{"id":30027,"date":"2024-02-16T22:00:48","date_gmt":"2024-02-17T05:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/zechariah-13_1-9-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-02-05T18:22:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T01:22:48","slug":"zechariah-14_1-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/zechariah-14_1-11\/","title":{"rendered":"What A Difference the Lord Makes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zechariah 14:1-11<\/strong>\u00a0(CLICK HERE FOR\u00a0BIBLE VERSES)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

Today’s passage is\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014:1-11.\u00a0 As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help, then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0has posed quite a challenge for scholars.\u00a0 For example, Martin Luther once wrote two commentaries on\u00a0Zechariah.\u00a0 In the first one, Luther stopped at\u00a0Zechariah\u00a013 without explaining why.\u00a0 Then in his second commentary, Luther begins his discussion on\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0by saying, “Here, in this chapter, I give up.\u00a0 For I am not sure what the prophet is talking about.”\u00a01<\/sup>\u00a0I love Martin Luther’s honesty!<\/p>\n

So we must approach\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0with special care and humility.\u00a0 It seems quite clear that\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0is talking about the end times.\u00a0 Whereas\u00a0Zechariah\u00a09 to 11 focus on Jesus’ first appearance on earth,\u00a0Zechariah\u00a012 to\u00a014\u00a0focus on Jesus’ second coming and the establishment of His kingdom.<\/p>\n

At the same time, I believe the Holy Spirit has some powerful lessons to encourage us today from this chapter.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Zechariah<\/em><\/strong>\u00a014<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>1<\/em><\/strong>-2 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n1<\/sup>\u00a0<\/em>A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.\u00a0<\/em>
\n2\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses\u00a01-2: \u00a0Here\u00a0Zechariah\u00a0describes how all the nations will fight against Jerusalem and initially cause great damage: the city will be captured, houses ransacked, women raped (v2).\u00a0 Half of the city will go into exile while the rest will remain in the city.\u00a0 The events described in these two verses probably precede the events described in\u00a0Zechariah\u00a012.\u00a0 In other words, before the Lord turns Jerusalem into an immovable rock (12:3) and saves Jerusalem (12:7), Jerusalem will first incur great loss and damage (14:1-2).\u00a0 Sometimes things will get worse before they get better, but as we’ll see in the verses that follow, when you have God\u2019s Messiah in your life, you have hope.<\/p>\n

Zechariah<\/em><\/strong>\u00a014<\/em><\/strong>:3-5 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle.\u00a0<\/em>
\n4\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.\u00a0<\/em>
\n5\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 3-5: \u00a0Just as it seems that the nations have conquered Jerusalem and all hope is lost, the Lord will appear and fight against the nations, saving the city (v3).<\/p>\n

In verse 4\u00a0Zechariah\u00a0describes how the Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives and it will cause an earthquake that splits the Mount of Olives in two from east to west.\u00a0 Incidentally, last century (about 2,500 years after\u00a0Zechariah\u00a0wrote\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014) it was reported that the Sheraton Hotel wanted to set up a hotel on the Mount of Olives.\u00a0 But after doing their seismology research, they discovered there was a fault line right underneath the Mount of Olives that could cause it to split from east to west.\u00a0 So after spending a great deal of money on the project, Sheraton decided against building their hotel on the Mount of Olives because of the fault line.\u00a02<\/sup><\/p>\n

What can we learn from this? \u00a0The Bible is ahead of its time.\u00a0 What seismologists could not discover until the 1900s, the Bible was already talking about 2,500 years before.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zechariah<\/em><\/strong>\u00a014<\/em><\/strong>:6-7 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n6\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost.\u00a0<\/em>
\n7\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime–a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 6-7: \u00a0Here\u00a0Zechariah\u00a0describes how the day of the Lord’s second coming will usher a unique day where there is no sunlight or darkness (v6), no distinction between day and night (v7).\u00a0 What’s going on?\u00a0 It’s as if the Lord — the Creator God “who stretches out the heavens” and “lays the foundation of the earth” (12:1) — is in some ways undoing His original creation before establishing His new kingdom.\u00a0 Here destruction comes before construction.<\/p>\n

Isn’t this often the way God deals with us too? \u00a0\u00a0Sometimes God has to break something down before He can build something better and stronger in its place. \u00a0<\/strong>If you’re going through a period where God seems to be breaking you down, remember: it’s not because God hates you; it’s because He’s in the process of building a better and stronger version of you to take the place of what was old in your life.<\/p>\n

Zechariah<\/em><\/strong>\u00a014<\/em><\/strong>:8 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n8\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 8: \u00a0Zechariah\u00a0describes how on that day when Christ returns, living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the Dead Sea (“the eastern sea”) and half to the Mediterranean Sea (“the western sea”).<\/p>\n

Do you know why there is no wildlife in the Dead Sea?\u00a0 It’s because the Dead Sea has no outlet.\u00a0 Water flows into the Dead Sea, but water does not flow out.\u00a0 As a result, nothing lives in the Dead Sea.\u00a0 In contrast, the Mediterranean Sea is full of wildlife because it receives much water and also gives out much water to other places. \u00a0 From this we can learn two things:<\/p>\n

