making the scriptures plain

Notes

In these last books of the Old Testament are wonderful revelations about Jesus, the Son of man, and Jesus, conquering King. Daniel and Zechariah in particular were honoured with deep revelations concerning His role as Redeemer in our behalf.

Daniel, a Jew, lived in exile in Babylon at the time of the great king Nebuchadnezzar. In the same way that Joseph had helped Pharaoh hundreds of years earlier, Daniel was called in to the king to recall his dream for him and interpret its meaning. Daniel was able to reveal in amazing detail the flow of kingdoms to come after Nebuchadnezzar. But they paled into insignificance compared to the everlasting one that the God of Heaven would set up, destroying all the others before it.

God revealed the future to Daniel in many other visions too. Daniel saw Jesus coming in clouds of heaven and going back to His Father in glory. He saw Jesus being crowned King forever. And he was given intricate messages about the times and seasons to come.

A decree to rebuild Jerusalem would signal the beginning of a 490 year period during which the children of Israel would finish their rebellion and God would solve the sin issue forever. It would be 483 years from the time of the decree until the Christ Prince would come. He would sacrifice Himself for the sake of others, bringing to an end the traditional temple sacrificial services. Thus Daniel gave the precise time when the Messiah shall appear on earth, and declared His redemptive death, paying the full penalty for sin on behalf of mankind forever. The implications of this prophecy are immense and an interesting study in itself.

God had revealed to Daniel that the death of Jesus would put an end to the ritual of animal sacrifice - type would meet anti-type. Indeed as Jesus breathed His last on Calvary, 'the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom' Mark 15:38 NIV. This gaping hole in the curtain that had separated the Holy from the Most Holy Place exposed the Most Holy Place to the world and signified the end of an era and the beginning of a new.

In Daniel appears the first reference to Michael the archangel. Michael is one of the chief princes, the archangel who contended with the devil over the body of Moses. Michael is Jesus in his role as an angel, the only archangel spoken of in Scripture. Through Daniel we gain a glimpse of life in the spiritual realm. He reveals that Michael, our Spirit Prince, was helping Gabriel fight the evil spirit prince of Persia. This was not a quick skirmish; the battle was raging for weeks. After that the Lord's army was expecting a battle with the evil spirit prince of Greece.

Gabriel unfolds an amazing story of what is to come - nation rising against nation, wars and rumours of wars, and terrible suffering building up …. until the time appointed when Michael will come to save those whose names are written in the Book of Life. Witness Jesus watching over His people.

Through faith, earnest prayer and Bible study, through loyalty to God even in heathen courts, Daniel learned much of Jesus, the Saviour to come. And thus the Book of Daniel is a goldmine of wonderful revelations about His Lord and Master.

Hosea and Joel reiterate God's love for His people. They proclaimed that the children of Israel would eventually come back to God and His 'Branch of David', their only Saviour. He would bring His Child out of Egypt for this purpose. He would show mercy to them, keeping them safely, and would not punish them as they deserved. That is how we will know that He is the Lord, when Jerusalem is holy.

Nahum warns of the destruction of the wicked. When Jonah had preached to the people of Nineveh, they had repented of their terrible sins. But a hundred years later, they had reverted to their old ways and through Nahum God pronounced His judgement on them.

The Lord of Heaven's armies, Jesus Christ, was their enemy and would overcome them. Never again would they be able to plunder the nations around them. Their boastful words would be heard no more. They were going to be exposed and put to shame.

Through Haggai the Lord encouraged the returning exiles to complete God's House, the temple building in Jerusalem. He encourages them with a beautiful promise of the coming Saviour, predicting the glory that shall come into the physical temple in Jerusalem when the Desire of all Nations shall light it up with His glory. Sadly most Israelites failed to recognise Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy.

God used visions to share His plans with Zechariah. Jesus loves Jerusalem and Zion with a jealous love. Because the other nations had harmed her, He would return to show mercy. Jerusalem would be rebuilt.

God illustrated what He would do for His people through Jeshua the high priest and others. Jeshua, clothed in dirty clothes, symbolic of sin, was cleansed and given clean clothing - the righteousness of Christ. God would bring His servant, the Branch, to make this possible. Again in vision, Jeshua, the high priest, was made a king, symbolizing the priest-king Branch who would reach out to us so that God's spiritual Temple could be built up.

Yes Jesus would restore Jerusalem out of compassion, returning to Mount Zion and living in Jerusalem, the Holy Mountain. Zechariah can hear the people rejoicing because the King was coming! Hosanna in the Highest! In vision Zechariah sees Jesus, righteous and victorious, yet humble, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. He is bringing peace to the nations and His realm will stretch over all the earth. But to mankind's eternal shame, the people value Him at a mere thirty pieces of silver.

He will pour out the Spirit of grace upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem. But they shall pierce Him. When it is too late they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah foretells Jesus' second coming in triumph, to establish His kingdom here on earth. After a period of great tribulation, the Lord will go out again to fight against the enemy nations. He will create a way of escape for His people. Then the Lord our God will come with all His holy ones!

Malachi urges us to honour the Lord, the Captain of Heaven's armies, the great King whose name is feared among the nations. He predicted Jesus' soon coming, suddenly into His Temple. But before that He would send His messenger, John the Baptist, to prepare the way for Him.

We too can be grateful that He is the Lord who changes not. For that is why we have not been destroyed. He promised to save us. And He consistently reached out to us, through signs and symbols, through prophesy and revelation, and most of all through sending His Son to die a criminal's death on our behalf. For this, let's praise Him always.

Daniel predicts the coming of Jesus

Dan.2.44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands

Dan.2.45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Son of man

Dan.7.13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

Dan.7.14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people

Dan.9.24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Dan.9.25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

After threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off

Dan.9.26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

He shall confirm the covenant

Dan.9.27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Jesus reveals future to Daniel

Dan.10.13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Dan.10.21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was

Dan.12.1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Jesus has spoken to his Prophets

Hos.3.5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Hos.11.1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

I will not enter into the city

Hos.11.9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

In the days of the solemn feast

Hos.12.9 And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

Hos.13.4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

My people shall never be ashamed

Joel.2.27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Joel.3.17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

But thou, Bethlehem

Micah.5.2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The wicked judged

Nahum.2.13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

I will show the nations thy nakedness

Nahum.3.5 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

Yet now be strong

Hag.1.13 Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.

Hag.2.4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

Desire of all nations

Hag.2.7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

I am jealous for Jerusalem

Zech.1.14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Zech.1.15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies

Zech.1.16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

My servant the BRANCH

Zech.3.8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Zech.6.12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Zech.6.13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Thy King cometh

Zech.8.3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.

Zech.9.9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

The horse from Jerusalem

Zech.9.10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Zech.10.6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.

Sold for thirty pieces of silver

Zech.11.12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

I took the thirty pieces of silver

Zech.11.13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

Jesus pierced

Zech.12.10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

The final return of Jesus

Zech.14.4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing

Mal.1.14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

I will send my messenger

Mal.3.1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal.3.6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.