The Day of the Lord – The Last Great Battle

Zech. 14

The Jews are in real trouble. Throughout the Middle East there is turmoil and unrest. Many are kill the Jews and their western allies. The Arab Spring is moving into its winter period. Hamas, Hezbollah are gaining power and influence in Islamic nations. The preparation for the “BOMB” for Iran is an imminent reality. When this occurs the other nation s such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey etc will want the same to protect themselves. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expects a war before 4^th November when the election for president is under way in the USA. Hezbollah seeks to have control of Lebanon. Iran’s rulers are executing dissidents daily, developing nuclear weapons, and sending warships through Suez. The response of the United Nations to these many threats to global peace and security? Condemn Israel! Is there anything else the U.N. does as often or as well? The nations are lining up against Israel.

The Nations Will Gather Around Israel

The end of chapter 13 spoke of the destruction of two thirds of the people and the preservation and purification of the remaining one third.

Vs 1-2 “The Day of the Lord” is Gods day when he puts in motion the final events of history. It begins at the rapture and ends when the millennium comes in. It includes the Tribulation and judgment upon nation on earth and the establishment of the reign of Christ in His Kingdom on earth for a thousand years and His victory over Satan.

Vs 1 There will be a Jewish nation centred about Jerusalem in the last days. The modern state of Israel is remarkable. The Jews had been scattered by the Romans in the first century and a few remained and it seemed unlikely they would return to their homeland. Israel is a miracle state. Before World War II people laughed at the idea of a re-gathering of the Jews back to a land of their own. They mocked Christians who believed it. They did not believe in their restoration or that they would be politically independent. Today the world and President Obama in particular, is trying to interfere with Gods plan. He will not have it God will judge those who oppose it.
Vs 1, “Thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of the thee.” The enemies will come into Jerusalem and conquer it then divide the spoil.
Vs 2 “I will gather all the nations (world leaders)…” They will gather to do battle there. The main location is Har-Magedon (Armageddon), a reference to the ancient city of Megiddo built on a hill and located in northern Israel. In the last days a large number of nations will be gathered together against Israel. The confederacy mentioned in Ezekiel 38 includes the Russian nations and some Arab confederacy. There will also be the armies from the south, the armies from the west, the revived Roman Empire, the armies of the east, China and her allies, and all of this converging on the land of Israel.
Vs 2, “And the city shall be taken and the houses rifled and the women raped and half the city shall go forth into captivity.” This is “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” or the great tribulation Jeremiah 30:5-7. Zechariah said in chapter 12 that two out of three would die of the whole nation. The international powers will put pressure on her. The conditions of Zechariah 14 seems to be literally being fulfilled before our very eyes. There will be an invasion that will end in a great battle, the Battle of Armageddon (see also Ezk. 38-39; Dan. 11). The kings of the earth will unite against God’s people, but God intervenes and they are soundly defeated. Gods victory is followed by a golden age. They are the believing remnant. Half out of the city of Jerusalem.

This last great battle will be the end of the godless World Government and ushers in the 1000 years reign of Jesus Christ.

The city of Jerusalem is captured and God Himself fights against the world’s armies and destroys them.

The Lord Will come to Fight for His People

Vs 3 “Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he did in the days of battle. He will personally intervene at the second coming to fight against the gathered nations. The spoil is being divided in the city. Half of the people remain. And all of a sudden the Lord arrives to fight.

The King is Coming

Vs 4 “ On that day his feet shall stand upon the mount of olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives shall split in two.” Jesus shall literally return to the Mount of Olives, just as the angels announced (cf. Acts 1:11). There will be a great earthquake and the Mount is going to split in the middle forming a new valley. This supernatural cosmic earthquake occurs when the feet of Jesus Christ hit the Mount of Olives. A new underground water resources will be tapped forming a large new river. Half the river will flow to the Mediterranean the other half to Dead Sea. The Waters of Dead Sea are healed. The East Gate will be opened and He will enter Jerusalem by the way of the East Gate. When Jesus came the first time He entered Jerusalem publicly for the last time, he fulfilled the prophesy of Zech. 9:9. In John 12:15 he quotes part of Zech. 9:9 and says, “His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him.” After the resurrection of Jesus and his Ascension to the Father in heaven, a lot of things began to fall into place about what Jesus had really meant by the things he did and said. John says this donkey act simply went over their heads. But later the passage in Zech. 9:9 came to life for them and had great personal significance when they realized that they had witnessed its actual fulfillment in the life of Jesus. The donkey symbolized peace. In the second coming He comes on a whit stallion, a horse symbolized war.

