I saw in the night, and, behold, a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle-trees that were in the bottom; and behind him there were horses, red, sorrel, and white. Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will show thee what these are. And the man that stood among the myrtle-trees answered and said, These are they whom Jehovah hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. And they answered the angel of Jehovah that stood among the myrtle-trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. (Zechariah 1:8-11)

We may picture the prophet standing on the edge of this great valley, or gorge, with an angel at his side, who talked with him. Naturally he, upon seeing this unusual vision, wanted to know the significance of the revelation. He therefore asked (presumably the angel by his side), "O my Lord, what are these?" In response the man on the red horse among the myrtle-trees informed him that the riders who were in association with him were those whom the Lord had sent to and fro throughout the whole earth. At this point in the vision these horsemen reported to the "Angel of Jehovah" the conditions which they found obtaining throughout the world.

In order to understand the vision, there are several questions which must be answered. Among them are the following: Who is the man on the red horse in front of the band of horsemen? Who is the Angel of Jehovah? What is the significance of the myrtle-trees? Who are the host of horsemen? What does the deep valley or gorge signify?

In regard to the query concerning the rider on the red horse, one must notice carefully verses 8 to 11. The rider standing before this great host of horsemen differentiates himself from them by replying to the prophet that he will tell who these are. Then the horsemen give him a report of their observations concerning the nations of earth. But we are told that they make their report to "the angel of Jehovah." Since this man on the red horse is the commander of the host, since they make their report to him, and since it is said that they report to the "angel of Jehovah," we see clearly that this rider can be none other than the Angel of Jehovah. But who is this personality? Careful examination of this expression in the early books of the Old Testament reveals the fact that he is none other than the second person of the Holy Trinity-the Lord Jesus Christ in His prenatal state. (I have discussed this question thoroughly in Messiah: His Nature and Person.)

Since this principal rider is the Lord Jesus Christ, it is natural for us to understand that the other riders are angelic beings inasmuch as they are presented as a host under his leadership. We are safe therefore in concluding that this host is a band of angels whom God sends to and fro throughout the whole earth on reconnaissance flights. From Hebrews 1:14 we learn that they are "ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation." They have a wonderful service to render in behalf of all God's people and in the furtherance of the Almighty's plan.

Since this vision is a symbolic picture, as is evidenced from the reading of the entire context, we are not to understand that the myrtle-trees as literal. They are of necessity symbolic. What, therefore, do they signify? An examination of the Scriptures shows us that, when trees and plants are thus used-especially in the Old Testament--they signify certain nations. A further study of the symbolism of plants reveals the fact that the mighty oak and the majestic cedar were used to signify the great empires of antiquity. Surely none of the ancient kingdoms, mighty and powerful, would thus be represented by the lowly myrtle-tree. If it does not signify them, to whom then does it refer? An examination of verses 12-17 of Zechariah 1, which is the revelation and explanation growing out of this vision, makes it plain that Israel is the leading figure in this symbolic vision. These facts therefore lead us to the firm conviction that the Jewish nation is symbolized by the myrtle-trees.

In this connection it is well for us to remember that God speaks of Israel under the symbolism of a vine (Ps. 80; Isa. 5); a fig tree (Joel 1:7); and the olive tree (Rom. 11).

What is the significance of the deep valley or gorge in which the myrtle-trees are seen? These angelic hosts report to the angel of Jehovah that the nations throughout the earth are at rest and peace, while Israel is down in this valley where she has been during the 70 years of captivity and the time since then, which amounts in actual count to 86 years. When one is in difficulty or trouble, the valley or the gorge is a natural comparison by which to express his straitened circumstances. On the other hand, when God thought of Israel as enjoying His favor and His blessing, he spoke of her being on the top of the high places of the earth. We have brought these two comparisons over to modern times. Thus we say, when things are going well with us, that we are "on top of the world." But when things are unfavorable, we do not hesitate to say that we are "down in the valley." In view of these facts it seems quite evident that the gorge or valley in which Israel is presented here can be none other than the valley of depression which began with the Babylonian captivity and which will terminate with the second coming of our Lord to deliver Israel from her downtrodden condition and to make her the head of the nations instead of being the tail as at the present time (Deut. 28:13). It seems quite evident therefore that this valley is Israel's abode while she remains scattered among the nations during the times of the Gentiles.

The Angel of Jehovah with His hosts is encamped round about Israel whom He loves and whom He has chosen to be the channel through which He will yet bless the world (Gen. 12:1-3; Ps. 67). The preservation of Israel through the terrific persecutions through which she has passed during the centuries cannot be accounted for upon naturalistic grounds but purely and solely upon the fact that the Angel of Jehovah, the Lord Jesus Christ, is interested in her and has been protecting her. It was He who answered her cry in Egypt and delivered her from her servitude and bondage. It was He who attended her in her wilderness wanderings, and who brought her into the land of the fathers. He in the past has been the "Shepherd of Israel," will be her Shepherd, and will deliver her from all her troubles when she calls upon Him, repudiating her national sin of rejecting her Messiah. (Zech. 12:10,11; Matt. 23:37-39)

From verse 12 of this chapter it is very evident that He is greatly interested in the Jewish people, for, when the report by the angelic host concerning the quietude of the other nations is turned in, He begins to pray in behalf of His beloved people. This intercessory prayer reminds one of our Lord's petition found in John 17.

The answer of the Father to the Son concerning Israel is found in verse 13 which constitutes the text of the Book of Zechariah: "And Jehovah answered the angel that talked with me with good words, even comfortable words." Everything in this book is the unfolding of these good and comfortable words.

God was angry with Israel because of her sin and sent her off into Babylonian captivity as chastisement for the same. The nations, according to verse 15, poured out their wrath upon her and heightened her suffering. In doing this they go far beyond that which God intended. Therefore He is indignant against them and will punish them because of their anti-Semitism and persecution of the Jews. The curse of God rests upon individuals and nations who persecute the Jewish people or do harm to Israel.

In verse 16 is a promise that God's house, which was the temple in Old Testament times, should be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, by the help of the Lord, completed this task in the sixth year of King Darius. The city was also rebuilt in fulfillment of this prediction.

Verse 17 is a promise that "My cities shall yet overflow with prosperity; and Jehovah shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem." The forecast of this verse has never been fulfilled but will become a reality in the Millennial Age. A glance at verses 16 and 17 shows that verse 16 was fulfilled in the post-Exilic times and that prophecy blends with the wonderful prediction of verse 17, which will be fulfilled when Jesus comes again. These two verses are an illustration of the law of double reference which blends two widely separated events into one description.