Zechariah’s prophecies are in a rarely-read part of the Old Testament, forgotten to most Christians. After all, what could a prophet from 2,500 years ago have to say to us today? As it turns out, a lot!

Zechariah 9-11 foretold Messiah’s first coming, and rejection by Israel. The second oracle in chapters 12-14 describes the second coming, and the cleansing of the nation, finally ruled by her Messiah King.

The temple was finished in 515 BC. Thirty-five years later, Zechariah received revelations from God with details of future events. It is not a pretty picture, but it is a ‘burden’ the prophet must bear.

The temple in Jerusalem was being rebuilt but all was not well. A delegation arrives with a question for the priests. Zechariah senses a deeper issue, and God gives him four messages that expose our hearts.

Zechariah’s first four visions show God’s unwavering compassion for Israel. The second four visions pick up where the first four leave off – with the nation being cleansed from sin. This deeper need for spiritual cleansing is the focus of Zechariah’s second four visions.

Does God care about you? Does it really matter how you live your life? If there is a God, why doesn’t he fix this world’s problems? You may have wondered this. The Jews in Zechariah’s day did, too. Mysterious visions in the night revealed truth we still need to apply today.

This morning we meet an amazing prophet who lived more than five centuries before Christ, yet prophesied details about His life and death, and details about His future second coming! His name is Zechariah.