Jerusalem -"A Burdensome Stone"

Zechariah's prophecy sheds light on the reason why the nations take their stand against true Christians.  Note what Zechariah 12:3 says:  "It must occur in that day that I shall make Jerusalem  a burdensome stone to all the peoples."  To which Jerusalem does the prophecy point?  Zechariah's prophecy concerning Jerusalem," the heavenly Kingdom to which anointed Christians have been called.   (Hebrews  12:22)  A small remnant of these heirs of the Messianic Kingdom are still on earth.   Along with their companions, the "other sheep," they urge people to turn  to God's Kingdom while there is time.  (John 10:16; Revelation 11:15)  How have the nations reacted to this invitation?  And what kind of support does Jehovah give to true worshippers today?  Let us find out as we further examine the meaning of Zechariah chapter 12.  Doing so, we can gain the assurance that 'no weapon will succeed' against God's anointed ones and their dedicated associates.

Zechariah 12:3 indicates that the nations receive "severe scratches."  How does this happen?  God has decreed that the good news of the Kingdom must be preached.  Jehovah's Witnesses take seriously the obligation to preach.  However, the heralding of the Kingdom as mankind's only hope has become "a burdensome stone" tot he nations.  They try to lift it out of the way by interfering with the Kingdom preachers.  In doing so, the meddling nations have received  "severe scratches for themselves," getting all cut up.  Even their reputations have been hurt as they meet with humiliating failure.  They cannot silence true worshippers, who cherish the privilege of proclaiming the "everlasting good news" of God's Messianic Kingdom before the end of this system of things.  (Revelation 14:6) When seeing  the violence done to Jehovah's servants, a prison guard  in one African land said, in effect: 'You are wasting your efforts in persecuting these people.  They will never compromise.  They   just increase.'

Read Zechariah 12:4.  Jehovah makes the promise that he will figuratively  blind and throw into "bewilderment" those who fight against his courageous Kingdom messengers.  He has kept his word.  For example, in one land where true worship was under ban opposers were able to keep spiritual food out of the hands of God's people.  A  newspaper even claimed that Jehovah's Witnesses were using balloons to get Bible literature into the country!  God's promise to his loyal servants proved true:  "I shall open my eyes, and every horse of the peoples I shall strike with loss of sight." Blind with fury, enemies of the Kingdom do not know which direction to take.  Yet, we are convinced that Jehovah will preserve his people as a group and look out for their welfare. -2 Kings 6:15-19.

Read Zechariah 12:5, 6.  "The Sheiks of Judah" refer to those having oversight among God's people.  Jehovah fills these with a fiery zeal in behalf of the earthly  interests of his Kingdom.  On one occasion, Jesus told his disciples:  "I came to start a fire on the earth." (Luke 12:49) Truly, he did ignite  a fire.  By his zealous preaching activity, Jesus made God's Kingdom the paramount issue before the people.  This sparked heated controversy throughout that Jewish nation.   (Matthew 4:17, 25; 10:5-7, 17-20) Similarly,  "like a firepot among trees and like a fiery torch in a row of newly cut grain," footsteps followers of Christ in our day set things aflame in a spiritual way.  The 1917 book The Finished Mystery" roundly exposed the hypocrisy of Christendom.  That br0ught forth a bitter reaction from the clergy.  In more recent times , Kingdom News  No. 37, "The End of False Religion Is Near!'  Has moved many people to  take their stand either for or against God's Kingdom.

Next time:  "The Tents of Judah" Saved

The Watchtower, 2007