The Word for Today with Ray

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Light Not Clear Nor Dark - Zechariah 14:6

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “the mount of Olives, which shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And you shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yes, you shall flee, like as you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with you”, and in chapter fourteen and verse six of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “the light shall not be clear, nor dark” where we read,

And it shall come to pass in that day,

that the light shall not be clear, nor dark.

The verse reads, “And it shall come to pass in that day, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “and it shall come to pass” or “and the following will happen and occur” “in that day” which means “in that time period or season” that the following will occur. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God began to tell of another event which will happen.

The verse goes on to say, “... that the light shall not be clear, nor dark.” Zechariah continued with the words, “that the light” or “that the day-break, dawn or morning illumination” “shall not be clear” which means “will in no way or manner exist as glorious, splendid, precious and bright”, “nor dark” or “no and not in any way condensed, congealed, settled or dense”. Zechariah said it will happen that illumination will in no way exist as precious and bright and not at all dense.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how that which illuminates will diminish and no longer shine. The effect of these events will affect the “light” that shines. Jesus is “the light of the world”, (See John 8:12; 9:5) and His Father God has a plan for the salvation of mankind. When God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins, we have an opportunity to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the ability to live in His “light” for all eternity. (See John 8:12; 9:5) All we must do is receive Him as our “Savior and Lord so let all who read these words humble themselves, repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ who is the “light” that shall forever brightly shine to those who believe.

Next time Zechariah shared how Jehovah God says, “at evening time it shall be light”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Fleeing to the Valley of the Mountains - Zechariah 14:5

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives, which shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south”, and in chapter fourteen and verse five of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “you shall flee to the valley of the mountains” where we read,

And you shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yes, you shall flee, like as you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with you.

The verse reads, “And you shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal:”Zechariah began with the words, “and you shall flee” or “and you, the people of Israel, will take flight, escape and disappear” “to the valley of the mountains” which means “toward the gully or gorge belonging to the risings above the hills”; “for the valley of the mountains” or “because, since and on account that the gully or gorge belonging to the risings above the hills” “shall reach unto Azal” which means “will touch, strike and extend to Azal whose name means proximity: he has reserved which was a place near Jerusalem”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said the people of Israel would escape to the large gorge belonging to the risings above the plains because they extend to “Azal” near Jerusalem.

The verse continues, “yes, you shall flee, like as you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah:”Zechariah added the words, “yes, you shall flee” or “even so and indeed, you, the people of Israel will take flight, escape and disappear”, “like as you fled” which means “similar and in likeness to the way you, the people of Israel, took flight, escaped and disappeared” “from before the earthquake” or “separate and apart from the rattling, shaking, trembling and quivering of the ground or earth” “in the days of Uzziah” which means “within the time periods or seasons belonging to Uzziah whose name means my strength is Jehovah and was the son of king Amaziah of Judah and king of Judah himself for fifty-two years” “king of Judah” or “royal ruler and leader belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”. Zechariah shared Jehovah God said the people of Israel would take flight similar to the way they escaped when an “earthquake” occurred during the reign of King “Uzziah” of “Judah”. (See Isaiah 29:6; Amos 1:1)

The verse goes on to say, “and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with you.” The verse continues, “and the LORD” or “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “my God shall come” which means “my, Zechariah's, Supreme Deity, will enter, be enumerated and lead”, “and all the saints with you” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the sacred, holy and set apart ones alongside and accompanying you, the people of Israel”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God the Supreme Deity would enter along with everyone of the sacred ones accompanying the people of Israel.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how Jehovah God said Israel would escape to the mountains because the “valley” would reach to “Azal”, and their taking flight would be similar to the away they escaped during the quaking of the “earth” during the reign of “Uzziah who was the King of Judah”. This is the time when Jehovah God will arrive accompanied by the sacred ones. God was rescuing and defending Judah against those oppose them, and they would escape through His mountain split “valley”. God's Messiah Jesus will return to the earth with all the saints, and the people of Israel will put their faith and trust in Him. He came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and allow us to be among the sacred ones who return with Him one day. (See Jude1:14; Revelation 1:7)

Next time Zechariah shared how Jehovah God says, “the light shall not be clear, nor dark”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Feet Standing on the Mount of Olives - Zechariah 14:4

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off for the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle”, and in chapter fourteen and verse four of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives” where we read,

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives,

which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives, which shall cleave in the midst thereof

toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley;

and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

The verse reads, “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “and his feet” or “and his, God's Son and Messiah Jesus', physical feet” “shall stand in that day” which means “will remain, endure and present themselves within that time and season” “upon the mount of Olives” or “on the hill or rising above the plain belonging to Olives which refers to the mountain facing Jerusalem on the east side which possesses olive trees”. Zechariah shared how the “Messiah's” physical “feet” would touch down and remain on the mountain of olive trees. (See Acts 1:11-12)

The verse continues, “which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives, which shall cleave in the midst thereof” Zechariah added the words, “which is before Jerusalem” or “that faces the front of and in advance of Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “on the east” which means “upon the eastward direction”, “and the mount of Olives” or “and the hill or rising above the plain belonging to Olives which refers to the mountain facing Jerusalem on the east side which possesses olive trees”, “which shall cleave” which means “that will split, break open and divide” “in the midst thereof”or “within the middle of the mountain”. Zechariah shared how the “mountain of Olives” which is located on the eastern side of “Jerusalem” exists as the landing place for the physical “feet” of the Messiah, and when He touches the mountain, the mountain will split in two in the middle of it. (See Micah 1:3-4)

The verse goes on to say, “toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley;” The verse continues, “toward the east” or “to the eastern direction” “and toward the west” which means “and to the western direction”, “and there shall be a very great valley” or “and an exceedingly wide, large and steep gorge or vale will be formed”. Zechariah shared how the “mount of Olives” will split from “east to west” down the middle.

