ZECHARIAH 14 - THE VICTORY OF MESSIAH-KING

THE FINAL ACT UPON LIFE'S STAGE

REVEALS THE BLOODIEST SCENES OF ALL

WHERE DEATH AND CARNAGE, RAPE AND SWORD

ARE MET WITH JUDGMENT FROM THE LORD.

THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD ARE SEEN

AROUND MEGIDDO'S OPEN PLAIN

WHERE REVELATION FORCES MEET

AND SATAN'S PLOT ENDS IN DEFEAT.

AS ANTICHRIST TAKES DAVID'S THRONE

DEMANDING WORSHIP FOR HIS OWN

THE BROKEN COVENANT HE MADE

LEAVES EVERY JEW IN SHOCK AFRAID.

THEN SUDDENLY ALL LIGHTS GROW DIM

THE SUN AND MOON REFUSE TO SHINE

A SPECIAL DAY BURSTS INTO SIGHT

THE BRIDE AND GROOM APPEAR IN WHITE.

THE KING-MESSIAH TAKES HIS STAND

AND WITH ONE BREATH DESTROYS HIS FOES

WHEN EVERY WARRIOR'S FLESH DROPS OFF

IT IS THE LAST OF ISRAEL'S WOES.

THEN SATAN'S REIGN WILL BE REPLACED

A THOUSAND YEARS OF LASTING PEACE

WILL FLOOD THE WORLD FROM ZION'S THRONE

WHERE JESUS CHRIST WILL REIGN ALONE.

JERUSALEM WILL RISE IN HEIGHT

AND ALL THE NATIONS THAT REMAIN

WILL JOIN WITH JEWS TO CELEBRATE

THE PRAISE AND HONOR DUE HIS NAME.

WHEN PROPHECY AND HISTORY MERGE

THE FINAL SCENE WILL END IN TIME

AND HOLINESS WILL BE THE SEAL

BEFORE WHOM EVERYONE WILL KNEEL.

--B. Pent

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. Three major events are described in this last chapter: the Great Tribulation invasion of Jerusalem; the destruction of those Nations

attacking her; and, the establishment of Christ's millennial reign. As you read Daniel 9:27, what event triggers this final battle?

2. What are some of the contributing factors leading to the final Armageddon Battle (vs.1-2)?

3. Verse 4 seems to be connected with the seventh bowl judgment of Revelation 16:18-19. Explain! How might this great earthquake help the

Jewish people during this time?

4. The special "day" described in verses 6-7 is identical to the passage in Matthew 24:29-30. What are some of the things that will make this

particular day so uniquely different from other days? What "day" is he describing and why might the Lord want that "day" to be

uniquely different from any other day that has ever existed?

5. Verse 8 describes a river that flows out of Jerusalem. Is that the same as the one described in Isaiah 35:1,6; Ezekiel 47:1-12 and

Psalm 46:1-4? What is your opinion?

6. In summary: what will happen when Jesus returns to earth again? Describe some of the major events. What will happen to the

Antichrist, false prophet and Satan? What part does Israel and the Church play during the Millennial Kingdom? What then should

we live in the light of these world-shaking events?

ZECHARIAH 12-13 - THE WARRIOR KING APPEARS
A SUDDEN BURST OF LIGHT APPEARS

A HUSH OF AWE SURROUNDS THE STAGE
AS YAHWEH TAKES THE LEADING ROLE
IN HISTORY'S LAST PROPHETIC PAGE.

THE WARRIOR -KING STEPS FROM HIS THRONE
AS HE REVEALS THE BATTLE PLAN
THE NATIONS GATHER TO DESTROY
THE JEWISH RACE FROM OFF THEIR LAND.

THE "DAY" DESCRIBED BY PROPHETS PAST
TAKE SEVEN YEARS TO BE FULFILLED
AS ANTI-JEWISH FORCES JOIN
AT ARMAGEDDON'S BATTLE FIELD.

THE SIEGE SURROUNDING ZION'S HILL
WILL BE A ROCK THAT CANNOT MOVE
AS HORSE AND RIDER SEEM CONFUSED
LIKE DRUNKARDS IN A STUPOR MOOD.

THE MIGHTY GOD WILL BE REVEALED
THOUGH JUDAH'S ARMY IS SO SMALL
THEY WILL BECOME A FLAMING TORCH
AND HEAR THE PROMISED VICTORY CALL.

THE HEBREW RACE HAS YET TO TURN
FROM UNBELIEF TO GOD ALONE
FOR BLINDNESS STILL IN PART REMAINS
UNTIL THEY CLAIM THEIR HISTORY'S SHAME.

BUT WHEN THE VEIL OF UNBELIEF
IS TORN AWAY BY CHRIST'S RETURN
REPENTANT JEWS WILL TURN FROM SIN
AND CLAIM THE ONE THEY PIERCED AS KING.

