Jesus’ Coming

¹ Watch, for the Day of the LORD is coming…. ⁵ Then the LORD my God will come, and all His holy ones (saints and angels) with Him. ⁶ On that Day the sources of light (sun, moon, and stars) will no longer shine, ⁷ yet there will be continuous day! Only the LORD knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for as evening time it will still be light. ⁸ On that Day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, …. ⁹ And the LORD will be King over all the earth. On that Day there will be one LORD — His Name alone will be worshiped…. ¹¹ And Jerusalem will be filled, safe at last, never again to be cursed and destroyed…. ¹⁶ In the end, the enemies of Jerusalem who survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Zechariah 14:1, 5-9, 11, 16, New Living Bible 2^nd Edition

Christmas time is the MOST wonderful time of the year! During this time of the year, many people gather with friends and family to share with others in celebrations and feasting. Even more, the Christmas season is GREAT no matter your situation because we CELEBRATE the living LORD God of heaven coming down to earth in the Person of His Son, Jesus the Messiah (e.g., Matthew 1:1, 16-17, 21-23; Matthew 16:16; Luke 1:68-69; Luke 2:6-7, 10-12; John 20:30-31). Jesus is our Emmanuel – God with us (see Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:8; Matthew 1:23).

Over 2,000 years ago, the living LORD God arrived within the Person of Jesus in the small town of Bethlehem (e.g., see Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1, 5-6, 8-9, 16; Luke 2:3-4, 10-11, 15). The whole world knew something was special! The holy angels appeared in the heavens to announce God’s arrival to earth to the shepherds (see Luke 2:8-12). Then, a special star arrived in the heavens to announce to the world’s kings (Magi) to celebrate God’s arrival to earth in the Person of Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 2:1-2, 9-12).

God came to earth in the Person of Jesus to seek and save the lost, and to call EVERYONE to an obedient relationship with His Father, the living LORD God of heaven and earth (e.g., see Luke 19:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). The Old Testament prophets correctly predicted many times the FIRST coming of God to earth through Jesus the Messiah (Christ) as a Righteous Servant from King David’s family (e.g., see Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-5; Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Hosea 3:4-5; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9-10). Even more, the Scripture writers also predict repeatedly the second coming (advent) of the LORD to earth (e.g., see Deuteronomy 30:3; Zechariah 14:3-4; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:3-14, 27, 36-39; Matthew 25:31-32; Matthew 26:64; Luke 21:25-28; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 3:11-13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 22:7, 20). Without an opportunity for misinterpretation, one day EVERYONE will finally acknowledge and worship Jesus as LORD to the glory of God the Father. (e.g., see John 13:13; Romans 10:9; Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:11).

Here in chapter 14, the prophet Zechariah closes his prophecy with visions of divine judgment, salvation, and the LORD’s universal Kingdom at the end of the age (see also e.g., Isaiah 61:1-3; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:11-16). Many biblical scholars disagree on how to understand the images in this chapter. To some scholars, the images in chapter 14 reveal catastrophes with mountains splitting in two, a day without light or cold, and people rotting in their feet take on added significances in an era with global warming, greenhouse effects, and nuclear weapons (see Zechariah 14:4, 6, 12). However, others interpret the images in chapter 14 in more symbolic ways. Regardless, the prophet Zechariah makes clear that the end results of the earth’s turmoil will be GOOD NEWS for all obedient believers of God.

Zechariah predicts the living LORD will bring a Day of Judgment that will FINALLY destroy all evil and declare a NEW time of earth’s renewal without sin, evil, and wickedness (e.g., see Isaiah 4:2-4; Isaiah 61:1-3; Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:15-16, 22; Zephaniah 3:1-4, 6-8; Zechariah 13:9; Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 3:7, 13; Revelation 20:7-15; Revelation 21:1-22:21). With the new heavens and new earth, the LORD will bring a world filled with His goodness, holiness, and without evil (Zechariah 14:21; see also e.g., Isaiah 60:21; 2 Peter 3:11-13; Revelation 21:27). Even more, the LORD will restore the fortunes of ALL His faithful and obedient people – both Jews and Gentiles (e.g., see Isaiah 54:7-17). However, the cowards, drunkards, selfish, judgmental, angry, faithless, unclean, murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars and deceivers will not share in the new heavens and earth but will be thrown into the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death (e.g., see Psalm 5:6; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 21:8, 27; Revelation 22:14-15).

