The word that God brings to the people of Jerusalem through the prophet is a word of great comfort. But it is a comfort which requires faith to see and receive.
After you have studied this portion of Scripture, compare it with Revelation 5:11-6:11.
This vision occurs just a few months after the first introductory call to genuine repentance (v. 7). That call had been received well, because God now comforts His people. This vision occurred on the 24th of Shebat, which is in our reckoning the 15th of February. The conclusion of Jeremiah’s seventy years is important, and figures in the interpretation of this passage — but this does not mean that it is a simple task. From the first invasion of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:1; Jer. 25:1-11) to the edict of Cyrus (2 Chron. 36:22), were seventy years. From the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Jer. 52:13) to the second year of Darius (Zech. 1:1), were seventy years. And from the last captivity by Nebuzaradan (Jer. 52:30) to the time the temple was finished were seventy years. The second one is probably the option we should take in handling this passage, but we have choices. The second option gives us the dates of c. 590-520 BC.
A literary device known as a chiasm is used with the first night vision. This means that the first vision corresponds with the last one, the second with the next to last, and so forth. Thus the pattern is abbccbba. Among other things this ties all these visions together, as part of an immediate encouragement to the Jews of that day living in a ruined Jerusalem.
The basic outline of the vision is found in verse 8. “I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white.” In the verses that follow, the vision is explained.
First, what does it mean? Zechariah himself asks the meaning. He has with him an interpreting angel who should not be confused with the Angel of the Lord among the myrtle trees — He is the Captain of the armies of God, none other than an Old Testament appearance of our Lord Jesus. The interpreting angel says that he will show the prophet the meaning. The angelic cavalry has been throughout the earth and reports that the heathen nations are at rest (vv. 9-11). The horses signify strength, speed, and military prowess. The colors indicate different offices, or functions (Rev. 5:11ff).
How long? The Angel of the Lord pleads with God over the condition of Jerusalem. How is it that the heathen enjoy rest while the people of God still live in the midst of ruin? The seventy years have been completed. How long, O Lord? The Lord Jesus prays for us (v. 12).
Then we see answered prayer. The Lord turns back and answers the interpreting angel, who in turn gives the comforting words to Zechariah. He then tells him to prophesy in the name of the Lord of hosts, Lord of armies, Lord of angelic mounted horsemen (vv. 13-14). The Lord is zealous for Israel, like a jealous husband (v. 14b). God had been angry with Israel, and had used the heathen nations as an instrument of judgment. But those nations had overreached themselves in cruelty (v. 15). The intention of the Lord is to turn back to Israel in mercy. He will rebuild His house (v. 16), and Jerusalem, which will have a line go out over it (v. 16). The prosperity will not be limited to Jerusalem (v. 17). God will comfort.
The central meaning of the vision is plain. Our applications should be equally plain. The first is that myrtle is lowly. The Church does not yet look like a stand of redwood. Look at her! A cluster of scrub trees, down in a valley at night! In times of spiritual declension, which we surely share with the Jews of Zechariah’s day, the Church does not look like much. But nevertheless, Christ is in her midst, and with Him all the heavenly armies. These armies patrol the earth, and dominate all that happens throughout the earth. What our eyes see, and what we read in the newspapers, is not to be compared with what we see through the vision given to our prophet.