The Apocalypse of the Old Testament Chapter 4, Part 2

The Apocalypse of the Old Testament Chapter 4, Part 2

What Israel celebrated in 1949 with the unveiling of their official seal was the same graphic representation of Israel s restoration at the time of Zechariah in this chapter. The prophecies of Zechariah are still being fulfilled today. God is not done yet!

In this vision Zechariah sees a lampstand, a menorah similar to the one found in the Temple (yet different). The menorah is symbolic for God as the Light of the world. It was God s purpose that Israel would be His lightbearer and witness to the surrounding nations lost in the darkness of paganism. He set the boundaries of the nations accordingly (Deuteronomy 32:8; Matthew 5:14-16; Luke 12:35; Ephesians 5:8-9; Philippians 2:15; Revelation 1:20).

Jerusalem was set smack dab in the center: Thus says Adonai YHVH: This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. (Ezekiel 5:5) All languages write toward Jerusalem: western, left to right; eastern, right to left. Yeshua is the Light of the World, and it is our Messiah s purpose that His followers now be His lightbearers as well. However, service to a holy God, and bringing His light to the nations, cannot be fulfilled in our own power. Just as we cannot save ourselves, neither can we serve our Maker without His empowerment.

And that empowerment will be in the form of His Holy Spirit s filling and direction the oil in the lamp. The menorah represents the Light of the World, but it had to run on some sort fuel to burn to make light. That fuel was olive oil.

To completely understand this chapter and God s message not only for Israel but for all followers, we must also understand two major Biblical concepts: The symbolism behind the Tabernacle/Temple and its furnishings oil in scripture

ARK actually 2 pieces of furniture: The box itself, and the lid ( atonement cover or mercy seat ) Zechariah 4

The menorah like the one in the Temple is the main feature of this vision in Zechariah. But what about what fueled the menorah? That would be the olive oil provided by the two olive trees flanking this dream menorah. What do we need to know about oil??

In scripture oil symbolizes the person and work of the Holy Spirit sent to enlighten, sanctify, set apart, and empower God s people. He is the oil of anointing, and fuel behind the Light (for Israel, for Yeshua, and for us today!). The menorah does not give light without something to empower it. The Olive Trees in the vision provide the supply of fuel for this Light. This is a key factor in understanding this entire chapter.

Okay, now we ve brushed up on the symbolism of the Tabernacle/Temple, including the menorah, and the importance of olive oil. Both the menorah and the olive trees/oil are features in this vision. NOW we can go to verse one!

Zechariah Chapter 4

1 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.

Apparently Zechariah was allowed to rest up a bit after his first set of visions. Now the angel who talked with me wakes him up. It s time for more prophetic vision. Zechariah may have been exhausted after the previous visions. The content was overwhelming. We see the same exhaustion in Daniel after receiving the visions of the bloodthirsty beasts (signifying the Gentile empires as God sees them) in Daniel 8.

When Gabriel explained that vision to Daniel, Daniel was sick for several days. It is likely that Zechariah was spiritually and physically exhausted as well. Now he is told to wake up and pay attention. There is much more to see. This angel is malakh haddobher bi literally, the angel who talked in me. This is not the same as malakh YHVH, The Angel of YHVH, whom we know is the Messiah Himself. This angel is most likely the same one who has accompanied Zechariah and explained his visions along the way. We can call him the interpreting angel.

The last vision (ch 3) was about the spiritual salvation of Israel from her sins and filth before YHVH. Every vision has been very graphic and represented different aspects of Israel s physical and spiritual standing with YHVH, as well as her future. Now Zechariah is asked to describe what he sees. There is a sort of test in all this for this prophet.

This is what Zechariah says about what he sees: 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. Can you picture this in your mind? Artists through the ages have tried to capture this image.

Many have put their own interpretive spin on this image

LITERAL HEBREW INTERPRETATION TWO OLIVE TREES FULL OF RIPE OLIVES, FEEDING BASIN 7 TUBES FEEDING EACH OF 7 BRANCHES OF MENORAH GOLD BASIN OF OIL 7-BRANCH MENORAH FROM TEMPLE

Zechariah describes what he sees in words, but from this description it is impossible to determine EXACTLY what this interesting menorah looked like. Artists down through the centuries have tried to depict it, but it always varies. He is generally describing the menorah from the Temple, the 7-branched candlestick that provided the only light in the holy place. However, this menorah is different than the one in the Temple.

In the Tabernacle and the temple the menorah was to burn all the time, and never go out (constantly attended to by the priests who would refill the oil chambers). We discussed that oil in scripture is a symbol for the person and work of the Holy Spirit. This oil radiated light to demonstrate the presence of YHVH with His people. Further, the menorah is a symbol of the Light of the World to all nations.

Jesus said I am the Light of the World. It is the only I AM statement that He also applied to believers. YOU are the Light of the World. Why and how? Because we carry the Holy Spirit in us, and His Light will draw others to Him, if we make Him the priority in our lives and allow Him to work through us.

