Zechariah 14:1 – Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst.
I hope you are enjoying our study of the prophetic book of Zechariah. I congratulate you for sticking with it because in general, it is somewhat difficult 
to study prophesy. No matter how much we know, many questions remain unanswered. Furthermore, interpretations can vary widely, depending on the manner in which God chooses to fulfill his word (literal or spiritual) and our understanding of his plans/purposes.
Timing is always another issue when studying prophesy. The events of Zechariah 14 are a good example. Have the events of this final chapter already occurred? If not, do we have an idea when to expect their fulfillment? If they have already come to pass, have they been completely or only partially fulfilled? If the fulfillment was partial, when, how and where can we expect to witness the final outcome?
The word of the Lord in Zechariah 14 has a wide range of interpretations, especially in regards to the timing. Some feel the promises came to pass during the times of the Egyptians, the Maccabees, or the Romans. Others feel the events are still in the future, to be fulfilled simultaneously with the events of Ezekiel 38 & 39 when Gog and Magog move into action. Still others feel these events will take place under the rule of the antichrist or during the judgments of the ‘Day of the Lord’.
Our study is not going to examine every possible timetable for the events of chapter 14. This approach would be much too complicated and much too difficult. Instead, we will study this passage from the simplified view that the events mentioned in this chapter have not yet fully come to pass. This will allow us to concentrate on the interpretation of the passage without getting sidetracked by chasing partial fulfillments or arguing over the timing.
Behold: The final prophesy of Zechariah begins with ‘behold’. This word prompts the hearer to focus their attention on the message of the speaker, because something of profound importance is about to be revealed by the Lord.
A day is coming for the Lord: In this instance, ‘a day’ refers to a specific but undefined period of time (hours? weeks? months?) when the Lord Jesus shall appear on the earth for a season of judgment. For reasons known only to the Trinity, Jesus will allow the Jews to be tested during this period of time. While these trials and judgments are taking place, the glory, righteousness and holiness of Jesus will be revealed to the world.
The spoil: What do we know about ‘spoils’?
‘Spoil’ is defined as that which is seized by violence, force or robbery; especially plunder taken by an enemy. During the time of ancient Israel, spoil included things like sliver/gold, crops, flocks/herds, personal property, clothing, jewelry and even people.
Numbers 31:9 – And the people of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones, and they took as plunder all their cattle, their flocks, and all their goods. All their cities …they burned with fire and took all the spoil and all the plunder, both of man and beast.
Spoil taken after a military victory is considered a lawful prize; hence we have the phrase ‘to the victor belongs the spoils’. Israel both took and gave up her fair share of spoil throughout the years. 
Spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst: In the normal course of events, armies did not linger at the place of battle just to divide the spoils, lest the enemy somehow regroup and attack again. Rather, the plunder was distributed in the camp of the victor. Sometimes the distribution took place immediately in their encampment just outside the ransacked city. Other times the spoil was divided on the way home, as the victorious army stopped to rest and celebrate (I Samuel 30:8-16).
But in this case, the victors will divide the spoil inside the city of Jerusalem. This indicates that Israel is not simply losing a battle; she will be so utterly smitten that her enemies have no fear of remaining within the city.
Zechariah 14:2 – For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
The Lord is very clear that these events do not happen by chance or by fate or by the will of men. They will happen by the decree of heaven; it will be the Lord who gathers the nations together to war against Jerusalem and it will be the Lord who gives Jerusalem into their hands.
Consequently, the Jews will suffer the universal/common hardships and humiliations endured by defeated nations – their city will be destroyed, their government and military forces will be dissolved, their homes and possessions will be plundered and their women abused.
In fact, this Gentile coalition of nations will be consumed by such a hatred of Israel they will seek to utterly annihilate her. However, God will not allow them to do so.
Unbeknownst to them, they will function as instruments or tools of the Most High; he will use them to refine the Jews through fiery tests and trials. Thus, we see that God will bring about good for the Jews through this period of harsh testing. 
The Lord goes on to declare that half of the citizens of Jerusalem will be exiled from the city and half would remain. How can this be explained?
One theory is that when the city is captured, half of the people would take refuge in a stronghold/safe place such as an underground bunker. The enemy will not be able to breach the defenses of this strong hold. The Jews will remain in this safe place until they see a token of God’s favor. At that point, they will emerge from their safe place and, with divine assistance, they will either defeat their enemies or escape the city. God will then usher in a great and final restoration of the Jews.