Therefore, the Holy Scriptures repeatedly warns EVERYONE to REPENT now and humbly seek the living LORD God and to do what is good and right in hopes of finding refuge from God’s divine judgment (e.g., see Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Isaiah 55:6-7; Ezekiel 18:23, 30-32; Hosea 14:1; Joel 2:12-14; Amos 5:4, 6; Zephaniah 2:1-3; Matthew 3:8; Acts 3:19-20; Acts 26:20). The living LORD God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked TURN from their evil ways and live good lives for His glory (e.g., see Ezekiel 33:10-12; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9-10, 18).

Hence, the prophet Zechariah encourages EVERYONE to watch for the Day of the LORD’s coming (Zechariah 14:1; see also Matthew 24:42-45; Matthew 25:13). Many biblical scholars believe Zechariah 14 along with chapters 12 and 13 refer to the “Day of the LORD” at end of age when the Lord Jesus Christ returns from glory with this saints and holy angels to establish His Kingdom on earth (e.g., see Zechariah 12:3-4, 6, 8-9, 11; Zechariah 13:1-2, 4; Zechariah 14:4, 6, 8-9, 13, 20-21). The “Day of the LORD” frequently occurs throughout the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament writers (e.g., see Isaiah 13:6, 9; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 13:5; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1, 11, 31; Joel 3:14; Amos 5:18-20; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; Malachi 4:1, 5; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6, 10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10).

First on that Judgment Day, the LORD God will gather the nations to fight against Jerusalem and Judah (see Zechariah 14:1-2). In the final three chapters, the prophet Zechariah emphasizes the phrase “all nations” and “all peoples” that come against Jerusalem and Judah (Zechariah 12:2-3, 6, 9; see also Zechariah 14:2, 12, 14, 16). The prophet Zechariah is not the only writer that predicts a final battle. Some biblical scholars believe the prophet Zechariah’s final chapters are part of the famous “battle of Armageddon” described in the book of Revelation when Satan and his evil alliance come against Jesus and His faithful people (Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 19:19-21; see also Joel 3:9-16). Interestingly, the Lord Jesus predicted Jerusalem’s siege and destruction (e.g., see Luke 21:20-36). Also, the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel describes in chapters 38 and 39 of his prophecy a final battle. Moreover, the prophet Daniel in chapter 11 of his prophecy describes a final battle with times of war and great hardship.

In these Old Testament and New Testament prophecies, Jerusalem will be taken with the houses ransacked and the robbed, the women violated, and half the population of Jerusalem taken away into exile (Zechariah 14:1-2; see also Zechariah 13:8; Matthew 24:40-41; Luke 19:41-44). When all seem lost, the LORD will supernaturally intervene and Himself fight against the evil nations that come against Jerusalem and Judah (see Zechariah 14:3). The living LORD God will go out fully armed for war, and He will fight against the nations that come against His people, Jerusalem and Judah (Zechariah 14:3; see also Joel 3:1-3; Zechariah 9:14-16; Zechariah 12:3-5, 7-9; Romans 8:31; Revelation 19:11-21). The LORD, who is the King and Warrior, fights and protects His people, as we humbly trust and obey Him (e.g., see Exodus 14:13-14, 25; Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 3:22; Deuteronomy 20:4; Joshua 10:14, 42; Joshua 23:3, 10; 2 Chronicles 20:15-17, 29; Nehemiah 4:20; Psalm 24:8; Isaiah 30:15; Isaiah 41:10, 13-14; Revelation 20:7-10).

The prophet Zechariah sees the LORD returning to Mount of Olives to fight for His people (Zechariah 14:4; see Isaiah 64:1-5). The LORD’s feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives, which faces before Jerusalem on the east (Zechariah 14:4; see also 2 Samuel 15:30). In the Old Testament, God’s glory departed Jerusalem and stopped above a mountain on the east side of the city of Jerusalem because of the people’s sins (see Ezekiel 10:18-19; Ezekiel 11:22-23). Many biblical scholars believe that mountain was almost certainly the Mount of Olives. Moreover, the prophet Ezekiel predicted the LORD’s glory will RETURN through the east gate of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives when He comes back to earth to set up His perfect Kingdom (see Ezekiel 43:1-5).

