“On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter” (Zechariah 14:8 ESV).
God gave the prophet Zechariah a word concerning the coming Day of the LORD when Christ shall return. Among the many details that Zechariah saw was a river of “living waters” flowing out from Jerusalem. This river flowed both east and west, flowing to the “eastern sea,” which is the Dead Sea, and the “western sea,” which is the Mediterranean. This stream flows year around, unaffected by the drought of summer.
Many interpret this verse as describing how the gospel will flow east and west, covering the earth so that all will hear. Others see it as describing the way the Holy Spirit will flow to everyone in that Day, giving them eternal life.
Yet some of us interpret this depiction more literally. For if we are to take the Day of Christ’s return literally, I see no reason not to take this whole description more literally. For Zechariah is not alone in his description. Ezekiel saw a similar river, flowing out from the Temple in Jerusalem, bringing life and healing (Ezek. 47:1-12). The Lord also gave the apostle John a revelation of a “river of life” that flowed from the “throne of God and of the Lamb” that brought life and healing to the nations (Rev. 22:1-5).
For God to reveal this to three different individuals at three different times seems significant and lends itself to be taken more literally. Certainly, the Lord would have no difficulty in making geographic changes to the earth that He has created.
Whether taken symbolically or literally, the “living water” portrays a Day when Christ will return and dwell with us as the source of life and blessing, flowing outward to continually renew and sustain humanity and all creation. These living waters will flow to those who have believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we look back in faith at the day of Christ’s first coming and we look forward in hope to the Day of His soon return. We may not completely understand all that You have revealed to us of this future Day, but we know it is good. Indeed, it is wonderful! For You are good and You are wonderful! Until that Day, fill us with Your Spirit that we might live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6 NLT).
John saw a day when all those who share in the “first resurrection” would serve as priests of God and reign with Christ for a millennium. What is this “first resurrection” and who are those who share in it?
The first resurrection began with Christ, who is the “firstfruits” of those who will be raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20). He is the prototype, the “firstborn” from the dead (Col. 1:18), so that all the resurrected saints will be like Him (1 John 3:2). So, the first resurrection began with Christ and continued with resurrected believers at the time of the rapture at the beginning of the Tribulation (1 Cor 15:23; 1 Th 4:16), concluding with the resurrection of those who believed in spite of persecution during the Tribulation. In summary, the first resurrection includes all those who have by faith trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior and who will receive glorified bodies like Christ at His return.
There are two resurrections in the Bible. The second resurrection is for those who have not believed. They are the “dead” who will be raised to appear before God’s great white throne for judgment at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:11-15).
Those who are part of the first resurrection do not have to worry about the great white throne judgment of God. For it is not for them. They are those who have been called blessed and holy because of their faith in Christ Jesus. They are those for whom the “second death,” which is the “lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14), holds no power. For their names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 21:27). They will not only reign with Christ for a thousand years, but will live with Him for eternity.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to set our hearts and minds on things above, lifting them off earthly things. You have a wonderful purpose and plan for us and we often get bogged down in temporary things. Give us a fresh glimpse of Your glory and a fresh call to Your mission. For we are destined for eternity with You and we want to live every moment in view of that reality. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Two streams of Messianic prophecy are found in Zechariah. One, points to Christ’s first coming as humble Savior, and the other, to His second coming as righteous King. This passage belongs to the second stream, as the phrase “on that day” connects it to the time period known as the “Day of the Lord,” when King Jesus and His holy ones return at the conclusion of the Great Tribulation.
At His first coming, Christ stood on the Mount of Olives many times. During Passion Week alone, the Bible recorded three significant times that Jesus spent on the Mount: The Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24), the Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:29-30), and the Garden Prayer and Betrayal (Mark 14:32-52). None of these occasions fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy.
On the day of Christ’s ascension, the disciples were with Him on the Mount when He was lifted up into the clouds. They heard the angel say, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way” (Acts 1:11). Zechariah prophesied of that day of which the angel spoke, a day when Christ will return to stand on the Mount of Olives and the saints of God with Him.
Just as the prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent have been fulfilled, so will the prophecies of His return be fulfilled. Therefore we can look forward in faith and with confident hope of His soon return. Even so, Lord, come quickly.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed by the fulfillment of Your Word through the prophets. Even more, we are amazed by Your Son, Jesus Christ. For He is all wonderful and beautiful to us. He is the source of eternal life and the object of our deepest longing. May we be found faithful until His return. In Jesus’ name, amen.
John saw a day when all those who share in the “first resurrection” would serve as priests of God and reign with Christ for a thousand years, a millennium. What is this “first resurrection” and who are those who share in it?
The first resurrection began with Christ, who is the “firstfruits” of those who have risen from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20). He is the prototype, the “firstborn” from the dead (Col. 1:18), so that all the resurrected saints will be like Him (1 John 3:2). So, the first resurrection began with Christ and continued with the resurrected Church at the time of the rapture at the beginning of the Tribulation and concluded with the resurrection of those who believed in spite of persecution during the Tribulation. In summary, the first resurrection includes all those who have by faith trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior.
There are two resurrections in the Bible. The second resurrection is for those who have not believed. They are the “dead” who will be raised to appear before God’s great white throne for judgment at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:11-15).
Those who are part of the first resurrection do not have to worry about the great white throne judgment of God. For it is not for them. They are those who have been called blessed and holy because of their faith in Christ Jesus. They are those for whom the “second death,” which is the “lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14), holds no power. For their names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 21:27). They will not only reign with Christ for a thousand years, but will live with Him for eternity.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to set our hearts and minds on things above, lifting them off earthly things. You have a wonderful purpose and plan for us and we often get bogged down in temporary things. Give us a fresh glimpse of Your glory and a fresh call to Your mission. For we are destined for eternity with You and we want to live every moment in view of that reality. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Throughout history there have been those who have been sentenced to death without someone to speak for them. Often it was the poor who couldn’t afford council or the widow or orphan who had no rights. Yet today in our nation, the greatest tragedy has been the unborn who have been sentenced to die without a voice.
