Jesus, the Son of David

¹ The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1 (ESV)

When anyone opens the New Testament to study the life of Jesus, the reader notices the Gospel writers and others identify Jesus as the Son of David (e.g., see Matthew 1:1; Luke 2:4; John 7:42; Romans 1:3-4). From David came Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of the world (e.g., see Matthew 1:1, 21; Luke 2:10-11; John 4:42; Acts 4:11-12; Acts 13:22-23, 26, 32-37). Why was Jesus identified as the Son of David?

In the Old Testament, David was considered Israel and Judah’s greatest king. David was a king selected and anointed by the living LORD God of heaven and earth to lead His people (see 1 Samuel 16:1; 2 Samuel 6:21-22; 1 Chronicles 17:7; Psalm 89:20). The living LORD of Heaven’s Armies, who is the God of Israel, took David from tending sheep in the pastures of Judah, and He selected David to be the leader (prince, ruler) of His people (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13; 2 Samuel 7:8; Psalm 78:70-71).[1] The LORD God look at David’s heart, and He found that David was a loyal and faithful man after His own heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 13:22-23; see also 1 Chronicles 28:9). For the LORD Almighty sees and searches every heart, and He knows every plan and thought (e.g., see 1 Samuel 2:3; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 2 Chronicles 6:30).

Consequently, the living LORD God selected David as His king to lead and shepherd His people, Israel and Judah, and He anointed and filled David with His powerful Spirit (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:12-13; 1 Samuel 21:10-11; 2 Samuel 23:2; 1 Chronicles 17:22; Psalm 89:20). The LORD God (Yahweh) was present with David with His gracious blessing, and He defeated all David’s enemies and made David’s name famous and victorious (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:13-16; 2 Samuel 5:10; 2 Samuel 7:3, 9; 2 Samuel 8:6, 14; 1 Chronicles 17:8; Acts 7:45-46). David became the servant of the LORD (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:5, 8, 25-29). Even before David officially took office as king of Israel and Judah, the people knew David was selected and anointed by the living LORD God as the true king of Israel and Judah (e.g. 1 Samuel 21:10-11; 1 Samuel 24:20; 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:3).

Before David, Saul was the first king of Israel selected by the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth (see 1 Samuel 9:15-17; 1 Samuel 10:1, 24). Judges initially ruled the ancient Israelites until the time of Samuel the prophet (e.g., see Acts 13:20). Then, the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul from tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years as Israel’s first king (e.g., see 1 Samuel 8:5; Acts 13:21). The LORD God blessed Saul with a new heart and filled Saul with His powerful Spirit (see 1 Samuel 10:1, 9-10). In the beginning, Saul was humble, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else (see1 Samuel 10:22-23). Saul was tall and handsome.

However, Saul was later rejected by the living LORD God. Sadly, Saul became unfaithful and rebellious toward the LORD God and His instructions (see 1 Samuel 13:13-14). Furthermore, Saul became impatient, impulsive, rebellious, and failed under pressure (see 1 Samuel 13:6-12; 1 Samuel 14:24; 1 Samuel 15:3-9). Saul’s hastiness and disobedience revealed his inner weakness: his willingness to compromise the living LORD God’s directions under pressure. Even worse, Saul consulted a medium instead of seeking the LORD for guidance and direction (see 1 Samuel 15:11, 22-25; 1 Samuel 28:6-7; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). Even more, Saul became jealous of David (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:6-8, 16).

Therefore, the LORD God rejected and removed Saul from His kingship over His people Israel and Judah (see 1 Samuel 15:26-27; 1 Samuel 28:16-19; Acts 13:22). Moreover, the LORD God removed His love and Holy Spirit from Saul, and He filled Saul with various evil spirits – fear, torment, deception, terror, and depression (1 Samuel 16:14-16, 23; 1 Samuel 18:10, 12; 1 Samuel 19:9; 2 Samuel 7:15; see also 1 Kings 22:19-22). Then, the LORD turned Saul’s kingship over to His servant David, and He anointed David as Saul’s replacement (see 1 Samuel 15:23, 35; 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Chronicles 10:14: 1 Chronicles 12:23). Hence, the living LORD God replaced Saul with David, a man about whom He found David as a man after His own heart and obedient to His commands and guidance (e.g., see Acts 13:22).

Who was David? The Holy Scriptures described David as Israel and Judah’s greatest king. David reigned as king for forty years over Israel and Judah from 1011-971 BC (see 1 Kings 2:11; 2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:1-5). He was thirty years old when he began to reign as king (see 2 Samuel 5:4). David was born in 1040 BC. David was the youngest son of Jesse, who lived in Bethlehem, and he was a shepherd (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:1, 10-13; 1 Samuel 17:12-15; 1 Chronicles 2:13-15). Importantly, David was courageous, and he patiently relied upon the living LORD God for his strength (e.g., see 1 Samuel 17:34-37).

David was first privately anointed king by the LORD through His prophet Samuel (see 1 Samuel 16:13). Then, David became king over the tribe of Judah (see 2 Samuel 2:4), and finally he was crowned king overall Israel (see 2 Samuel 5:1-5). David did not become king overall Israel until he was 37 years old, although he had been promised the kingdom many years earlier (1 Samuel 16:13). During those years, David waited patiently for the fulfillment of the LORD’s promise!

David did what was pleasing and right in the eyes of the LORD, and David obeyed the LORD’s commands all the days of his life (e.g., see 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 11:4, 15-17; 2 Samuel 12:9-10; 1 Kings 15:5; 1 Kings 11:34). Moreover, David was kind-hearted and generous, and he was filled with integrity and good motives (e.g., 1 Chronicles 18:11; 1 Chronicles 29:16-17). Even more, David was a courageous and brave warrior, humble, handsome, accepting of others, and filled with good judgment (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:12, 18; 1 Samuel 17:42; 1 Samuel 22:1-2; 1 Samuel 29:9; 1 Samuel 30:23-25; 1 Chronicles 29:3-5). Furthermore, David was loyal, and he showed good deeds and gave mercy towards others, even his enemies that tried to hurt and harm him (e.g., see 1 Samuel 24:11-12, 16-22; 2 Samuel 19:6, 19-23; 1 Chronicles 18:14). David gathered a band of underprivileged people around him, who would later become an effective fighting force (e.g., see 1 Samuel 22:2-3; 1 Samuel 23:5; 1 Samuel 27:8).

Importantly, David continually honored and respected the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and David acknowledged the living LORD God reigns and controls the earth (e.g., see 1 Samuel 17:41-50; 2 Samuel 6:9; 2 Samuel 7:26-28; 1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 25-31; 1 Chronicles 17:24; 1 Chronicles 28:9-10). David wanted to build a Temple that brought honor to the LORD’s Name (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 22:6-7). Even more, David continually sought the LORD God for daily guidance in his decisions, and David obeyed the LORD God’s voice (e.g., see 1 Samuel 23:1-2, 4, 12; 2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:19, 23). Truly, David LOVED the LORD God with his whole heart (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37).

