I'm not really familiar with the OT. Could you tell me. Is Zecheriah talking about restoring the Earthly Jerusalem or the New Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven?
Doc,
The book of Zechariah has some unique metaphors the prophet used. Especially the one in chapter 14 - Feast of Taberbacles. This has confused folks into thinking the sacrificial system is restarted. If the sacrifices themselves start again they become an abomination of desolation. All the rituals of the entire Tabernacle system delcare the coming Christ. Christ is risen! He fulfilled this and made it completely unnecessary. To reinstitutite would be declaring all that Christ did on the Cross of "none effect".
The Feast of Tabernacles represents the same thing the prophet Isaiah said - 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us). -
So celebrating the risen Christ is celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Isaiah is explained again in the Gospel of Matthew in 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The Gospel of John makes it even more clear in 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Look closely at the phrase "dwelt among us" John uses a specific and unique word here - eskēnōsen. It means tabernacled.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - 4637 - eskenosen
dwell.
From skenos; to tent or encamp, i.e. (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specially), to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol of protection and communion) -- dwell.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - 4637 - skenos
habitation, tabernacle.
Apparently akin to skeuos and skia; a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively) -- habitation, tabernacle.
John is making a clear and specific reference here. Which is in agreement with the prophets Zechariah,Isaiah and the other gospel writers listed. The gospel writers where intimately familar with the prophets and were making the metaphors clear in regards to Christ.
The Gospel of Lukes takes it even further and presents a mystery in the first 3 chapters that alludes to Christ's birth around the Feast of Tabernacles.
(If yall would like I could take the time to explain Luke's mystery, it is reconfirmed by the symbolism in John as well)
note: in Young's Literal Translation Bible the word tabernacle is actuall used -John1:14 And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth.
Hope this helps.