Zechariah 6:1-8 says...Bible reading week 33, day 1

We are back in the book of Zechariah today.  Chapter 6 and verses 1 through 8.  This is the eighth and final night vision.

v.1 - Now I lifted up my eyes again and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming forth from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains.

Many believe that all of these pictures given here refer to a coming judgment.  We have the 4 chariots that would have included at least 4 horses who often signify the coming of judgment as in the book of Revelation.  We have two mountains and a valley between which could be Mt. Zion and the Mount of Olives and the Kidron Valley.  These are mountains where the Lord will return and judge and this valley is where the last battle will be fought.  The bronze is also a symbol of judgement with reference to the bronze serpent of judgment in the wilderness found in Numbers 21:9 and also the bronze altar where the sin offering was laid found in Exodus 27.  Needless to say, this vision starts with the fact that God's judgment is coming.

v.2, 3 - With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong dappled horses.

The first horses are red and could signify that of blood and war.  The second horses are black and could signify that of death and famine.  The third horses are white and could signify that of what seems to be world peace.  The fourth horses are dappled or ashen or sorrel and could signify a mixture of the judgments of these other three.  So we have this in Zechariah chapter 1, here, and also in Revelation chapter 6.  Again, judgment is coming with power for those who owned chariots were those who held dominance over others and usually at a great advantage.  

v.4-6 - Then I spoke and said to the angel who was speaking with me, "What are these, my lord?"  The angel replied to me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth, with one of which the black horses are going forth to the north country; and the white ones to go forth after them, which the the dappled ones go forth to the south country."

Zechariah is given the meaning of these night visions.  The horses and chariots represent the four spirits of heaven.  Usually four represent north, south, east, and west.  God's reign is in every direction.  God's judgment is in every direction.  God's rule is in every direction.  Israel would be attacked from the north and the south because to the west would be the sea and to the east would be the desert.  God was sending out spirits in those directions.

v.7, 8 - "When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to patrol the earth."  And He said, "Go, patrol the earth."  So they patrolled the earth.  Then He cried out to me and spoke to me saying, "See, those who are going to the land of the north have appeased My wrath in the land of the north."

God's wrath is going to be satisfied.  Let us be thankful that the patrolling of the earth also includes the promise of His gospel to every tribe and nation.  While a judgment is coming that is final and definitive, there is also coming a reign that is forever and glorious.  The warning is given to the people of Israel to be running with the horses rather and running against them.  We want God's wrath ahead of us because we are behind His shield rather than God's wrath behind us and coming up on us.  We need to have this fact ever before us so that we will continue to proclaim to others about a merciful God who provided a way to escape His wrath through His given Son.  Let us pray.

"Lord, images of a judgement to come.  Images that make us cringe because they are images of the end.  Help us to point others to an answer to Your wrath that You have provided.  May we speak Your name so others hear it and Your word will impact their lives with Your salvation.  Amen."

Pastor Adam