October 5 - Zechariah 12-14
One of the characteristics of the Old Testament Prophets is that their prophecies do not neatly explain the chronological sequence of all of the things they receive from the Lord. The result is that often we will have a prophecy about Jesus' crucifixion in close proximity to a prophecy about His second coming. The reason for this seems to be that the Prophets could clearly understand what God told them to say, but they could not see into the future themselves to clearly see the different phases of human history. One example that is often given is that the Prophets do speak about the Gentiles coming to the Lord, but they do not seem to see the church or the church age. Therefore, when we read their messages, we see things from different ages in future running together. This is true of these last three chapters of Zechariah.
Zechariah reveals that God will fight for His people, and as they are restored to the Land there will come a time when "they will look on Me whom they pierced."(12:10) This is a certain statement from Jesus and the passage even speaks of a time of mourning over His death. I like the reference to the fountain being opened for sin and uncleanness to be washed away. (13:1) What a picture of the crucifixion! When Jesus is pierced, His blood flows as a fountain for our cleansing, but how sad it is that God's sinless Son had to die for us. This is an overwhelming truth for all people.
Then, in chapter 14 there are many references to the Second Coming of Christ to the Mount of Olives and the river of living water that will flow out of Jerusalem at that time. It even seems to be made possible by the earthquake that will split the mountain in two and form a valley when Jesus touches down on the earth. This is so graphic, but there are also graphic statements about a war to defend Israel during this time of the end. Some of the descriptions seem to portray a nuclear war. (14:12) From what I have read Zechariah explains correctly what happens to a person from nuclear fallout. The only explanation for this is that God supernaturally revealed this message to him for us to understand the end of time.
The chapter concludes with a further description of the millenial kingdom after the battle of Armageddon. It will be a much different world when Jesus reigns on earth. He will be able to enforce righteousness on the people by withholding rain and other measures. He will make sure that everyone alive sees the Holiness of the Lord. However, we know that many of them will still not be saved, because they never willingly turn their hearts over to the Lord. They have that choice, and they know they should accept Him, but they don't. We see that all around us today. It is the pride of the flesh that keeps many people from coming to Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Malachi 1-4.
Zechariah reveals that God will fight for His people, and as they are restored to the Land there will come a time when "they will look on Me whom they pierced."(12:10) This is a certain statement from Jesus and the passage even speaks of a time of mourning over His death. I like the reference to the fountain being opened for sin and uncleanness to be washed away. (13:1) What a picture of the crucifixion! When Jesus is pierced, His blood flows as a fountain for our cleansing, but how sad it is that God's sinless Son had to die for us. This is an overwhelming truth for all people.
Then, in chapter 14 there are many references to the Second Coming of Christ to the Mount of Olives and the river of living water that will flow out of Jerusalem at that time. It even seems to be made possible by the earthquake that will split the mountain in two and form a valley when Jesus touches down on the earth. This is so graphic, but there are also graphic statements about a war to defend Israel during this time of the end. Some of the descriptions seem to portray a nuclear war. (14:12) From what I have read Zechariah explains correctly what happens to a person from nuclear fallout. The only explanation for this is that God supernaturally revealed this message to him for us to understand the end of time.
The chapter concludes with a further description of the millenial kingdom after the battle of Armageddon. It will be a much different world when Jesus reigns on earth. He will be able to enforce righteousness on the people by withholding rain and other measures. He will make sure that everyone alive sees the Holiness of the Lord. However, we know that many of them will still not be saved, because they never willingly turn their hearts over to the Lord. They have that choice, and they know they should accept Him, but they don't. We see that all around us today. It is the pride of the flesh that keeps many people from coming to Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Malachi 1-4.