Greetings to you in the matchless name of our Lord Jesus. I need to share a strategic word with you from the Book of Zechariah that the Lord has given to me to shed light on current events and on the times that will soon follow.
Around 2,000 years ago, our Lord Jesus taught His listeners about interpreting the signs of the times so that they could understand the present moment and what was to come (Matt. 16:2-3; 24:32-33). Hundreds of years before then, the sons of Issachar were commended for their understanding of the times and what God’s people ought to do (1 Chron. 12:32).
Today we need to understand what is taking place so that we can respond and prepare well for what God is about to do in the world and through His church.
The Mountains of Bronze
In Zechariah 6:1-4, the prophet Zechariah, in the company of an angel, sees a vision. He records:
“Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds. Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?'”
Zechariah sees this stunning vision and asks for understanding from heaven. When I was given this Scripture in my time of prayer a short while ago, I asked the Lord for understanding. As I sat with Him and I prayed, He provided a clear understanding to me of what this word means for us today as a global body.
The context is set by the mountains of bronze through which the chariots pass. The bronze here represents certain decrees of God which are in fact immovable and unchangeable. In Jeremiah 15, the prophet is first asked, in verse 12, “can anyone break iron, the northern iron and the bronze?” God then says to him in verse 20, “and I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you.”
Bronze represents those things that cannot simply be broken by anyone, and which people are unable to prevail against even if they fight. They are the decrees of God which are firm and unshakeable. The passing of the four chariots between the two mountains of bronze means that they represent certain significant and weighty decrees of God that have passed through the place of judgement and cannot now be changed or prevailed against even if people want to fight it.
Right now, there are certain things taking place in the world that cannot be changed or fought against, because God has already weighed and judged the situation, made His decrees and determined the paths He will take to fulfil His purposes through them. He sees what is happening now and what is to come, and has already planned ahead for how all these things will work together to bring about His plans and promises. The most effective response of the church in this season will be to recognize these things, to direct our efforts and prayers towards the fights that can still be won and to strategically position ourselves to partner with Him in what is ahead by building and preparing accurately based on the insight and wisdom that He has given and will continue to give.
The Four Chariots and God’s Plan for Restoration
The sequence of the chariots represents a series of events that is already unfolding and will continue. With the first chariot were red horses. In this season, the red horses represent conflict and war. We are already seeing these things begin to erupt on the world stage. Sadly, no amount of prayer can change some of these situations because they have already been determined in the courts of heaven and nothing can be done to stop them from going ahead (Zech. 6:5). As it is no use to fight with the counsel and judgement of God, we need as believers to acquaint ourselves with greater grace, and prepare ourselves to lead our people with understanding, equipping them with what they need, so that they in turn can lead in the many communities that will need guidance and direction. The mandate for the church in the time of the first chariot is to not move in a spirit of fear, but to steward her time and resources well and prepare for what is about to follow.
Following the red horses, there were black horses. These represent the devastation that takes place in the wake of war. They represent the traumas, the hurts and losses, the bitterness and suffering that comes with conflict. But immediately after the black horses, there was a chariot with white horses. These represent a period of redemption, healing and rebuilding in the nations, and this is exactly what the church is to be prepared for. As I sat before Him, I felt the Spirit of the Lord telling me to tell the church to get ready to be the healing resource that the world will need for the next seven years.
We must equip and empower the body of Christ to provide the healing that is needed and to address the traumas present among the people of the world. We must also prepare the church with the wisdom needed to rebuild and restore the nations, as from the successful stewardship of this period will come the awakening that we’ve looked toward for so long. The very revival and harvest of souls we’ve spoken about and prayed for is on our doorsteps, and our building and preparation for it needs to be thorough and intense.
These things we must prepare for immediately, but there was also a fourth chariot, representing a further time to come. The horses with this chariot are described as strong steeds, sent to go to and fro throughout the earth (Zech. 6:7). They represent strong ones, seers and builders of great prophetic strength that God will send throughout the world with the wisdom to build and govern the nations, and through which the government of the Lord will be established. They will move in the Spirit of Isaiah 2:2-4, teaching the nations the ways of God and how to walk in His paths. This is also to come, and we must be bold and focused so that we press in and prepare in due time.
Prayer and Provision
Although many people around the world were praying, it was not possible to prevent the recent escalation of conflict in the Eastern European region. As I sat with the Lord and asked questions about this, I saw that the underlying issues were truly deep-seated and how due to a certain degree of distraction and misinformation about the situation it was not possible to bring a unified and well-informed appeal before God on time. The window of opportunity was missed and the red horses were undoubtedly released. However, if we look toward China and other nations where people have expected wars that have not broken out, we can see that the prayers and consecrations there have been effective. As I prayed more into this, I saw the believers’ prayers restraining the horses’ movement into those territories. We pray for God to strengthen the believers interceding for these places so that they will continue to hold the horses back.
By His grace and the effective prayers of His people, I also saw there will be parts of the world that God will give rest and prosperity to while there is conflict in others, and that what He gives to these nations will be enough to sustain those countries where resources fail. We pray for the protection of these areas, and for unity between nations in times of need.
In addition to the peace of these nations, there is also another dimension to the provision of the season ahead for which we need to prepare. In Zechariah 6:9-11, we read:
“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Receive the gift from the captives—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.'”
Some of the church’s provision in times ahead will come from people who were once captured and held captive by the Babylonian system. Some, like the apostle Paul, will be strategically important people that were once persecutors of the church, but whose hearts are turned toward Him and will serve Him fully. They will bring with them giftings and resources that God will use to beautify and crown the priesthood. The elaborate crown represents the wisdom, wealth and influence of a coming generation of leaders, men and women who will build godly structures based on kingdom principles, with skill and attention to detail using the resources that God gives. They won’t be intimidated by the condition of the world or the oppositions of the enemy but will live with great compassion and receive great vindication from God.
To receive these providers who once were captured by Babylon, it will be important for the church not to judge them for where they have come from and who they once were. It will also be important that they are protected in the right way, as in previous times these have not always been stewarded or cared for in the right way within the body.
The reality is that God has chosen who He will use in the days ahead to provide. He does not need to use us, but He chooses to, in order to honor His image in us and to encourage others to pursue Him. Even now, there are people praying for these precious ones to be released from Babylon. Keep praying for them!
So saints, prepare. Be obedient to the call of God and be doers of His Word which is sharper than any two-edged sword. The days ahead will be both encouraging and fulfilling. Our God will see His purposes come to pass through our obedience. Maranatha Lord, make haste!
I bless you to know His peace, and the power of focus as you prepare for what is to come.
I am His delight. {eoa}
Rev. Betty King is a world-renowned speaker and prophetess. She is a true embodiment of the Father’s love and compassion. Her passion to fulfill God’s call has seen her travel to all the continents, moving in the prophetic, touching and transforming many lives and rekindling hope. She is a woman full of love, wisdom, kindness, hope, compassion and grace.
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