ZECHARIAH - CHAPTER 2 - MESSIAH THE BUILDER

Pastor Carolyn Sissom \ July 7th, 2019 (2517 views)

ZECHARIAH – CHAPTER 2 – MESSIAH THE BUILDER

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

July 2, 2019, the Year of Our Lord

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

 

Zechariah saw by vision the rebuilding of the temple in his day by Zerubbabel, in Ezra’s day, and Nehemiah’s day.  By vision, he saw beyond the earthly temple to the gospel temple of Jesus Christ, the Master Builder.  He saw Jesus as the Son of Man, the Messiah, Husband and Defender of Jerusalem and LORD of Host of New Jerusalem.

 

As we studied last week, Zechariah and Haggai were with Zerubbabel and Joshua the priest, who were sent by God from the exiles in Babylon to build the house of God in Jerusalem.   

 

  Ezra 5:1-2: - Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

 

Zech 2: 1-2: I lifted up my eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.  Then said I, Where go you? And he said to me, to measure Jerusalem, to see what the width is thereof, and what is the length thereof.

 

The Lord, the Master Builder must survey the City and prepare to lay the foundations according to the divine blueprint.

 

Exodus25:40: - “And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.

 

Heb 8:5: - who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

 

I am going to follow the persuasion of Frances Metcalfe that she sees the man with the measure stick as a vision of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man.  In a vision, He appears to Zechariah as a man, and now he is holding a measuring line in His hand, preparing to make this survey.  In less than one hundred years after this vision, a literal man did come and survey the city and plan to rebuild the walls.  This man, of course, was Nehemiah.  However, we know that Zechariah was in Jerusalem when he had this vision and Zerubbabel was in the process of rebuilding the temple

 

Also unto Ezekiel the Lord appeared with a measuring rod:

 

Eze 40:3 - He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with your  eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you;  for to the intent that I might show them unto you are brought here: declare all that you see  to the house of Israel.

 

Ezekiel is honored with a sight of the glories of the Heaven of Heavens in the visions of the Temple and the Glory of God. 

 

Matthew Henry:  “The dimensions of this visionary temple of Ezekiel are so large that it plainly intimates, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, that these things cannot be literally, but must be spiritually understood.  This is a vision of the Gospel Temple erected by Jesus Christ and His Apostles.  Under the type and figure of a temple and altar, priests and sacrifices, is foreshown the spiritual worship that should be performed in gospel times, and perfected at last in the Kingdom of Glory, in which perhaps these visions will have their full accomplishment.”

 

 He says, “some think” and I want to say, I think, these visions will have their full accomplishment in the gospel church on this side of heaven as the church presses in Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

 

Ezekiel was taken to the Mountain of Vision to which all prophets will be brought with Visions of the Lord.  Upon which was the frame (structure) of a City (Rev. 21).  The temple that he saw was as large as a city.  The Measuring Man is the Lord (Eph. 4:13, Rev 11:1-2; Rev. 21:16).  Here Jesus measures the outer court, but in New Jerusalem the outer court is not measured.  I believe that is because the Holy Ghost came at Pentecost and those who have not received Him will not be measured.  (Rev. 21:21)  And I saw no temple therein:  for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it….Ez. 40:3:  A man whose appearance was like bronze; with a linen cord and a measuring rod and he stood in the gate.  Brass speaks of judgment and flax or linen speaks of righteousness.  The gate is the East Gate.  The measurements were exact to show that the promise is certain; they are equal to denote harmony; and they are vast, to speak of majesty and grandeur.  He begins with the East Gate, because that was the usual way of entering into the lower end of the temple, the holy of holies being at the West end. 

 

Eph 4:13 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

 

In Revelation 11:1, John was given a reed: Rev. 11:1-2: “There was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the Angel stood saying, rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles; and the holy city shall they tread under foot 42-months.”

