The True Holy Land!

6. The Land of Holiness

We draw this massively important chapter to a close.  We have been studying the Minor Prophet, Zechariah and in particular of late, Zechariah 14.  Over the last few blogs we have attempted to see the contextual message and the implications for us.

1. The Day of the LORD;

2. He Will Make a Way;

3. The End For Which the World Was Created;

4. Since You Know the Wrath of God ..... ;

5. Come and Worship. Gentiles Invited Too!

This article closes the chapter as we read Zechariah 14:20–21 (NIV),

²⁰ On that day holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. ²¹ Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.  

Life in the New Heavens and the New Earth will bleed holiness.  Holiness will pervade every part of life.  Even the bells on horse harnesses will be engraved with the inscription: HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.  All the vessels of the Lord's house will be holy.  Every utensil will be holy.  "Originally inscribed on the high priest’s turban (Ex. 28:36–38) to express dedication, the phrase is now applied to everything in Jerusalem, horses’ bells and cooking pots, because God’s presence sanctifies all around Him." [1]

There will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord.  Why?  Probably this is used metaphorically as the entire chapter represents in that there will be no unholy or ungodly people.

In Paul's letter to Ephesus he tells us very clearly: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love” (Ephesians 1:3–4, NIV)

Here we have the goal of sovereign, unconditional, irresistible predestination by the eternal God who, according to His own pleasure, chooses people to be saved -- saved from wrath and saved unto holiness.  As God has said, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” (Isaiah 46:10, NIV). As the prophet Isaiah elsewhere writes, recorded in Isaiah 14:26–27 (NIV),

²⁶ This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. ²⁷ For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

And Father, Your chosen people simply cry, Maranatha, Lord Jesus.  Come quickly. To God be the glory, great things He hath done.  As with the Apostle, the struggle and the battle with sin often causes us to cry out to Your, Lord Jesus, 'Who can deliver me from this body of sin.'  The answer rings from the Scriptures: Jesus!   And the day will come when we are thoroughly holy, through and through.  And the earth and all that's in it will be holy.  And a number to great to number, all the Elect of God will be holy.  Oh that will be glory for me.  And Christ Jesus will be glorified with His saints, forever and ever and ever.  Amen!

Now we envision the true Holy Land!

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1. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 14:20). Nashville: T. Nelson.