The title of Message 2 of the Life-Study of Zechariah is: THE VISIONS OF CONSOLATION AND PROMISE (1)
The verses covered in this message are Zech. 1:7-21 and the sections are:
I. THE VISION OF A MAN AS THE ANGEL OF JEHOVAH RIDING ON A RED HORSE AND STANDING AMONG THE MYRTLE TREES IN THE BOTTOMS OF THE VALLEY
A. A Man
B. The Angel of Jehovah
C. Riding on a Red Horse
D. The Myrtle Trees
E. Standing among the Myrtle Trees in the Bottoms of the Valley
F. Behind the Angel of Jehovah, There Being Red, Reddish-brown, and White Horses
G. The Red, Reddish-brown, and White Horses Having Been Sent by Jehovah to Go To and Fro on the Earth
H. The Angel of Jehovah Interceding
I. Jehovah Answering the Angel Who Spoke with Zechariah
II. THE VISION OF THE FOUR HORNS AND THE FOUR CRAFTSMEN
A. An Answer to Christ’s Intercession
B. The Four Horns
C. The Four Craftsmen
This is a most encouraging word to Israel. First that as they are in the bottoms of the valley Christ is with them and if they turn to Him through His redemption they are brought to God and justified by Him. Second that God has and will answer Christ’s intercessory prayer by having sent and sending the craftsmen to deal with nations.
This chapter is encouraging and consoling. Zechariah 1:8 says, “I saw during the night, and behold, a man was riding upon a red horse; and He was standing among the myrtle trees that were in the bottoms; and behind Him there were red, reddish-brown, and white horses.” While all the nations around Israel were enjoying a peaceful and quite life, God’s elect was suffering. During their distress, Christ, signified as a man riding upon a red horse, was moving swiftly in His redemption. Eventually, God’s people were to be redeemed and brought back to God for His justification and acceptance.
I enjoyed that Christ is the Fourth Craftsmen. We need to love Him, believe Him, and thank Him for being such. The four craftsmen are skills used by God to destory the four kingdoms–Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, & the Roman Empire–with their kings. The fourth Craftsman will be Christ as the stone cut out without hands, who will crush the restored Roman Empire and crush the great human image as the totality of human government at His return. (Zech.1:18,note1)