June 15 - Zechariah 4

June 15 - Zechariah 4:1-14

The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees

This is one of those really wild, apocalyptic, filled with symbolism visions. It takes awhile to understand all of the different parts of this vision.

Zechariah was now awakened by the angel. The next vision is a waking vision. The angel wanted him to be fully aware of what he was seeing.

A lampstand made of solid gold. The lampstand that was in Solomon's temple required human intervention to keep it filled with oil. This lampstand, however, had a bowl hovering over the top which fed the lamp. If you look at Zechariah 4:12, you will see that there are two pipes, one from each of the olive trees feeding the bowl olive oil and from there it pours into the lampstand.

Zechariah asks in Zechariah 4:4 what the seven lights on the bowl are. The angel deflects him and doesn't answer until Zechariah 4:10 when he says that they are the eyes of the Lord which range throughout the earth.

It does seem as if the angel has a little bit of ADD going on here. We get to Zechariah 4:6-10a and he begins speaking of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah. It is under his rule, that the temple will be finished. Not by might (military strength), nor by power (manpower), but only by the Holy Spirit will this temple be completed.

Nothing will get in the way - even a mountain is no obstacle to the completion of God's Temple. The promise is made to Zechariah that Zerubbabel will see the completion of the temple, just as he was there to supervise the laying of the foundation.

In Zechariah 4:10, we read a comment regarding the small things. This is more than likely a reference to the older Jews who compared this smaller temple with the glory of Solomon's Temple. God assures them that men will rejoice over the completion of this temple under the hand of Zerubbabel.

Now, what are these two olive trees on either side of the lampstand? This is where things get very exciting. These represent the two ruling powers of Israel - the priests and the Kings which are represented here in the form of Joshua, the high priest (Zechariah 3:1) and Zerubbabel, the king. But, we know that Jesus Christ comes in the order of Melchizidek who was both a priest and a King (Hebrews 7:11-28). Israel will be unified as it becomes a light to the nations with the Messiah to guide them.

When we get into the Revelation, we will find that the two witnesses in Revelation 11:1-14 are also representative of these same two entities - the priesthood and the royalty. Revelation 11:4 says "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth."

The Lord has enabled Israel to be a light to the nations. The Messiah will return expecting His children to come into the fullness of her covenant with God. The prophecies have been in place for thousands and thousands of years. Will we see their fulfillment?