Amazingly, God’s glory returned to the Mount of Olives with King Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, which began the Passion Week (e.g., see Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1, 4-5; John 12:15; Mark 11:1, 9-10; Luke 19:29, 37-38; John 21:12-16). Moreover, Jesus ascended into heaven with the glory cloud at Mount Olives during His FIRST ministry on earth (see Acts 1:9-12). Near this mountain, an angel promised the Lord Jesus Christ would return from heaven at His second coming with a personal and visible return also to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4; see also Acts 1:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16).

Next, the prophet Zechariah sees an earthquake that supernaturally splits the Mount of Olives apart into two to form a very wide and deep valley running from east to west (Zechariah 14:4, 8, 10; see also Micah 1:3-4). Zechariah predicts half the mountain will move northward, and half will move southward (see Zechariah 14:4). Then, the LORD’s faithful people will run and escape through that mountain valley to the other side to Azel[1] (see Zechariah 14:5). Yes, the LORD’s faithful people will escape as long centuries ago from the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah (Zechariah 14:5; see also Amos 1:1-2).

Amazingly, the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel envisioned a similar prophecy as Zechariah at the coming of the LORD (see Isaiah 40:1-5; Ezekiel 43:1-5).[2] When the LORD comes, He will not only fight against Jerusalem’s enemies, but He will also comfort Jerusalem and announce the end of her warfare and suffering for her many sins (see Isaiah 40:1-2). Even more, at the LORD’s coming every valley shall be lifted, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain (see Isaiah 40:3-4).

FINALLY, the Zechariah declared the LORD Jesus will come along with all His saints and holy angels with Him and the divine glory of the LORD shall be revealed (Zechariah 14:5; see also Isaiah 40:5; Ezekiel 43:2; Matthew 26:64; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Jude 1:14-15; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 19:14; Revelation 22:7, 12, 20). When Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died and His holy angels (e.g., see 1 Thessalonians 4:14). All God’s faithful people will share Jesus Christ’s glory when He is revealed to the whole world at His second coming (e.g., see Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).  

During His public ministry, Jesus predicted on multiple occasions that He would return in His glory and the glory of His Father and of the holy angels (e.g., see Luke 9:26-27). Importantly, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, and He predicted His second coming at the end of the world (e.g., see Matthew 24:3, 30). Jesus predicted at His second coming He will come in His Father’s fiery glory on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory with His angels (e.g., see Daniel 7:10, 13-14; Matthew 16:27-28; Matthew 25:31; Matthew 26:64; Mark 8:38; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7). Then, Jesus proclaimed that He will send out His angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world — from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven (e.g., see Matthew 24:31; John 14:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Next, Jesus promised that He would judge and reward each person according to what they have done while on earth at His second coming (e.g., see Psalm 62:12; Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 18:20-21; Matthew 13:40-43; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 22:12). The Holy Scriptures are clear: the LORD God has set a Day when He will judge the world with justice and fairness through His Son Jesus, whom He has appointed as Judge of the world (e.g., see Matthew 12:36; John 5:22-23, 27; Acts 10:42-43; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10). HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS: Everyone that obeys and trusts in God’s Son Jesus is saved from the living LORD God’s coming wrath and judgment at Jesus’ return (e.g., see 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

On that great Day, the sun, moon, and stars will no longer shine yet there will be continuous light with lightning flashes and great fire (Zechariah 14:6-7; see also Isaiah 60:19-20; Joel 2:10, 30-31; Joel 3:15; Matthew 24:27; Luke 21:25-29; Acts 2:16-19; 2 Peter 3:4, 10, 12). The sun, moon, and stars will fade away as they will be overwhelmed by the LORD’s glory! Some biblical scholars believe the flashing light is the Shekinah glory of God (e.g., see Exodus 40:34-38; Ezekiel 1:4; Zechariah 2:5, 10-11). According to Revelation 21:23-25 and Revelation 22:5, these heavenly lights will no longer be needed at the second coming of Jesus. The living LORD God and His Son Jesus will be glorious Light in the new Jerusalem (e.g., see Isaiah 60:19-20; Acts 7:55-56; Acts 9:3-6; 1 Timothy 6:16; James 1:17; 2 Peter 1:17; 1 John 1:5, 7; Revelation 21:11, 23; Revelation 22:5). Zechariah emphasizes that the sun, stars, and moon are NOT gods to be worshipped as only the living LORD God and His Son Jesus are the true Light to be worshipped (e.g., see also Deuteronomy 4:15-19; 2 Kings 17:16). Until His return, the LORD calls His faithful people to show and carry His light into the world (e.g., see Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

