Zechariah: Odd Visions, Puzzling Statements, Peeks Out, God Wins Chapter 14 – The Great Return, the Rule of the King

Introduction : The grand sweep of God's expansive revelation to Zechariah ends with Yahweh of the armies returning to and to His people. The movement of the eight visions ends with the reign of the King (:13), and the movement of the two great burdens ends the same way (Zechariah 14:9). The King who came poor and having salvation on a donkey (:9) returns with unimaginable power. All the nations of the earth will worship Him.

The Day of Yahweh : (14:1a) The “Day of Yahweh” is rich in prophetic literature. It is a day when Yahweh is exalted and the pride of men brought low, a day of terror and glory ( 2:10-21). It is a time of destruction on Babylon (Isaiah 13:6, 9) and on (Joel 1:14-18; 2:1-11). The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before that day (Joel 2:31, 3:14-16). But there will also be deliverance for Israel (:16-21). It is described as a day of great darkness ( 5:18-20). It is a day of retribution against the nations (Obadiah 15). It is described as God's sacrifice (Zephaniah 1:7-9). It is a day of anguish and trouble and alarm (Zephaniah 1:14-17). It is described as the great and dreadful day (:5). And both in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 2 Peter 3:10 it is said to come as a thief and associated with judgment. The Day of Yahweh is reserved for those who have not accepted His invitation for peace. That is what we see here.

The Trial of Israel : (14:1b-2) The spoil or plunder referenced in verse 1 is the plunder of Jerusalem. Yahweh will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem, the same idea we had at the beginning of this burden (12:2-3). The city will be taken, the women raped, and half of the city will go into captivity. These words find a parallel in the words of Jesus pronouncing woe to the women who cannot flee (Matthew 24:15-19). Revelation 11:2 tells us that the city will be trodden underfoot by the Gentiles for 42 months. Revelation 13:5 tells us that the Beast from the Sea will continue for 42 months. Ireneus, the disciple of Polycarp the friend of John, states “But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom, that is, the rest, the hallowed seventh day” (Against Heresies , Bk. 5, Chapter 30, section 4).

The Arousing of Yahweh : (14:3-5a) Yahweh goes forth and fights against the nations as He fights in the day of battle. Yahweh fought in Joshua 10:10-14, routing the enemies before Joshua, casting hailstones at them, and extending the daylight until the enemies could be defeated. God fought for Israel in the extended conquest of the south of Palestine (Joshua 10:28-42). And Yahweh was seen fighting for Israel during the entire 5 years of the conquest (Joshua 23:3). We tend to think that if God goes to battle, the end is instantaneous, and this is the way it seems to happen when Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation (Revelation 19:19-20). But sometimes the battle is more prolonged. Such is the picture here in this Zechariah passage. Once again, however, He wins. The reason why I see this being a prolonged battle is found in the text. When Yahweh comes forth to fight against the nations, we are told that His feet will stand on the Mount of , the mountain will be split in two, a great valley will be created, and the Israelites remaining in Jerusalem will flee through that valley. The idea of fleeing is to avoid coming destruction. This idea of fleeing from Jerusalem is found in the words of Jesus in 2

Matthew 24:15-21 and in Revelation 12:6). Jesus links the fleeing to the abomination of desolation prophesied by Daniel, which Daniel tells us happens in the midst of the last week (Daniel 9:27). John in Revelation tells us that after the fleeing there is for 1260 days (Revelation 12:6). The flight takes place 42 months before the final return of Christ. This thus would mean that Yahweh's feet stand on the 42 months before the end of the Tribulation. Can it be that God is present on the earth during the last dreadful years of the period Jesus calls the “Great Tribulation”? Can it be that God is absent when His people are in trouble (Psalm 23:4; 34:7; Isaiah 43:1-4; Ezekiel 11:16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)? When Israel is severely beset, God comes and opens a way of escape. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives and the mountain will be split in two from east to west, creating a great valley. This is fitting because the Mount of Olives is where Christ gave his discourse on His coming (Matthew 24:3), and where He prayed and the place of His capture (Matthew 26:30, 47-57). From the Mount of Olives Jesus ascended into heaven (:9-12). And He will return to that mountain, and His very feet will split it in two. The mountain of His capture becomes the valley of His people's deliverance. They will flee through this protected valley, like the exodus from Jerusalem after the earthquake in the days of (:1).

