Introduction: Zechariah six finds close parallels in some other prophetic passages in Scripture. These same colored horses appear in Revelation six, which gives us a clue as to the dispensational setting of the chapter. That it is Tribulation should be obvious, not only from the enclosed information, but also from the previous chapter that dealt with the Babylonian harlot of Revelation. God gives several glances throughout His word at the most horrible time in human history.

I. THE MOUNTAINS OF BRASS:

It is quite possible that the two mountains pictured are Mt. Zion and Mt. Olivet, Since the valley between these two hills is elsewhere set forth as the theatre of divine judgment (Zechariah 14:4; Joel 3:2).

In Scripture brass is commonly used as a symbol of divine judgment upon sin. The brass serpent set up in the wilderness (Numbers 21:9) prefigures Christ crucified as a sin offering and symbolizes sin judged. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up:" (John 3:14). The brass altar in the tabernacle, which is a type of the cross of Christ upon which our Lord as a whole burnt offering presented Himself, without spot unto God (Exodus 27:2).

Thus, it appears that the divine judgment upon the nations of the earth proceeds from Jerusalem's vicinity.

II. THE CHARIOTS:

Ninety-nine percent of the chariots mentioned in the Bible are used in the context of war. There is no reason to believe that these are any different. War is an instrument that God has often used to judge a nation... even as He will judge the world during the Tribulation (See Jeremiah 17:25).

 

III. THE HORSES:

It is fairly clear that most of the horses in Zechariah six match up with the horses of Revelation six.

A. Red horses -

"And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword." (Revelation 6:4) This is obviously a picture of war as judgment.

B. Black horses -

"And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see, And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and h that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." (Revelation 6:5,6) Inflation and famine are demonstrated.

C. White horses -

"And I saw, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." (Revelation 6) This is the entrance of the Anti-christ.

D. Grisled horse -

"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." (Revelation 6:8) Grisled means grey, which could easily be identified as pale, Death follows the other judgments.

E. Bay horse -

A bay horse is a reddish brown, chestnut color --- what this horse means is absolutely beyond me. I hope you figuring it out than I did have better luck

The chariots and their horses thus portray divine judgments upon earth- dwellers as administered by angels, as often in the same eschatological context in Revelation. Compare the seven-trumpet angels (Revelation 8:2,7,8,10,12; 9:1,13; 11:15) and the seven-bowl angels (Revelation 15:1; 16:2,3,4,8,10, 12,17).

The black horses (famine and death), followed by the white horses (victory and conquest), are seen issuing forth to the north country whence Israel's most terrifying and terrible enemies (the Assyrians, Babylonians, Seleucids, and Romans) came to invade Palestine.

The grisled horse went forth to the land of the south, toward Israel's most ancient enemy Egypt.

The red horse seems to stay put which is logical, since the greatest wars of the Tribulation will be fought in Israel.

The bay horse seems to be directing traffic and commanding the others to encompass the entire globe with their judgments.