 

 

In Ezekiel 40:3, it is Lord who measures the temple.  Ezekiel calls him a man.   He addresses Ezekiel as the Son of man.  Here in Rev. 11:1-2, it is the Apostle who is instructed by the Angel of the Lord to measure the temple of the new common wealth, as in the measuring of New Jerusalem in Rev. 21:15. 

 

The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D.

 

In the Old Testament, before the Day of Pentecost and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Presence of the Holy Spirit was only in the temple and certain anointed men of God.  The angel in Ezekiel measured all three courts, Outer Court, Holy Place and Most Holy Place.

 

The Holy Place is the realm of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  In Revelation 11:1, the apostle is told to exclude the outer court; do not measure it because it has been given to the Gentiles. 

 

The temple is now the people of God. The outer court is the assault by pagan imperialism as some Christians yield to the temptation to compromise with idolatry and the world/systems; and so deny Christ and His Holy Spirit baptism.   But the true dwelling-place of God is immune from earthly invasion; the church’s life is “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3)

 

Forty-two months (3-1/2 years) is the traditional apocalyptic term derived from Daniel and the Book of Revelation used for the fullness of time of the Gentiles and/or any evil domination.

 

There is much instruction in God’s Word about measurements.  Just as God perfectly times His works, so too does He accurately measure them.  In the building of the Tabernacle and the Temple, specific measurements were given for each detail.  These were literally carried out according to the blueprint/pattern God gave His servants.  But they also had numerical symbolic significance.  God is math and He is the mathematician.  Everything in nature verifies this fully as in the Scriptures.

 

Job tells us that He weighs the winds and measures the waters:

 

Job 28:25 - To establish a weight for the wind,
and apportion the waters by measure. (NKJV)

 

He also marvelously balances the clouds by careful measure:

 

Job 37:16 - Do you know how the clouds are balanced,
those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge? (NKJV)

 

He stretched forth a measuring line when He laid the foundations of the earth:

 

Job 38:4-6:  Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements?
Surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?  To what were its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone,

 

Hab 3:6 - He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.

 

The wisdom of God shown in the measurements and weights of the material universe is a wonder to all sincere students of science.  In our own physical bodies can be found the greatest wonders of all; not only are the hairs of our head numbered, but also the atoms of our structure and even the chromosomes in each cell nucleus.

 

How often the Spirit has impressed us that God is weighing us in the balances and measuring us for His eternal purposes.  Our Lord made it plain that whatever measure we mete shall determine the measure meted to us.  Grace bestows God’s power and favor abundantly.  But we receive only the measure for which we have faith and capacity.  It is clear that Kingdom privileges and glory can be given to us only as we measure up to God’s standard---His pattern for son-ship, the Pattern Son.

 

Jerusalem is measured.  Zion is measured.  We, His worshipers, are measured.  We must be fitted perfectly into God’s eternal City and Temple.

 

The man with the measuring line fades from view:

 

Zech 2: 3-5: Behold the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, and said to him, Run, speak to this young man saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:  For I, says the LORD, will be to her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

 

Again the Husband and Defender of Israel is revealed.  The word for LORD in this chapter is Jehovah. He calls to Zion to return from Babylon and find her safety in the City He shall build.  He will be a wall of fire round about her, and a glory in her midst.

 

2: 6-9:  Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, says the Lord, for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, says the LORD  Deliver yourself, O Zion, that dwell with the daughter of Babylon.  For thus says the LORD of hosts; after the glory He has sent Me to the nations which spoiled you.  For he that touches you touches the apple of His eye.  Behold, I will shake My hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants; and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.

 

How often the LORD tried to teach Israel that He is their only Defender!  In our personal lives, we, too, tend to erect walls and barriers behind which we hide from others and seek to escape the pain of open encounters in life’s inevitable conflicts.  The Spirit of Truth seeks to break down these walls, and to enlarge us to make room for much increase.  Denominational walls may be represented here also.

 

When Christ comes again the denominational walls must fall.  There shall be no more divisions.  Already the Spirit has leveled these walls in many of us.  Praise God!

