The Book of Zechariah
Zechariah was taught by Dr. James Modlish

"GOD REMEMBERS"

Lesson Three
(Chapter 1:18-21)

Introduction:
Our last study identified the riders of the horses and established the dispensational setting of the vision as the Tribulation. The vision of (vs. 18-21) seems to be an extension of the first, so there is no real reason to think that the time table is any different.

 

I. THE FOUR HORNS:

A. Horns are a symbol of power and the authority of nations -

[1]. "The horn of Moab is cut off and his arm is broken saith the Lord." (Jer. 48:25)

[2]. "He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horns of Israel." (Lam. 2:3)

[3]. "I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." (Dan. 7:8)

"The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia." And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king." (Dan. 8:21-22)
[4]. "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." (Revelation 13 :1)

"And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." (Revelation 17:12)

B. Identity of the four horns - With the background knowledge of the meaning of the horns and the word Gentiles appearing in the text, the only conclusion is that the four horns represent the four major nations of the times of the Gentiles. Daniel two identifies these nations as Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome and the revived Roman Empire, which is an extension of the fourth.

All commentators agree that the beast of Daniel seven relate to and is associated with the image of Daniel two. The only difficulty that is presented is: In what order do they relate? Most line up the lion with Babylon and then go straight down in a chronological order. The problem then is which one do you leave out? For there are only four beasts in Daniel seven, but five parts to the image in Daniel two.

We need to keep in mind that Daniel seven takes place at the conclusion of the Babylonian Empire and the visions are future in consideration (Daniel 7:17). Therefore, the proper order would be to align them with Persia and then start downward. There seems to be a double application given to each one of the beasts that would extend into the church age--notice the vision is seen by night, which is a picture of the church age.

[1]. The Lion - 7:4 - Persia-England A lion with wings in England is called a "griffin." It appears on England's coat of arms (Richard the lion-hearted). There have been only two decrees from kings in history for the Jews to return to Palestine; once in 536 B.C. by Cyrus of Persia and in 1918 A.D. by England (Balfour Declaration).

- The lion was very impressive and powerful, but lost its power (wings were plucked).

[2]. The Bear - Greece-Russia
    - Russian alphabet in Greek. The church in Russia is still Orthodox.
    - Both countries are characterized by promoting an atheistic philosophy.
    - The three ribs would picture the crushing of three countries. Official "Greek"
[3]. The Leopard - Rome-United States If this is the case, the U.S. would be an extension of Rome. Now let me see, was it the St. Mary that discovered America? A leopard is an integrated animal. His basic color is yellow- brown (Shem), his belly is white (Japheth), and his spots are black (Ham). - Because the body has four heads it would appear to have four additional appendages to the main body. Two states have been added to main body (however, they are separate). Can we look for two more. That would total 52 or 4 x 13? Notice the leopard has wings of a fowl (Chicken perhaps?). Korea, Vietnam, Pueblo incidents, to name a few'.
[4]. The Beast - This beast seems to be a combination of all the above. (Revelation 13:1,2; Hosea 13:7). This last beast will then be an integrated power, move in dominion like a bear, and speak English. The ten horns parallel the ten toes of Daniel two and the horns of (Revelation 17:10-12). * Keep in mind that Babylon shows up again in (Revelation 17 and 18).

 

IV. THE FOUR CARPENTERS:

It is extremely difficult to identify the carpenters, but there are some observations that can be made.

A. Carpenters usually build, not tear down -

Is it possible that God is showing us a method of destruction through construction? When building exceeds the basic human needs of housing and work, we usually tend to erect things that magnify man. Man's great occupation with himself is usually his downfall . (Proverbs 1 :29-31)

B. Christ the builder -

Whoever the carpenters are, they are probably a type of Jesus Christ.

[1]. Jesus was a carpenter - (Mark 6:3)
[2]. Jesus is building a church - (Matthew 16:18)
[3]. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19)
[4]. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner," (I Peter 2:5-7).
[5]. Christ will destroy the nations of the world, while that which He built accompanies him. (Revelation 19:6-21).

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