The Messiah’s Victory
Zechariah 14:10-15
September 24, 2023
One husband was complaining to his wife about their children, wondering if they would ever grow up. Saying, “Just a moment,” his wife pulled out a worn box that contained a frayed, yellowing diary — her diary from the year 1945. She read this entry from a particularly bad day:
May 7 — Terrible time in school, flunked the math quiz. Nancy bragged about her new bike. Why can’t I have one? I am bored, bored, BORED. Nothing important ever happens. Oh yes, P.S. Today is V-E Day. The war is over in Europe.
At times it is hard to accurately evaluate a circumstance. In war, the loss of a particular battle tempts one to think the war is lost; in culture wars, the loss of a moral skirmish tempts us to think all morality is gone; and in the absence of Christ’s return, it is tempting to believe that He may never return.
Those thoughts aren’t new. The Israelites also experienced those thoughts. Though the nation had returned from the Babylonian captivity, even about 100 years later, the city of Jerusalem was still not properly populated (Neh. 7:4), and people were “drafted” by lot to move to the capital (Neh. 11:1-2). And though the Temple was reconstructed, there was still opposition from the Gentile nations and the temple itself was far less impressive than Solomon’s temple — it seemed “like nothing in comparison” (Hag. 2:3).
In that context, Zechariah was given a prophecy from God to encourage the Israelites to faithfulness and hopefulness. The culmination of that prophecy is chapter 14 and the return of Christ as the Messianic King. Over the last two weeks we have seen His return and the establishment of His Kingdom. Today, in vv. 10-15, we observe the returning Messianic King in another role —
Christ the King will come as Victor.
Every King is a “victor” in some sense; but every king also eventually loses an election, is deposed from his throne, or dies. But not this King. This King is a conquering and victorious King and always will be so. These verses reaffirm some realities of Christ’s conquest that we have already seen, but with even more graphic language. How will Christ be the victor? This text points to two aspects of Christ’s victory.
- Be Confident in Christ’s Restorative Victory (vv. 10-11)
- Israel’s land will be restored (v. 10)
- Israel’s people will be restored (v. 11a)
- Israel’s “security” will be restored (v. 11b)
- Be Confident in Christ’s Retributive Victory (vv. 12-15)
- God will judge all sinners (vv. 12-13, 15)
- God will restore plunder (v. 14)
Download the rest of this sermon on Zechariah 14:10-15.
The audio will be posted on the GBC website by tomorrow.
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