December 29 (Zechariah 6–9; Psalm 148; Revelation 18–19)

Summary

---

Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: December 29 (Zechariah 6–9; Psalm 148; Revelation 18–19)
Release Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Crossway

---

Overview

This episode features readings from Zechariah 6–9 (Old Testament), Psalm 148, and Revelation 18–19 (New Testament). The primary theme centers on God’s sovereignty: His ultimate plan for blessing and restoration (Zechariah), a universal call to praise (Psalm), and the dramatic judgment and final victory over evil (Revelation). Through prophetic oracles, poetic celebration, and apocalyptic vision, listeners are drawn into the hope and awe of God’s unfolding story.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Zechariah 6–9: Visions, Restoration, and Messianic Hope

• Vision of Four Chariots (00:01–01:16):
  • Zechariah describes four chariots representing divine patrol over the earth, symbolizing God’s watchful and active governance:
    • “These are going out to the four winds of heaven…to patrol the earth.” (00:09)
• The Crowning of Joshua (01:16–01:50):
  • The high priest Joshua is crowned, pointing to a coming priest-king:
    • “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch… He shall branch out…and shall build the temple of the Lord.” (01:20)
  • Prophetic connection to the Messiah—one who is both king and priest.
• Call to Genuine Worship and Justice (02:49–03:31):
  • God rebukes empty rituals and demands heartfelt justice, kindness, and compassion:
    • “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor.” (02:51)
• Restoration for Jerusalem (03:41–06:18):
  • A vision of Jerusalem’s renewal: children playing safely, old men and women in peace, and exiles returning:
    • “Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem… And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing…” (04:01)
    • “They shall be my people, and I will be their God in faithfulness and in righteousness.” (04:25)
• Universal Blessing and Messianic Prophecy (06:41–09:04):
  • The humble arrival of the king:
    • “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humbled and mounted on a donkey…” (08:19)
  • God promises peace from “sea to sea,” liberation, and victory over enemies.

---

Psalm 148: Universal Praise

• All Creation Worships (09:37–10:31):
  • Refrain of worship from all spheres: heavens, angels, sun, moon, natural forces, animals, and all peoples:
    • “Praise him, sun and moon… Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created…” (09:44–09:51)
  • Ends by highlighting God’s presence and strength for His people:
    • “He has raised up a horn for his people… Praise the Lord.” (10:31)

---

Revelation 18–19: Judgment and Hallelujah

• Fall of Babylon (10:43–14:47):
  • Babylon personifies worldly corruption and idolatry; her sudden destruction is lamented by rulers and merchants:
    • “‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great… She has become a dwelling place for demons…’” (10:45)
    • “For in a single hour your judgment has come.” (12:10)
  • God’s justice is vindicated:
    • “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints… for God has given judgment for you against her.” (13:43)
• Heaven Rejoices – The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (14:47–16:10):
  • Heavenly worship and anticipation of ultimate union with Christ:
    • “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come…” (15:15)
  • The righteous deeds of believers are celebrated as “fine linen, bright and pure.” (15:26)
• The Rider on the White Horse & Final Victory (16:14–17:46):
  • The victorious Christ rides out to battle, recognized by divine titles:
    • “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood… and his name… is called the Word of God…on his thigh he has a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (16:14–16:42)
  • Final defeat and judgment of the beast and the false prophet:
    • “These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire…” (17:30)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sincere religious life:
  • “Was it for me that you fasted?...When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?” (01:48)
• On God’s restorative promise:
  • “Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” (05:25)
  • “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true, and make for peace.” (05:40)
• On the coming Messiah:
  • “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion…your king is coming to you…humbled and mounted on a donkey.” (08:19)
• The universal call to worship:
  • “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.” (10:23)
• On Babylon’s fall and God’s justice:
  • “Alas, alas, you great city… For in a single hour your judgment has come.” (12:10)
• Vision of Christ’s return:
  • “He is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war… King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (16:16–16:42)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Vision of the Four Chariots & Crowning Joshua: 00:01–01:50
• Call for Genuine Faith & Justice: 02:49–03:31
• Jerusalem’s Restoration: 03:41–06:18
• Messiah’s Arrival & Universal Peace: 06:41–09:04
• Psalm 148: Universal Praise: 09:37–10:31
• Fall of Babylon – Judgment of Evil: 10:43–14:47
• Heaven Rejoices & Marriage Supper of the Lamb: 14:47–16:10
• The Victorious Christ and Final Judgment: 16:14–17:46

