Zechariah 14:1-21
At
the beginning of our study in Zechariah, I tried to imagine each of
us sitting in an auditorium watching, on the big screen, the
unfolding drama of God's prophetic plan for Israel and her future.
Following the 10-fold vision, there was an intermission noted in
chapters seven and eight. During the first “oracle”(9-11),
we saw Zechariah get involved in the unfolding drama. He dressed as a
shepherd, the personification of Jehovah. But Israel, His sheep,
refused to accept Him. Instead they sold Him for 30 pieces of
silver. The final “oracle”
however, describes the Lord's involvement in Israel's future and the
dramatic moment when “the
Lord God comes, and all the holy ones with Him”(v.5b).
The
climax of history will be the personal return of Christ to earth!
“This
same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back
in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1: 11).
John MacArthur summarizes
this closing chapter by stating: “Chapter 14 is an
amplification of 13: 8,9. Prior to Israel’s national conversion
(cf.12: 10-13: 1), the Jews will make a pact with a false messiah
(cf. Dan.9: 27), known as the foolish shepherd (cf.11: 15-17) or
Antichrist. In the middle of that 7-year covenant, Antichrist will
break his treaty with Israel and require the worship of him alone
(Dan.9: 24-27; Matt:24: 15; 2 Thess.2: 3-4). When Israel refuses,
the armies of the world will gather to do battle, climaxing in a
great siege of Jerusalem and the Battle of Armageddon (Rev.19).
Following the Lord’s victory at the battle (cf.19:11-16), will come
the full restoration of Israel as anticipated in Hos.14: 4-7; Joel 3:
18-21; Amos 9: 13-15; Mic.4: 1-3; Zeph.3: 14-20” (The MacArthur
Study Bible, p.1356).
Zechariah
picks up the pen in this last chapter and reveals further events
concerning the siege of Jerusalem toward the end of the Tribulation.
It also pictures Israel’s deliverance at Messiah’s return.
Chapter 12 had already presented a prophetic picture of this siege.
However, the first 2 verses provide the backdrop for God’s
supernatural deliverance and victorious return as Israel’s King.
Charles
Feinberg adds, “It is customary with the prophets to give a general
statement and then expand the theme later by the addition of details”
(God Remembers: A Study of the Book of Zechariah, p.248).
Verses 1-2
“A
day of the Lord is coming when your plunder will be divided among
you. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it;
the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped.
Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will
not be taken from the city.”
These verses were not fulfilled
during the siege of Jerusalem in 70AD
under Titus since all nations were not gathered around Jerusalem and
the Lord did not “stand on the Mount of Olieves” to defeat the
enemies of Israel. Boice states: “The ending of
chapter 13 spoke of the destruction of two-thirds of the people and
the preservation and purification of the remaining one-third. This is
consistent with the sacking of Jerusalem described n 14:2 and
preservation of a remnant in 14:5. In general terms, 14:1-5 is also
consistent with 12:1-9, although the earlier passage does not say
that Jerusalem will be overrun before God intervenes to save it and
its people” (The Minor Prophets, Vol. 2, p.563). Its
fulfillment then lies in the future after Antichrist breaks his seven
year treaty with Israel in an effort to exterminate all Jews. This
will lead to that final siege when Nations gather around Jerusalem
for the climactic battle of Armageddon which according to Luke
21:24 terminates the “times of the Gentiles.”
Verses 3-8
“Then the Lord will go out against those
nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet
will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem and the mount of
Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great
valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.
You will flee by the mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel.
You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah
king of Judah. It will be a unique day, without daytime or
nighttime—a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will
be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem,
half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in
winter.”
Just when it seems that all hope
is gone, the Lord Himself appears as the victorious conqueror over
the nations pillaging Israel. His descent on the Mount of Olives
creates a split running east and west. The great valley will afford
an easy escape route from the final anti-Semitic genocide described
in verse 2. McComiskey adds, “the geological shift of
the mountain northward and southward created an awareness of awesome
power, a vivid pictorial representation of the activity of the
invisible God of history” (The Minor Prophets, p.1230).
Like a fireworks display on the
4th of July celebration, a number of cosmic events are
summarized in the last 13 verses of this chapter.
- Verses 6-7 describe the unique condition of the “day” of His appearing: “without daytime or nighttime.” His glorious appearing causes the celestial luminaries to no longer have their normal function. The Apostle John paints a similar picture by stating: “the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light”(Rev.21: 23). David Baron explains “a day for Jehovah”: as “the day set apart and appointed by Him, not only for the display of His majesty and the vindication of the righteousness of His character and ways, but it is the day of the manifestation of His Divine might and the glory of the destruction of Israel's enemies, and the salvation of His own people” (The Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah, p.495).
- Verse 8 indicates that “living waters” will flow from Jerusalem running continuously eastward toward the Dead Sea and westward toward the Mediterranean. It seems best to view the “waters” as both literal and symbolic. John describes the New Jerusalem as a “pure river of water of life proceeding from the throne of God” (Rev.22: 1-2) Again, we are not certain if both interpretive thoughts are intended. One thing is certain! When the Lord comes back to reign Israel will once again become like the Garden of Eden. This prophecy is connected with Joel 3:18, Ezekiel 47:2, and Revelation 22:1-2 where “living waters” come forth from Jerusalem for the “healing of the nations.”
- Verses 9-11 makes it clear that Christ will rule from Jerusalem; the surrounding hills will be leveled like the Arabah; while the City itself will be elevated and safely inhabited: “The Lord will be king over the whole earth...the whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, will be like the Arabah... Jerusalem will be raised up.” Geba was one of the border towns to the north of Judah, while Rimmon was in the southern border of Palestine, north of Beersheba. Jerusalem will stand out above all the rest of the countryside. This same prophecy is spoken of by Isaiah and Micah: “In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple ...will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it”(Is.2:2); “the mountain of the Lord's temple ...will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it” (Micah 4:1).
- Verses 12-15 gives one last glimpse of the Lord’s intervention on behalf of His people. The defeat of hostile nations waging war against Jerusalem is vividly descriptive: “bodies rotting even before they hit the ground; eyes rotting in their sockets; and tongues rotting in their mouths” (v.12). God’s awesome power will be so singularly displayed that His enemies in panic will kill each other (v.13) leaving their wealth behind as booty for victorious Israel. (v.14)
- Verses 16-19 describe the universal worship of Jesus as King over the whole earth: “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty.” The celebration will be like the Feast of Tabernacles in Old Testament times (Lev.23: 41-43). The celebration marked the final harvest of the year’s crops and its festive gathering was filled with thanksgiving and praise. The millennial celebration will likewise be a “feast” marking the final, joyful regathering of Israel in full Kingdom blessing along with the in-gathering of the Nations.
- Verses 20-21 “On that day Holy To The Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord;s house...every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty.” “Holiness” will be the nature of the coming messianic kingdom. So pervasive will be the rule of righteousness that even the most common objects will be “holy to the Lord.” The assurance that no “Canaanite” will exist in His Temple guarantees the end of all impurity in God’s kingdom.
The King is coming with power and
great glory! “On his robe and on his thigh he has the name
written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev.19: 16).
The stage is set for this final, climactic drama in human history.
The chapter is about to close! The curtain rises on this majestic,
awesome picture of Israel’s Messiah descending from heaven on a
white horse, followed by myriads of saints on white horses (Rev.19:
11) to help inaugurate His thousand year reign. Then the “kingdoms
of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ
and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev.11: 15).
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.
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.
1.
Three major events are described in this last chapter: the Great
Tribulation invasion of Jerusalem; the destruction of those Nation
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?
