, pagan, non-Jew, the nations). Those that believe have been grafted into the olive tree which is a symbol of God’s covenant blessings with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21;17:1-27). 

Those that did not continue in belief were cut off from the olive tree (God’s covenant blessing).

In Acts 13:42-48 we read, And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.  Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.  And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.  And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).  And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

So here we read a proof text that salvation was never designed for only the Hebrews, but for Gentiles as well. That was always God’s plan; to save people from every tribe, tongue and nation. Gentiles have as much right to obtain eternal life as the Hebrew, but it only benefits those that believe.

The aforementioned was an aside, now back to the matter at hand. To carefully explain the verses in question, we need to understand the subject so I repeat, the verses are dealing with the temporary setting aside of the natural branches (i.e. Jews), and the grafting in of the wild olive branches (i.e. Gentiles).

Notice how Paul warns the Gentile believers in verse 20-21 to not be high minded, but fear, for if God did not spare not the natural branches, he may not spare you either.

Here Paul gives a stern warning to genuine and false believers. The true child of God will fear and heed the warning. They realize that they’ve been grafted into the olive tree due to pure grace on God’s part. This also gives them pause so that they can examine themselves (II Corinthians 13:5). This is the opportunity to make your calling and election sure (II Peter 2:10). The writer knows that although we’re saved, it’s very easy to retard back to old habits and become unproductive in the things of God so these warnings are good checkpoints to keep the believer vibrant and persevering in faith.

The false convert on the other hand will not heed the warnings of the Lord and will be exposed ultimately for the fraud he really is and will be cut off from the blessings of God.

                         Why would God permit a false convert to enjoy his covenant blessings

This gets to the crux of the matter. What’s important to understand that in the Old Testament all the children of Israel were saved nationally and covenantly  when they were purchased and delivered out of slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 32:6), but not all were justified by faith; only those that exhibited the faith of their father Abraham (Romans 4:10-12) were justified spiritually and were saved; that is part of the olive tree. So we see here that the branches that were broken off were unbelieving Israel. They enjoyed in the benefits of the covenant, but were not saved eternally because of unbelief. Their rejection of their Messiah opened the way to the Gentiles. Those Gentiles that believed in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross were grafted in or brought into divine covenant blessings with believing Jews. They exercised the faith of their father 

Abraham who is the father of faith. These are the elect.

In the present and future scripture says all Israel will be saved once the time of Gentiles is complete. The term all has to be qualified. It means God has sovereignly chosen a remnant of the Jews that will be saved. This remnant will believe unto salvation and Israel will then be grafted back into the olive tree; that is receive covenant blessings again. This tells the reader that God has not abandoned his children Israel whom he foreknew (Romans 11:1); they were simply set aside due to unbelief so that the Gentiles could enjoy the benefits of God’s saving grace and his covenant blessing (Acts 13:42-48).

Those non-Jews that receive covenant blessing that aren’t truly saved are nominal Christians. They’ve only accepted the gospel intellectually, but not savingly. They have what the writer of this article calls a “demon faith” (James 2:19), not a saving faith. They fall into the parable of the sower, particularly Matthew 13:20-21 which says that,  And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;  yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. This individual is a demon seed planted by the devil amongst the good seed (Read Matthew 13:36-43). God allows them for a time to enjoy the benefits of the saved. The true and false convert are allowed to co-exist until the end of the age (i.e. the harvest). This person is what some call a “Judas branch” (John 15:6). This type of person will be cut off from the olive tree. Why? Because they never truly believed the gospel. They do not bear the fruit of true repentance (Matthew 3:8-10).  This type of person isn’t losing salvation, they never obtained it. Only true believers will remain in the olive tree, because God keeps them believing unto eternal life.

Will God deliver believers over to Satan?

That’s a very provocative question. The shocking answer to the question is yes! You may be saying, “now wait a minute! Why in the world would God do something like that? We belong to the Lord! God and Satan are eternal enemies right?”

That indeed is true. I know it’s a disturbing question, but one we need to explore. As always we must search the scriptures to see what God has to say regarding this controversial matter.

Let’s examine the beginnings of Job chapters one and two:

6 Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. 7 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. 9 Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. 12 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.

13 And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, 14 that there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them; 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away: yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house; 19 and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; 21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (Emphasis added).

