God's Endgame: To Dwell With Man.

The third vision of Zechariah was:

A Vision of a Man with a Measuring Line - Part 1.

Remember these visions form more of a collage than separate prophetic looks.  In general God has been telling Zechariah that Christ will build His Church and it will stand for eternity.  He has been telling him that Christ's kingdom will come and reign forever.  This is the motivation for Israel to continue on the work God has called them to do.  It is intended to pry them from the lethargy.  Now we have a third aspect called The Man with a measuring line.  You can read it in Zechariah 2.

This vision involves such players as a surveyor ("a man with a measuring line in his hand"), an angel that provides the meaning and another angel.  The point of the surveyor is to show the immensity and the size of this future "city".  "The “man with a measuring line” (v. 1) is not identified, though it is conjectured that he is probably the Angel of the Lord, as in Ezek. 40:3." [1]  This is a vision that is pointing forward to the progressive fulfillment of the promises of God.  "Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it.” (Zechariah 2:4, NIV).

This vision points forward to the time when God will dwell with His people and the city of Jerusalem, will be filled with the God-worshiping nations of the earth. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:2–3, NIV).

There is a constant allusion here to the eschatology reality of God dwelling with His people:

• Zechariah 2:4–5 (NIV), ⁴ and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. ⁵ And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
• Zechariah 2:10 (NIV), ¹⁰ “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord.
• Zechariah 2:11–12 (NIV), ¹¹ “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. ¹² The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.

There is a warning to pagan nations in this vision also.  "In view of the return of the Lord’s glory to Jerusalem and his coming judgment on their former rulers (1:18–20), those still in exile in Babylon should escape from there and return to Zion, the home of the temple." [2]  And this is certain, for the vision ends with a similar call as Psalm 46:10: “Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”” (Zechariah 2:13, NIV).

The joy, the peace, the security, the glory of God are all contingent on His Presence.  His lack of presence leaves a people insecure and vulnerable.  We become very aware of the devastation when the glory of God's Presence departs. But even more so, when God's Presence is manifest in His fullness, what joy!  What peace!

Father, to see again that Your goal is to dwell with mankind in holy, radiant, glory is no surprise. We know that the consummate blessing is when You cause Your face to shine upon us; when instead of turning Your back on us, You turn toward us.  We know that the ultimate security is when You dwell in the center of the habitation.  Like Moses we pray today that Your Presence will go with us and before us.  I thank You this day for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  I thank You that You have not left Your children orphans, but You have sent Your Spirit to be with us always.  Yet as unspeakably miraculous that is, it does not compare to what it will be like in the New Heavens and New Earth when You dwell with Your redeemed in unhindered glory.  My mind cannot conceive of such wonder.  I cry, "Be still world!  My God is in His holy Temple!  My God is coming to dwell forever with His people!"   Oh come Lord Jesus, come.   Grant the grace of diligent service and obedience as we await the day when our faith shall be sight.  Amen!

 

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1. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 2:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 

2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1754–1755). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.