DBG - October 3 - Zechariah 10-14

In this chapter we see the restoration of Israel

vs. 1 – There are two rainy seasons in the Promised Land.  The “former” rain is that that fell in the autumn.  The “latter” rain were spring rains.  This speaks of the blessings and fruitfulness of the land under God’s blessing.

vs. 2-4 – These verses speak of the sin in Israel that would be purged before their restoration.  It is then that the Messiah arrives to deliver them.

vs. 5-7 – Under the Messiah the Jews will be victorious.

vs. 8-12 – God’s blessing and power displayed in the regathering of the Jews for the Millennial Kingdom.

In this chapter Christ delivers Israel from her enemies

vs. 1-6 – Here is a description of judgment coming from the north against Israel (“the flock of the slaughter”).  It is thought by some to refer to the Seleucids or the Romans.  It seems best to me to see this as the judgments against Israel for rejecting Christ, culminating in the Tribulation.

vs. 7-14 – Christ is the Good Shepherd and works through judgment for the good of His people.  He uses blessing and judgment to guide them.  He removes unfaithful leaders.  We have in vs. 12 and 13 a vivid picture of the betrayal of Christ by Judas (see Matthew 26:15, 27:3-10).  This corresponds with Jeremiah 18 and 19.

vs. 15-17 – The foolish shepherd is the Antichrist.  He does not seek to care for Israel but to destroy them.  He will face the terrible judgment of God (Revelation 19:20)

In this chapter the Jews repent and turn to Christ.

vs. 1-9 – The deliverance of Jerusalem from its dangers in the Tribulation.

vs. 10-14 – The Jews finally turn to Christ and accept Him as their Messiah.  This is the end of the Tribulation which sparks Christ’s return and victory of Armageddon.

In this chapter we see the rejection and later acceptance of Christ by the Jews.

vs. 1 – The cleansing of Israel after they accept Christ. 

vs. 2-6 – The false gods and prophets are ashamed and removed from Israel.  They cannot compare to Christ, who is seen in vs. 6.

vs. 7 – The rejection of Christ in the first advent.  Christ applies this to Himself in Matthew 26:31. 

vs. 8-9 – This is the fate of the Jews through the Tribulation.  The survivors will repent and turn to Christ.

In this chapter the changes after Armageddon are described.

vs. 1-5 – The victory of Armageddon comes only after severe losses for Israel.  Christ returns and defeats His enemies.  He touches down on the Mount of Olives, the same place He ascended from (Acts 1:11).  The result is a great earthquake like the one Amos spoke about in the days of Uzziah.

vs. 6-11 – Changes in the natural order because of Christ’s return.  The glory of God shines and prevents total darkness.  The river from Ezekiel 47 is described.  The result is a bountiful and blessed land inhabited by the Jews.

vs. 12-15 – The great victory at Armageddon is described along with the gruesome and terrible deaths of Christ’s enemies.

vs. 16-19 – The surviving Gentile nations submit to the rule of Christ.  If they do not, the blessings of rain are withheld from them until they repent. 

vs. 20-21 – The sacred state of Jerusalem in the Millennial Kingdom.  It is a place of holiness and worship.

What a difference Christ makes!  His return rescues Israel from sure defeat.  His reign establishes a once persecuted nation as the true world power.  His rule is marked by blessedness and peace.  As remarkable as these future events are, His work as Savior of mankind is still more wonderful.  His victory over sin and death is indisputably His greatest work.

Our hymn today is “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”, written by Charles Wesley in 1758. 

Lo! He comes with Clouds descending,
Once for guilty Sinners slain!
Thousand Thousand Saints attending,
Swell the Triumph of his Train.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah:
All the Angels cry Amen.

Ev'ry Eye shall now behold him,
Rob'd in dreadful Majesty;
Those who set at nought and sold him,
Pierc'd, and nail'd him to the Tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.

Ev'ry Island, Sea, and Mountain,
Heav'n and Earth, shall flee away:
All who hate him, must, confounded,
Hear the Trump proclaim the Day;
Come to Judgment, come to Judgment, come to Judgment,
Come to Judgment, come away.

Now Redemption long expected,
See! in solemn pomp appear!
All his Saints, by Man rejected,
Now shall meet Him in the Air!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
See the Day of God appear.

Answer thine own Bride and Spirit,
Hasten, Lord, the gen'ral Doom,
The new Heav'n and Earth t' inherit,
Take thy pining Exiles home:
All Creation, all Creation, all Creation,
Travails! Groans! and bids thee come.

Yea, Amen! let all adore thee,
High on Thine eternal Throne!
Saviour, take the Pow'r and Glory:
Claim the Kingdom for thine own.
O come quickly, O come quickly, O come quickly
Hallelujah! come, Lord, come.