Zechariah 4 - By My Spirit, Says the Lord

A. Zechariah’s vision.

4:1-3
Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?”
So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. 3 Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.”


As Zechariah rubs his eyes trying to wake up, he sees a solid gold lampstand with seven lamps and a bowl on top.
In addition to the lampstand, Zechariah saw something that was never in the temple - two olive trees that supplied the seven lamps with oil through seven pipes. Now in the temple the lampstands had to be continually refilled with oil, but in this vision, Zechariah sees “self-filling” lamps, fed directly from two olive trees.

Zechariah asks for an explanation of the vision.

4:4,5 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”

What are these, my lord? Zechariah saw the vision, but didn’t understand what it meant.

Zechariah lived in a time of uncertainty; the remnant of Israel had returned from exile, they had attempted to rebuild the temple but adversity discouraged them and the work had stopped and actually regressed as their former work was destroyed by their adversaries. The people were gripped with discouragement and fear. God called the prophet Zechariah to give them hope and courage to renew their work in building the temple and re-establishing its services. The visions emphasized that it wasn’t by their might or power, but by the Holy Spirit that the work would be accomplished – Also, the task of preparing each heart as a purified temple for the Lord’s indwelling can ultimately be accomplished only by cooperating with Him; His Spirit accomplishes that which human effort is powerless to achieve.

B. The meaning of the vision

4:6-7
So he answered and 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. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”

Zerubbabel was the governor of the returned exiles, and had the responsibility to direct the finishing of the work of rebuilding the temple. To Zerubbabel the work of rebuilding the temple was so massive it seemed like a great mountain. Here God promises that by His Spirit, that great mountain will be leveled into a plain.
Zerubbabel would bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” This is God’s assurance to Zerubbabel that not only will the work be finished, but Zerubbabel , himself shall finish it, setting the capstone and declaring that it was all a work of grace.

Might and power focuses on human resources, on collective and individual strength. God says, --not by the resources of many or one, but by My Spirit. It will not be by your cleverness, your ability, or your physical strength that the temple will be rebuilt, but by the Spirit of God.

“There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. If Satan had his way, there would never be another awakening, great or small, to the end of time. But we are not ignorant of his devices. It is possible to resist his power. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God’s people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth. Wicked men and devils cannot hinder the work of God, or shut out His presence from the assemblies of His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises.—(Selected Messages, bk. 1, 124.)

God wanted Zerubbabel (as well as all His faithful followers) to know that the Holy Spirit would continually supply his need, just as the oil trees in the vision continually supplied oil to the lamps on the lampstand. God wants His supply and our reliance on the Holy Spirit to be continual.

"Those who bear responsibilities need to place themselves where they will be deeply impressed by the Spirit of God. You should have as much greater anxiety than do others for the aid of the Holy Spirit and for a knowledge of God as your position of trust is more responsible than that of others. Nothing is more needed in our work than the practical results of communion with God." {HDL 59.2}

When the work is done through human might or power we tend to take credit for it, but when the work is done by the continual supply of the Spirit, then it is all to the glory of God’s grace.

More encouragement for Zerubbabel.

4:8-10
Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

His hands shall finish it: When the work is done by God’s Spirit there are not only resources to begin the work, but also to finish the work. God is a finisher “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ” ( Philippians 1:6).

For who has despised the day of small things?
God does not despise the day of small things. He can take our consecrated smallness and with His Spirit perform big things. Consecrating our littles to Him will bring a wonderful increase.

For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

The seven are the eyes of the Lord mentioned in this same passage. They rejoice when they see Zerubbabel take up the plumb line and move forward with the building work. The eyes of the Lord see it all, and He rejoices to see His people by faith engaged in the work.

Do we despised the day of small things? Thinking it is impossible to do God’s work because the resources aren’t there, the opposition too strong, the talent lacking-- or do we neglect doing our part because we think it’s “too little” and insignificant?

