Mat 24:25 KJV Behold, I have told you before.
Revisiting Zechariah 12-14
Zechariah 14:4-5 How It All Relates to Revelation Activity
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
Psa 119:169-176 KJV TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. (170) Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. (171) My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. (172) My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. (173) Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. (174) I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. (175) Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. (176) I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Ecc 1:9-11 KJV The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (10) Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. (11) There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
Ecc 3:14-15 KJV I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. (15) That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
Ecc 3:16-17 KJV And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. (17) I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
Mat 5:17-20 KJV Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The Example of Christ
Rom 15:1-7 KJV We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. (3) For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (4) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (6) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (7) Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Rom 15:4 KJV For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
The Coming Day of the Lord
Zec 14:1-5 KJV Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. (2) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (3) Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (4) And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Zec 14:4-5 KJV And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Hello again friends . We are moving forward with our revisit to Zechariah 14. This particular passage is one that correlates with many end time events in Revelation. Before we move into verse 4 we will do a very quick review of verses 1-3. We did 2 studies on the passage. One looked at the gathering of all nations to try and thwart the plans of ABBA Father and demonstrated His war making abilities. The last a look into the biblical perspective of the 2 state solution. We will be looking into that subject further as time and the Lord permits.
Zechariah 14:2- We covered many prophetic passages of scripture such as Joel chapters 2 and 3. We also explored Isaiah chapters 2 and 13 in addition to Malachi chapter 4.
Zechariah 14:3- We explored a couple of examples of how ABBA Father goes forth to battle. This does not include actions such as the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, the tower of Babel. We just did not have enough in a day to include those.
Zec 14:4 KJV And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
This verse is one of the most prophetic verses for our generation. It connects quite a few dots with things we explore in the NT. To better understand all this we will take a look at the book of Acts chapter 1.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Act 1:1-5 KJV The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (2) Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: (3) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
This passage is of course for those not familiar about the Comforter or Holy Spirit. It comes in the next chapter. It relates the passages we studied concerning ABBA Father and His warfare. The passages specifically address the pouring out of ABBA Father’s Holy Spirit. We will list 2 passages from Joel 2 and 3. One more thing we will state here. The passages from Joel and Zechariah also are about warfare as we explored in earlier study. So to wrap this up for now in saying we can expect warfare and the most glorious event in the world about scripture, the return of Lord Yeshua. How can any one look at what ABBA Father prophesied through Zechariah, Joel, Isaiah and every other book n our scripture has some kind of allusion to Lord Yeshua. In case you are wondering we have covered this before on a different subject being warfare. Now we will look at it in the prophetic sense.
The Lord Will Pour Out His Spirit
Joe 2:28-32 KJV And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (30) And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. (32) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
The Lord Judges the Nations
Joe 3:11-16 KJV Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. (12) Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. (13) Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. (14) Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (15) The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. (16) The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
The Ascension
Act 1:6-8 KJV When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Act 1:9-11 KJV And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
These 2 men here and in the other passage may have an interesting connection to Revelation 11. We will look at this another time. We just wanted to show the reader that scripture although 2 testaments are joined as one just like in a wedding you might say. These passages we are exploring all have a connection to end time events in many aspects.
The Resurrection
Luk 24:1-9 KJV Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. (3) And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: (5) And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? (6) He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, (7) Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. (8) And they remembered his words, (9) And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
Luk 24:10-12 KJV It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. (11) And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. (12) Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
The passage tells us something very informative here as always. These are just the ones we notice at a glimpse sometimes. John’s account of the resurrection tells us a little more about the scene when they discovered it.
The Resurrection
Joh 20:1-10 KJV The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. (2) Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. (3) Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. (4) So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. (5) And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. (6) Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, (7) And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. (8) Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. (9) For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (10) Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
We want to point out something about verse 7.
Joh 20:7 KJV And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
The reason we are focusing on this verse is basically because of the shroud of Turin. The shroud of Turin is a piece of cloth that has a head dress sewn together. So who ever decided that it was a good idea to sew this thing together had a bad idea. If it is indeed the shroud Lord Yeshua was buried in it should have been left alone. The next thing we would say is that at a Jewish dinner table when someone excuses their self the napkin is folded and placed in a certain way. To quote some of my favorite teachers Lord Yeshua was telling the world He would be back shortly. The other thing we would like to note is that the shroud of Turin is an image. It has the image of a man’s face. Suppose when Lord Yeshua shows up He looks nothing like that image. Remember that the scripture tells us that an image of the beast is an important part of apostasy. You are always welcome to believe as you wish. However here is a little of what scripture tells us about our Lord Yeshua’s journey to the cross.
Israel's Sin and the Servant's Obedience
Isa 50:1-11 KJV Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. (2) Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. (3) I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering. (4) The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (5) The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. (6) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (8) He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. (9) Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. (10) Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. (11) Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
This chapter in Isaiah having 11 verses that allude in direct ways to Lord Yeshua and His teaching when we had Him here. Ironically enough many of the things we will explore about this comes down into our society as well. However for this journey we would like to put emphasis on verse 6.
