In reading prophecy 1) knows whether the prophet was true or false if it comes to pass 2) realizes Beforehand, they might not see it in their lifetime 3) until then, might interpret the prophet’s coded message, as based on previous tried-and-true prophecies of the Bible. Since the same Holy Spirit who moved their pens embodies Believers, it gives them an advantage. Sometimes, through listening, even wise unbelievers will recognize the truth of prophecies, especially when they come to pass—that is, through history. History makes those previously “cloaked” details of a prophecy indisputable. For the researcher and reporter, it is often “preaching to the choir”. Few listen. However, if ever there was a reason in recent history to listen, it seems to be NOW.
Zechariah is a reliable prophet. He has within his writings, as have others, (what I call) “twice-over” prophecies. These are prophecies that serve a time fairly near to the prophet’s own lifetime; yet, also serve as prophecies of another time. Perhaps for us, the “twice-over” time could the End Time. Simply compare them to other known End Time prophecies.
Zechariah 11 has been called one of the hardest sections to interpret, especially when he speaks of the union with Judah and Israel being broken. That was something that happened many years before him, around the time of Solomon’s death. However, through history we know they were unified again after Zechariah’s time, as they returned from their exile to Assyria, Babylon and then Persia. Likewise, they are increasingly more unified after returning from many nations (world-wide), especially since 1948.
Zechariah’s 11th (section/chapter) is a prophecy about a shepherd who came in caring for the sheep—Israel and Judah were among them. But deciding not to care for them, he turns into a bad shepherd and abandons them. (That shepherd is the opposite of the Good shepherd, outlined by Zechariah just one section earlier.) The bad shepherd breaks the staff called UNION. Near the end of the section is told by God, “AGAIN take up the equipment of a foolish shepherd.” We then get a glimpse another bad shepherd: “I am going to raise up in the land a shepherd who will NOT care for the dying, seek out the young or heal the injured, or nourish the healthy. Woe to the worthless shepherd” (Zech 11:17).
Zechariah 11 seems to be describing two shepherds, foolish and worthless, intertwined somehow. As shepherds they were leaders of flocks. “Shepherd” is often a cloaked prophetic term for leaders, kings, princes, etc. Even the Babylonian Kinglist (a pre-and post-Flood kinglist—it actually says “after the Flood”) mention a few of their kings as “shepherds”. Interestingly, through that ancient Kinglist and the teams used twice, we might get a deeper understanding of “shepherd.” Some of these kings/leaders must have a special trait that the others kings did not have. Could it be the prophet code for “shepherd” specifies a dual-role as a king and a priest?
Indeed, Yeshua (Jesus) is the Good Shepherd and has a dual role: as High Priest; and King of Kings. His second coming is the “Messiah of David“ role that the Dead Sea writers used. Zechariah’s two foolish shepherd/leaders are similar to the ones mentioned in the Book of Revelation; beastly men. The First Beast is the Anti-Christ and the Second is the False Prophet. They are closely intertwined world leaders, empowered by satan (depicted as a Dragon). Their final “throne” is at the Temple Fortress of Jerusalem, similar to what Daniel mentions. The Anti-Christ, a king (of hell) and (perverted) priest, is the opposite of Jesus. Likewise, the False Prophet has horns like a “lamb (priestly)” but speaks like a dragon (a commanding a king/prince).
Zechariah’s “twice-over” prophecies most assuredly speaks of the evil rulers of the End Times. Most of their flock are the nations who do not repent. They will drink from the cup of God’s wrath before Messiah comes. Zechariah’s next section says: the wise who see him will “mourn, as for an only son; looking upon the one whom they have pierced” (Zech.12). Spiritually, our sins have all pierced him; yet that is the purpose for which he chose to come as the high priest; to live a perfect life and die as for our salvation. He also enlightened our paths through the words of the prophets. Even though many today await for his coming as his “first time”, we agree He comes as the Warrior-King, to rid the Evil rulers. May we learn of him beforehand, and choose wisely the right way; and accept his love, now and for the very near future.
Zechariah 11 can be compared to many prophecies, including Revelation’s End Time Beastly duo (powered by satan), as well Daniel’s the evil kings and beastly Fourth. Kingdom. Daniel describes the End Time (duo) in various ways throughout his book; each time enhancing our understanding of him/them. The Beastly Forth Kingdom (world-rulers) is a later described as a king who comes in peacefully, but is deceitful. He invades kingdoms—seemingly not militarily. He seizes “the kingdom” with intrigue, seemingly not through political means (11:21, 22). Daniel takes note that this was done after the richest places “feel secure” (Dan. 11:24). Had something gravely destabilized the world—perhaps COVID-19—and people welcoming a stabilizing force, followed him? Zechariah says the flock was oppressed. Revelation says he amazes people through signs and miracles.
