Hi friends!  A few days ago, we introduced a new series: Zechariah’s Prophecy: The Coming Messiah. This is the second session and today, we dig into Zechariah’s prophecy to guide our study together. We’ll begin in Zechariah 12. Are you ready?  Click the link or grab your Bible and let’s go!

First, some context. Zechariah was a prophet after the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile in the 6^th century BC. Throughout Zechariah, he prophesies about the future of Israel, but chapters 12-14 focus on Jesus’ Second Coming, and we find details that provide insight into the last 3 feasts of Israel.

Let’s begin with Zechariah 12:1-4.  Read the full chapter (14 verses) to gain full context, then consider those first four verses.  Does your Bible have a heading for this section?  If so, what is it?  If you made mention of God’s defense of Israel, you are on track!

In those verses, the Lord speaks.

• How are His powers described in verse 1?
• Does that give you confidence that He is able to accomplish what He predicts?

Based on verses 2-3, Jerusalem will become a cup of drunkenness, a very heavy stone (a burden), and a danger to those who go against the city.

• Jerusalem, and Israel in general, have been hotly contested for years. Do you believe this will ever resolve?  Will it grow worse?  Why do you think that?
• What does Psalm 122:6-9 command of us as believers?
• What do these verses say regarding God’s relationship with Israel: 2 Chronicles 6:6, 33:7; Psalms 48:1-8, 132:13-14

According to verse 4, the nations that come against Israel will be met with God’s fury.  A battle will ultimately be fought, and the Lord will bring an end to the last battle of the age. That is the tribulation, which precedes the final 3 feasts.  Thus, it is the stage to be set for Jesus’ Second Coming.

Let’s move on to verses 5-9.  Though God needs no help, He will supernaturally empower the governors of Judah to defend the Holy City.  Verse 8 references the “feeble among them” to be like David.  King David was a fierce fighter filled with courage, yet in the day God defends Israel, the weakest in Jerusalem will be as mighty as David!

Friends, that is the lay of the land as each feast of Israel is brought to fulfillment!  A horrible 7-year tribulation will decimate Israel due to their rebellion against God. Yet, God will not allow them to be destroyed!  He will come to earth to redeem His people.

And that is what the fall feasts of Israel illustrate for us!  First the announcement of His arrival (Feast of Trumpets), then repentance (Yom Kippur, aka Day of Atonement), followed by a gigantic celebration (Feast of Tabernacles).

Stay tuned…we’ll return intermittently to Zechariah for more insight in the days ahead.  Meanwhile, on our modern-day calendar, the Feast of Trumpets has passed (September 12-13) and Yom Kippur, a day of mourning and introspection, is approaching (September 21-22). Ultimately, upon Jesus’ fulfillment, Yom Kippur will be the day of national repentance when all Israel will be saved! (Romans 11:26 – remember this. We’re coming back to it in our next study session!)

Christians, will you pray fervently for the Jewish people as this Day of Atonement draws near?  This is perhaps the most sensitive time, as Jews everywhere are fervently seeking forgiveness.  It is Jesus they seek, and they come to know Him the same way Gentiles do… by putting their faith in the finished work of Jesus the Messiah (the Passover Lamb!), illustrated in the first 4 feasts.  For any who do so, they will be saved and will not endure the tribulation, but will gather with all other believers taken in the rapture to celebrate the wedding feast of the Lamb in heaven while the tribulation rages on earth.

May many come to know their Messiah this Yom Kippur, and escape that horrible wrath.