Zechariah 14 - Introduction

CHAPTER XLII

IN THE SECOND DAY

If our overall understanding of Zechariah to this point is correct, chapter fourteen, deals almost exclusively with eschatology. Eschatology may be defined simply as the study of the last things, or last times.
Most commentators agree that this is the subject matter of the present chapter. However, unanimity of opinion concerning Zechariah's last chapter ends with this agreement. Rabid pre-millenialists have a field day here, as they do with the other apocalyptic writings of the Bible, because of the apocalyptic nature of the work itself. They see here the proof of their contention that Jesus plans, upon His second coming, to establish an earthly kingdom which will stand for a thousand years, and in which the Jews, with Him as king, will rule the world, and in general do what Jesus refused to do the first time He came to earth. They also claim the Jews will do what the church has failed to do, namely convert the world to Jehovah and Christ. These conclusions are arrived at by ignoring the symbolic nature of apocalypsis almost entirely.
The post-millenialists on the other hand, shift from the literal to the symbolic and back with surprising ease and assure us the last chapter of Zechariah describes the bringing of the world to the worship of God during our present Messianic age. When this is done, Messiah, they claim, will return and reign over a perfect world. The fact that the developments of history during the past nineteen hundred years, and especially in our own century, are obviously not moving toward any such Utopian world does not phase the post-millenialist in the least.

As we mentioned previously, one can never be intellectually honest and be dogmatic about the interpretation of eschatology, particularly that which the Bible writers couch in apocalypsis. The very fact that the events of eschatology, by their nature, have yet to occur deprives us of what, in the understanding of other prophecy, is a very useful tool; namely the events of history. With Other predictive prophecy one can, with some accuracy, saythis was foretold, and here in such a place it has happened. Not so with those events which are yet to come.
Deprived of historic fulfillment, and faced with the elusive figures, often indecipherable, of apocalyptic writing, we can only suggest the possible, at most the probable, meaning of such predictions. With this limitation firmly fixed in our consciousness, we shall now attempt to understand at least the gist of Zechariah fourteen.

Chapter XLIIQuestions

In the Second Day

1.

Chapter fourteen deals almost exclusively with _________________.

2.

Eschatology may be defined simply as _________________.

3.

Do scholars generally agree on the meaning of this chapter?

4.

Discuss the two extreme views of pre and post millenialists in regard to Zechariah fourteen.

5.

One can never be _________________ and be dogmatic about eschatology, especially when it is written in apocalyptic form.

6.

In the study of eschatology we are deprived of a very useful tool in the interpretation of prophecy in general. What is that tool?

7.

Review the meaning of a day of Jehovah in chapter forty-one.

8.

In the day of Jehovah described in Zechariah fourteen the ______________ of Jerusalem is to be divided in her midst.

9.

Half the population of Jerusalem is to be _________________.

10.

Why does the Roman occupation of Jerusalem not fit the description here?

11.

List the events of Zechariah

a.

In that day (10)

b.

In that day (11)

c.

In that day (12)

d.

In that day (13)

e.

In that day (14)

f.

In that day (15)

g.

In that day (16)

12.

Describe the present setting of the Mount of Olives.

13.

The division of the Mount of Olives would provide an easy ___________________.

14.

The events here are compared to an historic earthquake in the days of ___________________.

15.

The description of the Lord in company with all the saints always refers to ___________________.

16.

What other prophets described the day of the Lord in terms similar to those used here by Zechariah?

17.

Peter saw at least the beginning of the fulfillment of a similar prediction by Joel in ___________________.

18.

God has always been king over the whole earth. In the end He will be ___________________.

19.

Locate Geba and Rimmon.

20.

What other topographical alterations accompany the splitting of the Mount of Olives?

21.

Who will be safe during these cataclysmic events?

22.

Describe the plague which is to come upon those arrayed against Jerusalem.

23.

What is the result of this plague?

24.

What Jewish feast is to be celebrated by all the nations? What is its significance?

25.

What is to be the consequence if any nation fails to keep the feast?

26.

Why is Egypt here singled out for special punishment should she fail to keep the feast?

27.

Finally the inscription _______________ is to be seen on everything in Jerusalem.

28.

Explain the significance of this inscription appearing on such diverse items as altar utensils and cook pots in the home.

29.

Who were the Canaanites?