Another theory claims that after some of the city is exiled, the aged/infirmed and all military personnel will be executed, resulting in a 50% loss of people. Afterward, those who are left will be placed into positions of servitude or slavery. The Jews will remain under this bondage until God moves on their behalf and frees them. They will then fight against (and defeat) their enemies, or flee the city and be blessed by God.
Regardless of exactly how this prophesy comes to pass, we can see once again that God always reserves a remnant for himself; a seed which will be planted and be for the restoration of the nation of Israel.
Zechariah 14:3 – Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.
God is said to ‘go forth’ or ‘go out’ when he declares/manifests his presence by some wondrous or miraculous deed, which is plainly visible to both the righteous and the wicked. During these times of ‘going forth/out’, God fights for his people and gives them victory. 
There are many instances of this throughout the Old Testament. One example of this would be when the Lord destroyed Pharaoh and his armies with the Red Sea, after the Jews had passed over it on dry land (Exodus 14:21-30).
Another instance occurred during the conquest of the Promised Land, when Joshua was leading the children of Israel against a five king coalition of Canaanites. During that battle, God sent a spirit of fear/panic into Israel’s enemies. He also rained down giant hailstones upon them so that more were killed by hail then by the men of Israel. As if that were not miraculous enough, he heard the prayer of Joshua and caused the sun to stand still in the sky, giving Israel time to fully destroy their enemies (Joshua 10:1-14).
There was also the time when the King of Assyria planned to lay siege to Jerusalem and conquer the kingdom of Hezekiah. All the Jews put on sack cloth and sought the help of the Lord. That night an angel of the Lord went into the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 enemy soldiers. When the remaining Assyrians woke up the next morning with all those dead bodies, they packed up and immediately went home to Nineveh (II Kings 19:35).
We could give many, many more examples but the bottom line is that God has always been ready to fight for his people in the day of battle. During these times, his supernatural assistance is clearly evident and he receives glory for the victory of his people.
So, to summarize so far, we can say that God will bring about an appointed period of time when the Jews will be drawn into a war with multiple other nations. Israel’s enemies will breach the defenses of Jerusalem; approximately half of the Jews will be exiled (or slaughtered) while the other half will remain in the city, perhaps in a strong hold of some kind or perhaps in a state of servitude.
God will use this war and what occurs during it as a trial/severe test for his people. However, at the appropriate time, he will ‘go out’ or manifest an instance of his mighty power just as he did in days of old.
Isaiah 42:13 – The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.
Because of God’s divine assistance, the Jews will overcome all odds and either be victorious against their enemies or escape their clutches. In this great victory, the glory will belong to the Lord.
What we have detailed so far reflects a literal interpretation of the scripture. In other words, there will be actual armies, who literally fight over the city of Jerusalem, etc. However, it should be noted that some scholars believe in a spiritual fulfillment, not a literal one.
The spiritual interpretation asserts that the awful war described here is a spiritual battle between the church (including the Jewish converts) and the forces of darkness. This interpretation says that God allows this grievous test to come upon the church in order to purify her. Some Christians will be ‘exiled’ or defeated in spiritual battle while others will hold fast. At the appointed time, Jesus will come to the spiritual rescue of his people and give them victory over Satan.
Zechariah 14:4 – On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
This verse mentions the Mount of Olives, which is also called Olivet (Acts 1:12). At other times, it is simply referred to as the mountain east of the city or the mount facing Jerusalem (Ezekiel 11:23, I Kings 11:7, Nehemiah 8:15).
The Mount of Olives is actually a ridge just over a mile in length. It is east of Jerusalem and runs in a general north and south direction. It is separated from Jerusalem by a very narrow valley called Cedron or Kidron. The mountain itself is formed of limestone and is divided into four clefts or summits. 
The southern summit is sometimes called the Mount of Corruption or the Mount of Offence so named because it is the location where King Solomon erected high places for the idolatrous worship of idols (I Kings 11:7, II Kings 23:1).
Another peak is referred to as ‘the prophets’, so called because of the labyrinth of tombs on its side, called ‘the prophets tombs’.
The central summit, also called the ‘Mount of Ascension’ is probably the peak which was frequented by Jesus.
The fourth summit is called the Viri Galilaei or the peak of Galilee.