The living LORD God made David strong, powerful, victorious, and He was with David with His gracious blessing (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 18:12; 2 Samuel 3:1; 2 Samuel 5:10, 19, 22-25; 2 Samuel 8:14; 1 Chronicles 11:9; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 1 Chronicles 14:1-2, 11-12, 16; 1 Chronicles 18:6). The living LORD God’s presence protected David (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:10-12). David enjoyed the LORD’s favor because of David’s faithfulness and loyalty to Him and goodness towards others (e.g., see Acts 7:46; Acts 13:22).[2] In fact, people considered David blameless and as “perfect as an angel of God” (e.g., see 1 Samuel 29:9). The Holy Scriptures describe David as wise as an angel with good understanding (see 2 Samuel 14:20; 2 Samuel 19:27).

As king, David gave fairness, kindness, and goodness towards all his people, and he kept the ways of the LORD and encouraged others to do the same (e.g., see 2 Samuel 8:15; 2 Samuel 9:1, 7; 2 Samuel 22:21-28). David courageously led and shepherded the LORD’s people Israel and Judah (see 1 Chronicles 11:2; Ezekiel 34:20-24). During his reign, King David ruled the united people of Israel and Judah with fairness, truth, and justice (see 1 Chronicles 18:14). Thus, David took his place in the roll call of faith as a great person after the LORD God’s own heart and did His will (see Acts 13:22; Hebrews 11:32). Importantly, David foresaw the coming Messiah in his many Psalms and called the Jesus the Messiah his “Lord” (e.g., see Psalm 16:10; Psalm 22:18; Psalm 23:1-6; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:41-45; Luke 20:42-44). Some of David’s greatest achievements came in the literary realm where he composed 73 of the 150 Psalms of the Old Testament.

Sadly, David lapsed into a series of failures during his lifetime including killing seven innocent descendants of Saul (see 2 Samuel 21:7-9). Notably, David experienced a moment of weakness and disobedience with a beautiful woman named Bathsheba, who would later become David’s wife (see 2 Samuel 11:2-6). During this moment of rebellion, David disobeyed the LORD’s commands by engaging in an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba who at the time was married to another man, Uriah (see 2 Samuel 11:3-4). David coveted and stole Uriah’s wife Bathsheba and then David later murdered Uriah (2 Samuel 11:14-12:10; see also Exodus 20:13-17). Because of David’s disobedience towards the LORD and His moral commands, the LORD caused his household to rebel against him (see 2 Samuel 12:11-12). David did confess his sins against the LORD with Bathsheba and Uriah to the prophet Nathan and the LORD forgave David (2 Samuel 12:13; see also Psalm 51:1-12; Ezekiel 18:21, 23; 27-28; 1 John 1:9).

However, the LORD still caused David to reap and experience the consequences of sin and rebellion. Because of his sins, David had conflicts within his family. David saw scheming, sexual sins, and murder within his household, resulting in his isolation from and eventual departure before his son, Absalom. David’s first son with Bathsheba later died, his beautiful daughter Tamar was raped by her half-brother Amnon, and Tamar’s brother Absalom later killed Amnon (see 2 Samuel 12:14; 2 Samuel 13:1-39). Next, David’s son Absalom temporarily stole David’s kingship and caused David to flee his own home (see 2 Samuel 15:1-14). After David’s season of divine judgment, the LORD God restored David to his kindship, and David continued proclaiming the LORD God’s praise and goodness to others (e.g., see Psalm 51:13-17). The Holy Scriptures are clear: the LORD God corrects and disciplines those He loves with the rod by using other people to punish, so they would follow His righteous ways (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 89:30-32; Hebrews 12:7; Revelation 21:7).

As David’s death approached, he instructed his son Solomon to be strong and courageous and ALWAYS obey and honor the living and sovereign LORD God and carefully follow all His ways, decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Holy Scriptures with ALL HIS HEART AND SOUL (1 Kings 2:1-3; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Joshua 1:6-9; Ezekiel 18:Matthew 22:37-40). King David knew that wholehearted and courageous faithfulness, TRUST, and obedience to the living and sovereign LORD God and all His ways would lead to success in all one does and wherever one goes (1 Kings 2:3-4; 1 Chronicles 22:12-13; see also Deuteronomy 29:9). Even more important, King David informed Solomon that his humble and wholehearted obedience, TRUST, and truth to the living and sovereign LORD God would cause one of his descendants to always sit on the throne of Israel forever (1 Kings 2:4; see also Deuteronomy 17:19-20; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 8:25-26; 1 Chronicles 17:10-15, 17; 2 Chronicles 13:5; 2 Chronicles 21:7; Psalm 89:20-38; Psalm 132:11-12; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 33:17, 20-22).  

David emphasized to his son Solomon that he and his descendants must have an unshakable loyalty to the living LORD God and His Word and make the LORD God and His laws the center of his personal life and government (see 1 Kings 2:3-4). As mentioned earlier, David understood the importance of wholeheartedly and humbly obeying and trusting in the sovereign LORD God and His commands because he personally experienced the consequence of disobedience when he sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (e.g., see 2 Samuel 11:14-12:10; see also Exodus 20:13-17; Psalm 131:1-3; 1 Kings 15:5).

The living LORD God loved David. David was a “man of God” (see 2 Chronicles 8:14), and the LORD God (Yahweh) was “the God of David” (see 2 Kings 20:5). Although David passed from the historical scene after his death, David’s legacy has never been forgotten. David was the role model for Israel and Judah’s subsequent kings and leaders (e.g., see 1 Kings 3:14; 1 Kings 11:4, 6; 1 Kings 14:8; 1 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 14:3). After David’s death, all of Israel and Judah’s subsequent kings and leaders were measured by David’s standards of wholehearted faithfulness and obedience to the LORD God (e.g., see 1 Kings 14:8; 1 Kings 9:4; 1 Kings 11:4, 33, 38; 1 Kings 15:3; Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:34).

However, none of Israel and Judah’s kings fully lived up to David’s wholehearted faithfulness and obedience to the LORD (e.g., see 1 Kings 12:25-28; 1 Kings 14:8, 21-24). NONE of Israel’s kings in the ten northern tribes wholeheartedly followed the living LORD God and His moral ways (e.g., see 2 Kings 16:2; 2 Kings 17:7-23). In the southern kingdom of Israel – Judah, there were several good kings like Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah but even those good kings of Judah did not wholeheartedly follow the living LORD God and all His commands as written in the law of Moses (e.g., see 1 Kings 3:3; 1 Kings 22:43-44; 2 Kings 18:1-7; 2 Kings 22:1-2).[3]

Essential, the leaders or shepherds Israel and Judah did not wholeheartedly love and obey the living LORD God nor teach the people to obey the LORD God’s morals ways (e.g., see Isaiah 56:9-12; Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 23:9-11, 13, 32; Ezekiel 13:1-14:11; Ezekiel 22:23-31; Micah 3:5; Zephaniah 3:4; Zechariah 10:2-3). Even worse, these careless, lying, and greedy leaders neglected God’s people and focused on themselves while allowing God’s people to be abused, abandoned, attacked, and scattered by wolves (e.g., see Jeremiah 23:1-3; Ezekiel 34:1-10). The role of every leader or shepherd of God’s people were to ensure the safety, feeding, loving-kindness, and well-being of the people, like servant David (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 11:2; 1 Chronicles 18:14l John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-4).

