New Life Bible Fellowship Church
11/23/25

      • Genesis 3:15ESV

      • Psalm 110ESV

      • Psalm 100KJV1900

  • Brethren, We Have Met to Worship
  • My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness

      • Proverbs 3:13–35KJV1900

  • Introduction:

    As we continue in our current series entitled, Christ in the Old Testament, a series that is allowing us to explore nine key passages from the Old Testament, revealing how God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ was woven into the fabric of salvation history from the very beginning, and in so doing, we have seen that these revelations are progressive in nature.
    We began with three sermons that were foundational.
    The first promise, in Genesis 3:15. - One who would crush the serpents head.
    The ultimate sacrifice, in Genesis 22:1-19. - God would provide for himself the lamb.
    The passover lamb, Exodus 12:1-13. - “When I see the blood, I will pass over you…”
    Then two sermons that showed us The Work of Atonement itself,
    The Suffering Servant, from Isaiah 53. - “…he was pierced for our transgressions…crushed for our iniquities…”
    The King on the Cross from Psalm 22. - “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
    Then two sermons that show us The Identity of the Redeemer (Eternal God, Perfect Man),
    The Ruler from Bethlehem, from Micah 5:1-6. - “…ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
    Out of Egypt I called my Son from Hosea 11. - God called the true perfect Israel, Jesus, out of Egypt to perfectly fulfill what His people Israel had failed to do.
    Now for our final two sermons, we will focus on The Reign of the King (Humble Mission, Exalted Authority, Eternal Priesthood). What does the Old Testament tell us about the reign of Christ? How does this reign differ from what we are used to seeing among earthly leaders? To answewr these questions, We will begin with a familiar passage that we normally use on Palm Sunday from Zechariah 9:9-10, and get a glimpse first of all that the reign of the king will be as a man of peace, and He will be, The Humble King.

    Text: Zechariah 9

    Zechariah 9 ESV
    1 The oracle of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach and Damascus is its resting place. For the Lord has an eye on mankind and on all the tribes of Israel, 2 and on Hamath also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 3 Tyre has built herself a rampart and heaped up silver like dust, and fine gold like the mud of the streets. 4 But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire. 5 Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid; Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish; Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded. The king shall perish from Gaza; Ashkelon shall be uninhabited; 6 a mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of Philistia. 7 I will take away its blood from its mouth, and its abominations from between its teeth; it too shall be a remnant for our God; it shall be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites. 8 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes. 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. 13 For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword. 14 Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. 15 The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar. 16 On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. 17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.

    Main Idea: Since God’s purpose for the Messiah was a Spiritual battle, He entered not as a conquering military general, but as a gentle, peaceful, and righteous king.

    Background:

    Approximately 200-235 years elapsed between Hosea 11 (written c. 735-725 BC) and Zechariah 9 (written c. 518-500 BC).
    During these two centuries, the Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria (722 BC), Judah survived initially but eventually fell to Babylon (586 BC), and the Jewish people endured 50+ years of Babylonian exile before returning under Persian rule (538 BC). The temple was rebuilt and completed by 516 BC, providing the context for Zechariah's ministry. While Hosea proclaimed God's fatherly compassion that refused to completely destroy His rebellious people, the intervening years demonstrated both the reality of covenant judgment and the faithfulness of God's promises of restoration.
    Historical Context
    The book identifies Zechariah as the son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo (1:1), suggesting he came from a priestly family. His prophetic ministry began in the second year of King Darius of Persia (520 BC). Zechariah prophesied during the post-exilic period (520-518 BC), contemporary with Haggai. The Jews had returned from Babylonian captivity under Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. The people were discouraged, facing opposition and questioning whether God was truly with them. Zechariah's ministry encouraged the completion of the temple while also looking far beyond to ultimate restoration and the coming Messiah.
    Structure and Themes
    The book divides into two main sections:
    Chapters 1-8: Night visions and messages during temple rebuilding, emphasizing God's presence and future blessing
    Chapters 9-14: Two "oracles" (burdens) concerning Israel's future, the Messiah, and final restoration
    The book is remarkably Messianic, containing more prophecies about Christ than any other minor prophet. Zechariah presents the Messiah in multiple roles: the Branch (3:8, 6:12-13), the Shepherd-King, the Pierced One (12:10), and the Divine Warrior who brings final victory.
    Zechariah 9 begins a new section following the night visions. The chapter contrasts the judgment on surrounding nations (9:1-8) with the salvation coming to Zion through her king. This of course is great news to those returning since they presently had no king, however, this king differs radically from worldly conquerors—as we shall soon see.

