Zechariah 14: The Day of the Lord and the Reign of the King
Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and 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.
Then shall the Lord 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 cleave 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.
And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses.
And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen 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 of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 14 offers a powerful vision of the future, focusing on the "day of the Lord," a time of both divine judgment and ultimate restoration. This chapter blends prophecies of Jerusalem's troubles with the glorious coming of Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom. Understanding this chapter involves recognizing the interplay between historical events and eschatological hope, providing both a warning and an encouragement for believers.
The Siege and Deliverance of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-5)
Zechariah 14:1 speaks of a future day, the day of the Lord. This day will bring both hardship and hope. The prophecy begins with a stark image: nations gathered against Jerusalem, facing a time of great distress (Zechariah 14:2). This mirrors historical events like the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, where the city fell and its inhabitants were scattered. However, this gathering for destruction will become the very occasion for God’s intervention and deliverance.
Zechariah 14:3-5 unveils the dramatic intervention of the Lord. "Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as when he fights on a day of battle" (Zechariah 14:3). This divine intervention points to the Messiah's return to the Mount of Olives. The prophecy describes a cataclysmic event: the Mount of Olives will split apart, creating a valley and a pathway for escape for those trapped in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4-5). This imagery echoes the earthquakes associated with Christ's death and resurrection, as recorded in Matthew 27:51 and Matthew 28:2, and foreshadows the dramatic changes accompanying His second coming. This event signifies God's active defense of His people and the establishment of His reign.
Transformation and the King's Reign (Zechariah 14:6-11)
Zechariah 14:6-11 shifts the focus to the transformation of Jerusalem and the establishment of the Lord's kingdom. The gospel brings light to the world, though its impact varies. "On that day there will be no light, cold, or frost. And there will be continuous day (it is known to the Lord), not day and not night, but at evening there will be light" (Zechariah 14:6-7). This speaks to a time of remarkable blessing.
The prophecy continues, "On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter" (Zechariah 14:8). This symbolizes the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to all nations, bringing life and healing. Just as these waters flow into the Dead Sea and make it alive, the gospel brings spiritual healing to souls. "And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one" (Zechariah 14:9). This underscores the universality of Christ's reign and the ultimate unity of God’s people. The promise that Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited (Zechariah 14:10-11) signifies the security and peace that will characterize His kingdom.
Judgment and Universal Worship (Zechariah 14:12-21)
Zechariah 14:12-15 details the judgments that will befall the Lord’s enemies. "And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths" (Zechariah 14:12). This stark imagery highlights the severity of God’s judgment on those who oppose Him.
The prophecy concludes with a vision of universal worship and holiness (Zechariah 14:16-21). "Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths" (Zechariah 14:16). The Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles) was a time of thanksgiving for God's provision and a reminder of Israel's wilderness journey. The inclusion of all nations in this celebration signifies the universal reach of God's grace and the inclusion of all believers in His kingdom.
Zechariah 14:20-21 paints a picture of complete consecration: "And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, 'Holy to the Lord.' And the pots in the house of the Lord shall be as the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the Lord of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the sacrifice of the Lord in them. And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the Lord of hosts on that day." Everything will be dedicated to God's service, reflecting a world permeated by His holiness.
Enduring Hope and Obedience
Zechariah 14 offers a multifaceted vision of the future. It speaks of judgment and restoration, conflict and peace, and ultimately, the universal reign of the Lord. This prophecy motivates believers to endure trials, obey God's commands, and look forward to the fulfillment of His promises. Let us worship the King who will bring history to its divinely ordained conclusion, anticipating the day when His holiness permeates all things.
Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and 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.
Then shall the Lord 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 cleave 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.
And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses.
And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen 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 of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 14 offers a powerful vision of the future, focusing on the "day of the Lord," a time of both divine judgment and ultimate restoration. This chapter blends prophecies of Jerusalem's troubles with the glorious coming of Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom. Understanding this chapter involves recognizing the interplay between historical events and eschatological hope, providing both a warning and an encouragement for believers.
The Siege and Deliverance of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-5)
Zechariah 14:1 speaks of a future day, the day of the Lord. This day will bring both hardship and hope. The prophecy begins with a stark image: nations gathered against Jerusalem, facing a time of great distress (Zechariah 14:2). This mirrors historical events like the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, where the city fell and its inhabitants were scattered. However, this gathering for destruction will become the very occasion for God’s intervention and deliverance.
Zechariah 14:3-5 unveils the dramatic intervention of the Lord. "Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as when he fights on a day of battle" (Zechariah 14:3). This divine intervention points to the Messiah's return to the Mount of Olives. The prophecy describes a cataclysmic event: the Mount of Olives will split apart, creating a valley and a pathway for escape for those trapped in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4-5). This imagery echoes the earthquakes associated with Christ's death and resurrection, as recorded in Matthew 27:51 and Matthew 28:2, and foreshadows the dramatic changes accompanying His second coming. This event signifies God's active defense of His people and the establishment of His reign.
Transformation and the King's Reign (Zechariah 14:6-11)
Zechariah 14:6-11 shifts the focus to the transformation of Jerusalem and the establishment of the Lord's kingdom. The gospel brings light to the world, though its impact varies. "On that day there will be no light, cold, or frost. And there will be continuous day (it is known to the Lord), not day and not night, but at evening there will be light" (Zechariah 14:6-7). This speaks to a time of remarkable blessing.
The prophecy continues, "On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter" (Zechariah 14:8). This symbolizes the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to all nations, bringing life and healing. Just as these waters flow into the Dead Sea and make it alive, the gospel brings spiritual healing to souls. "And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one" (Zechariah 14:9). This underscores the universality of Christ's reign and the ultimate unity of God’s people. The promise that Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited (Zechariah 14:10-11) signifies the security and peace that will characterize His kingdom.
Judgment and Universal Worship (Zechariah 14:12-21)
Zechariah 14:12-15 details the judgments that will befall the Lord’s enemies. "And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths" (Zechariah 14:12). This stark imagery highlights the severity of God’s judgment on those who oppose Him.
The prophecy concludes with a vision of universal worship and holiness (Zechariah 14:16-21). "Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths" (Zechariah 14:16). The Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles) was a time of thanksgiving for God's provision and a reminder of Israel's wilderness journey. The inclusion of all nations in this celebration signifies the universal reach of God's grace and the inclusion of all believers in His kingdom.
Zechariah 14:20-21 paints a picture of complete consecration: "And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, 'Holy to the Lord.' And the pots in the house of the Lord shall be as the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the Lord of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the sacrifice of the Lord in them. And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the Lord of hosts on that day." Everything will be dedicated to God's service, reflecting a world permeated by His holiness.
Enduring Hope and Obedience
Zechariah 14 offers a multifaceted vision of the future. It speaks of judgment and restoration, conflict and peace, and ultimately, the universal reign of the Lord. This prophecy motivates believers to endure trials, obey God's commands, and look forward to the fulfillment of His promises. Let us worship the King who will bring history to its divinely ordained conclusion, anticipating the day when His holiness permeates all things.