We started the book of Zechariah in OCT last year and we’re ending it today.
The last oracle (chapters 12-14) talks about the future of Israel.
• Everything is uncertain to the returnees in Zechariah’s time (520BC) but the future is certain to God; He planned it.
Remember how it starts - 12:1 “This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel.”
• There will come a time – on that day (mentioned repeatedly) – when all the nations of the earth will gather against Jerusalem.
• It will be a huge battle but the Lord says, “I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock (ESV heavy stone) for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” (12:3) and “…Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.” (12:6)
• ON THAT DAY, the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem… (12:8) and set out to destroy all the nations that attack it (12:9).
For Israel, there will be a realisation that God protected them. Christ, the one whom they had rejected, came to be their Defender and Protector!
• God says in 12:10 that He will pour out on His people a spirit of grace and supplication (pleas for mercy).
• “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”
• There will be a time of remorse and repentance for Israel.
Chapter 13 says ON THAT DAY, a fountain will be opened (by God) to CLEANSE the people from sin and impurity.
• By grace, through Christ’s shed blood, God cleanses them, internally…
• And externally, when we see all idols, false prophets and “the spirit of impurity” (all forms of evil) being banished from the land.
• Sin will be so unbearable that parents will stab their son for speaking lies in the name of the Lord (13:3). False prophets will be ashamed of being known.
The fountain will be opened because God’s Shepherd will be struck (13:7-9).
• God’s wrath for sin will be poured out on Him.
Chapter 14 continues the theme. The day of the Lord is coming. Read Zech 14:1-2.
• We read the devastation that Jerusalem will initially face.
• Again the reference to this great BATTLE. A similar reference we see in Rev 16:16 where the word “Armageddon” is used. (Literally in Hebrew it means ‘Mount Megiddo’ but no such mount, just the plains of Megiddo, mentioned in Zech 12:11.)
• Clearly ON THAT DAY the nations will come against Jerusalem. The city will be besieged (Zech 12:2-9) and devastated.
But Christ will steps in. Read Zech 14:3-5. This is the return of Christ.
• When Israel is surrounded by the armies of the nations and on the verge of annihilation, the Lord will return in a great display of power.
His feet will touch down at the place from which He ascended, the Mount of Olives.
• Acts 1:10-11 10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? 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."
• 14:4 on that day His feet will stand on the Mount and it will be split in two from East to West, forming a large valley that the surviving remnant can use to escape.
• Jesus will rout His enemies with His return. The Lord says in Matt 24:44 “the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Move to 14:12-15 we have greater details of the devastation. Let’s read.
• A plague will come upon the enemies, both man and beast, and causing panic and plunder.
• Christ will bring about a victory that is decisive. Nothing can stand in His way.
There will also be unparalleled PHENOMENA at His return. 14:6-11 describes these changes. Let’s read. These changes are unique and unprecedented.
• When Jesus described the end times in Matthew 24, He said, “…‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” (Matt 24:29)
It looks like Christ is the LIGHT in the night, no natural light.
• 2 Pet 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
14:8 says LIVING WATER will flow out of Jerusalem to water the land, not natural rain water. Christ provides what the land needs.
• 14:9-11 says the surrounding land will be miraculously levelled into a broad plain with Jerusalem elevated, making it prominent. 14:11 “It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be SECURE.”
• As the Lord said earlier in 12:3 - Jerusalem will be “an immovable rock” (heavy stone) and 12:6 – it will “remain intact in her place” (inhabited in its place).
Christ will then be recognised, not just as Lord of Israel but the King over the earth.
• 14:9 “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His name the only name.”
Finally we have the description of His Kingdom on earth in Zech 14:16-21.
• The survivors from the various nations will come to acknowledge Christ, in order words, they are the believing Gentiles.
• They will come and worship the King, the Lord Almighty, who reigns over all the earth, and ruling from the throne of David in Jerusalem.
• They will celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacle, which denotes the joyful CELEBRATION of God’s deliverance and provision (Lev 23:40; Deut 16:15).
• While those who insist on going against God (denoted by those in Egypt) or anyone who refuse to turn to Christ, will continue to experience the drought and plague.
The concluding 2 verses (14:20-21) say HOLINESS will be the hallmark of His Kingdom.
• The words “Holy to the Lord”, previously inscribed on the gold plate worn on the forehead of the high priest (Exo 28:36-38), will now be seen on bells of horses.
• All the pots, whether used in the Temple or in the homes, will be considered sacred.
• No Canaanite (trader/merchant) will be found in the house of the Lord (14:21).
HOLINESS will so characterise the Kingdom of God that there is no longer the dichotomy between secular or sacred, common or holy. Righteousness prevails.
• This is the glorious END for Israel, and also for all others who are willing to bow down to Christ and acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour, the Holy One.
On that day, at the end of the age, we will have (1) a huge battle, (2) much suffering, (3) Christ’s sudden return and (4) the routing of His enemies, and thereafter (5) the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom. That’s where the world is heading towards.
Remember where we started off. Haggai and Zechariah were called to speak the Word of God to the returnees from exile, encouraging them to rebuild the Temple despite the difficulties (that’s Zech 1-8).
• Zechariah went on to relate the TWO ORACLES (Zech 9-14) prophesying God’s future for them, written after the completion of the Temple.
• They were called to LOOK BEYOND the present to the glorious HOPE that God has ordained for them. Israel will return and be restored, and become a blessing.
• 8:13 sums it best, “As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”
So where are we in all of this? Listen to what Paul says in Romans 11.
Rom 11:25-31 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
27“and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
28As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
Israel’s initial rejection has become our blessings. This is God’s plan.
• Eph 2:19-20 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”
• Eph 3:6 “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
Israel’s end is certain and is glorious. We share in the same blessings that Israel enjoys.
• If there is this ON THAT DAY, then we need not be too disturbed by what is happening ON THIS DAY. We keep faith with God.
• The end is certain. Our redemption is sure. All things sinful and evil will be judged and banished.
• All who trust in Christ and belongs to Christ will be saved by God’s sovereign will and power.
Imagine you missed the World Cup soccer final but you recorded it down. You are busy with work and wouldn’t be able to watch it for the next 3 days.
Meanwhile you have to deliberately avoid listening to the radio, looking at the news or papers that would reveal the outcome of the game. You tell your colleagues, “Don’t tell me anything; don’t say anything about the final…” because you want the joy of watching it without knowing the score.
But you know, the result is already out. It’s final. It’s certain. Nothing can change it.
The END is sure. God has already determined it. He is sovereign.
• No matter how we feel today, the truth remains. God has spoken. The end is certain.
• IN THE MEANTIME, if I may borrow the words of Haggai: “Be strong, O Zerubbabel” Haggai says (Hag 2:4-5). “Be strong, O Joshua.” “Be strong, all you people of the land, and work. For I am with you,” declares the LORD Almighty. “I’ve made my promise. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” (Hag 2:5 paraphrased)'
HOLY COMMUNION
Let’s remember Jesus and honour Him. Let Him reign in your heart and life.
• 2 Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. MAKE RIGHT WITH GOD
