And [Jerusalem] shall be inhabited, for there shall never again be a decree of utter destruction.Jerusalem shall dwell in security. Zechariah 14:11
I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 14:10-21, which the commentary outlines as the fourth of four divisions for the text 13:2-14:21 (13:2-9, 14:1-3, 14:4-9, 14:10-21). Here, the commentary describes this division with the title God’s Gracious Assurances to Us. It shares that the end times prophecy delivered by God through Zechariah provides three assurances that give us hope and comfort now:
- Vv11-15: King Jesus will establish His kingdom: "[i]n light of the fact that Zechariah and his contemporaries were working hard to restore the ruined city of Jerusalem, this prophecy must have been especially encouraging."
- Vv16-19: All nations will worship King Jesus: Survivors from other nations that attack Jerusalem during the Battle of Armageddon are described as non-combatants or those who did not participate in the attack. They are spared God's wrath and "they will come to Jerusalem each year for the Festival of Booths, which was a celebration of the harvest. It was a time of giving thanks and praise to the Lord." These verses also describe a drought in Egypt which depended on rain overflowing the Nile to irrigate its crops. We are encouraged here to be thankful for God during all times (1 Thessalonians 5:18), even when we perceive that blessings "dry-up," as the commentary shares "[w]e can be grateful that Jesus is gracious enough to care for us even when we neglect to give Him thanks. Still, we miss out on certain blessings when we fail to give God thanks. We can live our lives day by day giving thanks to King Jesus and worshiping Him because of the ways He has blessed us."
- Vv20-21 provides assurance that "the holiness of King Jesus will prevail:" Revelation 21 describes a New Jerusalem where every aspect of the city will be holy - the commentary shares: "[t]hough Jerusalem has often been called the “Holy City” in Scripture and in history, with Jesus reigning, Jerusalem will truly be holy. Every part of the city—to the smallest part, such as bells on horses and pots in cupboards—will be holy to the Lord because Jesus is ruling. His coming promises our certain victory."
Once again, believers should take comfort in the gift of prophecy, and how it offers us assurances that God has already defeated sin and death, and we should continue to endure through all of what we may experience in the brokenness of this world because ultimately God is saving a place for us in Heaven.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who gives me the gift of prophecy to assure me that You have already defeated sin and death and that You are saving a place for me in Heaven. Thank You Father God Jesus! I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
