Zechariah 8
(1) God Will Restore Israel/Judah
Then the Existing One of all creation sent me a message that said,
“I’m so jealous for Jerusalem—yes, even enraged with jealousy for her. I will come back to Jerusalem and live in her midst. Then people will call her ‘the City of Truth/Faithfulness,’ and My mountain will be called ‘the Sacred Mountain.’ The elderly will sit in Jerusalem’s squares again—and they’ll have lived to be so old that they’ll all be holding canes. And the town squares will be full of boys and girls playing.
“Just because My people who are still alive think this is too hard for Me to do, does that mean I also think it’s too hard to do?
“I’ll save My people from the countries next to them on the east and the west. I’ll bring them back and they’ll live in Jerusalem. They’ll be My people, and I’ll be their God in a way that’s faithful, true, and right.
(9) God Encourages Israel/Judah
“If you live in current times and can hear what God’s spokesmen are saying, then you should strengthen your hands. When those spokesmen were delivering their messages, the foundation for My house was being laid—and I’m the Existing One over all creation. Listen to My spokesmen so that the temple might be built!
“Back in those days, the people and animals didn’t earn any wages for their work. People who came and went didn’t have any security because of their enemies. I set every man against each other.
“But I won’t treat the My people who are still alive today the same way that I used to. Now, the seeds will have peace/wholeness, the vine will produce fruit, the land will grow produce, the atmosphere will irrigate the land with dew, and I’ll cause what’s left of these people to inherit these things. Israel and Judah, in the same way that you used to be a curse to the rest of the world, I’ll free you so you become a blessing. Don’t be afraid. Strengthen you hands.
(14) God Asks for Cooperation
“I intended to harm you guys when your parents made Me mad, and I don’t regret that. In that same way, I’m now planning to do good to Jerusalem and Judah. You don’t have to be afraid! Here’s what you need to do:
• Tell each other the truth, and govern honestly and rightly so you can have peace and wholeness in your towns.
• Don’t let anyone plot evil schemes in your hearts against each other.
• Don’t tell lies under oath.I hate all of those things.”
(18) Judah will Enjoy God’s Holidays
Then the Existing One sent me a message that said,
“The fasts you do in the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 10th months will become happy, enjoyable holidays for Judah—so learn to love the truth and love peace.
(20) Other Countries will Go to Judah to Worship God
“People will once again come to Israel/Judah from many other cities. People from other cities will go to each other saying,
‘Let’s go talk to the Existing One of all creation and pursue Him. Yes, I want to go too!’
“So many people and powerful countries will come to Jerusalem to pursue the Existing One of all creation and connect with Him. In those days, people from 10 different languages will grab Jews by the shirt and say,
‘Please let us join you, because we’ve heard that God is with you!’”