“Those who have the smallest gifts are not excused from using the very best gifts they have, and in so doing their talents will be increased. It is not safe to trifle with moral responsibilities nor to despise the day of small things”. 4T 618

Though the work was empowered by the Spirit of God, Zerubbabel still needed to take up his plumb line and move forward with the work. God could have instantly, miraculously finished the work, but that isn’t God’s way of doing things. He desires to build our characters by inviting us to co-operate with Him.

c. Zechariah apparently understood the message of encouragement to Zerubbabel, but he wondered how it connected to the vision of the olive trees and the lampstand, so he asks another question:

4:11-14 Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees; at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?” Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”

THE TWO OLIVE TREES:

What are these two olive trees each with a branch dripping into golden pipes supplying the bowl above the candlesticks?
The angel did not tell Zechariah who “the two anointed ones” are. He simply identified them as the source of the “oil” and therefore the source of light.
AND that they stand in the presence of God.

How does Revelation 11:3-4 explain the two olive trees?

There the two anointed ones are called “two witnesses” in Revelation 11, and they are none other than God's Word, written by Old and New Testament prophets. God’s Word prophesied in “sackcloth” for 1260 years.

“The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to a Saviour to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell of a Saviour who has come” GC 267

So in this vision we see God’s Word (two olive trees) with truth flowing through two tubes into a bowl from which seven tubes supply seven candlesticks with oil so they have light.

THE SEVEN LAMPS ON THE CANDLESTICK

In this vision the candlestick symbolizes Zerubbabel in particular, as he is to move forward by the power of the Holy Spirit.

However, it also represents the church or the people of Christ.
The seven candle sticks in Revelation one, represent the churches.

This we understand from Revelation 1:20 “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

The oil in the candlestick of the sanctuary was directed seven ways, representing the fact that the Holy Spirit does a perfect work for God’s people around the world. The lampstands represent God’s people, who are to be reflectors of His glory.
Matt. 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world.”

THE SEVEN TUBES

These represent the pastors or ministers who are to feed the church with God’s Word.
Again we turn to Revelation Chapter one and see this represented as seven stars or messengers to the seven churches, to which the apostle John sends his seven letters to the churches who are then to share these letters with their congregations.

TWO PIPES

Yet the oil must flow through two pipes for it to be effective.

“The Holy Spirit is doing its work on the hearts. But if the ministers have not first received their message from heaven, if they have not drawn their own supplies from the refreshing, life-giving stream, how can they let that flow forth which they have not received? What a thought, that hungry, thirsty souls are sent away empty! A man may lavish all the treasures of his learning, he may exhaust the moral energies of his nature, and yet accomplish nothing, because he himself has not received the golden oil from the heavenly messengers; therefore it cannot flow forth from him, imparting spiritual life to the needy. The tidings of joy and hope must come from heaven. Learn, oh, learn of Jesus what it means to abide in Christ! {TM 338.1}

Who then can turn the written Word of God into life giving oil ?
No, it's not any human being, for all humans must first receive the truth through this life giving source.


Who are the ones who stand in the Presence of God yet communicate heavenly truth home to the hearts, minds and souls of mankind?

Heavenly angels have a part –

Let every man who enters the pulpit know that he has angels from heaven in his audience. And when these angels empty from themselves the golden oil of truth into the heart of him who is teaching the word, then the application of the truth will be a solemn, serious matter. The angel messengers will expel sin from the heart, unless the door of the heart is padlocked and Christ is refused admission. Christ will withdraw Himself from those who persist in refusing the heavenly blessings that are so freely offered them. {TM 337.2}

Now turn to Revelation One once more:

Who is it that stands by the candlesticks in Revelation chapter one?

There we see Christ standing among the candlesticks, there is a sword emanating from Christ’s mouth. Paul speaks of the “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. Eph. 6:17 compare with Hebrews 4:12.

Hebrews 1:2 also tells us that in these last days God has spoken to us by His Son. It is by beholding Christ that the truths of God’s Word become a living reality to us.

The other ONE Who stands in the Presence of God, is the Holy Spirit.
“Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart”: COL 408

The truth of God's Word is brought to life in the hearts and minds of people by Christ and the Holy Spirit.