1. The fact that in verse 8 living water flows from Jerusalem to both the Dead Sea and to the Mediterranean Sea speaks of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus describes as “living water” (John 7:37-39). \u00a0The Holy Spirit can let living water flow even to the “deadest” place. \u00a0<\/strong>Nothing is too difficult for Him.\u00a0 He can give life both to the dead and to the living.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0If you want to truly live, you need to be a giver, not just a taker. \u00a0<\/strong>If all you do is take from others, you can receive living water from Jesus and still be dead.\u00a0 If all you do is give, you’ll be dry.\u00a0 But if there’s a healthy give and take in your life, you’ll truly live.\u00a0 All of us need to choose: will I be like the Dead Sea or the Mediterranean Sea?<\/p>\n

Zechariah<\/strong>\u00a014<\/strong>:9 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n<\/em>9\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 9: \u00a0In\u00a0Zechariah\u00a09-11 the focus is on Jesus’ first “advent”, or appearing on earth.\u00a0 During that time, Jesus came as a humble, suffering servant.\u00a0 As\u00a0Zechariah\u00a09:9 says, “See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey”.\u00a0 But in\u00a0Zechariah\u00a012-14, Jesus returns to earth not as a suffering servant, but as a conquering king.\u00a0 As\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014:9 says, “The Lord will be king over the whole earth.\u00a0 On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0 Just as from\u00a0Zechariah\u00a09:9 to\u00a014:9 Jesus goes from being the suffering servant to the conquering king, the more we grow as followers of Jesus, the more\u00a0we must make that transition as well: from seeing Jesus simply\u00a0as our servant who serves us to seeing Him as the mighty king who rules over us and our world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zechariah<\/em><\/strong>\u00a014<\/em><\/strong>:10-11 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n10\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>The whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses.\u00a0<\/em>
\n11\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 10-11: \u00a0Here\u00a0Zechariah\u00a0describes how on the day Christ returns, the land south of Jerusalem will be flattened, while Jerusalem itself will be raised high.\u00a0 Jerusalem will be in this elevated state, inhabited and secure, never to be destroyed again.<\/p>\n

This picture is consistent with the last book of the Bible.\u00a0 In Revelation 21, John describes a vision he sees of the church as the new Jerusalem, raised high where the Lord is, radiant and full of life.\u00a0 It goes to show:\u00a0God’s heart and God’s plan for His church has always been to raise us high with Him, like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0No matter how many challenges, difficulties, disappointments, and losses we may suffer, our destiny as God’s people is to reign victorious with our God, raised up with Him forever.\u00a0 So\u00a0here’s a\u00a0rap based on\u00a0<\/strong>Zechariah<\/strong>\u00a014<\/strong>:10-11 to encourage you today: \u00a0If you’re living in aggravation, agitation, consternation or frustration, get inspiration from this revelation: your destination is elevation!<\/strong><\/p>\n

For your prayer time today<\/u>
\nIf you want to take your prayer time to another level today, go back to the lessons I’ve shared with you above and turn each lesson into a prayer.<\/p>\n

Or, if you’re pressed for time, try reciting the below prayer out loud:<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus,\u00a0before\u00a0You appeared as a humble, suffering servant who came to save me.\u00a0 But now You are the mighty, conquering king who has come to rule over me.\u00a0 Thank You that when You rule over me, mountains will move, living water will flow, and my enemies will flee.\u00a0 Thank You that when You rule over me, You don’t trample on me, but You elevate me and raise me up to be where You are.\u00a0 So rule over me today, my victorious King.\u00a0 In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n

1<\/sup>\u00a0Klein, G. L. (2008).\u00a0Zechariah<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(Vol. 21B, p. 396). Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.
\n2<\/sup>\u00a0Courson, J. (2006).\u00a0Jon Courson\u2019s application commentary: Volume two: Psalms-Malachi<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(p. 913). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

Today’s passage is\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014:1-11.\u00a0 As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help, then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0has posed quite a challenge for scholars.\u00a0 For example, Martin Luther once wrote two commentaries on\u00a0Zechariah.\u00a0 In the first one, Luther stopped at\u00a0Zechariah\u00a013 without explaining why.\u00a0 Then in his second commentary, Luther begins his discussion on\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0by saying, “Here, in this chapter, I give up.\u00a0 For I am not sure what the prophet is talking about.”\u00a01\u00a0I love Martin Luther’s honesty!\u00a0<\/p>\n

So we must approach\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0with special care and humility.\u00a0 It seems quite clear that\u00a0Zechariah\u00a014\u00a0is talking about the end times.\u00a0 Whereas\u00a0Zechariah\u00a09 to 11 focus on Jesus’ first appearance on earth,\u00a0Zechariah\u00a012 to\u00a014\u00a0focus on Jesus’ second coming and the establishment of His kingdom. \u00a0<\/p>\n

At the same time, I believe the Holy Spirit has some powerful lessons to encourage us today from this chapter.\u00a0 Let’s go! \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30027","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30027"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30027\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30030,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30027\/revisions\/30030"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}