“And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” Zechariah 4:3-4
In the book of Zechariah, the context being the resumption of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, the Lord speaks wonderful words, specifically directed at Zerubbabel, a prince of Judah, who is instrumental. The revelation that God gives to Zerubbabel through the prophet is crystal clear with regard to a central truth in Scripture: That which God commands is that which He will accomplish. The Lord’s specific word to Zerubbabel was this: “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord.” (4:6) So, how does God work in and through men? He does so always on the basis of what He declares, what He speaks, and pronounces. This may be in the form of truth revealed in promises or commandments, or the declaration of the facts of the nature and ways of God. That which is central and essential to grasp in God’s working through men is the fact, that He alone will certainly accomplish what He declares. He thus will receive all the glory for it. This is right in His sight because He alone is God. All the praise and glory for His working in and through men, in response to their faith and obedience, belongs to Him and Him alone. The question then becomes, “Who among men will BELIEVE God to do His work, independent of the “might” and “power” of men? In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers, he writes: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Phi. 2:13) It is therefore, as the believer abides in Christ, that Christ abides in him, accomplishing His work in and through him. Why then, in the visions that God gave to Zechariah, do we see the prophet ask three times about two olive trees that he saw, one on each side of a “candlestick all of gold?” (Zech. 4:2) We begin to discover the answer in Zechariah 4:14: “Then said he, ‘These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” In this picture, the first thing that strikes us is the “candlestick,” or lampstand, is “all of gold.” The lampstand is a means by which light is given. It is NOT the light, but an instrument of light. The fact that it is in heaven speaks of the Divine perspective of God, and His means for giving light to the world. But, what of the two “anointed ones?” What is their role, and why are they mentioned?
In the eleventh chapter of Revelation, dealing with what is called, “the times of the Gentiles,” we find again the mentioned two olive trees. This time, they are not only the anointed ones, standing it the presence of God, they are “witnesses.” In Zechariah we see them emptying, “…the golden oil out of themselves.” The golden oil most certainly symbolized the Holy Spirit. Again, the candlestick was an instrument. The oil was God…the Giver and essence of light, even Life itself. In Revelation, that oil, and light, was revealed for a witness. This true witness was by the Spirit, revealed in the form of God’s word being preached in very hostile circumstances. These “two olive trees,” and the “two candle sticks,” would be standing before “the God of the earth.” Authority and power were given to them to “…shut heaven,” withhold rain, turn waters to blood, and strike the earth with plagues. Though their witness would reveal the power and authority of God, their enemies would wage war against them and kill them. God would bring them back to life after three days. Why did God do this in this way? The God whose two “olive trees” poured out golden oil, the Spirit, in Zechariah’s day, would again by His power and authority seek to save, and restore, even in the midst of judgment. The candlestick today is the church.
Dear Father, Anoint us with fresh oil today, for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.