What are These?

The angel who was talking with me answered, "I will show you what they are." ~Zechariah

If I were this angel, I think I might have become impatient with Zechariah except that I am so much like him. In the first six chapters of the book, he asks the question "What are these?" seven times. The angel answers him the first time with "I'll show you what they are."

In the first two chapter he asks these questions: "What are these?" (asked twice), "What are these coming to do?" and "Where are you going?" Each time a piece of the symbolism is explained. Zechariah never took it upon himself to interpret the vision but asked what it was right away.

In the fourth chapter, Zechariah is asked a question. "What do you see?" He relays what he sees and then asks his usual question, "What are these?" This time, I had to chuckle when the angel answered, "Do you not know what these are?" Zechariah's reply is, "Nope." Undaunted by seemingly being ignored, he asks again; "What are these?" This same conversation happens twice in the fourth chapter!

I've grown to appreciate Zechariah's questions the further I delve into eschatology. I appreciate the fact that he viewed the vision as inquisitively as he did. I approach the visions in scripture with the same curiosity and have asked the Lord several times, "What are these? What are they coming to do? Where are they going?" Sometimes the answer is put forth plainly; other times I've had to ask several times. There have been times when I'm told to go my own way because that mystery is sealed to me. It's always a magnificent romp through scripture though and it's made sweeter by even the tiniest discovery.

"Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." ~Jesus