Hey Mike,
Was reading in Zechariah tonight. Is Zerubbabel the remnant, or chosen few whose hands have laid the foundation for the temple and will finish it? Or is it specifically Christ, or both. Hitchcocks calls it “stranger in Babylon.” Zec 4:6-10
Thanks for your patience,
J____

Hi J____,
Thank you for your question.
I think the understanding of who we are in Christ is the answer to your question. You ask:

Is Zerubbabel the remnant, or chosen few whose hands have laid the foundation for the temple and will finish it? Or is it specifically Christ, or both?

If we really are the Christ, as Christ Himself affirms, then as you surmise, it must be both:

Act 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

If we are “as Christ in this world”, then it must be both:

Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

If Christ was a stranger in this world, and if we are “strangers and pilgrims” in this world, then, yes it is both.

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Knowing that we are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells within us, should make this even clearer:

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Finally, if we really are “lively stones” in that temple, then it is both:

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

I hope that makes it clear that if Christ is in us, we are Jesus of Nazareth, whom the world persecutes, and the rebuilding of the temple by Zerubabel was but a type and shadow of the temple we are building to Christ and for Christ, as He builds His Temple within us.

Zec 4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike