Zechariah's Call to Return: Prophecies of Repentance and Messianic Hope

Zechariah - Introduction and Chapter 1 (Part 1). Pastor Martin Saine begins our study through this timely book.

Zechariah, a Levite and priest, prophesied during Israel's return from Babylonian exile, also known as "The Captivity," which lasted 70 years. In the second year of Darius, God called Zechariah to urge the people to return to Him, promising that He would return to them. Zechariah's message is rooted in the history of Israel's disobedience, which led to their exile. His ministry coincided with the rebuilding of the temple and was meant to inspire both repentance and hope.

Zechariah's book is often called the "Apocalypse of the Old Testament" due to its rich Messianic prophecies, depicting Jesus as The Branch, The Stone, The Coming King, The Shepherd, and more. The book outlines a series of night visions, prophecies of Jesus' first and second comings, and serves as a comprehensive picture of Israel's history and future relationship with God.

The key message: Return to God, repent, and remember the lessons of the past to avoid the mistakes that led to exile.