Then, Zechariah declared that only the LORD (Yahweh) can explain this unique and marvelous natural event as only He knows when this wonderful Day will happen (Zechariah 14:7; see also Matthew 24:36; Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:6-7; Acts 3:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:12). Due to the topographical, cosmic, and cataclysmic changes, ONLY the LORD knows when this special day will happen (see Isaiah 60:19-20).[3]

Some people will say these prophecies are fake and false. However, we must never forget that a day is like a thousand years to the LORD, and a thousand years is like a day (e.g., see Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8). The LORD is not being slow about His promise, as some people think but rather, He is being patient as He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to REPENT before this great Day (see Ezekiel 18:23, 32; Ezekiel 33:11; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Until the LORD’s return, the Holy Scriptures encourage EVERYONE to live peaceful, pure, good, and clean lives (e.g., see 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Peter 3:11-14, 18). The LORD’s patience gives EVERYONE time to REPENT and be SAVED from His coming wrath (e.g., see 2 Peter 3:9, 15).

Even more amazing, life-giving waters will continually flow out of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8; see also Ezekiel 47:1-2; Joel 3:17-18). Half of the life-giving waters will flow toward the Dead Sea in the east and the other half toward the Mediterranean Sea in the west (see Zechariah 14:8). These life-giving waters will flow year-round and continuously in summer as well as in winter (see Zechariah 14:8). In the new Jerusalem, life-giving waters will flow from the Throne of the living LORD God and of His Son Jesus the Lamb that will produce abundant fruit and radiant light for all that come to the LORD (e.g., see; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1-5). The life-giving waters represent the Presence of the Holy Spirit (e.g., see John 7:37-39). Amazingly, the New Testament writers reminds EVERYONE that we can receive these heavenly blessings of fruit, light, and new life-giving water NOW through faith and obedience in the living LORD God’s Son, Jesus Christ (e.g., see Luke 3:16-18; John 3:3-8; John 4:10, 14; John 7:38-39; John 15:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17). These spiritual and life-giving blessings cost NO MONEY but only requires REPENTANCE, FAITH and OBEDIENCE to the living LORD God and His Son Jesus (e.g., see Isaiah 55:1-7; Revelation 21:5-6). Let everyone COME and SEEK the LORD now (e.g., see Amos 5:4, 6).

Importantly, the prophet Zechariah along with others predict the LORD (Yahweh) will finally be acknowledge King, and He will rule and reign over ALL the earth (Zechariah 14:9, 16-17; see also Psalm 22:28; Psalm 47:7; Isaiah 2:2-4; Ezekiel 43:7-9; Daniel 2:44-45; Obadiah 1:21; Zephaniah 3:15; Zechariah 9:9-10; Malachi 1:14; Luke 1:31-33; Revelation 11:15). In that great Day, there shall be ONE LORD and His Name alone will be worshipped (Zechariah 14:9; see also Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Isaiah 43:11, 15; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:5; Luke 1:32-33; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:5-6; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; John 18:33, 36-37; Philippians 2:6, 10-11). The God the Father, who is the living LORD God of heaven and earth, and His Son Jesus the Messiah (Christ, the Anointed One) will be One as LORD and King, and no other god, human, nor idol will be worshipped (Zechariah 14:9; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 1 Kings 18:20-21, 39; Zechariah 13:2; Matthew 25:31; John 10:30; Ephesians 4:5-6). The kingdom of the world will become the Kingdom of our LORD God and His Messiah to rule and reign forever (e.g., see Daniel 2:43-44; Daniel 7:13-14, 27; Luke 1:32-33; Revelation 11:15). Moreover, the living LORD God and His Son Jesus as One will live amongst His holy people, and His people never again have to fear disaster, death, tears, pain, nor sadness (e.g., Zephaniah 3:15-18; Revelation 21:4). What a Day that will be!

