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 to Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

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

1:3 Therefore say you to them, Thus says the LORD of hosts; Turn you to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will turn to you, says the LORD of hosts.

1:4 Be you not as your fathers, to whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts; Turn you now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor listen to me, says 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 to us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so has he dealt with us.

1:7 On 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 to Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

1:8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding on 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 to me, I will show you what these be.

1:10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD has 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 sits still, and is at rest.

1:12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these three score 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 to me, Cry you, saying, Thus says 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 says the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth on Jerusalem.

1:17 Cry yet, saying, Thus says 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 my eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

1:19 And I said to 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 showed me four carpenters.

1:21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spoke, 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 my eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

2:2 Then said I, Where go you? And he said to 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 to 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, says the LORD, will be to her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the middle of her.

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

2:7 Deliver yourself, O Zion, that dwell with the daughter of Babylon.

2:8 For thus says the LORD of hosts; After the glory has he sent me to the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.

2:9 For, behold, I will shake my hand on them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.

2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, see, I come, and I will dwell in the middle of you, says 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 middle of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

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 showed 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 to Satan, The LORD rebuke you, O Satan; even the LORD that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you: 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 spoke to those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And to him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with change of raiment.

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

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

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

3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you, and your fellows that sit before you: 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; on one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the engraving thereof, says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

3:10 In that day, says the LORD of hosts, shall you call every man his neighbor 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 to me, What see you? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are on the top thereof:

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

4:4 So I answered and spoke 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 to me, Know you not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

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

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

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

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

4:10 For who has 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 to him, What are these two olive trees on the right side of the candlestick and on the left side thereof?

4:12 And I answered again, and said to 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, Know you 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 my eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

5:2 And he said to me, What see you? 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 to me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that steals shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that swears shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

5:4 I will bring it forth, says the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swears falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the middle 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 to me, Lift up now your eyes, and see what is this that goes forth.

5:6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goes 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 sits in the middle of the ephah.

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

5:9 Then lifted I up my 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, Where do these bear the ephah?

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

6:1 And I turned, and lifted up my 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 spotted and bay horses.

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

6:5 And the angel answered and said to 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 spotted 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 on me, and spoke to 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 to 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 you 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 on the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

6:12 And speak to him, saying, Thus speaks 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 on his throne; and he shall be a priest on 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 you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you 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 to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;

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

7:3 And to speak to 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 to me, saying,

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

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

7:7 Should you not hear the words which the LORD has 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 to Zechariah, saying,

7:9 Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show 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 listen, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

7:12 Yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts has 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, says 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 my 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 spotted and bay horses.

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

5 And the angel answered and said to 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 spotted 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 on me, and spoke to 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 to me, saying,

10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come you 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 on the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

12 And speak to him, saying, Thus speaks 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 on his throne; and he shall be a priest on 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 you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you 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.