Understanding events in the Middle East (past, present & future)

Certainly, the Middle East has been heating up over the last few years with greater and greater intensity. We heard a message on Sunday night regarding the role of Israel in the Middle East - and in the End Times.

In all my 36 years - I've never heard anyone preach on Zecharaiah 12-14 - how God will bring Israel "to her knees" - to provoke her people to accept Christ. It's a mysterious plan - and a grand one all at the same time. Here's a study guide to this passage - and we intend to study it ourselves. Who's teaching this stuff out there - who will press in to understand these times? We will be sending out the audio cd on this! We think it important to understand and prepare our lives and hearts for the times ahead. We think there are places (like South Africa) that are plagued with an underlying Anti-Semitic spirit - quite evident in the way the church is half-asleep to this biblical prophecy.


Israel’s victory, suffering and world leadership (Zech. 12-14)

A. Section one (Zech. 12:1-13:6): Israel’s sudden military and spiritual victory
1. All the nations will gather against Jerusalem: a military and political assault (Zech. 12:1-3)
2. Israel’s military victory: Israel is unified and anointed like David (Zech. 12:4-9)
3. Israel’s national repentance and conversion: the outpouring of the Spirit (Zech. 12:10-14)
4. Israel’s national cleansing: from sin, idols, false prophets and the unclean spirit (Zech. 13:1-6)

B. Section two (Zech. 13:7-14:2): Israel’s suffering – the remnant will be refined in the fire
1. Israel will pass through much tribulation to refine the remnant to be saved (Zech. 13:7-9)
2. Jerusalem is temporarily taken and captives are deported (Zech. 14:1-2)

C. Section three (Zech. 14:3-21): Israel’s victory by the return of Jesus as King of the world
1. Jesus returns as the King of Israel to deliver her from her enemies (Zech. 14:3-5)
2. Jesus’ Kingship is announced by miracles: unusual light and living water (Zech. 14:6-8)
3. Jesus is exalted as King over all the nations (Zech. 14:9)
4. Jesus’ capital Jerusalem is leveled, exalted and safely inhabited (Zech. 14:10-11)
5. Jesus will punish all the nations that rebel against His leadership (Zech. 14:12-15, 18, 19)
6. The Gentiles shall be converted and unified with Israel in worshipping Jesus (Zech. 14:16-19)7. Israel will be the first entire nation to walk holy in every area of their life (Zech. 14:20-21)