Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 14

Verses 1-3

Zec 14:1-3

A DAY OF JEHOVAH COMETH . . . Zechariah 14:1-3

(Zechariah 14:1) “A Day of Jehovah” is always a closing of one historic era and the beginning of another. It is upon this premise that we postulated the belief that the term “in that day” in chapter thirteen and chapter fourteen refers to two different times. (See comment.) The first day, referred to in chapter thirteen, is the Messianic age in which we live. The second day, referred to in chapter fourteen, is the last time.

Zerr: The general subject of this whole chapter should be considered before trying to conclude on the meaning of any particular verse. The subject is the triumph of the Gospel over all the enemies of the Lord (Zechariah 14:1). The mention of unusual events of a material nature is only for the purpose of illustration and emphasis, and I shall comment on them from that standpoint. Spoil be divided in the midst of thee. The good things available will not be given into the hands of the enemy but will be retained by the Lord’s people.

(Zechariah 14:1(b) - Zechariah 14:3) In the coming day of Jehovah the spoil of Jerusalem is to be divided in her midst. The occasion for this pillage will be the gathering of the nations against Jerusalem for battle. The treatment of the city’s inhabitants is to be barbaric with half the population being taken into slavery. Those not taken into captivity are to remain in the city.

Zerr: The events described here are the kind that would be done in a literal siege around Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2). It will be accomplished figuratively in that much opposition will be attempted against the new system of the Lord to be set up In Jerusalem. This fight (Zechariah 14:3.) will be with the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17).

Those who see the subsequent verses symbolically fulfilled in the church, take this verse to refer to the Roman conquest of Jerusalem. This raises grave questions. For example, if we are to take this verse literally of the invasion by Rome, why are we to assume the subsequent verses are figurative? And, how can we identify Rome as “all nations?”

The Roman occupation of Palestine was by invitation, initially, and so does not fit the description here at all. The final destruction of Jerusalem by Rome, as the result of the failure of the Jews to accept Roman rule, more closely resembles the picture presented by Zechariah, but to explain these verses solely on this basis requires a sudden unexplainable shifting from the literal to the figurative in the verses immediately following.

For example, those who take “Jerusalem” as meaning the city literally, in verses one through three, insist that the term is metaphorically used in following verses concerning the Mount of Olives. Such inconsistency is a gross violation of the rules of sound exegesis. It is more honest to simply say we do not know exactly what is being described here.

It seems quite likely that we are dealing with events of the end time and the last rebellion of man against God. Perhaps we must leave the explanation of the prophet’s language to Him in Whose hands such things rest. Perhaps we, as the twelve, must reluctantly accept the fact that there are certain matters which it is not our prerogative to know as completely as we might like. (cp. Acts 1:6-7)

Questions

In the Second Day

1. Chapter fourteen deals almost exclusively with _________________.

2. Eschatology may be defined simply as _________________.

3. Do scholars generally agree on the meaning of this chapter?

4. Discuss the two extreme views of pre and post millenialists in regard to Zechariah fourteen.

5. One can never be _________________ and be dogmatic about eschatology, especially when it is written in apocalyptic form.

6. In the study of eschatology we are deprived of a very useful tool in the interpretation of prophecy in general. What is that tool?

7. Review the meaning of “a day of Jehovah” in chapter forty-one.

8. In the day of Jehovah described in Zechariah fourteen the ______________ of Jerusalem is to be divided in her midst.

9. Half the population of Jerusalem is to be _________________.

10. Why does the Roman occupation of Jerusalem not fit the description here?

11. List the events of Zechariah

a. In that day (10)

b. In that day (11)

c. In that day (12)

d. In that day (13)

e. In that day (14)

f. In that day (15)

g. In that day (16)