Daniel’s deceitful king also rids a prince of the covenant. (Perhaps, meaning he destroys someone in a highly-religious role?) Zechariah says three shepherds are disposed by the bad shepherd (Zech. 11:8). Shepherds (as outlined above) are often used as prophetic symbols to be religious leaders, or at the very-least upright rulers.
Daniel adds to our understanding of this man’s “dominion” when he uses the imagery of a ten horned beast (each horn represents a kingdom). When a little horn (with the eyes of a man) arises upon its head, it uproots three other horns (Dan. 7:20, 24-25)—and in that, we might see a parallel to Zechariah’s shepherd who disposed three shepherds. Daniel’s beast’s little horn was a king/man; and is of the dominion/kingdom. He is obviously very interwoven with the other “horns” of the kingdom— especially the beast from whose head (they) sprang. That thought parallels Revelation in several respects: the First Beast is like the dragon (Rev 12), (having as Daniel saw: seven heads and ten horns). The First Beast is not the dragon, but “receives his power and throne” from the dragon (satan). He rules the world (Rev. 13:7). But we soon we hear of a Second Beast associated with him—are these two Zechariah’s bad shepherds?
Zechariah says the foolish shepherd carries two staffs—or should that read: staves? One staff was called “Union” the other “Favor”. That sounds “all-good”, until he deserts the flock! “Union” had united Israel and Judah. His other staff was called Favor, which parallels some prophecies that suggests he controlled great finances; enough to grant “favors”. In essence, as Daniel says, he comes in as a “peacemaker” (perhaps as bridge between the Jews and the Gentile nations). Daniel and Revelation agree he/they will eventually come into Jerusalem.
Many prophecies mention the walls of the Temple and their measurements; but since no Temple exists at present, perhaps that is the peacemaking item he uses to act deceitfully? Having a Temple highly assumes there will be a priestly order to operate it. Did Zechariah’s shepherd negotiate cooperation between the officiating priests of Judah and Israel (the Union staff)—just to later turn on them, break the staff, have them stop the daily sacrifices and take over the Temple fortress, as Daniel and Revelation say?
Because other prophecies say the holy city is given over to the Gentiles, we know the intriguing man’s many-nation flock is mostly “gentile”. Yet, they are all “oppressed”, and fall prey to his intrigue and schemes. These people include the mockers and unbelievers; the blasphemers; the agnostics; pagan religions; even the nominally religious—who have not been taught “truth” fall prey to his deceitfulness.
The Gospels speak of “a great falling away, before the coming of the LORD. While some of his flock are sheep who were led by liberal shepherds (not speaking full truth) others are genuine Believers. Daniel says the latter (“wise”) will be teachers in this time; although they stumble and suffer for a little while, this only serves “to be refined”. Likewise, the “deceived” of Judah and Israel—a remnant, the upright who await Messiah—teach the nominal; having stumbled they suffer for a little while, only “to be refined” in the End.
Given history, Daniel seems to points us to an indigenous group closely associated with the men of the End and the Temple. Daniel says they were “acting wickedly against the covenant of God” (Daniel 31, 32). Interestingly, the Dead Sea scroll writers wrote much of the ones in the End Times who did not speak up against the evil when it was revealed. Zechariah tells us the shepherd who deserts the flock says to them: “If you think it best, give me my pay…so they paid me thirty pieces of silver…and I threw (it back) into the House of the LORD to the potter” (Zech. 11:10-12). His “twice-over” message (enough for another meal) happened in the first century when Judas, the disciple and betrayer of Jesus, made a deal with the Sanhedrin. They paid him this exact amount. Later, after Judas repented for betraying “an innocent man”, he threw it towards the priests. They used the money to buy Potters Field, which Jeremiah describes: the pot-shard gate is near the potter (of the Valley of Hinnom). There, Judas hing himself (Jer. 19; Zech 11:12-13; Matt 27:1-10; Acts 1:18-19). Flavius Josephus describes the nature of this group, the Sanhedrin, who paid him when he tells of the Jewish group called Essenes.
The Essenes called those first century priests “corrupted”; and refused to take part in their Temple practices. The Essenes wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls and spoke much of people who are ALWAYS associated with the End Day: the “flattery seekers”. Daniel says the king/man/little horn deceives and intrigues the nations with signs, miracles, and flattery (Dan. 11:32)! When the Essenes interpreted the Messianic prophets, they spoke of the “Wicked Priest”—the “little horn” sounds much like him. The Wicked Priest stands in oppression to the Teacher of Righteousness and his party.
