Zechariah - Chapter 6

THE EIGHTH VISION

THE FOUR CHARIOTS

ZECHARIAH 6

The final vision of the night of visions for the prophet was a followup vision of numbers 6 & 7 and was spoken to Zechariah to prepare him for understanding the judgment coming for those who are the enemies of God.

In verses 1-3 the prophet describes the scene he saw as four chariots that were coming down between two mountains (both mountains being bronze) with horses of different colors. The horses on the four were red, next black, next white, and finally dappled in color. Initially it seems the mountains noted are the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion, with bronze representing strength and judgment.

We recall the horsemen seen in a vision before were observers while these are hostile warriors who are the agents of God's war against the evil of mankind. The colors of these horses are very closely aligned with those horses seen in Rev 6 and may be also in connection to the angelic messengers of judgment in Rev 7. Normal Bible symbols used in colors are red being war, black of famine and death, white of victory, and mixed being pestilence.

Zechariah immediately asks for a meaning from the angel appointed to speak with him. The angel explains that four chariots of God are going in the four directions on earth, being angels of swift commands to bring the Lord's will of judgment in every direction. The angel says as the enemies are judged that the Lord commands that “My Spirit” is at rest.

Now the vision continues with the prophet seeing refugees coming home from Babylon bringing gifts of wealth with them. These gifts are to be received in the names of those whose names mean “robust or strong”, next “God's goodness”, and next “God knows”, with these gifts to be made into a crown for the high priest, Joshua. In this vision we see a strong departure as normally high priests were not made king, nor were kings to become high priests. Only Melchizedek in Genesis was so honored and now this vision indicates another one is to arrive to be so crowned, which will be Jesus. He is called “Branch” (already seen in Zec 3:8) which is a title for the Messiah, associated with the fullness of life. He will rule as both king and priest and we see this fact explained fully in Hebrews 7. He will create a final Temple (not the one of stone now under construction) but one to exist in His own body as described by Jesus Himself in John 2:19-21 describing His own body, foretold here centuries before.