Zechariah 14, Daniel 12 and the Resurrection of the Dead

This is the third installment in our examination of Zechariah 14 and the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. The imagery of Zechariah clearly depicts resurrection life, as our previous article demonstrated.  What we want to do now is to show the direct correspondence between Daniel 12 and its prediction of the resurrection, and Zechariah 14.

Daniel foresaw a time of unparalleled tribulation coming on his people in the time of the end (Daniel 12:1, 4). In this “time of the end” however, “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall come forth” (v. 2). Here is the resurrection.

Zechariah 14 predicted the same time of trouble when “the city shall be besieged and taken” (Zechariah 14:1-2). God’s sword would be against Israel and “two thirds in it (Israel, DKP) shall be cut off and die” Zechariah (13:8). “In that day” of trouble the fountain of living waters would be opened (Zechariah 14:8). Thus, both Daniel and Zechariah spoke of the time of tribulation and resurrection. I am currently writing a book demonstrating that Daniel 12:2 foretold the “final” resurrection and that it was to occur at the end of Torah, in AD 70. Lord willing, that book will be finished this year, or early 2015.

Part of the reason for doing this is to demonstrate that resurrection was directly and inextricably tied to the fulfillment of God’s OT promises made to Israel. In that book, I will show, with a wealth of documentation, that Biblically, the Great Tribulation is inextricably tied to the Resurrection of the dead! This is an incredibly important theme, but, one that is greatly ignored. And yet, it is totally destructive to all futurist eschatologies.

Daniel, when hearing of the time of trouble and resurrection, heard one angel ask another when “all of these things shall be fulfilled” (Daniel 12:6). The answer from heaven was: “when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered all of these things shall be fulfilled” (Daniel 12:7). This can be no other time than the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Zechariah 14 predicted the identical time. The language of the destruction of Jerusalem, followed by the enthronement of YHVH and the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (the figure of the resurrection) are undeniable resurrection “markers.”

Daniel 12 and Zechariah 14 both speak of the time of Israel’s judgment. Daniel speaks of those in “the dust of the earth” coming forth; Zechariah speaks of the River of Life being opened. Zechariah 14 plainly speaks of the resurrection.

Zechariah 14, Resurrection and The Time of Judgment on Israel

What is so important to see is that scripture presents these resurrection themes not only in Zechariah 14, but many other passages as well in direct association with the Lord’s coming in the judgment of Israel. For instance, Isaiah 24-25 are set within the context of the fall of the “city of confusion.” See my discussion of these connections in my book, Who Is This Babylon?

[add_to_cart_btn_style_1 link=http://eschatology.org/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=6&virtuemart_category_id=13+ target=”_self”] [/add_to_cart_btn_style_1]

Just as the River of Life is set within the context of the “last days” consummating in the Day of the Lord against Israel (Joel 2-3/ Zechariah 14 / Matthew 24:29-34) Daniel 12 places the resurrection at the time “when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered” (Daniel 12:7). The context therefore, for resurrection is the judgment of Israel. This is the context of Zechariah 14.

Further, that Zechariah 14 predicted the AD 70 cataclysm is widely admitted among amillennial and postmillennial writers. Why then has the connection between the fall of Jerusalem and the resurrection been ignored or denied?

One can only speculate but the power of preconceived ideas about the nature of the resurrection is very powerful. Like the Jews of old who rejected the kingdom of the Messiah because they anticipated a materialistic restoration of Israel, most believers today cannot or will not see that inspiration unequivocally places the resurrection at the time of Israel’s judgment.

In following studies, we will see the direct connection between Zechariah 14 and the great resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15. Paul is clearly drawing from Zechariah, and this has incredible implications for understanding the doctrine of the resurrection.