Salvation Assured

Zechariah’s prophetic ministry occurred about the same time as Haggai that we looked at last week. (Feb-Dec 520-519 BC) It was early in the reign of King Darius in Persia. When he came to power, he authorized Israel’s return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and restore the city. The first wave of exiles had been back for nearly 16 years by the time Zechariah began his ministry and work on rebuilding the second temple was only just beginning. So, in this context, Zechariah offers an altogether reassuring and encouraging message. In fact, Zechariah’s name means “God Remembers” and his message encouraged people that even though they had drifted away from him, he remembers his covenant love for them.