Book of Zechariah

Zechariah


Zechariah began to prophesy in the same year as Aggeus, and upon the same occasion. His prophecy is full of mysterious figures and promises of blessings, partly relating to the synagogue, and partly to the church of Christ. (For more information, see the article ZACHARIAS in the Catholic Encyclopedia.)

Chapter 1. The prophet exhorts the people to return to God, and declares his visions, by which he puts them in hopes of better times.
Chapter 2. Under the name of Jerusalem, he prophesieth the progress of the church of Christ, by the conversion of some Jews and many Gentiles.
Chapter 3. In a vision Satan appeareth accusing the high priest. He is cleansed from his sins. Christ is promised, and great fruit from his passion.
Chapter 4. The vision of the golden candlestick and seven lamps, and of the two olive trees.
Chapter 5. The vision of the flying volume, and of the woman in the vessel.
Chapter 6. The vision of the four chariots. Crowns are ordered for Jesus the high priest, as a type of Christ.
Chapter 7. The people inquire concerning fasting: they are admonished to fast from sin.
Chapter 8. Joyful promises to Jerusalem: fully verified in the church of Christ.
Chapter 9. God will defend his church, and bring over even her enemies to the faith. The meek coming of Christ, to bring peace, to deliver the captives by his blood, and to give us all good things.
Chapter 10. God is to be sought to, and not idols. The victories of his church, which shall arise originally from the Jewish nation.
Chapter 11. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. God's dealings with the Jews, and their reprobation.
Chapter 12. God shall protect his church against her persecutors. The mourning of Jerusalem.
Chapter 13. The fountain of Christ. Idols and false prophets shall be extirpated: Christ shall suffer: his people shall be tried by fire.
Chapter 14. After the persecutions of the church shall follow great prosperity. Persecutors shall be punished: so shall all that will not serve God in his church.