Zechariah 11’s “foolish and worthless” shepherd(s) had quite a flock with the nations of the world. They “were oppressed”— making them prime targets and “easy prey” for the Evil One’s schemes. When he is revealed for the Evil he is, they will see him desecrate the Temple fortress, as the abomination is set in place (Dan 11:29-31). Daniel says this occurs “in the midst of the week”—up until then, he (and/or the first beast) apparently act as the “peace maker”.
In the first half of the End Time era, the Book of Revelation, tells of Two Witnesses of the LORD who come to Jerusalem for an allotted time: 1260 days (42 lunar months). This data gives weight to Daniel’s coded prophetic word “week”. Following the Two Witnesses comes the First Beast (Anti-Christ), also allotted 42 months (the last half of this era). He utters blasphemies and exorcizes his authority.
Without skipping a beat (like in Zechariah) a Second Beast (False Prophet) is revealed. Still the “midst of the week” Daniel says the daily sacrifices stop—despite the apparent allegiance he/they had with those officiating at the Temple fortress in Israel. Knowing in advance what to watch for, the “wise” of the flock might recall Jesus’ words—“(flee) when you see the abomination, spoken of by Daniel, standing where it ought not…let the wise understand”. Those people refuse to worship it; and thus fall by his sword (Matt. 24; Dan. 11:32-35; Rev. 13:15). The abomination is an idol made of the First Beast, who now speaks (again). He makes wars, and conquers the people that God calls holy (Rev 13:5). Conquering God’s holy ones appears early in his allotted 42 months as Jesus said, the time is shortened “for the sake of the elect” (Matt 24:15-22). The rest of the flock worships the image/idol of the First Beast or they, too, will die (Dan 11:21-35; Rev 13:15).
It is clear, from just comparing these few prophecies, the interconnectedness shared by those shepherds in Zechariah 11, and the two closely-knit comrades of Daniel’s the End Time forth kingdom (Dan. 7:23-25). Daniel’s beast had ten horns, whose little horn made war with the saints and devoured the whole earth. Daniel also described the one Beast connected with the abomination as “a king” (Dan. 7:24, 11:27); yet this evil is the opposite of The King of Kings” (Messiah). Revelation’s First Beast also had ten horn and seven heads; just like the dragon—he loved to exalt himself. Daniel’s king who exalts himself also commands the idol to be made. He honors “a god unknown to his fathers” (Dan 11:31-38). Indeed, as Revelation says, they receive their power from satan. In an evil tri-unison rule, as blasphemers of God (Anti-Christ/ Anti-Messiah), they are hard to separate clearly. Zechariah’s predicted foolish and worthless shepherds—deceiving the world straight into hell—seem to be these Evil men of the End (Dan. 9:27; 11:41, Matt. 24:36; Rev. 13).
While there are many prophecies to be compared, I find it interesting to look at even Islamic beliefs—especially given how Zechariah’s 11th chapter ends: “Woe to the worthless shepherd who deserts the flock. May a sword fall his arm and his right eye! May his arm be all withered and his right eye totally blinded” (Zech. 11:17). Islam’s description of the anti-Christ/ false Messiah has right eye like a grape. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Masih_ad-Dajjal If you research further, you will find the depicted image which is more revealing. Many people might be deceived—as he looks as if he were Jesus—except for the right eye like a grape!
Believe this: When the Son of Man comes, Yeshua (Jesus) say, he will be visible to all eyes. He will descend from heaven, just as he ascended (which was very near Bethany at the summit of the Mount of Olives). Zechariah says he will descend and stand upon the Mount of Olives (Zech 14:4; Luke 24:50). If you are alive, and do not see him descend; and someone says to you: “he’s in the desert…he’s in that village” don’t believe them (Matt. 24:23-27).
Perhaps, if you’ve read this far, you’ve gleaned at least something of the character of the Evil One(s) of the End Time. They are actually the anti-godhead of the Abyss. Yet they do not have power; for how can the created be more powerful than the Creator? While the End WILL come suddenly; unexpected for some; and for others time will be “cut short”—the world must know: the Beastly kingdom that intrigues and comes to “rescue the oppressed” is unlike any other. Each has a tight alliance with another that it is hard to differentiate them fully. They receive their power from the satan, the “father of lies”. This very close, interwoven, entity forms an unholy-trinity (Rev. 13:1, 4;11-13; Rev. 12:3; Dan. 7:7). This Evil will appear at the appointed time—which could be very soon. When it comes, they will have, at first, hidden vengeance. Later, it will be revealed, and it is unleashed in full, for they know their time is short. This must occur to usher in Messiah’s reign, the judgement, the new heaven and earth, the new Jerusalem and then the eternal kingdom of the anointed Messiah, King of Kings (Rev 20:11-22:21). It is written. @achadpeace
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