Zechariah 4

The Lampstand and the Olive Trees

You may ask what is the significance of the lampstand and the olive trees? In this passage we could also find the much used Bible verse quote, "Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty. What powerful words. My NKJV Bible uses "lampstand" where as my other NIV Bible uses "gold lampstand", gold or not, this is the 5th vision in the book of Zechariah. Going back to the question what is the significance of the olive trees and the lampstand?

The building of the Temple of God was never done by human might or resource. The Bible tells of it being build using divine resources. This does not mean the stones came down from heaven. The light from the lampstand represents the reflection of God's glory in the consecration and the holy service of God's people. There are all together 7 lamps on the lampstand. The number 7 symbolises completeness--perfection. Perfection is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The olive trees, "one on the right of the bowl and one on its left". In Revelation 11:4, it refers the olive trees to the 2 witnesses in the end times who will be witnessing for 1260days (3 and a half years). The power for effective testimony is supplied from the Spirit of God. What makes these 2 olive trees so important for us to know? One olive tree represents Joshua, the priest. The other represents Zerubbabel of the royal linage of David. It is made so clearly that we as witnesses for Christ are both royal and priestly. Thus, this explanation coins the term "royal priesthood". The 2 leaders mentioned were given the responsibility to do God's work. Are we not as children of God part of the royal priesthood ought to do God's work? If we do not, we do not deserve to be included in the club of royal priests. Another very significant point of the combination gave lead at that time to the coming Messiah. He will be a Messianic King-Priest.

Are you the olive trees that continuously pour oil into the lampstand so that its light never dims? Not that the Lord's glory will dim. But we as olive trees supplying oil is only representation of us as worshipers giving God the glory only He deserves. Remember, earlier I mentioned that the Spirit of God is the main player behind the building of the Temple. In the same way when we give glory to God, it is the Spirit of God that will make this possible.

Be olive trees, not a fig tree...