The Chariots and The Branch

Introduction:

Zechariah 6 is a chapter with symbolic imagery and prophetic visions, particularly involving four chariots and a crowning ceremony. These symbols connect to broader biblical themes of divine judgment, kingship, and the coming Messiah.

Overview of Zechariah 6

Zechariah 6:1-8 describes a vision of four chariots emerging between two bronze mountains, which are symbolic of God’s decrees. These chariots, pulled by different colored horses, represent the four spirits of heaven going out from standing before the Lord of all the earth. The colors and directions they travel symbolize various aspects of divine judgment and protection.

Zechariah 6:9-15 shifts to a symbolic act involving the crowning of Joshua, the high priest, signifying the Messiah’s dual roles as king and priest.

1. The Vision of the Four Chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8)

Zechariah 6:1-3 (KJV)

And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

1. White Horse: Traditionally, white is associated with purity, victory, and righteousness. In some interpretations, the white horse symbolizes conquest and triumph. However, given the context of Revelation, where deceit plays a significant role in the end times, the white horse can also represent false peace or deceptive victory, linked to the rise of the Antichrist who conquers under the guise of peace.

2. Red Horse: The color red is strongly linked to war and bloodshed. This symbolism is straightforward in the text, as the rider on the red horse is granted the power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill one another. Red here underscores the violence and destruction that will characterize this period.

3. Black Horse: Black often represents famine, mourning, and death. In the context of Revelation, the black horse is associated with severe famine. The scales held by the rider suggest the rationing of food and extreme scarcity, where basic staples like wheat and barley become precious and costly.

4. The term “grisled” refers to having streaks or spots of gray, suggesting a mix of dark and light—potentially symbolizing a blend of judgment and mercy or the complex nature of divine actions. The interpretation of these horses and their direction can vary, but a few common themes emerge:

Complexity of Judgment: The mixed coloration might represent the complexity and nuanced nature of God’s judgments. Unlike the more straightforward symbols of war, conquest, or peace represented by the other horses, the grisled horses suggest a multifaceted approach.

Strength and Endurance: The additional description of these horses as “strong” suggests they are capable of enduring tough journeys or overcoming significant obstacles, possibly indicating the strength of divine judgment or the power to execute God’s will over great distances and against considerable resistance.

Geographical and Spiritual Implications: Heading toward the south might symbolize judgment or divine interaction with regions to the south of Israel, possibly dealing with enemies or spreading influence in areas characterized by spiritual drought or challenge.

Parallel Passages:

• Revelation 6:1-8: The four horsemen of the apocalypse, each with different colored horses representing conquest, war, famine, and death, offer a thematic parallel to the agents of divine will seen in Zechariah.

1. The White Horseman (Revelation 6:1-2): Often interpreted as representing conquest or pestilence, I believe that this horseman represents the Antichrist, given the crown and the bow. This horseman is generally associated with victorious warfare and deception.

This is Horse represents Catholicism or False religion.

2. The Red Horseman (Revelation 6:3-4): This horseman symbolizes war and bloodshed. Given a great sword and the power to take peace from the earth, he represents the widespread violence and conflict that will occur.

Red represents Communism/war.

3. The Black Horseman (Revelation 6:5-6): Symbolizing famine, this figure holds a pair of scales, indicating the scarcity and rationing of food during a time of severe economic distress or famine.

Black represents Capitalism or economy

4. The Pale “Chloros” Horseman (Revelation 6:7-8): Known as Death, this horseman represents mortality and is followed by Hades. He is given power over a quarter of the earth to kill through war, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts, embodying the death resulting from the catastrophes brought by the other horsemen.

Green represents Islam/Death.

A Parallel passage can also be found in:

• Daniel 7:1-3: Daniel’s vision of four great beasts coming up from the sea, each different from the others, parallels the diverse agents carrying out God’s commands.

2. The Task of the Chariots (Zechariah 6:4-8)

Zechariah 6:5-8 (KJV)

And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.

In Zechariah 6, the “north country” refers to the area that was historically considered a source of threat and invasion for Israel. Most commonly, it is interpreted as representing Babylon, which is located to the northeast of Israel and was historically the seat of the Babylonian Empire. This empire was responsible for the conquest and exile of the Jewish people in the 6th century BCE, events that deeply affected the historical and prophetic contexts of the Hebrew Bible.

In prophetic literature, the north often symbolizes a region of evil or the origin of divine judgment against the enemies of God’s people. In the vision of Zechariah 6, the horses that go toward the north country carry God’s spirit and possibly indicate the execution of divine judgment or the assertion of God’s sovereignty over the nations that oppressed Israel. Thus, the north not only represents a specific geographical area but also carries symbolic weight as a place associated with past aggression against Israel and divine retribution against those aggressors.

In Zechariah 6, the “south country” refers to regions south of Israel, which could include the Negev desert within Israel itself or extend further to areas like Edom or Egypt. The direction “south” in the context of Hebrew prophecy often carries specific symbolic or practical implications.

The mention of the dappled horses going toward the south in Zechariah 6:6 is less directly explained than those going toward the north. In biblical prophecy, the south can symbolize different things, often related to drought, desolation, or sometimes, judgment, paralleling themes of isolation or challenge.

In terms of prophetic symbolism, the south being typically hotter and drier might represent challenging times or spiritual barrenness. Since the text does not elaborate extensively, interpretations can vary, focusing on themes of divine judgment, spiritual purification, or even the spread of God’s sovereignty and judgment in all directions, indicating a comprehensive scope of divine action.

Parallel Passages:

• Ezekiel 1:4-28: The vision of four living creatures, each with different faces and wings, symbolizes God’s omnipresence and omnipotence, similar to the spirits that move throughout the earth in Zechariah.

• Jeremiah 49:36: Mention of the four winds from the four quarters of heaven spreading God’s judgment, akin to the spiritual forces in Zechariah.

3. The Crowning of Joshua (Zechariah 6:9-15)

Zechariah 6:11-13 (KJV)

Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.

Parallel Passages:

• Isaiah 11:1-5: The Branch from Jesse that will bear fruit, symbolizing the Messiah as a righteous leader.

• Jeremiah 23:5-6: A King shall reign and prosper, executing judgment and righteousness in the land, reflecting the Messianic prophecy in Zechariah.

Conclusion:

Zechariah 6 bridges significant eschatological themes with the immediate historical context of Israel’s restoration. The vision and the symbolic crowning underscore the Messianic expectations of a united priestly and royal office, which finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is prophet, priest, and king.