Zec 6:1 | KingComments | STEP | After the seven previous night visions, follows the eighth and last night vision. Zechariah sees four chariots. They represent the four world empires, while we see that God is completely in control of them. In Daniel 2 the empires are also represented, but then Nebuchadnezzar sees them, namely as a great statue ( ). In Daniel 7 they appear again, but then Daniel sees them, namely as senseless beasts ( ). Zechariah also sees them in as senseless beasts. Kingdoms are nothing in themselves and can only do what pleases God. We see this in the two mountains, probably Mount Moria (or Zion) and Mount of Olives. Both mountains play an important role in the history of Jerusalem and in prophecy. Between the two mountains is the valley of Jehoshaphat – meaning “ Yahweh judges” – where the nations will be judged ( ). The mountains are said to be made of bronze (cf. ). Bronze is a picture of the righteousness of God connected to the judgment ( ). God upholds His right when He judges hostile nations and protects His people, the believing remnant, from judgment. God always reaches His goal and does so in a perfectly righteous way. The empires believe that they can do what they want. But here we see these empires with the eyes of the prophet, with the eyes of faith. We see how God directs the empires in their way. The chariots symbolize the government of God, Who is on His way to carry out His judgment on the four empires. The chariots of history go the way God wants. They accomplish the will of God without knowing it themselves. God directs history in such a way that His purpose is achieved. The fact that there are four chariots indicates the universal of God’s directing. We see this in expressions like “four winds of the heavens” ( ; ), “the four ends of heaven” ( ) and “the four corners of the earth” ( ).

‏ Zechariah 6:1

Four Chariots and Two Bronze Mountains

After the seven previous night visions, follows the eighth and last night vision. Zechariah sees four chariots. They represent the four world empires, while we see that God is completely in control of them. In Daniel 2 the empires are also represented, but then Nebuchadnezzar sees them, namely as a great statue (Dan 2:31-33). In Daniel 7 they appear again, but then Daniel sees them, namely as senseless beasts (Dan 7:1-7). Zechariah also sees them in Zec 6:2-3 as senseless beasts.

Kingdoms are nothing in themselves and can only do what pleases God. We see this in the two mountains, probably Mount Moria (or Zion) and Mount of Olives. Both mountains play an important role in the history of Jerusalem and in prophecy. Between the two mountains is the valley of Jehoshaphat – meaning “Yahweh judges” – where the nations will be judged (Joel 3:12). The mountains are said to be made of bronze (cf. Psa 36:7). Bronze is a picture of the righteousness of God connected to the judgment (Num 16:37-40). God upholds His right when He judges hostile nations and protects His people, the believing remnant, from judgment.

God always reaches His goal and does so in a perfectly righteous way. The empires believe that they can do what they want. But here we see these empires with the eyes of the prophet, with the eyes of faith. We see how God directs the empires in their way. The chariots symbolize the government of God, Who is on His way to carry out His judgment on the four empires. The chariots of history go the way God wants. They accomplish the will of God without knowing it themselves. God directs history in such a way that His purpose is achieved.

The fact that there are four chariots indicates the universal of God’s directing. We see this in expressions like “four winds of the heavens” (Zec 2:6; Eze 37:9), “the four ends of heaven” (Jer 49:36) and “the four corners of the earth” (Rev 7:1).