The Chariots of God - Overview.

[Marilyn C]

OVERVIEW

`By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,…` (Col. 1: 16)

There is much in the unseen realm that we do not know of, yet God has pulled back the curtain, as it were and shown us glimpses of what He is doing.

`The Ancient of Days was seated…His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.

A thousand times ten thousand ministered to Him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.` (Dan. 7: 10)
The myriads of angelic beings await His bidding and go forth with great power and speed to fulfill God`s will.

`These are four spirits of heaven, (angels) who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth.` (Zech. 6: 5)

The world today is in turmoil and one can wonder what on earth is happening, is God in control?

Thus, we will look at what God says in His word and how He is going to bring about His purposes in all the earth.

But first we will see how God used His angelic chariots to protect Israel and then how they are gathering the nations today, to judgment.

 

[Marilyn C]

THE CHARIOTS OF GOD for Israel.

`The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels…` (Ps. 68: 17 KJ)

God has myriads of angels who are often described as riding in chariots. A chariot is pulled by horses which symbolically speak of power and speed.

The prophet Elijah was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot. The word `fiery` speaks of God`s glory. Elijah and Elisha were walking together when –

`suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.` (2 Kings 2: 11)
Chariots are also associated with warfare. When the Syrian army had surrounded the city of Dothan, Elisha`s servant was fearful, but Elisha asked the Lord to open his eyes, and there before them –

`the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.` (2 Kings 6: 17)

Then when Joshua was about to go into battle at Jericho, he saw a man with a drawn sword. Joshua wanted to know if he was for them or against them. The man said -

`No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord.` (Joshua 5: 14)

 

[Marilyn C]

THE CHARIOTS OF GOD for the Nations.

`Chariots` are a symbol of God`s judgment upon the nations.

`Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots!...... for this is the Day of the Lord God of hosts, a Day of vengeance…` (Jer. 46: 9 & 10)


Man used the chariots and horses to go to war, and God uses them as symbolic of His power earthward in judgment.

The reality is that God sends powerful angels to bring the nations to judgment.

`Behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of bronze…….These are four spirits (angels) of the heavens, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth.` (Zech. 6: 1 & 5)

Bronze is the symbol of Judgment and reveals that these powerful angels are going forth to bring judgment on the Nations. They are sent by God at the appointed time.

`And he said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth.` (Zech. 6: 7)

 

[Marilyn C]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in History.

When Jesus ascended to the Father, He was made Head of the Body and began to build and mature the believers. The Father meanwhile was working to bring the Lord`s enemies, to His footstool for judgment.

`The Lord (Father) said to my Lord, (Jesus), “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” (Ps. 110: 1)
These enemies are the nations of the world which seek to cast aside God`s righteous rulership and bring in lawlessness.

`Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His anointed saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” (Ps. 2: 1 – 3)



The nations consider that they control their own affairs and that they are the sole arbiter of their destiny. However, there is a higher authority that will bring the nations to judgment.

Past world rulers have all come and gone – Babylon, Medes and Persians, Greece, and Rome. There has not been a world ruler since. However, at the appointed time God sent out four great powerful angels to bring together the nations into great Federations and then bring them together for judgment.

 

[EarlyActs]

OVERVIEW

`By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,…` (Col. 1: 16)

There is much in the unseen realm that we do not know of, yet God has pulled back the curtain, as it were and shown us glimpses of what He is doing.

`The Ancient of Days was seated…His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.

A thousand times ten thousand ministered to Him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.` (Dan. 7: 10)
The myriads of angelic beings await His bidding and go forth with great power and speed to fulfill God`s will.

`These are four spirits of heaven, (angels) who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth.` (Zech. 6: 5)

The world today is in turmoil and one can wonder what on earth is happening, is God in control?

Thus, we will look at what God says in His word and how He is going to bring about His purposes in all the earth.

But first we will see how God used His angelic chariots to protect Israel and then how they are gathering the nations today, to judgment.

View attachment 481

Which Israel, Romans 9:6?

 

[EarlyActs]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in History.

When Jesus ascended to the Father, He was made Head of the Body and began to build and mature the believers. The Father meanwhile was working to bring the Lord`s enemies, to His footstool for judgment.

`The Lord (Father) said to my Lord, (Jesus), “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” (Ps. 110: 1)
These enemies are the nations of the world which seek to cast aside God`s righteous rulership and bring in lawlessness.

`Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His anointed saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” (Ps. 2: 1 – 3)



The nations consider that they control their own affairs and that they are the sole arbiter of their destiny. However, there is a higher authority that will bring the nations to judgment.

Past world rulers have all come and gone – Babylon, Medes and Persians, Greece, and Rome. There has not been a world ruler since. However, at the appointed time God sent out four great powerful angels to bring together the nations into great Federations and then bring them together for judgment.

View attachment 484

Those world rulers weren't the whole world. They were local to the ANE and Mediterranean basin. There were other big rulers, and there have been in history since Christ.

The difference of the kingdom/reign of God now is that he was enthroned in the resurrection , Acts 2:30, 31. This was to put all nations' rulers on alert that they should honor him. This is an essential Christian declaration, Acts 2--4. That's why the current reign is not one of the 4 powers of the Dan 2 statue but a stone that smashes and results in a mountain, prob the same as found in Isaiah and Micah.

 

[Marilyn C]

Which Israel, Romans 9:6?

`I will betroth you to me forever; yes I will betroth you to me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD. ` (Hos. 2: 19 & 20)

 

[Marilyn C]

Those world rulers weren't the whole world. They were local to the ANE and Mediterranean basin. There were other big rulers, and there have been in history since Christ.

`You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength and glory, and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all...` (Dan. 2: 37 & 38)

 

[Marilyn C]

The difference of the kingdom/reign of God now is that he was enthroned in the resurrection , Acts 2:30, 31. This was to put all nations' rulers on alert that they should honor him. This is an essential Christian declaration, Acts 2--4. That's why the current reign is not one of the 4 powers of the Dan 2 statue but a stone that smashes and results in a mountain, prob the same as found in Isaiah and Micah.

Jesus is King of glory, King of heaven, King of the Ages, King over Israel and king of the nations - King of kings...

However, there is a time period when He will put down all rule and authority and power. (1 Cor. 15: 24)

 

[EarlyActs]

`I will betroth you to me forever; yes I will betroth you to me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD. ` (Hos. 2: 19 & 20)

I'm aware of that. My question was about Rom 9:6 because we must give finality to what the NT says reflectively on these things. I grew up in a theological culture which thought there were 2 programs--2 peoples in the Bible. I do not find this in the NT.

 

[Marilyn C]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in History.

These four very powerful spirits (angels) of heaven have been sent by God to stir up the nations of the world and to form them into great Federations.

They are the four spirits of heaven that the prophet Zechariah saw as Chariots and horses. They were also seen by the prophet Daniel in a vision. He didn`t see them as chariots and horses but as the four spirits (angels) of heaven.

` I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds, (spirits) of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.` (Dan. 7: 2)


Mighty powerful Federations arose and they are described as `great beasts.`

`And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.` (Dan. 7: 3)


These are `beastly` powers. They control, subjugate and dominate the peoples under them. Their motives are to conquer, and have world dominion.


The emblems are well recognised today.

• A Lion with Eagle`s wings - Great Britain and America. Great Britain was the first great power to arise in contemporary times. America came from there and `broke off` and became independent.
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• A ferocious Bear – Soviet Union. Russia came from the Soviet Union which was the second great power to arise, after WW1. It devoured country after country into a great Federation.
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• A winged Leopard with four heads - The European Union. This Union began after WW2 with 4 leaders/heads of countries.
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• A terrifying beast - Islam. This great power has yet to come to its full potential.

Now that many nations are in these great Federations, the four powerful angels are bringing them together to be judged.

 

[Marilyn C]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in the Present.


These Great Federations were revealed to the apostle John who saw them as powerful horses with different riders galloping throughout the earth.

The four spirits, (angels) of heaven are herding these Great Federations towards judgment. The motives of the Great federations are clearly seen by their description.



The White horse had a rider who is crowned and holds a bow.

The British Commonwealth with its royal head, tries to maintain is supremacy not by war (bows and arrows) but through royal right. `White,` the colour of peace as well as safety is its motive but through man`s institutions. (G7, G20, IMF, UN etc)



The Red horse has a rider who holds a great sword.

The Russian Federation continues to war and cause great conflict in the world. The Russian, Ukraine conflict at the present reveals this war mongering great power.



The Black horse has a rider who holds a pair of scales.

The European Union has a `free market` philosophy that has spread throughout the world. It has benefited the multi-national businesses but caused great poverty as well. This will continue till food becomes very dear for most people.

The scales represent the measuring of the basic foods – wheat and barley, which for a day`s pay would only give you a loaf of bread.



The Pale horse has a rider whose name was death.

The Islamic Federation has yet to arise but is even now revealing its terrifying power in many parts of the world. People are being tortured and killed for not bowing to this group`s beliefs.



At the appointed time God will send one of the great angels to bring one of the great Federation to judgment.

 

[Marilyn C]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in the Future.



God the Father told His Son that He would bring His enemies, (the nations) to His feet, (for judgment).

`The LORD (Father) said to my Lord, (Son), ‘Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.` (Ps. 110: 1)

The appointed time will come and the judgments will begin.



The prophet Zechariah saw the first Great Federation to be judged.

`And he (the angel) called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go towards the north country have given rest to my Spirit in the north country.` (Zech. 6: 8)



The Prophet Joel saw this great army of the northern Federation about to attack.

`A people come, great and strong,…. A fire devours before them….like a strong people set in battle array…` (Joel 2: 2 – 5)

`I will remove far from you the northern army ….because he has done monstrous things.` (Joel 2: 20)



The prophet Ezekiel gives more detail of this northern army.

`You will come from your place out of the far north… you will come up against my people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against my land, so the nations may know me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.` (Ez. 38: 15 & 16)



Ezekiel describes the judgment.

`I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed. I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstone.` (Ez. 38: 22)

`And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.` (Ez. 39: 6)

 

[Marilyn C]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in the Future.



After God has dealt with the army of the Russian Federation the world is amazed. The great threat of Russia and its allies is gone but leaves a power vacuum to be exploited. This gives room for the fourth great Federation to arise – Islam.



`After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth…..It was different from all the beasts that were before it. ` (Dan.7: 7)



This final Federation of Islam is herded together by one of God`s great angelic spirits. Ten kings will come together from –

Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Omar, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.



` it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots.

And there, in the horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. `(Dan. 7: 7 & 8)



A seemingly benevolent person from Iraq, (with Syria and Jordan) makes a Peace Treaty with Israel. The world is amazed and over the next few years the major forums and institutions receive his superior wisdom and eloquent diplomacy.



`he shall come in peaceably and seize the kingdom by intrigue. ` (Dan. 11: 21)

`Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his hand: he shall magnify himself in his heart. ` (Dan. 8: 23 – 25)



This man then becomes the leader of the Islamic Federation. He consolidates and concentrates the wealth and power of the entire Moslem world. He also brings together the two factions of Islam – Sunni and Shi-ites. By this he enhances Islam to the position of immense domination.

 

[Marilyn C]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in the Future.



The world acclaims this great leader of Islam for he seems to have the answer to the catastrophic dilemmas being endured around the world. Statesmen, intellectuals, and economists unanimously acknowledge that finally there is a dominant and Charismatic Messiah with the potential to affect the survival of the whole world system.

