TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY IN BIBLE PROPHECY
Lesson 35: Zechariah's report on Mystery Babylon's space shuttle
orbiter class spaceship base.
I Zechariah's sighting of four chariots that came out from
between two mountains of brass.
1 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and,
behold, there came four chariots out from between two
mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass
(Zech. 6:1).
A Unlike ordinary mountains of rock and dirt, the two
mountains Zechariah saw were man-made.
B They will be composed of tons of brass and brazen
silicon components that are used to build the computer
systems, radar tracking scanners, communications devices
and all the other high-tech apparatus needed to run a
space-age launch and mission control center.
C One of the brass mountains represents Babylon's launch
control center.
1 The mountain of electronic gadgetry, computers and
other instruments at this site will be used strictly
for launch control.
2 This brass mountain will be an updated version of the
launch control space center at Cape Canaveral in the
United States.
D The other brass mountain, located on the other side of
the base, will be the mission control center.
1 It will be a beefed up version of America's Houston
mission control center.
2 Daily communications with the astronauts, flight and
re-entry procedures, scientific experiments, mission
planning, etc., will be handled from this center.
3 This half of the base will also be in charge of daily
operations for the coming world-wide, cashless-
checkless, monetary system, associated communications
satellites, photo-recon enforcement patrols, and
related monitoring equipment.
E At this point Zechariah recorded his impressions of the
chariots he saw liftoff from the base.
2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second
chariot black horses:
3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth
chariot grisled and bay horses (Zech. 6:2-3).
A How does the text show that Zechariah was viewing a shuttle
orbiter class spaceship instead of an ordinary chariot?
1 The "horses" location "in" the chariots, instead of
outside pulling the chariots, provides the first clue.
2 The three main rocket engine "horses" of the latest
U.S. space shuttle orbiters do not pull their "space
chariot," but rather, ride in the rear section of the
"chariot" as they push the spacecraft into orbit.
SHUTTLE 3 Also, unlike the cramped quarters of man's early
PICTURE: spaceships, shuttle orbiters are more like riding in a
large chariot since they have room for six or more
astronauts.
4 Note further that the horses' location, "in" the
chariots, clearly distinguishes the orbiter spaceship
from Zechariah's description of the first manned
spaceship to go round the earth--"I saw by night, and
behold a man was riding upon a red horse" (Zech. 1:8).
a The space capsule that carried the first Russian
cosmonaut around the world did not have rocket
engine horses "in" Yury Gagarin's cramped quarters.
b Vostok I's rocket engines were housed in separate
units behind Gagarin's command module.
c They were unleashed from the space capsule and fell
back to earth upon completion of the launch.
B A look at what the distinct colors of the horses riding
in the four space chariots might mean.
1 According to Zechariah's introductory statements in
chapter 1--"I saw by night, and behold a man was
riding upon a red horse," (Zech. 1:8)--the world's
first manned horselike spaceship to circle the globe
would be red in color.
2 As previously noted, the Russian Red Army launched that
rocket-powered spaceship.
3 Zechariah went on to report that there were red,
speckled, and white horses behind the first red horse.
4 Here again the historical record shows that the
Russians not only launched the first manned space
flight around the earth, but also the second manned
space flight round the earth on May 5, 1961.
5 The Americans and other nations eventually followed
the Russians into space with manned spacecraft, but
they were forever behind those first two Red Army,
communist-built, red horselike spaceships.
6 The speckled horse, then, by virtue of its position
in the Zechariah 1:8 text, stands for the United
States and its manned space program, which followed
closely on the heels of the Soviets' first two
successful manned space flights around the Earth.
7 Why should the reasonable rationale for assigning the
United States to the speckled horse symbol be viewed
with caution?
a Because the meaning of the Hebrew word translated
"speckled" in Zech. 1:8, and "grisled and bay" in
Zech. 6:3, is uncertain.
b For example, the word has also been translated as
dappled gray, dappled and many colored, piebald
and ash-colored, ashen gray, brown, sorrel, and
strong dappled.
c The uncertainty surrounding the translation of
this word makes it difficult to establish the
significance of the speckled horse's color.
d For that matter, (at the time of this writing) the
nations represented by the black and the white
horses and the significance of the colors black
and white also remain a mystery.
8 What facts should be kept in mind concerning the
mystery of the colors of the horses?
a The major points of Zechariah's space-age prophecy
are easily understood, despite the unresolved
questions about color.
b It is also important to note God's promise: "my
word . . . shall not return unto me void"
(Isa. 55:11).
c Needless to say, the correct color of the horses
in the last chariot cannot be lost; therefore,
there will come a day when the significance of the
colors will cease to be a mystery.
II What are these, My Lord?
4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with
me, what are these, my lord? (Zech. 6:4).
5 And the angel answered and said unto me: These chariots
go forth to the four winds of heaven, after presenting
themselves before the Lord of all the earth (Zech. 6:5, THS).
A How do we know the chariots and horses Zechariah saw,
were not ordinary chariots and living horses?
1 From Zechariah's question: "what are these, my lord?"
2 From the angel's answer: "These chariots go forth to
the four winds of heaven."
3 Clearly, the chariots in Zechariah's day did not "go
forth," or launch themselves "to the four winds of
heaven."
SHUTTLE 4 Like the winds, spaceships literally travel over the
VIDEO: face of the whole earth.
5 (Note how Zechariah repeatedly asks the angel to explain
what these future inventions are throughout this series
of space-age visions.)
B A look at how God's spiritual permission procedures work.
1 The reference to the spaceships going forth "after
presenting themselves before the Lord of all the
earth," is similar to the language Zechariah used
earlier to describe the two sons of fresh oil who
"stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
2 According to that imagery, the two sons of fresh oil
will "stand by the Lord" spiritually to receive God's
permission to carry out their mission and to receive
fresh prophetic instructions from the Lord to sustain
them in their efforts to preach the gospel.
3 A question naturally surfaces here: will these spaceships
be required to request permission from God to carry out
their space missions?
a The answer to this question is found in the Bible's
story of the man called Job. The story begins on a
day when Satan came to present himself before the
Lord.
b At this meeting Satan told the Lord that the
only reason Job served God was because God had
blessed him. Satan went on to say that Job would
curse God to His face if he lost all that he had.
c Upon hearing Satan's request to injure Job, God
gave Satan permission to move against Job within
the boundaries of the following instructions.
12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he
hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth
thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of
the Lord (Job 1:12).
a God's reply to Satan teaches that Satan and his
followers are powerless to harm God's people
outside the knowledge of God and without first
obtaining God's permission.
b Accordingly, "these chariots go forth to the four
winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before
the Lord of all the earth," teaches that just as Satan
had to "present himself before the Lord" (Job 1:6) and
receive permission to persecute Job, so will Satan and
his space-age forces be unable to persecute Christians
at the close of the age without God's permission.
c Thus, this passage warns Christians of a coming day
when Satan's forces will use space technology to wreak
havoc against God's people on the earth.
III The angel's continued explanation of "what these things are."
6 The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north
country, the white ones go toward the west country, and the
dappled ones go toward the south country (Zech. 6:6, RSV).
A The angel pointed out that in addition to "going forth
to the four winds of heaven," the chariots have the
power to travel through the heavens, in different
directions, independent of air currents--literally,
north, west and south, according to the RSV.
B (Some translations render the individual flight paths
of the chariots as north, south, east, and west.)
C Modern spacecraft, in keeping with the angel's descrip-
tion, circle the entire planet, in every direction,
independent of which way the winds are blowing.
7 "When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to
patrol the earth." And He said, "Go, patrol the earth."
So they patrolled the earth (Zech. 6:7, NASB).
A "When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to
patrol the earth," accurately describes a modern,
rocket-powered spaceship launch.
B When launch control computers give them the final
command to depart, the tremendous pent-up, bomblike
forces unleashed at the moment of liftoff blast them
into the heavens, out of sight, in a matter of minutes.
C The NIV captures the intensity of the pre-liftoff
moment: "When the powerful horses went out, they were
straining to go throughout the earth."
1 The shuttlecraft's three main rocket engines strain
against lock arms for 6 seconds as the engines build
up thrust.
2 These complex engines, which burn fuel at the rate of
half a ton per second, deliver a thrust of more than
1 million pounds.
D The RSV provides an equally crisp picture of the moment
of departure: "When the steeds came out, they were
impatient to get off and patrol the earth."
1 After the initial 6 second warm-up, the shuttle's
solid rocket engines ignite, providing 5 million
pounds in additional thrust (the combined shuttle
engine thrust is roughly equal to the power output of
138 Hoover Dams).
a Almost instantly, the craft is streaking toward
space.
b In two minutes and 12 seconds, it is 30 miles high
and traveling at 2,891 miles an hour.
2 "When the steeds came out, they were impatient to get
off and patrol the earth" indeed!
E The angel's command: "Go, patrol the earth," serves to
define the military nature of the "space" chariots'
mission.
1 In Zechariah's day horses and chariots were used to
patrol the borders of kingdoms.
2 Today's nations use rocket-powered "horses" to deploy
sophisticated, reconnaissance space-"chariots" to
guard against a surprise attack from an enemy.
F How does the KJV translation "and the bay went forth,
and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through
the earth," further define this chariot as a shuttle
orbiter class spaceship?
1 Shuttle orbiters are the first spacecraft engineered
to make more than one trip "to and fro through the
earth" on a regular basis.
2 Prior to orbiters, only expensive, one-way rockets
could put astronauts and man-made satellites into
earth orbit.
3 The January 12, 1981 issue of Time magazine reported
that "The shuttle is envisioned as a hot-shot,
to-and-fro pickup truck of a vehicle . . . the shuttle
will honor round-trip reservations, going up and
coming down intact, not once, but time and time again."
G Americans have unknowingly borrowed one other word from
Zechariah's original spaceship report by nicknaming the
U.S. fleet of orbiters the "workhorses" of the '80s and
'90s.
IV The angel's summary pronouncement states that modern man's
rocket ships will bring judgment to the "north country."
8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold,
these that go toward the north country have quieted my
spirit in the north country (Zech. 6:8).
A The forceful introduction, "Then cried he upon me," is a
warning that underscores the importance of the angel's
summary proclamation concerning these various satellites and
space vehicles.
B The language used parallels the language Ezekiel used to
describe God's anger at Russia for invading Israel in the
latter days.
18 And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog
shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD,
that my fury shall come up in my face (Ezek. 38:18).
A "My fury shall come up in my face" metaphorically
expresses God's anger.
1 Zechariah's transcription of the angel's proclamation
communicates the same emotion, since "quieted" means
"caused to rest" in Hebrew, while the Hebrew word
Zechariah used for spirit means "anger."
2 Therefore, the angel's cry states that modern man's
rocket ships will carry God's anger "north" and cause
His judgment "to rest" on that (Russian) northern land.
B Insertion of the word "Russian" here appears to be going
beyond the text; however, examination of Ezek. 38-39
(B.C. 587) and Jer. 23:8 (B.C. 599) reveals that "the north
country" is a direct reference to Russia in "time of the
end" prophecy.
C Zechariah's spaceship prophecy teaches that God will not
personally rain fire on the northern nation of Russia;
instead, the sophisticated rocket ship technology of
other nations will deliver God's atomic judgment on
Russia during the closing days of the nuclear age.
V Zechariah completed his report on Babylon's space-age base
with an explanation of how the temple Zerubbabel started
building so long ago relates to the general design of this
space-age prophecy.
9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of
Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and
come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the
son of Zephaniah;
11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them
upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high
priest;
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of
hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and
he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the
temple of the LORD: (Zech. 6:11-12).
A God instructed Zechariah to place two crowns on the head
of Joshua.
B Joshua is a priest and for this ceremony a symbol of
Christ who would come in the future.
C The "branch" (sprout in Hebrew) represents Christ who
would come in the future and build the temple.
D Within the distinctive narrative strategy of this
prophecy, the temple symbolically represents Christ's
earthly body of believers.
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall
bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and
he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of
peace shall be between them both (Zech. 6:13).
A Hence, at the end of the age, Christ will finish
building the temple of the Lord, which is the body of
believers in Christ.
1 At that time He will rule in person as King of the earth
and He will also rule as priest of all the earth.
2 Thus, the two crowns signified the combining in Christ
of the two great mediatorial offices of priest and king.
B Under Christ's just rule the world will dwell in peace.
14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to
Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in
the temple of the LORD.
15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the
temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of
hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass,
if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God
(Zech. 6:14-15).
A The crowns were placed in the temple that Zerubbabel
completed, as a memorial to the fact that God pledged
Christ would one day come and complete the building of
the body of believers.
B The passage goes on to say that people in far away
places would help build the Church of Christ in the
years ahead.
VI Some concluding thoughts on Zechariah's space prophecies.
A Zechariah's prophecy declares the arrival of the space
age to be one of the signs of Christ's second coming.
B According to Zechariah's text, the establishment of
global satellite communications systems, followed by the
widespread deployment of "eye-in-the-sky" photo-recon
surveillance satellites, will be the first things to look
for in the prophecy's fulfillment.
C Now inasmuch as global communications systems and photo-
intelligence gathering spacecraft have already been
deployed by the nations in the order spelled out by
Zechariah, it is reasonable to assume that the rest of
his prophesied events will also come to pass.
D This means that the nations will apparently begin
planning an international city ("Mystery Babylon"),
for the purpose of setting up a grand international
financial system, before the rocket powered space
chariots "that go toward the north country" are
launched.
E Zechariah's visions suggest further that "Mystery
Babylon" may actually be built before the nations
unleash AWWI.