The third vision that Zechariah saw was that of someone holding a measuring line. He asked where the man was going. He found that the man was going to Jerusalem to find out the width and length of the city. A second angel said "Tell that man with the measuring line that Jerusalem will not have any boundaries. It will be too full of people and animals even to have a wall." The message was that God would be a wall of fire around them for their protection. God would be their shining glory in the heart of the city.

          The children of Israel had been scattered in Babylon and now they were told to hurry back to Zion or Jerusalem. The LORD of hosts demanded that those that troubled Israel be told that they had touched the apple of God's eye. Whatever they did to Zion, they did to God Himself. It was time for Jerusalem to celebrate because God had promised to come and again dwell in their midst. This will cause many nations to turn to God and become His people. Judah will be His part of the holy land, and Jerusalem will again be His chosen city. The prophet warned, "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation." Everyone should be silent and know of the presence of the Lord.

          Jerusalem is to be rebuilt -- Zechariah 2:1-4: In this vision Zechariah saw a young man with a measuring line. This was a prediction that there would be a return from captivity. Zechariah inquired and found out that the man was going to measure Jerusalem. This is the same as the message stated in Zechariah 1:16 "Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem." This vision had to do with the return from exile and the reconstruction of Jerusalem and the surrounding vicinity.  Multitudes were to come and God wanted the prophet to see this and to help prepare. "Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side." (Isaiah 60:4) The message was "Run, speak to that young man, saying, Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.” The cause of this great increase would the blessings from God. "He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease." (Psalms 107:38)

          Jerusalem has a wall of fire -- Zechariah 2:5: The purpose of the wall around a city is to for its defense. Walls also kept or confined the inhabitants within the boundaries of the city. Jerusalem would have the strongest wall of any city. God said, "For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her." When Jerusalem had physical walls her enemies broke over them and broke the walls down. The Lord will be a wall of fire to the city. No one can break through or destroy that barrier of protection. The Lord will literally be a hedge around the city. Satan knew that God often hedged in His people. "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land." (Job 1:10 The Lord himself will be that wall of fire around Jerusalem. Those that have God among them are also in the presence of His glory. No physical wall is needed for a city that is protected by the presence of the Lord of hosts.

          The Jews will be delivered from captivity -- Zechariah 2:6-9: This was a message to flee from Babylon in which the Jews would be held as captives. These verses provide a prediction of the return from that land. The Jews were to deliver themselves or they were to have the courage to return once the opportunity was presented. The Jews would return because Babylon had touched the apple of God's eye or the most cherished part of His being. God said, "He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of my eye." God shook His hand against Babylon by sending the Persians against them to overcome them. Those that have God have His glory, power and blessings among them. God's blessings caused Jerusalem to become a flourishing city, far beyond all expectation. When the Jews were given the opportunity to return home only about 50,000 left Babylon. The majority of them stayed in Babylon. They had been born there and did not think they could better themselves by going to Jerusalem. Their refusal to return proved that they did not have confidence and trust in God. If the Lord was to bless them if Jerusalem they must return quickly and rebuild it for His glory. God had scattered them in His wrath and now He invited them to return home and to be reconciled to Him. God promised to help those that returned. The others were on their own. God loves people and wants to deliver them, but they must be willing!

          The nations will come to Jerusalem for worship -- Zechariah 2:10-13: God promised, "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD." (Zechariah 2:10) God promised that if their brethren in Babylon will not come to them, those of other nations would come and honor Him and that they would help replenish Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. In New Testament times the joining of many nations to the Lord would be an offense to God's people, even to the apostles. When the nations join themselves to the Lord through loving obedience, they become as dear to the Lord, as Israel had ever been. These must be people that allow the Lord to rule over their lives. Concerning the faithful God said, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3) "The LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again." He will protect His people and govern them as a man does his inheritance, and will be at home among them. God said, "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation." (Zechariah 2:13)