Finally the verse says, “and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” The verse concludes with the words, “and half of the mountain” which means “and one-half belonging to the mount of Olives” “shall remove toward the north” or “will depart and proceed to the northern direction”, “and half of it” which means “and one-half of the mount of Olives” “toward the south” or “will depart and proceed to the southern direction”. Zechariah ended this verse by sharing how the “mount of Olives” will move toward the northern and southern directions as it is split down the middle. (See Ezekiel 47:1-12)

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how the Messiah will descend upon the “mount of Olives”, and when His “feet” touch the ground, the mountain will split in two from a west to east direction. This will cause the two sections of the mountain to move toward the north and the south. A large valley will be formed between the two sections as the Messiah Jesus returns even as the angels proclaimed. (See Acts 1:11-12) Jesus will return as the conquering King who will rule over the entire world, and because He desires to save every person who believes and trusts in Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He came the first time to die on the cross for the sins of the world. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life, and we shall become part of His Kingdom of saints who return with Him to rule the world. (See Jude 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:13)

Next time Zechariah shared how Jehovah God says, “you shall flee to the valley of the mountains”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The LORD Fighting Against Nations - Zechariah 14:3

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off for the city”, and in chapter fourteen and verse three of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “the LORD shall go forth, and fight against those nations” where we read,

Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations,

as when he fought in the day of battle.

The verse reads, “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “then shall the LORD go forth” or “at that time will Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God depart, proceed and be lead out”, “and fight against those nations” which means “and do battle and make war in opposition to the foreign, non-Hebrew and Gentile people groups”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God would depart and make war in opposition to the foreign people groups who rise up against “Jerusalem”.

The verse goes on to say, “as when he fought in the day of battle.” Zechariah continued with the words, “as when he fought” or “similar and in likeness to the time and moment he, Jehovah God, battled and made war” “in the day of battle” which means “within the time and season pertaining to fighting and war against the Egyptians, Canaanites, etc.”.Zechariah shared how Jehovah God would go to war against the “nations” who rise in opposition to “Jerusalem” similar to the time that He made war within the season of war against the Egyptians, Canaanites and other groups that opposed Israel.

When we consider Zechariah's words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God would defend Israel against the “nations”who opposed “Jerusalem” and Israel. God loves the people of Israel, and He has fought on their behalf in the past. (See Exodus 15:1-6; Joshua 10:42; 2 Chronicles 20:15) God loves us, and He fought against evil spiritual entities who desired to keep the world from being saved from their sins. (See 2 Corinthians 10:5) When God's Son Jesus was sent into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He gave us access to forgiveness of our sins and everlasting life with Him in Heaven. Let all who read these words know that Jehovah God not only fights on behalf of “Jerusalem” and Israel, but He has fought the pits of hell so everyone who trusts and believes in Jesus will be saved. (See Romans 10:9-10)

Next time Zechariah shared how Jehovah God says, “his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gathering Nations Against Jerusalem - Zechariah 14:2

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said to the people of Israel, “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, and your spoil shall be divided in the midst of you”, and in chapter fourteen and verse two of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle” where we read,

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle;

and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished;

and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off for the city.

The verse reads, “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle;” Zechariah began with the words, “for I will gather all nations” or “because, since and on account that I, Jehovah God, shall assemble and collect each, every, the whole and everyone of the heathen, non-Hebrew and foreign people groups” “against Jerusalem” which means “in opposition to Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “to battle” or “to fighting and war”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said He would assemble in battle each and every foreign people group who opposed “Jerusalem”.

The verse continues, “and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished;” Zechariah added the words, “and the city” or “and the guarded place of waking, encampment or town” “shall be taken” which means “will exist as captured, seized and caught”, “and the houses rifled” or “and the households, dwelling places, habitations and shelters plundered”, “and the women ravished” which means “and the female human beings lain with for sexual connection”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said the “habitation” of “Jerusalem” would be captured, the dwelling places plundered and the female human beings raped.

Finally the verse says, “and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off for the city.” Zechariah concluded the verse with the words, “and half of the city” which means “and one-half of the guarded place of waking, encampment or town” “shall go forth into captivity” or “will depart, proceed and be lead into exile”, “And the residue of the people” which means “and the remainder, excess and rest of the human beings both male and female” “shall not be cut off” or “will in no way or manner exist as eliminated, killed and destroyed” “for the city”which means “on behalf of the guarded place of waking, encampment or town”. Zechariah ended this verse by sharing how Jehovah God said the one-half of the residents of “Jerusalem” would depart into exile while the remainder of them would not be eliminated or destroyed.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how Jehovah God would assemble every people group and “nation” to rise up in war against “Jerusalem”, and “Jerusalem” will be captured, the homes plundered and the “women” sexually assaulted. One-half of the people located within “Jerusalem” will be lead into exile, and the remainder of them will in no way be eliminated and destroyed while they remain among the ruins. God's plan for Israel and “Jerusalem” was being fulfilled, and although all the “nations” of the world rise up in opposition to “Jerusalem”, none will be able to defeat Jehovah God. God loves all people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us by His Holy Spirit to know His purpose for“Jerusalem” that shall be performed according to His perfect purpose and will.

Next time Zechariah shared how Jehovah God says, “the LORD shall go forth, and fight against those nations”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…