1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 Then said I, “Whither goest thou?” And he said unto me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.”
Zechariah runs across a man (in his vision) that is setting out to measure the city of Jerusalem.
3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
4 And said unto him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:”
The remnant that has returned is pretty small in number compared to the old population of Jerusalem. This angel is saying that it will once again be a large, prosperous city; so large it will outgrow its walls.
5 For I, say the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, says the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, says the LORD.
“The land of the North” is Babylon, where most Judeans were carried off. However, many were also spread all over the region. The Israelites were scattered all over also.
7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwells with the daughter of Babylon.
8 For thus says the LORD of hosts; After the glory has He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of His eye.
Jerusalem is regaining her place as God’s center of worship.
9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.
10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, says the LORD.
11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me unto thee.
Over the next 300 or so years many people from many nations came to Jerusalem and converted to Judaism.
Also, at the time of the Apostles the door was opened for all people everywhere to accept and serve God. Though they didn’t all physically travel to Jerusalem they did go to the Spiritual Jerusalem (the Christian Church). They became God’s people.
12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah His portion in the Holy Land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for He is raised up out of His holy habitation.