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Expanded Comments | Additional Comments |
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| 1 And I lifted up mine eyes again, and saw, and behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. |
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Four chariots – Chariots are symbolic of organizations. In this case we suggest the organizations are the Lord's order of things in which these are found, i.e.,
1. Jewish Age
2. Jewish Age Harvest
3. Gospel Age
4. Gospel Age Harvest (beginning the Millennial Age)
Two mountans of brass – Copper. These 2 mountains - kingdoms are indicated as being of copper - perfect human nature. This would seem to indicate the kingdom of the first Adam and the kingdom of the second Adam - our Lord. |
| 2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; |
Horses – Symbol of doctrines. C316
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First chariot – Jewish Age
Red horses – The doctrines which had the effect of producing the Ancient Worthy class, ashes of the red heifer.
Second chariot – Harvest of the Jewish Age (Beginning of Gospel Age).
Black horses – The Doctrines which produced the church. "I am black but comely" Cant. 1:5 |
| 3 and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled, strong horses. |
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Third chariot – Gospel Age.
White horses – During the Gospel Age the original doctrines which produced the Little Flock were lost site of and replaced by watered down truths. This had the tendency to produce more Great Company and even tares than the truths of the beginning of the Age.
Fourth chariot – Harvest of the Gospel Age (beginning of the Millennial Age).
Grisled and bay horses – This is where the doctrines of the Kingdom of God on Earth came to the front. This not only restored the original truths of the Gospel Age but began also to bring the hope of human perfection.
It would seem that this description is not indicating that the horses have both characteristics (i.e., both grisled as well as bay), but rather two kinds of horses in this chariot. This seems to be supported by the fact that vs. 6 specifies the grisled horses as going to the South country, while vs. 7 speaks of the bay as going to and fro through the earth. |
| 4 And I spoke and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? |
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| 5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. |
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Four spirits of the heavens – The Four Winds of Heaven. Compare with Rev. 7:1-3. |
| 6 That in which are the black horses goeth forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth towards the south country; |
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Black horses – These are in the 2nd chariot.
The north country – Symbolic of the Divine Government.
The White – Those in the 3rd chariot.
After them – These follow the black horses (in the 2nd chariot), i.e., they also go into the north country.
Grisled – Those in the 4th Chariot.
South – Opposite of North. This could indicate either opposition to the Divine Government and authority (North) OR it could simply indicate the earth. |
| 7 and the strong go forth, and seek to go that they may walk to and fro through the earth. And he said, Go, walk to and fro through the earth. And they walked to and fro through the earth. |
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| 8 And he cried unto me, and spoke unto me, saying, See, these that go forth towards the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country. |
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These that go into the north – The Black horses (little flock) and the White horses (great company).
Quieted my spirit – Soothed my anger towards those who mistreated my servants.
In the north country – The divine seat or throne. (Isa. 14:13; Psa. 48:2) |
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| 9 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, |
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| 10 Take gifts of them of the captivity, of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, and come thou the same day, and enter into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, whither they are come from Babylon; |
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| 11 yea, take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest; |
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| 12 and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold a man whose name is the Branch; and he shall grow up from his own place, and he shall build the temple of Jehovah: |
Build the temple – The true Church. T70
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| 13 even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. |
Shall be a priest – Not a sacrificing priest, but a blessing priest. SM139:3
Upon his throne – A king and a priest at the same time. SM136:1, SM139:3
A king in the sense of governor. A priest in the sense of atoner, who, having redeemed, is the reconciler of the people and the dispenser of divine favor. D637
A royal priest. R1063:2*
"A priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psa. 110:4) T30; R531:1*
As such, Melchizedek's position in the type was higher than that of Aaron. F72
The royalty of the Aaronic priest being proclaimed by the golden crown in the garments of glory and beauty. T30
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| 14 And the crowns shall be for Helem, and for Tobijah, and for Jedaiah, and for Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of Jehovah. |
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| 15 And they that are far off shall come and build at the temple of Jehovah: and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah your God. |
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