In Zechariah 14, God gives us a picture of the coming destruction. This, the chapter that feeds so much of the eschatalogical speculation about exactly how, when, and where Jesus will return to bring judgment and destruction on unbelievers, paints a very bleak picture for those who are not faithful to our Lord and Savior. Likewise, it paints a picture of confidence for Jerusalem, which will not be destroyed but will rather be protected in the midst of utter catastrophe.
Let us remember the terrible destructiveness of sin. Where unbelief resides, there we find God's judgment. Where disobedience exists, there we find God's retribution for sin against his holy commands. There, not in Jerusalem, but outside of the gates we find ourselves, day after day, night after night, year after year, earning utter destruction. When have we acted in a genuinely holy manner, even for a moment? Again and again, in thought, word, and deed we prove ourselves to be vessels of God's wrath. We do not trust our heavenly Father for every good thing. We depend on our wisdom. We depend on our own strength. We worry. We lie. We cheat. We steal. We are angry with our brother. We use God's name and attributes wrongly. Surely we are contemptible in the sight of God.
But as we see here, Jerusalem is protected. We who believe on Christ, who come to him for forgiveness of sin, casting our lives on his perfect righteousness see that Jesus was crucified for us, not in Jerusalem but outside of the gates, in the world of destruction. He surely bore God's wrath and condemnation on our behalf, that we might be ushered into the place of protection.
Cling to the Lord's righteousness! Desire to dwell in the heavenly Jerusalem, where you are guarded from sin, shame and God's wrath! Know that in the sacrifice of Christ on your behalf he has placed you in a city of eternal protection, where you need not fear condemnation and destruction!
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