< Zechariah 12 >

God is the creator of the universe and has made mankind for his own purpose v.1Zechariah 12:1XWaiting for response and, as part of this purpose, he will soon make Jerusalem a stumbling stone for the nations who will bring their armies against it.vs.2-3Zechariah 12:2-3XWaiting for response We hear in news broadcasts the problem that Jerusalem presents to the nations and, from the scriptures, we know that soon a great confederacy will invade Israel and capture the city. God will then manifest his power in the earth and give his strength to the rulers of Jerusalem vs.4-5Zechariah 12:4-5XWaiting for response who will devour their enemies.v.6Zechariah 12:6XWaiting for response The two families of Israel, the ten tribes and the two tribes, went into captivity separately and they will return in two stages. The LORD will save Judah, the two tribes, first.v.7Zechariah 12:7XWaiting for response Therefore, since the first world war, the Jews have returned to the land, and the State of Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital, constitutes “Judah” and these Jews in the land will be saved first when Jesus and the saints defeat the invaders.

Just as there were stages of David's attainment of the throne of Israel, there will be stages in Jesus' attainment of the throne. He had to suffer (as David did) then when he returns he will "save the tents of Judah first" (as David first reigned over Judah) before joining all Israel together as one kingdom with one king reigning over them all (just as David did). Ezekiel 37:22Ezekiel 37:22XWaiting for response

The new governors of Jerusalem will be the saints who will be like the angels v.8;Zechariah 12:8XWaiting for response Luke 20:36Luke 20:36XWaiting for response while the mortal inhabitants of the city will be courageous as David was of old.v.8Zechariah 12:8XWaiting for response

When Jesus enters Jerusalem the Jews will look upon him whom their fathers pierced two thousand years previously,v.10Zechariah 12:10XWaiting for response and they will mourn for him.vs.10-14Zechariah 12:10-14XWaiting for response So that this scripture could be fulfilled, the Roman soldiers pierced Jesus with a spear as he hung upon the cross, John 19:34,37John 19:34,37XWaiting for response and when Jesus returns to Jerusalem it will dawn on the Jews that the Messiah is the one their ancestors conspired to crucify. They will ask him, “What are these wounds in thine hands?” and he will reply: “Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends”. Zechariah 13:6Zechariah 13:6XWaiting for response The Jews were Jesus’ brethren and they should have been persuaded by the works that he did that he was their Messiah, but they rejected him and had him crucified. Even his closest disciples and friends fled from him, like sheep scattering when the shepherd is afflicted. Zechariah 13:7;Zechariah 13:7XWaiting for response Mark 14:27,50Mark 14:27,50XWaiting for response