Isa 50:6 KJV I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
This verse tells us that His beard was plucked by the mob. We do not know if He had any facial hair left. This is the main point we are making here. We will save that for an extensive look into Isaiah 50 if ABBA Father permits us the time. Now let’s get back to the immediate subject of how the resurrection and ascension of Lord Yeshua relate His return to the mount of Olives.
Zec 14:4-5 KJV And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Zec 14:4 KJV And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
The Ascension
Act 1:6-11 KJV When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (9) And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Let’s explore for a few moments
Act 1:12 KJV Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
So based upon this verse which is just 1 we know the people were gathered on the mount of Olives. The 2 men who witness to Lord Yeshua’s return tell us that He will return in like manner, in other words leaving the mount of Olives and returning to the mount of Olives in Zechariah 14.
Zec 14:4 KJV And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
This is where things start to get a little deep. We believe we did the first exploration of these passages titled In That Day if memory serves correct. Let’s take an approach in this journey and explore the mount of Olives.
Aerial photograph of the Mount of Olives
The following reference comes from the Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (NNIBD).
MOUNT OF OLIVES — a north-to-south ridge of hills east of Jerusalem where Jesus was betrayed on the night before His crucifixion. This prominent feature of Jerusalem's landscape is a gently rounded hill, rising to a height of about 830 meters (2,676 feet) and overlooking the Temple.
The closeness of the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem's walls made this series of hills a grave strategic danger. The Roman commander Titus had his headquarters on the northern extension of the ridge during the siege of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. He named the place Mount Scopus, or “Lookout Hill,” because of the view it offered over the city walls. The whole hill must have provided a platform for the Roman catapults that hurled heavy objects over the Jewish fortifications of the city.
In ancient times the whole mount must have been heavily wooded. As its name implies, it was covered with dense olive groves. It was from this woodland that the people, under Nehemiah's command, gathered their branches of olive, oil trees, myrtle, and palm to make booths when the Feast of Tabernacles was restored after their years of captivity in Babylon (Neh_8:15).
The trees also grew on this mountain or hill in New Testament times. When Jesus entered the city, the people who acclaimed him king must have gathered the branches with which they greeted His entry from this same wooded area.
Another summit of the Mount of Olives is the one on which the “men of Galilee” stood (Act_1:11-12) as they watched the resurrected Christ ascend into heaven. Then there is the point to the south above the village of Silwan (or Siloam) on the slope above the spring. Defined by a sharp cleft, it faces west along the converging Valley of Hinnom. It is called the Mount of Offense, or the “Mount of Corruption” (2Ki_23:13), because here King Solomon built “high places” for pagan deities that were worshiped by the people during his time (1Ki_11:5-7).
Although the Mount of Olives is close to Jerusalem, there are surprisingly few references to this range of hills in the Old Testament. As David fled from Jerusalem during the rebellion by his son Absalom, he apparently crossed the shoulder of the hill: “So David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives” (2Sa_15:30). Support may be found in this account for the claim that the road from the Jordan Valley did not go around the ridge in Bible times but crossed over the ridge, allowing the city of Jerusalem to break spectacularly on the traveler's sight as he topped the hill.
The Mount of Olives is also mentioned in a reference by the prophet Zechariah to the future Day of the Lord: “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south” (Zec_14:4). Christian tradition holds that when Christ returns to earth, His feet will touch first upon the Mount of Olives, the exact point from which He ascended into heaven (Act_1:11-12).
In the New Testament the Mount of Olives played a prominent part in the last week of our Lord's ministry. Jesus approached Jerusalem from the east, by way of Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives (Mat_21:1; Mar_11:1). As He drew near the descent of the Mount of Olives (Luk_19:37), the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them before Him. They began to praise God and shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Mat_21:9). When Jesus drew near Jerusalem, perhaps as He arrived at the top of the Mount of Olives, He saw the city and wept over it (Luk_19:41).
Jesus then went into Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple of the moneychangers; He delivered parables to the crowd and silenced the scribes and Pharisees with His wisdom. Later, as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and He delivered what is known as “the Olivet Discourse,” a long sermon that speaks of the signs of the times and the end of the age, the Great Tribulation, and the coming of the Son of Man (Matt. 24:3-25:46; Mar_13:3-37).
After Jesus had instituted the Lord's Supper on the night of His betrayal, He and His disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives (Mat_26:30; Mar_14:26), to the Garden of Gethsemane (Mat_26:36; Mar_14:32). In this garden Jesus was betrayed by Judas and delivered into the hands of His enemies.
As we can see the mount of Olives had a great deal to do with our Lord and Savior. Some we have covered in this journey. The very location of the mount itself being east of Jerusalem has its own prophetic reality coming. We have dedicated another series of studies connected to a Hebrew word. We will list the concordance word study.
H314
אַחֲרֹן אַחֲריֹן
'achăryôn 'achărôn
akh-ar-one', akh-ar-one'
From H309; hinder; generally late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western: - after (-ward), to come, following, hind (-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter)most. Total KJV occurrences: 50
Yours truly came across this word study via Perry Stone and Bill Cloud. We do not give enough credit to our teachers here on the site. We will be changing that aspect of things pretty soon. To quote these learned gentlemen this word simply means the end of the end or the conclusion of the conclusion. The last generation of people to face their enemies from what direction? The east. All the warfare and other things we have been exploring is for this point in time. We have developed about 10 or so studies thus far inspired by this very word.