Despite Israel and Judah’s leadership failures, the living LORD God had made an everlasting covenant with David. The living LORD God maintained His promise to David that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 11:13, 36; 1 Chronicles 17:11; 2 Chronicles 21:7). Even as Israel rebuilt the Temple – the Second Temple after Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian army in 586 BC, they followed “the ordinance of David king of Israel (see Ezra 3:10).

So, the Old Testament writers began looking for the Sovereign LORD God and His faithful Shepherd (Ruler) from David’s family of Judah that would come and care for God’s people (e.g., see 2 Samuel 5:1-2; Psalm 23:1; Jeremiah 23:3-6; Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23-30; Ezekiel 37:22, 24-25; Micah 5:2, 4; Matthew 2:6; John 10:11-16; Revelation 7:17). The Old Testament writers began to look forward to a future Messiah-King from David’s family line of Judah that would shepherd, love, and care for God’s united people and lead them to worship and obey the living LORD God (e.g., see Ezekiel 34:22-24; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Hosea 3:4-5; Micah 5:2-4; see also John 10:11-16).

Many of the true Old Testament prophets had the privilege of seeing the ruling Judge and King – the living LORD God Almighty (e.g., see Exodus 24:9-11; 1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 82:1; Isaiah 6:1-5; Jeremiah 48:15; Jeremiah 51:57; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9-10; 1 Peter 4:5). The Old Testament writers held onto the LORD of Heaven’s Armies’ great promise (covenant) He made with David, and they predicted a good, wise, just, honest, and moral Messiah-King and Priest would Branch from David’s family line and lead the people as our Righteous LORD and King forever (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:10-15, 17, 25-27; Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:14-22).[4]

As mentioned earlier, the living LORD God had made an everlasting covenant (promise) with David that He would make an eternal house for him — a dynasty of kings or Kingdom that would continue forever from one of his sons from his body (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:11-12, 19, 27; 2 Samuel 23:5; 1 Chronicles 17:10-15; Psalm 132:11-12; Psalm 89:3-4, 28-29; 35-37; 2 Chronicles 6:16; 2 Chronicles 7:18; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 33:17). The LORD God’s great promise to David looked back to Jacob’s promise to his son Judah, which means “praise,” that a scepter (or king) would never depart from his family until He to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be His (Genesis 49:10; see also Genesis 35:23; Isaiah 11:1, 10; Micah 5:2; Revelation 5:5).[5] Even more, the LORD God’s great promise to David looked back to Balaam’s vision of seeing a great Star from Jacob and a Scepter (or King) rising out of Israel that will exercise dominion (Numbers 24:17, 19; see also Matthew 2:2; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16).

The Old Testament writers predicted the coming Messiah-King would reign and rule the people with fairness, justice, peace, goodness, and humility (e.g., see Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 32:1; Zechariah 9:9-10). Even more, the Old Testament writers predicted a great King from David’s family line would not only rule the Jewish people but the entire world (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 2:4; Psalm 89:3-4; Psalm 132:11-12; Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1, 10; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Micah 5:2)! The Messiah-King and Priest would be called the Righteous Branch from the Root of Jesse and God’s Servant, and He would build the Temple of the LORD and be called Son of God (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 17:12-14; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12-13; Mark 1:11; Luke 1:31-33; Hebrews 1:1-5). The Old Testament books of Chronicles knew the living LORD God would keep His promise to give His people kingly leadership forever. This is one of the reasons the New Testament takes the trouble to show that Jesus was descended from David.[6]

After David’s death, the LORD God’s promises given to David that one of his sons from his body will set on his throne initially pointed to his son, Solomon (see 1 Kings 8:20). David’s son Solomon built a beautiful Temple or house for the LORD God Almighty (e.g., see 1 Kings 5:2-5; 1 Kings 8:17-21; Acts 7:47). Ultimately, the living LORD God promised David that He would raise up a Seed or Descendant after him, and He would establish His Kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16; see also Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 13:23; 2 Timothy 2:8). This great Seed of David would rule God’s Kingdom with peace, justice, and righteousness (e.g., see Psalm 89:14, 18; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:1-5; Ezekiel 37:24-25). The living LORD God promised to be the great Seed of David’s Father, and the Seed of David would be His Son (2 Samuel 7:14; see also Psalm 89:26-27; Matthew 3:17; John 1:48-49; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-5; Hebrews 5:5). Importantly, the Seed of David would reign and rule over all kings of the world as King of kings and LORD of all lords (e.g., see Psalm 2:6-7; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 19:16). Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD’s love and power would always be with the Seed of David (Messiah) forever (2 Samuel 7:15; see also Psalm 89:21, 28, 33, 49; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:14, 27; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15).

So, the people of God looked forward to the great King promised to David’s family (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 8:25-26; Psalm 132:11-12). When the New Testament opens, you can feel the expectations of the people! The people – both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) had been awaiting the arrival of the great King from David’s family – the hope of the world (e.g., see Isaiah 11:1, 10; Isaiah 42:1-4; Matthew 12:18-21; Luke 2:25-32; Luke 3:15; Romans 15:12). Between the last Old Testament prophet Malachi and the New Testament book Matthew, there had been over 400 years of silence. During these 400 years, the Jews were no longer ruled by their own king but by foreign powers – the Babylonians, then the Persians, the Greeks, and finally the Romans. The Jewish people and the world were waiting for the arrival of their King and Messiah!

Many people wondered if the LORD God would keep His promise to David after He allowed the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 BC and Judah and Jerusalem in 586 BC by the Babylonians. After the Assyrian and Babylonians invasions, some people believed there would be an end of the independent political rule of the Davidic kings. However, the Sovereign LORD continued the line of David during Israel and Judah’s exile (see 2 Kings 25:27-30) and afterward with the governorship of Zerubbabel and others (see Haggai 1:1; Matthew 1:12-16).

When the New Testaments opens, the Gospel writers and many others proclaimed the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s prophecies with the arrival of Jesus, who they proclaimed was the long-awaited Son of David and King (e.g., see Matthew 1:1, 17; Matthew 2:2, 6; Matthew 9:27; Luke 1:27, 32, 69-70; Luke 19:38; John 1:49; John 7:42; Acts 2:30; Acts 13:23; Romans 1:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 5:5). As mentioned above, the living LORD God had promised through His Old Testament prophets that the line of Davidic kings would one day be reestablished (e.g., see Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15-17; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:25; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11). With the coming of Jesus – who is the ultimate descendant of David and King of the Jews, the living LORD God fulfilled and kept His promise (e.g., see Matthew 27:11, 37; Mark 15:2, 9, 12, 18, 26; Luke 23:3, 38; John 18:33-34; John 19:14, 19-22; Acts 2:22-36; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16). Many people, particularly the Gospel writers, wrote accounts about the events that were fulfilled when Jesus arrived the first time (e.g., see Luke 1:1).

In fact during His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed that King David, who was also a prophet of God, predicted that the coming future King and Messiah from his family line would also be David’s Lord (e.g., see Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44; Acts 2:30). Jesus’ final words in Revelation declared that He was the Offspring of King David (see Revelation 22:16). Truly, the eternal God keeps His promises!

