V. CLEANSING FROM THE DEVASTATION OF SLAUGHTER (vv. 8-9a)
“It shall come to pass that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts in it shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them as gold is tested.”
In the Battle of Armageddon there will be terrible slaughter. Zechariah prophesies it will take the lives of two-thirds of the people of Israel. Some do not take that amount literally since Isaiah mentions a tenth being spared (Isa. 6:13). But clearly the majority of the people of Israel will die, and only a portion will survive the Battle of Armageddon. The Antichrist and the armies of the world will attempt to wipe out the entire nation, but they will fail. The remaining third will be the believing remnant who look upon Christ in repentance at His return (Zech. 12:10), and will include the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7:4. They are the survivors whose hearts were prepared and who enter the earthly Kingdom in their physical bodies. The Tribulation will be an unprecedented refining process for the nation of Israel.
VI. CLEANSING THROUGH THE DECISION OF THE SOUL (v. 9b)
“They shall call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God.”
The cleansing of Israel is a sovereign act of God, but it occurs in concert with the will of the people of Israel. God does not sovereignly redeem His people apart from their faith in Him. The people that were “not my people” (Heb., lo ammi) will become “my people” (Heb., ammi), according to God’s prophecy in Hosea 1:9-11. From the midst of their fiery ordeal the remnant of Israel will see Jesus Christ and they call upon Him as their Lord. Their decision will consummate their cleansing. Isaiah said, “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa. 35:10). What a blessed consummation!
Our God is a forgiving God who will forgive His people Israel even though they descended from those who killed His Son. Who is a pardoning God like that? Do you know of any other? Because we are sinners, we need a God who can take away our sin. The fountain is open for all who will come. There is no need to wait.
Focusing on the Facts
1. In Isaiah’s parable of the vineyard, why was God seemingly perplexed (Isa. 5:3-4; see p. 1).
2.How did God promise to judge Israel for her rebellion (Isa. 5:5-6; see p. 1-2)?
3.In Jesus’ parable of the householder, identify the servants and the farmers. How did the farmers treat the servants (Matt. 21:33-36; see p. 2)?
4.What did the chief priests and Pharisees who heard the parable conclude that the lord would do after the farmers had killed his son? How did they react to Jesus’ parable? Why (Matt. 21:41-46; see p. 2)?
5.To whom did Israel forfeit the Kingdom? Does that mean that God is finished with Israel? Support your answer with Scripture (see p. 3).
6.What will allow Israel to be restored to her place of blessing? Support your answer with Scripture (see p. 3-4).
7.Is spiritual cleansing needed only by Israel? Support your answer with Scripture (see p. 4).
8.What relationship did Israel have to God’s righteousness, according to Romans 10:3 (see p. 4)?
9.What is the greatest sin Israel remains guilty of (see p. 4)?
10.Describe the fountain that will be opened to Israel (see p. 4-5).
11. Explain how cleansing from sin takes place today (see p. 5).
12.What alone can purge the sinner’s conscience? What will that purging result in (see p. 5-6)?
13.Identify the two besetting sins of Israel and the source of each (see p. 6).
14.What do those sins drive their victims into (see p. 6)?
15.What will happen to false prophets after Israel has been cleansed (vv. 3-5; see pp. 6-7)?
16.Who ultimately takes responsibility for the death of Christ? Explain (1 Pet. 1:18-20; see p. 7).
17.What does verse 7 imply about the nature of the smitten shepherd? List some Scripture references that explicitly teach the same thing (see p. 8).
18.At what times were the sheep of the smitten shepherd dispersed (see p. 8)?
19.Whom did God say He would “turn His hand upon”? What did Jesus say to confirm that reality (v. 7; see p. 8-9)?
20.Who will the survive the Battle of Armageddon (vv. 8-9; see p. 9)?
21.As a result of their spiritual refining, what will those survivors do and say (v. 9; see p. 9)?
22.Will the cleansing of Israel be purely a sovereign act of God? Explain (see p. 9).
Pondering the Principles
1.Divine forgiveness is a precious commodity. It is as necessary to us as air. Without it we would be eternally separated from God and trapped with unresolvable guilt in this life. Are you sensitive to the sins you commit against man and God? Are you quick to confess them and restore a right relationship with both? Meditate on Micah 7:18. Take a moment to praise the Lord that He “is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” as we confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:9, NASB). Pray you might have an opportunity to share that great truth with someone this week, giving them hope of forgiveness no matter how serious the sin.
2.Zechariah 13 affirms that God uses suffering in the lives of His people. In doing so He desires not only to purge false believers, but also to strengthen the true believers. Jesus and the New Testament writers guaranteed that believers would encounter suffering (John 15:18, 20; 2 Tim. 3:12). When you experience it, do you joyfully accept it as part of God’s purpose in your life (James 1:2- 4)? If you are currently suffering or know someone who is, pray that you will develop great spiritual strength and trust in our faithful Lord, who has compassion on us and a deep awareness of our human frailties (Ps. 103:14).
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
