Conquest Complete! Victory Verified!

A Vision of Four Chariots

"The eighth and final vision illustrates the universal reign of Yahweh. This vision parallels the opening vision (1:7–17); both visions feature the number four, horses of various colors, a valley—all with an emphasis on the entire earth. The two visions function as an inclusio, bracketing the sequence of visions in chaps. 1–6." [1]  This eighth vision is found in Zechariah 6:1-8.  

So the prophet sees four chariots emerge from two bronze mountains. They were drawn by strong horses, red, white, black and dappled.These chariots had been before the Lord and now they were going out to the four strong winds. The black and white horses go north.  The dappled horse goes south. (The red horse isn't mentioned.)   Their mission was to patrol the earth.  And then we read: “Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.”” (Zechariah 6:8, NIV).

"The chariots seem to represent angelic spirits (cf. v.5), while the variegated horses evidently signify divine judgments on the earth (cf. v.8) . . . comparing Revelation 6:1-8, suggests that the red horses symbolize war and bloodshed; the black horses, famine and death; the white horses, victory and triumph; and the dappled horses, death by plagues and other judgments." [2] They range universally to patrol the earth.  "The mountains probably symbolize the gate to heaven, though some suggest that the bronze reflects the bronze pillars of the temple (1 Kin. 7:13–22) . . . Here the chariots are God’s emissaries of judgment who emerge from between the bronze mountains . . . The north is here representative of Israel’s enemies because the geography of Palestine demanded that anyone attacking from the east, including the Persians, had to come by way of the north." [3]

What does it mean that the Spirit (spirit) is at rest?   "A clue is offered by another passage that speaks of the four winds: Jeremiah 49: 36– 37. There too God uses the four winds to enact judgment. In 49: 37, this mission is linked to “my fierce anger.” It is interesting that ruaḥ can be used to signify anger (Judg. 8: 3; Prov. 16: 32; 29: 11) . . . Thus the wind of God as an expression of his wrath has been spent against the land of the north, the Babylonians." [4]

This all speaks to a final outcome that God's enemies are defeated and his wrath is expended.  And there is peace. God has brought all things under His feet.  The defeat of God's enemies means that Christ can rule universally in a consummated Kingdom.

Summary

The first five visions bring comfort to Israel's prophet (Zechariah), priest (Joshua) and king (Zerubbabel). The last three reveal God's plan to deal with personal sin, idolatry and His enemies. The eight visions takes us from the Babylonian captivity to the New Heaven and New Earth. 

Father, the end of the story has been written.  Today we live in the days of the riding horses.  The Cross has nailed sin once and for all.  Christ has come as the exact image of God, in whom we worship. You rule in the midst of Your enemies.  Grace abounds. Victory is assured.  Jesus lives and reigns.  Hope is secure. You win!  Praise God.  One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, One day the skies with His glory will shine; Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;   Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! Amen!

 

_____________________________________
1. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Zec 6:1–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
2. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/II. A Series of Eight Night Visions (1:7-6:8)/H. The Eighth Vision: The Four Chariots (6:1-8), Book Version: 4.0.2
3. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 6:1–8). Nashville: T. Nelson.
4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 6283-6298). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

Remembering the Way God Remembers

I've been developing some concern about our sacred institution of Remembrance Day.  As a former peace-time, infantry officer; and as one who has hardly missed involvement in November 11th, I think I have some sweat equity in the event.   I served for about 10 years as a Legion chaplain and became even more cynical. So here goes!

The mantra from sea-to-sea in our country, is "we remember our fallen heroes."  Most speeches include a sense of gratitude for the freedoms we have today.  Undoubtedly that is true.  But it's not placid gratitude that ought to drive our Remembrance Day ceremonies.  Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae said it best in the last stanza of his infamous poem:

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

   The torch; be yours to hold it high.

   If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

         In Flanders fields.

We ought to remember the way God remembers.   When we read in the Bible that "God remembers", we might get an image of a senile old man that try as he wish, he can't seem to recall what he is supposed to know.   That's not the God of the Bible.  That's not the eternal, self-existent, self-sufficient, omniscient, omnipotent God that is.  When the Scriptures use the term that "God remembered", the Holy Spirit is teaching us that God is acting upon His promises.   He is acting.  The best thing that can be said for any person is that God remembered them.

• Genesis 8:1 (NIV) ¹ But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
• Genesis 19:29 (NIV) ²⁹ So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.
• Genesis 30:22 (NIV) ²² Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.
• 1 Samuel 1:19 (NIV) ¹⁹ Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.
• Jeremiah 31:20 (NIV) ²⁰ Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the Lord.
• Psalm 105:42 (NIV) ⁴² For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.

