Then again I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole land: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off on the one side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off on the other side according to it. I will cause it to go forth, saith Jehovah of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name; and it shall abide in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. (Zech. 5:1-4)

Verse 3 may infer that this roll-or parchment-was flying over the land of Palestine, since it is said to be "the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole land." The purpose of its going forth was to cut off everyone who steals or swears falsely. A similar vision was shown to the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. 2:8-3:3). On it were written, inside and out, "lamentations and mournings, and woe." Ezekiel was commanded to eat the roll, which he did. This symbolic act signified the prophet's reception of God's revelation of the woes and judgments that He would send forth upon the wicked. The Apostle John likewise ate a little book which he had received. As in the case of Ezekiel, we see in this symbolic act John assimilating a new revelation from God.

The flying roll which Zechariah saw, though signifying impending judgment, was in a different category than those seen by Ezekiel and John.

The measurement of this roll (ten by twenty cubits] reminds one of the dimensions of the holy place in the Tabernacle and those of the porch of the Temple built by Solomon. If any connection is seen between them one would logically conclude that since the holy place (Sanctuary) was before the Holy of Holies, and the porch was before the Temple, the inference was that of approaching God in worship.

The priests, after performing the sacrifices, would take the blood, cross over the porch into the holy place and continue the service. On the Day of Atonement the high priest followed this procedure. God is a holy Being. In approaching Him man must abstain from evil; to do otherwise results in retribution, regardless of the individual. The wicked are punished for their sins, both during this life and in the world to come; and His children are also chastened for their sins.

The judgment of this roll goes forth against all who steal and swear falsely, to cut them off from the land. Are we to assume that God is more indignant over these two sins than any others? Hardly. All sin is obnoxious and repulsive to the Almighty. The suggestion has been made that these pronounced sins were the prevalent ones in Israel in the prophet's day and throughout the history of the nation. This is quite possibly true.

Our attention has been called to the fact that there were two tables of stone upon which the Ten Commandments were written: it is traditionally held that the first four commandments-concerning man's relationship to God--were written on the one, and the remaining six-bearing on man's relationship to man--on the other. The swearing mentioned here would doubtless refer to the breaking of the commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain." Men frequently call unto God to witness various matters without realizing the seriousness of such invocations. A person making a vow or a statement in a vain flippant and light-manner does so in the presence of the Almighty. Whether he ignores His given word, or swears falsely, he is held accountable.

To steal is to take from another something to which one has no right. A clerk in a certain store once told me that stealing was as common as lying. It is an abomination in the sight of the Lord to do either of these things and in so doing one is bound to suffer punishment sooner or later.

The prophet saw this roll flying over the entire land. What is meant by this term? Since the oracles granted to the prophet pertain to Judah and Jerusalem, one concludes that the reference is primarily to the land of Palestine, and to the Jewish people.

Does God detest the Jews' lies more than those of Gentiles? No! But we must understand that when increases in light and advantages are given added responsibilities are placed upon those benefited by them. There was a time when the Jews had the revelation of God while the Gentiles were in heathen darkness. For that reason God expected more of them. But now the Gentiles who know the Lord Jesus Christ, and possess His Word--having received more light than the ancient Hebrews--bear a greater responsibility than they. Nevertheless the Lord will yet purge Israel of her sins of lying and stealing.

In chapter three we saw Joshua disrobed of his filthy garments and clothed with clean raiment. The Lord thereby signified a future spiritual regeneration of the nation of Israel. This miracle will take place when Israel, evangelized and taught the truth regarding God's plan of redemption, accepts the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Those possessed of a saving knowledge of the Lord are supposed--by the grace of God--to lay aside their former manner of life. This truth we learn from the New Testament records (Rom. 12:1,2; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:1-3). Upon the return of the Lord Jesus Christ Israel will be cleansed from all her sins and foolish ways by means of a spiritual regeneration. Obviously such is the prediction pronounced in this vision.

This prophecy primarily refers to Israel and her land, but in the light of this and related passages we see that there will be a removal of sin from all nations throughout the world. This particular vision focuses upon Israel alone. Our hearts yearn for the time of the full consummation of every aspect of God's redemptive plan. In the meantime let us draw upon the grace of God in order that we may be able to do His will satisfactorily.