Zechariah 4

The Golden Candlestick and the Olive Trees

Zec 4:1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.

Listen now and look.

Dan 8:18 And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up.

Zec 4:2 And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I see, and behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.
Zec 4:3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."
Zec 4:4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"
Zec 4:5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."
Zec 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

Not by human might or power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Jesus is the Lord of hosts, our faith in him and the receiving of the Holy Spirit makes us new people. We are no longer only flesh, we have God's might and power with direction from the Holy Spirit. We are not alone but united with the creator of all. His will be done.

Zerubbabel and Jeshua were going to need God's wisdom and strength for the building up of the temple in Jerusalem.

Psa 127:1 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Hos 1:7 But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen."

The LORD is our strength. Jerusalem and the temple were a pile of burnt stones. They were as a mountain that needed to be overcome and put back in order. The task of rebuilding Temple required the power and direction of the LORD.

Zec 4:7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'".

What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" (NAS)

The obstacles would be removed as Zerubbabel continued to rebuild the temple. The obstacles in our life will be removed if we continue to obey and have faith in the LORD. There would be rejoicing when the final stone is in place. Looking forward to another stone, the corner stone which is Jesus Christ we cry grace, grace, for he brought to us grace.

Psa 118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Zec 4:8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Zec 4:9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

Zerubbabel the governor,was to complete the outside of the temple and Jeshua the High Priest was to finish the inside. We have many new churches and buildings, but is the church being built up inside? We are the temples of God. We must submit to God and the direction of the Holy Spirit. (Ezra 3:8-10)

Zec 4:10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth."

The golden lampstand with the seven bowls represented the seven eyes of God. Seven being complete. Our God is completely Holy with all glory and wisdom; He is all seeing.

Hag 2:3 'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?

. "God accepts your little works if they are done in faith in his dear Son. God will give success to your little works: God will educate you by your little works to do greater works; and your little works may call out others who shall do greater works by far than ever you shall be able to accomplish." (Spurgeon)

2Ch 16:8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, he gave them into your hand.
2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

The golden lamp stand with the candles represent the light and truth of God that was first given to Israel to be the bearers of his light. This was part of the holy vessels of the temple.

Exo 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. The seven lamps may represent the seven churches as in Revelation. The seven spirits of God are also referred to as the fulness of Christ and the full measure of the Holy Spirit.

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Zec 4:11 Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?"
Zec 4:12 And a second time I answered and said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?"
Zec 4:13 He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."
Zec 4:14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

The two olive trees represent two anointed people of God. In the context they were the two chosen ones to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem; Zerubbabel (meaning out of Babylon) the ruler and Jeshua (Joshua or Jesus) the High Priest. In a future sense they may represent Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets. These two had not completed their ministry when God took them, but they appeared with Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration.

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

There will be two Spirit filled witnesses during the reign of the antichrist. God always has his anointed witnesses that he works through.

Rev 11:3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
Rev 11:5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed.
Rev 11:6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

We can do nothing for God without his help. Nothing can be made to last that is not of God. He chooses his anointed ones for his service. His presence and help is shown by the seven lights of the candle stand. His two anointed ones were shown as Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and then Moses and Elijah and finally the two anointed witnesses in Rev 11:3. The supply of oil is all sufficient for us to complete the callings of God. As we use the anointing, the greater the oil flows out. Two witnesses confirm a thing to be true. Be careful who you partner with. The anointing must be there for service. God's word and the Holy Spirit are required in his witnesses. Jesus calls and uses faithful servants. The witnesses must be faithful and Spirit filled. These are the witnesses that God uses. He will use you too.

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