The prophet Zechariah wrote a book that is full of encouragement for the people of his time. At the time of Zechariah the people of Israel were trying to rebuild the Temple after the Seventy Years Captivity in Babylon. Zechariah also gives us pictures of the End Times.

The phrase “on that Day” occurs seventeen times in this book. The Lord is speaking of a specific Day. In fact, He says that it is a “unique day,” unlike any other. (Zech. 14:7) It is the Day of the Lord.

The fourteen chapters of Zechariah are divided into two parts. The first part of eight chapters has visions and statements of promise from the Lord. Eight is the number of new beginnings. Think of the musical scale. After seven notes, you again begin with “do” (“doe” phonetically). The first eight chapters of Zechariah appear to tell of the Lord’s planned New Beginnings.

The remaining six chapters are prophecies of judgement and the coming Messiah. Six is the number of man. Man was created on the sixth day. These prophecies deal with mankind.

Twelve times in chapters six, seven and eight we find the phrase, “This is what the Lord Almighty says.” These statements appear to be paired; the first with the last, the second with the next to last, etc. The twelve statements of the Lord are interesting in themselves, but when you pair them up, they are amazing!

All quotes are specifically from “the Lord Almighty” and are from the New International Version:
1) “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. (6:12)
12) “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will . . . say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.”’ (8:23)
Jesus, the Messiah, will cause the Temple to be built and all the world will acknowledge that He resides in Jerusalem with the Jews.

2) “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. (7:9)
11) “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will . . . say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty.’ (8:20-21)
When the Jews administer true justice, the world will seek the Lord Almighty in Jerusalem.

3) “When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen. (7:13)
10) “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. (8:19)
These fast days all relate to the destruction of the Temple, the result of Israel not listening to God. But they will become days of joy and feasting in His Kingdom.

4) “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her. (8:2)
9) “Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you . . . so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. (8:14-15)
A statement showing the importance of Jerusalem to the Lord, and a future promise for Israel.

5) “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there. (8:4)
8) “You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets . . . let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built. (8:9)
Again, a wonderful future promise of peace for Israel.

6) “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me? (8:6)
7) “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. (8:7)
The Lord has marvelous things in store for Israel. After the Babylonian Captivity, He saved them from the East. The next time He will save them from all the world, East and West.

I do not think that we could ever find and identify all the patterns and pictures in the Lord’s Word in one lifetime. Praise His name for His wonderful wisdom, and His great patience with us!