Job 1:6-22 (ASV)

In Job chapter two we read:

Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah. 2 And Jehovah said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face. 6 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.  Again, God delivered Job over to the power of Satan to afflict him.

7 So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips (Emphasis added).

Job 2:1-10 (ASV)

In both of these accounts we read how after God and Satan had a discussion regarding Job, the Lord granted permission to the devil to afflict Job; first with the loss of his children and business in chapter one, then with disease on his own body in chapter two. So we’re back to the original question, why would God give Job over to Satan to torment him? Doesn’t God love Job? After all, He said that he’s a righteous man, and there is none like him in all the earth. He fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:8;2:3).

Job wasn’t given over to Satan because he was in sin, it was because he feared and served  God.  God permitted Satan to tempt Job say that he may curse God to his face when calamity fell on him. The devil always will tempt us to sin. God was on the other hand perfecting or proving Job’s faith which was solid for the word says, 20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; 21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly, and “In all this Job did not sin with this lips (Job 1:20-22;2:10).

A comparative passage regarding Job’s dilemma is in James 1:2-3, “Count it all joy when you fall into manifold temptations. Knowing that the proving of your faith works patience.” In the same chapter verse thirteen it says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man.”

What we learn from these accounts is that God allows the devil to tempt us, but notice that God gave him the rules of engagement. In the first account Satan couldn’t harm Job physically (Job 1:12). In the second account, Satan was allowed to afflict him with boils, but wasn’t allowed to kill him (Job 2:6).

Satan can only do what God allows him to do regarding his children. The trial is sifted through the heart of God almighty.

Job through unbearable pain and suffering consciously worshipped and glorified God which is a clear mark of genuine faith and true relationship. He did not charge  God with wrongdoing like most people would; even some so called Christians.

            

               What about sinning members in the church? Are they to be turned over to Satan?

There’s a serious problem going on in the church at Corinth. In chapter five of I Corinthians we read about a man fornicating with his father’s wife which was the sinning member’s step mother. Apparently this was an ongoing sin in the church and other members had not done nothing about it but rather applauded the sin which upset Paul. Paul said the incestuous act was not even named among the heathen yet it’s happening in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 5:1-2).

Paul had this to say regarding the matter, “For I verily, as absent in body, but present in the spirit, have judged already, as though I were present concerning him that has done this deed. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and with my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (I Corinthians 5:3-5).

Here Paul commanded with the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to deliver the sinning member over to the devil for the destruction or ruin of his flesh; for it’s with his body he’s committing this heinous act of sin against God and his church, In verse thirteen it also says to excommunicate the wicked member out of the fellowship of believers before his wicked ways corrupt other members of the church. The sinning member is in the worst state possible; he’s now the devil’s pawn, and he’s cut off from the fellowship of believers. This is most serious and places that member in state of extreme weakness and vulnerability due to his sin which has isolated him. This is NOT how a Christian should live so repentance to God is definitely of the essence to get Satan off  his back.  Why does this discipline have to take place? Let’s view scripture.

15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. 17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican (i.e. turn that wicked over to Satan).

Matt 18:15-17 (ASV)

Hebrew 12:5-11 has this to say, “5 and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. 11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.”

II Thessalonians 3:14-15 say this, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that  man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish as a brother.”

The goal in this severe Godly discipline is to rebuke the sinning member publicly that others may fear (I Timothy 5:20), but ultimately the rebellious person repents, bears the fruit of righteousness and be restored back to fellowship. The rebuke has to be harsh so that sin can be resisted and holiness is the pursuit of the church. In the interim, saints of God should be praying that he acknowledges his sins and confesses them so that he can be healed (James 5:16).

His removal from the fellowship will definitely bring about shame and humiliation in the member’s life, and hopefully his exile will produce Godly sorrow because of his excommunication from the assembly. If he’s truly a child of God, he’ll genuinely repent of his sin, and be received back into the fellowship of believers where he belongs. Contrite members must be restored immediately (Galatians 6:1). We do not want them to have undeserved sorrow over the deserved Godly sorrow they have already exhibited  once they repent and renounce their sin (II Corinthians 2:6-8). 

So in this scenario, the turning one over to Satan is negative initially because of wickedness, but in the case of Job it was positive because of righteousness. As oddly as it may sound, the devil is also God’s servant, fulfilling God’s will although he’s the epitome of evil and is opposed to Him. Also keep in mind that just because God’s uses Satan, doesn’t mean the devil is absolved of his wickedness. God sovereignly can and does use all of his creatures (including Satan) to fulfill his plans whether the creature is good or evil. This is a clear expression of God’s omnipotence.

