From Splendor to Shadow

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The Encouraging Visions of Zechariah

Two months after Haggai's last recorded message, Zechariah had a series of visions regarding the work of God in the earth. These messages, given in the form of parables and symbols, came at a time of great anxiety and were of peculiar significance to the men advancing in the name of God. It seemed as if permission to rebuild was about to be withdrawn; the future appeared dark. SS 298.4

Zechariah heard the angel of the Lord inquiring, “O Lord of hosts, how long wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which Thou hast had indignation these three score and ten years? And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me,” Zechariah declared, “with good words and comfortable words.” SS 298.5

“And the angel that communed with me said unto me, ... Thus saith the Lord of hosts; ... I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it.” Zechariah 1:12-16. SS 299.1

The prophet was now directed to predict, “The Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.” Verse 17. SS 299.2

Zechariah then saw the powers that had “scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem,” symbolized by four horns. Immediately afterward he saw four carpenters—agencies used by the Lord in restoring His people and the house of His worship. See Verses 18-21. “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: for I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” Zechariah 2:4, 5. SS 299.3

God had commanded that Jerusalem be rebuilt; the vision was an assurance that He would give comfort and strength to His afflicted ones and fulfill the promises of His everlasting covenant. That which He was accomplishing for His people was to be known in all the earth. “Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.” Isaiah 12:6. SS 299.4