12. Describe the present setting of the Mount of Olives.

13. The division of the Mount of Olives would provide an easy ___________________.

14. The events here are compared to an historic earthquake in the days of ___________________.

15. The description of the Lord in company with all the saints always refers to ___________________.

16. What other prophets described the day of the Lord in terms similar to those used here by Zechariah?

17. Peter saw at least the beginning of the fulfillment of a similar prediction by Joel in ___________________.

18. God has always been king over the whole earth. In the end He will be ___________________.

19. Locate Geba and Rimmon.

20. What other topographical alterations accompany the splitting of the Mount of Olives?

21. Who will be safe during these cataclysmic events?

22. Describe the plague which is to come upon those arrayed against Jerusalem.

23. What is the result of this plague?

24. What Jewish feast is to be celebrated by all the nations? What is its significance?

25. What is to be the consequence if any nation fails to keep the feast?

26. Why is Egypt here singled out for special punishment should she fail to keep the feast?

27. Finally the inscription _______________ is to be seen on everything in Jerusalem.

28. Explain the significance of this inscription appearing on such diverse items as altar utensils and cook pots in the home.

29. Who were the Canaanites?

Verses 1-8

Zec 14:1-8

Though the days seem dark the saints of God are called

upon to await the life giving waters of God (Zechariah 14:1-8)

“Behold, a day of Jehovah comes, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city” (Zechariah 14:1-2).

In keeping with the context from the previous three chapters there can be no doubt that Zechariah is referring to spiritual Jerusalem and the onslaught of wicked workers against the Lord’s kingdom. Many shall fall away from the faith when the going gets tough; however, Jehovah’s remnant would remain true to him throughout their lives. Notice that Jehovah “gathers all nations against Jerusalem to battle.” The Lord has always used the wicked nations to accomplish His will of repentance in His people and so He does today.

“Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:3-4).

Jehovah’s going forth to fight against the forces of world darkness is compared to the days when he literally fought using various objects to accomplish his physical will. God’s battles, as ours, are now spiritual. God wages war against the wicked with His holy word through His disciples. Through God’s word will a spiritual valley of refuge be found for the faithful. The valley is a spiritual place of safety where Satan treads not.

“And ye shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azel; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee” (Zechariah 14:5).

The picture is one of the sheep being scattered after the piercing of the good shepherd. The scattering abroad is compared to people who scattered in the earthquake during the days of Uzziah (cf. Amos 1:1 / this quake must have been tremendous and thereby left a great impression upon the minds of generations of Jews). The scattered sheep are far from being without hope. Jehovah comes to stand by them with His holy ones!

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that there shall not be light; the bright ones shall withdraw themselves: but it shall be one day which is known unto Jehovah; not day, and not night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light. And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea: in summer and in winter shall it be” (Zechariah 14:6-8).

Note the continued used of the phrase, “in that day.” With the time frame of Christ, his death, establishment of his kingdom, and the forgiveness of sins being clearly established we can say that the same time continues to be considered. Just when all seems lost, dark, and dreary the Lord pronounces help in the form of light at the evening time of persecution. Jehovah shall provide, “living waters” that shall cause the distressed disciples to live. Jeremiah referred to Jehovah as the fountain of “living waters” at Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13. Jesus referred to these “living waters” to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. These waters represented the truths of God that man may be saved from the life threatening effects of sin.

Verses 4-5

Zec 14:4-5

IN THAT DAY (10) . . . Zechariah 14:4-5

This is one of the most difficult of all prophetic predictions. It has called forth some of the most ludicrous explanations ever offered as interpretation of Scripture. A nationally known television evangelist tells a wild story in which a large motel chain, investigating the possibility of building on the Mount of Olives, found a fault in the mountain of such extent that it could not support such a building. Just how preposterous this is is obvious to anyone who has visited the holy land and has seen the huge buildings which do stand on Olivet! Near the summit is the church of the Pater, Noster. Just to the south a few hundred yards is the luxurious Intercontinental Hotel. South of the Intercontinental is another hotel, the Panorama, and not far away a mosque has recently been erected.

If the Mount of Olives is to literally split at the coming of Jesus, it will not be because of any fault in the eatth, but because of the power of God!

The Mount of Olives is the predominant peak of a line of hills which begins just less than a mile east of Jerusalem and ranges north and south about a mile. Between the Mount of Olives, on the slopes of which the Garden of Gethsemane, a sabbath day’s journey (7/8 of a mile) from the city. The mountain is separated from Jerusalem by the Kidron Valley. It stands some 295 feet higher than Mount Moriah, the site of the temple.

