eschatology, the Four Horses (Zech.5-8)

After the vision of the very large scroll which had all the sins of the nations written on it, Zechariah then had a vision of the four chariots which will be sent out during the Tribulation.  These parallel the horses found in the book of Revelation chapter 6;  although here the white horse is placed third instead of first (and fifth).  In Revelation, (the first seal releases) the white horse, which represents the Antichrist, who will start to rise to power at the very beginning, bringing about cold war.  Obviously, throughout the Tribulation, the Antichrist will be responsible for so much more as we'll see below...

(Zechariah 6:1)  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.

THE RED HORSE (the second seal in Rev.6:4) will set out to disturb the peace and bring about war...

(Zechariah 6:2a)  With the first chariot were red horses...

THE BLACK HORSE (the third seal in Rev.6:5-6) represents famine...

(Zechariah 6:2b)  ...with the second chariot black horses...

THE WHITE HORSE (the first seal in Rev.6:2) represents the Antichrist, who after rising to power as the world leader, will put into place Satan's evil plans against God and anyone becoming a believer.  Any believers who are found out and captured will be martyred (the fifth seal in Rev.6:9)...

(Zechariah 6:3a)  ...with the third chariot white horses...

THE ASHEN HORSE (the fourth seal in Rev.6:8) represents death by famine, pestilence and wild beasts...

(Zechariah 6:3b)  and with the fourth chariot strong dappled horses.

God uses - or allows - these four horses/spirits to bring about the first judgments on the earth.  They are part of the "seal" judgments, which are (opened and) released right at the beginning of the seven years...

(Zechariah 6:4-8)  Then I spoke and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth, 6 with one of which the black horses are going forth to the north country; and the white ones go forth after them, while the dappled ones go forth to the south country.7 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. 8 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.”

The vision jumps forward - to the crowning of "Joshua" - who represents Jesus being crowned and building the Temple in the Millennium.  Jesus will not only be the rightful King, but also the High Priest.  He will be the perfect King to govern the world with justice, and He will be the perfect spiritual leader to teach and guide the people...

(Zechariah 6:9-13)  Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. 13 Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’

In the Millennium, Jesus will live in Jerusalem.  People will live until a very old age, and there will be many children born during this time...

(Zechariah 8:3-8)  Thus says the Lord, ‘I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.’ 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of age. 5 And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.’ 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?’ declares the Lord of hosts. 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; 8 and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.’

The Millennium will be a time of peace - for the people as well as the earth itself - so that people will experience the blessings of their productivity...

(Zechariah 8:12-13)  ‘For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. 13 It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’

In the Millennium, it will be as it should have been - with Israel as a light to the nations.  As many people are being born during this time, those people will still have to decide whether they want to become Christians.  A thousand years is a long time.  So as nations develop over the years, they will see how the Lord blesses the nation of Israel.  There will also be missionaries being sent out to share the gospel.  Therefore, many people will want to know more, and will seek out a personal relationship with Jesus...

(Zechariah 8:20-23)  “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I will also go.” 22 So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.’ 23 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

Today's takeaway:  In the Millennium, Jesus will bring about the perfect "church-and-state"!  His government will be the perfect "dictatorship" - although God will still not force Himself on anyone!  People will still have a free will.  And if anyone gets out of hand - there will be immediate and righteous judgment!  It will be a time without any social injustice.  Exactly how we'd love to see our world today!  But what believers NOW can look forward to - is heaven!...

(1 Timothy 6:18-19)  Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

(Hebrews 13:14)  For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.