Zechariah 13:7-9 " Awake, O sword, against MY SHEPHERD, and against the MAN that is MY FELLOW, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the SHEPHERD, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on MY name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is MY people: and they shall say, The LORD is my GOD."
This final section of Zechariah 13 speaks of the blood-washed remnant, those of the twelve tribes of Israel who will survive the entire seven-year Tribulation and will, therefore, be alive and prepared to receive their MESSIAH when HE returns to destroy every foe and inaugurate HIS millennial reign upon the Earth. The SHEPHERD-KING, the GOOD SHEPHERD WHO was smitten by the sword of GOD's judgment on behalf of the sheep who had gone astray (John 10:11), is now the ONE WHO promises to "turn [HIS] hand upon the little ones" (v.7). How ? HE exercises HIS chastening hand that will prepare HIS chosen people for the promised blessing of the kingdom to come. "It shall come to pass, that in all the land" two thirds of Israel will fall by the sword, by martyrdom, and by the plagues of the Great Tribulation (v.8). The stiff-necked Israelite will be destroyed (Amos 9:10; Isaiah 1:9 both pictured above) while the Jew who trusts in JESUS CHRIST will become a Tribulation saint. If he is slain for his faith during this time, then he will await resurrection at the coming of CHRIST the KING (Revelation 6:9-11; 12:11,17).
Only one third of Israel will "endure unto the end [of the Great Tribulation and] . . . shall be saved," or delivered, when the DELIVERER returns to Mount Zion (read the entire context of Matthew 24:13 pictured above, from which this quote was taken). This verse does not mean, as so many errantly teach today, that believers in the church age need to "endure unto the end" by their good works lest they lose their salvation in CHRIST. No, this text is speaking of the one-third remnant of the Jews who will be brought through the refining fire (v.9), at which time "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:25-27). DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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