North Charlottesville church of Christ

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Zechariah 12-13

Martin Adams
01/12/25 - Sun AM

Series: The Book of Zechariah

Meeting Purpose

Discuss Zechariah chapters 12-13 and their prophetic implications regarding Jerusalem's destruction and the coming of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Chapters 12-13 focus on "in that day" - likely referring to 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem

• Emphasizes shift from physical to spiritual Jerusalem/kingdom with Christ's coming

• Prophecies, miracles, unclean spirits to cease "in that day" - important theological implication

• Chapter connects closely with NT passages (e.g. John 10, Revelation 1) about Christ as shepherd

Topics

Context and Timeline of Prophecies

• Set after rebuilding of temple, looking ahead to Messiah's coming

• "In that day" refers to siege/destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD

• Represents shift from physical to spiritual Jerusalem/kingdom

• Connects to Jesus' prophecies in Matthew 24

Protection of Spiritual Jerusalem (12:1-4)

• God will make Jerusalem a "heavy stone" - difficult to conquer

• Will watch over "house of Judah" - likely refers to spiritual Israel/church

• Church spreads beyond Jerusalem before 70 AD, while physical Jerusalem falls

Glory of Spiritual Jerusalem (12:6-9)

• "Tents of Judah" (church) to have more glory than physical Jerusalem

• By 70 AD, church spread throughout Roman Empire while Judaism scattered

• God to pour out "spirit of grace and supplication" on spiritual Jerusalem

Extension of Grace to Physical Jerusalem (12:10-14)

• Period of grace given for Christians to flee Jerusalem before destruction

• Connects to Jesus' warnings about fleeing in Matthew 24

• Took Romans about a year to fully conquer Jerusalem

Cessation of Prophecy and Unclean Spirits (13:1-6)

• Fountain opened for sin/impurity - refers to Christ's blood (Rev 1:5)

• Prophecy, idolatry, unclean spirits to cease "in that day"

• Implies miraculous gifts would cease around 70 AD timeframe

Striking the Shepherd (13:7-9)

• Prophecy of rejection/crucifixion of Christ ("strike the shepherd")

• Connects to Jesus' words about being the Good Shepherd (John 10)

Next Steps

• Read Matthew 24 to compare with Zechariah's prophecies

• Study Zechariah 14 for next week's class

• Consider implications for dating/interpretation of Revelation