To the east of the Mount of Olives lies the Judean wilderness. On a clear day one can stand on the mountain’s top and view the Dead Sea in the distance. The road to Bethany winds round the north, beyond which lies Mount Scopus.

It seems likely that Jesus ascended to Heaven from the slopes of Olivet. (Acts 1:11), though such is not specifically stated. Others believe He ascended from a hill in Galilee. (cp. Mark 16:19, etc.) Upon this assumption, some have seen Zechariah 14:4 as a prediction that He will return to the very spot from which He departed.

Zerr: Zechariah 14:4. The mount of Olives was a small but very Important spot in Biblical times, especially in the days of Christ, It was from that place that He ascended to heaven in sight of some of the disciples. He will come back at the last day In person but in spiritual form. He will not come literally in the meantime, but will come spiritually when he sends the Holy Spirit to set up the church. In that sense he will stand upon the mount of Olives. Of course the reader should bear in mind that the future tense of this language is used because at the time of this writing the church was in the future. A valley can be formed by the two halves of a mountain and such a valley would provide a place of security for a mansion.

The statement that the Mount of Olives will cleave when the Lord stands upon it has given rise, as we have seen, to all sorts of speculations. What is described is the division, east and west, of the mountain resulting in the formation of “a very great valley.” If such were to happen literally, the city of Jerusalem would be much more accessible from the east.

(Zechariah 14:5) Such a valley would also form a way of easy escape from the city. Zechariah pictures the inhabitants of Jerusalem fleeing down the newly-formed valley between the northern and southern extremities of the then divided Mount of Olives. In Zechariah 14:3 he has said that Jehovah will fight “as in the day of battle.” As He separated the Red Sea to allow the Jews to escape from Pharaoh’s chariots, He will then separate the mountain to allow those in Jerusalem to escape from the assembled nations.

Zerr: Zechariah 14:5. This verse is figurative and refers to the same commotions indicated in the first part of the chapter. The reason for referring to the earthquake in the days of Uzziah is only as an Illustration. The history of this earthquake is quoted in connection with the comments on Amos 1:1. The upheaval that was caused bv the introduction of the Gospel was likened to the material one described in this note.

Azel has not been identified by archeologists. Many have speculated as to its location, but none have offered any real help.

Two hundred years before Zechariah, in the days of king Uzziah, a severe earthquake had caused many to flee Jerusalem. The prophet sees the exodus following the division of the Mount of Olives as similar to that historic event.

The Lord is next pictured as coming in company with all the saints. This prediction is reminiscent of one made in Judges 1:14. “And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones . . .” It is also quite similar to John’s description of Christ’s coming in Revelation 1:7, “Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him.” Jesus Himself predicted in Matthew 24:30, “. . . and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Such descriptions of the Lord in Scripture are always in association with Christ’s second coming. It is therefore unlikely that what Zechariah is presenting here is, as some have suggested, a metaphorical description of the preaching of the gospel and the escape of some Jews by accepting it in 30 A.D.

Questions

In the Second Day

1. Chapter fourteen deals almost exclusively with _________________.

2. Eschatology may be defined simply as _________________.

3. Do scholars generally agree on the meaning of this chapter?

4. Discuss the two extreme views of pre and post millenialists in regard to Zechariah fourteen.

5. One can never be _________________ and be dogmatic about eschatology, especially when it is written in apocalyptic form.

6. In the study of eschatology we are deprived of a very useful tool in the interpretation of prophecy in general. What is that tool?

