WooHoo! We’ve made it to the grandest feast of them all: the Feast of Tabernacles! And the annual celebration is happening as we study!
If you’re new here or haven’t been following, we’re looking at the 3 fall feasts of Israel through the lens of the prophet Zechariah. Using Zechariah 12-14 as our guide, we have covered 2 of those 3 feasts and have focused a lot on the significance of Yom Kippur. That somber commemoration is gone for this year, but these feasts still paint a vivid picture of God’s plan for Israel. Along the way, we learn how significant those feasts are from a Christian perspective as well. Here are the sessions that precede today’s lesson:
In yesterday’s first 5 verses of Zechariah 14, we were encouraged by the Lord’s Second Coming to redeem His people. Yom Kippur brings repentance and national salvation, but what happens next? Re-read the entire chapter of Zechariah 14 to put things in full context, then focus on verses 6-15 today.
Finally, the Messiah rules His kingdom on earth! This is in fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) which, on our modern-day calendar commenced at sundown on September 26. It is a week-long festival, so we’ll close out this series on Zechariah’s Prophecy: The Coming Messiah on the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Like all other fall feasts, it awaits its final fulfillment when Jesus actually comes again to Jerusalem, draws Israel to repentance and salvation, and sets up His millennial reign on earth. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves!
Verses 6-11 describe the setting of this new reign. The glory of King Jesus takes center stage and He is the Light! Verses 6-7 indicate the natural lights will diminish, there will be neither day nor night, yet there will be light in the evening. What!?! When all natural light is gone and the Light of Jesus illumines the earth, there is no longer a need for natural light. Jesus is supernatural, and He is the Light!
Along with that, verse 8 describes living waters flowing from Jerusalem. Currently, there is no natural water in Jerusalem, as the city sits on a hill. Yet, Jerusalem will no longer be a dry city when a never-ending, glorious river will flow, branching off east and west. Not only will God restore the city, but it will be the bright shining capital of the millennial kingdom!
The prophet Ezekiel had a similar vision of waters flowing east and west from the Temple. It is described in Ezekiel 47:1-12 and gives us additional detail regarding the depth of the flowing water. Truly, only the God of the Universe could conceive and create something so unearthly!
Interestingly, Zechariah 14:10-11 reveals additional significant changes to the geography of the area. Jerusalem sits on a hill, but these verses seem to indicate the land will be turned into a plain. First, that will be quite the landscaping job, but also seems to indicate the hills of Jerusalem are no longer needed for defense. Jerusalem will be totally safe and protected for the first time ever.
But what about Israel’s enemies…what happens to them? Oh, God has a plan, and it is written in verses 12-15. Their flesh will be dissolved due to a plague, they will slaughter one another, and Judah will also fight at Jerusalem. Dissolving flesh sounds like some sort of chemical or nuclear fallout, which would have been unheard of in Zechariah’s day. But could it describe afflictions of the last days?
God will strip away all the gold, silver and wealth of surrounding nations. Israel’s Messiah will bring wealth and influence to Jerusalem, where He reigns.
Israel’s enemies will be utterly defeated, Jerusalem will be blessed, and the King of Kings will reign on the throne! It doesn’t get any better than that. Or does it? Zechariah says it does! We’ve got one final session to close out our series and it is all about the worship scene and God’s holiness! Check back as we finish up on the 8th day of Feast of Tabernacles (a “bonus day” if you will) called Shemini Atzeret. See you October 3 for that finale!