Since Roe V. Wade was decided in the Supreme Court in 1973, over 60 million babies have been aborted. That’s 20% of the US population! To get a sense of the size of this, one would have to imagine that 10 states in the Southeastern US fell into the ocean drowning the entire population. How many future poets and physicians were lost? How many future geniuses and dreamers never came to be? How many songs and scientific discoveries have been denied to us?
How many? Over 60 million possibilities.
What kind of a people, what kind of a nation would sacrifice its children on the altar of so-called sexual freedom? Are we any different from the ancient Canaanites who offered their children to Molech? For just as God warned Israel not to “hide their eyes” from those who give their children to Molech, so I believe He warns us (See Lev. 20:1-5).
And let us not hide our eyes from the terrible and lasting effect that abortion has on the mothers and even the fathers that have made such a tragic decision. They need to hear the message of love and forgiveness that is only found in the gospel of Christ. Who will tell them?
Who will speak out for the speechless?
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for the murder of our unborn. For when we have remained silent or hidden our eyes, we have become as accomplices. Bring our nation to repentance. Bring revival. And forgive us for being silent wherever the speechless cannot defend themselves. For You are a Defender of the poor and the weak, the fatherless and the widow. Strengthen us to speak out for them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
John saw a day when all those who share in the “first resurrection” would serve as priests of God and reign with Christ for a thousand years, a millennium. What is this “first resurrection” and who are those who share in it?
The first resurrection began with Christ, who is the “firstfruits” of those who have risen from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20). He is the prototype, the “firstborn” from the dead (Col. 1:18), so that all the resurrected saints will be like Him (1 John 3:2). So, the first resurrection began with Christ and continued with the resurrected Church at the time of the rapture at the beginning of the Tribulation and concluded with the resurrection of those who believed in spite of persecution during the Tribulation. In summary, the first resurrection includes all those who have by faith trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior.
There are two resurrections in the Bible. The second resurrection is for those who have not believed. They are the “dead” who will be raised to appear before God’s great white throne for judgment at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:11-15).
Those who are part of the first resurrection do not have to worry about the great white throne judgment of God. For it is not for them. They are those who have been called blessed and holy because of their faith in Christ Jesus. They are those for whom the “second death,” which is the “lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14), holds no power. For their names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 21:27). They will not only reign with Christ for a thousand years, but will live with Him for eternity.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to set our hearts and minds on things above, lifting them off earthly things. You have a wonderful purpose and plan for us and we often get bogged down in the temporary things. Give us a fresh glimpse of Your glory and a fresh call to Your mission. For we are destined for eternity with You and we want to live every moment in view of that reality. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Two streams of Messianic prophecy are found in Zechariah. One, points to Christ’s first coming as humble Savior, and the other, to His second coming as righteous Judge. This passage belongs to the second stream, as the phrase “on that day” connects it to the time period known as the “Day of the Lord,” when God’s judgment will fall on planet earth during the time of the Great Tribulation.
At His first coming, Christ stood on the Mount of Olives many times. During Passion Week alone, the Bible recorded three significant times that Jesus spent on the Mount: The Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24), the Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:29-30), and the Garden Prayer and Betrayal (Mark 14:32-52).
On the day of Christ’s ascension, the disciples were with Him on the Mount when He was lifted up into the clouds. They heard the angel say, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way” (Acts 1:11). Zechariah prophesied of that day of which the angel spoke, a day when Christ will return to stand on the Mount of Olives and the saints of God with Him.
Surely old Job will be with the saints and the Lord Jesus on that day. As Job confidently prophesied, “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25).
This is the Great White Throne judgment of God. This is not a trial, for the verdict is already in. This is a sentencing. And the resurrected dead both great and small will “stand” (12) for the verdict, which is the “second death” (14).
There appear to be two resurrections and two judgment seats in Scripture. The “first resurrection” (5-6) is for those found in Christ. They will appear before the “judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10). The Greek word translated “judgment seat” is “bema.” The Greek “bema” is not a seat of criminal justice, but of ceremonial reward, as is seen in those who judge at the olympic games. For Christ has already paid the price for their justification. What remains is the giving out of crowns and reward according to their works of faith.
The second resurrection is for those who died without Christ. They will stand for the Great White Throne judgment and be sentenced.
The modern mind may reject the idea of God and a final judgment. Yet, the Word of God is clear. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
Two streams of messianic prophecy are found in Zechariah. One, points to Christ’s first coming as humble Savior, and the other, to His second coming as righteous Judge. This passage belongs to the second stream, as the phrase “on that day” connects it to the time period known as the “Day of the Lord,” when God’s judgment will fall on planet earth. Christ’s “feet” have stood on the Mount of Olives many times. During Passion Week alone, the Bible recorded three significant times that Jesus spent on the Mount: The Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24), the Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:29-30), and the Garden Prayer and Betrayal (Mark 14:32-52). On the day of Christ’s ascension, the disciples were with Him on the Mount when He was lifted up into the clouds (Acts 1:6-12). They heard the angel say, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way.” Zechariah prophesied of that day of which the angel spoke, a day when Christ will return to stand on the Mount of Olives and split the mount in two.
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament readings today are about the triumph of the true Lord and King. Since the garden, humanity has been in rebellion against God, choosing to follow its own way, rather than the Lord’s. Yet, both Zechariah and John saw a “Day” coming when the Lord would reign “over all the earth” and every human tongue would worship His name alone. We too, are to be heralds of His soon arrival, announcing that everyone should get ready for the coming King.