WWSCS - Ministry Programmes
Womens Society of Christian Service
Event Date |
To be confirmed |
Event End Date |
31 December 2099 (Thu) |
Multiple Dates |
Ongoing |
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Location |
Womens Society of Christian Service |
Tuesday
Tuesday Fellowship meeting: 23 July 2024, 11am in Plaza Hall.
Speaker: Rev Dr Tony Chi (former PIC of Wesley Methodist Church)
Join us, in worshiping our Creator, listening to His message, sharing our lives in warm fellowship, over lunch!
Registration needed. Please text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.
Zechariah
Zechariah (Hebrew: “God remembers”) was a young priest/prophet, born in Babylon, who prophesied with the aging Haggai, to encourage the discouraged remnant who returned with Zerubbabel, to complete the rebuilding of the Temple. It had stopped for 15/16 years. (520 BC) The Temple was completed in 516 BC.
He brought hope by revealing God’s future deliverance through a coming King (Messiah) who will rescue them and reign in peace, over all the Earth! (The “Revelation” of the Old Testament). He provided the most detailed description of the End Times, of the minor prophets. His book includes:
- National Messages for Rebuilding the Temple (Chapters 1-8):
- Night Visions (8)
- Words of Encouragement
- International Messages after Completion of the Temple (Chapters 9-14)
- A Call to Return to the Lord:
“Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
- The Man among the Myrtle Trees: He (angel) was on a red horse. Behind him were riders on red, brown and white horses. These reported, after patrolling the earth, that the whole world was at peace. The Lord Almighty said: My love for Jerusalem is passionate and strong. I was only a little angry with my people but the nations (now at peace) went too far with the punishment. My Temple will be rebuilt and Jerusalem will overflow with prosperity. God will comfort His people.
- Four Horns and Four Craftsmen: The 4 horns were nations/world powers that scattered/oppressed Israel. The 4 craftsmen were nations used by God to punish the “horns”/Israel’s enemies. (Eg: Assyria/Babylonia/Medo-Persia/Greece/Rome).
- A Man with a Measuring Line: He was measuring the boundaries of Jerusalem which will one day be full of people, including people from many nations. God will Himself be a protective wall around them. Zechariah urged the remaining exiles to escape from Babylon, which will be destroyed. God said that whoever harms them, harms the “apple of his eye” (His most precious possession).
- Clean Garments for the High Priest: Joshua, the High Priest, had his filthy clothes (sins) exchanged for clean clothes. If he obeyed God he would be in charge of God’s house. God promised to bring the Branch (Messiah), who would offer Himself as the Perfect sacrifice, conferring His righteousness to every true believer, making them “priests”. (1 Peter 2:9) Each person will sit under their own vine and fig tree (have their own place of security).
- The Golden Lampstand and Two Olive Trees: Zerubbabel was reminded that it was only through God’s Spirit, not by human strength/ abilities, that the Temple would be completed. God will provide an inexhaustible amount of oil (Spirit) for His work. The 2 olive trees are the 2 “anointed ones” who serve God. (Possibly: Zerubbabel, Joshua).
- The Flying Scroll: The scroll represents God’s curse which will fall on everyone (individual) who steals or swears falsely/lies, indicating that all sins will be judged. God’s people are expected to be honest and just.
- The Woman in a Basket: She represents the wickedness/sins of the societies/nations. The wickedness will be brought to Babylonia (Shinar), the centre of world idolatry and evil, and banished from Israel. The 2 women with wind in their wings are responsible for effecting this transfer. (One day, all sins will be removed from the Earth).
- Four Chariots: The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, the third white and the fourth dappled horses. They were the 4 spirits of heaven who patrol the Earth, to do God’s work. The angel with Zechariah explained that the black horses (went north) had executed God’s punishment there. God is just and punishes sin. Repenting/turning from sin releases the mercy of God.
Words of Encouragement:
- Zechariah was instructed to prepare a crown for Joshua, the High Priest. This foreshadows the combination of the 2 roles of King and High Priest, when Messiah/Branch returns at the Second Coming, to rule on His throne.
- When asked if the people should continue their annual fasting. God questioned their attitudes. He said it was more important to administer True Justice, show Mercy and Compassion to one another. They should not oppress the vulnerable/weak (eg. widow, fatherless, orphans, foreigners and poor.)
- God promised to bless Jerusalem. One day, God (Jesus) will rule His Kingdom, from Jerusalem. The streets will be filled with old men and women, and boys and girls at play. This indicates total peace and security. The fasts will become celebrations of Joy. Many peoples from around the world will come and seek the Lord! So, rebuild the Temple!
- International Messages: The last 6 chapters are 2 messages delivered late in Zechariah’s life. They point to Jesus/Messiah’s 1st and 2nd Coming.
- Judgment on Israel’s Enemies: Those who oppress Israel will be crushed, but these promises are conditional upon Israel’s obedience.
- The Coming of Zion’s King:
Zech 9:1-13: How God will help His people avoid war.
Zech 9:14-17: How God will help His people when war is inevitable.
*Your King will come, righteous and victorious, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (This was fulfilled at Jesus’Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem – predicted more than 500 years before the event.) (9:9)
- Good and Evil Shepherds: The Lord will get rid of the evil shepherds (Zech 11) and care for Judah. (Zech 10) One day, He will gather/reunite the Jews and shepherd them.
*His 2nd Coming and His reign over all nations was predicted. (9:10)
*The Lord will save His people on that day as a shepherd saves His flock. (9:16).
- In the final siege/battle (at Armageddon) when all the nations rise against Jerusalem, God will come to Jerusalem’s defence and destroy them. (Zech 12)
- All Israel will weep and mourn that they had killed the Messiah. The Spirit will be poured out to convict of sin and there will be spiritual revival. (Zech 12). There will be a fountain to cleanse Israel from sin, and false prophecies. One third (Remnant) will be refined by their difficult circumstances (fire). (Zech 13).
- The Lord will come and reign over the Earth. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which will split into North and South segments, and Jerusalem will be raised, above the surrounding mountains. Living water will flow from it, eastward to the Dead Sea and westwards to the Mediterranean Sea. All the nations will go to Jerusalem to worship God. (What encouraging news for the discouraged builders!). (Zech 14).
NB: Even in discouragement, remember that God is working out His Plan. God knows, protects, guides us and controls the Future: Trust Him.
Q1. Will you trust and follow Him, no matter what challenges you are facing?
Q2. Are you putting your trust in idols (eg. money, power, fame, relationships, success) for your happiness and security?
Q3. Are you faithfully reading God’s Word, obeying His true teaching and helping others to turn to God/be faithful to Him?
Food For Reflection:
“Not by might nor by power,
but by My Spirit,”
says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Zechariah 4:6
Saturday
WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group
Next Meeting:
13 Jul 2024 at 2pm (online)
Lessons from the Book of Ezra
The Book of Ezra is a historical record of the Return of the Jews (in three groups) from Babylonian exile after:
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the 70-years’ captivity (as prophesied by Jeremiah), and
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the Persian King Cyrus’ decree (as prophesied by Isaiah).
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Zerubbabel led the first group. They completed the Temple after encouragement by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
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Ezra led the second group. With strong support from King Artaxerxes, he returned with a number of Levitical priests, and helped to bring spiritual revival.
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Nehemiah led the third group. He rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls.
The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.
We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)