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Kenneth L Gentry Jr

Zechariah6:1-8; Revelation 6:1-8n the passage before us we come to

the concluding vision of the seties ofvisions that Zechariah received on onenight. The next visions are not receiveduntil alater date. The ast datementionedin Zechariah 1:7 was where the visionsbegan; it is not changed until Zech. 7: l

In a sense, Zechariah has come fullctrcle in this series of visions. n his firstvision, recorded in Zechariah1 8-11, hesaw the vision of the Four Horsemenonhorses colored sintilarJy to the horsespulling the Four Chariots in Chapter 6(Zech. 6:2-3;1 8). ThoseFourHorsemenwere also in a valley, as are these FourChariots (Zech. 6:1; 1:8).

Thus, here we have something ofarepetition in Zechariah. Repetition is aHebrewmeansofconfirmationofamatter.You might remember the repetition inPharaoh's and]oseph's doubled dreams(Gen.37; 41). OfPharaoh 5 doubledreamit is said: Now as for the repeatingof thedream to Pharaoh twice, it means the

thing was established of God, and Godwould shortly bring it to pass (Gen.41:32). Daniel's visions of the image offour metalsand the fourbeastsis anotherexample of repetition (Dan. 2; 7). Therepetition involved in Zechariah's visionassures Zechariah and Judah that thepreruction gramed by God will surelybeaccomplished.

Thecorrespondencesbetweenthefirstand last visions are remarkable -- andintentional. But so are their differences:slight changes are experienced;progressis made. In the first vision, the unannedHorsemen were acting as roving scouts(Zech. 1:10). n his one, havingscoutedthe eanh, they are now equipped withwar chariots (Zech. 6:1a). lnthefirstonetheyreportthattheeanhisatpeace(Zech.1:10). n this one they are to wod, todisrupt that peace (Zech .6:5). n the firstone the valley is qniet and filled withmyrtle -trees (Zech. 1 8a). n his one thevalley is shown to be between twoimpressive mountains of brass (Zech.6:1b). Letus considerthe significance ofthese related visions.

1. The Source of the Chariots

Many commentators point out thatthis is the most difficult of the series ofvisions. This is partly due to the Hebrewwords involvedthat are quite difficult totranslate and panly due to the vision'sstopping shon of a full explication .Pethapsthefirstthingweneedtoascenainis the source of these chariots. Tounderstand anything at all about thesechaliots, we must know from whencethey have come.

In the New Testament.Jesus is oftenquestioned by the Pharisees as to thesource of His authOrity to do the thingsHe did,suchas to runthemoneychangers

out ofthe temple. Ifhis actions lacked anadequate source,they were but criminalvandalism. But if they were of God, awholly differentsituation presented itselfto His detractors.

What, then, is thesource ofthese FourOutriots?

As mentioned, these chariots comefrom a valley much like the horsemen inZechariah1(Zech.6: la). ButinZechariah1 the valleywas hidden in darkness andthe horses were concealed under myrtletrees. The hiddentIess and secrecy ofthose horsemenas the agents of od i nthe eanh was brought to the forefront ofthe vision, if you will remember. Thepointmadein that visionwas that whetherman knowsit ornot, the eyes ofthe Lordare in everyplace beholding the evil andthe good (Prov. 15:3). Thus, men andnations cannot flee the presence of od(Psa.139).

Though these chariots are initially ina valley, they are seen storming out of it.Andin thisvision the valleyissignificantlyportrayed as being between twomountains of brass (Zech. 6:1). What isthe significancehere?

Often it is the case with visionaryimages that actual, geographical realities

lie back of the symbolism of the vision.Thisseems to be the casehere where twomountains are indicated. It would seemthat since much of Zechariah's messagehas been directed toward]erusalem andits rebuilding (Zech. 1:12ff; 2:2; 3:2),there might be something at Jerusalemthat would give rise to the imagery. naddition, since the two olive treesmentioned in Zechariah 4 representedthe civil government and the spiritualpriesthoodoflsrael inJerusalem, the factthere were two mountains mightsomehowbe tied with Jerusalem.

Historicallythemountainsinthevisionseem to be based on two of the main hillsin Jerusalem: Mt. Moriah and Mt. Zion.And being two they seem to parallel thetwo olive trees of Zechariah 4, whichrepresented ChurclI and State in Israel.

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This idea is funher supplemented by theversesof nstruction followingthe vision.1hi:re two crownsare given, which arerepresenllllive of the priesthood andkingship oOesus CJuist (Zech. 6:ll-15).

Mt: Moriahis the placeinJerusalemwhere the temple wasbuilt, accordingto

2 {l1rouicles 3:1. As such, it was apwminent ,hill inJemsalem that held thes ~ r e d p l a c e o f w o r s h i pItwas the centerof the church.

