Zechariah 12-13
It is very interesting that both Zechariah and Revelation are zeroing in on the same battle and events surrounding the second coming of Jesus.
Zechariah 12
V. 1 This is a solemn declaration to the right of God to do what He is about to do. It makes me think of what we'll be reading about Jesus in Rev. 19. Also, this sounds like the way Paul begins some of his charges to Timothy in 1&2 Timothy, declaring God's majesty. God bases His right to save and to judge based on His being the author of creation and the author of the life of man. I'd say that gives Him the right, alright.
Vs. 2-3 We have seen before that God is very passionate about Jerusalem. God will make Jerusalem a sliver in the world and everyone will become totally preoccupied with trying to remove it. But the more they try to destroy it, the more they will hurt themselves.
It is hard to really know what is happening here, but it could be as follows. It seems to me that just before the mid-point of the tribulation, the army of "Magog" will come in to Israel to fight against Jerusalem and will be supernaturally destroyed. The Antichrist will come upon Jerusalem, kill the two witnesses and defile the temple, declaring himself to be the Messiah or God himself. The Jews will flee Jerusalem, as Jesus told them to and head for the hills, literally. Toward the end of the tribulation and very near to the time Christ returns, it looks like the Jews will slowly come back into Judah and into Jerusalem. Probably the Antichrist will set up his headquarters somewhere else. While he is preoccupied by killing believers and with the arrogance of "Babylon" and the other nations that do not bow to him, the bowl judgments will be poured out. This would allow the Jews to come back to Jerusalem. It could also be that some revelation is given through the Spirit to draw the Jews back for the coming of Christ.
As the armies of the world begin fighting north of Jerusalem, it could be that the Jews retake the city and an army comes against Jerusalem to wipe them out. This could be the time that Christ returns to save His city, His followers and those Jews who still haven't made a decision. It will be during this distress that they call out to the Lord saying, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." This is my take on things.
Notice that in these last three chapters the phrase, "on that day," will be used quite a bit. It would be worth underlining it.
Vs. 4-5 On this day, God will strike the armies around Jerusalem with terror. It might be that lightening that Jesus talked about. Those living around Jerusalem (the people in Judah) appear to be holding back and not joining those who have gone into Jerusalem. But they will see that the people who have believed and gone into the city to wait for the return of Christ have a supernatural strength and protection.
Vs. 6-9 This is fighting. The clans of Judah will be supernaturally inspired and everyone will become a warrior. The people in Jerusalem will like David in his fighting ability. Those descended from David will be awesome and unbeatable. Though the main fighting is 15 miles north on the plain of Meddigo (Har-Meddigo = Armageddon), the forces that thought taking Jerusalem would be a piece of cake will be totally destroyed.
It is important to see all of the Bible together. Revelation shows us the judgments on the world that weaken the structure of nations. Revelation shows the nations gathering on to fight north of Jerusalem. Zechariah shows us God's passion for His city and the battle going on there when He arrives.
Vs. 10-14 These people in Jerusalem will see the Lord return to the Mt. of Olives. Many of them are believing but those who are not will be cut to the heart just like the Jews were after Peter's message in Acts 2:37. They will weep and repent for the entire history of Israel. The houses of Nathan, Levi, and the Shimites were all branches of David's descendants.
V. 11 This is a reference to the mourning of the people when King Josiah was killed. Josiah was killed on the plain of Meddigo. Although the word "Armageddon" only occurs in Revelation, this is a clear allusion to the place and the battle that will rage there.
Zechariah 13
Vs. 1-6 Express the complete cleansing that will take place on that day.
Vs. 7-9 This will be the devastation to Jerusalem as that army attacks. In the press of this battle, as they are losing and dying, they will cry out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." The lightening will come and terrify the army. The people in Jerusalem, first, will be inspired with joy and superhuman ability like Samson or one of David's three champions. The battle will turn and the Lord will appear to save His city.
Revelation 19
Meanwhile in heaven…..
Vs. 1-3 This multitude are those killed in the tribulation as seen in Rev. 7:9. They are praising God for the coming judgment.
It is hard to grasp that the destruction and judgment of "Babylon" is such an important event. It reminds me of Genesis 15:16 where God told Abraham that He wouldn't give him the land yet because the "iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." Apparently the full measure of the saints were martyred in Babylon and now sin of mankind and the full measure of guilt was complete. With the judgment of Babylon, the full righteous wrath of God could now roll. But it isn't only judgment that is complete.