Zec 14:4-5 KJV And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
The next aspect to all this we will explore is the earthquake this event will cause. The word earthquake in singular is found in both testaments. In the plural found only in the NT spoken by lord Yeshua Himself. Interestingly enough spoken by Him in the signs of the end of the age.
Our earliest reference to an earthquake to this point is found in the book of 1st Samuel. In one of our looks into Zechariah 12-14 revisited we explored some of the ways that ABBA Father goes into battle. We explored how Jonathan, Saul’s son and his armor bearer defeated an encampment full of Philistines. The history tells us there was a great quaking of the ground in this victory.
1Sa 14:14-15 KJV And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. (15) And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
We to date have performed a lengthy study on the pre-tribulation rapture. These studies centered heavily the history around Elijah the prophet.
The Lord Speaks to Elijah
1Ki 19:9-12 KJV And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? (10) And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. (11) And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: (12) And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
The Siege of Jerusalem
Isa 29:1-6 KJV Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. (2) Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel. (3) And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee. (4) And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. (5) Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. (6) Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
We hope to demonstrate a pattern here with these passages and the next couple.
Zec 14:5 KJV And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
We also have a prophetic passage from Amos centering around this great earthquake taking place. That will be our next passage but first let’s check the history on this great earthquake taking place during Uzziah’s reign. Uzziah was also known by what is apparently his birth name Azariah. His reign is told in a few passages.
2Ki 14:21 KJV And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
2Ki 15:1-7 KJV In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. (2) Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. (3) And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; (4) Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. (5) And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land. (6) And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? (7) So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
His reign is generally thought to be from 809BC- 756 BC. Now let’s explore Amos and see what he tells us about the earthquake. We should mention some commentaries date his reign from 788BC- 736BC.
Amo 1:1-5 KJV The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (2) And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither. (3) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron: (4) But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad. (5) I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.
Judgment on Israel's Neighbors
Amo 1:6-10 KJV Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom: (7) But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof: (8) And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD. (9) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant: (10) But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.
Amo 1:11-15 KJV Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever: (12) But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah. (13) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border: (14) But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind: (15) And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.
Notice anything interesting here. For example where is much of the military action in Israel taking place. Gaza and Edom are mentioned here. It’s interesting when we look at the location of what could be called Tyre might be modern day Lebanon which is where Hezbollah attacks Israel from. We have looked into some sources such as the Encyclopedia Judaica and we cannot get an approximate year associated to this earthquake. Some of the commentaries we have explored also cannot pin point a date.
However we do know that the village he called home was 6 miles to the south of Bethlehem where our Lord and Savior Yeshua was born.
Amo 1:1 KJV The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Just a couple of things here. Amos is a shepherd working the flocks. He is 6 miles away from the birthplace of our Lord and Savior. It just happens his bio compares to those shepherds who received word that their Savior had been born.
In the case of Amos he receives words that lead us to the 2nd coming of our Lord and Savior Yeshua. This parallels the announcement of His birth by the angels to the shepherds. It’s only natural that ABBA Father would reveal the birth of the king to shepherds of the flock. Lord Yeshua is our chief shepherd over all His flock.
The other thing we would like to mention here is how the pattern fits with the coming of our Lord and Savior and the judgment upon the enemy nations of ABBA Father, Lord Yeshua and Israel. This is the way that Zechariah 14 parallels Amos.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Luk 2:1-7 KJV And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (3) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
Luk 2:8-10 KJV And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11-14 KJV For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luk 2:15-17 KJV And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luk 2:18-21 KJV And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (21) And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Let’s explore some things we can say as we close this journey out.
- It’s interesting that Zechariah 14:5 and Amos each reference the earthquake from Uzziah’s day.
- We will explore more about earthquakes in scripture in our next journey.
- Each passage from Zechariah and Amos detail warfare on the enemy nations and chief enemy nations of Israel.
- They each tell us about how and why ABBA Father deals with his enemies.
- The ascension from the Mount of Olives in Acts 1:9-11 with 2 men in white linen present. These 2 men may very well have been the 2 witnesses from Revelation 11.
- This is also a type of the rapture of the church meeting our redemption.
- Amos is a shepherd who sees a revelation against the most ancient enemies of ABBA Father and Israel and His coming. Zechariah describes the destruction of these enemies in a grand way. Much like the shepherds in Lord Yeshua’s day received word of His arrival in the world.
In the mean time we will suggest the following to those who are new to this or still sitting on a fence.
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
Mat 11:25-30 KJV At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (26) Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. (27) All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The Coming of the Son of Man
Luk 21:25-28 KJV And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (27) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (28) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Wait for the God of Salvation
Mic 7:1-7 KJV Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. (2) The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. (3) That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. (4) The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. (5) Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. (6) For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. (7) Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
As always thanks for sharing a word
God Bless
