Zechariah 12: The War Before Armageddon
on Thursday, January 30, 2025 by Bill Salus
The overwhelming vast majority of conservative Bible teachers strongly believe that the war in Zechariah 12 will take place at Armageddon when all the nations of the earth come to attack Israel. Then, as per Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19, the Lord single-handedly destroys these invading armies. However, every Bible translation of Zechariah 12 has Israel, with the help of the Lord, militarily defeating all the peoples that came to attack them.
The Zechariah 12 war happens in the future when the Arab nations sharing common borders with Israel besiege Jerusalem and Judah. These invaders are soundly defeated by Israel’s military with the Lord’s help.
Conversely, the war of Armageddon in Zechariah 14 is a totally separate war that takes place subsequently when all the nations of the earth with their armies attack only the city of Jerusalem. In this siege they successfully capture half the city which leaves Israel in a completely defenseless situation. Thus, the Lord steps in and He personally defeats all the world armies in Revelation 19:15-21.
The primary purpose of this in-depth Bible prophecy study is to show that Zechariah 12:1-9 IS NOT dealing with ARMAGEDDON, but IS dealing with the conclusion of the ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT. This conflict is the topic explored at the end of this article.
The Separate War of Zechariah 12:1-9
The three verses below mostly explain what happens in the Zechariah 12 war.
“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.” (Zech. 12:2)
“In that day,” says the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.” (Zech. 12:4)
“In that day I will make the governors of JUDAH like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; THEY shall DEVOUR all the SURROUNDING PEOPLES on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.” (Zech. 12:6, NKJV; emphasis added)
In Zech. 12:2, the surrounding people lay siege on Judah and Jerusalem. Zech. 12:4, the Lord divinely intervenes to level the playing field. Zech. 12:6, points out that after the Lord intervenes, Israel decisively defeats the surrounding peoples.
The key to understanding this separate war is to recognize that these verses above only identify “the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left hand” of Israel. This is in contrast to “all the nations” of the world that are included in the Armageddon Campaign in Zechariah 14:2 and elsewhere.
All Bible translations of Zech. 12:2 clearly identify only the neighboring nations that share common borders with Israel. A few examples are included below.
“cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples” (NKJV)
“cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about” (ASV)
“cup brings dizziness to all the surrounding nations” (NET)
“cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling” (NIV)
“intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger” (NLT)
“cup of poison to the nations around her” (NCV)
The Hebrew word that identifies these peoples round about Israel is “Sabib” and it means, “On every side, places round about, round about in a circuit, in the circuit from every side, a circle, a neighbor or within all the confines of its border.” This word is used in both, Zech. 12:2,6 to single out the Arab states that border Israel.
One of the first uses of this word in the Bible makes this clear in the verse below.
“And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in, (Sabib), all the borders round about,” were made sure. (Genesis 23:17, KJV; emphasis added)
No part of Zechariah 12 appears to prophesy about the Armageddon Campaign, but for centuries, and even continuing today, most all commentaries connect Armageddon with Zechariah 12. A few examples of contemporary commentaries that teach the Armageddon connection are below.
In his book entitled, Revelation Unveiled, Tim Lahaye states the following about Armageddon,
“The final battle is the war of the great day of God Almighty will be the battle of Jerusalem. The Antichrist and what is left of his armies, or more properly the advance guard of his armies, will storm Jerusalem… Satan will order his armies to destroy the entire city of Jerusalem, but Christ will come to deliver her at the very last moment, as is clearly seen in Zechariah 12:1-9.”[i]
The next quote is from Dr. Andy Woods, the Senior pastor of Sugar Land Bible Church. He is also the president of Chafer Theological Seminary.
“What does Zechariah 12:3 say…”It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples all who lift it will be severely injured and all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” All the peoples doesn’t that include everyone including the United States?...all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it and how many times does God have to say something for us to get it down. I mean I think once is enough but he basically through Zechariah repeats himself a chapter or so later in Zechariah 14:2-3.”[ii]
Dr. Mark Hitchcock, the Senior Pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma states the following.