---

Tone and Delivery

The episode carries a reverent, solemn, and exultant tone, moving seamlessly from prophetic anticipation (Zechariah), through exuberant worship (Psalm), to triumphant apocalypse (Revelation). The readings emphasize God’s justice, compassion, and sovereignty—calling listeners to hope, worship, and faithfulness.

---

Transcript

[Reader]

A reading from the Book of Zechariah. Again I lifted my eyes and saw. And behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze. The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, the third white horses, and the fourth chariot, dappled horses, all of them strong. Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, what are these, my lord? And the angel answered and said to me, these are going out to the four winds of heaven after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country. The white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country. When the strong horses came out, they were impatient to go and patrol the earth. And he said, go, patrol the earth. So they patrolled the earth. Then he cried to me, behold, those who go toward the north country have set my spirit at rest in the north country. And the word of the Lord came to me. Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Judeah who have arrived from Babylon and go the same day to the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. Take from them silver and gold and make a crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak the high priest.

[Leader]

And say to him, thus says the.

[Reader]

Lord of hosts, Behold the man whose name is the branch, for he shall branch out from his place and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne. And the counsel of peace shall be between them both. And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord as a reminder to Helam, Tobijah, Jada, and Hin the son of Zephaniah. And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God. In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Kislev now, the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Rigamelech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord, saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of Hosts and the prophets, should I weep and abstain in the fifth month as I have done for so many years? Then the word of The Lord of Hosts came to me, say to all the people of the land and the priests, when you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these 70 years, was it for me that you fasted? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? Were not these the words that the Lord proclaimed by the former prophets when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the south and the lowland were inhabited, and the word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying.

[Leader]

Thus says the Lord of Hosts, render.

[Reader]

True judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart. But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond hard, lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of Hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of Hosts, as I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear, says the Lord of Hosts. And I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known.

[Congregation]

Thus the land they left was desolate.

[Reader]

So that no one went to and.

[Congregation]

Fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.

[Reader]

And the word of the Lord of.

[Leader]

Hosts came, saying, thus says the Lord.

[Reader]

Of Hosts, I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the Lord, I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city in the mountain of the Lord of Hosts. The the Holy mountain.

[Leader]

Thus says the Lord of Hosts, old.

[Reader]

Men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.

[Leader]

Thus says the Lord of if it.

[Reader]

Is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight? Declares the Lord of Hosts.

[Leader]

Thus says the Lord of Hosts, behold.

[Reader]

I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God in faithfulness and in righteousness.

[Leader]

Thus says the Lord of Hosts, let.

[Reader]

Your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of Hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. For before those days there was no wage for man, or any wage for beast neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in. For I set every man against his neighbor. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of Hosts, for there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their due. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be.

[Leader]

Strong, for thus says the LORD of.

[Reader]

Hosts, as I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me to wrath and I did not relent.

[Leader]

Says the LORD of Hosts, so again.

[Reader]

Have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Fear not, these are the things that you shall speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true, and make for peace do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath for all these things I hate, declares the lord, and the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying.

[Leader]

Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the.

[Reader]

Fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, and shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

[Leader]

Thus says the LORD of Hosts, people.

[Reader]

Shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts. I myself am going. Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and and to entreat the favor of the Lord.

[Leader]

Thus says the LORD of Hosts.