THE OIL
The oil is that which the presence of the Holy Spirit imparts to us, it is “the oil of the Spirit”. The Holy Spirit Himself is a person, as God is a person, He is “(the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit”.--Special Testimonies, Series A, No. 10, p. 37. (1897) {Ev 617.2}

His presence fills us with conviction, truth, wisdom and understanding, steadfastness, discernment, commitment, courage to stand true to God, and changes our carnal natures into Christlike characters to shine for God!

That is the oil which His presence in our lives imparts. To be filled with the “oil of the Spirit” is what we all need if we will be part of the five wise bridesmaids awaiting the coming of the Christ.


Not by might, nor by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord.

Amen! Thank you, Jesus.

We are going to dis-sect this Zech. 4 interpretation. First let us start the symbol descriptions.

Oil--
the oil is the Holy Spirit. (Test. to Ministers, p.188)

"The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit."

the oil is the righteousness of Christ (TM, p.234)

"Now is the time to entreat that souls shall not only hear the word of God, but without delay secure oil in their vessels with their lamps. That oil is the righteousness of Christ."

the oil is truth. (TM, p.337, 338)

"And when these angels empty from themselves the golden oil of truth into the heart of him who is teaching the word, then the application of the truth will be a solemn, serious matter."

the righteousness of Christ is pure unadulterated truth.(TM, p.65)

"..for the righteousness of Christ, which is pure, unadulterated truth."

the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of TRUTH. (John 16:13)

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.."

The Two Olive Trees--

The trees represent the Bible—Old & New Testaments as evidenced--

they are the two witnesses representing the Old and New Testaments(GC, p.267)

"The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation."

they are the same as the two witnesses.(Rev.11:3,4)

"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

they are the two anointed ones.(Zech. 4:14)

"Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Our first question--: If the trees represent the Bible (Old and New Testaments) then what comes from the Bible?

God's written word contains the truth.
However, this truth can be sorely misinterpreted and misapplied by human beings. Thus the message of Zechariah 4 is:

NOT BY MIGHT AND NOT BY POWER --
Not by any human strength but by My Spirit.

It is the through Christ and the Holy Spirit that those words become OIL.

Zechariah 3 explains the righteousness that comes through Christ,
Zechariah 4 explains the "oil of the Spirit" which the Holy Spirit implants within the hearts and minds of those who seek Him for wisdom.

THE OIL
The oil is that which the presence of the Holy Spirit imparts to us, it is “the oil of the Spirit”. The Holy Spirit Himself is a person, as God is a person, He is “(the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit”.--Special Testimonies, Series A, No. 10, p. 37. (1897) {Ev 617.2}


John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, (in the name of Jesus) he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:


His presence and teaching fills us with conviction, truth, wisdom and understanding, steadfastness, discernment, commitment, courage to stand true to God, and changes our carnal natures into Christlike characters to shine for God! The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus our Savior.

That is the oil which the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives imparts. To be filled with the “oil of the Spirit” is what we all need if we will be part of the five wise bridesmaids awaiting the coming of the Christ.

To read scripture without the Holy Spirit's presence is to bypass the golden tubes that make it living oil for our salvation.

These two golden tubes that pour out the truths of salvation from the scripture as life giving oil into human hearts are not human beings, they are Christ and His Holy Spirit.

Every human being must first diligently seek their aid if they wish to pass on some of this oil to others.

Before we go further, here is a picture of what Zechariah saw in the vision of Zech. 4 Zech. 4 picture

We asked this question in our last post--

Our first question--: If the trees represent the Bible (Old and New Testaments) then what comes from the Bible?

The answer to our question is -- Revealed Truth.

Since oil comes from the trees, then the oil must especially represent present truth, truths needed for the time in which we live--the product of the trees (old and new Scriptures)

"There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now." (Early Writings, p.63)

So the lesson God has for us is building a solid basis from which to learn His Inspired truth. As we go on we'll see how this prophecy keeps us from "private interpretation', a kind of full proof way of not getting deceived (if we follow it).

Next post we'll look at more of the symbols.

Think this through a little more.

TWO TREES
One represents the Old Testament
The other the New Testament

One golden tube comes from the Old Testament dripping oil into the bowl.
The other golden tube comes from the New Testament dripping oil into the bowl.

