Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Host: Crossway
Episode: December 30 (Zechariah 10–14; Psalm 149; Revelation 20–21)
Date: December 30, 2025

Overview

This episode is a scripture reading that takes listeners through pivotal prophetic passages—Zechariah 10–14, Psalm 149, and Revelation 20–21—as part of the year-long journey to read the entire Bible. The focus is on God’s promises of restoration and judgment in Zechariah, the call to praise and celebrate God’s justice in Psalm 149, and the climactic fulfillment of redemptive history in Revelation’s vision of the end times and the new creation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Zechariah 10–14: Promises, Judgement, and Messianic Hope

(00:01–35:22)

— Restoration and Compassion (10:1–12)

• God promises showers of rain and flourishing for His people.
• Denunciation of false prophets and shepherds, and a promise to strengthen and return Judah.
• Quote:
  "For I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them… I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them…" (03:01)

— Corrupt Leadership and God's True Shepherd (11:1–17)

• Metaphor of shepherding: God’s dissatisfaction with Israel’s leaders.
• Symbolic acts: breaking of two staffs—Favor and Union—depicting broken covenants and unity.
• The 30 pieces of silver is echoed later in the Gospels as the price for which Judas betrayed Jesus.
• Quote:
  "And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, 'Throw it to the potter, the lordly price at which I was priced by them.'" (17:00)

— Jerusalem’s Purification and Protection (12:1–14, 13:1–9)

• Jerusalem will be besieged but ultimately defended by God.
• Promise of a “spirit of grace and pleas for mercy” poured out on the people.
• Prophecy: the people will “look on me, on him whom they have pierced,” foretelling mourning and repentance.
• Quote:
  "On that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem… when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him…" (27:00, 31:00)

— The Coming Day of the Lord (14:1–21)

• God gathers all nations for battle against Jerusalem but intervenes with cosmic signs and deliverance.
• The Mount of Olives splits; living waters flow; God reigns as king over all the earth.
• All nations will be required to worship God in Jerusalem, marking total renewal.
• Quote:
  "And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one." (41:00)

2. Psalm 149: Worship and Divine Justice

(53:10–54:32)

— Call to Praise

• A celebration of God’s people rejoicing in their Maker and King.
• Praise is active—singing, dancing, using musical instruments.
• Quote:
  "Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King." (53:20)

— God Honoring the Humble

• God delights in His people and adorns the humble with salvation.

— Victory Over the Nations

• The faithful are depicted with “two-edged swords,” executing God’s righteous judgment.
• Quote:
  "This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord!" (54:20)

3. Revelation 20–21: The Final Judgment and New Creation

(54:35–END)

— The Millennium and the End of Evil (20:1–15)

• Satan is bound for a thousand years, while martyrs reign with Christ.
• Final battle: Satan is released, deceives nations, but is ultimately defeated and cast into the lake of fire.
• The last judgment: all are judged according to what is written in the “Book of Life.”
• Quote:
  "Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such, the second death has no power…" (58:11)

— The New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem (21:1–27)

• God reveals a renewed creation, without suffering or death.
• God dwells with humanity; "He will wipe away every tear."
• Quote:
  "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people… He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…" (1:02:10)
• Detailed description of the Holy City: radiant, filled with precious stones, no temple needed—the Lord God and the Lamb are its temple.
• Quote:
  "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." (1:10:00)
• Only those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life enter the city.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Zechariah’s Messianic Prophecy:
  "They shall look on me, on him whom they have pierced… and weep deeply over him." (31:00)
• John’s Vision of New Creation:
  "Behold, I am making all things new… To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." (1:05:30)
• Final Victory Over Evil:
  "And the devil… was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (59:40)

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Zechariah 10–14: 00:01–53:10
• Psalm 149: 53:10–54:32
• Revelation 20–21: 54:35–END

Tone and Language

Throughout, the reading is reverent, prophetic, and filled with biblical imagery. The language is direct, poetic, and promise-laden, moving from lament and warning to hope and consummation.

Conclusion

This episode gives listeners a panoramic view of biblical prophecy and fulfillment: the restoration of God’s people, the triumph of divine justice, and the ultimate hope of all believers—a world made new and God dwelling with His people forever. The selected readings collectively underscore the faithfulness of God in judgment and mercy, the victory of Christ over evil, and the unshakeable promise of eternal life for all whose names are written in the Book of Life.