Chapter 6

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.

four chariots

The interpretation of the tenth vision must be governed by the authoritative declaration of Zechariah 6:5 . That which is symbolized by the four chariots with their horses is not the four world-empires of Daniel, but "the four spirits of heaven which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth" ( Zechariah 6:5 ). These "spirits" are angels ; Luke 1:19 ; Hebrews 1:14 and are most naturally interpreted of the four angels of ; Revelation 7:1-3 ; Revelation 9:14 Revelation 9:15 . These have also a ministry earthward, and of like nature with the "spirits" of Zechariah 6:1-8 . viz. judgment. The symbol (chariots and horses) is in perfect harmony with this. Always in Scripture symbolism they stand for the power of God earthward in judgment. ; Jeremiah 46:9 Jeremiah 46:10 ; Joel 2:3-11 Nahum 3:1-7 . The vision, then, speaks of the Lord's judgments upon the Gentile nations north and south in the day of the Lord ; Isaiah 2:10-22 ; Revelation 19:11-21 .

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

angel

(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

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.

angel

(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

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;

crowns

Following the earth-judgments symbolized in the horsed chariots ( Zechariah 6:1-8 ) comes the manifestation of Christ in His kingdom glory ( Zechariah 6:9-15 ). This is the invariable prophetic order: first the judgments of the day of the Lord ; Isaiah 2:10-22 ; Revelation 19:11-21 then the kingdom (cf) ; Psalms 2:5 ; 2:6 ; Isaiah 3:24-26 ; 4:2-6 ; Isaiah 10:33 Isaiah 10:34 ; 11:1-10 ; Revelation 19:19-21 ; 20:4-6 . This is set forth symbolically by the crowning of Joshua, which was not a vision, but actually done (cf) ; Isaiah 8:3 Isaiah 8:4 ; Ezekiel 37:16-22 . The fulfilment in the BRANCH will infinitely transcend the symbol. He "shall bear the glory" ; Zechariah 6:13 ; Matthew 16:27 ; 24:30 ; 25:31 as the Priest-King on His own throne ( Zechariah 6:12 Zechariah 6:13 ; Hebrews 7:1-3 ). Christ is now a Priest, but still in the holiest within the veil ; Leviticus 16:15 ; Hebrews 9:11-14 Hebrews 9:24 and seated on the Father's throne Revelation 3:21 . He has not yet come out to take His own throne Hebrews 9:28 . The crowns made for the symbolical crowning of Joshua were to be laid up in the temple as a memorial to keep alive this larger hope of Israel.

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:

BRANCH

(See Scofield "Isaiah 4:2")