V 1–23: REVELATION CONFIRMED As God’s word comes to Zechariah, eight times he says, ‘For thus says the Lord,’ and contrasts the desolation and punishment of the unrepentant with the blessings of restoration of the repentant remnant and its consequent blessings on others. They will return and live in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be populated with both old and young. God’s people will be gathered as His possession ‘in truth and righteousness’. He will bless His remnant, make them prosperous, and turn them into a blessing to other nations. His punishment on them will be turned to good and blessing. Fear will give way to peace. Their fasts will become meaningful because of their new love for truth and peace. The spiritual exercise of prayer will be an example to all who approach God through His people. Such will be the reputation of the restored Jews that the nations will want to go with them because they know that ‘God is with you’. (What a joy for the Christian to know that the Lord Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us’.)