Revelation – Part Seven – Using Zechariah to Help Us Understand John’s Vision
Revelation – A Book of Visions
Part Seven
Will God’s People Endure – Using Zechariah to Help Us Understand John’s Vision
Read: Revelation chapters 1 – 3 and the book of Zechariah.
Revelation: 1:1b – 1:3 – John sees that Jesus is the King of the World and that he is also the One who stands among the seven lamp stands, a symbol drawn from the book of Zechariah. Jesus speaks to to churches, addressing the challenges they face.
Some of the churches were spiritually luke-warm, apathetic and showing little concern for the things of the Spirit. Wealth and affluence have led to moral compromise, such as eating meat sacrificed in pagan shrines, as well as participating in the sexual immorality associated with these cults.
A few these churches were faithful, and as a result of being faithful, were facing harassment or even persecution. Jesus warns them that things are going to get worse. A time of suffering is coming that will force them to make difficult choices about whether or not to stand firm in their commitment to Jesus or to compromise their faith.
At this time, the first waves of persecution, directed by the hand of Emperor Nero, were over, but the persecution from Emperor Domitian was under way.
The temptation was to do whatever it took to avoid persecution, even if that meant denying Jesus or going along with immoral practices. Jesus calls on them to be faithful, telling them that they have what it takes to overcome (literally to conquer ) these challenges. Jesus promises to be with them and reward every person who stands firm. These promises of reward are each associated with the final promises of the book, which describe the Marriage of Heaven and Earth, the coming of the New Jerusalem.
So, the opening sets the themes of the whole book. And one of these themes has to do with a question: Will Jesus’ people endure? Will they inherit the New Heavens and the New Earth? But, another question we may be wondering about is this, why is faithfulness to Jesus described as conquering? The rest of the book is John’s answer to these questions.
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Jesus Standing Among the Lamp stands
Content for this section draws on material from the Bible Project
The Old Testament book of Zechariah is set in the time after the people began returning home after the Exile. Ezra says that the prophets Zechariah and Haggai encouraged the people to rebuild the Temple and to look for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jeremiah said that the Exile would last for seventy years, but would then be followed by a time or restoration. He also said that God’s presence would dwell again in the Temple and that the presence of God would bring forth the Messiah, who would rule the world with truth, mercy, and grace.
In Zechariah’s time, these seventy years were drawing to a close. But life back in the Promised Land was hard and it didn’t seem like any of God’s promises were going to come true. Why? Zechariah’s book offers an answer.
Zechariah 1:1-6 – Zechariah’s challenge to his people was to not be like their ancestors. They turned their back on God, rebelling against him. These ancestors did not listen to the earlier prophets, leading ultimately to Exile. But this new generation could do the opposite, listening to Zechariah and the other prophets, and repenting of their sins – which they did. Or, so it seems.
Chapter 1:7 – Chapter 6 – These chapters contain eight night-time visions. These visions are strange and bizarre, a lot like our own dreams. The idea of God communicating this way has a very old pedigree. We are going to look at each vision in pairs.
First Vision – 1:8-17 and Last Vision 6:1-8 – Are about four rangers who patrol the world on God’s behalf. In the first vision, the world is at peace. This represents the Persians conquering Babylon and bringing peace to the region. This raises the question: Does that mean that now is the time for God to fulfill his promises to bring the Messiah and the Messianic Kingdom? God answers by saying, he is intent on fulfilling these promises, but leaves the timing unclear.
Second Vision – 1:18-21 and Seventh Vision 5:5-11 – These visions contain reflections on Israel’s past sins that led to exile.
The four horns represent the nations that attacked and then scattered the people of Israel, including Assyria and Babylon, but who then themselves are scattered by a group of blacksmiths, who represent Persia. The seventh vision is of a woman in a basket, symbolizing the centuries of rebellion by Israel, only to end up being carried off to Babylon.
Third Vision 2:1-13 and Sixth Vision 5:1-4 – In the third vision we see a man measuring the city, which when rebuilt, will become a beacon to the all the people of the world, who will come to join the people of God in celebrating and honoring the Lord.
The sixth vision is of a flying scroll that flys around the world punishing thieves and liars. The idea is that the New Jerusalem will be purified by sin by means of the Scripture.
Fourth Vision 3:1-10 and Fifth Vision 4:1-14 – Zerrubabel is the heir to David’s throne. The High Priest, Joshua, is symbolically wearing Israel’s sins in the form of dirty clothes. These dirty clothes are removed and he is given new, clean clothes, a symbol of God’s grace and forgiveness. An angel says, “If you remain faithful, you will lead your people and become a symbol of the Messianic King.”
