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 2:3-11Nahum 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.
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; Psalms 2:6; Isaiah 3:24-26; Isaiah 4:2-6 ; Isaiah 10:33; Isaiah 10:34; Isaiah 11:1-10; Revelation 19:19-21; Revelation 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; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 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.
Copyright Statement These files are considered public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available in the Online Bible Software Library.
Bibliographical Information Scofield, C. I. "Scofield Reference Notes on Zechariah 6". "Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/srn/zechariah-6.html. 1917.
Verse 1
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.
Verses 4-5
angel
(See Scofield " :-")
Verse 11
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; Psalms 2:6; Isaiah 3:24-26; Isaiah 4:2-6 ; Isaiah 10:33; Isaiah 10:34; Isaiah 11:1-10; Revelation 19:19-21; Revelation 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; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 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.
Verse 12
BRANCH
(See Scofield " :-")