In the final analysis, God can use Satan to afflict us because of righteousness; that it may strengthen and mature our faith and relationship  in God. Or God will allow Satan to break us down due to our obstinacy of heart toward God so that we repent of our sins and restore our relationship with Him and have return to us the joy of our salvation.

Where does Satan reside?

                                              

A lot of people do not care about the question because many people do not believe in a actual personage named the devil. For many, he's just a symbol or personification describing evil. If you ask others  the question, they will tell you the devil or Satan lives in hell with his demons tormenting dead wicked sinners. But is this reasoning true? Some may be shocked to discover that is not true at all; the devil believe it or not resides in the heavenly places. Don’t believe me? Well, let’s see what the bible has to say about it.

In the book of Job chapters one and two it says this, “now there was a day when the sons of God (Angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. In Job 2:1 it says that Satan also presented himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come from?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job 1:6; 2:1-2).

Here we read that God and Satan dialogued what appears to be in heaven. Why was Satan there? Two things:

1.He’s the accuser of the brethren. Satan constantly accuses God’s  people ( Revelation 12:10).

2. Satan is as a roaring lion walking to and fro in the earth seeking whom may devour (I Peter 5:8).

We find in the book of Job that the devil was on a seek and destroy mission; mainly to destroy Job – look at Job chapters one and two. Satan for now has access to God, shocking!

In Ephesians 2:2 the devil is called the prince of the power of the air, not the prince of  hell. He works in the children of disobedience. The bible makes references to evil spirits (demons) on the earth and in the heavens (Daniel 10:13,20; Jude 9; Ephesians 6:12)

Also, at the temptation of Jesus In Matthew chapter four the devil approaches our Lord right here on earth to tempt him, not in hell.

Satan’s final non-resting place will be the LAKE OF FIRE where the wicked dead, the unsaved go along with the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 20:10;15).

The idea of the devil residing in hell most likely comes from fictional literature namely Dante’s Inferno; a 14^th century poem where the writer describes Satan in the ninth and lowest circle of  hell trapped in ice because he committed the greatest sin – personal treachery against the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, who's in charge?

The writer posed the question because we need to answer the question of who’s in charge in the Church, Men or Women?

In I Timothy 2:11-13 it reads, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission, and I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was created first, then Eve.”

The scripture continues in I Timothy 3:1-7, “If a man desires the office of bishop (or overseer), he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous. One who rules his house well (if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how can he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the snare and condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Also in Titus 1:5-9 Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in Crete and surrounding cities listing their qualifications: if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”

It’s clear from scripture that leadership in the church has been appointed to men by God Almighty. Women in pastoral roles, beings elders, and bishops, apostles, prophetesses is not what the bible proscribes. Although it’s accepted and popular in our contemporary church culture, it’s not biblical. The aforementioned passages regarding bishops, overseers, elders and pastors isn’t antiquated; it didn’t apply to the first century church only, it applies to the church today.

It’s true men and women in Christ are one spiritually. Women aren’t inferior to men essentially (Galatians 3:28), but in church leadership, women are given a less authoritative role. Headship in the church belongs to men. The scripture declares women are to be silent and learn, and be in submission (to their own husbands) (I Timothy 2:11-13). The women’s role in the church is of a supportive nature, not a leadership one.

The role of the older women are to be teachers of good things (Titus 2:3) – that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed, vs 4-5.

Unfortunately, the lines have been blurred from what is biblical verses what is pop culture. The humanistic world view has trumped the biblical world view so now the roles are reversed; the church has become feminized as women usurp the role of men in the church which only breeds chaos and disorder. Paul said in I Corinthians 14:40 regarding public worship, “let everything be done decent and in order (emphasis added).”

This error is so common place in the church that we’ve been “hexed or bewitched” to the degree that many believe it’s okay to have women as Pastors which actually is an oxy-moron. Women who claim God called them to the pastorate have either been deceived or have outright lied. God would not call a woman to a position that he clearly forbids in his word. The word of God is being blasphemed (Titus 2:5). This is indeed a serious matter! We can not allow subjective experience to be the determiner of truth and expect the word of God to bow it’s knee to it. We must qualify our experiences in light of holy scripture and bow our knees to the word of God which is objective truth.