We are told of a mighty earthquake in the final judgment at Armageddon, this is the same time period exactly Revelation 16:18. And it says at this time there were voices and thunders and lightnings and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were on the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great.

Jesus comes in battle regalia to win a battle and to judge the ungodly. Revelation 19:11-20

The Valley of Decision

Vs 5 “Then they (the nations) shall flee into My valley.” This is the valley of Decision Joel mentions (Joel 3:12-14). “the earthquake.” This earthquake is also mentioned in Amos 1:1, and must have been a terrible catastrophe, to be remembered so long—approximately three hundred years by the time of Zechariah. Geologists have generally confirmed this.

the saints with thee. The Lord will come and all the saints with You (Him)”. Jude 14 says, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints.” When the Lord Jesus, the Messiah returns at this time, He will be accompanied by a host of “saints” (or “holy ones”). These will include both angels and redeemed men and women in their resurrection bodies (2 Thessalonians 1:7, I Thessalonians 3:13; 4:16-17; Revelation 19:7-14).

Blessing of the Lamb

Following the great battle the Lord brings in a golden age there will be

Light (vs 6-7) “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.” When Jesus comes, all of the stars and the suns of heaven are going to go out. The heaven is going to just be black, all the lights are going to go out. (Isa, 13:9; Isaiah 24, Joel 3, Matthew 24 and Revelation 6:12 all confirm it. At that moment Israel is going to turn and look and see him in His blazing glory.

that day. The phrase “in that day” refers to “the day of the LORD,” the period when God is judging and cleansing the earth and its inhabitants. It occurs twenty-one times in the book of Zechariah—first in Zechariah 2:11, last in 14:21. Heaven is described as being filled with light (Rev. 21:23-24; 22:5).

God is majestic and magnificent. God overrules nature. In nature after evening time there comes night. The sun sets and goes down. But even nature obeys God, he goes beyond the laws of nature, beyond reason and shed light upon darkness .” We know that in nature the very same law that rules the atom, governs also the starry orbs. His Word gives us insight into something of His greatness and penetrates our hearts and minds. He is absolute light , He never gets confused, He is crystal clear in His thinking, He never gets ill, He is in perfect health, or grow old, He does not worry about aging or anything else. He sees everything and knows everything before it even happens. He is ever taken by surprise even about what you do. God sees the end from the beginning, and works out his ordained purpose. He is in control of history. He wrote the book down to the last chapter and verse.

At the present hour the world is in a state of confusion and our country is in such a bad condition it causes anxiety.

The false prophets of the day tell us it is not a time of crisis and predict peace, security and prosperity. We are living in perilous times. We are in a fight against the prince o f darkness and the evil in this world but there is a day of light coming, “At evening time it shall be light.” Even now it is “one day” which is known to the Lord. He lights up the sun, he lights up the heavens, He shines into the hearts of those who put their trust in Him. His Son Jesus came as the light of the world.

God promised to bring light into his temple, to be a light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of his people Israel. He did not leave the world in darkness.

You and I were in thick darkness when He came and illuminated us. When darkness veiled your mind, you looked to Christ, and were lightened with the true light. He came to you in the darkest hour and lightened up your life.

He will come to Israel in her darkest hour, in her time of great trouble. He will lift the gloom and darkness. He will bring them great light. He who wants to see the stars must watch in the nigh time. He will come to you in your darkest hour, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Not a sparrow falls on the ground without your Father knowing it.

Commit your way unto God and he will bring it to pass. Have simple, child-like faith, taking counsel at the Scriptures, and seeking guidance in prayer.

