And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and looked, and, behold, there
came four (a) chariots out from between (b) two mountains; and the
mountains [were] mountains of brass.
(a) By chariots here, as by horses before, he means the swift
messengers of God to execute and declare his will.
(b) By the mo... [ Continue Reading ]
In the first chariot [were] (c) red horses; and in the second chariot
(d) black horses;
(c) Which signifies the great cruelty and persecution that the Church
had endured under different enemies.
(d) Signifying that they had endured great afflictions under the
Babylonians.... [ Continue Reading ]
And in the third chariot (e) white horses; and in the fourth chariot
(f) spotted and bay horses.
(e) These represented their state under the Persians, who restored
them to their liberty.
(f) Which signified that God would sometimes give his Church rest, and
pour his plagues upon their enemies, as... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel answered and said to me, These [are] the four (g)
spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord
of all the earth.
(g) Meaning, all the actions and motions of God's Spirit, whom
according to his unchangeable counsel he causes to appear through all
the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
The black horses which [are] in it go forth into the north country;
and the white go forth after them; and the spotted go forth toward the
(h) south country.
(h) That is, towards Egypt, and other countries there about.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the (i) bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to
and fro through the earth: and he said, Go from here, walk to and fro
through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
(i) That is, those of different colours, which ask permission, to
signify that Satan has no powe... [ Continue Reading ]
Then he cried upon me, and spoke to me, saying, Behold, these that go
toward the north country have quieted my (k) spirit in the north
country.
(k) By punishing the Chaldeans my anger ceased, and you were
delivered.... [ Continue Reading ]
Take of [them of] the captivity, [even] of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of
Jedaiah, who are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go
into the house of (l) Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
(l) To receive from him and the other three, money to make the two
crowns: who were men of great authority... [ Continue Reading ]
Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set [them] upon the
(m) head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
(m) Because this could not be attributed to any one according to the
Law, therefore it follows that Joshua must represent the Messiah, who
was both Priest and King.... [ Continue Reading ]
And speak to him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying,
Behold the man whose name [is] The (n) BRANCH; and he shall grow (o)
up out of his place, and he shall (p) build the temple of the LORD:
(n) Meaning Christ, of whom Joshua was the figure: for in Greek they
were both called Jesus.
... [ Continue Reading ]
Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the (q)
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 (r)
them both.
(q) Of which Joshua had but a shadow.
(r) The two offices of the kingdom and pries... [ Continue Reading ]
And the crowns shall be to (s) Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah,
and to (t) Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a (u) memorial in the temple
of the LORD.
(s) Who was also called Heldai.
(t) He was also called Joshias.
(u) That they may acknowledge their infirmity, who thought that all
things would... [ Continue Reading ]
And they [that are] (x) far off shall come and build in the temple of
the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me to
you. And [this] shall come to pass, if ye will diligently (y) obey the
voice of the LORD your God.
(x) That is, the Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospel, will... [ Continue Reading ]