7. Review the meaning of “a day of Jehovah” in chapter forty-one.

8. In the day of Jehovah described in Zechariah fourteen the ______________ of Jerusalem is to be divided in her midst.

9. Half the population of Jerusalem is to be _________________.

10. Why does the Roman occupation of Jerusalem not fit the description here?

11. List the events of Zechariah

a. In that day (10)

b. In that day (11)

c. In that day (12)

d. In that day (13)

e. In that day (14)

f. In that day (15)

g. In that day (16)

12. Describe the present setting of the Mount of Olives.

13. The division of the Mount of Olives would provide an easy ___________________.

14. The events here are compared to an historic earthquake in the days of ___________________.

15. The description of the Lord in company with all the saints always refers to ___________________.

16. What other prophets described the day of the Lord in terms similar to those used here by Zechariah?

17. Peter saw at least the beginning of the fulfillment of a similar prediction by Joel in ___________________.

18. God has always been king over the whole earth. In the end He will be ___________________.

19. Locate Geba and Rimmon.

20. What other topographical alterations accompany the splitting of the Mount of Olives?

21. Who will be safe during these cataclysmic events?

22. Describe the plague which is to come upon those arrayed against Jerusalem.

23. What is the result of this plague?

24. What Jewish feast is to be celebrated by all the nations? What is its significance?

25. What is to be the consequence if any nation fails to keep the feast?

26. Why is Egypt here singled out for special punishment should she fail to keep the feast?

27. Finally the inscription _______________ is to be seen on everything in Jerusalem.

28. Explain the significance of this inscription appearing on such diverse items as altar utensils and cook pots in the home.

29. Who were the Canaanites?

Verses 6-7

Zec 14:6-7

IN THAT DAY (11) . . . Zechariah 14:6-7

The description is typical of many in which the day of Jehovah is pictured in the prophets. Isaiah said “Then the moon shall be con* founded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously,” (Isaiah 24:23) and “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” (Isaiah 13:9-10) Joel stated “The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.” (Joel 3:15) Jesus’ own description was “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31)

Zerr: Zechariah 14:6-7. On the basis of reasoning from the simple to the complex, or from the known to the unknown, I will conclude this paragraph is an indefinite prediction of the general diffusion of Gospel light that was to be shed from Jerusalem at the beginning of the kingdom of Christ. We may be certain that is the chief subject of the chapter as a whole, and hence these peculiar expressions should be interpreted in that light. Not clear nor dark means there will not be extremes either way. One day known to the Lord. It will not be done exactly as man might have suggested, but it will he according to the Lord’s wisdom. Not day nor night has about the same meaning as the phrase “not clear nor dark’’ above. Evening it shall be light. So consistent will the spiritual day be that when it would normally he expected to dim toward the night it will still continue to be light.

On Pentecost Peter saw at least the beginning of this prediction being fulfilled in the coming of the Holy Spirit. Nothing that happened on Pentecost, however, answers to the last two verses of Joel’s prediction, as quoted by Peter (cf. Acts 2:17-20). Perhaps here is a clue to the events described by Zechariah. The coming of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of the day of Jehovah (Acts 2:17-18). The happenings pictured by Isaiah, Joel, Jesus, and John marked its end. (Acts 2:19-20)

Questions

In the Second Day

1. Chapter fourteen deals almost exclusively with _________________.

2. Eschatology may be defined simply as _________________.

3. Do scholars generally agree on the meaning of this chapter?

4. Discuss the two extreme views of pre and post millenialists in regard to Zechariah fourteen.

5. One can never be _________________ and be dogmatic about eschatology, especially when it is written in apocalyptic form.

6. In the study of eschatology we are deprived of a very useful tool in the interpretation of prophecy in general. What is that tool?

7. Review the meaning of “a day of Jehovah” in chapter forty-one.

8. In the day of Jehovah described in Zechariah fourteen the ______________ of Jerusalem is to be divided in her midst.

9. Half the population of Jerusalem is to be _________________.

10. Why does the Roman occupation of Jerusalem not fit the description here?

11. List the events of Zechariah

a. In that day (10)

b. In that day (11)

c. In that day (12)

d. In that day (13)

e. In that day (14)

f. In that day (15)

g. In that day (16)