The LORD is a transliteration of the proper name YHWH that is sometimes rendered “Jehovah” or “Yahweh” (e.g., see Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 24:16). The LORD of the entire heavens and earth is God Almighty, translated Hebrew meaning “El Shaddai” (shuh-DYE). Also, the LORD is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and He revealed His Name (character) to Moses (see Exodus 6:2-3). Importantly, the LORD is His eternal Name to remember for all generations (e.g., see Genesis 4:26; Genesis 14:22; Genesis 26:22; Exodus 3:14-15). To Moses, the LORD came down in a cloud, and He called out His own Name as He passed in front of Moses, calling out:

Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations. Exodus 34:5-7, New Living Translation 2^nd Edition

Since the beginning of time, the living LORD created humans in His image to have an obedient, faithful, and united relationship with Him as their only true God and share His glory (e.g., see Genesis 1:26-27; Exodus 19:5-6; John 14:23-24; John 17:3-5, 21-23). The LORD God Almighty is all-powerful and all-enough, and He can supply all our needs as we seek Him and walk in goodness (e.g., see Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19-20). Therefore, the LORD God Almighty calls ALL PEOPLE to worship Him and walk faithfully and blamelessly with Him in a close and intimate relationship (e.g., see Genesis 5:22-24; Genesis 6:9; Genesis 17:1-2; Psalm 15:1-5; Micah 6:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Throughout the centuries, the LORD God has sent His holy prophets (messengers) to urge EVERYONE to REPENT and seek, love, and obey Him (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4-7; Matthew 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:34; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Next, all the land from Geba (the northern border of Judah) to Rimmon (the southern border) will become one vast plain (see Zechariah 14:10). However, Jerusalem will be raised to an elevated site (Zechariah 14:10; see also Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-3). Jerusalem will cover the area all the way from the Gate of Benjamin over to the site of the old gate, then to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses (see Zechariah 14:10). On that wonderful Day, Jerusalem will be restored, comforted, and fully inhabited, safe at last, never again to be cursed and destroyed because the LORD will dwell within the Jerusalem forever (Zechariah 14:11, 14; see also Isaiah 40:1-2; Jeremiah 31:38-40; Jeremiah 23:6; Joel 3:17; Zechariah 1:16-17; Zechariah 2:4). The Throne of the living LORD God and Jesus the Lamb will be glorious light within Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:11; see also Zechariah 2:5, 10-12; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 31:38-40; Ezekiel 34:25-31; Revelation 22:3).

The living LORD God has set Jerusalem as the spiritual center of the nations with countries all around Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:16-17; see also e.g., Ezekiel 5:5; Joel 3:17). The Holy Scriptures are clear: the living LORD God has a glorious future for Jerusalem (e.g., see Deuteronomy 30:2-10; Isaiah 60:1-2; Jeremiah 29:10-14; Zechariah 8:15; Revelation 21:11). In the future Jerusalem will become a city without walls — bursting with many people and bursting with animals — and yet they will be safe (Zechariah 2:4; see also e.g., Isaiah 49:19; Jeremiah 31:23-28; Zechariah 14:10-11). The living LORD God Himself will be a glorious wall of fire around Jerusalem protecting the people, and He will live within and become the Glory of Jerusalem with His radiant Presence and everlasting Light (Zechariah 2:5, 10-11; see also Psalm 125:1-2; Isaiah 4:5-6; Isaiah 60:18-20; Revelation 21:1-4, 10-11, 22-26).

However, the LORD will visit and send a plague against all the people who come against and fight Jerusalem (see Zechariah 14:12, 15, 18). This plague of the LORD will also strike the horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the other animals in the enemy’s camp (see Zechariah 14:15). All enemies of Jerusalem will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away; their eyes will shrivel in their sockets, and their tongues will decay in their mouths (see Zechariah 14:12). Next, the LORD will send His terror and panic on the enemies of Jerusalem, and they will fight against each other in hand-to-hand combat (Zechariah 14:13; see also 1 Samuel 14:20-23). All Judah also will fight at Jerusalem (see Zechariah 14:14). The wealth of all the neighboring nations will be seized and collected by the LORD’s people — great amounts of gold, silver, and fine clothing (Zechariah 14:14; see also Ezekiel 39:10, 17; Haggai 2:7-8).

