When the Good Overcomes Bad"

 O. T. #2318 "When the Good Overcomes Bad" 

Nov. 9, 2022

Zechariah 11-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW

But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

Are we allowing our Potter to form us into the vessel of honor that He desires?

We pick up at verse 14. the prophet is chopping up the second staff, which refers to all relationships between the Good Shepherd and Israel, His flock. It is as if God was saying, "When Me and turned Me over into the hands of the Gentiles to be crucified, I broke My covenant. Titus the Roman will soon be here, and you will be scattered throughout the world." Israel's Messiah came, they rejected Him, and the Jewish people are still scattered throughout the world. (J.V. McGee)

Now is the part where Zechariah plays the part of the foolish shepherd, the Antichrist, Foolish means morally deficient, corrupt. It is because he does not accept God's truth. (During the Great Tribulation, Satan's Antichrist will be the Antichrist.)

What are the characteristics of this Foolish Shepherd?

• He doesn't care for the sheep-those dying nor young.
• He does not seek the lost, heal the injured, nor feed the flock, unlike the Good Shepherd.
• He will slaughter the flock to feed himself. (Ezek. 34)
• He will abuse, mistreat, and neglect the flock. 

During this time to come, people will be deceived. It could be sooner than we think. 

Jesus said, in John 5:43, I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 

LET IT GROW

The false shepherd will promise everything but do nothing. He will use and abuse. God says that judgment will come upon him. His right eye will be blinded and his arm shriveled. In Revelation, the Antichrist will make it to the lake of fire even before the Devil gets there! (verse 17)  (McGee) 

The Antichrist will make a covenant with the Jews for 7 years, to protect them so they can rebuild their temple and resume their sacrifices. But after 3 1/2 years, he will break it, put his own image in the temple, and for the world to worship him. (Rev. 13, 2 Thess. 2:1-12)

Good news! The Messiah will come and reign on earth 1,000 years with Israel receiving the blessings foretold, the church will reign with Him, and all creation will enter into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Rom. 8:21) (Wiersbe)

LET IT GO

Hold onto Jesus through it all.

What a Faithful Savior and Loving Shepherd!