Why will the surviving third of Israel be brought through the fire of tribulation?
God brings the surviving third of Israel through the fire of tribulation as a testing, to purify and refine them. Scripture says He will refine them as silver is refined and try them as gold is tried, using tribulation's fire to remove impurities and bring them through the testing.
Les explains that Zechariah 13:8 says two parts of Israel will be cut off and die, but the third part will be left and survive. Then verse 9 says God will bring that third part through the fire. Les points out that in Scripture fire usually depicts testing. He illustrates with metals: to purify gold, you put it through the heat of the fire and melt it, so impurities come to the top. Thus God will bring the third part of Israel through the testings of the tribulation; He will refine them as silver is refined and try them as gold is tried.
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
More Questions
What does fire represent in Zechariah 13:9?
In biblical passages like Zechariah 13, fire usually is a depiction of testing; Les illustrates this with the refining of gold, where heat brings impurities to the surface.