Zechariah 5:1-11
Two visions fill this short chapter. The first shows us, in the symbol of a flying roll, the Word of God in action to show up evil. Hebrews 4:12-13 confirms that this Word is living and powerful in operation, and piercing (here it enters forcibly into houses; v. 4) . . . In its light everything is laid bare and open; it discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. We should allow ourselves to be searched by this Word.
In vv. 5-11 we see another flying object, still more astonishing. It is an ephah, a measure of capacity (and often of fraud: Micah 6:10; Deuteronomy 25:14) in the midst of which was seated Wickedness, having attained its full measure. It corresponds to the "mystery of iniquity" which is already at work today, but has not yet been revealed (the lead cover is still on the ephah – 2 Thessalonians 2:7). When it resumes its original location (Shinar is Babylon, i.e. the world), iniquity personified as the Antichrist will be officially honoured as a god. What a contrast between this "house" in v. 11, a very temple of sin, and that which God is building, in order that He may dwell in the midst of His own (Zechariah 4:9)!