    I. Proclaiming God's Sovereignty (9:1-8)

    In these opening verses, the prophecy addresses surrounding nations, signaling God's control over history, and a comfort to His people who have endured much from their enemies as a result of their own sin.
    1 The oracle of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach and Damascus is its resting place. For the Lord has an eye on mankind and on all the tribes of Israel,
    oracle of the word of the LORD. This phrase is used three times in the OT (here, 12:1, and Mal. 1:1, which links this section of the book with the book of Malachi). Here it may carry the sense of a burden, i.e., the prophet is under strong compulsion to deliver a message of judgment from God.
    land of Hadrach. This is the northernmost city listed in vv. 1–8. The description here is rather general.
    Damascus. The capital of Syria, Israel’s neighbor to the north.
    2 and on Hamath also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 3 Tyre has built herself a rampart and heaped up silver like dust, and fine gold like the mud of the streets.
    Hamath. Located on the Orontes River north of Damascus.
    Tyre and Sidon. Phoenician cities on the Mediterranean coast. Both were commercial centers throughout the biblical period. Their description as “very wise” may relate to shrewdness in business. Judgment of these cities is a common prophetic theme (Jer. 47:1–7; Ezek. 28:11–23).
    4 But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire.
    the sea. The source of Tyre’s wealth and security.
    The remarkable precision of this prophecy—written in the 6th century BC and fulfilled in 332 BC—demonstrates how even cities with great skill, wealth, and seemingly impregnable defenses cannot stand against God's judgment. The prophecy emphasized that human achievement and self-reliance cannot shield anyone from divine authority.
    Nebuchadnezzar (6th century BC)
    Tyre experienced its first major blow when Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city for thirteen years, causing tremendous destruction. However, the island fortress portion remained unconquered.
    Alexander the Great (332 BC)
    Most commentators believe the primary fulfillment came when Alexander the Great marched through these lands on his way to Egypt. This is the most dramatic fulfillment:
    The Engineering Marvel: Alexander built a causeway from the mainland to the island city using rocks, timbers, and rubble from the buildings of old Tyre on the mainland. He used the remains of Tyre's own mainland buildings to construct the causeway and succeeded in conquering Tyre.
    The Seven-Month Siege: The siege lasted from January to July 332 BC and was the most challenging of the twenty sieges Alexander's forces faced. About 6,000 fighting men were slaughtered within the city's fortifications, and 15,000 residents were secretly rescued by Sidonians.
    5 Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid; Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish; Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded. The king shall perish from Gaza; Ashkelon shall be uninhabited; 6 a mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of Philistia. 7 I will take away its blood from its mouth, and its abominations from between its teeth; it too shall be a remnant for our God; it shall be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.
    Ashkelon ... Gaza ... Ekron. Strong cities of Philistia will not be able to withstand the power of the approaching Warrior—God Himself. These cities are marked out for judgment many times in the OT (Is. 14:28–32; Ezek. 25:15–17; Amos 1:6–8).
    8 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes.
    I will encamp at my house. The object of this comprehensive judgment on Israel’s enemies is to make life safe for her.
    The verse is a beautiful promise that while God judges the nations around Israel for their pride and opposition, He sovereignly protects His own people. Even when powerful armies march through the region, God encamps as their divine guard.
    However, as great as this is, God’s sovereign protection is focused on the coming of Israel’s final King, and calls them into a time of…

    II. Rejoicing in the Humble King (9:9)

    9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
    Rejoice greatly - the call to rejoice goes beyond their present circumstances and is a call to faith in the covenant keeping, faithful God of Israel. This reminds us of what Paul said to the church of Thessalonica in his closing of 1 Thessalonians 5:
    1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV
    16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
    O daughter of Zion. A common title for God’s holy city and people, which personifies her as a young woman (Is. 1:8 note; 62:11; Zeph. 3:14).
    Isaiah 1:8 ESV
    8 And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
    Zephaniah 3:14 ESV
    14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
    your king. The royal descendant of David promised repeatedly, a promise that David’s lineage is not dead (2 Sam. 7:12–13).
    2 Samuel 7:12–13 ESV
    12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
    righteous and having salvation. See Ps. 72:1, this whole Psalm of Solomon is centered around the righteousness of the coming king. Note that the King is both righteous, and brings with Him salvation as something that is still to be accomplished.
    Psalm 72:1 ESV
    1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
    What is this salvation? An important question in understanding the meaning of this prophesy and its fulfillment. It is to go without saying that a conquered people would desire as God’s people to be free from their conquerers, but the prophecy show us something different:
    humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. A sign of His coming in peace more than a sign of humility. Wealthy people ride donkeys in this era (Judg. 10:4), but horses are the mount of choice for military activities. However, this humility contrasts sharply with attitude of victorious superiority of military conquerors.
    This is what the Jews expected from their King as the saw this passage fulfilled in the Gospels (all four Gospels record this important event in Jesus life):
    Matthew 21:1–11 ESV
    1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
    Though this passage was fulfilled in the Gospels, the Jews did not understand that the humility of their King was necessary to bring them salvation and a most essential peace, peace with God.
    For they also thought that the rest of the prophecy of this coming King, who is righteous, bringing salvation, and humble, was a prophecy for God’s people to find political peace, thus restoring the golden years of Israel. However, as we shall see next, ultimate peace was to come from…

