And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,

.... Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two. From east to west, Making a very large valley  (Zechariah 14:4). As with just about all end time prophecy, there is much debate and little agreement as to interpretation. Some see this prophecy as literal, others figuratively. What is interesting though is that it is now known that a geological fault line runs down the Great Rift Valley and goes right through the mount of Olives. But it's not as though the Lord could not split the mountain if there was no such fault! The context of the prophecy is of the nations gathering against Jerusalem, it is being destroyed,  but then the Lord fights against the nations “like a warrior fighting in battle” (verses 2, 3).  

The mount of Olives is where the Lord ascended, and where He experienced His  deepest sorrow, in Gethsemane. It is the place where the Angel said, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). And it is likely that this verse and this morning's verse, are those from which comes the  traditional that Jesus shall come again to judge the earth, from where He left the earth. But whether this is the place,  and that this is what happens when He comes, one thing is certain, He is coming again, and His coming  is nearer than when we first believed. This being the case we should heed Paul's admonition that we the church should wake from our slumber (Romans 13:11).

This year has been a  very difficult year for many of us. Maybe not as sever as the destruction of Jerusalem (verses 2, 3), but severe enough for sure. And I am reminded this morning, as we come its close that the Lord fights for us “like a warrior fighting in battle.”  I am reminded too of the soon coming of the Lord, and the need for us to be awake, and to watch and pray for we know neither the time nor the season (Mark 13:33).  


Lord Jesus, there is this tendency even as Christians to have the same mind set as the scoffers who ask sarcastically  “Where is the promise of His coming? Thank You Lord that in Your Word You remind us that with You one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. You are not slack concerning Your  promise Lord,  but are longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. There are loved one this morning Lord who do not yet know You, and I am asking Lord for their salvation. Nevertheless Lord I long for Your appearing. Forgive us Lord and give us grace to watch and pray, and wake us up where we need to be awoken,  and we will give You the glory in Your precious Name Amen