The two olive trees provide an unending stream of oil to an elaborate lamp stand. These two trees represent the two leaders who are leading the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. God says that the project will not be successful if it is only the results of human efforts and political maneuvering. These two leaders, one a governor and the other a priest, must depend upon the Spirit of God.
Bonus Vision – 6:9-15 – The High Priest, Joshua is presented with a crown, symbolizing the future Messiah, who will be both priest and king.
All of these visions will be fulfilled only if the current generation obeys God and is faithful to the covenant. The coming of the Messiah is conditional upon their faithfulness. It could happen in their lifetime.
Chapters 7 and 8 – The people of God have been grieving over the last temple for the last 70 years. They want to know if it is time stop grieving and if God’s Kingdom is coming soon.
Zechariah reminds them again of how their ancestors behaved and why the Exile happened. He then challenges them. Read 8:1-17. This generation will see the Kingdom only if they pursue peace and justice, seeking to be faithful to the covenant. Zechariah then reverses the question on them. Are you going to be the kind of people who are ready to receive and participate in the Kingdom of God?
The question is just left hanging there. The people do not answer and we must move on.
Chapters 9-11 – Messianic Images – We see a humble Messianic King riding into Jerusalem to establish his world-wide Kingdom.
The Messiah will Shepherd the flock of God’s people, but he will be rejected, first by the people and then by their leaders, who are themselves corrupt shepherds. So, God hands the people over to these corrupt shepherds, whom they choose over the Messiah. This raises the question: Will God’s people reject their King forever?
Chapters 12-14 – The New Jerusalem is a place where God’s justice will confront the evil among the nations. Also, God will confront the rebellion found in the hearts of his own people. He is going to pour out his Spirit upon them, so that they can repent and grieve over the fact that they have rejected their Messianic Shepherd.
The Final Vision – The nations will gather to the New Jerusalem. And the city will then become a new Garden of Eden with a river of life flowing from it, bringing life and healing to all of creation.
The fulfillment of these promises will come when God’s people are faithful. But we can see God’s guiding hand among the chaos. The fact that God’s promises to bring the Messiah and to heal creation should give us hope for tomorrow and faithfulness today.
📖 1. Faithfulness in a Compromised Culture
“Some of the churches were spiritually lukewarm…”
- What signs of spiritual apathy or moral compromise do you see in the churches of Revelation 1–3?
- In what ways do you see similar challenges facing the Church today?
- How might affluence or comfort tempt Christians to compromise their faithfulness to Jesus?
🔥 2. Conquering by Endurance
“Why is faithfulness to Jesus described as conquering?”
- How does Revelation redefine what it means to “conquer” or be victorious?
- What would conquering look like in your own life right now—not by strength or success, but by faithfulness?
- In what areas are you being called to endure, even when it’s costly?
🕯 3. Jesus Among the Lampstands
“Jesus is the one who stands among the seven lampstands…”
- What does it mean to you that Jesus is present among the churches—even the flawed ones?
- How can this image shape the way you think about your own church community?
- In what ways can your church be a faithful “lampstand” in your context?
🔍 4. Zechariah’s Challenge and God’s Conditional Promises
“These visions will be fulfilled only if the current generation obeys…”
- How do Zechariah’s night visions echo the messages in Revelation?
- Why do you think God often ties his promises to a call for faithfulness?
- Are there areas where God may be calling you to obedience in preparation for something He wants to do?
🌱 5. The Danger of Rejecting the Shepherd
“Will God’s people reject their King forever?”
- What are some ways people today—intentionally or unintentionally—reject Jesus as King?
- Zechariah shows that grief and repentance are part of spiritual renewal. When have you experienced godly sorrow that led to transformation?
- What practices help keep your heart soft and responsive to God?
🌍 6. A New Jerusalem and a River of Life
“The city becomes a new Garden of Eden…”
- How does the vision of the New Jerusalem shape your hope for the future?
- What would it look like to live today as a citizen of that New Jerusalem?
- Where in your life or community do you long to see God’s healing begin?
🙏 7. Personal Reflection and Prayer
“God’s promises to bring the Messiah and heal creation should give us hope for tomorrow and faithfulness today.”
- Where do you most need hope right now?
- What is one way you can practice faithfulness this week, even in difficulty?
- Take time to pray: “Lord, help me to endure. Help me to be faithful, and to trust Your promises even when I cannot see their fulfillment.”