No doubt many women are qualified teachers of scripture. Thank God for them! However, women in the public assembly are to remain quiet and learn. Women are allowed to teach women and children, but not men; that’s where the line must be drawn. Women do not have the authority to tell men what to do in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ; that’s a perversion! It’s not chauvinism as some would say, it’s the word of God. A true woman of God recognizes her role in God’s plan as a blessed, and privileged one. I believe equally as important, but with less authority than the man. Remember the head of the woman is the man (I Corinthians 11:3). 

It’s a glorious thing to submit and fall into the role that God designed for men and women.

Shame on the woman for usurping the role of the man. Shame on the man for not taking his rightful place in leadership. Both are culpable. Once the word of God is taught properly in this most critical issue, the transforming power of scripture will penetrate the hearts of his saints, and we’ll willingly submit to it’s truth. We’ll have more joy, and peace in the church; God’s word is honored instead of blasphemed, and things will be done decent and in order.

The book of Malachi - A commentary

The name Malachi means “my messenger” or “ messenger of God”

Chapter 1 -  The prophet starts off by declaring his love for Israel and his contempt for the nation of Edom (i.e. descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau). Apparently the Hebrews were questioning God’s affection from them hence the opening response by the prophet, vs. 2

God is displeased because of the lack of reverence in their worship toward him. The priests are vowing to God the best of their possessions, but actually offering the worst; showing contempt for God and their office. God said that he will not accept their sacrifices, vs. 6-10.

God said, “when you offer the lame and sick is it not evil?” God said your governor wouldn’t accept such a profane offering. The prophet told the people God would rather shut the doors of the temple than for them to offer unholy, worthless sacrifices on his altar – don’t offer anything at all.

The prophet closes  by saying in the end times, his name will be honored by all nations for he is a great King.

Chapter 2 -  The prophet rehearses to them how the priesthood began through the Levites; the priestly tribe. How in the beginning the priests were faithful to the Lord, and turned away from impurity, vs 4-6.

The second issue was dealing with marriages. Men are rebuked for marrying pagan wives which led to rampant idolatry which rendered the sacrifices to God unacceptable. They corrupted their worship. God in turn had to cut the offender off from his people, vs 11, 12. The prophet commands the men to deal faithfully with your wife, vs 15-16.

Finally, the prophet declares Israel wearied him with their words which were lies. The people were questioning God’s goodness saying God rewards evil and punishes good, and where is the God of justice? vs. 17.

People that are in constant sin, view of God is always wrong due to the deceitfulness of sin, and it’s blinding affects to distort righteous judgment. To them, right and wrong are in a role reversal because they’re looking at life through their own eyes which can’t see clearly.

*Key verses – Verse 7; For the lips of the Priest keep knowledge and the people should seek the law from his mouth.

Verse 16 – God hates divorce. It covers one’s garment with violence (Like Bloodshed)

Chapter 3 – Malachi predicts the coming of John The Baptist over 400 years before it’s actual fulfillment; he is the coming one to prepare the way for the Messiah, vs. 1 (Matt 3:3;11;10, 14; 17:12; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:17;7, 26, 27; John1:23; Isaiah 40:3).

The prophet declares that Israel has robbed God by not paying their taxes (i.e. tithes), vs 8-10. As a result, they’re cursed, vs 9.  The priests had to neglect the house of God and began farming like the rest of the tribes to earn their living and support their families. This was a violation of the nation’s religious life, and proper worship of God (II Chronicles 3:11; Nehemiah 10:38, 39; 12:44; 13:10-11).

God also grew tired of the people’s antagonizing words against him. Once again as in the previous chapter, they were saying serving God was useless, because the wicked are blessed when they test God. This evil view of God is character assassination of the most Holy. The things that God hates some were saying he blessed and pardoned wickedness, vs. 13-15.

The faithful of God were remembered in a book for their obedience. These are the true servants of God, vs 16 -18.

Chapter 4 – The prophet declares the day of the Lord. The wicked will be judged and destroyed. The righteous will also trample the wicked, vs 1-3.

