If anyone were to ever think that the Bible is a dull and dusty book, they have not read our Scripture passage for today. What we read today in our verses from the Prophet Zechariah about what will occur when the Lord Jesus returns to earth, is certainly not dull. We watch many movies and TV shows filled with action, yet they are just fiction, just stories. What Zechariah describes is just as action filled and exciting, however this is not fiction. It is something that will occur on the day Jesus returns to earth. Let’s look at this Scripture passage.
The Prophet Zechariah’s ministry was during the years after the Babylonian captivity, after the Jewish people returned to their homeland. He encouraged the people to remain faithful to God, and continue in the work of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. He taught that God is sovereign over the whole world, despite any appearance to the contrary. The book also contains many of the visions he had of the future, particularly of the coming Messiah, prophecies of both His first and His second coming. The prophecy in our passage today is one highlighting the day of Jesus the Messiah’s Second Coming.
As our Scripture opens, Zechariah describes an event that will occur on the day that Jesus returns to earth, at the tail end of the Tribulation. When He returns, He will come back to the Mount of Olives, which is just outside of Jerusalem, on the east side of the city. Jesus and His apostles were very familiar with that area, having traveled around it frequently. The village of Bethany, where His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, is on the southwestern side, and the Garden of Gethsemane is at the foot on the western side of the mountain, just outside of Jerusalem’s east side. And it was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11). When His feet touch the mount, it will split down the middle, the divide running from the east to the west, making a valley in the middle (vs. 4).
During the Great Tribulation, believers in the Lord Jesus will be terribly persecuted, with multitudes being martyred. This persecution will run right up to that last day when Jesus returns, and the split in the Mount of Olives will provide a route of escape for those persecuted believers who live in Jerusalem at the time (vs 5). Zechariah states that when Jesus returns, He will bring all of His saints with Him, resurrected believers who had either died or were raptured prior to this event.
Next the Prophet Zechariah describes how at this time, when the Lord returns to earth, there will not be the clear light that we know and observe from the sun, but neither will there be darkness like we have a night (vs. 6-7). We see something very similar described in the Book of Revelation, where in the City of God there is no need for the sun to provide light during the day, nor the moon to reflect light at night, for the Lord God gives the light (Revelation 21:23; 22:5). The Lord’s reign is one of divine nature, and will transcend natural laws and human understanding.
Another event that will occur at this time is that a river of living water will begin to flow out of Jerusalem (vs. 8). This river will flow in two directions. Half will flow towards the east, to the “Eastern Sea” which refers to the Dead Sea, east of Jerusalem. The other half will flow towards the west, towards the “Western Sea”, which is the Mediterranean Sea. The Dead Sea will no longer be undrinkable and unpalatable, as the life-giving water from the Lord will flow into it. This river symbolizes the life-giving and purifying presence of the Lord, and will flow year-round.
In verse 9 we read of the beginning of the reign of the Lord Jesus on earth. He is king over all the earth, One Lord and One Name. This fulfills the promise of His eternal kingdom (Revelation 11:15).
In closing, we see a preview in this prophecy of Zechariah’s of the events right at the time of Jesus’ return to earth. We can know the promise of God’s protection and provisions during the time of the Tribulation, and during any time of trial in our life. At that time, and in all times we need to embrace the divine light of Jesus Christ, living in His truth and guidance, and we can have the spiritual nourishment and blessings that flow like living water from a relationship with Jesus. Are you ready for His return, and are you living in anticipation of that day?
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