Vision #1 – The Horseman of the Lord
Northwest Bible Church - Nov. 16th 2008 - Worship Service - Alan Conner
Zechariah 1:7-17
Vision #1 - The Horsemen of the Lord
Intro
Zechariah is a post-exilic prophet ministering to the Israelites who came back to the land after the Babylonian captivity. They had returned with Cyrus' blessings to rebuild the temple but opposition quickly arose. The Samaritans in the land (Assyrian transplants) were becoming hostile and making the people fearful and were able to thwart the rebuilding of the temple for about 15 years. In addition, the Jews had turned their attention to their own comfort and well-being, rebuilding their own homes but not God's. Zechariah began his ministry by calling the people back to repentance (Zechariah 1:3). Now he proclaims to them the first of eight visions which will revitalize their faith to rebuild the temple.
A word about visions.
I. THE PROPHETIC VISION (Zechariah 1:7-8).
A. The men on horses.
B. The myrtle.
C. The ravine.
II. THE PATROL (Zechariah 1:9-11).
A. To patrol the earth (Zechariah 1:10).
B. They report to "the angel of the LORD" (Zechariah 1:11).
C. Their report: "all the earth is peaceful and quiet" (Zechariah 1:11).
1) Omniscience and Omnipresent.
2) Omnipotence.
3) "peace and quiet" in Zechariah 1:11.
III. THE PRAYER (Zechariah 1:12).
A. A great weapon.
B. Based on the Bible.
IV. THE PROCLAMATION (Zechariah 1:13-17).
A. God's jealousy (Zechariah 1:14).
B. God's anger (Zechariah 1:15).
C. God's return (Zechariah 1:16-17).
Conclusion