Having shown God's threatenedjudgment onthe rebelliousJewsand theirhomes in Zechariah 5:4, this prophecycomesasanencomagementtothasewhoare concerned With the worship andservice of God.It promises that thoughthehousesofsinfulJewsrnaybedestroyed,God'skingdom is indestructible.

We todayneed a senseof thatreality.Despite the worldly opposition aroundus, we must rememberthat "thegates of

mustlearnofthealntightydefenseofGodavaijableto us.

2. TheWork of the Chariots

ButGod's l ingdomisnotina holdingpattern. Therehas alwaysbeen a warfarein the world between the kingdpm ofOtrist and the kingdom of Satan. Thecurse on theserpentinEdenexplains thatstruggle inhi$torybetween the seed oftheserpent (Satan'sfollowers)and theseed ofthe .woman (Christ and His followetS)

(Gen. 3:15),

"Thewarfareengagedin theworld,which confronted lstaelofoldand theGturchoflate, snot a defensive warfare.Remember, Jesus said of His

,Oturclt, "Thegates of.hellwill

I)ot pmmil against it" (Matt.16:18), Thedefensivegatesare

MtZion was originally amiUtary stronghold, whichDavid coriquered from theJeWsiies (2 Sam. 5:7; 1 Orren.11:5). BeingSuchan importantmilitary place , t became 'associated With royal power inIsrael. The psalmist in Psalm2made the connection betweenZionandroyalty;whenhespokeofthecomingMessiah(Psa .2:6).Thus, Mt.Zionis called "the cityof the gteatking" (Psa. 48:2).

' .. . : : . erectedbytheforces of Satan's) . kingdom; God'sOturchis on

, Thus, bothhillsinJerusalemare associated with Godohla1nedeccleSiasticaland civilgovernment, as were the twoolivetrees previously . ThesearePlacf;S Gpd blessed the rule

of lstae1 . both as a spiritualpeople and as a poUticalnation.Assuch.theyrepresentthetheoctaq', thelJI1eof God in Israel. Israel'sprotection,Israel'shope is in ts relation to God. Hehas ordained their worship and theirgovernmem. But there is more. ,

In the vision these mounts becomemount3ins of brass; The idea of a brassm o u n ~ sthatsuchwouldrepresentanimpregnable fortress. in Zechariah4:7t4e oppOSitionconfronting Zerubabbel,the govemoroflsrael, in the rebuilding ofthe t e r n P ~was pictured l S a mOUl1.lain,Butit wasto be become a plain before theirresistiblemovementofGod 'swill.Here,rather than God's people facing ' amountain Of opposition, they werepromised that God would provide adefense for them amidst two impregnable mountains of brass

hell willnot prevailagainst the church"(Matt. 16:18), WemustrecallthatOtristsaid, "1.0,1am Withyou to the end of theage" Matt.28:20),Weshouldunderstandthat the gates of the New Jerusalem ofGod, the.Oturch, are high,majestic,andmighty (Rev. 21:10 ). God's kingdomisas mountains of brass.

Unfortunately, modern TV

Christianitystops here . Popular,MadisonAvenue Christianityspeaks only of thesweetsmellof the comforting myrtletreeof Otristiauity . t does not advanceWithZechariah to see that the valley of themynles is shielded by the impregnablemountains ofbrass, We cowerand backoff, rather than boldlypress ahead,asourforefathersdid. With Israel of old we

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an offeosive ilarch to do Hiswill, We are urged to "castdownimaginations,and everyhigh thing that exalteth itselfagainstthe knowledge of God,and bring into captivityeverythought to the obedience ofOtrtst"(2Cor.lO:5). Wearetotakeup theoffensiveweapon ofOtristiauity, the sword of the

Spirit, the wordof God (Eph. 6:17) .

And this idea is contained in thisconcluding vision to the lirst series,

Notice thadhe Four ChariotsofGoddonotrert1ainintheprotectedmountains,but they go fonh: Zech, 6:5-7, Nbwwhat are these chariots? Why are thehorses so colored? What is their task?

Thesechatiotsarewarchariots. Theyare the ancienteqUivalentof tanks, Theyare armored and equipped to do battleand to wreakhavoc on the enemy, Suchchariots werenoted for their power andspeed. Thus, they (not the Jewish army)carried the battle into enemyterritory.

The reason the Jewish kings wereforbidden tomultiply horseswasbecause

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Israelwas not to be an empire expandingits kingdom (Deut. 17:16). It wasonly toengage in defensive warfare. But, ofcourse, the chariots in this vision are notjust any chariots, theseare the chariots ofGod, Zech. 6:5. s such, they arereminiscent of those in 2 Kings 6:17 andPsalm 68:17. They are the providentialforces used by God in the world toaccomplish His will.

