Read 14:1-5
Q: What is this speaking of?
A: From this point on is provided a detailed explanation of what is going to take place in the course of what was previously described above when the final “sword” is awaken.
Q: What is the primary difference between what will be experienced at this time by Israel from the rest of the nations?
A: Whereas this is a refining process for Israel which will result in a remnant returning to God, all that is left to be experienced by the nations is God’s judgment.
Point: This time is so unprecedented in the calamities and destructive results that God began by first assuring His people that for them, at least, there is a greater spiritual purpose by which they will overcome what is to inevitably come.
Q: How does this section begin where God’s people are concerned?
A: With a promise of a physical restoration of what will temporarily be taken from them in the course of these events. Notice that God says in v.2, “For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle” to show that what is to come, as bad as it may seem, is only temporary and will work for His greater purpose and will; He is in control.
Point: Temporary earthly success always eventually gives way to a divine outcome.
Q: When will the tide turn, so to speak, from an earthly point of view?
A: “Then the Lord will go forth and fight”. (v.3) God will supernaturally intervene on Israel’s behalf.
Q: What is the dual working of this supernatural intervention?
A: He will not only deal with Israel’s enemies, but at the same time provide an avenue of escape for His people.
Observation: It has been noted by a great many that a major fault line bisects the Mt. of Olives which could literally cause it to “be split in its middle from eat to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south”.
Q: So how do we know for sure, contrary to what many assert, that the events of 70 AD were not a fulfillment of these Scriptures?
A: Because there was no reappearance of the Messiah, no supernatural destruction of the Roman troops, nor a supernaturally created valley by which believers escaped.
Q: What is the culmination of these events?
A: “…the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!” (v.5)
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
— Revelation 19:11-16
Point: There is a final resolution for Jerusalem to come which works for the salvation of God’s people while working for the judgment of everyone else.
