Four Chariots

Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze. The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses—all of them strong. Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country.” When the strong horses came out, they were impatient to go and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. Then he cried to me, “Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.”
Zechariah 6:1–8
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Four Chariots
This eighth and final vision has similarities with the first vision in chapter one. Unlike the first vision, where the horses were at rest, these horses pull chariots, symbolizing military power. There are four in number, corresponding to the four points of the compass, to cover the entire earth. These chariots coming out of the rebuilt temple belong to the Lord. The two bronze mountains remind us of the Law and the Prophets. As Luther wrote, “They are fixed and constant. For rust does not devour bronze, as it devours iron. Thus the Law and the Prophets are great, strong, constant witnesses of the Gospel” In this vision, the Lord reveals to the people of Jerusalem, who have suffered devastation, that He is indeed powerful and active. His authority is likened to strong horses pulling four chariots, patrolling the earth in all directions. This is also our God, powerful and active in controlling the events of this world for the sake of His people and for the sake of the Gospel. God’s Word to us is that He is our refuge and strength. Our almighty Father, the Creator and Ruler of all that exists, silences our doubts and fears by His comforting Word.