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Zechariah Chapter 6 The Vision of Four Chariots 6:1 Once more I looked, and this time I saw four chariots emerging from between two mountains of bronze. In this eighth vision, Zechariah sees four chariots coming out from an entrance which is sided by two mountains of bronze. Since it is later explained (6:5) that the chariots are coming out of God’s immediate presence, the mountains must refer symbolically to the gates of heaven, or the approach to God’s high throne. It is significant that two bronze pillars sided the entrance into Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:13-22). As bronze is strong, so God’s presence is pictured as an impregnable fortress, a safe refuge for his people. God is far beyond every human attempt to dethrone him (Psalm 2:1-4). The mountains represent God’s immovable and immutable purpose as being behind every event on earth; emphasising the sovereignty of God in human affairs (Acts 2:23; Acts 4:28). As Matthew Henry says “His providences move swiftly and strongly as chariots, but all directed and governed by his infinite wisdom and sovereign will, as chariots by their drivers.” Some commentators you might read have thought that the four chariots represent four kingdoms, but it there is little in the text to support this view. 6:2-3 Harnessed to the first chariot were red horses, to the second black horses, to the third white horses, and to the fourth spotted horses, all of them strong. In the book of revelation, John has a similar vision of four horsemen riding out to accomplish God’s purposes on earth in the form of war, death, famine, and plague (Rev. 6:1-8). What the colours in Zechariah’s somewhat different vision signify is not revealed to the prophet, but by comparison with Revelation we may observe that God employ various means to fulfil his purposes on earth, yet all these means are in his hands. 6:4-5 Then I asked the angelic messenger who was speaking with me, "What are these, sir?" The messenger replied, "These are the four spirits of heaven that have been presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.