Zechariah 6 (KJV) closes the night visions with four chariots and then records the symbolic crowning of Joshua and the prophecy of the Branch (Jesus Christ). The LORD is taken as Jesus Christ, the north country and Babylon point to the Mesopotamian territory corresponding to modern Iraq, and Jerusalem remains the land corresponding to modern Israel. The colored horses parallel the horsemen of Revelation 6.

1 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.

Zechariah sees four chariots coming out from between two mountains of brass (bronze). Brass is associated in Scripture with strength and judgment. The scene continues the patrol imagery begun with the horses in Zechariah 1.

2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;The first chariot has red horses; the second has black horses.

Revelation 6:4–5 likewise sends out a red horse and a black horse.

3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

The third chariot has white horses; the fourth has grisled (speckled/dappled) and bay horses. Revelation 6:2 and 6:8 picture a white horse and a pale horse; Zechariah 1:8 had already shown red, speckled, and white horses.

4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

Zechariah asks the interpreting angel what the chariots are.

5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

The angel identifies them as the four spirits (winds) of the heavens that go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. Revelation 7:1 shows four angels standing at the four corners of the earth holding the four winds. The Lord of all the earth is Jesus Christ.

6 The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.

The black horses go into the north country; the white follow them; the grisled go toward the south country. In the post-exilic setting the north country is the direction of Babylon, whose core territory is modern Iraq.

7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

The bay horses seek to patrol the earth. They are told to go and walk to and fro through the earth, and they do so. The same “walk to and fro” language appears in Zechariah 1:10–11 for the riders sent by the LORD.

8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

The angel announces that those going toward the north country have quieted the LORD’s spirit in the north country. Judgment or appeasement is accomplished in the region of Babylon/Iraq.

9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

A new word from the LORD arrives after the vision.

10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;

Zechariah is told to take silver and gold from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, men of the captivity who have come from Babylon (Iraq), and to go that day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.

11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

From that silver and gold he is to make crowns and set them on the head of Joshua son of Josedech, the high priest. The high priest receives a royal crown, joining priestly and kingly signs in one person.

12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

He is to declare the word of the LORD of hosts: “Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH.” The Branch will grow up out of his place and will build the temple of the LORD. Zechariah 3:8 already introduced the Branch; here he is both the builder of the temple and the one crowned. The Branch is Jesus Christ.

13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the 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 them both.

The same person builds the temple of the LORD, bears the glory, sits and rules on his throne, and is a priest on his throne. The counsel of peace is between the two offices. King and priest are united in the Branch.

14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

The crowns are to be kept for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the LORD. The acted prophecy remains as a reminder inside the temple.

15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Those far off will come and build in the temple of the LORD. The event will confirm that the LORD of hosts has sent the speaker. The promise is conditioned on diligent obedience to the voice of the LORD their God. Gentiles or distant exiles participating in the temple work is stated without naming any later religious system.

Chapter 6 therefore sends the four chariot-spirits out over the earth, quiets the north country (Babylon/Iraq), and crowns the high priest as a sign of the Branch who builds the temple, rules as king, and serves as priest on one throne. The colored horses and the four winds are the clearest links to Revelation 6 and 7.