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| 1 And once again I lifted mine eyes, and looked, and lo! four chariots, coming forward from between two mountains,–now, the mountains, were mountains of copper.
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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;
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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, horses spotted, deep red.
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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 Then began I, and said, unto the messenger who was speaking with me,–What are these, my lord?
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| 5 And the messenger answered, and said unto me,–These, are the four winds of the heavens, coming forward after each hath presented itself near 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 They in whose chariot are the black horses, are going forth into the land of the North, and, the white, have gone forth after them,–and, the spotted, have gone forth into the land of the South;
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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 deep red, have come forward and sought to go their way, that they might journey to and fro in the land, so he said, Go your way, journey to and fro in the land,–and they journeyed to and fro in the land.
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| 8 Then made he outcry beside me, and spake unto me, saying,–See, these who are going forth into the land of the North, have settled my spirit in the land of the North.
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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 Then came the word of Yahweh unto me, saying: |
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| 10 Take of them of the exile, of Heldai, and of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah,–then shalt, thou thyself, enter, on that day, yea thou shalt enter the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah, [with them] who have come in out of Babylon; |
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| 11 yea thou shalt take silver and gold, and make a crown,–and set [it] upon the head of Jehoshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest; |
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| 12 then shalt thou speak unto him, saying, Thus, speaketh Yahweh of hosts, saying,–Lo! a man! Bud, is his name, and, out of his own place, shall he bud forth, and shall build the temple of Yahweh; |
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| 13 Yea, he, shall build the temple of Yahweh, and, he, shall bear the honour, and shall sit and rule upon his throne,–and shall become a priest upon his throne, and, the counsel of peace, shall be between the two of them. |
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| 14 But, the crown, shall belong to Heldai and to Tobiah and to Jedaiah, and to Hen son of Zephaniah,–for a memorial in the temple of Yahweh. |
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| 15 And, they who are afar off, shall come in and shall build at the temple of Yahweh, so shall yea know that, Yahweh of hosts, hath sent me unto you,–and it shall come to pass if ye will, indeed hearken, unto the voice of Yahweh your God. |
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