Vs. 4-5 This worship of the elders and creatures is because of this pivotal event.
Vs. 6-10 Now, I'm not sure how all of this worked toward the announcing of the marriage supper of the Lamb at this point, but it did. That is, I think the order of events is important. The marriage supper has to occur after the tribulation is over. Something in what has just happened also opened the door for the announcement of the marriage supper celebration of the Lamb and the church, His bride.
V. 6-7 This multitude is the church and they are announcing the marriage.
V. 8 These righteous deeds didn't make her pure, but were a symbol of her redemption in Christ. This is our work in the harvest. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
V. 9 It is important to realize that God has special things planned for different groups of believers. There is a difference in rewards and position. The 24 elders are limited to 24. There are those who believed in the OT, before Christ, most of whom will not be resurrected until the Millennium. There is the church, the bride of Christ, who have already been resurrected at the rapture before the beginning of the tribulation. Then there are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. This group is distinct from the bride. Then there are the saints martyred during the tribulation who will be resurrected and reign with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom. I probably left someone out, but these are some examples.
V. 10 John was overcome by all of this and fell down to worship the messenger, but the angel gently corrected him. Earlier when John fell down to worship, it was Jesus, so that was OK.
So what does it mean, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy?" If prophesy means, "the telling of things to come," then inherent in talking about Jesus is the revealing of God's program of redemption and judgment.
Vs. 11-21 Now in very quick order we have the second coming of Christ. Apparently the stage was fully set with the destruction of Babylon. It really is interesting that in Zechariah we've been reading what will be happening in Jerusalem while this is going on in heaven.
Vs. 11-16 Now the King is coming to fight.
This army with the Lord is probably angels. Just to keep things in perspective, this battle will result in the deaths of all of the opposing soldiers. This then is not Jesus sending out His angels to separate the wicked from the righteous. That will happen once Jesus is established on His throne. That is the judgment Jesus referred to as the separation of the sheep and the goats. Those who die here will be sent to Hades where they will sit in punishment to be resurrected to judgment before the white throne at the end of the Millennium. Then they will be sent to hell, the lake of fire.
Vs. 17-21 Putting everything together, Jesus first returns to Jerusalem, to the Mt. of Olives and saves Jerusalem. This is visible to everyone, including the armies to the north who now turn all of their fire power (if they have any) on Jesus. I suppose that since Jesus shows up with an army, they think they can fight against Him. Obviously one angel could decimate a human army. The appearance of a human army could inspire arrogance on the part of the armies gathered. They probably think they can put up a fight and win. It could also be that on the spiritual side of things, another battle is raging between Satan's angels and Michael and his angels.
V. 20 There is not a lot of drama or fanfare here. The Antichrist and the prophet are captured and they are immediately thrown into the lake of fire. They become the first official inhabitants of hell. What a great honor.
V. 21 Everyone else who is killed goes to Hades, that place of waiting, in punishment until they stand before Christ for judgment.
This is all coming. Knowing Jesus means we know these events are certain. The same blood that saves is the same blood that judges the sin of the world. Now is the time to work in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples who will make disciples until the time when Jesus comes.
Psalm 147
This is a great psalm. Underline or make a list of the things God does. Once you see this pattern, you also see when the pattern is broken, like in verses 5 and 10-11.
V. 12 The Lord's interest in Jerusalem/Zion is something we are used to by now.
Vs. 15-19 It is interesting to me that suddenly we have all of these references to the Word. Didn't we just see the Word on a white horse?
V. 20 is meant here to be a privilege, but in Israel's history, knowing God's decrees, and disobeying them, has also been what has led to judgment. But here, having the Word is their joy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_nGXCDM8qA
Proverbs 31:1-7
The words of King Lemuel are verses 1-9. We know nothing about this guy. No king of Israel ever had this name. God knew who he was and here are a few words Lemuel's mother taught him.
V. 2 I read this and laugh. How often do parents look at their sons and say "what are you doing." Here, she has to ask him three times. I wonder what he was doing. J Obviously the repetition emphasizes her love and concern for him.
V. 3 This is immorality or adultery or sexual excess. We saw what it did to both David and Solomon.
Vs. 4-5 This caution is toward drunkenness and excess, not drinking within bounds. Jesus drank wine.
Vs. 6-7 Excess in drinking is OK for those who are on their deathbed or those who have suffered a great tragedy, probably to get them to sleep.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
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