As the Old Testament prophets predicted, the Apostle Paul declared that Jesus was descended of the Jewish royal line through David according to the human flesh (Romans 1:2-3; Romans 3:21; 2 Timothy 2:8; see also Matthew 1:1).[7] The Apostle Paul goes on to proclaim that Jesus was declared to be the Son of the eternal living God in power according to the Holy Spirit by His resurrection from complete death after His suffering for the world’s sins (Romans 1:4; see also Matthew 1:21-23; Matthew 16:16; Acts 2:24, 29-32; Acts 9:20; Acts 3:18; Acts 10:38, 43; Acts 13:29-37; Acts 17:31; Acts 26:22-23). With this statement of faith, the Apostle Paul declares his agreement with the teaching of all Scripture and of the apostles of a coming Great King from David’s family (e.g., see Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 21:4-9; Mark 11:7-10; Luke 11:7-10; John 12:12-15).

Jesus is the Heir of all things and radiance of glory, as the only begotten Son of the living LORD God (e.g., see Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18; John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1-5). While on earth, Jesus was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph but He was in fact the Messiah-King and Son of the living and eternal LORD God (see Matthew 2:2; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 16:16; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 3:23; John 1:1-5, 14-18). John 20:30-31).[8] Thus, Jesus is far more than a human descendant of King David because Jesus is Lord and God in human flesh – both Divine and human (e.g., see Matthew 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37; John 1:1-5, 14, 18; Roman 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:6). Thus, Jesus is the King and true Messiah (the “Christ” or “Christos,” also known as the “Anointed One” filled with the Spirit) promised from David’s family line (Matthew 1:1, 16-17, 21-23; Mark 1:1; see also 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Zechariah 9:9-11; Mark 8:29; John 1:41, 49; John 4:25-26).[9] One day, the Lord Jesus will reign and rule from Zion (Jerusalem) and bring peace and prosperity to the world (e.g., see Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15). Truly, the eternal God keeps His promises!

In the New Testament, the first Messianic title given to Jesus is King, who descended from the Son of David (e.g., see Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:27, 31-33, 69; Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 2:4; John 1:49). This title for Jesus provides a major link between the Old Testament and the New Testament. In fact, both Matthew's and Luke’s genealogies go through great efforts to establish that Jesus originated from David (see Matthew 1:6-9, 20; Luke 2:4; Luke 3:31). This allowed early believers in Jesus to claim the Old Testament promises that there would always be an heir to King David's throne, who would be filled with God’s Spirit and grace (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11-12; Zechariah 12:10; Romans 1:3). In reality, when Jesus walked the earth, the crowds and individuals often used the title “Son of David” (e.g., see Matthew 9:27; Matthew 12:23; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 20:30-31; Matthew 21:9, 15; Matthew 22:42; Mark 10:47; Luke 18:38-39). Even more, Jesus was called “King” by the people (e.g., see Matthew 27:11, 42; Mark 15:2, 9, 12, 18, 26, 32; John 12:13; see also Zechariah 9:9-10).

Indeed, Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) and our Lord and Savior as predicted by the Old Testament prophets (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; Matthew 16:16; 20; Luke 2:10-11; John 11:27; Acts 2:36; Acts 5:31; Acts 9:22; Acts 10:36; Acts 13:23, 26-28; Romans 14:9; 2 Corinthians 4:5). More important, Jesus is the holy Son of the living LORD God (e.g., see Matthew 16:16; Luke 1:31-32, 35; John 20:30-31). The living LORD God of heaven has given His Son Jesus the throne of His ancestor David, and Jesus will reign over His Kingdom forever (e.g., see Luke 1:32-33). All authority on both heaven and earth has been given to God’s Son – Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; John 17:2).

The eternal King, who is the living LORD God, sent His Son Jesus into the world to save sinners through their repentance – turning from sins and turning to God (e.g., see John 8:11; John 3:16-18; 1 Timothy 1:15, 17; Revelation 4:9-10; Revelation 15:3). Jesus repeatedly declared His Father’s message of faith in Him and turning from sin to all people – saints and sinners alike (e.g., see Matthew 4:17; Matthew 9:13; Mark 1:14-15; Mark 2:17; Luke 19:10; John 5:14; John 8:11; John 9:41). Through faith in Jesus and repentance, we receive the living LORD God of heaven’s forgiveness of sins, righteousness, glorious light, adoption, and grace (e.g., see John 1:12-14; 16-18; Acts 13:38-39, 43; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:5). Furthermore, through our wholehearted faith in Jesus, the living LORD God fills our hearts with love that comes from Christ Jesus and eternal life (e.g., see 1 Timothy 1:14, 16). The Lord Jesus is with us ALWAYS through faith in Him because Jesus is “God with us” and He cares for ALL God’s people (e.g., see Matthew 1:23; Matthew 28:20; John 12:26; Acts 18:9-10).

Even more, the Sovereign LORD God sent His only begotten Son Jesus to shepherd, save, care for, heal, and love His people – ALL PEOPLE, whether you are Jew, Gentiles (non-Jews or Greek), Muslin, Buddhist, Hindu, black, white, young, old, male, female, heterosexual, homosexual, etc. (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:36-38; Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 15:29-32; Luke 2:10, 31-32; Luke 19:10; John 1:26; John 10:11-16; Acts 10:36; Acts 11:18; Acts 28:28; 1 John 4:14). Jesus the Messiah is the Savior and Shepherd of the world (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31). As mentioned earlier, the previous leaders and shepherds of God’s people had failed their responsibility to the people (e.g., see Ezekiel 34:1-10).

Sadly, when Jesus walked the earth, some people and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had predicted. Instead, many people and their religious leaders condemned Jesus, and in doing this they fulfilled the Old Testament prophets’ words (e.g., see Luke 24:27, 44-47; Acts 13:27-28). Jesus’s Father – the living LORD God – raised Jesus from complete death and gave Jesus holy and sure blessings of David (e.g., see Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:30-34).

However, many others in the first century accepted Jesus and announced His coming, particularly Jesus’ relative, John (e.g., see Luke 1:17, 36). Jesus and John had an eternal connection, much like David and Jonathan (e.g., see 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 1 Samuel 20:12-16; 1 Samuel 23:16-17). Like Jesus and his cousin John, David and Jonathan had a close friendship and eternal covenant bond (see 1 Samuel 19:1, 4; 1 Samuel 20:16-17; 2 Samuel 1:26). Jonathan encouraged, protected, and loved David (e.g., see 1 Samuel 20:16-17; 1 Samuel 23:15-18).[10] John turned many people to the living LORD God and His Son, Jesus the Messiah, who is the Light of the world and Sun of Righteousness (e.g., see Isaiah 9:2; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 4:16; Luke 1:16, 78; John 8:12; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:14).

John was a prophet of the living LORD God, and he prepared the way for Jesus and proclaimed to EVERYONE that they can find salvation and forgiveness of their sins through repentance and faith Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 1:76-77; Luke 3:4-6).[11] Even more, John’s father Zechariah proclaimed that the living LORD God had visited and redeemed His people through Christ Jesus the Savior as promised through His holy prophets long ago (e.g., see Luke 1:67-70, 78; Luke 7:16).

