Zechariah 6:1-8
Here the prophet sees four chariots emerging from between two mountains of brass. He is told that these are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. “Mountains” speak of government; “mountains of brass,” government being exercised in judgment, according to man's responsibility Godward; “chariots” speak of controlled motion, the horses being controlled by the driver.
The vision is to teach that behind man's apparent arranging and planning, God is directing earthly affairs for His own wise purposes and glory in the government of this world. In these four chariots is seen the rise and progress of the four world—empires.
The black horse (Babylonian Empire) had passed away, the north country had quieted the angel's spirit. The white would seem to indicate the Grecian Empire. This we find by comparing Zechariah 1:8. If the white horse in that chapter is clearly symbolic of the Grecian Empire, it will be so in Zechariah 6:6. The grisled horses (grisled being a mixture of colors) speak of the blending of Greek and Roman power, which took place historically as we saw in our study of Daniel 11; whilst eventually the Grecian power gave way to the Roman, and the Roman held undisputed sway. This is indicated by the bay horses. Their influence is yet to be seen in the great happenings of the world after the Church is caught up.