22 August | Youth
«Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.» Zechariah 9:12
The motto of every Seventh-day Adventist should be Revelation 14:14: “Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud.” We should live with our eyes glued to the sky, looking for that cloud. The coming of Jesus is a day we should eagerly expect. “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Rom 8:25). Before his death, William Miller was asked if he believed in a new date for Jesus' return. He replied: “Yes, I believe. Tomorrow!”
The book of Zechariah was written in a time of great uncertainty and discouragement for God's people. The prophet was among the approximately 50,000 exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. Those who returned were scared and discouraged. Then, the Lord called Zacharias and gave him a message of hope to share with the people.
In Zechariah 9, we have a beautiful picture of humility, peace and strength portraying Jesus. He is shown entering Jerusalem riding a donkey in order to establish His spiritual kingdom in the hearts of human beings. The text focuses on both the first and second coming of Christ. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (fulfilling what Zechariah had predicted five hundred years earlier) was a symbol of Jesus' second coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory. In a prophetic vision, the Lord showed Zechariah that day of final triumph.
God's promise was that His people would receive everything back in double. This promise gives us strength to endure trials with joy and to wait patiently. Today is another day towards that Day. It has been more than forty years since I started this journey. I did not imagine it would be so long. I had no idea it would take so long. But what is this time compared to eternity? Today I am one day closer to seeing Jesus, my Master and Lord. Hallelujah!
Jesus will return very soon. The day is not far away when we will go back home. I am a prisoner of this hope. He will come looking for those who were His best friends here on Earth; all who await Him with joy. I sincerely hope you are in this group! We have an appointment under the tree of life. See you then!