Zechariah 10: Superiority of Messiah’s Reign

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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Zechariah 10 speaks of the blessing of Messiah’s reign for 1,000 years that will occur following the coming Tribulation period. Verse 1 tells us ancient Israel relied solely on the rains to water their crops. They had no irrigation. In times of drought, nothing grew. Israel had to rely on former and latter rains; autumn and spring rains.

During the coming Millennial Kingdom, God will provide enough rain throughout the year for the crops (showers of rain). “Grass in the field” is God’s poetic language stating equality for everyone. There will be plenty of food for all people.

Verses 2-5 tell us that only the true people of God conquer in the end. Zechariah is comparing Israel’s idols (teraphim = household gods) and diviners (who predicted the future), with the true God. The prophet is saying there is no real help from the idols and their comfort is “empty,” yet the Israelites continued to rely on them just as many people do today. It’s like carrying a rabbit’s foot in your pocket for “good luck.”

The people in Zechariah’s day were in trouble because there was no real human godly shepherds guiding/caring for them. False and deceptive leaders filled in the emptiness and led the people astray. The people followed due to a lack of discernment.

God promises to transform His people from a fearful flock of sheep to His royal horses ready for battle in the day He returns! All the men will become mighty and defeat all of God’s enemies. Though God was previously displeased with Israel’s shepherds, God will raise up One who is the Perfect Shepherd from Judah; Jesus to reign over this world.

• Jesus is the cornerstone: the foundation, measure, and standard (Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22-23, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:4-5)
• Jesus is the tent peg: holding all things securely (Isaiah 22:23-24)
• Jesus is the battle bow: a strong fighter for good (Isaiah 63:1-4, Revelation 19:11-16)
• Jesus is the leader over every ruler of His people (Revelation 19:16) (notes from Enduring Word Commentary)

Verses 6-7 tell us God promises to save and strengthen the house of Judah. God will have mercy on them and this blessing would include ALL the tribes of Israel, even Joseph’s sons/tribes.

For the Christian today, Ephesians 6:10 promises strength for His children now as well even before the Millennial Kingdom. God gives His strength to us for the labors He has given us. The LORD will return strength AND joy to Israel so that their children will be glad in that day.

This promise to gather Israel is repeated throughout Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:1-6, Jeremiah 23:1-8, Jeremiah 32:37-41, Ezekiel 11:16-20, Ezekiel 36:16-28, etc. Though Israel (Jews) have been scattered throughout the nations, they will remember God and come back to Israel. This is happening today and has been for a number of decades since 1948 (in unbelief). Hence, this is only partial fulfillment of these prophecies and the final fulfillment will be in belief!

God will gather Israel (the final remnant) to enter the coming Millennial Kingdom. When He does, His people will fully enjoy freedom and true liberty as never before as well as all the other benefits originally promised to Abraham, because all of Israel’s enemies will be fully and finally defeated. This will be like a new exodus from Egypt complete with new miracles:

He shall pass through the sea with affliction, and strike the waves of the sea: All the depths of the River shall dry up (verse 11)

The fact that the Millennial Kingdom is promised throughout Scripture at the end of this current age is indicative of the fact that God’s repeated foretelling of this means He is being emphatic; it will come to pass. Nothing will keep it from happening anymore than anything could keep Jesus from returning to this earth.

There are groups of people who believe Christians must work to not only witness to and evangelize the lost, but we must also work to change every facet of society so that globally, the world becomes increasingly righteous. This will then – they believe – ultimately allow Christians to “give” the world to Jesus so that He can reign for 1,000 years.

Unfortunately, this is hogwash, to put it bluntly. Proof of this is seen in Matthew 24 when Jesus tells His disciples that He will return according to the timing of the Father. When He does return, the first thing He will do is destroy the Antichrist and judge the nations. This doesn’t sound like the world has become better and better. In fact, the whole of Revelation alone paints a very dark picture of what this world will become during the final seven years (Tribulation) prior to Christ’s physical return. There is no way to see a betterment in the world from Scripture unless it is allegorized. When people allegorize Scripture, they do damage to the plain and ordinary meaning of it.

The clarity of God’s Word stands and the fact that God repeats Himself so often and in so many ways throughout the various books of the Bible is indicative of God pointing out His meaning.

Jesus is coming back.

He is going to destroy Antichrist and the works of Satan.

He will reign for 1,000 years.

The people (final remnant) of Israel will enjoy the full blessings of the Millennial Kingdom and so will the Church, who will also reign with Christ.

Following the conclusion of the Millennial Kingdom, Satan will be released from the Bottomless Pit, gain new human followers and mount a final rebellion against God at/near Jerusalem. This rebellion will be quickly put down by Jesus Himself. The Great White throne judgment will then occur and the new heavens and new earth will be created. From that point onward, we will have eternity future where sin can never darken the doorway of a person’s mind.

All of this is outlined clearly in the last few chapters of the book of Revelation. In the meantime, we have a world that will become increasingly evil, though it now appears as though under Trump, things are looking up. However, God’s plans will continue to unfold and the world will continue to move toward the time of great evil. Trump will only be in office for four years. While he may accomplish some good things while there, only God knows who/what will take his place and what that will mean for America and this planet.

Considering just how much the Biden Administration was able to destroy and waste through massive fraud and money laundering, it could easily go back to that after Trump’s tenure.

Zechariah and other portions of Scripture that speak of the good things to come with the physical return of Jesus, also normally acknowledge a time of terrible things being poured out onto this world. To think that everything is going to be coming up roses is unrealistic. It is best to consider your path and seek God for discernment and wisdom in daily living.

We are going to need it.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Source: https://studygrowknowblog.com/2025/02/14/zechariah-10-superiority-of-messiahs-reign/