However, after nearly three and half years his brilliant and benevolent guidance and leadership will end by an assassin`s sword.

`I saw one of its heads as if mortally wounded. `(Rev. 13: 3)

The world will be stunned. The one who alone had the practical solutions for all the international problems, seemed to die. Every media outlet will cover every facet of his `lying in state, ` in full regalia. The hopes of the world dying with him.

Then suddenly, to the amazement of the entire world, in dramatic fashion - he who had a fatal wound of the sword came to life.

`I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded was healed. And all the world marvelled and followed the beast. ` (Rev. 13: 3)

After this false resurrection this Islamic leader becomes controlled by Satan. He then begins to `destroy many in their prosperity.` (Dan. 8: 25)

`It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet.` (Dan. 7:7)

The other great Federations then come under Islamic control and become a Global Government.

`And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his head a blasphemous name.

Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion.` (Rev. 13: 2)

The ten crowned horns represent the ten kings of the Islamic Federation overall.

The British Commonwealth (& America) the lion, the European Union the leopard and what is left of Russia the feet. Satan, the dragon, gives his rule, power, and authority to the leader of the Global Government.

`And the dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. ` (Rev. 13: 2)

Mankind has now the choice – to follow God or Satan.

 

[Marilyn C]

 

[Marilyn C]

 

[Marilyn C]

THE FOUR SPIRITS in the Future.



The kings and rulers counsel together casting aside all forms of Christian ethics and moral behaviour. Lawlessness increases and the people think they can `save mother earth,` which they think is in imminent danger.

`Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?`

`The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and His anointed, saying, ”Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” (Ps. 2: 1 - 3)



The Global Government then controls the people of the world forcing them to have to worship the leader and Satan or not being able to have food.

`and no one may buy or sell except the one who has the mark or the name of the beast, (leader) or the number of his name.` (Rev. 13: 17)



A great number of people, (that no one can count) die of hunger, thirst & or heat, but because they called out to God they will be saved. (Rev. 7: 9 – 17)

`These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.` (Rev. 7: 14)



God`s hand of mercy is always stretched out, even amid His judgments. However, finally, the four great angels herd the world`s armies into the valley of Jehoshaphat.

`I will herd the heathen folk..` (Joel 3: 2 Knox)

`Let the nations be wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat: for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.` (Joel 3: 12)



God`s righteous judgments are shown amid the shaking of heaven and earth.

`The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake….` (Joel 3: 15 & 16)

`Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.` (Rev. 15: 7)

 

[Marilyn C]

 

[Marilyn C]

CONCLUSION



God has been patient as the Gentile nations ruled the world for over 2,500 years. However, at God`s appointed time He sent out the four great angelic beings, symbolized as horses for herding the nations and chariots for judgment.

Then at the appointed time we read of the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ coming forth from heaven in power and great glory with His angelic army. They are all symbolically represented as `riding white horses.`

White – purity, glory.

Horses – power.



`Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. ….King of Kings and Lord of Lords. ` (Rev. 19: 11, 12 & 16)

`And the armies in heaven clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.` (Rev. 19: 14)



The Lord Himself tells us who this army is.

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, & all the HOLY ANGELS with Him...` (Matt. 25: 31)

`the Son of Man .....comes in His own glory, & in His Father`s glory & in the glory of the Holy ANGELS.` (Luke 9: 26)

`when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with HIS MIGHTY ANGELS.` (2 Thess. 1: 7)


Thus, throughout God`s word He has given us the details of how He is bringing the nations to His Son`s feet for judgment. Even the picture of the Lord coming in power and great glory with His angelic army is shown as riding horses. It gives us the sense of power and fast movement, the Lord coming forth to bring judgment upon the rebellious nations.


Let our confidence be in God, that He is well able to complete that which He has said. Let us rejoice that the `Chariots of God` are bringing about His righteous judgments.