Sooner vs. Later

Zechariah saw into the future. In his final two oracles (9-11; 12-14), he envisions God's victory over the nations, judgment of bad leaders, elimination of idols, and restoration of Jerusalem where God's people and the nations would worship. Central to these visions were glimpses of a messianic figure: priestly, humble, pastoral, and pierced. This figure came later, not sooner, in the first coming of Jesus Christ. Zechariah's words provided a script for his life. As his followers, we wait for his second coming. Indeed, we live for later.