God’s Judgment on the Nations

A study on Zechariah

God’s Judgment on the Nations

Zech. 6:1-8

Theme: God reveals His future judgment on the nations.

Introduction: The introductory chapters up to the is point has been centered primarily around 8 visions God gave to the prophet. Each vision reveals more about the plan of God for the nation and this vision takes us into the future of the nation of Israel.

The images in this vision are similar to the ones described in the first vision but the details are significantly different. Woven through the 8 visions is the fact that God is in control over the earth. Several years ago, I was talking with a preacher. He said, “I just don’t like the phrase God is in control of the earth.” His idea is God will take control but He is not in control yet. All I could think of is how heretical can you get. Quite honestly, I never had him back to speak again. The Scriptures over and over again point to the fact that God is in control and here is our reminder of His control.

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16–17)

While God has called Zechariah and Haggai to encourage the remnant to rebuild the temple, in this 8th vision, He is showing us more than overcoming the obstacles of rebuilding the temple, but how God will judge the Gentile nations for their sins. This will occur during the period called the Tribulation Period or the Day of the Lord which precedes the return of Christ to the earth to set up His righteous kingdom. In the latter chapters, Zechariah will describe many of the events that will occur during the “day of the Lord.”

There are three elements of the vision.

I. The announcement v. 1

A. The universal nature

1. Four is a symbol of worldwide.

2. Just in the book of Zechariah: four horseman 1:8, four horns/four craftsmen 1:18, 20, four winds of heaven 2:10, four chariots 6:1, and four spirits 6:5

3. The whole world is being prepared for God’s concluding acts as He restores Israel to her land ans ssumes the reign of the world.

B. The Biblical judgement

1. Brass or bronze was considered the strongest alloy known in that day.

2. The altar of sacrifice and the temple was wood covered with brass, that’s where sin was judged when the sacrifices were burned.

3. The day of judgement comes when the nations have filled up their sins and judgement must fall.

4. There are no brass mountains in Israel so various interpretations have been given. Most scholars believe this is Mt. Zion and Mt. of Olives on the east side of Jerusalem. The brass (bronze) point to God’s judgement on Israel’s enemies in that place.

5. God warns us His spirit will not always strive with men.

II. The description vv. 2-3

A. Chariots

1. These chariots symbolize warfare.

“I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.” (Psalm 66:15)

2. They were used in battles and used for fighting against their enemies.

3. The mission of the horses and chariots supplies the central theme of all 8 visions, for they acts as a pair of book-ends at the front and back of the vision. Together, the right visions say more than that the temple must be rebuilt but God’s kingdom in the whole world will be renewed and governments opposed to His kingdom will be vanquished.

4. The chariots clearly represent the war God will wage in the future on the gentiles for their sin.

5. The four chariots add the concept of divine omnipotence to the divine omniscience established in the opening vision.

B. Horses

1. These horses bear a strong resemblance to the four horsemen in Rev. 6:1-8.

2. The black horses were assigned to the north country (Babylon) and the white horses would follow them.

3. The Red horse is a symbol of warfare but nothing is said about its location but red represents martyrdom and white points to overall death.

4. Grisled bay horse goes south to Egypt.

5. It has also been suggested that red horses symbolize war, black horse symbolize famine, and white horses symbolize death. During the day of the Lord God will use wars, famines, plagues, and death to punish the nations.

III. The interpretation vv. 4-8

A. Heavenly spirits vv. 4-5

1. The four chariots with their horses represent the four spirits from God who are angels

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

2. These spirits are assigned to different parts of the world to do God’s bidding.

3. It is significant to remember God is in control. What happens during our election or in the future, God is in control.

4. These spirits (ruach) going throughout the earth have been in the presence of God of the whole earth.

“Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:14)

5. They were His messengers and the executors of His will

B. Obedient horses vv. 6-7

1. The horses attached to the chariot accomplishes God’s bidding of judgment.

2. Because of the geography of Palestine, all of Israel’s enemies came against her from the north or from the south. The Mediterranean Sea on the west, and the Arabian Desert on the east, prohibited major foreign invasions from those directions. Since the chariots went in compass directions, we should probably understand their judgement to be universal. They went north and south out of Palestine executing judgment in every direction. (Tom Constable-Notes on the Bible).

3. This corresponds with the future as seen in Revelations

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.” (Revelation 7:1)

C. Quieting spirit v. 8

1. The horse that goes north is Babylon. Babylon is still fresh in the minds of the remnant and God is reminding them He is angry with them.

2. God’s wrath on their sin will be sure and He will be appeased when the judgment comes.

Conclusion: Two take aways from this vision: 1. God is still in control and 2. God has a future plan which will be fulfilled in His time.