Remembrance Day ought to be a call to action, not simply a time of reflection, albeit thankfulness. There ought to be a firm resolve with all who "remember" to "take up the quarrel with the foe."  The Bible says that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” (Proverbs 14:34, NIV). The greatest foe to Canada today is rampant unrighteousness.  The enemy is not a foreign nation, it is a foreign deity. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).

My grandfather and uncles served in both World Wars.  Neither war was ultimately driven by geo-political agendas.  The Divine diagnosis is simple, yet profound: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:1–2, NIV)

This is why I weary of Remembrance Day festivities.  It's because we never get to the root of the problem.  We never resolve to do what is necessary based upon the real issue.  We throw out empty and meaningless rhetoric and somehow go home feeling good.  It is the epitome of a secular society borrowing equity from religious ritual. Why not call communities to repent?  Why not call communities to return to God?  Why not plead with the Holy Spirit to rend our hearts and give us hearts that fear God and love neighbors?  I know its too radical.  That's because it is too real.  

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” (Acts 3:19–20, NIV).

Billy Graham is right when he said, "Only the gospel, God’s Good News, has the power to change lives, heal hearts, and restore a nation." 

Remembrance Day should be about reflection; about resolve, but it should also be about repentance and restoration of a nation to its God -- otherwise it is an empty facade.  The worst news possible is that all of humanity has fallen under the eternal condemnation of God for all of us have violated His glory and His holiness, for which we were created.  The best news possible is that because of God's immense love, He sent His Son, who took on humanity, lived a perfect life and died a substitutionary death for all who will, but put their trust in Him. 

Faith in this redemptive act, applies all of God's grace and goodness, by the Holy Spirit, to the believer; and placates God's righteous wrath against us.  His saving power enables the Christian to no longer live for themselves, but for Christ. His saving power grants the ability to conquer sin's power and live a life pleasing to God.  

Sworn Enemies

Galatians 5:17–18 (NIV)

¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Verse 17 starts with the word "for".  What is it there for?   Paul has just affirmed “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, NIV).  So why is that true?  Answer: there is a mutual contempt between our flesh and the Holy Spirit.  Our flesh would love to serve self rather than a life of obedience and victory.  However the Spirit opposes the flesh and gives us victory.  They are sworn enemies.  But the Spirit is omnipotent.  So if we live life by the Spirit the fleshly cravings that lead us to sin will be overpowered. "As if Paul would thus say: I know that the flesh will provoke you unto wrath, envy, doubting, incredulity, and such-like: but resist it by the Spirit, that ye sin not." [1] 

Let us not miss this:  Luther makes this clear. "And this place witnesseth plainly that Paul writeth these things to the saints, that is, to the Church believing in Christ, baptized, justified, renewed, and having full forgiveness of sins. Yet notwithstanding he saith that she hath flesh rebelling against the spirit." [1]  This is a battle involving Christians.  Luther points out that this is a very profitable and comforting doctrine for believers.  We desire to live righteously and ought not be surprised at the battle.  This is in no way written that we may make light of sin.

Now Paul returns to his main doctrine: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:18, NIV). "The verb (Gk. agō) implies an active, personal involvement by the Holy Spirit in guiding Christians, and the present tense (“if you are being led …”) indicates his ongoing activity." [2] Here in verse 18, are led is in the present tense which conveys the idea that we are continually being led by the Spirit. The passive voice indicates that this action is exerted on believers from a force outside themselves. While led is in the passive voice, believers are not to be passive but must still willingly submit themselves to the Spirit's leading. Therefore, in practical terms, leading by the Spirit is a partnership.  

"It also shows that the believer cannot simultaneously be led by the Spirit and observe the law; the two are mutually exclusive." [3]  We might have thought that Paul would have written, "If you are led by the Spirit you are not under the flesh."  But that's not what he wrote.  Paul equates the Law to flesh. The Law is a religious, self-effort system hoping to attain righteousness.  It is fleshly.  It is powerless to accomplish what we want.  Doing the A-B-Cs etc. will not do what we want.  We need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

We as believers cannot do what God the Holy Spirit desires us to do; yet at the same time we are not condemned. Why?  Because our justification if found in Christ.  We are saved by His righteousness. And secondly because the Holy Spirit is constantly working in our lives to lead us into practical, daily holiness. 

Father there are two very clear methods of living that good and holy life.  Following the rules of the Law or any law will not get me there. You have given to us who believe the gift of the Holy Spirit.  He does not stand afar off beckoning us to follow.  He is within us accomplishing that wonder working power. We are not idle puppets.  We gladly seek His aid for saving grace has given to us that compulsion.  As I face this day, may I find my rest and my hope in the Holy Spirit.  Grant me the mind that looks to Him, my Comfort and my Deliverer.  I desire to be holy.  I desire to live for You. Grant new mercies to pursue holiness in my life, for the sake of Christ and my eternal happiness in God.

__________________________

1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2254). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:18). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.