Vision of the Flying Roll

“The Visions for Israel / SBBC”
(The vision of the Flying Roll)
Zechariah 4:1, 2

Visions already studied…

I. The vision of the Horses (Protection and comfort to Israel)

II. The vision of the Horns (Judgment of those who oppose Israel)

III. The Vision of the Measuring Line (The inspection and restoration of Israel)

IV. The Vision of the High Priests (The cleansing and restoration of Israel)

V. The Vision of the Candlestick and Olive Trees (The Promise of God for the Temple completion)

Now as for today…

I. The Vision of the Flying Roll

A) What is this flying roll?

When upon my first glance of this reading the sixth vision, I thought of a “flying roll” as a dinner roll such as they do in this restaurant down south and they call it “Home of the throwed roll.” When eating in this restaurant and asking for a dinner roll, they throw it to you from across the room.
The angel here is not talking about a dinner roll. As usual in God’s Word, this word “roll” is another vision and metaphor explaining God’s plan in the building of His temple by Zerubbabel.
Let us get into the word of God written in Zechariah 5:1…Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. 2) And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
So, what is this roll? Note in verse two that Zechariah tells us that this roll is 20 cubits long and 10 cubits wide, meaning rectangular in its shape.
A “cubit” is equal to 18 inches. So this means that this “flying roll” is 30 feet long and 15 feet wide.
30’ x 15’ is the exact same size as the Holy Place in the Tabernacle.
This “flying roll” depicts the Word of God which has been disobeyed by Israel and the entire world.
The words on the scroll (roll) are calling for God’s judgment against sinners according to His standards written in His Word.
At the time of this vision of Zechariah’s, a scroll represented a divine standard by which man was to be measured.
In essence, this roll is a vision symbolizing the Law of God traveling among the churches to read and obey it.
It further symbolizes the fact that those who disobey God’s word will be punished, and those who obeyed the Law of God will be blessed (happy).
Nothing has changed in God’s law or requirements for the atonement for sin. God has always required a perfect lamb to be sacrificed, and bloodshed for the atonement of sins.
You hear the Word of God and obey it. If you do not obey God’s Word, then you can expect a judgment from God.

Why is this roll (scroll) flying? I mean, why doesn’t God give a vision of a roll sitting on the altar, or in the pulpit, or in the hand of someone? Why is it flying?
I believe that it is a “flying roll” representing the swift judgment of God upon His people who reject His law, and those who continue in sin.

B) Sins of Israel, (stealing and swearing)

Now look into verse 3) Then said he (The angel) unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
On this “flying roll” there are words written on both sides for all to see.
It is suggested that this “flying roll” had two of the Ten Commandments written on it (3^rd, and 8^th) since Israel was guilty of swearing and stealing.
The 3^rd Commandment – Exodus 20:7 (KJV)…Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
The 8^th Commandment – Exodus 20:15 (KJV)…Thou shalt not steal.
This message is to Israel and of course to all of those who claim Christ as their Lord.
Another thought about the writing on both sides of this “flying roll” is that it could quite possibly have had all the commandments written on it. WHY? Because we can read James 2:10 (KJV)… For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
If Israel was guilty of breaking two of the Ten Commandments, then they are guilty of breaking all.
This is a message not only for Israel, but a message for us today as well.
There are Pharisees today (people who believe themselves to be holier than others) who have not committed a sin in their own eyes but have committed sin in God’s eyes that are worse than those being judged by the Pharisee.
We as children of God are always looking at the sins of others like drinking, smoking, not tithing, lying, cheating, stealing, and etc. But we fail miserably at our own sins being guilty of sins that others do not see like defrauding one another (Lev. 19:13, Mark 10:19, I Cor. 7:5), anger (which is murder according to Jesus in Matthew 5:21, 22) towards others without a cause or reason, gossiping about others (Prov. 6:12, 14, 19, the word “forward” meaning… perverted) , criticizing others, prideful, and etc.
STEALING – 1. Taking something that does not belong to you without permission 2. To get, or take something slyly (Like steal a kiss, or look) To obtain something that you do not deserve (like getting paid for time on your job when you were not there, or you were sleeping, or being on your i-pad or phone.)
SWEARING – 1. To make a solemn declaration with an appeal to God or something held sacred (like swearing to the flag, idols, or people). 2. To make a promise. 3. To use profane language; 4. Taking an oath (swear to tell the truth).