He will bring you through your anxieties. Cast all your care upon Him for he careth for you. Bring your pressures to him and don’t panic. Let your trials strengthen your faith. When you are downhearted look up and see the lights in the heavens and know that he will be with you in times of trouble and heartache.

Is there anyone troubled in their soul today, are you vexed with doubts, and fears? Is your soul in conflict? Are you in despair and sinking into a horrible state? You feel everything seems out of control. There is light for you He will give you light when it dark and gloomy. There is hope. When you go through the waters I will be with you”. You must get in the water to learn how to swim. Don’t lose heart, don’t give up, don’t go by appearances we do not walk by sight but walk by faith. Don’t listen to the voices of the enemy. The Lord says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

When the enemy comes in like a flood God will raise up a standard against him. Jesus will never lose one of his sheep, you are secure in him. No matter what happens he will give you light. Look for the city where there is no sun but the presence of the Lamb is the light of it.

His sun never goes down. His light is poured down upon you. The brightness of the glory of Christ the Lamb in the midst of the throne!

The history of the world has been one of darkness and the only light we see is what God gave. Vs 7 “at evening time it shall be light.” The nations of the earth are in thick darkness. They cannot see their way. But a day is coming when, “At evening time it shall be light.”

The nations are in darkness they have no room for Jesus who alone can give light. But one day Jesus Christ will be acknowledged King of Kings and Lord of Lords over this whole world, in every place his name will be famous. To him every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Do not be troubled by false prophets, by well-meaning politicians, the Lord is coming as “a thief in the night.” All flesh shall see Him. There will be no doubt, no agnosticism, no atheism then.

The glory of God will be revealed. Don’t give up, don’t give in, don’t surrender, fight

Then would she be “clear as the moon, fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” “At evening time it shall be light.”

Water (vs 8). Water will flow forth abundantly from Jerusalem in this semi-arid land and not dry up summer and winter. This happens when the mountain splits (vs 4-5) and levels other portions of land (vs 10). A literal river will flow forth from Jerusalem. ( Ezk. 47:1; 1-12).

living waters. Emerging from beneath Jerusalem, will be running, flowing, rushing, bubbling water,” not stagnant water and released by the earthquake, two great rivers will flow, one to the Dead Sea, one to the Mediterranean. He’ll just split that rock Moriah and send that thing going both directions. Read Ezekiel 47:1-12. There were similar rivers in Eden, flowing out from God, and there will also be such in the New Jerusalem (Genesis 2:10-14; Revelation 22:1-2). All of these are literal models of the great spiritual prototype, the living water from Christ Himself (Isaiah 44:3; John 4:14; 7:37-39; Revelation 22:17).

Vs 9 “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord and His name one.” At His first coming He was despised and rejected. The Messiah was cut off without receiving the kingdom. He was known then as “Yashua.” At second coming, “Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess.” As He restores the earth, you will see the earth as God intended.

As He reigns you will see men living together as He intended. Now his kingdom is come on earth as it is in heaven. His kingdom is spiritual now, in the hearts of the believers, where men and women respond to the message of the gospel. Satan was the prince of this world but Jesus will reign on earth and set up his kingdom. When Christ has “destroyed all dominion, authority and power” (1 cor. 15:24). The Lord will be king over the whole earth.

“In that day one ” in one unique day like no other day, “which shall be known to the Lord, only He can know all that it involves, it won’t be day and it won’t be night, it will come to pass that at evening time it will be light.” The whole of nature is just going to go affected, night and day is going to be end at that point. All the stars fall, the suns and the moons are all go when Christ comes. God’s kingdom of light and life replaces Satan’s kingdom of earth and darkness.

one LORD. No more will Satan lord it over men or men dictate over other men. God will tolerate it no longer. He is the One Lord and Creator. All will know and obey the one God, our Creator/Saviour, through Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11; Ephesians 1:21).

He will cause his people to leap for joy. Children will sing hosanna. Old men will dream dreams. Slave girls will prophesy. The blind see. The lame walk. The deaf hear. The lepers are cleansed. The poor have good news preached to them. There will be beautiful fellowship and communion. No sinful or evil thing will enter into this utopia. It will be a glorious kingdom with a wonderful King, God ruling over all.