“Armageddon is the climactic war of the Great Tribulation when all the armies gather to attack Israel and attempt to finally eradicate the Jewish people. They will capture Jerusalem, but then Jesus Christ will return to destroy the invading armies and deliver the faithful Jewish remnant… The War of Armageddon is the subject for many biblical passages…. Joel 3:1-7 , Zechariah 12:1-9 , Zechariah 14:1-15… Revelation 16:12-16, Revelation 19:19-21.“[iii]
According to Isaiah 63:1-3 and Revelation 19:13-15, Hitchcock is correct in saying, “Then Jesus Christ will return to destroy the invading armies.” These two passages point out that Jesus Christ single-handedly destroys the armies of the Antichrist in the Armageddon scenario.
This is important to note because Zechariah 12:6 clearly informs that the Israeli Defense Forces collectively, not Jesus Christ single-handedly, are victorious in a separate war against the Arabs.
Here are important questions for those who teach the war in Zechariah 12 is part of the Armageddon scenario.
1.) If Zechariah 12 involves “all the nations of the earth,” why are there no Bible translations that have “all the nations of the earth” besieging Jerusalem in Zech. 12:2?
2.) Similarly, why are there no Bible translations that have “all the nations of the earth” identified in Zech 12:6, whereby the IDF defeats only the surrounding peoples on Israel’s “right hand and on the left?”
3.) If Zechariah 12 takes place at Armageddon, do you believe that in the Armageddon scenario, the Lord will divinely intervene (Zech. 12:4) and empower the IDF (Zech. 12:6) to militarily defeat the Antichrist and “all the nations of the earth?”
4.) Many Bible teachers believe like Dr. Andy Woods that America will be among all the nations of the earth that will attack Jerusalem at Armageddon. Do you think that as per Zech. 12:6, the IDF will soundly defeat America at Armageddon?
5.) According to Zech. 13:8-9, only one-third of the Jews will survive the Jewish genocide of the Antichrist. These killings happen around the same time as the Armageddon campaign. This remnant will likely become refugees fleeing for their survival. Do you think that Israel’s army at this time will be able to defeat “all the nations of the earth,” including the USA and China (the Kings of the East)?
6.) How can Zechariah 12:2,4-9, whereby the Lord divinely assists and empowers the IDF to defeat the peoples surrounding Israel, actually take place at Armageddon, if according to Zechariah 14, Isaiah 63 and Revelation 19, the Lord HIMSELF, at Armageddon without any IDF help, defeats “all the nations of the earth?”
Comparing the Wars of Zechariah 12:1-9 and Zechariah 14:1-3
“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.” (Zech. 14:1-3)
The passage above declares the Lord will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem. These international armies wage a highly SUCCESSFUL SIEGE against the Holy City, “the city shall be taken.”
In this scenario, Jerusalem does not become a cup of trembling to the surrounding Arab states, nor to the invading world armies. If anything trembles, it’s the Jews as they witness the ransacking of their houses and the raping of their women. Moreover, capturing Jerusalem is no longer impeded by a burdensome immovable stone, but is easily conquered.
I mention this point because Zechariah 12:3 likens Jerusalem to an immovable rock, “on that day” when God turns Jerusalem into a cup of trembling.
“On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.” (Zechariah 12:3, NLT)
Because this verse says, “all the nations,” the tendency of many has been to connect this with the “all the nations” in Zechariah 14:2 and Armageddon. The potential problems with this are:
1. In Zech. 14:2 there is no immovable stone creating an obstacle to the capturing of Jerusalem,
2. Zech. 12:3 happens “on that day” that Israel in Zech. 12:6 successfully fends off the siege of the surrounding Arab states and not at Armageddon.
Subsequent to this successful conquest of Jerusalem in Zech 14:2, Jesus Christ single-handedly defeats the Antichrist and his armies in fulfillment of Rev 19:11-21. The differences between the Zech. 12:2-6 siege against Jerusalem is starkly different than the one in Zech. 14:2-3. The comparisons are below.
