[Divide into two parts?]
- This passage contains detailed prophecy about the return of Christ – specifically, the moment when Jesus’ feet touch the Mount of Olives.
- We are going to cover a lot tonight, but there is so much interesting and compelling details here that I don’t want to skip.
THE MOMENT WHEN JESUS' FEET TOUCH THE MOUNT OF OLIVES:
1. Finally, the “Day of the Lord” happens.
- Zechariah 14:1a.
- “Day of the Lord” here doesn’t apply to just one twenty-four hour period. Rather, it’s a period of time.
- Like to today is the “day of the internet.”
- Also, you can compare this to the “day of man” that has been happening up to this point.
- It will be exciting (and frightening) when that moment finally hits.
- Exciting that Jesus is coming to rule.
- Frightening that not everyone will be ready.
2. Our enemy’s forces have been winning up to this point.
- Zechariah 14:1b-2.
- Jeremiah 30:5-7.
- The Enemy has forces battling Israel. And we start with them having won.
- Here they are in the middle of Jerusalem. They have won and they are not even in a hurry to scurry off, as many victors do. They feel so confident and smug in their win that they are settled comfortably in the city dividing their plunder.
- So this isn’t just a win – in their mind this was a complete victory. They have nothing to worry about from the Jewish people.
- Verse 2 tells us about the battle.
- First, it’s a coalition of all the nations from around the earth. It’s passages like this that make Christians’ ears perk up when ideas like the United Nations come up. I’m not saying such organizations are intrinsically wrong, but they do foreshadow a time when all the nations unite against Israel.
- Second, the destruction was devastating.
- It speaks of capture, destruction of property, and rape. It’s a horrible picture.
- Half of Jerusalem is hauled off. The word there can also mean that they were killed.
- Look at Jeremiah 30:5-7 for how terrible it will be. Yet there is a prophecy of hope there too.
- Third, notice that God is orchestrating this.
- Verse 3 says, “I will gather . . . .”
- Not that God is doing the evil, but that the evil forces are unknowingly walking right into His trap.
- Let’s pause for a moment and note where we are before we see Christ show up in verse 3.
- This is about as low as you can get. This is as convincing a victory as an enemy can get. There is, in the minds of Israel, no hope.
- This is a point I have made at numerous points in the past, but it’s worthy of repeating here. God often chooses to work in ways where it is clear that the power is not from any human agent. It gives Him the undisputed glory when no one can question that He brought the victory.
3. Then Jesus the Warrior shows up.
- Zechariah 14:3, 5b, 12-15.
- Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 14.
- Now we have Jesus showing up. We know from v. 4 that the reference in v. 3 is not just some hidden support from God, but rather the return of Christ. Jesus is fighting. Jesus is a warrior.
- This, of course, is worlds different from Jesus’ first appearance. Then He was meek and lowly. Then He was a Suffering Servant. The second time will be different. He will be strong and powerful. He will be a Conquering King.
- And look who is with Him: v. 5b. His holy saints are there for the fight.
- See Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 14.
- Let’s jump ahead to vv. 12-15. These give us a partial indication of what God is going to do during this time.
- This is not an exhaustive description, but does give some insight.
4. The Mount of Olives will split in two.
- Zechariah 14:4.
- Acts 1:11-12.
- Here we have the long-anticipated moment: Jesus’ feet touch down on the Mount of Olives. The return has happened.
- The result is, literally, earth-shattering. A mountain splits in two – creating a valley.
- This is the hill that Jesus ascended into heaven from (Acts 1:11-12).
- This action creates a valley. This is the way that people from the city will escape, as the next verse indicates.
5. The people will flee into that valley.
- Zechariah 14:5.
- The beginning of v. 5 tells us what happens with that valley. The people of Jerusalem will flee from the city into that valley. This is going to be a powerful earthquake, as in the days of Uzziah.
6. The lights go out.
- Zechariah 14:6-7.
- Isaiah 13:9-10; Isaiah 24:23; Joel 3:14-16; Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 6:12-17.
- We don’t know exactly how this happens, but the normal light that we enjoy on earth and that makes up night and day is not to be found. I do not know how that will come about, but the idea is referenced numerous places in Scripture: Isaiah 13:9-10; Isaiah 24:23; Joel 3:14-16; Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 6:12-17.
- The response by the world, as Revelation 6 notes, is a longing for death.
[maybe break here]
7. A new fount of water comes out of Jerusalem.
- Zechariah 14:8.
- Presumably this involves a crack in the ground and a new source of water flowing up. Perhaps this is tied to the earthquake.
- Some have speculated that maybe might flow from under the Temple. Some believe that Ezekiel 47:1-12 is a reference to this event.
- The mention of “living water” in this verse is most likely a reference to the water being flowing water, as opposed to a lake or similar body.
- It tells us in v. 8 that the water will flow to the east and the west, which means into the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean.
8. The Lord is the earthly king.
- Zechariah 14:9.
- This is the long-awaited “kingdom come.” Jesus is now king of the earth. And He will rule.
9. Jerusalem will physically stand out like a diamond.
- Zechariah 14:10.
- Arabah means nothing to most of us. What is it? It is a deep valley that runs from around the Dead Sea to around the Sea of Galilee. It is a long, low, flat valley.
- So the text is saying that the land all around Jerusalem will be flattened out and brought down. Jerusalem will stand out like a shining diamond on a bride’s hand.
10. Jerusalem will be secure.
- Zechariah 14:11.
- Jerusalem will no longer undergo the humiliations of the past.
11. Jesus will literally rule the earth.
- Zechariah 14:16-21.
- These verses speak to Jesus being in charge.
- These verses speak to respect and honor being given to Christ.
- These verses speak people honoring God.
- They also indicate that not everyone will want to bow down.
