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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