The Great Paradox of Ages

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INTRODUCTION:

This study will present an unrevealed prophecy, which is symbolic and shows the history of the New Testament church from Pentecost to Pentecost.

PRAYER THOUGHT:

“We must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us. We are in danger of becoming careless, by our indifference losing the sanctifying power of truth, and composing ourselves with the thought, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." [Rev. 3:17.] While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send. {GW 310.4}

Read: Zech. 6:1:8 – (describe vision, put thrill in paradox)

Point out especially the last chariot with a double set of horses going in different directions

What does the mountain represents?

Read: Zech. 8:3 – God’s people or church (Zion-Jerusalem) are here being likened to a Holy mountain.

Dan. 9:16, 20; Isa. 56:7 – Daniel prays for God’s people or church-Jerusalem and compares them to a Holy mountain.

Note: Daniel could not be praying for the Jewish temple (though in ruins, located on Mount Moriah) or some other literal mountain because mountain cannot sin.

Further Proof: Isa. 2:2-3 (Last days); Mic. 4:1-2; Rev. 17:9 (New Testament)

We can conclude thus far that, people, a church, or kingdom in scripture is symbolized by a mountain. Seeing, filled with the Spirit, they must represent two churches of God.

Why Brass? – The mountain of brass, a metal that has everlasting qualities, that does not deteriorate, shows two churches of God with holy and eternal qualities. Therefore, the two Brass Mountains must represent two churches having enduring and spirit-filled qualities – strong like brass. Strong metal, durable, does not rust, doesn’t corrode. Often use in ship building because of non corrosive qualities.

The only churches that meet this description would be:

The Early Christian Church (Acts 2:1-4), the Church proclaiming the gospel with power, or one accord, a church purified.

The SDA, in its purified state (Joel 2:28-9)

Read: Rev. 1:15 – Here Christ’s feet, symbolically liken unto brass, relates to the Christian era. Again showing that the two Brass Mountains meet their fulfillment in the Christian dispensation.

The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number 7 indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the word. {AA 585.3}

What does the Valley or Space represent?

Answer: The Valley represent a period of time during two glorious mountains indicating a FALLING DOWN period. And it is between these two mountains, during this period of time that the four chariots come.

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – Apostle Paul is telling us that the early Christian was to reach its peak, sometime there was to be a FALLING AWAY, before the coming of the Lord

(This is exactly what is seen in Zechariah 6, there was a falling away from the condition of the church after they receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

What does the Chariots represents?

Horses and their carriages

Read: Zech. 1:1-8, TM 489-90, 3T 540 – (Horses are symbolic because in vs 11 they speak) Bible workers. Christian declares the word of God. Horses – Christian, workers for the Lord proclaiming the Gospel.

The spasmodic, fitful movements of some who claim to be Christians is well represented by the work of strong but untrained horses. When one pulls forward, another pulls back; and at the voice of their master, one plunges ahead, and the other stands immovable. If men will not move in concert in the great and grand work for this time, there will be confusion. It is not a good sign when men refuse to unite with their brethren and prefer to act alone. Instead of isolating themselves, let them draw in harmony with their fellow laborers. Unless they do this, their activity will work at the wrong time and in the wrong way. They will often work counter to that which God would have done, and thus their labor is worse than wasted. {TM 489.4}

We should have a spirit of progress. We must guard continually against being fixed in our views, feelings, and actions. The work of God is onward. Reforms must be carried on, and we must take hold and help move on the car of reform. Energy, tempered with patience and ambition, and balanced by wisdom, is now needed by every Christian. The work of saving souls is yet left to us, the disciples of Christ. Not one of us is excused. Many have become dwarfed and stunted in their Christian life because of inaction. We should employ our time diligently while in this world. How earnestly should we improve every opportunity of doing good, of bringing others to a knowledge of the truth! Our motto should ever be, "Onward, higher," surely, steadily onward to duty and to victory. {3T 540.2}

I have been shown in regard to the individuals mentioned that God loves them and would save them if they would be saved in His appointed way. "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." This is the process, the refining, purifying process, which is to be carried on by the Lord of hosts. The work is most trying to the soul, but it is only through this process that the rubbish and defiling impurities can be removed. Our trials are all necessary to bring us close to our heavenly Father, in obedience to His will, that we may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. To each whose name is here mentioned, God has given capabilities, talents to improve. You each need a new and living experience in the divine life in order to do the will of God. No amount of past experience will suffice for the present nor strengthen us to overcome the difficulties in our path. We must have new grace and fresh strength daily in order to be victorious. {3T 541.1}

Here God likens Christians to horses

Further proof: Zech. 14:20; Joel 2:4-5; 2TG 22.21; Zech 10:3; COR 51

Since the horses are pulling the carriages they must represents leaders and the chariot itself the followers or lay members. Hence the horses and chariots represent heaven-born messages carried by the church on the earth during the time between the two glorious churches (Brass Mountains) Gospel workers taking the work going forward.

What is the meaning of the various colors?

Red

Red represents sin and bloodshed. (Review the outpouring of the spirit to the Apostles – then a great period of persecution Acts 8:1, thousands were burned, thrown to the lion’s den, ridiculed, cut asunder by sword, stretch into the rocks, thrown to the sea and eaten by sharks). Heb. 11:36-37, Isa. 1:18

God is picturing His faithful saints after the early Christian church receive the outpouring, during this falling away period came away a great persecution against God’s church. Red is a symbol of MARTYRS. (EW 18-19, GC 665)

As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments. Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly, to the top of the mountains and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place: the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs--these made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, "Only the 144,000 enter this place," and we shouted, "Alleluia." {EW 18.2}

Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Savior with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which now is theirs. {GC 665.2}

Here Ellen G. White saw a group of people with red in the borders of their dress.

