Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ZECHARIAH - CHAPTER 14

Events At Return of the Lord In Glory

Verses 1-3:

Armageddon

Verse 1 announces "The day of the Lord," a day of vengeance, in which the Lord will vindicate his justice by punishing the wicked, then save His elect people, to magnify His glory, Joel 2:31; Joel 3:14; Malachi 4:1; Malachi 4:5. See also Isaiah 2:10-22; Revelation 19:11-21. Their spoil will be seized and divided in their presence by the foe, in the midst of the city, not outside the camp. They got it by deceit and greed and were to lose it in Divine judgment, Galatians 6:7-8.

Verse 2 foretells that the Lord will, by permissive will, gather all nations against Jerusalem (the city of peace) to do battle. The half of the city shall be taken, their houses rifled, (or looted) and their women raped and humiliated, Isaiah 13:16; And half of the inhabitants of the city shall go forth as captive slaves, or chattel, salable property, of the Gentile foe. And a residue of those remaining in the city shall not be cut off, uprooted, or taken away from Jerusalem, but left to perish.

Verse 3 prophesies that then, at that point, the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, or come down from heaven, in power and great glory, and fight against those nations, as in days of old, Exodus 14:14; Exodus 15:3, terminating the battle of Armageddon, v. 1-5; Matthew 24:27-28; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:11-21.

The Visible Return Of Christ In Glory

Verses 4-7:

Physical Changes To Be In Palestine

Verse 4 announces that the feet of the Lord, the body of that same Jesus who went away, Acts 1:9-11, shall stand on the mount of Olives, from which He ascended into heaven, the mount which is east of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 11:13; Ezekiel 43:2. The mount will then cleave or open in the midst, with an earthquake; Extending or prolonging the valley of Jehosaphat, scene of the battle, extending from the west side of Jerusalem to the Jordan River to the east, Joel 3:2; Joel 3:12; Joel 3:14. Half the mount of Olives will be forced south and half north in the fissure of the earth, Psalms 68:8; Nahum 1:5. He shall come from the east, the due source of light, as the lightning cometh out of the east, so shall He come out of the east, Matthew 24:27. As He made His triumphal march into Jerusalem, to suffer agony from the east, so shall He come in His power and great glory, Matthew 21:1-10; Ezekiel 11:23; Ezekiel 43:2. It will be an escape route for the people.

Verse 5 instructs the remnant that they shall flee to the valley, or through the valley of the mountains, Zion and Moriah, which shall reach to Azai, 2 Samuel 2:29. This is the way of escape the Lord shall, prepare for the remnant of Jerusalem in that day of battle. The name Azai is the name of a place near a gate east of the city, at which point Jerusalem’s remnant could enter the valley for escape. They of the remnant are told that they shall flee, run for their lives, as they ran from an earthquake in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, mentioned Amos 1:1; Isaiah 6:1. Zechariah then announces that the "Lord my God" will come, and all the saints with Him, and Holy angels, Joel 3:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Luke 21:28; Isaiah 25:9; With holy angels escorting the King of glory to His throne in Jerusalem, Matthew 24:30-31; Judges 1:14; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Deuteronomy 33:2-3; Acts 7:23; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2.

Verse 6 announces that in that day it shall come to be that the light shall be neither clear nor dark, or different degree of light and darkness, in different places, as it is today. The idea is that all shall neither be sorrow nor gladness in the hour of the dying battle of Armageddon, but a mingling of the two, Job 31:26. The sun, moon, and stars then become blood, lose their brightness, Matthew 24:29.

Verse 7 concludes that it (the condition) shall be one day, a different day, a unique day from all former days, known to the Lord, neither normal day nor normal night, but one continual day, when the sun and moon have burned away, Song of Solomon 6:9; Jeremiah 30:7; It is the dawning of the new millennial day, Revelation 20:3-7. Since it is known only to the Lord, man’s curiosity should not be stirred too much in speculation about it, Matthew 24:36. The full light of the glory hour descends only after the Lord Jesus sits down upon David’s throne, Psalms 9; Psalms 11; Psalms 112:4; Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 60:19-20.

The River From The Sanctuary

Verse 8:

Verse 8 prophesies that rivers or abundance of "living", pure, or unpolluted waters shall flow in abundance for all, out of and away from Jerusalem, flowing into the former (eastern or dead sea), and into the hinder (western or Mediterranean sea), signifying grace and plenty from the Lord, Psalms 97:11; Psalms 112:4; Isaiah 30:25; Isaiah 60:19-20. The purpose of the waters seems to be much as that of the rivers that flowed from Eden in her paradise glory, Genesis 2:10-14.

Davidic Kingdom Restored For A Millennium

Verses 9-15:

The Reign Of The Messiah, As Long Promised

Verse 9 declares that the Lord (Jehovah) will come to His throne, as King, ruler, and creator of all the earth, reigning over His property, fully restoring its order to that of its glory in Eden, before the fall of man, Isaiah 55; Isaiah 5; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15; Luke 1:32; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 1 Corinthians 15:28. Though gods many and lords many and idols many, that have been there shall be or exist no more; But one Lord shall be in that day, and forever thereafter, 1 Corinthians 8:6-8; Ephesians 4:3-6; John 17:21; John 17:23. The Lord shall then deliver up His mediatorial kingdom to the Father, when its purpose has been accomplished, "that God shall be all in all," as the earth speaks a pure language, one without defilement, Zephaniah 3:9; 1 Corinthians 15:24.