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*Pre-Tribulation timing is because in the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation Period Israel is living peacefully as a result of the covenant in Daniel 9:27. Dwelling in this condition, they are not likely at war with the surrounding nations. Then in the second 3 ½ years of the Tribulation Period, the Jews are fleeing from the genocidal attempt of the Antichrist and unable to make war with the surrounding peoples. This timing sequence is explained in more detail in my FUTURE WAR Prophecies book. _______________________________________________________________________
Comparing the Wars of Zechariah 12:1-9 and Revelation 16:12-16
Revelation 16:12-16 deals with the events that occur within the Sixth Bowl Judgment, which happens toward the latter part of the Seven-Year Tribulation Period. The details are summarized below.
“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.” (Rev. 16:12)
In this bowl judgment, the kings of the east make their way to the Middle East by crossing over a dried-up Euphrates River. These eastern kings are commonly taught to be the leaders from China and other Asian nations. They along with many other world leaders are persuaded by three powerful demonic beings to gather together for a final war against God, which is referred to as “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
“For they, (Three frog-like beings) are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Rev. 16:14; emphasis added)
“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” (Rev. 16:16)
The differences between Zech. 12:2-6 and Rev. 16:12-16 are identified below. These comparisons strongly suggest that these are two distinctly different wars.
Comparing the Wars of Zechariah 12:1-9 and Revelation 19:19-21
Dr. Mark Hitchcock’s quote above connected the following passages with Armageddon, “The War of Armageddon is the subject for many biblical passages…. Joel 3:1-7, Zechariah 12:1-9, Zechariah 14:1-15… Revelation 16:12-16, Revelation 19:19-21.”
Thus far, I have demonstrated the stark contrasts between Zech. 12 and Zech. 14 and also between Zech. 12 and Rev. 16. Now I’ll attempt to disconnect Zech. 12 from Rev. 19.
“And I saw the beast, (the Antichrist), the kings of the earth, and their (international) armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him, (Jesus Christ), who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” (Rev. 19:19-21, NKJV; emphasis added)
Other Comparative Arguments
So it seems to be strike one, two and three for a strikeout on the potential of Zechariah 14, Revelation 16, Revelation 19 to connect with Zechariah 12:1-9. However, there are a few more questions to answer to safely suggest that Zechariah 12 is not part of Armageddon.
1. Zechariah 12:9 mentions “all the nations;” doesn’t that identify “all the nations” that gather together for the Armageddon scenario?
2. Zechariah 12:3,4,6,8,9,11 informs the events happen, “In that day;” isn’t that alluding to “The Day of the Lord” that takes place at Armageddon?
3. If Zechariah 12:10-14 is fulfilled early on in the Millennium, then why wouldn’t Zech. 12:2-9, happen just prior at Armageddon?
My answers to these three questions are provided at this link.
How Psalm 83 Connects with Zechariah 12
Could this war in Zechariah 12:2-9, in which the Lord supernaturally empowers the IDF to fight and achieve a decisive military victory over the neighboring people surrounding Israel, be the result of the answered imprecatory prayer of Asaph in Psalm 83?
Zechariah 12:1-9 seems to tell us how the Arab-Israeli conflict ends. This will not happen politically, but rather it will conclude militarily. The surrounding Arab states alongside with the Palestinians will make a final attempt to wipe Israel off the map and take over Judah and Jerusalem. It will be an unsuccessful siege that the IDF will decisively defeat.
These surrounding peoples are identified in the prophecy of Psalm 83 and many other scriptures. The central theme within the Psalm is the intent by these Arabs to destroy Israel so thoroughly, that even the name of Israel would be forgotten forever.
“Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.”” (Psalm 83:4, NLT)
They seek to possess Jerusalem, Judah and all of Israel.
“For they said, “Let us seize for our own use these pasturelands of God!”’ (Psalm 83:12, NLT)
These belligerents are identified in my book and companion DVD entitled, The FUTURE WAR Prophecies. Also available to read for free online is my article entitled, “God Helps Israel Defeat the Arab Armies: (Zechariah 12:1-6).” This article presents a good commentary on Zechariah 12:1-6.
Some teach Psalm 83 is simply a prayer, but below are a couple of quotes from respected theologians that rebut this idea.
