Zec 14:2 | KingComments | STEP | Here the last attack on and capture of Jerusalem by “all the nations” of the earth is described ( ; cf. ). It is a self-willed act of the nations as they are gathered by the LORD for their battle against Jerusalem. The LORD stands behind the events and controls them, so that His purpose is achieved. That purpose is the liberation of His people by the judgment of their enemies. At first it seems that the peoples are succeeding in their intention. They capture the city, plunder the houses and ravish the women. In doing so, they carry out God’s judgment on apostate Israel. They also take half of the population of Jerusalem into exile. But there is talk of “the rest of the people”, which is a remnant that is not cut off and stays in the city. So there is no total destruction of the city as there was in the year 70 AD. It is the last siege by the nations. If the Lord Jesus cuts them off, the times of the Gentile will have come to an end ( ). When the need is greatest, the LORD appears. His people are attacked and whoever touches them touches the apple of His eye. He will then go out of heaven ( ) to fight as He did before. We can think of His fight against the Egyptians when He frees His people from bondage ( ). He also fights for His people when they take possession of the land of Canaan ( ).

‏ Zechariah 14:2

The Nations Gathered and Judged

Here the last attack on and capture of Jerusalem by “all the nations” of the earth is described (Zec 14:2; cf. Zec 12:2). It is a self-willed act of the nations as they are gathered by the LORD for their battle against Jerusalem. The LORD stands behind the events and controls them, so that His purpose is achieved. That purpose is the liberation of His people by the judgment of their enemies.

At first it seems that the peoples are succeeding in their intention. They capture the city, plunder the houses and ravish the women. In doing so, they carry out God’s judgment on apostate Israel. They also take half of the population of Jerusalem into exile. But there is talk of “the rest of the people”, which is a remnant that is not cut off and stays in the city. So there is no total destruction of the city as there was in the year 70 AD. It is the last siege by the nations. If the Lord Jesus cuts them off, the times of the Gentile will have come to an end (Lk 21:24).

When the need is greatest, the LORD appears. His people are attacked and whoever touches them touches the apple of His eye. He will then go out of heaven (Rev 19:11-16) to fight as He did before. We can think of His fight against the Egyptians when He frees His people from bondage (Exo 14:14). He also fights for His people when they take possession of the land of Canaan (Jos 10:14).