Note: There are times that verses are numbered differently in the Tanakh than they are in some of the more modern translations of the Bible. We have an example of that in the following passage. The text is all there in both cases; the chapter and verse divisions are just slightly different. In the Tanakh Zechariah chapter 1 ends after verse 17. The following verses in the Tanakh are the first 4 verses of Zechariah chapter 2.
This next vision is going to be impossible for you to understand if you have not studied the prophecies in the book of Daniel. This vision is a parallel to the vision that Nebuchadnezzar was given in Daniel chapter 2 and the vision that Daniel was given in Daniel chapter 7.
See our study on Daniel.
It is also important for the reader to be familiar with the major world empires.
Since the time of Daniel there have only been 4 world empires.
These are the accepted dates by all historians. (BCE is the same as BC) and (CE is the same as AD).
Zechariah 1:18 Then lifted I up my eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
A horn represents a gentile ruler. (See Daniel 7:24, Rev 17:12)
These 4 horns represent the same 4 kingdoms in Daniel 2 and Daniel 7.
Zechariah 1:19 And I said to the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
Each of those 4 kingdoms has had a hand in persecuting Israel.
Zechariah 1:20 And the L-RD showed me four carpenters.
Carpenters - skilled workmen or artisans.
They are:
Zechariah 1:21 Then said I, What do these come to do? And he spoke, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
“Horns of the Gentiles” this is very interesting. Some believe that the Anti-messiah will be Jewish. I think they assume that the Jewish people will regard him as their messiah. I am not sure that is true. I think they will embrace him as a great leader when he brings peace to their country in an otherwise hopeless situation. I think they will come to their senses when he enters the temple at the mid-point of the tribulation and declares that he is god.
Because “horns” represent gentile leaders and not Jewish leaders, I think this may be evidence that the Anti-Messiah will be a gentile.
“cast out” in Hebrew means "to cast them away" from their place, "to break" the kingdoms of the people that bore arms against Israel, and "to exile" them!