John Peter Lange is a well-respected theologian and the author of the Lange Commentary on the Holy Scripture, which was published in 1877. He points out that those combined against Israel, are never mentioned elsewhere as enemies allied at the same time and for the purpose of annihilating Israel. Lange notes:
“With regard to the time of composition, the following difficulty meets us. The ten nations who are here enumerated as being combined against Israel, are never mentioned elsewhere as enemies allied at the same time and for the purpose of annihilating Israel.”
In addition, Lange notes there were some individuals during his time who taught that the Psalm was just a general idea about enemies from all sides of Israel. However, Lange believed that the details found in Psalm 83:8 were unfavorable to this view. Here is how he explains it:
“And yet the expressions are of such a nature, that we cannot be inclined to consider this enumeration as only a poetical individualizing of the general idea: enemies from all sides (De Wette, Hupfeld). The position of Assyria as an auxiliary of the sons of Lot, that is, of the Moabites and Ammonites, is especially unfavorable to this view.”
Psalm 83:8 points out that Assyria, one of the ten confederate members, actively helps “the children of Lot,” in this war prophecy. In modernity Assyria represents Syria and Iraq and Lot’s children, who were Ammon and Moab, are Jordan today.
“Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah” (Psalm 83:8, NKJV)
The next commentary on Psalm 83 below is from Bible scholar Merrill F. Unger, who was a professor of Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. The following words were published in his book in 2002 entitled, Unger’s Commentary on the Old Testament on pages 866-867.
“This psalm is the last of the Asaph series (Psalms 73-83), of which prophetically glimpse Israel’s future trouble and deliverance into Kingdom blessing… Probably its fulfillment will come in some pan -Arabic coalition and attack on the Israeli State before the church is taken out, or at least before Daniel’s seventieth week begins.”
Thus Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 are seemingly related prophecies. By the time Zechariah 12:2-9 happens the following prophecies should also happen concurrently or already have been fulfilled and none of these seem to be part of Armageddon:
- Jeremiah 12:14-17,
- Ezekiel 28:20-26,
- Psalm 83 and the peripheral prophecies below.
- IDF vs SYRIA (Isaiah 17:9, Jer. 49:23-27)
- IDF vs HEZBOLLAH (LEBANON) (Psalm 83:7, Ezek. 28:20-24)
- IDF vs PALESTINIANS (Obadiah 1:18, Ezek. 25:14, Psalm 83:6)
- IDF vs HAMAS (GAZA) (Zeph 2:4, Ezek. 25:13-14, Psalm 83:7)
- IDF vs JORDAN (Isaiah 11:14, Jer. 49:2, Ezek. 25:14)
- IDF vs EGYPT (Isaiah 19:1-18, Psalm 83:6)
- IDF vs SAUDI ARABIA (Ezek. 25:14, Jer. 49:8)
- IDF vs HOSTILE NEIGHBORS (Zechariah 12:6, Ezek. 28:24-26)
I’ll conclude with a final quote from my dear friend, Dr. David Reagan on Zechariah 12. David used to teach that Zechariah 12 was part of Armageddon, but after reading my teachings and doing his own extensive research now recognizes that it’s not likely part of Armageddon.
David Reagan, “The Wars of the End Times, Part 2.”
“The first the War of Israeli Extermination is described in Psalm 83. Psalm 83 states that the immediate neighbors of Israel will launch a war for the purpose of wiping out Israel as a nation… The outcome of the war is not specifically stated in Psalm 83 but we know from other Scriptures that Israel will be victorious. For example, Zechariah 12:6 says, “That in the end times Israel will be like a firepot among pieces of wood, and a flaming torch among sheaths so that that they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples.” … “Bill Salus believes this war of annihilation will boomerang on the Arab nations and will result in their overwhelming defeat producing great territorial expansion, enhanced national resources for Israel and yes, peace for Israel.””
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[i] Revelation Unveiled – Tim LaHaye Page 314 (1999)
[ii] Woods quote taken from: Pastors’ Point of View (PPOV) no. 277. Prophecy Update. Drs. Andy Wood & jim McGowan. 11-10-23. On YouTube
[iii] Book entitled, The End by Mark Hitchcock “2012” (Page 373)
