Introduction: Chapters twelve and thirteen have presented to us a vivid prophetical view of the future deliverance and national conversion of Israel. These two chapters prepare us for the events found in (14:1-11) the last siege of Jerusalem; the Second coming of Jesus Christ; the establishment of the Messianic millennial kingdom.

I. THE LAST SIEGE OF JERUSALEM (14:1-3):

A. The day of the Lord (vs. 1) -

The Day of the Lord is that period immediately preceding the Second Coming of Christ when God directly and publicly manifests His power to dispossess Satan and wicked men from their earthly authority, delivers Israel, and establishes His kingdom of righteousness throughout the world, that is that prophetic period embracing the final phase of Israel's chastisement, followed by her salvation and deliverance at the coming of Messiah, extending throughout the subsequent period of kingdom peace called the Millennium. (Isa. 2:10-22; 22:5; Mal. 4:1-6; Rev. 19:11-21; Joel 1:15; 2:1; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:7).

B. The enemy triumphant (vs. 2) -

"...I will gather..." God not only allows the siege of Jerusalem, he directs the confrontation (Joel 3:2,12,14; Matt. 24:9; Zeph. 3:8; Rev. 16:14-16).

The results of the battle are fourfold: (1) the city is taken (2) the houses plundered (3) the women ravished (4) half the inhabitants become prisoners of war.

C. The deliverer of the remnant (vs. 3) -

The greatest outburst of Anti-Semitism the world has ever seen will trigger the events of verses 1 & 2. This time the Lord himself will go forth into battle to fight on behalf of His people Israel (the Lord is a "man of war" - Ex. 15:3). (Compare: Isa. 26:21; Micah 1:3, 4; Rev. 19:11-16; Matt. 24:27,28; Zech. 12: 6-8).

 

II. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST - MESSIAH (14:4-7):

A . The place of the advent (vs. 4) -

The Mount of Olives (II Sam. 15:20; Matt. 21:1; 24:3; 26:30; Eze. 11:23) is so dominant and in such close proximity to Jerusalem, that it is well known to all its inhabitants being clearly visible to every eye.

It is interesting to note that it is from this mountain that the glory of God departed (Acts 1:9) and will return to Jerusalem (Acts 1:11). The glory of the God of Israel (Eze. 11:22), also called "the glory of the Lord," left Jerusalem by the east previous to the Babylonian captivity (586 B.C.) and the beginning of "the times of the Gentiles" (Eze. 11:23); and from the east the same glorious symbol of the divine presence of God is seen to return (Eze. 43:2) marking the termination of "the times of the Gentiles." "...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." - (Acts 1:11).

B. The results of the advent (vs. 4)-

The return of the Messiah precipitates gigantic earthquakes as means of venting his wrath upon the sinners of the earth (Matt. 24:7; Micah 1:4; Nah. 1:5; Hab. 3:6,10; Ps. 18:7).

C. The purpose of the advent (vs. 5) -

"...Ye shall flee...." - (Rev. 12:1-6) "into the wilderness (Jer. 31:2; Matt. 24:20; Hos. 2:1420; Mic. 7:14,15; typified in the flight of David, II Sam. 15:14,16,23).

"...Like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah King of Judah...." - (II Kings 15:1; Amos 1 :1).

D. The manner of the advent (vs. 5) -

"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints...." - (Jude 14). (See also Deut. 33:2 and I Thess. 3:13).

The New Testament saint is promised a physical resurrection and glorified body before the return of Jesus Christ (Col. 4:4; 2 Thess. 1:10; 1 Jn. 3:2). The marriage supper of the Lamb precedes the return spoken of in verse four (Rev. 19:7-9).

E. The time of the advent (vs. 6,7) -

Zechariah sees the day as characterized by the absence of normal light from the sun and other astronomical bodies which will either be darkened or altered significantly.

"For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened (Isaiah 13:9,10). (See also: Matt. 24:29; Joel 2:10; Dan. 12:11,12; Mk. 13:24; Joel 3:15; Rev. 8:12; 9:2).

"...At evening time it shall be light." (vs. 7). - (Isa. 30:26; 60:19,20; Rev. 21:23).

 

III. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM (14:8-11):

A. Temporal value and spiritual application (vs. 8) -

Jerusalem and Judah have always lacked what an oriental paradise must have, namely, an abundant supply of fresh water. Ezekiel graphically describes millennial Palestine as having a life-giving stream, issuing from under the threshold of the sanctuary, flowing eastward with increasing depth, dispensing much needed water to the entire desert region (Eze. 47:1-12).

The passage indicates that the streams shall be abundant and perennial, not drying up as most Palestinian streams do in summer. The two directional flow ("the former sea" - the Dead or Salt Sea and "the hinder sea" - the Mediterranean Sea) will be possible because of the elevated position of the plain and city of Jerusalem.

Of course the spiritual applications of "living waters" can be found in (Jn. 4:10; 7:37,38; 1 Cor. 10:4; Rev. 22:17).

B. The Lordship of the King (vs. 9) -

"And the Lord shall be King..." -(Rev. 19:16; Isa. 32:1-8; Ps. 72:1-20; 47:7; 2:5,6. The amalgamation of the Kingdoms of God and Heaven shall be complete (Dan. 2:44,45; 7:26,27; Zech. 9:9, 10; Matt. 6:10; Lk. 1:31-33).

The Lord will be known and worshipped as the one and only God, the absolutely unique and incomparable One, the only wise God and Saviour, the Word who was with God and became flesh to be worshipped as the one true God! Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc., that flourish over vast sections of the earth today, shall vanish.

"...And his name one..." - (Isa. 45:23; Phil. 2:9,10; Rom. 14:11; Rev. 5:13).

C. The commencement of genuine peace (vs. 10,11) -

The exaltation of Jerusalem: Ps. 48:1-4; Isa. 2: 2 ... from Geba (6 miles N. of Jerusalem) to Rimmon (33 miles SW. of Jerusalem). The purpose of the leveling and the lowering of the entire hill country of Judah is hat Jerusalem may enjoy an eminent geographical position Micah 4:1; Isa. 2:3).

The limits of the exalted city: the gate of Benjamin, north wall; the first gate, northeast corner; the corner gate, northwestern gate (II Kings 14:13; Jer. 31:38); the gate of Hananeel (Neh. 12:39) was evidently at the opposite extremity and, the king's winepress located near the valley of Hinnom, south of the city.

"...But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited..." - Jer. 23:6; 32:37; 33:16; Eze. 28:25,26;34:25-28).