God's plan for judgement, justification, and redemption (Zech 12-14)

Yesterday we had the Prayer Course on Spiritual Warfare, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from Evil." I've been thing about  Ephesians 6:12-16 the battle and the shield of Faith. Spiritual realities are easy to grasp when we think about a "spirit of fear and anxiety" that can manifest itself physically, like a sick stomach. 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid/fear/cowardice, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Zechariah 13:2 talks about a "spirit of impurity/uncleanness" or "unclean spirit" being removed with prophets and idols. 

Contemporary English Version says, "The LORD All-Powerful says: When that time comes, I will get rid of every idol in the country, and they will be forgotten forever. I will also do away with their prophets and those evil spirits that control them."

Zech 12-14

"On that day" appears 16 times, Other repeated elements include:

• "Declares the Lord / declares the Lord Almighty" appears multiple times, functioning as a divine authentication formula throughout.
• "All the nations" recurs as a theme phrase, emphasizing the universal scope of God's final judgment and reign (gathered against Jerusalem, then ultimately worshiping there).
• "Jerusalem" named repeatedly as the focal point of both conflict and redemption.
• "The house of David" appears in 12:7, 8, 10, 12 and 13:1, linking the Davidic line to the mourning, cleansing, and restoration narrative.
• "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (2 Sam. 7:16)
• Genealogical descendants of David. This is why Matthew 1 and Luke 3 trace Jesus' lineage specifically back to David. Joseph is called "son of David" and Bethlehem is "the town of David."
• Isaiah 9:7 says the government would rest on the Messiah's shoulders ruling "on David's throne." Jeremiah 23 and 33 promise a righteous Branch from David. Ezekiel 34 and 37 speak of a future Davidic shepherd-king. 
• Zechariah 12-13's references to the house of David receiving the spirit of grace, mourning for "the one they pierced," and receiving cleansing (John 19:37, Revelation 1:7)
• Revelation 3:7, Jesus himself holds "the key of David"
• community of believers, grafted in, become heirs of the Davidic promise through Christ (Romans 4, Galatians 3)

A) Creator LORD Almighty, consumes enemies 

12:1-5) Prophecy LORD creator heaven, earth, human spirit makes Jerusalem fortress, enemies panic madness Judah heart strong Almighty is their God.

6-9) Judah consumes surrounding people like fire, LORD shields Jerusalem, house like God

Principle: Panic and madness are signs that we have moved away from God.

Application: When your feeling the ground move beneath you, will you ask God the maker of heaven, earth and your soul to give make your heart strong?

B) Fountain of blood cleanses sin, removes spirit of impurity and gives a spirit of grace and supplication

10-14) House of David spirit grace supplication, look on me pierced, mourn for only child, all mourn with wives

13:1-3) Fountain house of David cleanse sin, spirit of impurity, banished idols, prophesies removed, 

4-6) prophet ashamed and hidden, deceive 

7-9) Sword against my shepherd, sheep scattered, 2/3 perish, 1/3 in fire refined gold, call on my name, answer them, my people, LORD is our God.

Principle: God's gift is revealed in his loving kindness we find in Jesus

Application: When will I renounce the spirit of impurity and accept his Spirit of grace and supplication for the wounds I've inflicted on him?

C) Day of the Lord, victorious over enemies, always light, living water from Jerusalem. 

14:1-5) LORDS coming Jerusalem captured, rape, exile LORD fight, Mount of Olives split, God with holy ones

6-7) No sunlight or darkness, unique known only to LORD, light day/night

8-9) living water flows 1/2 dead sea other Mediterranean summer and winter

10-11) south land Arabah, Jerusalem raised high, inhabited never destroyed secure

12-15) plague nations rot while standing, stricken with panic, attack one another, animals too

16-19) survivors all nations worship LORD Almighty Tabernacles, rain or drought 

20-21) HOLY TO THE LORD inscribed on bells pots, no Canaanite

Principle: God redeems all things as "holy to the Lord" 

Application: what traumatic event in my past can I lay down to the Lord and holy surrender to him? What plan for the future can I lay down and instead offer myself to Him as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God?