Jerusalem will Safely be Inhabited The Land Blessed

verse 10, “…the land shall be turned like the Arabah.” Or “All the land shall be turned into a plain…” with the focus on Jerusalem the prominent royal city containing the temple of God and the Throne of Jesus Christ (Ezk. 40-48). An entire new terrain of flat land appears from Geba–which is way in the north, to Rimmon Jerusalem will be lifted up as a holy mountain. (Isa. 65:17-19, 24-25). Isaiah shows that the outward changes in the land will be symbolic will also be true spiritually. Evil will be eliminated from the city. God will be with his people, and salvation will flow like a stream from Zion. Arabah is the deepest valley in the world. It runs from way south of the Dead Sea, it is the lowest longest flattest valley in the world. That area around Jerusalem is going to be flattened and lowered to be made like that valley so that Jerusalem will literally stick up like a beautiful mountain. God is going to rebuild that city and He gives the dimensions here. And on that flat plateau will exist the throne of Jesus Christ.

No More Destruction in Jerusalem

Vs 11, “And men shall dwell in it and there shall be no more utter destruction but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.” No more destruction. No more curse. No more evil worship. The King has come to change it all. O what a glorious day.

Judgment of the Nations Who Reject the King

Vs 12-15 Gods judgement is upon unbelieving nations is described. God will send a supernatural plague that will send panic . It will even affect their animals. This plague will smite the people will cause their flesh to consume away while they stand on their feet and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets and their tongues shall consume away in their mouth. “But it will come to pass in that day that a great tumult from the Lord,” there will be great confusion as they grasp the hands of their neighbours. Those who are not instantly hit with the plague are going to find themselves killing each other in terrible confusion, attacking and slaughtering each other. God at this point will withdraw life so fast and so complete that they will rot and become skeletons before they’re able to even fall to the ground. Judah will receive a super human strength to fight at Jerusalem and win.

The Nations that Worship the King and the feast of Tabernacles

Vs 16 …”It shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations,” this is going to be the believing remnant out of the nations. There will be believing Gentiles of Revelation 7 who have come to Christ. These people from the nations will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of host, and keep the feast of tabernacles. God comes down and His glory again tabernacles with His people and so they celebrate that feast again. Annually the people of the world are going to come to keep the feast.

Vs 17 “And it shall be that whoever will not come of all the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of host, even upon them shall be no rain.” There will be disaster for those who do not come. A converted remnant of Gentiles will go into the Millennium kingdom. God’s blessing will be upon those nations that learn righteousness and pay homage to God, they worship the king. There will be great celebrations and joy, wonderful festivities. But because they have not a redeemed body and still have an old sin nature many over the 1000 years will reject the King.

Many hearts will remain unchanged and God will bring judgments upon them. Those who obey will participate with Israel in the material and spiritual blessings. They will have no train as a punishment.

Holiness to the Lord

vs 20 “In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.” In the Old Testament the High priest went into the holiest of Holies with bells, while they rang it showed he had not been killed by the holy presence of the Lord, these were gospel, good news bells. The horses were unclean under the Jewish law yet, in the day spoken of, the horses themselves shall be purged from commonness or uncleanness, and their harness shall be dedicated to God just like the vestments of the High Priest himself. It will be a happy day. Just as the High Priest upon his brow the Hebrew letters in gold.
The angels sang at creation, they sang when Christ was born. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men, It was a glorious resurrection morning when He arose, it was a wonderful day when he poured out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, there have been glorious days of revival in church history. There will be a day when the sky thrill with rapture when he returns for his own. And there is a day coming when the bells will be heard around the world. A day when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. There is the day, when Israel shall be restored to its own land. There is specially the day of the Second Advent, that day of days for Israel and the world, when the fullness of time shall come, and Christ in the fullness of his glory shall reign among the sons of men.

The day shall come when in common life holiness shall be the ordinary actions of humans who will worship God. Everything will be consecrated to Him. It shall not be a war horse for there will be no more wars. Bells mean music. There will be great praise and much music in that day. The very common thing will cause us to want to sing.