12. Describe the present setting of the Mount of Olives.

13. The division of the Mount of Olives would provide an easy ___________________.

14. The events here are compared to an historic earthquake in the days of ___________________.

15. The description of the Lord in company with all the saints always refers to ___________________.

16. What other prophets described the day of the Lord in terms similar to those used here by Zechariah?

17. Peter saw at least the beginning of the fulfillment of a similar prediction by Joel in ___________________.

18. God has always been king over the whole earth. In the end He will be ___________________.

19. Locate Geba and Rimmon.

20. What other topographical alterations accompany the splitting of the Mount of Olives?

21. Who will be safe during these cataclysmic events?

22. Describe the plague which is to come upon those arrayed against Jerusalem.

23. What is the result of this plague?

24. What Jewish feast is to be celebrated by all the nations? What is its significance?

25. What is to be the consequence if any nation fails to keep the feast?

26. Why is Egypt here singled out for special punishment should she fail to keep the feast?

27. Finally the inscription _______________ is to be seen on everything in Jerusalem.

28. Explain the significance of this inscription appearing on such diverse items as altar utensils and cook pots in the home.

29. Who were the Canaanites?

Verses 8-19

Zec 14:8-19

IN THAT DAY (12) . . . Zechariah 14:8-12

(Zechariah 14:8-9) If the Day of Jehovah (Zechariah 14:1) did begin on Pentecost (see above on Zechariah 14:6-7) and the violence described in Zechariah 14:4-7 are to occur at the end of it, the present verse is easily identifiable with Jesus’ statement to the Samaritan woman in John chapter four. “Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.” This living water did indeed flow east and west from Jerusalem as repentance and remission of sin began to be preached in the whole world, beginning from Jerusalem.

Zerr: “Former sea . . . hinder sea” is a figure meaning from east to west (Zechariah 14:8). These tiling waters of God’s truth will not be confined to one spot but will flow out to all parts of the earth. Summer and winter is another figure of speech which means the living waters of truth will flow continuously. Zechariah 14:9 justifies the comments on the foregoing ones. It is a prediction of the universal dominion of the Gospel of Christ as differing from that of the Mosaic law that was for the Jews only. One Lord and his name one corresponds with "one fold and one shepherd" in John 10:16.

In the end of the day in which the living water began to flow, the Lord shall be king over the whole earth.

God has always been king over the whole earth. In the end He will be universally recognized as what He has always been. Evidence of His universal reign is to be the abolishing of false gods. Zechariah has already informed us that this would happen in the holy land. In the end it will happen throughout the earth. That it has by no means happened yet proves further that Zechariah’s prediction remains to be completely fulfilled.

(Zechariah 14:10-11) Geba . . . the name literally means a hill was located on the northern border of the land of Benjamin. (cf. Joshua 21:17, cp. 2 Kings 15:22) Rimmon, meaning pomegranate, was situated south of Jerusalem, in Judah. It was rebuilt following the Babylonian exile. (cf. Joshua 15:32; Joshua 19:7)

Zerr: The places and objects named in Zechariah 14:10 are used figuratively. The meaning is the same as the general subject of the chapter, namely, general spreading of the truth. The statements made in Zechariah 14:11­ are to be fulfilled materially and spiritually. Jerusalem became settled after the captivity and was a safe place for the people of Israel to inhabit. It also was the headquarters of the kingdom of Christ that was to be a safe place for the spiritual citizens of the household of faith.

It seems that the phenomenon which is to split the Mount of Olives, opening a new valley, will also cause other topographical changes in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Geba and Rimmon marked the northern and southern limits of post-exilic Judah. The mountain ridge thus occupied is pictured here as sinking to form a plain above which Jerusalem is lifted up or exalted.

Zechariah speaks of Jerusalem as it appeared in his own day. The gate of Benjamin was on the north and is probably to be identified with the gate of Ephriam (cp. 2 Chronicles 25:23, Nehemiah 8:16; Nehemiah 12:39) The tower of Hananeel still stood while the first gate seems to have been destroyed, since he speaks of its “place” rather than the gate itself.

(Zechariah 14:11) During this cataclysmic upheaval, the city itself will be untouched. Those in it will be safe.

(Zechariah 14:12) Those who are arrayed against Jerusalem at the time of the upheaval will shortly thereafter be smitten by a plague. The description of those struck by it is appalling. The only thing like it so far seen on earth was seen at Hiroshima and Nagasaki! If what we are reading here is the symbolic description of a final war on earth, the weapons for it are already in the arsenals.

