Zechariah 5:1-4
The prophet sees a flying roll. The roll was that on which the Jews of old inscribed their writing, and was made of the skin of animals, or of papyrus.
Its size was great—twenty cubits by ten cubits, that is, the same dimensions as the porch of Solomon's temple (1 Kings 6:3). There may be some connection between the two, probably an indication that judgment would go forth (flying roll) according to the holiness of God's house.
The prophet is told that this represented the curse that goeth forth into all the earth. Other translations give land for “earth”; the land referring to Palestine, and the context bears this out.
Stealing and swearing are the two sins recorded on the roll—stealing, a sin against one's fellow-man (though all sin is against God); and swearing, a sin exclusively against God. Doubtless these two sins are representative of all sins. In murder, life is stolen; in lying, truth is stolen; in adultery, chastity is stolen, whilst swearing would cover all deliquencies Godward.
God's judgment upon sin is then seen in the flying roll; that is, the curse of God enters the house of the sinner till it is consumed.
Doubtless this vision has reference to the Lord acting in judgment, clearing the land of all defilement, prior to His setting up His kingdom.