Even more, when Jesus was just eight days old, His earthly parent Joseph and Mary were met by two good, righteous, and devout believers of God – Simeon and Anna (see Luke 2:25, 37). Both Simeon and Anna immediately recognized the Baby Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah promised from the living LORD God that would bring salvation to the nations (see Luke 2:25-38). Simeon and Anna, along with many others, had been waiting expectantly many years for the long-awaited Messiah, who would be the consolation (comfort or help) and redemption (salvation) of Israel (Luke 2:25, 30, 38; see also Luke 3:6, 15; Luke 23:50-51; Luke 24:21). Upon seeing Baby Jesus, Simeon and Anna announced to Joseph and Mary that their Baby Jesus would be a Light to reveal God to ALL NATIONS, Redeemer, and the glory of Israel (Luke 2:32, 38; see also Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; Luke 1:68; John 1:4; John 8:12). As a child, Jesus was filled with wisdom and God’s grace (favor), and He focused on revealing His Father – the living LORD God to ALL NATIONS so EVERYONE can find God’s salvation, grace, and hope (e.g., see Isaiah 40:5; Luke 1:69, 71, 77; Luke 2:20, 49, 52; John 4:34; John 5:36; Titus 2:11). Jesus is the grace, hope, and salvation sent from God (e.g., see Luke 3:6; Titus 2:11-15).

In summary, the New Testament writers tells the story of Jesus not only as the Son of God (e.g., see Matthew 16:16) but also the Son of King David (e.g., see Matthew 1:1; Revelation 22:16). Here’s MORE GOOD NEWS because there are some Old Testament prophecies yet to be fulfilled. In expectation, ALL PEOPLE – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) are expecting Jesus the Messiah to come out of the same mold and model as the great Jewish king David as Warrior to defeat Israel enemies and finally bring peace to the world (e.g., see Isaiah 61:1-2; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 14:6, 9, 16; Luke 24:21; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16).[12] Then, God’s faithful people – Israel and Judah – will be taken from out of the nations, reunited, and restored to their land in prosperity and serve under one King (e.g., see Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 11:11-12; Isaiah 14:1, 2; Jeremiah 23:3-8; Ezekiel 34:20-24; Ezekiel 37:12, 15-28; Hosea 2:14-16; Joel 3:1-8; Amos 9:11-15; Acts 15:14-17; Romans 11:26, 27).[13] The living LORD God and His Son, Jesus the Messiah, will reign, rule, and live as King amongst His faithful people forever in the land of Palestine (e.g., see Ezekiel 48:35; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21:3). 

References

Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

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

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

Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

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

Butler, Trent C. Holman Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1991).

Douglas, J.D. and Tenney, Merrill. NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan, 1989).

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[1] The living LORD God Almighty sends poverty and wealth, and He humbles and exalts. The LORD God can raise up the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and seats them with princes with honor. For the foundations of the earth are controlled by the LORD GOD (see 1 Samuel 2:7-8).

[2] Truly, wisdom, discernment, wealth and honor come from the LORD God alone for He rules over everything (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 29:12). Power and might are in the LORD’s Hand (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 20:6). The LORD alone gives those who are humble, obedient, and faithful to Him greatness, long life, riches, daily food, strength, fame, and a wise and discerning heart (e.g., see 1 Kings 3:3-15; 2 Chronicles 1:2-13; Ezekiel 16:10-15; Matthew 6:11; Romans 11:36). Moreover, the LORD God rewards everyone for their goodness, humility, and faithfulness towards Him and goodness and humility towards others (e.g., see 2 Samuel 22:25 1 Samuel 26:23; Psalm 24:3-4; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). To the faithful and pure, the LORD shows Himself faithful and pure (e.g., see 2 Samuel 22:26-27). The LORD rescues and save those who humbly look to Him for help (e.g., see 2 Samuel 22:28).

The living LORD God delights in everyone who practices faithful lovingkindness, justice, truth, and righteousness in the earth because these are His qualities – justice, truth, and righteousness (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 36:5, 7; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 5:7, 16; Jeremiah 9:24; Micah 6:6-8; Galatians 5:22-23). Even more, the living LORD God wants everyone to be circumcised not only in their physical bodies (flesh) but in their whole hearts and spirits as devoted to Him (e.g., see Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 26:41; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 9:25; Romans 2:28-29; Ephesians 2:11; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11). The living LORD God wants everyone to know Him personally and live a life that reflects His justice, righteousness, and love in the world.

[3] HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS:  Jesus the Messiah (Christ) FULFILLED all the living LORD God’s requirements because He humbly and courageously obeyed and honored His Father, the living and sovereign LORD God, and carefully followed all His ways, decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Holy Scriptures with all His heart and soul! Jesus NEVER sinned (e.g., see 1 John 3:5).

[4] The New Testament, and particularly the book of Hebrews, teaches that these promises were fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, who is both Priest and King.

[5] Jesus Christ (Messiah) is called “the Lion from the tribe of Judah” (see Revelation 5:5).

[6] In fact, the Apostle Paul affirmed that the eternal God promised this Good News long ago through his Old Testament prophets (see Romans 1:2). Though the Apostle Paul taught that through faith in Jesus we are free from the Law of Moses, he still operated within the spirit of the Law.

[7] Importantly, Jesus is also the Son of Abraham, who is the father of all Jews, and the Seed of Abraham that blesses the world through faith in Him (e.g., see Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16).

[8] Joseph was Jesus’ legal or though not natural father and establishes Jesus’ claim and rights to the throne of David (see Matthew 1:6; Luke 2:4; Luke 3:23).

[9] Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean Anointed One. The name “Jesus” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “the Lord is salvation.”

[10] The Holy Scriptures indicate that Jonathan and David loved each other deeply; but there was no indication of David and Jonathan engaging within a homosexual relationship as such activity is forbidden (e.g., see Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:24-27; Jude 1:7). Jonathan and David were great friends, fellow soldiers, brothers-in-law, and brothers in the faith, but they were not homosexual “lovers.” In fact, the Holy Scriptures teaches that David loved many wives, acquired concubines as the ancient Israelite custom, and he birth many children (e.g., see 2 Samuel 3:2-5, 14-16; 2 Samuel 5:13-14; 2 Samuel 15:161 Chronicles 3:1-9; 1 Chronicles 14:3-7). Notably, David’s son Solomon also loved many women (e.g., see 1 Kings 11:4). However, the LORD God did not approve of David's departure from His plan for marriage of one man and one woman and David’s love of many women would later lead into destructive consequences and rivalries amongst his many wives and children (e.g., see 2 Samuel 13:1-32; 1 Kings 2:17-25).

[11] John the Baptist’s message to the people was repentance – turning from a life of evil and living a life of goodness and kindness towards one another. The message of repentance was continued by the Lord Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 21:32). Moreover, the Lord Jesus’ apostles continued His message of repentance after Jesus returned to heaven (e.g., see Acts 2:37-38). Even more, John continued the message of the LORD’s Old Testament prophets of sharing, loving, and doing good for others as well as diligence (Luke 3:10-14; see also e.g., Isaiah 58:6-14; Ezekiel 18:5-9; 1 Timothy 6:17-18; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17). Most important, John encouraged everyone to obey the LORD’s commands of not stealing, lying, cheating, and exploiting others (Luke 3:14; see also e.g., Exodus 20:16; Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:28).

