12:8Zechariah 12:8

In that day the Lord himself defends his people in Jerusalem, strengthening and protecting them.6T 42.2+2 The weak and feeble among them are raised to the strength, courage and bold readiness of David, and the house of David is lifted to be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them with heavenly strength and authority.6T 42.2+4 This was fulfilled when the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, when witnesses proclaimed salvation through Christ and hearts were convicted and brought under his control.Ms 157, 1903, par. 9–11+2 Its fulfillment requires God's people to put away suspicion, criticism and striving for pre-eminence, and to draw together in unity, sympathy and brotherly love with one heart and soul to reveal Christ's character.6T 42.2+4 The same promise belongs to the trying time of testing just before the end, when the timid and self-distrustful will openly stand for Christ and the weak will be as David.Lt 86, 1908, par. 1+2

In that day the Lord himself defends the inhabitants of Jerusalem, which are his people, strengthening them and protecting them.6T 42.2+4 He that is feeble among them — the weak and ordinary, the meek, the timid, the doubtful and self-distrustful — shall be as David, raised to his strength and stature, his courage and ability, his boldness and valiant readiness to act for God.5T 81.2+4 The house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them, lifted to be as heavenly messengers going before them, endued with strength and authority and reflecting the divine character.6T 42.2+4

The promise was fulfilled when the Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, when Christ's witnesses proclaimed salvation through Christ, conviction flashed into human hearts, and men were brought under Christ's control.Ms 157, 1903, par. 9–11+4 Then those who were weak were made strong like David, filled with love and courage, and the house of David became like the angel of the Lord.Ms 157, 1903, par. 9–11+4 At that fulfillment converts flocked to the church from many directions and it grew, backsliders returned to the faith, and opponents of the gospel became its champions.Ms 157, 1903, par. 9–11+4 Believers were of one heart and one soul, with one interest prevailing and one object swallowing up all others, every pulse beating in healthy concert.ST Dec 1, 1898+4 Every Christian saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love, and their only ambition was to see who could reveal most perfectly the likeness of Christ's character and who could do the most for the enlargement of his kingdom.ST Dec 1, 1898+4

The fulfillment comes as God's people put away suspicion, criticism, and accusation toward one another and draw together in unity.6T 42.2+3 In place of distrust there is to be abundant sympathy, tenderness, Christian benevolence, and brotherly love, with hearts united together.6T 42.2+3 The desire for pre-eminence must die, and the chief aim must become resembling Christ in character and hiding self in Him.6T 42.2+3 That Christlikeness is sanctification by the truth, sought in order to win others to righteousness.RCOC 125.3+1

When so united, contention ends and the prayer for oneness is answered.RCOC 125.3+1 In Christian fellowship the Spirit of Christ then leads believers to see God's face in one another through benevolence and brotherly love.Lt 96a, 1899, par. 8–11+1 A converted and sanctified church carrying sacred truth inwardly receives divine vitality, and its weak members become strong.RCOC 125.3+1 The meek are thus raised to the strength, stature, courage, and ability of David, and David becomes like the angel of the Lord before them, with strength and authority as God's messenger.RCOC 125.3+3

The verse applies to the trying times just before the end of the world and to the church's time of testing.Lt 86, 1908, par. 1+2 Then those who have been timid, doubtful, and self-distrustful will openly stand for Christ and His truth, bold and ready to act for God.5T 81.2+1 The weak will be as David, and David as the angel of the Lord.Lt 86, 1908, par. 1+2 Faithful, consecrated leaders are needed to prepare the people to stand through those times.Lt 86, 1908, par. 1

The same promise assures workers who trust in God and faithfully carry out their duty to win souls that God's strength and grace will sustain their labor and give victory.Ms 40, 1900, par. 15+1 Even the weakest person can be made as strong and valiant as David.Ms 40, 1900, par. 15+1 Through faith, surrender and apparent weakness lead to victory and strength, the feeble becoming as David and the house of David as the angel of the Lord.Lt 77, 1895, par. 17–20+1 By grace, the gospel, and the Holy Spirit, ordinary people on the Lord's side are raised to strength and capability and empowered for obedience, salvation, and valiant labor.Lt 77, 1895, par. 17–20+1