◄ What Does Zechariah 12:10 Mean? ►

God has not finished with Israel, despite false teachings stating that she has been replaced by the Church. While many hold to this type of 'replacement theology' or proclaim the 'kingdom now' teaching, both are unbiblical and demonstrate a lack of understanding of the covenant God made with Israel and the mission He gave to the Church.

God's promises to Israel are equally as unbreakable as the promises He made to the Church, which are all "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus our Lord. Speaking of God's never-failing faithfulness to His people, Israel, the Psalmist wrote, "God is our refuge and strength - a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold."

Because they crucified their Messiah, Israel was set aside for a season and during this Church dispensation has become partially blind. However, their spiritual renewal and national repentance at the end of the 7-year tribulation period, is the time Zechariah is describing, when God, "will pour over the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication," as further expanded in Joel, chapter 2.

It is at that time, the nation of Israel will be finally and fully regathered from the four corners of the earth. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah will be reunited into one, glorious kingdom under God's appointed King - the Lord Jesus, and Israel's spiritual deliverance will be accomplished, when they cry out for salvation (HOSANNA- SAVE US) and Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The outpouring of God's Holy Spirit will be over the whole nation, both leaders and people alike. They will all cry out with one voice, in faith, "blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord,"  as foretold by the prophets. The Spirit of God will minister to their repentant hearts, cover them with His saving grace, and lead the entire nation to make earnest supplication to the Father - as they acknowledge their sins and proclaim Jesus as Lord.

No wonder Zechariah foretells that in that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem. The land will mourn, and every family will weep, when they suddenly realise that they crucified their promised Messiah and anointed King. Zechariah tells us, "for in that day they will look on Me Whom they have pierced."  They will see Jesus coming in the clouds of glory and they will see the nail prints in His hands and feet. "They will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping, over a firstborn."

At Christ's first coming the nation was called to, "repent, for the kingdom of God was at hand." Their King was in their midst and He was ready to save His people from their sin. The hope of the nations had come to tabernacle with His people. The incarnate Son came to visit and redeem His people. The Dayspring from on high - Israel's kinsman-Redeemer, had come to earth to bring His people a knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

But they refused to repent and would not recognise Him as the only begotten Son of God, Who takes away the sin of the world. Had Israel as a nation turned to Christ for salvation on that first day of Pentecost.. the prophecy of Joel would have been completely fulfilled. However, the continued unbelief of the nation of Israel dictated that the nation was set aside for a season and Joel's end-times prophecy has yet to be fully and finally fulfilled. OH! individual Jews were saved but Israel as a nation needed to repent collectively for their sin.

For 2000 years, Israel has been set-aside, while God continues to carry out His redemptive plans and purposed through the body of Christ, which is the Church. The Church of Christ was not God's after-thought when Israel rejected their Messiah. The Church was not a 'quick-fix' by God when Israel refused to trust in His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. God had purposed, from the foundation of the world to carry out His plans and purposes through the Church - until the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled. God knew that rebellious Israel would reject the Messiah - but God in His grace has never rejected His people - nor will he ever reject you and me - for God's Word is to be trusted.

But following the Rapture, when all Christians will be taken to be with the Lord, it will be through the nation of Israel that the Lord will once again continue His redemptive plans and purposes. Finally, "the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world," as Christ foretold in Matthew 24 - and then the end will come, when God's chosen nation.. both rulers and people, will recognise the truth and cry, "blessed is HE that comes in the name of the Lord."

The main purpose of the tribulation is to bring Israel to repentance and return His chosen nation into a right relationship with their covenant-keeping God. Another reason for this 'time of Jacob's Trouble' is to let the Gentile nations know.. that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God's plan of redemption was determined before the foundations of the world were laid, and so we can state with confidence when the spirit of grace and supplication is poured out upon all people, at the end of the tribulation, then Jesus Christ will rule and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords - forever - as it is  written.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing grace. Thank You that You did not cut off Your people Israel, and thank You that Your promises are "Yes" and "Amen" in Jesus Christ for all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that You are a covenant-keeping God, and I praise You for Your goodness and grace towards the children of men. I pray for the nation of Israel, that many will come to know the Lord Jesus as their God and Messiah, and become part of the one new man in Christ. But I also pray that Your will be done, in the coming time of Jacob's trouble - that glorious day, when Your chosen people will look on the One Whom they pierced with nails and thorns and proclaim Jesus as Lord, and they cry out with one voice, "Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord," in whose name I pray, AMEN.