BUT JUST BEFORE THE TRUMPET SOUNDS
THE ANTICHRIST WILL DO HIS BEST
TO KILL THE SEED OF JUDAH'S RACE
UNTIL ONE THIRD ARE LEFT IN PLACE.

IN PREPARATION FOR HIS REIGN
MESSIAH'S REMNANT WILL GO THROUGH
THE TEST OF THOSE REFINED BY FIRE
TO SERVE AS PRIESTS IN WHITE ATTIRE.
--B. Pent

THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. The last three chapters takes a leap into the future at Christ's return to earth. How does chapter 12:1-3 describe Jerusalem in the final Armageddon conflict? When and where does it take place?

2. Seven times the expression "in that day" is mentioned. What might this repetition suggest about this particular "day?"

3. What crisis event is happening to Judah that drives their attention God-ward and what is their response (vs.10-14)?"

4. Chapter 13 describes the process in Israel's cleansing. How are some of those ways used according to verses 1-6?

5. What tragic evens take place in this final refining process that prepares the remaining remnant to serve with Messiah during His millennial kingdom (vs.7-13)?

ZECHARIAH 10-11 - TWO SHEPHERDS COMPARED

THE TEMPLE PLANS WERE NOW COMPLETE
SOME TIME HAD LAPSED BUT THEY FORGOT
THAT YAHWEH WAS THEIR SHEPHERD GUIDE
AND ALL THEIR NEEDS HE HAD SUPPLIED.

FALSE SHEPHERDS SOON BEGAN TO LEAD
AND OTHER GOD'S DID INTERCEDE
LIKE WONDERING SHEEP THEY WENT ASTRAY
BECAUSE THEY SOUGHT DIVINER'S WAY.

GOD'S SHEPHERD HEART WAS THEN REVEALED
THE NATURE OF HIS LOVE EXPLAINED
HIS TRUTH WOULD TRIUMPH IN THE END
SO THAT THROUGH HIM THEY COULD DEPEND.

HE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF FAITH
THE PEG THAT STABILIZES TRUTH
THE BATTLE BOW THAT CONQUERS SIN
THE PROMISE OF DECISIVE WIN.

THE WONDERING TRIBES OF ISRAEL STILL
HAVE BLINDED EYES THAT CANNOT SEE
AND YET HE LONGS TO DO HIS PART
IF THEY RETURN WITH CONTRITE HEART.

THE SHEPHERD CALLS HIS WONDERING SHEEP
FROM DISTANT SHORES BEYOND THEIR REACH
SO ALL THEIR CHILDREN COULD RETURN
AND FINALLY REACH THEIR NATIVE HOME.

THOUGH TRIBULATION TRIALS COME
LIKE SURGING WAVES OF WAR AND DEATH
THE ARM OF YAHWEH WILL ARISE
AND GRANT TO THEM THE VICTOR'S PRIZE.

BUT SAD THE STORY QUICKLY SHOWS
HOW SOON THE SUN THAT HARDENS CLAY
CAN TURN THE BLESSINGS HAVEN SENDS
TO GRANITE HEARTS THAT WON'T OBEY.

THE DOORS OF TROUBLE SOON APPEAR
LIKE FIRE DESTROYING HARVEST GRAIN
AS WAILING SHEPHERDS LOOSE THEIR FLOCK
BECAUSE THEIR IS NO LONGER RAIN.

THEN ZECHARIAH WALKED ON STAGE
TO ILLUSTRATE GOD'S ACTIVE PART
HE TOOK A SHEPHERD'S ROD AND STAFF
SO THEY COULD FEEL HIS LOVING HEART.

BUT WICKED SHEPHERDS TOOK THEIR STAND
WITH SCRIBES AND PRIEST'S DECEPTIVE PLAN
THE PRICE OF 30 COINS THEY TOSSED
BY NAILING CHRIST UPON THE CROSS.

SO WHEN THE ROMAN TROOPS ARRIVED
THE BROKEN STAFF GOD SYMBOLIZED
BECAME THE NATION'S BATTLE BLOWS
AS ANTI SEMITE HATRED SHOWS.

YET ONE LAST SHEPHERD FILLS THE STAGE
WHO LOOKS MORE LIKE A BEAST WITH RAGE
BUT WHEN MESSIAH'S KING RETURNS
THIS ARMAGEDDON SHEPHERD BURNS.
--B.PENT


THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. The Temple was completed and sacrifices were resumed but instead of seeking the Lord what do verses 1-2 whose counsel were they
following and why? What warning does that trigger for us as Christians? Explain
2. In verses 3-8, Yahweh expresses His longing to Shepherd Israel in spite of their apostasy. What are some of the promises He makes
to them and what comfort would that have been to those remaining faithful to Him?
3. Verses 9-12 tells of trouble ahead and their being scattered among the Gentile nations. Can you recall some of those times in the past
and what is yet ahead for them during the Great Tribulation?
4. Chapter 11:1-3 opens with metaphors that suggest destruction and devastation for Israel. In context it seems to point the Roman
invasion under Titus. What picture did Jesus give in Matthew 24 of Jerusalem and its Temple during that time?
5. The rest of this chapter describes the Good shepherds and the false shepherd. Can you briefly describe each shepherd and according
to verses 12-13 what they finally do to the Good Shepherd?
6. In verses 15-17, Zechariah takes a leap into the distant Tribulation period. How is the false shepherd described and how does it end?

