Zechariah

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Zechariah

• Saved Through Fire
• Zechariah 131-9

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Review

• Zech 9-11 gave an overview of Gods plans for the
  future
• Some specifics for Gentile nations
• More specifics for Israel
• Some detailed prophecies of the coming Savior
• Zech 12-14
• A prophecy that picks up from the previous
• Looks to the future of Gods people after the
  coming of the Savior
• Chp 12 looked at the church as a Jerusalem that
  is unconquerable
• Saved people looking back at the pierced one

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A Fountain

• Zech 131
• In that day same time period referred to in
  chapter 12
• The time of the church on earth
• A fountain opened to wash away sin and
  uncleanness
• Acts 238

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Cutting off

• Zech 132-6
• Idols formerly worshipped by Israel
• Would no longer be worshipped
• Baal, Asherah, golden calves, etc.
• These things did disappear around the time of
  Christ
• Prophets will depart from the land
• Not a cessation of people claiming to be
  prophets, but of true prophecy (1 Cor 138-12)
• False prophets will be self-seeking (giving up
  camel hair) and be a shame to honest parents
• Even friends will turn against them

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Cutting off

• One other thing to be cut-off in the early days
  of the church
• Unclean spirits (Zech 132)
• Many today wonder about those unclean spirits
  mentioned in NT
• Are they still around?
• What can we do if someone is possessed?
• How can we tell if someone is possessed?
• Are exorcisms real?
• Gods answer is simple unclean spirits stopped
  when prophecy (and other spiritual gifts) stopped
• Makes sense, since God has promised there would
  always be a way out of any problem we face (1 Cor
  1013)

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The Shepherd Slain

• Zech 137-9
• An overview of the history of the church
• Begins with Gods Shepherd (Christ) being struck
  (the crucifixion followed by persecution)
• The sheep (the church) would be scattered
• Acts 81-4
• Many die or fail, but God keeps a remnant alive
• He brings them THROUGH the fire
• They wont avoid persecution, hardship
• The fire refines/purifies/tests like silver/gold
• Faith is strengthened, confidently call on God

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Saved through the fire

• Today, many want to be saved FROM the fire
• Want God to make life easy, avoid conflict, avoid
  pain, avoid suffering
• But that has NEVER been Gods intent
• 1 Cor 312-14
• 2 Tim 112 23, 8-13 312
• James 12-4, 12 510-11
• 1 Pet 313-18 412-19
• The only path to salvation lies THROUGH the fire
• Lets not seek to avoid the fire

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Conclusion

• God has made a fountain available to the church
• You can be cleansed from sin (Rev 2214)
• You can drink and have life (Rev 2217)
• But being cleansed from sin comes with a cost
• Not a price for salvation, but a price because of
  salvation (a fire to be gone through)
• Luke 1426-30
• Before following Christ, count the cost
• The reward is worth the effort

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