Malachi also predicts the coming of Elijah (i.e. a type), who will apparently preach, and turn the hearts of the people back to God before the Lord returns to subdue the earth. This did not occur at Christ first coming although Christ did refer to John the Baptist as Elijah (Luke 1:17; Matthew 11:14). There are some that believe that one of the two witnesses in the book of Revelation 11 will be Elijah; this view is mere conjecture and can’t be proven although the two witnesses will have the power to destroy people with fire as Elijah did (II Kings 1:10, 12; Revelation 11:5).

                                  ** The oracles of the prophet Malachi are finished **

The Book of Zechariah A Commentary - Part II

Chapter 8 – God promises complete restoration of the nation. He will once again be their God and they his people. All nations will seek the Lord in the last days. Israel will be so godly that ten pagan men will cling to a one Hebrew, because they’ll know that God is with them and will follow them resulting in mass salvation, vs 23.

Chapter 9 – The first eight verses deal with the defeat of Israel’s by God’s servant Alexander The Great. Verse 9 deals with Messiah’s first advent fulfilled in Matthew 21:1-5 and John 12:12-16 – the triumphal entry on a donkey. The remainder of the chapter deals with the future salvation of his people, and future prosperity that is everlasting, vs 16-17.

Chapter 10 – The prophet predicts the restoration of the entire nation of Israel – the northern and southern kingdoms. God made a covenant with Abraham which is an everlasting covenant. The Lord will mightily prosper his people by giving them rain in abundance, vs. 1.

God will punish those who worship idols and prophesy lies to the people; leading them astray. The people have been victims of false leadership, vs 2-3.

God will return and restore his people back to Israel as if he never scattered them. They will dwell together with their children. All these blessings are yet future.

Chapter 11 – This chapter unlike the previous two deals with the destruction of Israel. This event was yet future during Zechariah’s time. Most likely this was the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D.

Zechariah is portraying a good shepherd who cares for and feeds the flock – especially the poor (symbolically portraying how the poor heard Jesus gladly Matthew 10:5;Mark 12:37) ; unlike the owners who only fatten them for slaughter so that they can sell their flesh and pretentiously bless God, and say, “I’m rich”! In the same way, God like those shepherds who slaughtered the sheep, will break his covenant with Israel because of their sin of the rejection of the Messiah, vs 4-7.

The prophet continues his prophetic dramatic role by portraying the traitor, namely Judas Iscariot who was paid thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus. The valuation of Jesus was the amount paid to an owner who’s slave was killed by an ox (Exodus 21:32). The haters of Jesus regarded the savior of the world to that of mere slave proving their disdain and hatred for him.

The Lord commanded Zechariah to throw the silver on the temple floor so that a potter’s field could be purchased. This was fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10.

Lastly, the prophet plays the role of a foolish or worthless shepherd who destroys all; not caring for anyone. It is believed that this is reference to the infamous Antichrist, vs 15-17.

Chapter 12 – The prophet declares that the Lord will confound the nations that will attack Jerusalem in the end times; he will destroy the surrounding nations vs, 4,9. God will restore and protect his people.

The Spirit of grace and supplication will be poured on the house of David and descendants. They’ll recognize their Messiah and for him and one mourns for him as one would mourn for a firstborn son.

Verse ten says that, “they’ll look upon me whom they’ve pierced”, making reference to a crucified and risen savior.

Chapter 13 – The Lord is commanding all to repent of sin and come clean, vs. 1. The Lord will remove all idols and false prophets from the land. Anyone who continues to prophesy falsely, his parents will kill him, vs 2-4. Never lie in the name of  the Lord.

Verse 7 deals with Jesus as he refers to himself as the Shepherd being “struck” when he was arrested. 

Zechariah by the Holy Spirit prophesied this event over 500 years in advance (New testament fulfillment, Matthew 26:31).

Chapter 14  - This chapter deals with specifically the Great Tribulation, the coming of Jesus Christ to subdue his enemies (Revelation 19:11-16), and finally the 1,000 millennial reign of peace. At this point, the Messiah will sit on the throne of his father David forever (Daniel 2:44).

                       **This concludes the oracles and visions of Zechariah the prophet**

The Book of Zechariah - A commentary Part I

                                     

Zechariah began prophesying in Oct/Nov 520 B.C., two months after the prophet Haggai (Haggai 1:1). Zechariah along with Haggai were part of the refugees who returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Persia to rebuild the Lord’s house and help to re-establish the nation that was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in 586 B.C.