So what is in the bowl?
The Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah's eternal purpose.
These truths the Holy Spirit brings home to our hearts establishing the kingdom of grace within, and fitting us to spend eternity with Him.

When we try to change the symbols to represent finite human beings, we are missing the whole point of the vision.

That oil flows
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.

"We have not only the great light committed to ancient Israel, but we have also the increased evidence of the great salvation brought to us through Christ. That which was type and symbol to the Jews is reality to us. They had the Old Testament history; we have that and the New Testament also. We have the assurance of a Saviour who has come,--a Saviour who has been crucified, has risen, and has proclaimed over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, "I am the resurrection, and the life." In our knowledge of Jesus and his love, the kingdom of God has been placed in the midst of us. Christ has been proclaimed to us {RH, January 17, 1899 par. 14}

Ded- So what is in the bowl?
The Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah's eternal purpose.

This is what brother Houteff says! He calls it the Spirit of Prophecy, which is what both the OT and NT contain.

Ded- When we try to change the symbols to represent finite human beings, we are missing the whole point of the vision.

yes be careful

Continuing with our study of Zech. 4--

The Two Pipes

Now here we must put on our spiritual glasses and discern this most important part of the symbolic vision, a key to our lesson.

Spirit of Prophecy explains--

"From the two olive trees, the golden oil was emptied through golden pipes into the bowl of the candlestick and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones that stand in God's presence, His Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities that are consecrated to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to God's people.

It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in God's presence. As the olive trees empty themselves into the golden pipes, so the heavenly messengers seek to communicate all that they receive from God. The whole heavenly treasure awaits our demand and reception; and as we receive the blessing, we in our turn are to impart it. Thus it is that the holy lamps are fed, and the church becomes a light bearer in the world." (Testimonies to Ministers, p.510)



Ah, what beauty and clear explanations of the symbolic prophesy! The "two pipes" represent Inspired messengers (prophets in the form of human instrumentalities) that "communicate all that they receive from God." In other words, they are the ones who are allowed to rightly and divinely go into the "trees" (The OT and NT) to extract the oil to place it in the Golden Bowl, for our blessings!

Imagine this for a moment, there are millions of pipes going into the trees and putting oil into the bowl for the candlesticks! This is exactly what mankind is trying to do today. Thousands upon thousands of "private interpretations" grabbing what they want from OT and NT (trees) and tossing it into the bowl (Spirit of Prophecy-Revelations). God foresaw this and made this prophesy to warn us against this practice.

Let us go back to Dedications statement--
Ded- Who then can turn the written Word of God into life giving oil ?
No, it's not any human being, for all humans must first receive the truth through this life giving source.

From learning what we have seen from Inspiration and not "private interpretation" we see that her statement is not in harmony with Inspiration. God uses humans blessed by His knowledge(heavenly messengers-prophets)-- "His Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities that are consecrated to His service."

"all humans" cannot go directly to the tress and properly understand the prophecies UNLESS they go through the "pipes" which only God directs. The prophets can only be these "heavenly messengers" that can do the extraction, not "all humans".

Further evidence that unauthorized humans not allowed by God cannot know God's future plans we read--

Amos 3:7-- Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

1 Peter 1:20-21--Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.


Some perfect examples of the unauthorized interpretations is the Sunday keeper doctrines-- State of the dead, Sunday observance, Commandments no longer in force, etc. Now, do we think Satan stops there?? Now way! His real fun is when he gets SDA people to engage in their own private interpretations! This is a whole lot more fun for him because the great light imparted to His remnant church is twisted and made to look --almost true!!

ONLY those who stick with His plan as outlined in Zech. 4 will be safe from false interpretations--let us be careful!

In our next post we'll look at the "bowl" and "candlestick" and "seven pipes".

Concerning the two witnesses the prophet declares further: "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." "Thy word," said the psalmist, "is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Revelation 11:4; Psalm 119:105. The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to a Saviour to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell of a Saviour who has come in the exact manner foretold by type and prophecy. {GC 267.1}