The Coming of Yahweh : (14:5b-11) The last part of verse 5 states “And Yahweh, my God will come; all the saints with You.” Various versions translate this in different ways. The has the last “You” as “Him.” Some see the reference to saints here as a reference to the heavenly hosts. Certainly, He is coming with His mighty angels (2 Thessalonians 1:7). But I see the reference to the saints as a reference to people. I am not convinced that any of the uses of this word in the references angels, although perhaps Eliphaz has angels in mind in Job 5:1 and Daniel might in Daniel 8:13. Repeatedly, however, the term references people (Leviticus 11:44, 45; 2 Chronicles 35:3; Psalm 16:3; 34:9; Daniel 8:24). The concept of God coming with His saints begins with Enoch (Jude 14) and ends with John (Revelation 19:14). Moses applies the image to the Lord on Mount Sinai with the Israelites surrounding Him (Deuteronomy 33:2-3). Paul speaks of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). There is something else going on with this coming. In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 we find that He comes to be glorified in His saints and admired. Be prepared to worship! The new reality—Light The third clause of verse 6 is translated either as “lights,” “glorious ones,” or “cold.” “Cold” seems to be the meaning of the Hebrew word and is the way the Septuagint translators take the word. The idea of verse 6 is that there will be no light; that is, no sun and the cold of night will be diminished. Stated another way, there will be no scorching heat and no freezing cold. Many Scriptures talk about the effect on the sun and moon during the day of Yahweh. We are both told that the sun will become 7 times hotter (Isaiah 30:26; Revelation 16:8) and will be darkened (Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 6:12), most likely at different times. These verses all seem geared towards the time leading up to the second coming of Christ. But Zechariah seems to refer not to His coming, but to His reign. Isaiah had prophesied that the sun would be ashamed when Yahweh reigns (Isaiah 24:23), that the sun would no longer strike God's people (Isaiah 49:10; Revelation 7:16: see also Psalm 121:5-6), and that the sun would no longer be the light by day, but Yahweh would be an everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19-20). We know in the eternal state that there is no need of the sun (Revelation 21:23-24). But the above quoted passages seem to reference a time of God's reign on this present earth prior to the new heaven and earth and the eternal state. 3

The new reality—Water Living waters will flow from Jerusalem both to the east and to the west, year round. Again, we know in the eternal state there will be waters flowing from the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:1-2). But we also know that prior to the destruction of the earth, there will be water flowing from Jerusalem that will heal the (Ezekiel 47:1-12). And here we are told that the waters flow to both the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. This cannot be the eternal state because in the new earth there is no sea (Revelation 21:1). The new reality—No Idols Yahweh will be king not only over Israel but over all the earth. And in that day there will be no idols (:2), but only Yahweh, and only His name will be mentioned. This is not a statement that today the LORD is many and His name many and then He will be one and His name one. He is one now (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5; Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:6; James 2:19). Rather, it is a statement of the new reality that there will be no competing gods. He will be by Himself. The new reality—Jerusalem Exalted Geba is approximately 40 miles north of Jerusalem. Rimmon is approximately 40 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The mountains between Geba and Rimmon will be turned into a plain (Isaiah 40:4; Revelation 16:18-20). Mount which will be lifted up (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1) and inhabited in her place (see :6). Benjamin's Gate apparently was in the middle of the north wall with the first gate probably towards the east on the north wall and the corner gate towards the west. The Tower of Hananel was most likely also on the northeast wall and the king's wine presses would be south of the temple area in the south part of the city. From east to west and from north to south the entire city will be inhabited in safety. And she would expand far beyond the walls (:4-5).

The Destruction of the Enemies : (14:12-15) Now we come to the stuff that fits best within the horror genre. God struck Egypt with 10 plagues, but none of the type or magnitude of what we read here. Those who fight against Jerusalem (see Zechariah 12:2-4), will experience sheer horror. Their strength and pompous attitudes, their pride as they gather their strong weapons to fight against this city will be broken in a panic. The sheer number of forces against Jerusalem will be staggering. But what are many to God? While they are standing their flesh will decay away, their eyes will decay away in their sockets, and their tongues will decay away in their mouths. The attack is on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride or boastfulness of life. All will decay away. Yahweh will send a great panic. Even as their flesh rots away, they will seize the hand of their neighbors in an effort, not of comfort, but of a desire to destroy, as is signified by the words “his hand against his neighbor's hand” (see Judges 7:22; 1 Samuel 14:20; 2 Chronicles 20:23). In addition, as we know from Zechariah 12:6-8, will also fight against them. The wealth of the nations will now belong to Israel.