[12] The Messiah was often called David because He is David’s descendant. David was a good king, but Jesus the Messiah is the perfect King and Lord (Ezekiel 37:24-25; see also Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16).

[13] In approximately 931 BC, the of twelve tribes of Israel split into two separate nations with the ten tribes in the northern kingdom called Israel and two tribes in the southern kingdom, called Judah (see 1 Kings 11:9-13, 26-33; 1 Kings 12:1-14:31).

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!

Cleansing of Sins

¹ “On that day (Day of the LORD) a Fountain will be opened for the dynasty (house) of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a Fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity (uncleanness). ² “And on that day,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies (Yahweh), “I will erase idol worship throughout the land, so that even the names of the idols will be forgotten. I will remove from the land both the false prophets and the spirit of impurity (evil spirits) that came with them…. ⁷ Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, the Man who is My Partner (Associate),” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep (of the flock) will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs…. ⁹ I will bring that group (one-third) through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on My Name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” Zechariah 13:1-2, 7, 9, New Living Translation 2^nd Edition

Zechariah chapter 13 continues the living LORD God’s message. Many biblical scholars believe chapter 13 along with chapters 12 and 14 refer to the “Day of the LORD” at end of age when the Lord Jesus Christ returns from glory 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).[1] The second coming (advent) of Christ is the coming of God once again to earth.[2] On this great Day, the living LORD God will bring His wrath and judgment to finally destroy all evil and establish His holy Kingdom on earth through a Spirit of judgment and a Spirit of fire (Zechariah 13:9; see also Isaiah 4:2-4; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 3:17; Matthew 25:41). Even more, the living LORD God will cleanse and renew the earth with His goodness, holiness, and purity (e.g., see; Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-8).

On the great Day of the LORD, the prophet Zechariah sees a Fountain opening for the family of David and all the people of Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:1; see also Ezekiel 36:25). This Fountain of life-giving or living water will flow from the from the Throne of the living LORD God and His Son Jesus (Lamb) onto Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8-9; see also Psalm 36:9; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Revelation 22:1-2, 17). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus will thoroughly wash and cleanse the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (also called Zion) from ALL their sins, troubles, and evils (Zechariah 13:1; see also John 4:10, 14). God’s cleansing is widespread and includes leaders (represented by the dynasty of David) and all the people of Judah and Israel (signified by the people of Jerusalem) as well as the removal of false prophecies and their underlying evil spirits (see Zechariah 13:1-6).

The living LORD God has set Jerusalem in the spiritual center of the nations with countries all around Jerusalem (e.g., see Ezekiel 5:5). The Holy Scriptures are clear: the living LORD God has a glorious future for Jerusalem (e.g., see 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 be a glorious wall of fire protecting the people and all Jerusalem (His Daughter and Bride), and He will live within and become the Glory of the city 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). In the Holy City, all God’s people – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) will be righteous (good) and nothing impure, deceitful, and evil will ever enter into the city (see e.g., Isaiah 60:18-22; Galatians 5:19-21; Daniel 12:1-3; Revelation 21:1-8, 27; Revelation 22:14-16).

The Holy Scriptures are clear: the living LORD God and His Son Jesus are our Spring of Living Water and the Fountain with pure water that washes away and cleanses our hearts of all our sins, evils, sickness, and troubles and brings His healing, life, joy, restoration, and gladness (e.g., see Psalm 51:1-2, 7-8; Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13-14; Isaiah 55:1; Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 10:22). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus, WHO IS ONE, brings satisfying LIFE, healing, and refreshment (e.g., see John 1:4; John 4:10; John 10:10, 30; John 14:6, 9; John 16:33; John 17:2-3, 20-22). Through faith and obedience, the living LORD God and His Son Jesus sprinkles and cleanses our souls and hearts from sins and brings His life-giving water (Presence) into our lives and hearts so we can be holy and blameless (e.g., see Isaiah 52:13-15; John 1:29; John 15:3; John 7:37-39; John 17:17; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 2:1-2).

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS! We can experience this cleansing now! Through faith and acceptance of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit cleansing us from all our sins and gives us a new heart and a new spirit of obedience (e.g., see Isaiah 52:15; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:38-40; Ezekiel 36:25-28; Ezekiel 37:14; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 9:14). However, WE MUST DO OUR PART! The Holy Scriptures are also clear: we must REPENT and make ourselves clean by STOPPING our evil actions and wrongdoing (e.g., see Isaiah 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:11-14). The living LORD God calls ALL PEOPLE to live like citizens of heaven by DOING GOOD to others and SEEKING JUSTICE with defending the oppressed and taking up the cause of the fatherless, pleading the case of the widow and the helpless alien (e.g., see Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 3:6-10; Zechariah 7:8-10; Zechariah 8:15-17, 19; Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; James 1:26-27).

Even more, the living LORD of Heaven’s Armies[3] promises on the Day of the LORD to rid the land of ALL idol worship, so that even the names of the idols, heroes, stars, possessions, and other false gods will be forgotten (Zechariah 13:2; see also Micah 5:10-14; Jeremiah 10:11; Ezekiel 36:25).[4] In fact, the living LORD God promises to erase even the memory of these idols and other false gods from the earth (see Zechariah 13:2). In that great Day, ONLY the living LORD God will be worshipped, trusted, and sought for help and the idols and false gods will totally disappear (e.g., see Exodus 23:13; Joshua 22:5; Isaiah 2:17-18; Jeremiah 23:7; Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 6:26-27; Acts 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)! The living LORD God is GREAT and mighty in power, and ONLY He is the wise King that controls all the nations (e.g., see Psalm 10:16; Psalm 22:28; Psalm 47:8; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 12:4-5; Jeremiah 10:6-7, 10, 12-13; Revelation 15:3).

Furthermore, the living LORD God promises to remove and erase from Israel and Jerusalem of ALL lying, unclean, and evil spirits such as false prophets, psychics, witches, sorcery, and fortune-tellers who pollute the lives of people (Zechariah 13:2; see also Jeremiah 23:12, 14-15, 19-20; Ezekiel 36:25, 29; Zechariah 10:2-3).[5] These unclean and greedy spirits speak lies, false hopes, and deception in the Name of the LORD, and they lead people astray into evildoing, adultery, corrupt actions, trickery, and disobedience against the living LORD God Almighty and His moral commands with their diseased words (Zechariah 13:2; e.g., see Jeremiah 14:14-16; Jeremiah 23:10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 21-22, 25-26, 30-32, 36; Jeremiah 28:15-17). These false and evil workers deny justice, and they love evil (e.g., see Micah 3:1-2). Even more, Zechariah predicts in the future that if anyone begins false and lying prophecy again, his own father and mother will obey the living LORD God’s command and STOP that swindling prophet from prophesying lies in the LORD’s Name (Zechariah 13:3; see also Deuteronomy 13:1-11; Deuteronomy 18:20; Jeremiah 23:34; Ezekiel 14:9).[6]

In fact, on the Day of the LORD, Zechariah predicts lying prophets, spiritualists, and psychics will be publicly exposed, humiliated, and then destroyed by the living LORD God (Zechariah 13:4; see also Jeremiah 6:13-15; Jeremiah 8:8-9; Micah 3:4, 7). Moreover, Zechariah foresees that no one will even boast about his or her prophetic gift nor wear prophet’s clothes – a hairy mantle, garment, or cloak (Zechariah 13:4; see also 1 Kings 19:13, 19; 1 Kings 1:8; 2 Kings 2:8). On that Day, every prophet will no longer tell lies and deceptions (see Zechariah 13:4). Instead, these unclean and false spirits will even deny they have been prophesying lies and claim another profession (see Zechariah 13:5-6).