Verse 10 prophesies that all the mountains surrounding Jerusalem on the south, from Geba to Rimmon, shall be leveled to a plain, leaving Jerusalem elevated or exalted, in view of all who approached her from any direction. Her grandeur and awe of former days will be restored, Micah 4:1. From Benjamin’s gate to the first gate, and to the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel to the king’s winepresses will be inhabited by citizens in what is described as "lifted up" places, perhaps hi-rise, condominium places of residence, Nehemiah 3:1; Jeremiah 31:38.

Verse 11 pledges that men shall then dwell securely within Jerusalem, with no more fear of destruction, no more fear of attack or captivity, Isaiah 65:15. For the city shall then be truly the Holy City, Jeremiah 31:40. There one day shall be no more curse, for there shall be no more sin, Revelation 22:3; Malachi 4:6. The millennial brings long life, peace, honor, and prosperity over all the earth, Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 54:14; Isaiah 60:18; ch. 65; Romans 8:21.

Verse 12 describes a plague which the Lord shall send upon all who have fought against Jerusalem; Three things come from the plague: 1) Their flesh shall putrefy, as the enemy stands upon his feet; 2) Their eyesight shall be lost, leaving holes or sunken sockets, as if eaten by leprosy, and 3) Their tongue shall also be eaten away. This is a stroke of judgment, of living death, a corruption that is ghastly, gruesome, corresponding with the obstinate enmity of those who had opposed Jerusalem, the holy city, apparently under siege by the anti-christ, Galatians 6:8; Isaiah 59:18; Ezekiel 37; Revelation 19; See also Isaiah 66:24; Revelation 19:17-21. This is a festering, loathing, putrid, yet just judgment.

Verse 13 declares that there shall be a great tumult or confusion among those who oppose Jerusalem; The cause of the consternation shall come from the Lord, Zechariah 12:4; 1 Samuel 14:15; 1 Samuel 14:20. The panic and civil discord over the putrid corruption plague shall cause one to turn destructively upon his neighbor, and his own brother, as he carnally seeks personal survival, Ezekiel 38:21; James 3:15-16. See also Judges 7:22; 1 Samuel 14:20; Revelation 17:12; Revelation 17:17.

Verse 14 announces that Judah, the covenant people, also shall fight at Jerusalem, against the foe, Gathered to support the heathen nations, embattled against Jerusalem, will be gathered together an abundance of gold, silver, and apparel, which Judah captures from them, as returned booty from when nations had formerly seized and carried it away, Ezekiel 39:10; Ezekiel 39:17.

Verse 15 explains that this plague of Divine judgment retribution shall be extended upon the horse, the mule, the camel, the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be kept in the tents of the Gentiles encamped against Jerusalem. It is said that much of this event fell on Antiochus Epiphanes at Jerusalem, I Macc. 13;49; 1 Maccabees 9:5.

The Worship And Spiritual Nature Of The Reign

Verses 16-21:

Verse 16 declares that every person left alive after these plagues shall go up to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, year after year, Isaiah 66:19; Isaiah 66:23. They shall join the Jews in solemn commemoration of their days of wandering, in observing the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Passover, Pentecost, and Lord’s Supper observance will be no more, Revelation 7:9; Revelation 21:3; Nehemiah 8:15; Nehemiah 8:17; 2 Corinthians 5:1.

Verse 17 foretells that no rain shall fall upon any family that does not (of his own accord) go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts in that day. This suggests calamities shall fall upon family, field, and all the beasts, bringing famine and pestilence wherever families are derelict to worship the Lord in that hour. Rain is a symbol of God’s favor, Hosea 6:3. There shall be unconverted men among the Gentiles, through all the Millennial era, who shall join Gog and Magog to oppose God in battle at the end; Though they. like Satan and his angels, will be restrained during the thousand years, Revelation 20:7-9. Note also that the Gentiles will come up to Jerusalem in this era rather than the Jews and the church going out as missionaries, Isaiah 2:2; Micah 5:7.

Verse 18 asserts that Egypt, Israel’s ancient foe, too shall be victim of the flesh consuming plague, and receive no rain, but famine, pestilence, and hunger, if they go not up to Jerusalem to worship. in that precious day of the Lord, Psalms 105:32.

Verse 19 reaffirms that "this," "this kind" of curse shall be upon both Egypt and every nation or race that refuses to go up to Jerusalem, voluntarily, to keep the feast of tabernacles, Numbers 22:23.

Verse 20 states that in that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses’ necks, "Holiness to the Lord," the same inscription found on the golden place or the mitre of the high priest, Exodus 28:36. Even the pots for bearing ashes in the Lord’s house shall then be "holy," as the bowls before the altar that caught the blood of the sacrificed lamb, Zechariah 9:15; 1 Samuel 2:14. All then devoted to God will be considered holy; nothing profane; See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ro 12:1-2.

Verse 21 asserts that all utensils of the temple, and in homes in the land, would be considered holy in that day, as holy as sacrificial utensils in ancient days. All Jerusalem, Judea, and those who worship there, may or do so as holy ones in their feasting and worship. No more Canaanite or godless people shall then exist in the house, or order of worship of the Lord; Only the righteous will be admitted; Hallelujah! What a day! Isaiah 35:8; Joel 3:17; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:15; Ephesians 2:19-22.