How do we know that this prophecy is talking about Armageddon?

The last section of Zechariah (chapters 8-14) are full of latter day prophecy. They picture Jerusalem in the Kingdom Age, the King's triumphant march into the city and the battle of Armageddon that ushers in the Messianic era. Chapter 12 specifically is written during a time when Jerusalem is a "burdensome stone" and nations gather together against her for battle (v2-3). This links our prophecy with so many of the other Armageddon passages which describe the confederacy of nations that besiege Jerusalem. 

Who are the "governors of Judah"?

In verses 5-6 we are intoduced to this group of people: "In that day I will the governors of Judah like and hearth of fire among the wood and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left". The governors of Judah are involved in saving the city of Jerusalem from the invading nations. In the ancient kingdom of Judah, there were cities scattered throughout the mountains of Judah, south of Jerusalem. The governors of Judah were likely part of the administration of government for the wider kingdom. They are the leaders of the people who lived in the mountains of Israel rather than the city of Jerusalem. Therefore, in the latter days, before Gog and his armies invade, the communities in Judea must be built and restored to the point of having a civil government, led by the "governors of Judah". In short, they are the leaders of the whose who live on mountains of Israel today. Whereas this would have been a mystery to many throughout the ages, today, there are 'governors' or leaders in this area, giving us confidence that this prophecy must be referring to our days. 

The 'Inhabitants of Jerusalem' and the 'House of David'

The chapter then introduces us to another two groups of people. The first is the "inhabitants of Jerusalem" in verse 5. In order for this verse to be able to take place, there must be inhabitants of the city in the time leading up to Christ's return. And judging by the context of this passage, these inhabitants must be Jewish. In fact, in the days of the early Christadelphian Magazine, Bro Roberts realised this and wrote several articles about the fact one day, Jerusalem would have to be Jewish. While today, that may not seem remarkable, in the times of Bro Roberts, this would have taken immense faith in the scriptures. In. present times, the 'battle' for Jerusalem is still ongoing. There are several Jewish organisations who work to re-establish a Jewish presence throughout the city of Jerusalem. We should expect this work to continue. 
The "house of David" is the royal household, or, the rulers inside the city of Jerusalem itself, separate from the governors of Judah. 

What does "save the tents of Judah first" mean? 

Interestingly, verse 7 sets out an order to God's deliverance. The tents of Judah are saved before the inhabitants of Judah and the house of David. It is worth noting that this verse is not referring to the conflict between the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Instead, it establishes a sequence between the characters already described in the immediate context of the prophecy. God will save the tents of Judah (those living on the southern mountains of Israel in Judea) before he rescues the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem itself. This verse seems to be a deliberate contrast with an Old Testament story. 

"and the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib...and Hezekiah rendered not again...for his heart was lifted up...therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem...nevertheless Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem" (2 Chron 32:22-26). The "inhabitants of Jerusalem" are referenced several times in this passage, just as we find in Zechariah 12. However, in Hezekiah's time, all of the cities of Judahwere destroyed by Assyria whereas Jerusalem was saved. But we are told that Hezekiah AND the inhabitants of Jerusalem were proud because of this. In Zechariah 12, the opposite happens. The tents of Judah are saved first, expressly so that those in Jerusalem don't magnify themselves. This is a deliberate overturning of the deliverance of Hezekiah. 
Furthermore, there is good reason to think that Zechariah is alluding to the story of Hezekiah because verse 8 prophesies that God will "defend" Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "defend" is only used in a few other places and all of them refer to the deliverance of Judah in the time of Hezekiah. 
Scripture prophesies that Jerusalem will be delivered when Christ and the saints march through the desert (likely from Sinai) and arrive at Jerusalem from the way of the east to defeat Gog and his armies. Based on this passage, it is certainly possible that a contingent is sent to rescue some of the cities of Judah before Jerusalem is reached. Some of the governors of Judah may well be involved this way in the battle for Jerusalem. Alternatively, some of those governors may have been stranded in the city. 

Restoring the Davidic Monarchy

Hezekiah is not the only character that this passage refers to. The sequence of Judah being saved, then Jerusalem fits with the beginning of David's kingdom. He ruled from Hebron for 7 years before taking the city of Jerusalem! Hebron is a city in the mountains of Judea, one of the very places where a governor of Judah might govern from. Only after that is Jerusalem taken. Zechariah 12 suggests that a similar pattern may take place in the future as the Davidic monarchy is restored, when the Lord Jesus reigns, sitting on David's throne. 
There are many passages that help us to understand the time period of the latter days. The only way to understand the signs of the times in our days, is to first read the word of God, that we might see his hand working in the nations even today! This has been Daniel Blackburn, joining you for this week's edition of Bible in the news.