Zerr: The afflictions in Zechariah 14:12 are figurative terms for the humiliation and defeat of the enemies of the Gospel of Christ. It is similar in thought to the statements in the beginning of Zechariah 14 relative to the victory of truth over error.

IN THAT DAY (14) . . . Zechariah 14:13-19

(Zechariah 14:13) The result of the previously described cataclysm and plague is consternation. Mutual lack of trust seems to run amuck. Each one lays hold of the hand of his neighbor and raises up his own hand against him. Judah (the Jews) shall also fight at Jerusalem in that day. Whatever has been taken in the pillage described in Zechariah 14:1-2 will be returned, and more beside. () The plague which strikes the nations gathered against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:15) shall also smite the animals. The law said that, if an entire city became polluted by idolatry, not only the people but their animals were to be destroyed (cf. Deuteronomy 8:15). Here the justice of God fulfills His law against the pagan people who have attacked His holy city. The result of God’s judgement is to be repentance (Zechariah 14:16). Those left of those who warred against Jerusalem now turn and worship her King. The feast of the tabernacles commemorated the pilgrim life of the Jews during their years between the Red Sea and the Jordan. It celebrated not only entrance into the promised land, but the lessons learned through forty years of desert wandering during which an entire rebellious generation died. The nations who have at last learned, as Israel of old, the consequence of rebellion against God will keep the feast which commemorates that learning experience.

Zerr: General confusion was to overwhelm those who tried to resist the new institution set up in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:13). So great was that confusion to be that the enemies would be turned against each other as if they were strangers. Judah shall fight at Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:14). The margin renders it "against Jerusalem” which denotes that the people of God will oppose the wealth of the heathen that will accumulate around the city. These beasts of service that are used by the heathen in Zechariah 14:15 will not enable them to prevent the great work of the Lord, but will be defeated according to Zechariah 14:1-3. Many who had opposed the Lord will be converted and will go up to worship (Zechariah 14:16). They will look to Jerusalem for the divine model of true worship. This great truth is predicted in Isaiah 2:1-4 and Micah 4:1-5.

(Zechariah 14:17) If any nation fails to keep the feast of tabernacles, the result will be drought. Lack of rain soon turns the richest land to waste. The withholding of water as a means of chastisement has a long history in the Old Testament. (cf. Amos 4:7, 1 Kings 18:9-16, 28:5.)

Zerr: “Shall he no rain” in Zechariah 14:17 is a figurative prediction that all who refuse the Gospel will be denied the spiritual favors of the Lord.

(Zechariah 14:18-19) Egypt is singled out for special treatment should she refuse to keep the feast. This nation, whose history in ancient times was as interwoven with that of the Jewish nation as it is today, has had more first-hand experience of the power of God at work in His people than anyone else.

Zerr: Zechariah 14:18 is the same in meaning as the preceding verse (Zechariah 14:17). The heathen (or Gentiles) will all be given a chance to enjoy the blessings issued from Jerusalem, but if they refuse it they will be rejected by the Lord. Keep the feast (Zechariah 14:19) is a figure drawn from the literal practices of the Jews in Jerusalem under the Mosaic system. It here refers to the spiritual system or institution set up in Jerusalem to supplant the former one. [Note: Some think this feast, under the law of Christ would be replaced with the Lord’s Supper (see Acts 20:7)]

Drought was no threat to Egypt through the withholding of rain. It virtually never rains in Egypt anyway. Therefore, should Egypt fail to repent and keep the feast, she will suffer a special plague. Just what that plague will be is not stated.

Ultimately the plague visited upon unrepentant Egypt is to be shared by all nations which refuse to keep the feast.

Questions

In the Second Day

1. Chapter fourteen deals almost exclusively with _________________.

2. Eschatology may be defined simply as _________________.

3. Do scholars generally agree on the meaning of this chapter?

4. Discuss the two extreme views of pre and post millenialists in regard to Zechariah fourteen.

5. One can never be _________________ and be dogmatic about eschatology, especially when it is written in apocalyptic form.

6. In the study of eschatology we are deprived of a very useful tool in the interpretation of prophecy in general. What is that tool?