C) No escape from God’s judgment

Look now into Zechariah 5:4… I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Let us break this verse down so that we may understand the vision here…

“I will bring it forth” what is “it?” The word “it” here is “the curse (or judgment of God)” mentioned up in verse 3.
“…it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name:” These particular sins (stealing and swearing) will be judged by God when He places a curse upon those guilty of these sins.
I believe that it is also important to realize that God allows this curse to take place on those who try and hide their sin or cover it up. Notice that the curse “…shall enter into the house.” There is no “maybe” written here. It (the curse/judgment of God) will enter!
“…and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with timber thereof and the stones thereof.” This curse will remain in the house of the sinner until they are consumed with their sin and all that pertains or assisted in the sin.

D) The message for SBBC today

Picture in your mind this “flying roll.” Think of it as the Word of God made available to us (The Gentiles) to be able to read it, study it, know it, and live by it just as God’s peculiar people (the Jews, Israel).
In our text of Zechariah 5:1-4, we see where the angel of the Lord is talking to Zechariah in a vision…

Flying roll – The Laws of God are made visible for all of God’s children to see what it contains and understand it’s meanings through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This also means that there will be no excuse for anyone to say “I did not know.”
In today’s technology and wisdom of great men of God who have studied the Word of God and expounded on their wisdom obtained from the Spirit of God, it is almost impossible to say that we never heard the gospel or the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Today’s light and opportunity is huge.
Our understanding of God’s Word is very different from church to church, and faith to faith.
We must be careful read the bible carefully and be careful not to twist the words and make them mean what we want them to mean.

We must remember…II Peter 1:19…We have also a more sure word of prophecy (the O.T. prophecies); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,(It would be good for you to pay close attention to the scriptures, because of false prophets) as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, (This light is God’s Word in Psalms 119:105) until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (This is the appearance of Jesus Christ in you):
Verse 20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (No one can say on their own what God’s word means. The Holy Spirit of God must dwell within the hearts of a child of God to correctly interpret what God’s word says. This is backed up in the next verse)
Verse 21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The entire kingdom of God is established upon the scriptures which is the Word of God and manifested in the person of Jesus Christ who is “The Word,” our Savior and Redeemer and Son of the living God.

Curse/Judgment –

The word “curse” has several meanings…

To call on God or other gods to send evil or injury down on someone or something.
A profane, blasphemous, or obscene oath expressing anger, hatred or vexation.
A person or thing that has been cursed
To bring injury or evil upon.

A curse or to curse someone is never a good thing, nor does any good come because of it. .
A covenant blessing from God and a covenant curse from God is unlimited in time. It matters not Old or New Testament time. God made a covenant with Abram who was a Jew. God promised Abram (the father of many nations) in Genesis 12:2…And I will make of thee (Abrah/Israel) a great nation, and I will bless thee (Abram/Israel), and make thy name (Abram’s/Israel’s name) great; and thou (Abram/ Israel) shalt be a blessing:
3) And I will bless them that bless thee (God will bless anyone who makes Israel happy), and curse him that curseth thee (God will bring judgment or wrath upon anyone who does not make Israel happy): and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Much like all other blessings and curses this one is particularly focused on God’s children (Israel) and how people who deal with Israel will be judged by God for their actions against Israel or in support of Israel.
Our nation (USA) is flirting with danger when we stab Israel in the back or mistreat them like our previous President.
To curse someone is to bring the same to your doorstep.