(The audio recording of this sermon will be uploaded here after the Sunday service.)
“Build the temple of the Lord” (Zechariah 6:12)
Today, we will look at Zechariah chapter 6. This passage describes the eighth vision Zechariah saw. Through these eight visions, Zechariah encouraged the people of Israel, who were trying to rebuild their nation. Chapter 6, which contains the eighth vision, foreshadows Jesus Christ through the person of high priest Joshua. As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah, and here it’s shown that the Messiah will fulfill both the role of high priest and king. As I’ve mentioned many times, the Old Testament is like a mirror that reflects the ministry of Jesus in the New Testament. I hope today’s message will show clearly that Jesus Christ is indeed the High Priest and our King, and that we will once again receive the Savior with our hearts. With that, let’s read about the eighth vision.
Chapter 6, verse 1 describes four chariots. It says: “I looked up again and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze.” The chariots came out from between two mountains. Since the text says these mountains were made of bronze, it seems the chariots were sent from God’s throne. Verse 5 explains, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world.” God’s mighty power spreads out from Jerusalem to the four corners of the earth. Next, verse 8 says, “Then he called to me, ‘Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.’” The Shinkaiyaku version translates ‘given my Spirit rest’ as ‘appeased my wrath,’ and can be understood to mean that God ended the conflict in the land of Babylon. The people of Israel were taken into exile to Babylon, then returned to Jerusalem about 70 years later; God judged the chaotic nation of Babylon, which appeased His wrath. So I believe the eighth vision can be understood as a picture of God’s mighty power judging and restoring a land in chaos.
Next is the making of a crown to be worn by the high priest Joshua. The crown and the high priest Joshua foreshadow the work of the Messiah. It is a prophecy declaring that the Messiah will reign as both high priest and king. Now, let’s read verses 10 to 13.
“Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak. Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’
Here, Josiah, a goldsmith who had returned from exile, is chosen to make a crown of gold and silver. The crown is to be placed on the head of high priest Joshua. Joshua is a Messianic figure, and the prophecy shows that the Messiah will be both high priest and king. The Shinkaiyaku version of verse 12 says, “There is a man whose name is the Branch,” and this man represents the Messiah. The Messiah will sprout and grow, and he will rebuild the temple. What is important here is that it is the Messiah who will rebuild the Lord’s temple. Rebuilding the temple is actually part of the Messiah’s work. Of course, outwardly, it is the people of Israel who rebuild the temple, but from God’s perspective, it is God Himself who will do it. Then, in verse 13, it is prophesied that “he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne.” The Messiah King is also the High Priest, and there will be harmony between these two roles. To symbolize this prophecy, the crown is to be placed in the temple. This eighth vision connects to the greater vision that the Messiah is one whom all peoples of the world will worship.
The statement in verse 15, “Those who are far away will come and help to rebuild the temple of the Lord,” is a prophecy with great implications: that even Gentiles will gather at this temple and become a people who worship God. While this prophecy says, on the surface, that Gentiles will be involved in rebuilding of the temple, when we view it through the lens of the New Testament, we can understand it as a prophecy that Jesus will rebuild the temple and, through His precious sacrifice on the cross, give birth to a new community of believers that includes Gentiles. New believers will be born, new forms of worship will take place, and the New Testament era will come. The end of verse 15 says, “This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.” So, brothers and sisters, let us be those who truly obey the voice of the Lord. The ministry of the Messiah is not only for the Jews but also for us Gentiles. We, too, are growing into a people who worship God.
Now I will recall several visions from throughout the book of Zechariah that made an impression on me.
First of all, God will carry out the work of rebuilding the temple at his appointed time. For about 70 years, the people of Israel would be in exile and face great hardships, but when God’s time comes, they will be comforted and set free.
God is able to bring down any ruler from their throne. (1:18)
The rebuilding of the temple is the work of God himself. (2:5)
God purifies us from sin. Christ is transforming us into a people who love one another. (3:10)
Believers are to be like a lamp that gives light. (4:2)
Believers are people who listen and obey the Word of God. They live in obedience to the Ten Commandments of Moses. (5:1, vision of the flying scroll)
Satan is imprisoned in the basket of a woman and sent back to Babylon (5:4). This is a promise that we will be freed from the rule of Satan and be able to start a new life.
And lastly, from today’s vision: no matter how badly the land is in chaos, God can bring conflict and anger to rest.
Chapter 6 reveals that the rebuilding of the temple will be accomplished by the help of the Messiah. It makes clear also that the Savior is both our High Priest and our King. Gentiles, too, will become a people who worship Jesus. God is showing us a great vision. We, too, are invited to participate in the rebuilding of the temple, and God will enable us to become a people who worship him.
I am one of those who believes in Jesus Christ. I truly desire to trust what God says and live according to the values found in the Bible. I look forward to the day when Jesus calls me to him, so that I can thank him wholeheartedly for his work of grace in my life that was done through the Cross.
Lastly, I would like to walk according His Word that says, “This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.” For the One who began a good work in us is able to bring our salvation to completion one day. Let us walk by faith alongside Jesus, our High Priest.
Let me end by reading Philippians 3:13–14: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
日本語