ZECHARIAH CHAPTER 6:1-8 

Please Read Zechariah 6 

Chapter Outline: 

Vision of the Chariots Revealed (verses 1-3) (Vision 8) 

Explanation of the Vision (verses 4-8) 

Focus: A little bit of context 

Judgment from YHWH is not just something visited upon Israel when they sin, but justice is handed out to the whole world when humanity turns from God. This is a basic spiritual fact under which human beings live.  The vision is of four war chariots pulled by different colored horses which go and act on behalf of God.  Four is a number often used to symbolize all over the earth or all four directions. Four means “everywhere.” We will see this same use of the symbolic number in Zechariah 14 when the Gospel goes out “everywhere.”

Colors often have meaning as well: 

Red means War and Blood 

Black means Famine and Death 

White means Victory 

Spotted/dappled means Plagues and Sickness 

The same type of vision and symbolism is used in Revelation 6. 

Focus: How does this draw us to God? 

The chariots are four angels that stand before God and the chariots are sent forth from God.  The final judgment against sinful nations comes only from God.  He directs this in His holiness and righteousness and are in keeping with all of His character.  It is important to note that the black horse heads north to where Israel’s great enemies come from showing that God will take care of Israel upon the earth. God takes care of His people on the earth and in the ages to come. 

Focus: OT to the cross 

God is still talking about building His temple.  God will clear out the evil before His project is completed. The judgment is seen and then it calls His people to repentance and righteous living. We should not miss that God is building His temple in Jerusalem physically in anticipation of building His Church which is His temple spiritually. Zechariah is letting us in on types and shadows and predictions about what the Kingdom of God will be like with the Messiah.

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