On That Day

Read Zechariah 12:1-9
 
Zechariah 12:1 This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares:
 
WHAT does the LORD declare? As we began to study Zechariah, we learned we can include this prophet among the endtimes prophecies found in Daniel, Isaiah and Revelation. “That Day” is written 15 times in chapters 12-14. This phrase we understand as all prophets direct reference to the day of God’s final judgment on the earth. We’ll first see how verses 1-9 declare God’s physical victory over the world. As we work toward Zechariah’s conclusion, we will view God declaring his eternal kingdom victory.
   Verse 1 is a wonderful beginning toward the end. The prophet assures we can believe God’s day will come as he has promised. The LORD covers his creation, forms the world’s foundations and then creates mankind with a spirit to know  him. In response to his sovereign authority, Satan’s evil will rise against the LORD as nations lay siege to Jerusalem.
   This siege is a tool, though, in God’s plan to defeat the nations. “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.” This is God’s cup of wrath to judge Satan’s armies promised also in Revelation 14:9-10 “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.”
   “That day” written five times in verses 3-9 refers to the future Battle of Armageddon. The nations’ armies will gather against Jerusalem. Revelation 16:16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Indeed, God will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. (verse 3) Then in verses 4-9 victory is announced first for Judah and then for Jerusalem as the enemy is confused. Many times the prophets’ words throughout the Bible speak of chaos among threatening armies. Think of Gideon’s victory over Midian is from God-caused mayhem. Also, 1 and  2 Kings record powerful ways God’s consuming power stretches over the land to defeat Israel’s and Judah’s enemies. The LORD’s watchful eye is ever-present. “The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.” (verse 5) Judah’s leaders will be as a firepot in a woodpile. They will consume right and left all the surrounding peoples, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. His people will be strong because they know the LORD is their God. The physical victory is assured: Verse 9 On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.   
   On “That Day” so ordained by God is victory for the ages. How very much we need to know we have victory in Jesus Christ! There is no defeat in the Christian’s life, in Jesus’ church. Let’s live in the joy of the LORD’s victory.