5 prophetic statements from God, the Father

Read Zechariah 13.

From Zechariah's view, all future events blended into one continuum.  Today, we can see the separation of those prophecies as they have been fulfilled and will unfold.

"On that day" the people of Israel will experience personal cleansing from sin according to verse one.  Then, the LORD will cleanse the land of all false worship.  Radical change is always an indicator of true repentance.  All false prophets and evil will be removed.

The rest of the chapter (vv.7-9) is a poem recapping the first and second advents of Christ.
1. God, the Father, called the Messiah as "my shepherd."
Throughout the Old and New Testaments this analogy is used for God's care, provision, and protection of His people.  Today, church pastors have the human responsibility to watch over the local flock of God.  But the Apostle Peter looked forward to that future day "when the Chief Shepherd appears" (1 Peter 5:4).

2. God, the Father, called the Messiah "the man who stands next to me."
This is a term found elsewhere in the Old Testament and refers to one who is a relative, kinsman, and in unity.  It is a statement of the deity of Christ and His eternal nature.  Of Jesus, the Apostle John wrote, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

3. God, the Father called for the Messiah to be killed.
The crucifixion was God's plan all along to pay for sin once and for all.  "...we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace; and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4b-5)  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the agony of the cross praying, "Not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)

4. God, the Father, predicted that Messiah's followers would desert Him.
When Jesus prepared the disciples for the sobering events that would shortly take place, He quoted this very verse from Zechariah in Matthew 26:31.  That was when Peter rose up and declared, "Though all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."  But he did, along with the others, just as the prophecy said.

5. God, the Father, predicted a time of future of refinement for the Jews.
The horrendous loss of life that will take place during the Great Tribulation is compared to the purification process of gold.  The remnant will be a godly nation who will enjoy a personal relationship with the LORD.  He will be theirs and they will be His.

For us today, the Apostle John wrote this encouragement to believers in Jesus: "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)