Zacarias 14

Zacarias 14

Phillips - "The Canaanite"—the unclean person, the profane person, the person who made merchandise out of holy things in the old days—will be gone forever. Jerusalem will be what God always intended it to be: "the holy city," the central magnet of all that is sacred and pure throughout the whole wide world. (Exploring the Minor Prophets: An Expository Commentary) HCSB Study Bible - Canaanite was a pejorative term since the Israelites considered the Canaanites vile and morally reprehensible. But the Israelites had become "Canaanites" by their disobedience. The announcement that there would be no Canaanite in the temple signified the purity of God's chosen people. Life Application Study Bible - Zechariah was speaking to a people who were enduring hardships: They were being harassed by neighbors; they were discouraged over their small numbers and seemingly inadequate Temple; and their worship was apathetic. But God said, "My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong" (Zechariah 1:14). He promised to restore their land, their city, and their Temple. Like other prophets, Zechariah blended prophecies of the present, near future, and final days into one sweeping panorama. Through his message we learn that our hope is found in God and his Messiah, who are in complete control of the world. Jon Courson - When Jesus comes back to rule and reign, no longer will there be a division between secular and spiritual. No longer will there be separation and fragmentation. Instead, there will be wholeness. At last, there will be holiness. What a day that will be! (Jon Courson's Application Commentary Old Testament Volume 2) Lindsey - Zechariah’s prophetic book which began with a call to repentance (Zech. 1:2–6) concludes with an affirmation that all will be holy to the LORD (Zech 14:20–21). Because He is the LORD Almighty and the Holy One, He will establish holiness throughout the glorious Millennium! (Bible Knowledge Commentary) Steven Cole sums up Zechariah 12-14 writing that "Zechariah’s bottom line is this: If Christ is returning as King to defeat His enemies and to establish His righteous reign over all the earth, then we must walk in holiness before Him. As John puts it, “Everyone who has this hope [of His appearing] fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). As Peter contemplated the day of the Lord, he concluded, “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God ...” (2 Pet. 3:11-12). Do you long for His coming like a child longs for his birthday? God’s aim in history is that Jesus Christ will reign as King over all of heaven and earth. “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.... He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:17, 20)! (Zechariah 14:1-21 The Triumph of the Coming King) 1) The comfort for Israel (Zech 14:9-11) - Israel will live in the land 2) The condemnation of the enemies (Zech 14:12-15) 3) The celebration of Israel (Zech 14:16-19) The Feast of Booths - this can't be in heaven because there are plagues on those who don't worship. 4) The consecration of Israel (Zech 14:20-21) So, in chapter 14, Zechariah concludes with a familiar theme or series of events: 1.The coming of the Lord 2.The deliverance of His people 3.The judgment on the nations 4.The establishment of His kingdom. The message of Zechariah is that God remembers His covenant and will eventually fulfill all the promises. This is a message of hope for the post-exilic community AND a message of hope to every believer of every age that God is a Covenant-Keeping God and that all of His promises are "Yea and Amen" in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! Maranatha! Hosanna! Amen!