Then, Zechariah’s prophetic message shifts to the Lord Jesus Christ – the Son and Anointed One of God. The living LORD God of heaven came to earth in His Son Jesus Christ (Messiah) as a Servant, Shepherd, and sacrificial Lamb to save, love, and care for the sheep – humans (e.g., see also Isaiah 40:3-5, 9-11; Mark 1:1; John 8:28-30, 42; John 10:11; John 16:27-28, 30; John 17:3, 8, 21, 23, 25; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:22-25). Truly, Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (see John 10:11, 14; Hebrews 13:20).

The living LORD God was pleased to have ALL His fullness dwell in His Son Jesus to reconcile all things to Him (e.g., see John 10:30; Colossians 1:19-20). Through His Old Testament prophet Zechariah, the living LORD God declared that His Shepherd Jesus is His fellow Associate, Companion, and Equal, who stands next to Him (Zechariah 13:7; see also Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:61-62; Mark 16:19; Luke 20:42; Luke 22:68-69; John 10:30; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). From a human standpoint, the Lord Jesus is the Anointed and Righteous Savior from the family of David that came as the promised King and Ruler to rule and shepherd the people as King (e.g., see Psalm 2:2; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Micah 5:2, 4; Matthew 1:1; Matthew 2:2). From a divine standpoint, the Lord Jesus is the Son of the living God and the Messiah (Christ) (e.g., see Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1; John 20:30-31; Acts 9:20, 22; Acts 18:28).

HERE IS MORE GOOD NEWS! The living LORD God LOVED THE WORLD that He sent His Son, Jesus to save the world (see John 3:16-17; John 4:34; John 16:27-28; 1 John 4:9-10, 19)! The Old Testament prophets predicted the living LORD God would call for the sword against His holy and sinless Shepherd that smitten and afflicted Him with pain and suffering for sake of the world’s sins (Zechariah 13:7; see also Isaiah 53:3-4; Luke 24:26-27; 1 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:1, 13). This sword would pierce, crush, and kill the Shepherd of God (e.g., see Isaiah 53:5, 7-9). With the striking of the Shepherd, the living LORD God announced that the sheep of the flock will scatter and flee (see Zechariah 13:7). However, EVERYONE through faith in the Shepherd’s pain and suffering would receive peace, forgiveness, and healing from the living LORD God because the living LORD God laid on His Shepherd our sins, guilty, and shame (e.g., see Isaiah 53:5-6, 10-12). Truly, the Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (e.g., see John 10:11). However, the Lord Jesus bore our sins and shame in His body on Calvary’s Cross so we might REPENT and die to sins and live for righteousness (goodness) (e.g., see Isaiah 53:4, 11; Matthew 26:28; Acts 3:18-20; Romans 6:10-14; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 4:1-2). The living LORD God LOVED THE WORLD that He sent His Son Jesus into this broken world to transform our lives and hearts from the inside out by the power of the Holy Spirit through FAITH in His Son Jesus (e.g., Romans 1:3-4, 16-17; Romans 5:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 3:20).

The New Testament fulfillment of Zechariah and the other Old Testament prophecies came when the Lord Jesus was arrested and later crucified on the Cross for our sins.[7] The Lord Jesus Christ specifically accepted Zechariah’s prophecy before His sacrificial death for the sins of the world when He informed Peter and the others that they would stumble in their faith on account of Him and scatter away from Him as their Shepherd (see Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 16:32; 1 Peter 2:8).[8] Sadly, Jesus’ disciples shattered from Him at His unjust arrest by Rome and the Jewish religious leaders (e.g., see Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:49-50). Jesus knew He would NEVER be alone because His Father the living LORD God would ALWAYS be with Him (e.g., see John 16:32).

Verse seven of Zechariah 13 is subject to two different interpretations. Some biblical translations say that after Jesus was struck down and the sheep scattered, the living LORD God promised He will come back and comfort and care for the lambs (e.g., see Zechariah 13:7, The Living Bible Translation; Luke 12:32). However, other biblical translations translate the end of verse seven that once the sheep scattered the living LORD God turned the back of His hand against the sheep that turned away from His Shepherd – Jesus Christ (e.g., see Zechariah 13:7, King James Version). Despite the differing interpretations of verse 7, the Holy Scriptures clearly warns that those that stumble and fall away from Jesus the Shepherd will receive a severe punishment. The prophet Zechariah predicted that two-thirds of the people throughout the earth will be devastated and perish because of their rejection of the Good Shepherd, Jesus (see Zechariah 13:8).[9]

The Holy Scriptures speaks of the living LORD God allowing harmful and evil spirits to deceive, terrorize, and torment people because of their many wickedness, depravity, disobedience, and chronic sins towards the living LORD God and His moral commands (e.g., Numbers 22:22, 31-32; Judges 9:22-24; 1 Samuel 16:14-16, 23; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). The living LORD God uses these tormenting spirits as His instruments of to lead people to regret, repentance, and redemption (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 5:5). Even more, sometimes the living LORD God allows a tormenting spirit to keep His servants humble or during periods of testing (e.g., Job 1:6-2:7; 2 Corinthians 12-7-10). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus have power over the spirit world (e.g., see 1 Kings 22:19-23; Luke 22:31-32; Ephesians 6:12). The Lord Jesus instructed His disciples to pray that His Father, the living LORD God, will lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (e.g., Matthew 6:13). The living LORD God forms the light and create darkness and bring prosperity and create disaster as He can do all these things (e.g., see Isaiah 45:7).  

In the past, Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem defiled themselves and their land by their evil conduct, bad actions, oppression, violence, and injustice (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 34:21, 24-25; Isaiah 1:21; Isaiah 5:7; Ezekiel 5:6-7; Ezekiel 36:16-17). The people of Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem – from the kings, priests, prophets, and the ordinary people – engaged in all kinds of wickedness and evil including sexual sins, greed, murder, jealousy, profanity, lies, bribery, thief, witchcraft, idol worship, as well as mistreatment of orphans, foreigners, and widows (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:7-23; Psalm 106:34-39; Isaiah 1:21-23; Jeremiah 2:7; Jeremiah 3:9; Jeremiah 7:30-31; Jeremiah 16:18; Ezekiel 36:18; Daniel 9:4-6, 10-11). Because of their evil deeds and disobedience, the living LORD God poured out His punishment and wrath on the land and people of Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem, and He dispersed and scattered them amongst the nations (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:26-29; Jeremiah 33:5; Lamentations 1:1-6; Ezekiel 5:8-17; Ezekiel 36:18-19; Daniel 9:7; Amos 9:8-10).