    III. Resting in Christ's Peace (9:10-17)

    These verses describe the King's reign, characterized by peace extending globally. This peace as described below, is seen more prevalently not in His first coming, which brought peace with God, which provided the context for its ultimately fulfillment in His second coming.
    10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
    the chariot ... the war horse. Implements of war will be abolished in the peaceful reign of the righteous King (Is. 2:1–4; 11:6–9). The OT often predicts universal peace in the time of the messianic King (Is. 57:19; Mic. 4:1–5; cf. Eph. 2:12–18).
    he shall speak peace to the nations - the nations go beyond Israel to the gentile nations.
    rule ... to the ends of the earth. The universal, sovereign rule of God is foundational to OT understanding of the Messiah (Pss. 72:8; 96:3–5; Dan. 2:44–47; 7:13, 14, 27). Christ is the One who ultimately brings universal dominion to the earth (Matt. 12:28; Phil. 2:9–11; Rev. 19:11–16).
    Theological Significance
    Universal Peace - The removal of weapons and establishment of peace "to the nations" and "to the ends of the earth" - This transcends mere national restoration to embrace worldwide reconciliation.
    Cosmic Dominion - “From sea to sea...to the ends of the earth" - Echoes Psalm 72:8 and the Davidic covenant promises.
    Psalm 72:8 ESV
    8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
    This ultimate reign of the Messiah is a result of His first coming, as we see next:
    11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
    blood of my covenant. A reference to the provision in God’s covenant for covering sin (Ex. 24:8; Matt. 26:28).
    Exodus 24:8 ESV
    8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
    Matthew 26:28 ESV
    28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
    (12) I will restore to you double - the Lord had committed himself to “double” his people’s former prosperity (Is 40:2)
    Isaiah 40:2 ESV
    2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
    In this glorious prophecy, we see the fulfillment of this double portion; peace with God, and peace with man.
    13 For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword.
    bow ... arrow. In contrast to the earlier image of shattering the threatening weapons of Judah’s enemies, the Lord will make His own people into a powerful weapon, uniting Judah and Israel together.
    O Greece. Lit. “O Javan” (Gen. 10:2). During Zechariah’s lifetime, Javan encompassed many of the coastal Mediterranean nations, and thus naturally later came to denote the Greeks.
    14 Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
    Then the Lord will appear over them - Yahweh will appear in such a way that His coming will be universally known.
    go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet - this I believe refers to Christ second coming as Jesus declares to His inquisitive disciples who wondered what would be the events of His return:
    Matthew 24:27–31 ESV
    27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
    whirlwinds of the south. The God of Israel is now portrayed as the Divine Warrior, coming from the southern region of the desert riding on the storm clouds (2 Sam. 22:8–16; Ps. 29). Since Mount Sinai was the place He appeared when He brought the people out of Egypt, the OT sometimes depicts God as coming from that region. The Lord’s second return will bring protection and judgment…
    15 The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.
    drink and roar as if drunk with wine. God’s people will be exuberant with a holy joy because of God’s victory and presence (Acts 2:13–21; Eph. 5:18).
    Revelation 19:11–16 ESV
    11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
    16 On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. 17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.
    the flock ... jewels of a crown. God’s people rest secure as sheep under His care (13:7; Ezek. 34:11–24; 37:24). Like carefully protected crown jewels, they will become glorious as a result of God’s presence (2 Cor. 3:18).
    The goodness and beauty is the Messiah—His providential goodness, and His goodness as Mediator. This includes His fulness of grace, all those spiritual blessings that are in Him, the large measures of grace given at conversion, and the numerous instances of His goodness afterwards, including glory as well as grace.
    (17) Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women - The Gospel is seen as "grain” and "new wine", in which Christ is the central focus as He showed His disciples on the night before He was betrayed, in Mark 14:22-25:
    Mark 14:22–25 ESV
    22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
    This I believe is speaking of the new heavens and new earth from Revelation 21:1-4
    Revelation 21:1–4 ESV
    1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
    This great passage of hope and victory has a sobering side as well, it involves those who reject the Messaih as their King…Revelation 21:5-8 goes on to describe their fate:
    Revelation 21:5–8 ESV
    5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

    So What?

    Do we understand that our Messiah Jesus came the first time as a Humble King to bring salvation through His blood and peace with God?
    Do we understand that this same Humble King will return a second time to Judge the living and the dead, and usher in His eternal Kingdom?
    Do you most importantly understand that unless we repent of your sins and place our trust totally in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, we will be judged eternally in the lake of fire?

      • Zechariah 9ESV

      • Zechariah 9:1–8ESV

      • Zechariah 9:9ESV

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18ESV

      • Isaiah 1:8ESV

      • Zephaniah 3:14ESV

      • 2 Samuel 7:12–13ESV

      • Psalm 72:1ESV

      • Matthew 21:1–11ESV

      • Zechariah 9:10ESV

      • Psalm 72:8ESV

      • Zechariah 9:11–12ESV

      • Exodus 24:8ESV

      • Matthew 26:28ESV

      • Isaiah 40:2ESV

      • Zechariah 9:13–14ESV

      • Matthew 24:27–31ESV

      • Zechariah 9:15ESV

      • Revelation 19:11–16ESV

      • Zechariah 9:16–17ESV

      • Mark 14:22–25ESV

      • Revelation 21:1–4ESV

      • Revelation 21:5–8ESV

  • He's Done So Much for Me
New Life Bible Fellowship Church
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