Zechariah 14:6-11

A few weeks ago, in 14:1-5, we saw the coming of Yahweh, Jesus the Messiah, to rescue His people and confront the nations besieging Jerusalem. 

This week, in Zechariah 14:6-11, we gain a different perspective on His coming, focusing on the cataclysmic environmental changes accompanying that coming.

6 And it will be in that day that there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. 7 And it will be a unique day which is known to Yahweh, neither day nor night, but it will be that at evening time there will be light. 8 And it will be in that day that living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter. 9 And Yahweh will be king over all the earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only one, and His name one. 10 All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and inhabit its site from Benjamin’s Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses. 11 And people will inhabit it, and there will no longer be anything devoted to destruction, for Jerusalem will be inhabited in security.

In this passage, Zechariah describes the atmospheric, hydrological, political, geological, and security changes in Christ's return. Let's look briefly at each one.

1. The Atmospheric Changes in Christ’s Return

Zechariah describes the absence of light on the day God returns to earth in verses 6-7. This mirrors the thick darkness seen during the ninth plague of Egypt (Exodus 10:22) and the crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27:45). Such darkness reflects that this is a time of judgment throughout the OT prophets (Joel 2:2; Amos 5:20; 8:9; Zephaniah 1:15).

Why does darkness accompany God’s judgment? In creation, God’s first act was to bring forth light (Genesis 1:3). Light signifies His power as Creator and His grace as Sustainer of life. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:45 that God graciously “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good.” However, the removal of that light signals an end to grace for the unrighteous and the beginning of divine judgment. Humanity will be exposed to His utter holiness and justice.

2. The Hydrological Changes in Christ’s Return

Unlike today, when Jerusalem has only a small spring, when Yahweh returns, verse 8 describes “living waters” flowing from the city to the “eastern sea” (the Dead Sea) and the “western sea” (the Mediterranean). These waters bring life even to the Dead Sea, the most inhospitable body of water on the earth (described further in Ezekiel 47:1-12). These rivers fulfill the agricultural rejuvenation of Israel described in Isaiah 35:6-7 and 41:18-20. God is restoring the earth to His original intention in the Garden of Eden.

3. The Political Changes in Christ’s Return

In verse 9, Zechariah makes a stunning declaration: “Yahweh will be king over all the earth.” This marks the complete political consolidation of every nation under the Messiah’s rule. The conflicts that define our leaders and nations will dissolve as His justice governs humanity.

4. The Geological Changes in Christ’s Return

Verse 10 states that valleys and hills around Jerusalem will become a vast plain stretching from Geba to Rimmon.

Geba, a city in Benjamin, north of Jerusalem (1 Samuel 13:16), is associated with modern Jaba’, about 5.5 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Rimmon, an ancient village near Edom in Judah (Joshua 15:21, 32; Nehemiah 11:29), is associated with Tell Halif, about 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem. This 40-mile plain will accommodate the revitalized and elevated city of Jerusalem, emphasizing the city’s centrality in God’s plan.

5. The Permanent Security of Jerusalem in Christ’s Return

Finally, verse 11 promises that Jerusalem will be “inhabited in security.” This marks a permanent spiritual change for Israel as well. In Deuteronomy 28, God warned that Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness would bring Gentile sieges, invasions, and deportations. The ending of these punishments demonstrates Israel’s restored and permanent faithfulness to Yahweh. That happens because the Messiah, Jesus Himself, is dwelling personally in Jerusalem. His presence causes their faithfulness and protects their life.

Christ’s Presence in Us

It is no different with us. Separation from Christ leads to death, but His presence in us causes our faithfulness and protects our lives.

Paul emphasizes this in Romans 8:8-10: “Those who are in the flesh are not able to please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” 

While we look forward to that day when Jesus will reign physically on earth, we rejoice now in His presence in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. His indwelling empowers us to live faithfully with peace, just as His future presence will transform Israel and the world.

Pastor David