Around the time that the Jewish exiles had begun their return to Judah after seventy years in Babylon, the prophet Zechariah was given a series of visions from the Lord, all occurring in one night.
In reverse order, these visions have included 9) the woman in the basket, 8) the flying scroll, 7) the golden lampstand with the two olive tree branches, 6) the Branch and the stone with seven eyes, 5) the High Priest Joshua being accused by Satan, 4) the man with the measuring line, 3) the four craftsmen, 2) the four horns, and 1) the red, sorrel, and white horses found among the myrtle trees. There is a meditation provided in this series for each of these visions.
Zechariah’s tenth and final vision is of four different color horses, each with an accompanying chariot driven by four spirits from heaven. Leaving Jerusalem, they carry out a global reconnaissance patrol at God’s request.
If God is everywhere, why might He need reconnaissance? He does not need it. God is omnipresent, but His created beings, such as angels or people, can only be in one place at a time. Just as the Lord does with humans throughout the Bible, perhaps He loves to include angels in His work, as well, to be present as His plans unfold. This allows the spirits to see for themselves what is happening and to experience for themselves the ever growing goodness and splendor of the Lord.
Zechariah’s final vision begins as follows:
1 Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two mountains. And the mountains were made of bronze. 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot black horses, 3 the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses—all strong horses. 4 So I inquired of the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 The angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven going out after presenting themselves to the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The one with the black horses is going to the land of the north, the white horses are going after them, but the dappled horses are going to the land of the south.” 7 As the strong horses went out, they wanted to go patrol the earth, and the Lord said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. 8 Then He summoned me saying, “See, those going to the land of the north have pacified My Spirit in the northern land.” Zechariah 6:1-8 (HCSB)
The Lord’s “pacified Spirit” in the northern land is a possible reference to the returning of the exiles from Babylon, as one usually travels north first when departing from one to come to the other. The two bronze mountains that the four spirits move from likely represent Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives. These are prominent elevations in Jerusalem, a place repeatedly referred to in God’s word as His special home upon the earth, His portion of the Holy Land.
Although there are differences, there is an apparent correlation between this vision and the vision of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse given to the apostle John in the New Testament book of Revelation, chapter 6. Rather than a reconnaissance, there John’s vision refers to an end times judgment period, when a final global rebellion against God will be led by Satan and the Antichrist. It will be put down, once and for all, by the Lord, and the millennium, an era of peace without tears, will then begin under the leadership of Jesus Christ.
So, in Zechariah’s final vision, what might the angels be looking for as they made their way across the surface of the planet? The next big event on God’s calendar after the exiles’ return from Babylon was the reconstruction of His temple and the city of Jerusalem, and after that, would be the coming of Messiah, Jesus Christ. Perhaps the angels were taking an inventory of the people of the world, measuring their readiness for this important coming event. In the meantime, human empires would come and go, but a much bigger thing would take place in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. It was God’s first step in providing salvation for all people of faith in Christ, and will lead to the installation of God’s eternal kingdom on earth. It is far too important of a gift to pass up, and will be open to all who would seek it, as spelled out by Zechariah’s series of visions in the night.
Reflection
Assessing your own personal life inventory, how prepared are you for being in the presence of the Lord? (That is a serious question even to ask, let alone answer.)
What are the biggest obstacles you face in your spiritual life?
May the Lord help us all, and bring us to a place of peace, victory, and freedom today.
Lord, we present to You all of the problems, difficulties, and obstacles that lie before us today. Some are external but others are strictly internal – they are struggles within us. We confess our failures, sins, and shortcomings to You, and admit that we are unable to overcome many of these in our own power. We humbly ask Your forgiveness and healing, and ask for Your help in our success going forward. Help us also to forgive those who have harmed or offended us. We rely totally upon You and Your grace and mercy to make a way for us to walk in victory and serenity, following Jesus today. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 