Angels never mention where the red horse went, the black went to North Country (v. 6) followed by white, grisled go to the south, the bay sought to go all over the earth. But he never mentions the direction of the red. Indicating that as far as their final destination is concerned the red horses were martyred for their faith. Christian martyrs for the Lord.

These persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time of the martyrdom of Paul, continued with greater or less fury for centuries. Christians were falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities--famine, pestilence, and earthquake. As they became the objects of popular hatred and suspicion, informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were crucified; others were covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the chief entertainment at public fetes. Vast multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and greeted their dying agonies with laughter and applause. {GC 40.1}

Black

Black represents bondage and spiritual darkness.

Dark ages of religion (53-1798) 1260 years

They preach in this prophetic period when God’s church was subjected to Papal bondage.

It also represents the saints who preach and live during the time of crowning act of Satan – Dark ages, Luther, Wycliffe, Huss, Jerome, Waldenses and many others.

The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the Saviour's words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against Christ in the person of His followers. Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of persecution were kindled. Christians were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. They "endured a great fight of afflictions." Hebrews 10:32. They "had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment." Hebrews 11:36. Great numbers sealed their testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned and ignorant, were alike slain without mercy. {GC 39.2}

In vain were Satan's efforts to destroy the church of Christ by violence. The great controversy in which the disciples of Jesus yielded up their lives did not cease when these faithful standard-bearers fell at their post. By defeat they conquered. God's workmen were slain, but His work went steadily forward. The gospel continued to spread and the number of its adherents to increase. It penetrated into regions that were inaccessible even to the eagles of Rome. Said a Christian, expostulating with the heathen rulers who were urging forward the persecution: You may "kill us, torture us, condemn us. . . . Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent . . . Nor does your cruelty . . . avail you." It was but a stronger invitation to bring others to their persuasion. "The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed."--Tertullian, Apology, paragraph 50.{GC 41.3}

Now the church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Christians stood firm, declaring that they could make no compromise. Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of their faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity, urging that this might be the means of their full conversion. That was a time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under a cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into the church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the word of truth. {GC 42.4}

Verse 6: North Country – biblical term for ancient Babylon (Ezek 26:7) GC 382-3

The woman (Babylon) of Revelation 17 is described as "arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness:...and upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots." Says the prophet: "I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." Babylon is further declared to be "that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." Revelation 17:4-6, 18. The power that for so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom is Rome. The purple and scarlet color, the gold and precious stones and pearls, vividly picture the magnificence and more than kingly pomp affected by the haughty see of Rome. And no other power could be so truly declared "drunken with the blood of the saints" as that church which has so cruelly persecuted the followers of Christ. Babylon is also charged with the sin of unlawful connection with "the kings of the earth." It was by departure from the Lord, and alliance with the heathen, that the Jewish church became a harlot; and Rome, corrupting herself in like manner by seeking the support of worldly powers, receives a like condemnation. {GC 382.2}

Babylon is said to be "the mother of harlots." By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing

the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawful alliance with the world. The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God's people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith. At the time of their rise these churches took a noble stand for God and the truth, and His blessing was with them. Even the unbelieving world was constrained to acknowledge the beneficent results that followed an acceptance of the principles of the gospel. In the words of the prophet to Israel: "Thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God." But they fell by the same desire which was the curse and ruin of Israel--the desire of imitating the practices and courting the friendship of the ungodly. "Thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and played the harlot because of thy renown." Ezekiel 16:14-15. {GC 382.3}

White

Verse 6: WHITE– (white) represents liberty

Free church carried their message after the dark ages in the era of religious freedom, this movement can only be Millerites (1831-1844) GC 368

To William Miller and his co-laborers it was given to preach the warning in America. This country became the center of the great advent movement. It was here that the prophecy of the first angel's message had its most direct fulfillment. The writings of Miller and his associates were carried to distant lands. Wherever missionaries had penetrated in all the world, were sent the glad tidings of Christ's speedy return. Far and wide spread the message of the everlasting gospel: "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." {GC 368.1}

Millerites were considered the “PURE CHURCH” church of Philadelphia or church of brotherly love. Rev. 3:7.

Said Miller in describing that work: "There is no great expression of joy: that is, as it were, suppressed for a future occasion, when all heaven and earth will rejoice together with joy unspeakable and full of glory. There is no shouting: that, too, is reserved for the shout from heaven. The singers are silent: they are waiting to join the angelic hosts, the choir from heaven. . . . There is no clashing of sentiments: all are of one heart and of one mind."--Bliss, pages 270, 271. {GC 401.1}

Another who participated in the movement testified: "It produced everywhere the most deep searching of heart and humiliation of soul before the God of high heaven. It caused a weaning of affections from the things of this world, a healing of controversies and animosities, a confession of wrongs, a breaking down before God, and penitent, brokenhearted supplications to Him for pardon and acceptance. It caused self-abasement and prostration of soul, such as we never before witnessed. As God by Joel commanded, when the great day of God should be at hand, it produced a rending of hearts and not of garments, and a turning unto the Lord with fasting, and weeping, and mourning. As God said by Zechariah, a spirit of grace and supplication was poured out upon His children; they looked to Him whom they had pierced, there was a great mourning in the land, . . . and those who were looking for the Lord afflicted their souls before Him."--Bliss, in Advent Shield and Review, vol. I, p. 271 (January, 1845).{GC 401.2}

Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles, none have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan than was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now, after the lapse of many years, all who shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the platform of truth still feel the holy influence of that blessed work and bear witness that it was of God. {GC 401.3}