Zechariah 12 - 14 - "The 2nd Coming Of Christ!"

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Zechariah 12 to 14 is a section of the Old Testament in the Bible that contains prophecies about future events. These chapters talk about the restoration of Jerusalem, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate victory of God's people. One of the first things you'll notice as you read these three short chapters is the striking set of words - "On that day." The phrase "on that day" is mentioned multiple times. Specifically, it is mentioned six times in Zechariah 12:3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11. It is mentioned four times in Zechariah 13:1, 2, 4, and 6. Lastly, it is mentioned three times in Zechariah 14:4, 6, and 8. So in total, the phrase "on that day" appears thirteen times in Zechariah 12 to 14.

It's obvious from this phrase that God's Holy Spirit who is speaking through Zechariah is referring to a future day - the events relating to the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.  Keep in mind, the rapture and the 2nd coming of Christ are NOT the same thing. In the rapture, Jesus calls us up to Heaven and never actually comes to Earth. His first coming was nearly 2,000 years ago when He died on the cross for our sins. He called to the people and said, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." But, they didn't believe it!  Jesus was rejected at that time from setting up His Kingdom, and killed by His own people - which was all part of God's original plan of redemption, that He might save the world from their sins!

Notice how in 12:1, Jesus sets up His authority by saying, "This message is from the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit."  He wants everyone to know who's BOSS!

The Most Incredible Event In History!

This will be perhaps the most incredible time in the history of mankind! Jesus is coming to accomplish three very distinct things. 

1. Glory to Israel!   The first is found in 12:8 where He is going to bring glory to Jerusalem, to the nation of Israel, and to the Jewish people. 

2. Destroy the nations!  The second is in 12:9 where He will destroy the nations who have participated are coming against the nation of Israel who have the intent to destroy it permanently.

3. Prove He Is The Messiah!  The first time Jesus came, the leaders of Israel had Him crucified on a cruel cross!  Now, they will mourn and weep bitterly for how wrong they were!!  Jesus will be justified in the eyes of His people and they will be overcome with grief for what they did to Him!  Note what He says in 12:10-11, “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died. The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.

As we look at Zechariah 13, it speaks about the cleansing of sin and the removal of false prophets. It emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning to God for forgiveness. This chapter also mentions the striking of the Shepherd, which can be interpreted as a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

The final chapter of Zechariah describes the events in a few details of what will happen “on that day.”

1. The Lord will come with His armies and the saints who have died before this day and He will speak death to the armies that have come up against Him.

 "And the Lord will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. Their people will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away. Their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day they will be terrified, stricken by the Lord with great panic. They will fight their neighbors hand to hand. Judah, too, will be fighting at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the neighboring nations will be captured—great quantities of gold and silver and fine clothing. 15 This same plague will strike the horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the other animals in the enemy camps." (14:12-15)

 2. He'll also land on the Mount of Olives splitting it into two pieces allowing those in Jerusalem to slip away unharmed from the coming armies of the world!

 3. The sources of light (the sun and moon) will no longer shine!  Yet, there will be continuous daylight 24/7!  Jesus will become exactly who He said He was “the light of the world.”

 4. Life-giving waters will flow continuously out from Jerusalem all year long.

 5. Jesus will rule the Earth as King!  The whole world will finally fall on their face to worship Him! Everyone who’s ever lived will one day realize He is the God of the Universe!

 6. He will send a plague on the nations and anyone else who hated the Jews.  He says in Zechariah 14:16-17, "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, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters. Any nation in the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, will have no rain."

 What Inspiration Can We Draw From These Chapters?

From Zechariah 12-14, we can draw inspiration in several ways. Firstly, these chapters highlight the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises. Despite the challenges and hardships faced by the people of Israel, God assures them of His protection and restoration. This reminds us that even in our own lives, God remains faithful and will fulfill His promises to us.

Secondly, Zechariah 12-14 emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning back to God. The people of Israel are called to mourn and repent for their sins, and God promises to pour out His Spirit of grace and supplication on them. This serves as a reminder for us to examine our own lives and seek forgiveness for our sins, knowing that God is always ready to extend His grace and mercy to us.

Furthermore, Zechariah 12-14 speaks of the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. This brings hope and encouragement to believers, reminding us that Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies. It reminds us of the hope we have in Christ's second coming and the eternal life that awaits us.

Overall, Zechariah 12-14 inspires us to trust in God's faithfulness, seek repentance, and find hope in the coming of the Messiah. It encourages us to live with faith and anticipation for the fulfillment of God's promises in our own lives.