The Worship of the King (14:16-21) The book closes with the worship of the King. Blessings flow from worshiping the King. All who are left in the earth will go up to Jerusalem from year to year to worship the King, who is Yahweh of the armies. Worship is at the center of a vital relationship with God. The word “worship” in Hebrew means to bow down, an act of submission and adoration. The word “worship” in Greek comes from a word meaning “to kiss,” the act of portraying one's allegiance or devotion to a ruler. Worship embraces the twin concepts of being in awe and being in love. The Father seeks true worshipers (John 4:23-24). 4

It is fitting in the that the first appearance of worship appears with Abraham in Genesis 18:2, when God appeared to him at Mamre. The father of faith is the father of worship. Abraham's servant worshiped at the working of God (Genesis 24:26, 48, 52). Moses worshiped upon hearing God's name (Exodus 34:8). worshiped at the death of his child (2 Samuel 12:20). Israel worshiped at the presence of God (2 Chronicles 7:3) and when the temple worship was restored under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:29). Jehoshaphat worshiped before going to battle (2 Chronicles 20:18). The people worshiped when Ezra blessed God (Nehemiah 8:6). Job worshiped at the loss of his family and possessions (Job 1:20). The Psalmist calls on us to worship before Yahweh, our Maker (Psalm 95:6). David says to worship in the beauty of holiness and tremble before Him (Psalm 96:9). Worship is often the missing ingredient in modern evangelical . We have our faith, we have our prayers, we have our praises, and we have our works; but we are not good at taking the time to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Worship of God is directly addressed 102 times in Scripture. Yet, how often do we stop our busy lives and bring our lives before Him in submission, awe, wonder, and love? God is seeking worshipers. This book ends with worship. It also ends with a particular feast, the feast of tabernacles. There were three great feasts God gave to Israel. The feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread/First-fruits commemorated God's great deliverance from the death angel, the escape from Egypt (Exodus 12:43-13:10), and the early barley harvest (Leviticus 23:9-14). The feast of Weeks/ Pentecost commemorated the blessings of God in His provisions (Deuteronomy 16:9-12) and the wheat harvest (Leviticus 23:15-22). The feast of Tabernacles/Booths commemorated the wilderness wanderings (Leviticus 23:33-43) and the grape harvest, the harvest at the end of the year (Exodus 23:16). It was a homecoming celebration. It was the first feast the exiles celebrated when they returned from exile (Ezra 3:4). It was the great feast recorded for us in Nehemiah 8:13-18. It is the feast we find in John 7. And it is the feast that is noted for the reign of Christ here in Zechariah. I like to think of it as the feast of feasts, a feast of rest after the harvest and joy with the sweetness of new wine. Those who do not celebrate the feast at Jerusalem will be plagued by a lack of rain. The feast celebrates God's harvest and if a nation does not come, then they will lack the next harvest. “Holiness to Yahweh” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses and every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holiness to Yahweh. These were the words engraved on the miter of the high priest (Exodus 28:36; 39:30). The idea here is that the differentiation between the common and the holy under the Mosaic law has now given way to all things being holy. Finally, the book closes with, “In that day, there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of Yahweh of hosts.” Why is this here? In Genesis 9:25, Canaan was cursed by Noah. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2 and 20:17 Israel was told to utterly destroy the Canaanites. But, as always with God's decrees, God extends mercy to those who turn to Him. Rahab gives us the first example. And contrary to God's command, Israel did not wipe out even the unrepentant ones. Also, contrary to God's commands, Canaanites were apparently allowed into the temple. We know that as late as the days of Nehemiah, foreigners were allowed in the house of God (Nehemiah 13:7 – Tobiah was an Ammonite according to Nehemiah 4:3). They did not belong in the Jewish temple. But God in His wisdom reminds us that though outside the temple, God would still have compassion on those who turn to Him. God graciously gives us the story of the woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:21-28). There is always mercy with God.