(Zechariah 4:1-2a) Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and roused me, as a man who is awakened from his sleep. 2 He said to me, “What do you see?”...
In the rest of chapter 4, the angel explained how the Lord was going to make sure that the Temple was built, by removing every obstacle.
In chapter 5, the visions continued with a flying scroll, which was 30 x 15 feet, symbolizing God's judgment (the curse) against sinners.
Then a big barrel appeared. When the lid was lifted, Zechariah saw a woman sitting inside of it. The woman represented the wickedness found in Israel. The sealing of the lid symbolized that wickedness would be banished from the land...
(Zechariah 5:5-8) Then the angel who was speaking with me went out and said to me, “Lift up now your eyes and see what this is going forth.” 6 I said, “What is it?” And he said, “This is the ephah going forth.” Again he said, “This is their appearance in all the land 7 (and behold, a lead cover was lifted up); and this is a woman sitting inside the ephah.” 8 Then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he threw her down into the middle of the ephah and cast the lead weight on its opening.
Zechariah then saw two angels. Either these were agents of God or forces of evil. Either way, they were carrying the barrel (the Israelites) off to captivity in Babylon, the land of idolatry...
(Zechariah 5:9-11) Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and there two women were coming out with the wind in their wings; and they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heavens. 10 I said to the angel who was speaking with me, “Where are they taking the ephah?”11 Then he said to me, “To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar; and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal.”
The next vision in chapter 6 is twofold. It continued the prophecy of what would soon happen, explaining that eventually, Babylon would be attacked and the Israelites would be able to return to their land.
This vision is also a prophecy of what will happen during the Tribulation.
There are four colors of horses which will be released in order to bring judgment upon the earth (and the Antichrist's city, which will be called Babylon). God will use (allow) these demon spirits to execute His judgment.
The white (horse) represents the first seal that will be broken (in Revelation 6:1-2). This will be a cold war, as the Antichrist rises in power with intentions to become the world leader, and plot against God, the Israelites, and anyone becoming a believer.
The red (horse) represents the second seal that will be broken (in Revelation 6:3-4) which will be open war.
The black (horse) represents the third seal that will be broken (in Revelation 6:5-6) which will be famine.
And the dappled/ashen (horse) represents the fourth seal that will be broken (in Revelation 6:7-8) which will be widespread death...
(Zechariah 6:1-6) 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. 2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong dappled horses. 4 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.
Meanwhile, God's angels who patrol the earth will observe what is occurring, without interference, so that the prophecies will be accomplished...
(Zechariah 6:7-8) 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. 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.”
This next part of the vision is twofold, but it is about Jesus and His work on the cross when He came to earth in flesh the first time; as well, it is about Jesus setting up the Millennial kingdom after His second coming (at the end of the Tribulation to fight the battle of Armageddon).
Even though God anoints humans to fill these roles as representatives, Jesus is both King and High Priest! And when we make Jesus our personal King and High Priest - when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior - this is the only way anyone can be in perfect obedience. Therefore, during the Tribulation, when Israel as a nation realizes that Jesus was and is their Messiah and look to Him as their Savior, their covenants will be fulfilled...
(Zechariah 6:11-15) 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.”’ 14 Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the Lord to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah. 15 Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the Lord.” Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely obey the Lord your God.
From this we see:
- angels are sometimes used to deliver messages and answer questions (4:1)
- angels and/or demons can appear to look like women (5:9)
- demons are used and will be used to carry out God's judgments on the earth (6:1-8)
- angels who patrol the earth observe without interference when God directs them to do so (6:7-8)
Personal experience: right now. everywhere on earth, we have the never-ending tension involving religion and government (church and state). Because people want to be the ones in control, but all people have difficulty agreeing with each other, there have been many many wars as a result of this.
Even in our churches, there will be those groups of people who want to live by their feelings and what they think is right, opposed to those groups of people who want to live by the Law and all the do's and don't's which they think are important. And within all these different groups, people will still struggle to agree with each other.
As well, we experience personal struggles with this "tension" - even as Christians. Because we are still connected with our sinful flesh, on the one hand we can have a difficult time understanding God's grace, and then on the other hand, our flesh will try to take advantage of God's grace. So there can be this spiritual battle within ourselves.
Today's takeaway: to have unity (with God within ourselves, and within groups) the answers lie within God's words. It is also important to pray for God's wisdom and guidance in order to interpret and apply the Bible appropriately!
And when Jesus returns to earth to sit on the throne and reign as King and High Priest, there will be worldwide peace and safety for those thousand years, because the word of God will be right there in the flesh to implement immediate guidance and justice...
(John 1:1-14) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(Hebrews 4:11-16) Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Revelation 1:3-8) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
(1 Corinthians 1:10) Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
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