In the end, all the enemy nations of Jerusalem left that survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem year after year to WORSHIP and seek the King, the LORD Almighty and celebrate a time of thanksgiving (Zechariah 14:16; see also Zechariah 8:20-22). Any nations anywhere in all the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, will have no rain and will be ruined and punished by the LORD Almighty (Zechariah 14:17-19; see also Isaiah 60:12).

Some biblical translations call this holy time of thanksgiving the Feast of Booths while other biblical translations refer to this celebration as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Shelters (Zechariah 14:16; see also Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13, 14; Ezekiel 45:25). Interestingly, Exodus 23 calls this appointed time of celebration the Festival of Final Harvest or the Festival of the Ingathering (see Exodus 23:16). Today, this celebrated festival is called Sukkot or Succoth. Regardless of the festival’s name, this will be a time of holy assembly with rejoicing that is celebrated for seven days! Interestingly, the prophet Zechariah notes the Festival of Shelters is the only festival still appropriate at the LORD’s return and reign on earth (see Zechariah 14:16). During this seven-day time of celebration, special gifts are presented to the LORD and no ordinary work is done because it is a time of complete rest, rejoicing, and renewed commitment to the LORD (see Leviticus 23:36-40; Deuteronomy 16:13-17). Amazingly, this celebration reveals that the LORD encourages joy and celebration with our families unto Him – our Provider of all good things!

In that wonderful Day, the prophet Zechariah predicts ALL will be holy and purified before the LORD, even the bells on the horses will have decorated on them, “HOLY TO THE LORD” (Zechariah 14:20; see also Zephaniah 3:9-20). All property will be holy, even the trash cans in the Temple of the LORD will be as sacred as the bowls beside the altar (see Zechariah 14:20). In fact, ordinary kitchen pots and container in Jerusalem and Judah shall be sacred to the LORD Almighty as the holy sacramental vessels (see Zechariah 14:21). Finally, the LORD’s original purpose for His people will be realized as they will be holy priests unto God (e.g., see Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6). From the beginning, the LORD had desired a holy people that has an obedient and faithful relationship to Him as their only God (e.g., see Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:15-16). In the past, only priests and the Temple had been separated and more holy than the rest of Israel (e.g., see Exodus 28:36-38). The words “HOLY TO THE LORD” had been written on the priest turbans as a symbol of the priest’s holiness (see Exodus 28:36-38; Exodus 39:30-31). In the future, there will no longer be a distinction between the sacred and secular, for everything will be sacred and “HOLY TO THE LORD.”

Notably, the LORD will be on the ONLY God worshipped and served, and we will worship Him in His holy Temple with absolute holiness and singleness of heart (e.g., see Ezekiel 11:14-21; Ezekiel 43:7-12). Even more, everyone who comes to worship the LORD Almighty may use any pot and container free of charge to boil their sacrifices in Jerusalem because there will be no more greedy and corrupt buyers or sellers conducting business in the Temple of the LORD Almighty (Zechariah 14:21; see also Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 2:14-16).

The book of Zechariah ends with the LORD’s holiness covering the earth as He reign from Jerusalem. Zechariah’s message encourages HOPE as the LORD will defeat evil! Amazingly, Zechariah along with the other Scripture writers see that one day the earth will be renewed, and the Presence of the LORD’s glory will fill the earth (e.g., see Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13). Most importantly, ALL the world will worship the KING in the NEW Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:9; see also e.g., Isaiah 60:1-2; Ezekiel 40:1-48:35).

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Message Bible (Colorado Springs, CO:  NavPress, 2002).

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

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[1] The location of Azel is uncertain and unknown in the Holy Scriptures.

[2] While on earth, Jesus proclaimed that the Scriptures – Moses, all the Prophets, and the Psalms concern Him because all Scriptures testify about Him (e.g., see Luke 24:27, 43-44; John 5:39).

[3] This author acknowledges the various theories and views of the “millennium” as referenced at Revelation 20:1-6. There are multiple theories on when the LORD will return including the pre-tribulation, premillennial, postmillennial, and amillennial views. This author will accept the view of Zechariah, ONLY the LORD knows!