THE END OF THIS AGE

After a remnant of the people had returned from Babylon, the Lord told Zechariah what the end of this age would be like. (Zech. 12-14) It will be the time of Israel’s national repentance and deliverance. All the nations will be enraged over Jerusalem, and send their armies against her. "Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it...." Zech.12:2-3

This will be a time of great difficulty for all Israel, but God Himself will fight against those armies to destroy them. At the same time, He will open the eyes of all Israel to see and know Him. " ‘And it will come about in that day that I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born.’ " (Zech.12:2-3,9-10)

The ancient rabbis understood these verses to be speaking of Messiah. cf.Sukkah 52a So did the writers of the gospels. cf. Mt.24:30-31; Jn.19:37;

Rev.1:7 [See Can the Messiah Die?]

Messiah comes to deliver his city, his land, and his people. "On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem..." Zech. 14:4 He will descend from heaven to the Mount of Olives to fight for the Jewish people, and pour out his wrath on the nations which do not know God. It was from the Mount of Olives that Yeshua ascended into heaven.

He returns to bring to Israel "salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear."

(Lk.1:71-74) That is what was prophesied. He will rule from David's throne in Jerusalem over all Israel and all the nations.

Next: The Judgment of the Nations

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