Zechariah 6:15

When the Branch appeared, Gentiles from afar would come and help build the temple of Yahweh (cf. Zechariah 2:11; Zechariah 8:22; Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 56:6-7; Isaiah 60:1-7). The donors mentioned earlier (Zechariah 6:10; Zechariah 6:14) were typical of Gentiles who would come from afar in the last days to help build the Lord’s house (cf. Isaiah 60:4; Isaiah 60:6; Isaiah 60:9). When this happened, the people would know that Yahweh had sent Messiah to His people (cf. Zechariah 2:8-11; Zechariah 4:9). Another view is that the fulfillment would vindicate Zechariah as the Lord’s messenger. All these people could participate in the building of the future temple, by bringing gifts (Isaiah 56:7), if they were faithful to obey the Lord by doing all that He commanded (cf. Deuteronomy 28:1-2; Deuteronomy 28:15; Deuteronomy 30:1-10).

"In the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ezekiel 36:26-27), God personally guarantees that the people will ultimately obey; his Spirit will enable them to do so." [Note: Barker, p. 641.]

What is the temple that the Branch will build? It appears to be a literal building in Jerusalem during the Millennium where God will reside that will bring great glory to Him (cf. Ezekiel 40-46). There will be no temple in the New Jerusalem in the eternal state (Revelation 21:22). Whereas the church is now the temple of God (i.e., Christians corporately and local congregations of believers; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:5), the church is not in view here. The equality of Jewish and Gentile believers in one body (i.e., the church) was a mystery that was unknown until God revealed it later (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:11 to Ephesians 3:11).

"Here we have the end and consummation of all the prophetic Scriptures: the crowning of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only after the dark night of world judgment and punishment is passed, that the glorious light of Christ’s coronation day will follow. This is one of the sublimest passages in the Scriptures on the Person and work of the Messiah." [Note: Feinberg, God Remembers, p. 100.]

The sequence of events in the eight night visions and the crowning of Joshua argues for the traditional dispensational interpretation that Jesus will begin reigning as the Davidic king when He returns to the earth at His second coming. The progressive dispensational view, on the other hand, as well as the covenant premillennial and amillennial views, are that Jesus began ruling as the Davidic king at His first advent.

"The fulness [sic] of this Messianic prophecy can better be seen if we but marshal the distinctive features in order: 1. The humanity of the Branch. 2. The place of His birth. 3. The building of the millennial temple by Him. 4. His fitness to bear the glory of God. 5. His reign on the throne of David. 6. His priestly ministry. 7. The issue of His blessed ministry-peace." [Note: Ibid., p. 106.]

This is the end of the apocalyptic visionary section of the book. Chapters 7-14 contain regular prophetic messages. Some scholars have tried to correlate the last eight chapters of Zechariah and the eight night visions, but these attempts seem strained.