Zechariah 14- Verse by Verse Commentary

 Zechariah 14- Verse by Verse Commentary

NOTE 1: The RSV and Douay-Rheims translation were used because it fits the context of Isaiah 3-4 (specifically 3:5). The other translations seem inconsistent and cause tons of confusion to the events of 70AD.

Verse 1-2- These are the events of Revelation 17. Nations=7+1 Heads and 10 Horns (Roman Emperors and Judean Provisional Governors). Jerusalem is the Whore of Babylon. Zechariah 12 focused more on the Elect from Jerusalem. Zechariah 14 focuses more on the non-elect. The Non-elect were exiled under the Roman’s authority or scattered away from the city while the Elect escaped safely.

NOTE 2: The Nations consisted of Rome and Israel married (Daniel 2:43), the two becoming one. When judgment occurs on the Nations, Apostate Israel is the one destroyed. The Romans continue to rule for many years. This is why we see the Nations destroyed and surviving at the same time.

Verse 3-The Lord fought their battle by having both the Romans and Jews fight each other. See Revelation 17:14-18, 19:11-21.

Verse 4-The Lord will create an escape for the 144,000 Diaspora in order to build His New Covenant Kingdom (See Zechariah 8:7, Matthew 8:11, and Luke 13:29).

·        This is common imagery used in making the high places low and melting the mountains. It is a spiritual-geographical renovation for God’s Kingdom. See Micah 1:3-4, Zechariah 4:7, Isaiah 2:2 40:1-5, 42:16, 45:2, 49:11, 64:1-2, Joel 2:32, Judges 5:5, and Jeremiah 31:38-40.

·        Alternatively, the splitting of the rock resembles Moses striking the rock in the wilderness. See Isaiah 48:21, 1 Corinthians 10:3-4, Exodus 17:6, Numbers 20:11, Deuteronomy 8:15, Psalm 74:15, Psalm 78:20, Psalm 105:41, and Psalm 114:7-8.

·        The reason for the location- Mount of Olives- was that God’s glory was residing there since the captivity. See Ezekiel 8-10. This is why Jesus was constantly visiting the Mount of Olives during His ministry, to be closer to the Father. God’s glory was going to move out throughout the world in a global manner. Not just Jerusalem.

Verse 5- Azal means to flee or go. It may or may not be a literal place or earth quake (Roman Army troops). However, the symbolic word play reinforces the urgency of escape for God’s Elect. The Holy Ones can be the angels or the 144,000 (See Deuteronomy 33:2). The angels did bring plagues and it is true that the Lord used angels to lead the 144,000 like Lot’s family and Moses out of danger (Revelation 14-15). A 3rd view can be the Armies of Heaven in Revelation 19:11-21.

Verse 6-7-These are the events of Matthew 24:29-35. It talks about a unique day of darkness, light, and confusion. The light may be referring to the events of Roman 13:12.

Verse 8-The Spirit-indwelled Diaspora is taking the gospel with them around the world. See Ezekiel 47:1 and Revelation 22:1-5.

Verse 9-This parallels Obadiah 1:21 and Ephesians 1:22-23. Similar phrasing is found in 1 Corinthians 15:26-28.  I believe this passage is alluding to the 70AD victory over spiritual death and the establishment of the Father & Son rulership.

Verse 10-11: This is spiritual-geographic renovation imagery. The Church will be in a place of prominence all over the world. Things will progressively get better for the Church. See Jeremiah 31:38-40 and Zechariah 2:1-13.

Verse 12-The Jews and Romans will pay for persecuting Christians.  See Zechariah 12:3-4. Both Jews and Romans experienced judgment between 66 AD-70AD. In addition to civil wars, many people experienced disease/illness due to numerous corpses being un-buried throughout the land. Interestingly, but not related to the 70AD context, the Romans did experience these things in a more literal way due to the volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii in 79AD.

Verse 13-14. These are the events of Isaiah 3:5-4:1-6. This is the Zealots (poor) fighting against the Rich Jews who allied with Rome or the literal city of Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:2-4. The wealth of the surrounding nations is mentioned in Revelation 18:11-12, 15, and 19.

Verse 15-These are judgments of Revelation on the Apostate Jews. All their possessions were devoted to destruction like Achan was in Joshua 7:24-26. Also, compare this verse with Zechariah 12:4-5. A remnant of Judah will be saved, which is a figurative description of the 144,000 Diaspora or even some Jews got saved later on after 70AD.

Verse 16- The survivors (the Gentile elect) of the nations come to gather like the Old Covenant Jews for the Feast of Booths. The New Covenant includes Elect Jews too. The description helps the reader to see how the Gentiles have been grafted into Israel. See Isaiah 4:2, 10:20, 37:31, Revelation 19:15. Also see John 7:1-23, and 37-39. This is not a literal celebration of the Feast of Booths. By worshiping and following Christ, we are honoring the Feast of Booths. In the 1st Century, Christ fulfilled all the Jewish Holidays in 70AD. Pentecost was fulfilled in Acts 2. The Feast of Trumpets was fulfilled as the 7 Trumpet judgments, and the Day of Atonement was fulfilled in 70AD-Jerusalem’s destruction. The last holiday remaining was the Feast of Booths. It represents the in-gathering of God’s people. Jesus said he will “tabernacle”/dwell his people in John 1:14 and Revelation 21:3.

Verse 17-19- Those who do not honor Christ, placed themselves in a position of judgment. They are not the true people of God. They will not receive any blessings. Rain was an old covenant blessing since life and death depended if your crops were watered. See Joel 2:23.

Verse 20-21-During the Church age, the Millennium, all believers will be Holy. The Wicked will slowly die out and be extinct as time passes by. Heaven will merge with the Earth. Christians are the New Creation. The whole Earth will be a Holy of Holies for fellowship with God. No more limitations. See Joel 3:17, Ezekiel 44:9, Isaiah 4:3, 52:1, Jeremiah 31:38-40, Obadiah 1:17, Nahum 1:15, and Revelation 21:27.




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