“What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?” Zechariah 4:12
Dear Ones:
Throughout Scripture God uses the subject of gold to speak of His holiness, worth, and nature. From the golden candlestick, mentioned in the book of Zechariah, which represents the nation of Israel, to the the seven churches that the Lord Jesus addressed in the book of the Revelation, represented as seven golden candlesticks, we find that God is still seeking to communicate to us the same thing unto this very day. Whether we consider the nation of Israel, or an individual church in a certain locality, God has set a seal upon it. That seal speaks of His attitude towards it, and what its role is to be in this world. Being “of gold,” we cannot doubt that God’s choice and dealings with the specific candlestick, is of eternal significance and meaning. There is purpose in the will and design of the Creator, especially as it relates to revealing Himself to a lost and fallen world. That eternal purpose is to give light to the world, the light of the knowledge of the truth, so that the world can believe in the true and living God. The question then becomes: “And how is He to do this through these “candlesticks?” It is here that we need to look at what is IN the candlestick…”golden oil.” Why “golden?” Simply put, because it is of God, the Holy Spirit.
From beginning to end in the Scriptures, we discover that God’s way in dealing with men, and revealing His glory, is always BY the Spirit. The Spirit of God was instrumental, indeed, the very catalyst of creation. Again, throughout Biblical history, we see God’s work done in and through individuals, and the nation of Israel, BY THE SPIRIT. To Zechariah the Lord would say: “Not by might, nor by power, but BY MY SPIRIT, saith the Lord.” (4:6) The Spirit of God was instrumental in the conception and birth of the Lord Jesus. Jesus would declare that we must be born again BY the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God was poured out upon all mankind. This cataclysmic event changed the history of the world. The same Eternal Spirit of God, which enabled the Lord Jesus to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, is the same Spirit of TODAY. As God has never changed, so the ways of God have not changed. It was the French Pastor, Monod, who wrote: “All in Christ, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, for the glory of God. All else is nothing.” Herein lies the significance of the “golden oil” mentioned in Zechariah. That anointing of oil by Samuel upon the head of David resulted in the Holy Spirit coming upon Him. The Apostle John in his first epistle, declares to us that every believer has received “an unction,” an anointing. What is it? It is that Holy Spirit of creation, and of redemption, that one who has been “poured out upon all flesh,” whom Jesus sent to BE our everlasting Comforter and Guide. The Oil is golden, because it not only is OF God, it IS God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, as the Lord was teaching on the subject of prayer, He said: “How much more shall your Father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask Him?” (7:11) This is a most wonderful promise. However, in the Gospel of Luke, the Lord expands that promise: “…how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (11:13) The question that we must ask ourselves is, “Do I truly believe this?” If so, then we will pray along these lines, believing God to give that which is GOOD, even Himself, by the Spirit. Then we shall know the reality of what it means to walk before God, loving and serving Him, SEEING Him work wondrously, knowing communion with Him.
Dear Father, give us a new and fresh vision of who we are, and what Thy church is, to Thee. Then, give us grace to pray and believe Thee for the fullness of the Spirit, that all of Your purposes will be realized in and through us, as we wait for Jesus’ coming. We praise and thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad