Bible Commentaries

In the last vision the prophet observed four chariots, coming out from between two mountains of brass, one drawn by red horses, one by black horses, one by white horses, and one by grizzled horses.

Inquiring of the angel the meaning of the vision, the prophet was instructed that the chariots symbolized the four spirits of heaven going forth from the presence of the Lord to walk to and fro in the earth. It is the final revelation of the method of the restored order. In the day of restoration the administrative forces of righteousness will be spiritual.

After the delivery of this second message of visions the prophet was distinctly charged to observe a great symbolic ceremony. Skilled workmen prepared crowns of silver and of gold. These were set on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. To him thus crowned the prophet repeated his prediction of the coming Man whose name is the Branch, through whom the predictions made in the message of the visions would be fulfilled. Ultimately He would build the Temple of the Lord. His office would be dual: He would be both Priest and King; and it was promised that the "counsel of peace shall be between them both," that is to say, the resulting peace would accrue from the union of the kingly and priestly functions in the one Person.

This ceremony was intended to inspire the men of Joshua's own age with hope and confidence in the ultimate victory of Jehovah. Therefore the crowns which Joshua wore during the ceremony were retained for a memorial in the Temple of the Lord.

The final words of Zechariah in this connection reveal the purpose in all that he had said. It was that the work of Temple building should be continued.