 

This prophecy had only a partial fulfillment in Zechariah’s day.  It pointed to a far greater increase to come by Ezra and Nehemiah.   The New Jerusalem of the New Testament Church will be un-walled and extend to all nations.

 

About 85 years after Zechariah prophesied this word from Jerusalem, Nehemiah mourned in Shushan about the still un-built walls (Neh. 1).  He obtained permission from King Artaxerses to return and lead in the rebuilding.  Daniel also prophesied this rebuilding of Jerusalem:

 

Dan 9:25 - “Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times

 

There are four events that can be taken as answering to the commandment to “restore and build Jerusalem,” the beginning point of Daniel’s prophecy:

 

1. The decree of King Cyrus of Persia for the rebuilding of the temple on, 536 B.C.
2. The decree of Darius l of Persia for Zerubbabel to continue and complete the temple, 520 B.C. (Time of Zechariah)
3. The decree of Artaxerses (Longimanus) of Persia for Ezra to beautify the temple and restore its worship, and to rebuild the Jewish state, 457 B.C. (Ezra 7).
4. The decree of Artaxerses (Longimanus) of Persia for Nehemiah to rebuild the city’s walls and gates, 445 B.C. (Neh. 2).

 

In World War I, under General Allenby’s noble command, Jerusalem was defended as by “birds flying” (British airplanes).  Thus partially fulfilling Isaiah’s amazing word:

 

Isa 31:5 - As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

 

Since World War I, Jerusalem has been defended many times by airplanes.

 

Zech 2: 10-11:  Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD.  Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be My people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.

 

This is fulfilled in Christ Jesus coming to earth as the Son of Man and the Son of God.  The LORD (Jehovah) became flesh and dwelt among us, Many nations have been joined to the LORD and will continue to be joined to the LORD.  He dwells within us.

 

“God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them… (2Cor.5:19).

 

 

Zech. 2: 12:  The LORD shall inherit Judah His portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. 

 

It is from the tribe of Judah that Jesus Christ was born, Son of Man.  The full meaning of this prophecy is being fulfilled in the New Jerusalem, the City of God.

 

With the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the way has been cleared for the emergence of this new creation, ‘THE HOME OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”.

 

“But within keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.  So then, dear friends since you are looking to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 13-14)

 

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion.  We too hear the spirit calling us, singing in us:  for lo, I come, and I dwell in the midst of you says, the LORD.

 

How beautiful Zechariah’s vision of the Messiah dwelling in joyful communion with Zion, in the Holy Land and Jerusalem as well as seeing the glory of the Gospel Church of Jesus Christ. 

 

So awe-inspiring is the presence and power of the LORD that Zechariah cries out, Be silent, oh all flesh, before the LORD; for he is raised up out of His holy habitation.

 

This great gathering has never taken place in the history of the Jews.  This prophecy like all of the Holy Word of God was for Zechariah’s day, Ezra’s day, Nehemiah’s day, Jesus Christ’s day, our day and all the latter days until Christ returns for His glorious, spiritual Sion as well as to His literal Israel. 

 

Rom 11:26 - And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Heb 12:22 - But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

 

Jesus Christ is the master builder:

 

“You are living stones, put together, fused together without the sound of a hammer, without man-made religious systems trying to organize you, brought together by the Spirit of God into a relationship and a unity which only God can do…this is the Temple that Ezekiel saw.  This is the temple that had a river running out of it…a river of life, clear as crystal.  John on the isle of Patmos saw it and Ezekiel saw it.  Zachariah saw it.  You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. To offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…” (Bill Britton)

 

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor

Eastgate Ministries Church

www.eastgateministries.com

Scripture from K.J.V. and N.K.J.V.

I entered into the labors of Frances Metcalfe, Volume Three, Ladies of Gold; Bill Britton; and sermons by Carolyn Sissom on Ezekiel 40, Revelation 11, New Jerusalem, Daniel 9:25.