Visions and Prophecies in Zechariah 1-7

Zechariah 1-7

1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

1:2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.

1:3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

1:4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

1:5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

1:7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

1:8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.

1:9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.

1:10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

1:11 And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.

1:12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

1:13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

1:14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

1:15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

1:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

1:17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

1:18 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

1:19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

1:20 And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.

1:21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

2:1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

2:2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

2:3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,

2:4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

2:5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

2:6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.

2:7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.

2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

2:9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

4:1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

4:2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

4:4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

4:5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

4:8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

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

5:1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

5:2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

5:3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

5:4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

5:5 Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.

5:6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.

5:7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

5:8 And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.

5:9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.

5:10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?

5:11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

6:1 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.

6:2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

6:3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

6:4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

6:5 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.

6:6 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.

6:7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

6:8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

6:9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

6:10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;

6:11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

6:12 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:

6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

6:14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

6:15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

7:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;

7:2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,

7:3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

7:4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,

7:5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

7:6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

7:7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?

7:8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,

7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

7:10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

7:12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

7:13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

7:14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

Zechariah chapters 1 through 7 describe a series of prophetic visions and messages intended to encourage the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple while revealing the high priestly ministry of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. 🌟

Chapter 1: A Call to Repentance and the Vision of the Horses

The prophet begins with a stern warning to the people to return to the Lord, reminding them that their fathers suffered for failing to heed the earlier prophets Zechariah 1:1-6. In the vision of the horses, Zechariah sees the Lord’s messengers patrolling the earth and finds that while the world is at rest, Jerusalem remains in distress Zechariah 1:8-11GEP 63.3. The Lord responds with "good words and comfortable words," promising that His house shall be built and His cities shall yet be spread abroad through prosperity Zechariah 1:13-17.

Chapter 2: The Measuring Line and the Glory of God

The vision of a man with a measuring line signifies the future growth and glory of Jerusalem, which will be inhabited as towns without walls because the Lord will be a wall of fire around her Zechariah 2:1-5YI February 28, 1901, par. 1. God calls His people to flee from the land of their captivity, for He considers those who touch His people as touching the apple of His eye Zechariah 2:6-8. He promises to dwell in the midst of them, and many nations will be joined to the Lord in that day Zechariah 2:10-13S23D 76.1.

Chapter 3: Joshua the High Priest and the Branch

This chapter presents a vivid scene in heaven where Joshua the high priest stands before the Angel of the Lord while Satan stands at his right hand to resist and accuse him Zechariah 3:1COL 166.3+1. Joshua is clothed in filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people he represents, but the Lord rebukes Satan, declaring Joshua to be a "brand plucked out of the fire" Zechariah 3:2-3PK 583.2+1. The Lord commands that his filthy garments be removed and replaced with a change of raiment and a fair mitre, representing the removal of iniquity and the gift of Christ’s righteousness Zechariah 3:4-5SpTB02 27.4+1. Joshua is given a charge to walk in God's ways to judge His house, and the prophecy points forward to the "BRANCH," the coming Saviour who would justify His people Zechariah 3:7-82TT 172.2+1.

Chapter 4: The Golden Candlestick and the Two Olive Trees

Zechariah sees a golden candlestick with a bowl on top and seven lamps, supplied with oil by two olive trees Zechariah 4:1-3COL 406.3+1. The angel explains that the work of rebuilding the temple and the success of God's people is "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit" Zechariah 4:6PTUK September 7, 1899, page 565.6+1. The two olive trees represent the "two anointed ones"—the two witnesses or the Word of God—that stand by the Lord of the whole earth, constantly emptying golden oil through golden pipes to provide light and grace to the church Zechariah 4:12-144BC 1180.1+2. This vision encouraged Zerubbabel that he would finish the temple he had begun Zechariah 4:9HST August 28, 1844, page 30.28.

Chapter 5: The Flying Roll and the Ephah

The prophet sees a flying roll representing the curse that goes out over the face of the earth against those who steal and swear falsely Zechariah 5:1-4. He then sees an ephah—a measure of quantity—containing a woman who represents wickedness, which is eventually carried away to the land of Shinar Zechariah 5:5-11KJV — Zechariah 5:8+1. This emphasizes the necessity of strict integrity and the removal of dishonesty from among God's peopleST December 24, 1896, par. 4+1.

Chapter 6: The Four Chariots and the Coronation of the Branch

Four chariots with different colored horses come forth from between two mountains of brass to patrol the earth, symbolizing the execution of God's judgments and purposes Zechariah 6:1-8. The chapter concludes with a significant symbolic act: silver and gold are used to make crowns for Joshua the high priest Zechariah 6:11. This act points to Christ, "The BRANCH," who would grow up out of His place to build the temple of the Lord, sitting as both a priest and a ruler upon His throne with the "counsel of peace" between the Father and the Son Zechariah 6:12-13BEST August 1, 1889, page 233.4+2.

Chapter 7: True Fasting and Obedience

The people ask if they should continue traditional fasts, but the Lord questions if they were truly fasting for Him Zechariah 7:1-6. He declares that true service consists of executing true judgment, showing mercy and compassion, and not oppressing the widow, the fatherless, the stranger, or the poor Zechariah 7:9-10. Because the people had previously refused to hearken and pulled away their shoulders, they had faced God's displeasure; thus, the call remains for sincere obedience rather than mere outward ceremony Zechariah 7:11-14.

Zechariah 6

1 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.

2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

5 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.

6 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.

7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;

11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

12 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:

13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

The mountains of brass represent the unchangeable and eternal nature of God’s purposes and the divine administration over the affairs of the world15LtMs, Ms 65a, 1900, par. 15+1. These two mountains form the gateway through which the four chariots, representing the four spirits of the heavens or the agencies of divine providence, go forth to execute God's will across the earth15LtMs, Ms 65a, 1900, par. 15+1.

The Significance of Brass in Prophecy

• Divine Strength and Permanence: In biblical symbolism, brass is often associated with strength, durability, and judgment that cannot be moved or brokenHST August 14, 1844, page 13.32+1.

• A Symbol of Rule: Brass represents the third kingdom in the great prophetic image of Daniel 2 signifying a power that would bear rule over all the earth Daniel 2:32+1.

• The Feet of Christ: In His glorified state, the feet of the Son of Man are described as being like polished brass, signifying His firm and holy path in judgment and authority Revelation 1:15DAR 214.5+1.

The Gateway of Providence

The chariots emerge from between these mountains to show that all heavenly agencies operate under the direct oversight and established decrees of the Almighty15LtMs, Ms 65a, 1900, par. 15+1. This confirms that the movements of nations and the work of angels are not random but are directed by a power that is as solid and enduring as mountains of brass15LtMs, Ms 65a, 1900, par. 15+1. Just as the sanctuary furniture like the altar of burnt offering and the laver were made of brass to endure the fire and service of God, these mountains stand as a testament to the unchanging standards of His governmentPP 347.3+2. No earthly power can obstruct the missions that proceed from this divine sourceADTE March 1846, page 1.19+1.