Zechariah 8:18 Commentary and Bible Study

Here is the answer to a question asked earlier: Should we continue to observe the fasts which were established, probably while in Babylon, to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple? Should we do this now that the temple is being rebuilt? It is a curious and enigmatic answer – Zechariah is still speaking of the new age. That age will be nothing but joy and gladness. All experiences of worship will be joy with thanks. There will not any longer be some feasts that are sad, and some others that are happy; they will all be happy. The answer is that God is going to so bless them that their mourning will be turned into rejoicing. What were times of fasting are going to become times of celebration and cheerful feasts because of the wonderful things he has done for them. Again, this is true literally as an encouragement to the nation, but it will be even more wonderfully fulfilled in the gospel age when Christ builds his church in spite of all that Satan can do to prevent it. Therefore, love truth and peace, and be committed to the values that will prevail in the spiritual kingdom which he is going to bring down to earth.