Topical Bible: Vision of Zechariah of the Mountains and Chariots

Bible > Topical > Vision of Zechariah of the Mountains and Chariots

◄ Vision of Zechariah of the Mountains and Chariots ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Vision of the Mountains and Chariots is one of the prophetic revelations given to Zechariah, a post-exilic prophet, whose ministry was instrumental in encouraging the Jewish people during the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This vision is recorded in Zechariah 6:1-8 and is the eighth and final vision in a series that Zechariah received in one night. These visions are rich in symbolism and are intended to convey God's sovereign plans for His people and the world.

Biblical Text:

Zechariah 6:1-8 describes the vision as follows:

"Again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them powerful. So I inquired of the angel who was speaking with me, 'What are these, my lord?' And the angel told me, 'These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from their station before the Lord of all the earth. The chariot with the black horses is going toward the land of the north, the white horses toward the west, and the dappled horses toward the south.' As the powerful horses went out, they were eager to patrol the earth. And the LORD said, 'Go, patrol the earth.' So they patrolled the earth. Then the LORD summoned me and said, 'See, those going to the land of the north have given rest to My Spirit in the northern land.'"

Symbolism and Interpretation:

1. Mountains of Bronze: The two mountains from which the chariots emerge are described as being made of bronze. In biblical symbolism, bronze often represents strength and judgment. The mountains may signify the immovable and enduring nature of God's purposes and His sovereign authority over the earth.

2. Four Chariots and Horses: The chariots, each drawn by horses of different colors, are identified as the "four spirits of heaven." These chariots are symbolic of divine agents or angelic beings tasked with executing God's will across the earth. The colors of the horses—red, black, white, and dappled—may represent various aspects of God's judgment and governance, such as war, famine, victory, and pestilence, respectively.

3. Direction and Mission: The chariots are sent to different parts of the earth, indicating the universal scope of God's dominion. The specific mention of the north, west, and south suggests a comprehensive coverage, with the north being particularly significant. The north often symbolizes the direction from which threats to Israel historically emerged, such as the Babylonian and Assyrian empires.

4. Rest to God's Spirit: The vision concludes with the declaration that those going to the north have given rest to God's Spirit. This implies that the execution of divine judgment or intervention in the north has fulfilled God's purpose, bringing a sense of completion and satisfaction to His divine plan.

Theological Significance:

The Vision of the Mountains and Chariots underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the affairs of nations. It reassures the post-exilic community that God is in control and that His plans will be accomplished despite the challenges they face. The vision also serves as a reminder of the ultimate peace and order that God will establish through His righteous judgment and governance.

This vision, like others in Zechariah, points forward to the eschatological hope of God's kingdom being fully realized, where His justice and peace will reign supreme. It encourages believers to trust in God's providence and to remain faithful, knowing that He is orchestrating history according to His divine will.

Nave's Topical Index

Zechariah 6:1-8
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Zechariah
... four chariots issuing from between two mountains of brass ... But, though Zechariah's
message was largely concerned with ... most part in terms of vision and apocalyptic ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zechariah.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... to understand that, though a "Beast" is seen in the vision, it is ... Compare Zechariah
4:7. These mountains, then, are no mere heaps of earth or rocks, but "kings ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... earth; the seventh consists of the third Vision "in heaven ... two of the Mount of Olives
in Zechariah 14:4 ... I beheld the mountains, and lo, they trembled, And all ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith Jehovah ... Esther 6:8, 9.
Isaiah 3:7. Zechariah 3:5). The ... seen in xiii.7, 15; xvii.6 by John in vision. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

The Morning Breaketh
... and are deprived of the view of those mountains which are ... midst of the despair he
has a vision of the ... And again in the first chapter of Zechariah the eighth to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the morning breaketh.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... The meaning of Ezekiel's vision of a New Jerusalem ... of the symbols in the book of
Zechariah are expounded ... chariots coming out from between two mountains of brass ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... fowls and beasts." The closing chapters of Zechariah lead to ... Much of the prophetic
vision of Dan.2 has already ... of the Lord's house in the top of the mountains. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

Faith
... Zechariah 12:20. ... 9:9: He saw Christ with his bodily eyes in a vision, when he ... promise
says not whosoever has a giant-faith, that can remove mountains, that can ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 faith.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... faithfully to perform their high duties, in vision he was ... upon the throne of David,
riding in chariots and on ... from the plain, and from the mountains, and from ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... saying, Then let them which be in Jud??a flee to the mountains [1883 ... the testimony
of Daniel in the text [1954] ; I saw in a vision of the ... [1924] Zechariah 12:12 ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm