Israel’s Future Conflict

Zech. 12

Summary: Zechariah 12 presents a vivid prophetic picture of Jerusalem's significance in God's redemptive plan, characterized by divine protection, mourning for sin, and the promise of restoration through grace.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to recognize the importance of repentance and the power of God's grace in healing our hearts. It can help believers understand that just as Israel is called to a moment of reflection and renewal, we too are invited to turn to God for forgiveness and restoration.

Big Idea: God's Spirit invites us to turn from our sins and seek His grace for renewal and restoration, as demonstrated in His promises to Israel.

In chapters 12-14, Zechariah describes the Gentile nations attacking Jerusalem, the Jews experiencing severe trials (the time of Jacob’s trouble), and then the Lord returning in power and great glory to deliver His people and establish the promised Kingdom.

In these three chapters you will note the repetition “in that day” 16 times, “that day” is the day of the Lord, the day of wrath and judgment that the prophets wrote Joel 3:9-16; Zeph 1, and Jesus described in Matthew 23:4-31

1. The Lord will protect Jerusalem

Zechariah 12:1-9

Jerusalem is mentioned 52 times in the book of Zechariah and twenty-two of these are found in the final three chapters. God is jealous for Jerusalem and Zion with a great jealousy 1;14. god has a yearning heart of a loving Father of His firstborn.

A . Jerusalem will be attacked

vv. 1-3

1. God remind us He is sovereign and all powerful.

2. If you look up, you see the heavens, you look down you see the earth He created, and you look within, and you find man that He made.

3. He cares for us and is in great power.

4. All nations will attack as the who armies which is the battle of Armageddon.

5. Three forces to gather them: 1. nations agree to cooperate in their fight against God, 2. Satan uses demonic powers to influence the nations to gather Rev. 16, and 3. The Lord exercises His sovereign power in gathering them Zech. 14:2

6. He describes in that day using a cup and a stone-a cup is familiar image of judgement and the nations drink up Jerusalem like you drink a cup.

7. The enemies will enter the city, loot it, and take half of the inhabitants captive. But their hope to be victorious will be hopeless.

B. The Lord will appear vv. 3-7

1. Our Lord will ascend to the Mount of Olives Acts 1:9-12 and when He returns to earth, he will stand on the mount of Olives and cause a great earthquake. This will create a new valley that will provide an escape route for many people.

2. Christ will come as a man of war to defeat the enemies.

3. In the quest for world peace, some denominations have removed militant songs from their hymnals, so that a new generation knows nothing about standing for Christ.

C. The Lord will defeat vv. 8-9

1. The Lord is the Great victor.

2. Satan has tried to stop Him and lost on the cross, and now in worldwide war, he will be defeated.

2. The Lord will cleanse His people

Zechariah 12: 10-14

A. The people will repent

1. Here is a condition of conviction and repentance by the work of God’s grace.

2. God will pour the Spirit upon Israel Joel 2:28-29, and people will realize their sins and call to Go for forgiveness.

3. They will turn from their wickedness and bow to Him.

B. The people will recognize the Savior

1. They will recognize the Messiah whom they pierced and put their trust in Him.

2. The nation will go into mourning like a parent who lost their only son.

3. All the families will mourn and be broken over their sin.

Conclusion: In the light of Christ, believers can see this victory as a shadow of the ultimate victory over sin and death, urging them to rely on God's Spirit and grace in life's battles.