Zechariah 9:1-17 -- TWO KINGS REVEALED

THE SECOND ACT ONCE MORE BEGINS

WITH SCENES FAR DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE

TWO MIGHTY KINGS APPEAR ON STAGE

ALONG THE ROUTE TO ISRAEL'S SHORE.

THE FIRST LOOKED LIKE A FIERCE-HORNED GOAT

A GRECIAN KING OF YOUTHFUL AGE

DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT

WITH UNRELENTING MIGHT AND RAGE.

THE YOUNG COMMANDER ROSE IN STRENGTH

BY CRUSHING PERSIA'S NORTHERN FLANK

THEN SYRIA, TYRE AND SOUTHERN TOWNS

BECAME THE TROPHIES OF HIS RANK.

WHEN ALEXANDER'S FORCES MET

OUTSIDE JERUSALEM'S HOLY LAND

A MIRACLE FROM HISTORY CAME

THE VISION OF GOD'S WARNING HAND.

THE HIGH PRIEST WITH EACH MAN IN WHITE

MARCHED OUT TO MEET THE COMING KING

BUT THROUGH A VISION YAHWEH GAVE

THE LAND WAS SPARED FROM CONQUERING.

YET ISRAEL FAILED TO UNDERSTAND

THE WAY TO FREEDOM WAS MUCH MORE

THAN CASTING OFF THE YOKE OF ROME

BY SOME MESSIAH OF THEIR OWN.

THE PROPHET SAW A SECOND KING

WHO RODE UPON A DONKEY'S COLT

HIS HUMBLE BIRTH FROM DAVID'S LINE

GAVE PROOF HE WAS THE LORD DIVINE.

BUT ISRAEL IN THEIR IGNORANCE THOUGHT

A MILITARY PRINCE WOULD COME

SO WHEN HOSANNA SONGS GAVE PRAISE

THE CRIES OF "CRUCIFY" WERE RAISED.

BUT ZECHARIAH VIEWED A DAY

FULFILLING PROMISES GOD MADE

THAT AFTER "JACOB'S TROUBLED" DAYS

MESSIAH'S KING WOULD COME ABLAZE.

THE BRANCH FROM JUDAH'S PROMISED LINE

WILL REIGN IN REGAL MAJESTY

AND GRAFTED ISRAEL WILL SHINE FORTH

AS HIS CROWNED JEWELS OF ROYALTY.

THEN DESERT LANDS WILL BLOOM AGAIN

AND PEACE THE GIFT FOR EVERY MAN

FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS HIS ALONE

WHO SITS AND REIGNS FROM ZION'S THRONE.

--B. PENT

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. The word "oracle/burden" means "to bear" and signifies something heavy or burdensome. What may have been some reasons for the use of

this word?

2. The first 8 verses indicate battles and destruction taking place all around Israel and later in verse 13 Greece is mentioned as a part of it. As

you read Daniel 7:6 and 8:5-7 Alexander the Great is described as a four-headed leopard with wings and a strong he-goat. What kind of

picture is conjured up in your mind after reading these verses? what fear may have gripped their hearts as he was nearing Jerusalem?

3. What affect did Alexander's conquests have on the future expansion of the Gospel in the first century?

4. Verses 9-10 describe the coming of another King. Why does Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a colt instead of a horse? Wouldn't that seem

odd in view of Israel's Messianic expectation? What confusion might have entered their minds after reading verse 10?

5. The "blood covenant" mentioned in verse 11 goes back to his unconditional promise made to Abraham and his seed in Genesis 15:1-10.

The rest of this chapter jumps from Greece to the dark, war days of Armageddon (vs.14-15) and the personal return of Christ (vs.16-17).

What comfort or encouragement would this give to this small returned remnant as they faced present and future struggles as a Nation?

ETERNITY
"I THINK ETERNITY IS WOVEN THROUGH THE INSIDE OF ME LIKE
A STRING, AND EVERY NOW AND THEN SOMEONE HITS IT LIKE
A NOTE ON A PIANO, AND SUDDENLY MY ENTIRE BEING
VIBRATES WITH THE SOUND OF IT. IT'S BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE
IN THOSE MOMENTS I'M FULLY AWARE THAT I WASN'T MADE
FOR A FEW SHALLOW DAYS. THE SOUND OF ETERNITY IS
THE HOPE FOR GLORIES BEYOND LIFE." --JOY ELIZABETH CLARK
(Copied from HannahGirl.com)