HERE IS EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS! The living LORD God promised that one-third of all people will remain faithful to Him and His Son Jesus (see Zechariah 13:8). This faithful one-third is what many commentaries call “the remnant” (Zechariah 13:8; see also Isaiah 6:13; Ezra 9:13-15; Ezekiel 11:16-18; Daniel 9:8; Romans 11:5). However, the living LORD God promised He would deliver the one-third that remained through the refinery fire and then test them for purity, as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire (Zechariah 13:9; e.g., see Psalm 66:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 6-7). The living LORD God is a consuming and purifying fire (e.g., see Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 9:3; Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 12:29). The living LORD God promised that He would change His faithful remnant’s hearts from the inside out by placing a new spirit and heart within His people that leads to obedience to Him and goodness towards others (e.g., see Ezekiel 11:18-20; Ezekiel 36:25-29, 33; Ezekiel 37:12-14). Then, His people will become restored blessings and favor with abundance and no longer a disgrace amongst the nations (e.g., see Isaiah 27:6; Ezekiel 36:9-12, 15, 30-38; Ezekiel 47:12).

The Holy Scriptures are clear: God’s faithful people do experience times of pain, suffering, persecution, burdens, testing, and hardships (e.g., see Job 1:6-2:13; John 15:2; Romans 5:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:10-12; James 1:2-4). During these times of adversity and troubles, the sovereign LORD God Almighty promised to preserve and keep His people safe, and eventually He would bless and restore them into health and abundance if they obeyed His commands and kept faith (complete trust and confidence) in Him (e.g., see Exodus 15:25-26; Job 42:7-17; Psalm 66:8-12, 17-20; Jeremiah 17:5-10; Hebrews 11:1-2, 6). Weeping, testing, and soreness are ONLY TEMPORARY because the living LORD God promised His rescue, healing, and blessing as His grace lasts a lifetime as we seek Him (e.g., see Psalm 30:1-5, 8-12; Matthew 5:10-12). Therefore

Even more amazing, the Old Testament prophets predicted the Lord Jesus Christ, who was filled with the living LORD God, will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap (e.g., see Isaiah 4:4; Malachi 3:1-5). The New Testament revealed that Jesus removes our corruptions and exploitations through the Holy Spirit and perfect our lives like gold and silver so that we can live in righteousness – goodness, virtuous, and moral for God’s glory (e.g., see; Matthew 3:10-12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:15-17; Acts 2:3-4; Hebrews 12:10-11; 1 Peter 1:14-16, 22; 1 Peter 4:12-19). The glory of God is His Spirit (see 1 Peter 4:14). The living LORD God’s testing is meant to cleanse and purify His faithful people so that we will always wholeheartedly WORSHIP, TRUST, and OBEY Him as the One worthy of respect, adoration, and service (e.g., see Isaiah 48:10-12). The Lord Jesus Christ promised BLESSINGS on everyone who does not reject and fall away from Him during times of persecution, suffering, and troubles but continued to trust in Him (e.g., see Matthew 11:6; Matthew 13:18-23; John 16:33; Hebrews 10:32-34). 

For the faithful, the living LORD God requests the one-third remnant to call upon His Name in the day of trouble (Zechariah 13:9; see also Psalm 50:15; Psalm 81:7; Psalm 107:6-7; Zechariah 10:6). The living LORD God promises He will hear and answer the prayers of His faithful and obedient people that pursue goodness and truth (Zechariah 13:9; see also Psalm 34:15-20; Isaiah 58:9-11; Ezekiel 11:17-20).[10] The LORD is forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to Him in faith and obedience (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:5-7; Jonah 4:2). Even more, the living LORD God promises to call the faithful one-third remnant His people, and they will call, “The LORD is our God” (Zechariah 13:9; see also Jeremiah 29:11-13; Hosea 2:23). Finally, the living LORD God will have a people that acknowledge and worship Him and His Son Jesus as LORD!

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).

Boice, James Montgomery. The Minor Prophets: Volume 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006).

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[1] 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 4:5; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6, 10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10).

[2] The living LORD God of heaven has come down to earth on multiple occasions (e.g., see Genesis 11:5, 7; Genesis 18:20-21; Exodus 3:8; Exodus 19:11, 18, 20; Psalm 18:9; Psalm 144:5; Matthew 1:23;  Matthew 17:4-5; John 1:1-5, 14; Acts 7:34). HERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS: God is ALWAYS with us through faith in His Son Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 28:20).

[3] In the Holy Scriptures, the living LORD God is also called the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the LORD of Hosts, the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, LORD All-Powerful, the LORD Almighty, or King (e.g., see 1 Samuel 1:3; Jeremiah 48:15; Jeremiah 50:34). The living LORD God controls angelic beings, human armies, the forces of nature such as fire, hail, and wind, the sun, moon, stars, and occasionally Israel. These heavenly forces are the living LORD God’s agents He uses to protect and defend His people and maintain the universe (e.g., see Joshua 5:13-15; Joshua 10:9-15; 2 Kings 6:17). The living LORD God Almighty is the sovereign Ruler of all, and He controls and maintains all the powers of the heavens and earth (e.g., see 1 Kings 22:19;  Psalm 97:1; Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 5:24; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 19:6).

[4] Idol can be alcohol, food, busy work, shopping etc. Essentially, an idol is anything or anyone we look to for comfort, hope, and help other than the living LORD God.

[5] False prophecy has been a problem for God’s people throughout human history and will be in the future until eliminated by the living LORD God at the second coming of Christ (e.g., see Nehemiah 6:12-14; Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 23-24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4, 9; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 20:7-10).

[6] Yahweh is the eternal Name of the living LORD God for all generations (see Exodus 3:15). In the Holy Scriptures, Yahweh is a translation of the Hebrew letters YHWH that is traditionally translated as the LORD and is sometimes rendered Jehovah.  The living and sovereign LORD God Almighty is known as Yahweh, and He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

[7] The Lord Jesus is the true and reliable Prophet, whose life and suffering fulfill all Old Testament prophecies (e.g., see 1 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Peter 1:19).

[8] Many biblical commentaries believe Zechariah’s prophecies were on the minds of the Gospel writers as they quote from Zechariah’s prophecies and apply these prophecies to Jesus (e.g., see Zechariah 9:9-10 is quoted in Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 12:10 is quoted in John 19:37; and Zechariah 11:12-13 is quoted at Matthew 27:9).

[9] Some biblical scholars have argued that the two-third scattering of the Jews has already been fulfilled. Probably as many as two-thirds of the Jews living in Palestine perished at the time of the Roman victory in AD 70 when Jerusalem and Masada were overthrown, and further Jewish destruction occurred with the Bar Cochba revolt a generation later. During the Middle Ages, there were intense purges against the Jews. Later, evil Hitler exterminated six million Jews during World War II.

[10] Unanswered prayer may indicate we are unfaithful and need discipline and refining by the living LORD God. The living LORD God is good, merciful, and always faithful, and He hears the prayers of those who repent of their sins and wholeheartedly turns to Him (e.g., see Exodus 34:5-7; Psalm 50:16-20; Daniel 9:7, 9; 1 John 1:9).