Having shown His threatenedjudgment on Judah for her resistance toHis will CZech. 5), Godnow turns backtoconsider the heathen nations. n the firstvision, the heathen were seen as lying atrestCZech.l:ll). Thiswasnotcomfomngto Israel who was so impoverished sinceher release from Babylonian captivityCZech. 1:12). Now there comes a clear

prophecy of the coming judgment uponthe nations who resist and afflict thepeople of God. Thepeace and prosperityof the heathen would not last forever.

Severalhorses pull each chariot. Thecolor of these horses is significant,as inthe first vision CZech. 6:2-3). TheScriptural use of such colors is evident.The red horses represent bloodshed andwarfare, as in Revelation6:4. The blackhorses represent gloomand famine, asinRevelation 6:5,6. The white horsesrepresent victory over the enemy and theconsequent peace and quiet that followsvictory. The grisled or speclded horsesrepresent a mixed state of intennittentwar and peace.

The fact that there are four horsesseems to indicate that they carry theirwarfareinall direclionsofthe compass, tothe four comers of the earth. In fact, thechariots are called the four windsUiterallyloftheheavens inverse5, whichparallels the concept of the four points ofthecompass. Thisisfurthersupportedbythe reference to God as the Lordof alltheearth CZech. 6:5).

n the vision before us, Zechariah isministeting to Israelof old, of course. Henotesthatthesechariotsheadoffinvariousdirections. The black horses of gloom

and famine head off toward the north,where Babylon was located CZech. 6:6;Jer. 6:22; 46:10). Babylon -- once aglOriOUScity known as one of the SevenWonders ofthe AncientWorld ... Babylon-- once the desu'oyer of God's people ...This Babylon had been subjugated byMedo-Persia a few years before

Zechariah's prophecies. What then is themearling of this prophecy?

We learn from histOlY that thoughBabylonwas conquered, she attempted afew years after Zechariah's prophecies torebel against Medo-Persia. At that limeKingDariusabsolutelydestroyedthedty.Zechariahindicates thisinadvance. Israelshould take comfort in the furthersubjugation ofher mona foe. The whitehorses followalong CZech. 6:6b). Victory

will be won; peace will be restored inBabylon's final destruction.

The horses of mixed color charge offtoward Egypt in the south CZech. 6:6c).Egypt wasanother famedenemy of God'speople. Egypt will experience mixedlimes ofwar and peace, because of God'sjudgment against her. ll of these horsestogether are pictured as strong horsespatrolling the whole earth CZech. 6:7).CThewordtranslated 'bay meansstrong.)

Buttheemphasis falls on their chargingnorth CZech. 6:8). The NASV interpretsthe verse rather than translating it whenthey render a portion of it as haveappeased My wrath in the land of thenorth. literally the words say: quietedmy spirit in the north. The truth taughtis quite important.

The Lord's Spirit is One of holinessand righteousness when He comes. Butas such He also necessarily btings

judgment and burning, when He setdeson a sinful tertitory CIsa 4:4). WhenGod's Spirit comes,He makes changesina land. Here Babylon is absolutelydestroyed in His presence as He directsthe Medo-Persian armies. to Babylon'sdestruction. n the forces of this warGod 's will is being done under thedirection of His Spirit.

The Four Chariots scatteting to thefour comers of the earth has a messageforus, as well. We must recognize that Hiswill is not simply for the heart, though itbegins there. It is not Simplyconfined tothe church, though it is nurtured there.The forces of God work in all directionsthroughoutthe earth. God is not the Godof this spot of land or that particular dtyover there or this country over here. Godis the Lord of all the earth. And He hasdetennined that Hiswill will expand to alloflife and in the four corners of the earth.

Our Godworks through all histoticalforces. In a real sense, history is HisStory. I am convinced He is at work insome way in the wave of change that hasinundated Eastern Europe and Russiasince October, 1989. Perhaps it is to free

up His churches in those lands for thegreater expansion of His kingdom in ourlifetimes. A short year ago who wouldhave thought all of this change wouldoccur? The forcesof evilseem irresistible.ButonlyGod's forcesare. Let us pray thatHis chariots would range throughoutEurope and Asia and make the politicalchanges to become spiritual changes .

Conclusion

Though God'swillis opposed fromalldirectiOns, we should not despair,Defensively, we are protected by brassmountains, as it were. We are safe andsecure from all alarms. Offensively, He .will send His mighty chariots to effectHiswill throughout the earth.

This istrue for Israelof old; th isistruefor us today. May we refuse to back offfrom a radical comminnent to Scriptureand to Christ. Maywe not be ashamed ofthe doctrines of our holy faith and theirimplications for all of ife. Maywe not sellChristian truth short. Let us continue towork and pray that thy kingdom come,thywillbedoneinearthasitisinheaven.

The God that destroyed Babylon andEgypt will destroy communism, Islam,and any other foe that stands in Hisway.Q

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