7. Review the meaning of “a day of Jehovah” in chapter forty-one.

8. In the day of Jehovah described in Zechariah fourteen the ______________ of Jerusalem is to be divided in her midst.

9. Half the population of Jerusalem is to be _________________.

10. Why does the Roman occupation of Jerusalem not fit the description here?

11. List the events of Zechariah

a. In that day (10)

b. In that day (11)

c. In that day (12)

d. In that day (13)

e. In that day (14)

f. In that day (15)

g. In that day (16)

12. Describe the present setting of the Mount of Olives.

13. The division of the Mount of Olives would provide an easy ___________________.

14. The events here are compared to an historic earthquake in the days of ___________________.

15. The description of the Lord in company with all the saints always refers to ___________________.

16. What other prophets described the day of the Lord in terms similar to those used here by Zechariah?

17. Peter saw at least the beginning of the fulfillment of a similar prediction by Joel in ___________________.

18. God has always been king over the whole earth. In the end He will be ___________________.

19. Locate Geba and Rimmon.

20. What other topographical alterations accompany the splitting of the Mount of Olives?

21. Who will be safe during these cataclysmic events?

22. Describe the plague which is to come upon those arrayed against Jerusalem.

23. What is the result of this plague?

24. What Jewish feast is to be celebrated by all the nations? What is its significance?

25. What is to be the consequence if any nation fails to keep the feast?

26. Why is Egypt here singled out for special punishment should she fail to keep the feast?

27. Finally the inscription _______________ is to be seen on everything in Jerusalem.

28. Explain the significance of this inscription appearing on such diverse items as altar utensils and cook pots in the home.

29. Who were the Canaanites?

Verses 9-15

Zec 14:9-15

Jehovah is King of His Kingdom and

shall consume all those who oppose Him

(Zechariah 14:9-15)

“And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9).

The deity of Jesus Christ is depicted in the fact that Zechariah states that “Jehovah shall be King over all the earth” (cf. Isaiah 9:6-7). Jesus declared that he was one with the Father in purpose and mission (cf. John 17:21). “In that day” would Jesus be made King! The formula continues; i.e., “in that day,” and thereby we know that the prophet continues to discuss the day that the church would be established and Christ would reign as King of his Kingdom.

“All the land shall be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she shall be lifted up, and shall dwell in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel unto the king’s winepreses. And men shall dwell therein, and there shall be no more curse; but Jerusalem shall dwell safely” (Zechariah 14:10-11).

The land of Palestine had in years past been ravished, besieged, burned, and knocked to the ground. Spiritually speaking, God’s people had been plummeted as well. When Christ reigns in his kingdom the land (spiritual landscape of the souls of men) would be revitalized and take its spot as a permanent fixture in the kingdom of God.

“And this shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite all the peoples that have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth” (Zechariah 14:12).

Jehovah shall send a plague upon those who have looked and spoke of ways to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. While these false teachers and detractors of truth stand on their feet they are dying (they are spiritually dead cf. Ephesians 2:1 ff).

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from Jehovah shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and all the beasts that shall be in those camps as that plague” (Zechariah 14:13-15).

In the day of the wicked man’s spiritual death they shall turn upon each other with little respect. Not only will they be against each other but Jehovah’s elect shall be against them as well. All things, even animals that are used as weapons to oppose the Lord’s Kingdom, will be overthrown.

Verses 16-21

Zec 14:16-21

God’s Blessings to Man have ever

been contingent upon his Obedience

(Zechariah 14:16-21)

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16).

Some of the ungodly who waged war against Jehovah and his kingdom will see the error of their ways and turn to Jehovah. One considers the apostle Paul. Paul had waged war against the saints of God yet in the end he turned to the church as his eternal hope. These Gentiles and all others who once opposed the church of God shall come, with a spirit of thanksgiving (the feast of tabernacles) and worship “the King, Jehovah of hosts.”

“And it shall be, that whoso of all the families of the earth goeth not up unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, neither shall it be upon them; there shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:17-19).

