Seldom do I bother reading them. As you said, they are not the words of God that have been purified 7 times. While they may be helpful at times, they are certainly not our standard of truth.
KJV, with the understanding that it has been transcribed from other transcriptions and is therefore not really the original God breathed word. Sometimes we have to use the original language to get closer to the original document.
No way do I agree with that. Since when have we cut off all idols and they are no longer remembered? You are mixing up the Kingdom God promised Israel with the Church. The Church was a mystery that God kept to Himself until He revealed it to Paul.
Col 1:26,
[Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now [in Paul's day] is made manifest to his saints:
Hidden means Zechariah didn't know about it, so he could not have said anything about it.
Besides, Zech 13:1 shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is talking about Israel, not the Gentiles, and certainly not the Church of the Body of Christ which didn't even exist at that time. Christians need to stop reading other people's mail and acting as though it were addressed to themselves. It's got somebody else's address on it!
If you somehow read a letter written to me from the Department of Motor Vehicles telling me I need to send $1,200 for my registration renewal, would you send them your money? Don't think you would. You can learn that I owe $1,200, but you would not be responsible to pay it just because you read the letter. Same with Zechariah. It was not written to you. Your letters are in the books of Romans through Thessalonians. Those are the main books that define the doctrine of our day and time. It is radically different than that of the Jews in the days of Zechariah.
Zechariah did not know about Christianity. Learn about the mystery that was kept hidden in God until He revealed it to Paul (Rom 16:25-26, et. al.), and you will understand that he had to have been talking about the final fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, the events outlined in the book of Revelation.
How does unity of faith explain 10,000+ denominations? Sorry, but I don't think we will have that unity until we all know as we are known (1 Cor 13:12).
Like yourself, I don't believe that "perfect" refers to just Jesus. It is more encompassing and refers to a new revelation, to the new heavens and new earth which really will be "perfect." As I said above, 10,000+ denominations is hardly a sign we have arrived at perfection.
When all the evidence is considered, it becomes clear that Zechariah was not talking about our present day of grace, but of the time when God will restore the kingdom He promised to Israel.
What do you make of this:
1Cor 2:7-8,
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
What is it about the mystery that, had the devil known about it, he would not have killed Jesus? Hint:
Col 1:26-27,
26 [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
When Jesus was here the devil had one Jesus to deal with. But now, wherever there is a born again believer, there is Jesus. Now he has to deal with tens of millions of Christs! Of course if he can keep the church ignorant of the mystery, he can continue having his way. Looks like he did a pretty good job of it. Most people I talk to about the mystery aren't very receptive. Those that do listen suddenly see the scriptures open to them in a way that is simply not possible without having an intimate knowledge of the mystery. It's "what's happening" in this day and age of grace, but sadly we are stuck at Jesus and him crucified.
1Cor 2:2, 6-8,
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Continuing in the same vein, Paul then said,
1Cor 3:1-4,
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
A modern day version of verse 4: "I am of Martin Luther, I am of Joseph Smith, I am of John Calvin, I am of Pope John....." That is precisely why the churches by and large can't get past Jesus Christ and him crucified. I don't think I've ever heard a sermon on the mystery taught on Sunday morning. Have you? The reason is simple, the church is divided and therefore carnal.
What do you see behind virtually every altar in every church today? Jesus, and him crucified! It's a terrible witness to bring others to the fullness of what God accomplished through his dear son, Jesus Christ. It's milk. They just leave him hanging there while apparently neglecting what happened after God raised him from the dead. Corinthians is as true today as it was when Paul was first inspired to write it.
