In our study of Zechariah chapter six, we look at the prophet's final (tenth) vision of the night. We are told of the coming judgment on Gentiles (non-Jews) and the rebuilding of the temple of God.
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Again I raised my eyes, and I saw in front of me four chariots coming out from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze.
Once again, the prophet is awake and praying when he is given this vision. In the vision he saw four chariots and we are reminded that the number four is a global number speaking of all of the nations while chariots are instruments of war. Throughout the Bible, mountains are a symbol of kingdoms or empires and, here, it is speaking of two kingdoms which are the Babylon of the Old Testament and the New Babylon referred to in the book of Revelation. The reference to bronze reminds us of the fact that bronze was used to make idols. All of this gives us the picture of two empires that are involved in idolatry and they are causing war among the nations.
The first chariot had red horses; the second chariot, black horses; the third chariot, white horses; and the fourth chariot, spotted gray horses.
Each of the chariots were pulled by horses and the colors of the horses match those described by the Apostle John, in Revelation 6. The red horses are a symbol of bloodshed and war while the black are death and the white horse speaks of conquest. The fourth horses have spots of the same colors of the other horses and this speaks of a very power composite of the other horses. All of this speaks of wars and death leading to a new kingdom which rules over the entire earth.
I asked the angel speaking with me, "What are these, my Lord?" The angel answered me, "These are the four winds of the sky that go out, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the land.
Zechariah asks about the vision and the angel explains that they are spirits (winds) that are sent out from the throne of God. This reminds us that God is in control and, though he may be using the devil and demons, they are not free to do whatever they want whenever they want to. They are simply tools that God is going to use to bring the judgment.
The one with the black horses is going out toward the land in the north, the white [horses] have gone out after them, and the spotted have gone out toward the land in the south."
When God gives directions in the Bible, it is always based on Jerusalem so, when he says "north country", he is speaking of countries that are physically north of the city of Jerusalem. We are told here that death is heading to Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Germany and that after that will come an anti-christ with a false hope. Meanwhile, we see that death and a plague is headed south of Jerusalem and this is talking about Libya and Ethiopia. We notice that we are not told of an area where the red horses (war) are going and this is because war is going to be widespread. All of this is to bring these countries and their allies against the city of Jerusalem as described in Ezekiel 38:4.
Then the gray ones went out and were seeking to go and wander throughout the whole earth, when he said, "Wander throughout the whole earth"; and they did wander throughout the whole earth.
What starts with the six countries mentioned in verse six quickly spreads throughout the entire earth. Once again, we see that God is in control and lets these spirits expand into all the earth.
Then he called out to me and said, "Look! The ones going to the land in the north have given my Spirit rest in the north country."
This verse describes the period of peace (three and a half years) that is based on this false hope. This anti-christ will promise peace and prosperity as well as religious tolerance for all. The world will love the message and this brief period of peace will be celebrated. If you pay attention to world news, you can see this spirit at work even today as everyone is looking for peace in the Middle East. They want peace but they want it without the Prince of Peace which is Yeshua Messiah.
This message from ADONAI came to me: "Take [gifts] from the exiles of Heldai, Toviyah, and Y'da'yah, who have arrived from Bavel; then you, go to the house of Yoshiyah the son of Tz'fanyah.
Now, God instructs Zechariah to collect silver and gold from the exiles that returned from ancient Babylon but God gives three specific men to get it from. As we have seen many times, God is in charge of even the smallest details and we see it again here. Each of the names given have a meaning: Heldai means robust, Tobijah means goodness, and Jedaiah means God knows. The three of them together are a reminder that God knows his people and, in his goodness, he provides abundantly for their needs. That is the same God that we serve today and he will provide abundantly for us as well (if its God's will, its his bill and he never runs out on a check).
Take silver and gold; make crowns; put one on the head of Y'hoshua the son of Y'hotzadak, the cohen hagadol;
The people had turned away from the rule of God in their lives and had been judged and sent into exile. Now, they have returned and this passage speaks to the fact that they are not only returning to the land but to the rule of God in their lives. This reminds us that, when we come to Yeshua Messiah, we do so asking him not only to be our savior but also to be our Lord. The Savior brings you back into the family of God while the Lord rules over the things of your life.
and tell him, 'ADONAI-Tzva'ot says: "There is coming a man whose name is Tzemach [Sprout]. He will sprout up from his place and rebuild the temple of ADONAI. Yes, he will rebuild the temple of ADONAI; and he will take up royal splendor, sitting and ruling from his throne. There will be a cohen before his throne; and they will accept each other's advice in complete harmony.
This passage tells of the return of the leaders to following the ways of God. The priests were meant to be the leaders of God's people and it will be so again. The passage tells of the coming of Yeshua Messiah to reign for a thousand years (Revelation 20). This is the time in which there will be "harmony" as those that have been martyred for their faith in Yeshua will reign with him.
The other crowns will be for Helem, Toviyah, Y'da'yah and Hen the son of Tz'fanyah; then [they are to be kept] as a memorial in the temple of ADONAI.
The crown was passed down as a reminder to the leaders as well as the people. God has always desired to be at the center of the governing of his people but many times that has been forgotten and it is even happening today. We can take heart in the fact that Yeshua Messiah is coming soon and his reign will never end.
Those who are now far away will come and help rebuild the temple of ADONAI." Then you will know that it is ADONAI-Tzva'ot who sent me to you. And it will all come about, provided you heed carefully what ADONAI your God says.'"
This vision/prophecy was fulfilled and the temple was rebuilt but it also referred to the fact that Gentiles would be saved. This vision points to the fact that, through Yeshua Messiah, a new temple would be built and that temple is called "the church". That temple is being built even now and we, as Christians, are a part of those who this verse predicted would come to build it.
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