十三章以盼望的話來開始，延續前章的觀念。雖然彌賽亞的被釘讓許多信祂的人悲哀，祂的死仍為上帝的選民開了一個泉源，可以潔淨他們一切的罪污，從那時直到今日（來9：14），這正是新約的內容（耶31：34；結36：25）。耶穌救贖之功產生了一群新而潔淨的百姓，是屬靈的以色列人，在他們中間沒有拜偶像和錯誤崇拜的事（這一直是上帝與以色列人之間的問題）。然後撒迦利亞似乎又跳躍到彌賽亞千喜年的時代，上帝百姓絕對對清潔的光景（13：2~6是很難了解）。大致上的意思是上帝的百姓會心裡火熱地愛上帝，甚至他們發現自己的兒子犯了拜假神的罪，他們要與他斷絕關係（參申13：6~10；18：20；21：18~21）。

        十三章最後這三節，還算有足夠的新約經文可輔助了解。耶穌指出祂自己應驗了這些預言。祂是上帝差派的牧人，甘願為祂的羊捨了性命（約10：11、15）。在所預定的時刻，上帝的刀劍攻擊祂的同伴（約10：30；徒2：23）。耶穌被擊打，又被釘在十字架上，祂的門徒－－就是那些羊將分散（13：7；太26：31~32、56）。早期教會受逼迫，也使得耶穌的跟隨者四散，但這也在上帝的計劃中，因為福音正是藉此傳播到許多不同的地方（徒8：1，4）。耶穌雖不能親身與祂的羊群同在，祂的靈還是可以與那些「微小者」同在，祂仁慈的手，也要加在他們身上照顧他們（13：7下；路12：32）。

        審判和熬煉，要隨著好牧人的被殺而來。雖然這地上的居民大部份都要在未信的時候死於大災難當中，但上帝仍要保留三分之一的人，使他們經過試煉。從這三分之一的人當中，留一小批的餘民是信耶穌的，他們的信心要被煉得很純淨，「可以在耶穌基督顯現的時候，得著稱讚、榮耀、尊貴」，而且靈魂可以得救（彼前1：7~9）。他們要呼求耶穌的名字，上帝也要稱他們是祂的子民（13：8~9）。

        撒迦利亞書的最後一章，極可能是在講末日的災難。有些可怕的天文現象會在耶穌第二次再來時發生，但祂會縮短那段可怕的日子。撒迦利亞預言基督要站立在耶路撒冷東邊的橄欖山上，這山要因地震之故分裂為二，好讓耶路撒冷城中的人可以迅速逃亡。那時，凡相信主的居民（即餘民），及主所聚集的聖徒，都要被帶離開那些惡者（14：4~5）。惡者不會活太久，因為上帝要救祂的百姓，祂要以瘟疫擊殺仇敵的軍營（14：12）。包括人飬養的家畜也要因人類的罪惡而受災殃（14：15）。

        撒迦利亞說耶穌再來時，天空會極不尋常地變黑暗。可能就在這時瘟疫要流行害死很多人，惡人也要彼此相殘而死。上帝的聖徒要投入戰爭（14：13~14上），而原已黑暗的大地要突然間明亮起來，那是這世界的光－－耶穌照耀在地上（參太24：29~31）之故。在耶穌所建的這個國裡，很多地形要奇蹟般地改變，譬如有一道活水要從祂的寶座耶路撒冷中流出來（14：8、10；參珥3：18；結47：1-12；啟22：1~2）。敵人要被打敗，他們的財富要被收聚起來歸給上帝的百姓，使他們住在上帝的聖城中，可以豐盛地享用沒有後顧之憂（14：11）。全地都要敬拜耶穌這位君王，在這聖城中的每一人、每一物都要分別為聖歸祂。