Zechariah has now completed the argument aimed at the discouraged Jews who have left off building God’s temple. The delinquent Jews have been commanded to build; however, they have been discouraged. God assures them of the great importance in the grand scheme to redeem man the building of the temple plays (cf. Zechariah 4:10). The lesson to learn is that God’s blessings are contingent upon man’s obedience. Jehovah takes the opportunity of their failure to build to teach the remnant of the far reaching doctrine of conditional grace. God has withheld the blessings of rain from them because they have not obeyed (cf. Haggai 1:7 ff). The eternal principle is that all those who refuse obedience and worship to Jehovah God in truth will have His blessing of salvation withheld! Nothing but punishment awaits such a foolish one.

“In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLY UNTO JEHOVAH; and the pots in Jehovah’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy unto Jehovah of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and boil therein: and in that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of Jehovah of hosts” (Zechariah 14:20-21).

The prophet concludes by saying that in the day that Jesus reigns as King in the kingdom of God all within the gates thereof shall be clean through the blood of Jesus Christ. There shall be no unclean or sinful person within the church of Jesus Christ.

Verses 20-21

Zec 14:20-21

IN THAT DAY (15) (16) . . . Zechariah 14:20-21

Finally, everything in Jerusalem is inscribed with HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD (Zechariah 14:20-21), from the bells on the horses of the trade caravans to the pots in the temple. The utensils in the houses will share this inscription. The artificial distinction between the scared and the secular will be broken down and everything, even the most commonplace things, such as kitchen utensils will be recognized as sacred because all of life is sacred. There will be no more Canaanite in the land. Those who were the first enemies of God’s people in His land, whose heathen gods were the first to turn Israel from Jehovah are no more.

Zerr: Horses were used in temporal warfare by the people of Israel, They are used figuratively in Zechariah 14:20 for the spiritual war under Christ against sin in all its forms. The objective in all the great warfare will be plainly announced to all the opposing forces. It will be done by a banner-like and it will read HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD. The vessels in Zechariah 14:21 refer to those used in the Jewish service, but denote the spiritual ones under Christ. No more the Canaanite means that no one of the heathen shall be admitted until he has submitted to the rule of heaven under Christ.

Questions

In the Second Day

1. Chapter fourteen deals almost exclusively with _________________.

2. Eschatology may be defined simply as _________________.

3. Do scholars generally agree on the meaning of this chapter?

4. Discuss the two extreme views of pre and post millenialists in regard to Zechariah fourteen.

5. One can never be _________________ and be dogmatic about eschatology, especially when it is written in apocalyptic form.

6. In the study of eschatology we are deprived of a very useful tool in the interpretation of prophecy in general. What is that tool?

7. Review the meaning of “a day of Jehovah” in chapter forty-one.

8. In the day of Jehovah described in Zechariah fourteen the ______________ of Jerusalem is to be divided in her midst.

9. Half the population of Jerusalem is to be _________________.

10. Why does the Roman occupation of Jerusalem not fit the description here?

11. List the events of Zechariah

a. In that day (10)

b. In that day (11)

c. In that day (12)

d. In that day (13)

e. In that day (14)

f. In that day (15)

g. In that day (16)

12. Describe the present setting of the Mount of Olives.

13. The division of the Mount of Olives would provide an easy ___________________.

14. The events here are compared to an historic earthquake in the days of ___________________.

15. The description of the Lord in company with all the saints always refers to ___________________.

16. What other prophets described the day of the Lord in terms similar to those used here by Zechariah?

17. Peter saw at least the beginning of the fulfillment of a similar prediction by Joel in ___________________.

18. God has always been king over the whole earth. In the end He will be ___________________.

19. Locate Geba and Rimmon.

20. What other topographical alterations accompany the splitting of the Mount of Olives?

21. Who will be safe during these cataclysmic events?

22. Describe the plague which is to come upon those arrayed against Jerusalem.

23. What is the result of this plague?

24. What Jewish feast is to be celebrated by all the nations? What is its significance?

25. What is to be the consequence if any nation fails to keep the feast?

26. Why is Egypt here singled out for special punishment should she fail to keep the feast?

27. Finally the inscription _______________ is to be seen on everything in Jerusalem.

28. Explain the significance of this inscription appearing on such diverse items as altar utensils and cook pots in the home.

29. Who were the Canaanites?