Revelations from the Word

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They will see the One they have pierced

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, Not one of His bones shall be broken. And again another Scripture says, They shall look on Him whom they pierced" (John 19:31-37).

These things happened "so that Scripture might be fulfilled". All the prophetic words must be fulfilled; certain ones are already fulfilled, but this one has still to be fulfilled, "They will see the one whom they have pierced". The apostle John recalled the context of this word of Scripture, "Behold, He comes with the clouds. And every eye shall see Him, even those who have pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will lament because of Him. Yes. Amen!" (Revelation 1:7). This word will be accomplished at a very precise moment, at the time of the Second Coming of Jesus, on the 'Day of the Lord'.

In that Day, God will make of Jerusalem a stone of bewilderment for the surrounding peoples (Zechariah 12:2-3). In fact, all the nations of the earth will come together against Israel and Jerusalem, and all those who touch Jerusalem will be slaughtered by the heroes that God will raise up from the midst of His people and who will do exploits in His name. That is why Jerusalem will remain. The weak will then be like David, and the Lord will protect His people and will destroy all the nations that have risen up against Israel.

In that Day, God will pour out on His people a spirit of grace and supplication so that they will turn their gaze towards "The One whom they have pierced" and they will weep as one weeps over "an only Son" (Zechariah 12:10). It will be a day of mourning in Jerusalem and they "will see the One whom they have pierced" put His feet on the Mount of Olives and come and fight against the nations on their behalf (Zechariah 14:3-4). Then, the people of Israel will utter shouts of gladness and triumph for the Lord will have turned away His chastisement and driven away His enemy and the King of Israel will be in their midst (Zephaniah 3:14). Jesus will appear with His saints to be also the King of all the earth (Zechariah 14:5,9). Only the Jews who are in Israel, that is, those who have answered the call to make 'Aliyah' will be saved. But those who have remained in the nations will not see "the One who they have pierced" and will be destined for the sword. So it will be that those who are servants of the Lord will rejoice, but those who have abandoned the Lord will lament (Isaiah 65:8-16). That is why we must help the Jews to turn to the Lord and make their 'Aliyah'.