[Reader]

In those days 10 men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. The oracle of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus is its resting place. For the Lord has an eye on mankind and on all the tribes of Israel, and on Hamath also, which borders on it. 10 tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise, Tyre has built herself a rampart and heaped up silver like dust and fine gold, like the mud of the streets. But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea. And she shall be devoured by fire. Ashkelon shall see it and be afraid. Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish. Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded, the king shall perish from Gaza. Ashkelon shall be uninhabited. A mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod. And I will cut off the pride of Philistia. I will take away its blood from its mouth and its abominations from between its teeth. It too, shall be a remnant for our God. It shall be like a clan in Judah. And Ekron shall be like the Jebusites. Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro, no oppressor shall again march over them. For now I see with my own eyes. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your king is coming to you righteous. And having salvation is he humbled and mounted on a donkey, On a colt, the foil of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off. And he shall speak peace to the nations. His rule shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.

[Leader]

As for you, also because of the.

[Reader]

Blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope. Today I declare that I will restore to you double. For I have bent Judah as my bow, I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's sword. Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.

[Leader]

The Lord of hosts will protect them.

[Reader]

And they shall devour and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar. On that day, the Lord their God will save them as the flock of his people, for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. For how great is his goodness and how great his beauty. Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women. A reading from the Book of Psalms. Praise the Lord.

[Leader]

Praise the Lord.

[Reader]

From the heavens Praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels. Praise him, all his hosts.

[Congregation]

Praise him, sun and moon.

[Reader]

Praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you, highest heavens and you, waters above the heavens.

[Congregation]

Let them praise the name of the Lord. For he commanded and they were created, and he established them forever and ever.

[Reader]

He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures in all deeps, Fire.

[Congregation]

And hail, snow and mistake, Stormy wind fulfilling his word, Mountains and all hills.

[Reader]

Fruit trees and all cedars, beasts and.

[Congregation]

All livestock, creeping things and flying birds. Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth.

[Reader]

Young men and maidens together, old men and children.

[Congregation]

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted. His majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for.

[Reader]

His people, prays for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord. A reading from the Book of Revelation. After this.

[Congregation]

I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority. And the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, fallen, fallen, is Babylon the Great. She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a hunt for every unclean and detestable beast. For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living. Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.

[Reader]

For her sins are heaped high as.

[Congregation]

Heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Pay her back, as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds. Mix a double portion for her in the cups she mixed. As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning. Since in her heart she says, I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see. For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, and death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire. For mighty is the Lord God who has judged her, and the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off in fear of her torment and say, alas, alas, you Great city, you, mighty city, Babylon. For in a single hour your judgment has come. And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore. Cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots and slaves, that is, human souls. The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you. And all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again. The merchants of these wares who gained wealth from her will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, alas, alas for the great city that was clothed in fine linen and. And purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels and with pearls. For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste. And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning what city was like the great city. And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, alas, alas for the great city where.

[Reader]

All who had ships at sea grew.

[Congregation]

Rich by her wealth. For in a single hour she has been laid waste. Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her. Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, so will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence and will be found no more. And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters will be heard in you no more. And a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more. And the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more. And the light of a lamp will shine in you no more. And the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and. And of all who have been slain on earth. After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven crying out, hallelujah. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just.

[Reader]

For he has judged the great prostitute.

[Congregation]

Who corrupted the earth with her immorality. And has avenged on her the blood of his servants. Once more they cried out, hallelujah. The smoke from her goes up forever and ever. And the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne, saying, amen. Hallelujah. And from the throne came a voice.

[Reader]

Saying, praise our God, all you his.

[Congregation]

Servants, you who fear him, small and great. Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude. Like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder crying out Hallelujah. For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exalt and give him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure. For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, write this. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, these are the true words of God. Then I fell down at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, you must not do that. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.

[Reader]

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

[Congregation]

Then I saw heaven opened. And behold a white horse. The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True. And in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems. And he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood. And the name by which he is called is the Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. And he will rule them. With a rod of iron he will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun. And with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, come gather for the great supper of God to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.

[Reader]

And the beast was captured.

[Congregation]

And with it the false prophet, who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who. Who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse. And all the birds were gorged with their flesh.