When someone had allowed the passion and Light of God to burn out in their lives, their candlestick was removed as we see in Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent. That s a sobering thought!

Israel s menorah was removed physically and spiritually because of her abominations before YHVH. God showed this to Ezekiel (ch 8-10) in very graphic visions. Ezekiel saw Israel s abominations, and he saw the glory (the Shekinah) of God leave the Temple. It wasn t long after this the Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 BC, and the treasures were removed to Babylon (we don t know for sure if this included the menorah, but it is likely). The Light of the World was no longer with Israel. And Israel was no longer Lightbearer to the nations.

Differences between menorah in Temple, and what Zechariah saw: 1. The menorah in this vision has its own supply of oil, not provided by human hands. It had a large bowl ( Gullah in Hebrew, or vessel) on top, which was fed by two very ripe olive trees, and two branches, which in turn supplied the lampstand. Two Olive Trees filled with ripened olives Two branches taking oil from trees to vessel Vessel supplying menorah Not human supplied Always present with Elohim

2. There were seven pipes or pourers (mutsagoth, tubes or conduits) feeding the lights. The lampstand in the Temple was fed oil by the priests. This one here is automatic and unending. Zechariah 4

The way the Hebrew reads here most Jewish commentators believe that EACH of the seven lights were fed by a series of seven tubes, making a total of 49 such lines. Most of the artistic depictions of this, however, show only 7 such lines total, one for each light on the menorah. Temple Menorah has no tubes.

3. This lampstand has two olive trees, one on either side with a bountiful supply of olives to produce beautiful pure golden olive oil. This pictures an unending supply by God, not man. The biggest difference may be the fact that this lampstand did not rely on oil supplied by the people, and filled constantly by the priests. And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. Exodus 27:20)

The seven lines feeding each lamp of the menorah also indicate a perfectly complete supply, endless, not reliant on man. The entire supply system with the vessel and feeder lines is what makes this vision of a menorah different from that found in the Temple. This lampstand had an automatic and eternal supply of olive oil from a tree overflowing with ripe olives. This lampstand did not get its light supply from human beings, but from God Himself. That supply would never end.

4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5 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.

A quick note about the word lord here. This is Adon, which in Hebrew means master, lord or overseer. It is NOT the word that indicates God or diety, which is Adonai. This is merely a title of respect meaning lord or overseer. Zechariah is acknowledging this personality is greater than he himself is, but not God. Zechariah asks a question, but the answer is somewhat of a rebuke, and spoken as if Zechariah should know. He was a priest and familiar with the Temple and all its furnishings and purposes.

Perhaps the meanings of things we looked at in our crash course on the Temple (and furnishings) had been lost at that point. Perhaps even Zechariah didn t understand that the menorah represents God s Light (His Presence), and was a Light for all nations, and His Son was to be the Light of the World. Zechariah had his visions over 500 years before Yeshua would come and explain these things. He was most likely just puzzled by the strange looking oil supply system in this menorah which was not present in the one in the Temple. But he should have understood the prophetic implications of this vision.

It is also interesting that neither this interpreting angel nor the Angel of YHVH provided an actual interpretation. No interpretation is given! It was assumed to be understood. This has encouraged all sorts of man s fanciful interpretations. It should be plain to most who understand the Temple/furnishings symbolism. The Menorah in the Tabernacle and Temple, as are all the furnishings, is a symbol for the Light of the World, Yeshua HaMashiach Jesus the Messiah. He claimed to be the Light of the World.

But He also told His followers that THEY were the light of the world. Light brings understanding and reveals the Truth. When Jesus walked this earth, He was the Light that revealed the pathway back to the Father. When He left, His believing followers were given the Holy Spirit and became the same Light that dispels the darkness. The Menorah also has special significance in the Words of Jesus: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

For this reason many believe this unusual Menorah in Zechariah s vision may also be a reference to the called out ones (Church, ekklesia) in Messiah. The seven lampstands seen in Revelation 1 are thought to represent believers in Messiah through all time, and in all places, including during this present age (not just the churches John addressed). More than likely, since all believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to let their light shine in the darkness, as such they are represented here also.

We should view this vision with the same joy that Zechariah did. Not only would Elohim guarantee the rebuilding of the Temple, He guarantees that believers today can do the work He has ordained through His power and might, not their own efforts. He provides His Spirit (the oil in the lampstand) in unending quantities. Aside from the prophetic messages here, just this thought is one of the most basic truths of all scripture.

The seven branches were familiar to him (Zechariah was a priest). This was obviously the 7-branched lampstand found in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was the only source of light inside this structure. The Menorah came to represent the Light of God, the Messiah, who is the Light of the World. The Light of the Word is a witness of God and His Plan. By repeating this thought, hopefully we can grasp the meaning of this unusual menorah seen in Zechariah s vision.

Not only was Yeshua the Light of the World, He said His followers are also the Light of the World. WE are the Light by which others can see Him. But Lights need fuel. This lampstand Zechariah sees is being fueled by a steady and automatic unending supply of golden olive oil the Holy Spirit.