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Friday, January 5, 2007

Zechariah: Good and Comforting Words

Restoring the Nation of Israel (Zechariah 10.1-12; 12.1-13.9; 14.1-15)

Last time, we developed the line of thought presented in chapters 12-13. The Gentiles are allowed to lay siege to the people of God; to drink the cup of trembling. They will find God’s people a burdensome stone and a fire that consumes led by the Messiah Himself. The instruments of chastening during the Great Tribulation will be used of God to bring national repentance to Israel (12.9-14). The Spirit of Grace will be poured out upon the people of God in an overwhelming fashion. A fountain of cleansing will bring about a refined remnant upon which the Millennial Kingdom will be established! The Lord Jesus reigns!

One item remains concerning the restoration of this nation. It is found in chapter 14. It is the development of the victorious Day of the Lord.

“Behold, the Lord Cometh” (14.1-15)

The chapter opens with the spoil of the Gentile nations going to God's people, Israel. Before this occurs, the nations will inflict great suffering upon the people of God (2). When all seems lost, "the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations" (3). The amazing statement in verse four reminds the reader of the angels who said to those gathered at the ascension of Christ, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1.11).

"In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south" (Zechariah 14.4).

What a glorious verse! The Lord Jesus will provide a way of escape for His people! He shall open a valley for them by rending the mountain in half (5).

Lights will diminish; Jesus shall be the light to His people forevermore (6-7). "The day of Christ's return will be unusual from the angle of the phenomena of nature. The day will be darkened; and the evening, when darkness should settle down, will see light, the light of the effulgent presence of Christ" (Pfeiffer, 910).

Jesus shall bring living waters to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea (8). The source of these waters is Jerusalem! Jesus shall be known and loved as the One and Only Lord (9). He will bring peace and security to the inhabitants of Jerusalem that remain (10-11). He shall consume all enemies in great judgment (12-15). This is the great and terrible day of the LORD Jesus. It is the day in which the blood on His garment will belong to His enemies - it will not be His!