Zechariah 14:10-11
Peace in Jerusalem
10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. 11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
This passage, like other ones preceding it, can also be interpreted literally or symbolically, depending on the commentator. To understand it literally one must understand the geography of the area, so I will begin with a brief description.
Smith's Bible Dictionary describes Geba as, "a hill, a city of Benjamin, with "suburbs," allotted to the priests. (Joshua 21:17; 1 Chronicles 6:60) It is named amongst the first group of the Benjamite towns --apparently those lying near to and along the north boundary. (Joshua 18:24)" Benjamin was located adjacent to Judah's northern border and Benjamin's gate would be the gate of Jerusalem that opens on the north toward Benjamin. Smith's describes Rimmon as, "A town in the southern portion of Judah, (Joshua 15:3) allotted to Simeon, (Joshua 19:7; 1 Chronicles 4:32) probably 13 miles southwest of Hebron." The tower of Hananeel was located on the north wall of Jerusalem, but the exact location of the king's winepresses is not known. They were probably located on the south side of the city near the king's gardens.
This area is a long mountain range the center of which overlooks the city of Jerusalem. In the millennial reign of Christ, however, this mountain range will be leveled and Jerusalem will be lifted up, so that the city where the throne of Christ will be shall be above all of the surrounding country side. Men will look up to the house of God and not down upon it. "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth." (Psalms 97:5)
The power and holiness of our Lord is so awesome. "The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nahum 1:5-7)
The symbolic understanding of the passage is very similar. If Jerusalem represents the New Testament church, it is obvious that it must be exalted above all the surrounding powers. Mountains in prophecy often represent the governments or nations of the earth. So as Nahum said in the paragraph above, "Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?" The worlds political powers must all melt in the presence of Christ, and He and His kingdom, the church, must be lifted up. The whole earth must be humbled before Him.
"He knoweth them that trust in Him." God's people will live in the city of Jerusalem and there will be no more war and destruction. Since the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, mankind has not known anything but the fear of death and destruction. Adam,s son, Cain, killed his own brother, and the slaughter of the innocent has never ended. But, when Jesus returns with His saints, there will be no more destruction.
Peace will reign throughout the earth, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will be safe for eternity. This is such an unbelievably beautiful promise that it is hard for us to imagine. No one has ever lived in an environment without fear of hatred, greed and violence. Can you picture it? Truly our God is a loving God who will care for all those who trust in Him.
Before The Throne:
Thank the Lord for His precious promises of safety and peace. Ask Him to help His church carry the gospel message to everyone who has never heard the name of Jesus. Ask Him to warn our national leaders of the time when all nations opposed to Christ will melt before Him. Praise Him for making you a part of His church and of His wonderful works. Always ask for His daily guidance so that you will not be a servant who is caught sleeping at Jesus' return.
For Further Study:
(v.10) ** the land. Zech 4:6-7; Isa 40:3-4; Luke 3:4-6; ** turned. Josh 21:17; 1Kgs 15:22; Isa 10:29; ** Rimmon. Josh 15:32; Judg 20:45, 47; 21:13; 1Chr 4:32; 6:77; ** inhabited. Zech 2:4; 12:6; Jer 30:18; ** from Benjamin's. 2Chr 25:23; Neh 3:1; 12:39; Jer 31:38-40; 37:13; 38:7;
(v.11) ** there. Num 21:3; Isa 60:18; Jer 31:40; Ezek 37:26; Joel 3:17, 20; Amos 9:15; Rev 21:4; 22:3; ** shall be safely inhabited. Zech 2:4; 8:4, 8; Isa 26:1; 66:22; Jer 23:5, 6; 33:15-16; Ezek 34:22-29;
10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. 11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
This passage, like other ones preceding it, can also be interpreted literally or symbolically, depending on the commentator. To understand it literally one must understand the geography of the area, so I will begin with a brief description.
Smith's Bible Dictionary describes Geba as, "a hill, a city of Benjamin, with "suburbs," allotted to the priests. (Joshua 21:17; 1 Chronicles 6:60) It is named amongst the first group of the Benjamite towns --apparently those lying near to and along the north boundary. (Joshua 18:24)" Benjamin was located adjacent to Judah's northern border and Benjamin's gate would be the gate of Jerusalem that opens on the north toward Benjamin. Smith's describes Rimmon as, "A town in the southern portion of Judah, (Joshua 15:3) allotted to Simeon, (Joshua 19:7; 1 Chronicles 4:32) probably 13 miles southwest of Hebron." The tower of Hananeel was located on the north wall of Jerusalem, but the exact location of the king's winepresses is not known. They were probably located on the south side of the city near the king's gardens.
This area is a long mountain range the center of which overlooks the city of Jerusalem. In the millennial reign of Christ, however, this mountain range will be leveled and Jerusalem will be lifted up, so that the city where the throne of Christ will be shall be above all of the surrounding country side. Men will look up to the house of God and not down upon it. "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth." (Psalms 97:5)
The power and holiness of our Lord is so awesome. "The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nahum 1:5-7)
The symbolic understanding of the passage is very similar. If Jerusalem represents the New Testament church, it is obvious that it must be exalted above all the surrounding powers. Mountains in prophecy often represent the governments or nations of the earth. So as Nahum said in the paragraph above, "Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?" The worlds political powers must all melt in the presence of Christ, and He and His kingdom, the church, must be lifted up. The whole earth must be humbled before Him.
"He knoweth them that trust in Him." God's people will live in the city of Jerusalem and there will be no more war and destruction. Since the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, mankind has not known anything but the fear of death and destruction. Adam,s son, Cain, killed his own brother, and the slaughter of the innocent has never ended. But, when Jesus returns with His saints, there will be no more destruction.
Peace will reign throughout the earth, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will be safe for eternity. This is such an unbelievably beautiful promise that it is hard for us to imagine. No one has ever lived in an environment without fear of hatred, greed and violence. Can you picture it? Truly our God is a loving God who will care for all those who trust in Him.
Before The Throne:
Thank the Lord for His precious promises of safety and peace. Ask Him to help His church carry the gospel message to everyone who has never heard the name of Jesus. Ask Him to warn our national leaders of the time when all nations opposed to Christ will melt before Him. Praise Him for making you a part of His church and of His wonderful works. Always ask for His daily guidance so that you will not be a servant who is caught sleeping at Jesus' return.
For Further Study:
(v.10) ** the land. Zech 4:6-7; Isa 40:3-4; Luke 3:4-6; ** turned. Josh 21:17; 1Kgs 15:22; Isa 10:29; ** Rimmon. Josh 15:32; Judg 20:45, 47; 21:13; 1Chr 4:32; 6:77; ** inhabited. Zech 2:4; 12:6; Jer 30:18; ** from Benjamin's. 2Chr 25:23; Neh 3:1; 12:39; Jer 31:38-40; 37:13; 38:7;
(v.11) ** there. Num 21:3; Isa 60:18; Jer 31:40; Ezek 37:26; Joel 3:17, 20; Amos 9:15; Rev 21:4; 22:3; ** shall be safely inhabited. Zech 2:4; 8:4, 8; Isa 26:1; 66:22; Jer 23:5, 6; 33:15-16; Ezek 34:22-29;
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