Prophesies of Zechariah

Like Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the people to continue rebuilding the temple. But he also challenged the people to rebuild their personal spiritual lives. Zechariah’s visions are both Messianic and apocalyptic. Zechariah’s prophecies about Jesus Christ in chapters 9–14 are quoted often in the four Gospels of the New Testament.

          In Zechariah 7:9-10 the Lord called his people to be kind to all people. They were to judge righteously, show mercy, and aid those who are widows, fatherless, poor, and strange. He calls the people to be better! The people chose to reject the Lord. Zechariah said they, "stopped their ears, that they should not hear." Their hearts were "adamant stone" keeping out the spirit of the Lord. Because of their denial of God, his wrath came upon them. 

                                               

          In Zechariah 9:9 he testifies of the Lord's humility saying that he will come to the people upon the back of an ass. In Matthew 21 this prophecy is fulfilled. The Lord had his disciples search for a donkey and her colt in the city before he entered so that he could ride in on them. The disciples then proclaimed, "Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass" (Matt. 21:5).  

          Zechariah prophesied of the coming of Jesus Christ, his first and his last. In 10:6–12 Zechariah tells us who will be gathered and remembered by the Lord. Israel was scattered and must be brought back together before the second coming of the Lord. This is a sign to the people that Christ will soon arrive. He specifically says that the house of Judah and the house of Joseph will he saved and brought to a place where they can expand.

          As the world prepares for the Second Coming the Lord will be gathering his elect. The Lord has prepared a way that his saints can draw strength from one another as the world faces many trials and tribulations. What I found interesting as I studying the gathering of Israel is that in Doctrine and Covenants it says that yes, the elect will be gathered so they can be relatively safe, but they are to be prepared before they gather. While they elect are gathered they will be able to prepare spiritually together for the time when the Lord comes. This gathering is important because it fulfills previous prophesies and it shows that the Lord’s time to reign is near.