Zechariah 4:11-14

 

Zechariah 4:11-14

What is the Meaning or the Olive Trees with the Menorah?

 

Zec 4:11  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 

Zec 4:12  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 

Zec 4:13  And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 

Zec 4:14  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. 

 

         1.     Zechariah Asks What the Olive Trees Are – vs. 11

a.     Zechariah wants to know what the olive trees on the side of the Menorah are in the vision he experienced.

                                               i.     Zechariah 4:1-3 

b.     The Menorah or the Candlestick is Jesus, who is the light of the world

                                               i.     John 8:12 

        2.     Zechariah Asks Again What the Olive Trees Are – vs. 12

a.     The most important questions need to be asked multiple times

                                               i.     Genesis 32:24-30 

b.     Do not give up easily, rather pursue the things of God with your whole heart

                                               i.     Matthew 7:7-8 

        3.     The Angel Interpreter Asks Zechariah if He Knows What the Olive Trees Are – vs. 13

a.     Sometimes the answers to the hardest questions are the most obvious

                                               i.     Hebrews 5:11-12 

        4.     The Angel Interpreter Tells Who the Olive Trees Represent

a.     This answer is both complex and simple. It is hard, yet so obvious: The olive trees are those that stand with Jesus

                                               i.     The Angel of the Lord is Jesus

                                             ii.     The Candlestick or the Menorah is Jesus

                                           iii.     The Olive Trees are representative of:

1.     Joshua and Zerubbabel in the short-term fulfilment

a.     Ezra 5:1-2 

2.     The Priestly Order and the Kingly Order throughout History

a.     The Priestly Order was to establish worship

                                                                                                     i.     Leviticus 8:12-14 

b.     The Kingly Order was to establish law and justice

                                                                                                     i.     Deuteronomy 17:18-19 

3.     Moses and Elijah who appear during the coming of the Messiah, both His first and last advent

a.     Moses and Elijah were at the mount of Transfiguration

                                                                                                     i.     Matthew 17:1-3 

b.     While they are not named, it is possible that the two witnesses in Revelation are also Moses and Elijah, come to herald the Second Coming of Christ

                                                                                                     i.     Revelation 11:3-4 

4.     Israel and the Church who are the people of God throughout history

a.     Israel, even though they are unrepentant at this time, are still the people of God

                                                                                                     i.     Romans 11:26-32 

b.     The Church, primarily made up of Gentile believers, is also the people of God

                                                                                                     i.     Romans 11:17-24 

c.     Election is of God alone, and it is God that preserves us. None of the representations of the Olive trees mentioned before sought God. It was God who sought them and called them and used them so mightily.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Romans 11:33-36

Has the Bible Been Corrupted? Textus Receptus vs Modern Manuscripts Debate

 This is a very interesting debate. While there is much said on both sides of the debate that I do not disagree with I think there is some interesting logical fallacies that keep cropping up in this debate. Furthermore I do agree that we need to stop depending on German theologians to set the terms of the debate. The Church as a people, led by the Holy Spirit are the final authority. Stop using the argument from authority to prove a point. "I am smarter than you therefore I know" 

Zechariah 4:8-10

 

Zechariah 4:8-10

Beware of Despising the Day of Small Things

Zec 4:8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 

Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 

Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. 

          1.     Jesus Has More to say to Zerubbabel – vs. 8

a.      This is a continuation of the message to Zerubbabel from the Logos who is the Word of God – vs. 8

                                               i.     Zechariah 1:10-13 

         2.     Jesus is Going to Help Zerubbabel Build the Temple – vs. 9

a.      Zerubbabel will start the rebuilding of the temple

                                               i.     Zerubbabel was a descendant of David and therefore an inheritor of God’s covenants to David

1.     2 Samuel 7:5-16 

                                             ii.     Ezra tells us that Zerubbabel did indeed get to lay the foundation of the temple

1.     Ezra 3:8-13 

b.     Zerubbabel will complete it with God’s help

                                               i.     Ezra also tells us of the later completion of the temple just as Zechariah predicted

1.     Ezra 6:13-16 

                                             ii.     Yet all of that cannot be a complete fulfillment of what Zechariah is predicting

1.     Haggai 2:1-9 

c.      The miraculous completion of the temple will be a sign of the promise of the coming of the Logos or the Messiah.

                                               i.     Isaiah 11:1-3 

         3.     Zerubbabel, No Matter How Unlikely, is the One Whom Jesus Has Chosen – vs. 10

a.      Beware of Despising the little things, after all Jesus came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey

                                               i.     Zechariah 9:9 

b.     To the temple that Zerubbabel helped to build

                                               i.     Matthew 21:5-12 

c.      Which is why only Jesus can be the one and only King of Kings and the true fulfillment of all prophesies

                                               i.     Revelation 5:5-9 

Interesting Article

 A very interesting proposition regarding the Biblical Esther. To be there must have been a reason for the shift in Persian sympathies from indifference to the plight of the Jews to invigorated support. 

Bible translations?

 Here is a great video and an honest conversation about bible translations. I really appreciate Pastor Matt's honesty here...

Zechariah 4:3-7

 

Zechariah 4:3-7

He Shall Bring Forth the Cornerstone

 

Zec 4:3  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 

Zec 4:4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 

Zec 4:5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 

  

1. The Two Olive Trees – vs. 3-5*
1. The meaning of the two olive trees in the immediate contest of history.

                                               i.     One represents the governmental power

                                             ii.     The other represents the priestly power

2. The big picture meaning of the two olive trees throughout the story of history.

                                               i.     One represents the Jewish Nation

1.     Romans 11:25-28 

                                             ii.     One represents the Church

1.     Romans 11:11-17

                                           iii.     In the end of time both olive trees will submit to Christ

1.     Revelation 5:9-14 

2. Message to Zerubbabel – vs. 6-7*
1. While Zerubbabel was to protect the Kingdom of God with the force of arms and the power of his might, there would come a day that the Kingdom of God would be advance by the power of the Spirit of God and no longer through force. – vs. 6*

                                               i.     Matthew 11:11-12 

                                             ii.     2 Corinthians 10:4-5 

2. Zerubbabel’s dynasty will be leveled and ultimately the Messiah will assume His rightful place on the throne of David. – vs. 7*

                                               i.     Genesis 49:9-10 

                                             ii.     Zechariah 3:8-9 

                                           iii.     Acts 4:10-12 

                                            iv.     1 Peter 2:4-9 

Zechariah 4:1-2

 

Zechariah 4:1-2

Jesus is the Light of the World

 

Zec 4:1  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 

Zec 4:2  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 

 

1. The Chosen People the Jews
1. The Minora was to be a reminder to the Jewish nation that they were to reach the world for God.

                                               i.     Exodus 25:31 

2. The Chosen People the Church
1. Christ is the Purity of His People

                                               i.     Candle stick of gold

1.     Revelation 1:9-20

2. Christ is the Head of His People

                                               i.     Bowl upon the top of it

1.     Colossians 1:15-23

3. Christ is the Flame of His People

                                               i.     His seven lamps thereon

1.     Matthew 5:14-16 

4. Christ is the Source of Power for His People

                                               i.     Seven pipes to the seven lamps

1.     John 16:13-15