February 18, 2024 | Dr. Gary Hylander
Passage: Zechariah 14:1-7
Jerusalem has been a central battleground throughout the centuries. In AD 70, Roman armies surrounded the city, and after a 143-day siege, Jerusalem with its temple was destroyed. After the Holocaust, Israel reestablished statehood in 1948, only to be thrust into an intense 10-month war. The years 1956, 1967 (the famous 6-Day War), and 1973(the Yom Kippur War) provide recent examples of a nation under siege, with Jerusalem as the epicenter.
Zechariah 14 introduces us to the climactic, final battle in history. No prior battle compares to this siege. What distinguishes this war (referred to as the Battle of Armageddon) is that Jesus Christ will return, descending upon the Mount of Olives (14:4). This is the same setting from which our Lord ascended into Heaven at the end of his earthly ministry (Acts 1:11). Let’s examine these verses carefully, as we ponder the trajectory of the rising anti-semitism prevalent in these days.
As We Consider The Final Battle In History, Note…
- The Conflict Described By God. (1-3)
- The Conqueror Sent By God. (4-7)
Series Information
Zechariah, whose name means Yahweh remembers, served as both prophet and priest during the post-exilic times. His ministry began around 520 B.C., coinciding with the work of Haggai. The book of Zechariah can be easily divided into two parts. Chapters 1-8 were most likely written at the start of Zechariah’s ministry, at about the age of 30. Chapters 9-14 were composed during the latter years of Zechariah’s life.
Chapters 9-14 are organized around the phrase the oracle of the word of the Lord, found in both 9:1 and 12:1. The word oracle needs to be understood as a burden that was placed upon Zechariah’s heart by God and now is being communicated to God’s people. Over the coming weeks, we will focus our attention upon the second burden, which pertains to the return of our Lord during Israel’s final conflict. Look for phrases and terms such as On that day and Jerusalem as we explore chapters 12 through 14 together.
