Introduction: Immediately following the overthrow of the Gentile world powers, pictured in the judgments of (Zechariah 6:1-8 and Revelation 6:1-8), we see the manifestation of Christ in His kingdom glory typified in the crowning of Joshua the high priest. The crowning of King-Priest Messiah is thus set forth symbolically by the coronation of Joshua, which is not a vision, but an actual historical act, which evidently took place the day following the night of visions.

I. THE HISTORICAL EVENT AND THE PROPHETIC SYMBOLISM (6:9-11):

A. The arrival of the deputies from Babylon with gifts for the temple (6:9,10a) -

Evidently some of the Babylonian exiles were bringing some gifts for the construction of the temple. The gift was to be received, not scanned or refused. There may have been some built in prejudices toward those who had remained in Babylon. The names of the returned captives were God-honoring displaying faith and reverence.

Heldai - "The Lord's world"

Tabijah - "God is good"

Jedaiah - "God knows"

These men were undoubtedly men of spiritual depth and character, which accounts for the reason they were chosen for the mission.

B. The command to Zechariah to meet the Babylonian delegation (6:10b) -

"Come thou the same day" expresses an urgency and importance of the task. No one else hut. Zechariah was qualified for the following events His eight night visions had prepared him to have a full appreciation for the double application of the crowning of Joshua.

The idea is that God never gives a man a vision without a reason.

The reason why they gathered at Josiah's house is not given, but a hint may be in his other name "Hen" (vs. 14), which means It graciousness." Gracious, hospitable people seem to get in on some extra blessings. The visitors from far-off Babylon with their gifts were a type of the vast number of Gentiles in the millennial age who would bring their worship to the King and their wealth to build His temple. A New Testament picture is the handful of Greeks who came seeking Jesus (John 12:2024).

C. The instruction of Zechariah to make a crown and coronate Joshua the High Priest (6:11)

The fact that Joshua the priest is designated to receive the crown and not Zerubbabel the civil leader is extremely important to notice. In the Old Testament the kingly and priestly offices were kept rigidly distinct. The office of king pertained alone to the house of David (II Samuel 7; Psalms 89), while the priestly office was warning enough of God's irrevocable separation between these two functions (II Chronicles 26:16-21).

The entire event then is a picture of the future priestly kingship of Christ according to Hebrews 7:1-3; Psalms 110:4

 

II. THE MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROPHETIC SYMBOLISM (6:12,13,15):

A. Messiah, the Branch, shall appear as Joshua's anti-type (6:12a,b) -

Zechariah was directed to speak unto Joshua, saying, "Behold the man." Pontius Pilate was echoing prophecy when he uttered these words before the yelling, murderous mob at Jesus' trial (John 19:5). If the Jews had not been blinded by hatred, religious bigotry and unbelief, they would have recalled the prophetic usage in Zechariah. The word "Branch" is foreshadowed in (Isaiah 53:2; Jeremiah 33:15; Isaiah 11:1). The idea is that the Messiah sprouts out of the fallen trunk of David, from His own land and nation.

B. Messiah, the Branch, shall build the millennial temple (6:12c, 13a) -

The reference here is not to the earthly temple which was then in construction, for this was to be finished by Zerubbabel (Zech. 4:9), but the millennial temple is meant (Ezekiel 40-42; Isaiah 2:2,4).

C. Messiah, the Branch, shall bear the glory (6:13b) -

He deserves all the glory and will receive it (Psalms 8:1; 45:3; 148;13; Hab. 3:3; Rev. 19:16) .

D. Messiah, the Branch, shall be a King-Priest (6:13c,d) -

Christ will take possession of His inheritance (Revelation 5:1-19:16). For the first time in the history of the world there will be absolutely no separation between church and state.

E. Messiah, the Branch, shall bind together in unity both Jew and Gentile (6:15a) -

Many times Old Testament prophets were given insight concerning a day in which the nations of the world would worship at the feet of Christ, (Isa. 2:2,3; 60: 1-7; Micah 4:1,2; Psalms 127:1; Isa. 56:6,7).

F. Messiah, the Branch, will demand unflinching obedience (6:15b) -

God has always blessed obedience and Zechariah is echoing (Deut. 28:1).

 

III. THE PROVISION FOR A PERMANENT MEMORIAL (6:14):

The crown was not to be given to Joshua, but rather his crowning was to serve as a typological event. The crowns are then passed on to the Babylonian delegation. The whole thing pictures Jesus Christ passing crowns on to a Gentile church. The total number of people wearing crowns are five which is the number of crowns made available to the church. (See 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 11 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10). For 1000 years, the crowns of the church will serve as a memorial to a people who loved their God.