The Mount of Olives is mentioned in passing once or twice in the Old Testament. King David crossed it when he was fleeing from his son Absalom (II Samuel 15:30). For many years the Israelites would go there to cut branches for use during the Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:15).
But the primary importance of this mountain is found in its connection to the closing years of Jesus’ life.
- Jesus passed over the mount daily, as he taught in the temple (Luke 21:7).
- It is widely believed that the cursed fig tree was also on that mountain (Matthew 21:19).
- Jesus rode over the mountain during his triumphal entry to Jerusalem (Luke 1:28-8).
- The Mount of Olives was the site of Jesus’ great eschatological discourse to the disciples in Matthew 24 & 25.
- The Mount of Olives is the site of the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus travailed in prayer and was betrayed by Judas.
If you believe in a literal interpretation of this prophesy (Zechariah 14), then you believe that Jesus literally comes to earth and stands upon the Mount of Olives. When he does, a tremendous earthquake will occur which splits the mount in two, from east to west.
This will result in half of the mountain now being shifted to the north, and the other half to the south, creating a newly formed valley. This valley will function as an escape route which leads from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, the Jordan River or some other location east of the mountain.
Those who hold to a literal interpretation point out that when Jesus left earth, it was a literal event which the disciples saw with their own physical eyes. Furthermore, the angels who were present at that event said that Jesus would return in the same way as he left:
Acts 1:9-11 – And when he [Jesus] had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
(See also Job 19:25). Proponents of the literal point of view also note that it is common for an earthquake to occur when the Lord appears (Exodus 19:18, Isaiah 29:6, Ezekiel 38:19-20, etc).
Others believe in a spiritual interpretation of this verse. Those who hold to this view say the true meaning is that God’s power will manifest itself in such a remarkable way in the deliverance of the church, it will be just as if he was literally standing upon the Mount of Olives, directing the battle while destroying all obstacles that stand in the way of the church’s deliverance and victory.
Those who adhere to this theory point out that many times in scripture mountains figuratively represent obstacles or hardships:
Zechariah 4:7 – Who are you O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain…
(See also Isaiah 40:4, etc). Those who hold this view believe that the description of the Mount of Olives splitting in two as Jesus stands upon it is simply a picture for the imagination. The purpose behind the picture is to give the people a mental image of the victory which God will give them. This mental picture will give them hope and be an encouragement to their faith.
Let me offer you some encouragement:
The prophesy in this chapter of Zechariah is difficult to understand, even for seasoned bible scholars. Over the years there has been a lot of argument over the meaning and timing of these events. These unknown factors can cause uneasiness or distress, especially for those who have been taught that we are now living in the ‘end times’ and may be a part of these events.
If that is you, let me give you some encouragement: God is acutely aware of your life and your situation. The psalmist tells us that God sees when you sit down and when you get up. He is acquainted with all of your ways and habits. He even knows every word you speak, before you form the words on your lips. He determined the number of your days before you were ever born (Psalms 139)!
Does that sound like a God who has forgotten you or who would let your life ‘slip through the cracks’ of his knowledge? Of course not!
It has never been God’s plan for you to live in fear or uneasiness. He has given each one of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), which grows as we place our trust in him. We may not understand all that God reveals through his word, but we know enough to understand that he is in control.
We should also keep in mind that God loves us immeasurably. If he didn’t, he never would have allowed Jesus to die for our sin. If God has already made the ultimate sacrifice to redeem us, he certainly won’t allow us to be swallowed up by the enemy on ‘that day’!
Let me offer you some relief and strength:
This prophesy indicates that God will bring the Jews (or the church) into a refining fire of hardship. The enemy will try to tell you this proves that God is unjust, unfair and perverse.
But nothing could be further from the truth! We know that our Heavenly Father is perfectly just, perfectly righteous and perfect in his love for us. He often prunes harmful or useless things from our lives, in order to assist our spiritual growth and make us more fruitful in his kingdom. This process is a normal part of every Christian life.
John 15:1-2- I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
You should also keep in mind that Satan is a created being; he does not know or understand the mind of God, and he never will (only Holy Spirit has that power – I Corinthians 2:9-12). He will twist facts around to make it seem as though God is cruel, but he cannot see the glorious blessings that God will bring about through these refinements.
The truth is that spiritual refinement always results in our ultimate good. God is not looking for ways to send you to hell or reasons to punish you; he is actively engaged in finding ways to bless you!