Chapter 1 -  First and Second Visions - The prophet is calling the people to national repentance, vs 2. He commands them, “don’t be like your fathers who didn’t listen to the prophets in their day”, vs 4-6.

Zechariah on the 24^th day of the eleventh month, which would have been around February 14^th 519 B.C. in his day, receives the first of eight visions:

 First vision - He sees a man on a red horse, another on red horse, one on a brown horse, another on a white who were patrolling the earth and found it at rest. The horseman are an angelic police of some sort, vs 7-9

Another part of the chapter deals with God’s promise to restore Israel and build his house and dwell in it. God will again choose Jerusalem vs 16-17.

Second Vision - The prophet vision ends with fours horns (symbolic of power and authority in scripture), and four craftsmen. The four horns most likely represent four nations that subdued Israel: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, vs 18-20.

Chapter 2 -  Third Vision – Zechariah has a vision of a man with a measuring rod to measure Jerusalem; perhaps also measuring where the future millennial temple will lay, vs 1-2.

Jerusalem will again be inhabited and God himself will be their protection. The Lord will dwell in their midst, vs 5, 10, 11.

God will be with his people forever, and choose them as his own possession, vs 12.

In the end times, many nations (the Gentiles) will belong to the Lord, and they will be his people. This proves God has always been a savior to not only Israel, but to all peoples vs. 11.

Chapter 3 – Fourth Vision – Zechariah has a vision of Joshua the High Priest before the Angel of the Lord (which scholars believe is the pre-incarnate Christ), and satan accusing Joshua. The Angel of the Lord says, “The Lord rebuke you Satan”.

God has chosen Jerusalem so Joshua who’s a symbol of national Israel is made clean as the filthy garments are removed, and rich robes are put on him. A clean turban is placed on his head also.

This vision that the prophet sees is God re-establishing the royal priesthood to Israel, vs 1-5.

The Lord in the future will bring his servant THE BRANCH (an old testament reference to Jesus Christ), to dwell with his people in the millennial kingdom, vs 10.

Chapter 4 – Fifth Vision – The prophet sees a vision of a seven golden lamp stand, and two olives trees; the two olive branches are distinct in this vision. The Imagery here is strange and apparently very “Jewish” in scope.

Zechariah is given this vision to the civil leader of the nation, Zerubbabel to finish building the temple which will not be by his might. Any opposition will be removed so that when Zerubbabel brings the final (cap) stone, the people will rejoice shouting, “grace grace to it”, vs 6-7. The temple was completed in the year 516 B.C. The finished work will be precious in the sight of the Lord, vs 10.

The two olive branches is believed to represent Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel the Governor who was of royal lineage, vs 14. Chapters 3 and 4 are a tandem.

Chapter 5 – Visions Six and Seven – The first vision in the chapter is of a flying scroll. It’s dimensions are 30x15 feet. The scroll is apparently the Law that judges evil doers. Mainly thieves and perjurers. The word will be so severe, that it will consume the sinner’s houses. The word will accomplish it purposes, vs 14. With the re-establishing of the nation, evil must be judged and rooted out immediately.

The second vision is of a woman in a basket. Two women with the wings of a stork lift up the basket and take it to Shinar (an ancient name for Babylon) to set up what appears to be a false religious system. The woman in the basket is perhaps the great whore described in the book of Revelation. MYSTERY BABYLON is discussed in detail in Revelation chapters 17 & 18; commercial and religious Babylon.

Chapter 6 – Eighth Vision – The prophet sees four chariots of horses:

Red horses, black, white, strong/dappled horses. These represent the four spirits of heaven. Their job is to patrol the earth, vs 1-8.

Zechariah in the vision creates a crown and places it on Joshua the High Priest who pre-figures Messiah (the Branch) who will combine both offices of High Priest and King, vs 11-14.

Joshua once again a type of Christ will assist in building the post exilic temple. THE BRANCH will build the future Millennial temple, vs 15.

Chapter 7 -  In the fourth year of King Darius / 518 B.C., certain refugees from Babylon thought their fasting and weeping in the fifth and seventh months (burning of the temple – around July/August 586 B.C. and Day of Atonement respectively)  would appease God. Their names: Sherezer with Regem-Melech and his men. The prophet told them obedience is what the Lord demands along with Justice, kindness and compassion, vs 1-10.

Verses 8-14 declare they refused to do that and that is why Israel was scattered amongst the nations.