5 Messianic prophecies for the Millennium

 Read Zechariah 2.

In a single night, God revealed to the prophet eight visions of the future.  Vision #3 is the subject of this entire chapter.  With each revelation the explanation is also presented.

Zechariah saw a man surveying the city of Jerusalem.  Presumably, this had to do with rebuilding the walls that the Babylonians tore down.  However, there is much more to the prophecy than the immediate return of the Jews from captivity and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  God's own statements point to a yet future time.

"In that day" (v.11), here is what life will be like on earth.
 1. "I will be to her a wall of fire all around." (v.5a)
Jerusalem will not need a wall to protect it.  The LORD Himself will be her protector.  There is also the implication that the population and inclusive area of the city will then exceed the area of the traditional walls.

2. "I will be the glory in her midst." (v.5b)
The presence of God will not be limited to the Holy of Holies in the Temple.  But, His glory will fill the city.

3. "I will shake my hand over" "the nations who plundered you." (vv.8-9)
God sovereignly chose Abraham and his descendants and made unconditional promises to them.  The Jews are "the apple of his eye" and the focus of the LORD's love and attention.  He will execute appropriate judgments against all those who came against Israel and Judah.

4. "I come and will dwell in your midst." (vv.10-11)
These are words from the Messiah.  It is obvious that the details of the context here were not fulfilled in His first coming.  It is the second coming of Christ that will result in singing and rejoicing as "many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day."

5. "The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem." (v.12)
This is the only place the term "holy land" appears in the Bible.  The exact geographical location of what will be the center of the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth is without question in the Scriptures.

What should be our response?  Silence and awe as we consider what will take place in that day.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Luke 21:33)