Verse 1 later rain Cf. Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23-32; Zechariah 12:10. There is both a physical and spiritual meaning: Rain as of old will be restored to Palestine, but, also, there will be a mighty effusion of the Spirit upon restored Israel. Verse 4 came The tense is future: "From him Judah shall be the cornerstone Exodus 17:6. (See Scofield "1 Peter 2:8") from him the nail Isaiah 22:23,24 from him the battle-bow," etc. The whole scene is of the events which group about the deliverance of the Jews in Palestine in the time of the northern invasion under the "Beast" ; Daniel 7:8; Revelation 19:20 and "Armageddon," ; Revelation 16:14; 19:17. The final deliverance is wholly effected by the return of the Lord Revelation 19:11-21, but previously He strengthens the hard-pressed Israelites ; Micah 4:13; Zechariah 9:13-15; 10:5-7 ; 12:2-6; 14:14. That there may have been a precursive fulfilment in the Maccabean victories can neither be affirmed nor denied from Scripture. Verse 8 redeemed Isaiah 59:20; Exodus 14:30. (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20") . See Scofield "Exodus 14:30"