        撒迦利亞的信息對那些聽眾來講，不但會鼓舞他們順服上帝去建造聖殿，也會鼓勵他們過一個分別為聖的生活，以此來等待那位要來的彌賽亞王－－他們的拯救者。

        主啊！求您使我們忠心。我們感謝您偉大、寶貴的應許－－就是您的再來。我們切慕每日與您更加親近。奉主耶穌基督的名，阿們！

English

        Chapter thirteen begins with words of hope that follow the thought in the preceding chapter. Although the Messiah was pierced, which caused those who believed in Him to mourn, His death opened up "a fountain" for the elect of the Lord to experience cleansing from sin —from that moment until the present time (Heb. 9:14); this is one of the provisions of the New Covenant (Jer. 31:34; Ezk. 36:25). The redemptive work of Jesus gave rise to a new and purified people of God, a spiritual Israel wherein there would be found no idolatry or false worship (the main problems God had with natural Israel). At this point, Zechariah seems to jump ahead and describe the absolute purity demanded of God's people in the Messiah's Millenial Kingdom (but admittedly, 13:2b-6 is difficult to understand). The general idea is that the people of God will be so zealous for the Lord and full of love for Him that even if they discover their own son to be involved in the sin of false divination, they will give him over to be cut. off (cf. Deut. 13:6-10; 18:20; 21:18-21).

        Regarding the next few verses of chapter 13 (vv. 7-9), however, the New Testament has given us an indication of their meaning. The Lord Jesus referred to Himself as fulfilling this prophecy. He was God's Shepherd who was willing to lay down His life for His sheep (John 10: 11,15). At the appointed time, God's sword became active against His Companion (John 10:30; Acts 2:23). Jesus was struck and crucified, and His disciples were the sheep who were scattered (13:7; Matt. 26:31-32, 56). The persecution of the early church lead to the dispersion of many followers of Jesus, but this was in the plan of God, for in such a way the Gospel message spread to other places (Acts 8:1, 4). Even though Jesus would not be with His flock in body, He would be with those "little ones" in Spirit, and His kind shepherd's hand would be "on" them (not to be translated "against") to care for them (13:7b; Lk. 12:32).

        Judgment and purging will follow the smiting of the Good Shepherd, but the words "and it shall come to pass" indicates that there will be a notable time lapse. Though the majority of inhabitants will die in unbelief, possibly during the time of the Great Tribulation in the latter days, the Lord will preserve a third who will be put to the test. From this one third, a smaller remnant who believe in Jesus will be purified, so that their faith may be genuine and "may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" and receive salvation for their souls (1 Pet. 1:7-9). They will know the Name to call upon, and that Name will be Jesus. They will be the ones whom the Lord calls His people (13:8-9).

        The final chapter of Zechariah is most likely describing the tribulation period of the last days. He tells of the terrible atrocities that will happen, but with Jesus the Messiah's second coming, He will cut short those days. Zechariah prophesies that Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and will split the Mount in two by an earthquake. The event may symbolize that Jesus has made a way of escape, for the Mount of Olives stands as a barrier to a quick escape from the city of Jerusalem. At this time, the believing inhabitants of Jerusalem (the remnant who are addressed here) and all the other saints whom the Lord has gathered will be taken away from the evils around them (14:4-5). The evil in the world will not last for long, for while God saves His own people, He will strike the camps of the wicked enemies with a killing plague, which Zechariah graphically describes (14:12). Even some of the domestic animals that are with them will suffer because of the sins of mankind (14:15).

        At the time of Jesus' second coming, Zechariah foretells that the skies will be supernaturally darkened. It is likely during this time that the plague will kill many, and many of the wicked will be killed by one another. The saints of the Lord will also be engaged in battle (14:13-14a), but suddenly, when it should naturally be dark, there will be light. This light will emanate from Jesus, the Light of the World and radiant coming King (cf. Matt. 24:29-31). In establishing His Kingdom, Jesus will miraculously change the topography of the land, including a life-giving river that will flow from His throne in Jerusalem (14:8, 10; cf. Joel 3:18; Ezek. 47:1-12; Rev. 22:1-2). All the wealth of the defeated foes will be gathered to enrich the people of God (14:14b) who will thereafter dwell safely and prosperously in the holy city of God (14:11). The whole earth will worship King Jesus, and everything and every person in His city will be wholly consecrated to Him.

        Thus the book of Zechariah ends, telling of the victory in store for those who faithfully serve God. These promises of future glory for the remnant no doubt encouraged Zechariah's audience to not only build the Temple of God in obedience to Him, but also to live consecrated lives unto Him while waiting expectantly for the coming Messiah, King, and deliverer.

        Keep us faithful, O Lord! Thank You for Your great and precious promises. We rejoice in the great hope set before us — Your return. We long to draw closer to You daily.