When reading through the prophetic books of the Old Testament, it is evident that the Lord isn’t only speaking about literal Israel, but His covenantal people, the believing Jews and Gentiles. We have been given a mandate under this covenant to rule and reign in three spheres: spiritually, socially, and culturally, establishing His Kingdom within the nations. Just as Israel was called as a mediatorial nation, living according to the Word of God, so we are called. Surrounding nations would take note of and desire the blessings, wonder and glory of life with and under this beneficiary reign. Israel is called to set the standard within the nations, releasing God’s blessing and favour.
Many non-Israelites were grafted into Israel, like Rahab, Ruth and Uriah. They were neither Hebrew nor Jew but became true citizens of Israel, God’s covenant people. It’s the message of the Gospel, the Good News, that is spread not only through our words but also how we live and build our nations upon the Word of God. Never, was the church called exclusively into priesthood and temples. We have been called as the tribe of Judah, a warrior tribe, to build and service the temple, and rule as kings as David did, which is a kingly authority of governance within the nations. David was the only king who ruled over the whole territory that God had given to Israel.
In Zechariah 12, the Lord reveals His salvation to Israel, which resembles the Judeo-Christian (Sheep) nations. At this time, the nations of the earth are gathering against her. We see this with the globalist, socialist, Marxist agenda playing out in the nations. It has been widely spread and deeply laid in the fibres of nations over centuries. (For further reading on the globalist agenda, I would recommend Dr Rodney Howard Browne’s book, The Killing of Uncle Sam). Jerusalem has become a staggering cup to all surrounding peoples, a heavy stone that will harm those who try and lift her, for she stands in the way of their agenda for world-dominance and control.
Those who come against Jerusalem, come against the Lord, Himself. He is saying, ‘I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness’. The military strength and power of the earth set against God’s nations will be blinded by deception and delusion. This is not a typical military or war, but a strategic one that operates through all sectors of society. They will neither negotiate nor rationalise their stance against Israel. Overcome with evil and folly, they will presume to lift her but will be crushed by its weight. For the Lord is on her side!
The Lord will watch over Judah, His strength will be seen in her. The Lord will make her a blazing pot in the midst of the wood. She will be ignited by His Spirit, setting aflame the nations around her. She will be a flaming torch, shining His Light in the darkness, devouring the surrounding nations, as Jerusalem is once again inhabited and restored.
The Lord will give salvation to Judah, His holy remnant, first. He will restore the faithful, humble and lowly before He restores the house of David (the body of believers), and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (all who live in the land, including unbelievers) so that the glory of the latter won’t exceed the glory of the former. This is the time of restoration for those who have been faithful to the Lord.
When the Lord restores, He will protect and strengthen the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as promised to the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13). The feeblest will be like David, a mighty warrior, and the house of David shall be like God. For they will govern and execute His Purposes and Will, and speak His Words to the nations. They will be a true ambassador and representative of God Almighty, establishing His Kingdom rule. On that day the Lord will destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
The Lord is calling out to His People, ‘Do not be discouraged or dismayed in this time of shaking! But know that I am God Almighty, Who involve Myself in the affairs of man. Watch and see what I will do. For I am going to cause the enemy a loss and a breaking as was last seen in the time of Egypt. I will cause the enemy to parade all of his strength, he will send his entire army out in every direction, giving the impression that he has great military strength and presence, but I will use his folly to destroy him in one day. I am blinding his eyes, and in his pride, he will fall greatly.
Behold the Lord! People of My Covenant, behold your God! Stay very close, watch and see what I am doing, and hear what I am saying. I will neither slumber nor sleep, My eyes are ever-watching, ever-beholding. For he who touches Israel, touches the apple of My Eye and will rouse me from My Holy Dwelling. For I am about to shake so violently the works of darkness, I am going to cause a cleansing on the earth, for I am destroying the wicked as in the days of Noah and the days of Egypt. There will be signs and wonders that will show forth My Glory, and the fear of the Lord will fall upon every nation as the inhabitants of the earth will witness my fury against the wicked.
My holy remnant will bring to fulfilment the prophetic utterances spoken over Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem as she walks in her kingly authority at this time. I will be her strength, I will be her salvation. It will be by My Hand that I will restore and establish her as the House of David to rule in the nations. She will restore and service My temple, she will govern according to My Word, preserving My laws amongst the nations. She will realign the nations back to My order, releasing My favour and blessing, and shining brightly as a Light in the darkness. She will be a mediator amongst nations, grafting in the prodigals as sons and daughters of God, building and expanding Sheep nations across the earth.’
Zechariah 2:8-13
8For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent meb to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:9“Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. 10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. 11And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 12And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”
13Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
Exodus 19:4-6
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Zechariah 12:1-9
The LORD Will Give Salvation
1The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him: 2“Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. 3On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it. 4On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But for the sake of the house of Judah I will keep my eyes open, when I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God.’
6“On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.
7“And the LORD will give salvation to the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not surpass that of Judah. 8On that day the LORD will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the LORD, going before them. 9And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
