The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and wakened me, as a man is wakened from his sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I replied.
6 So he 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 Almighty.
7 “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”
8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.
10 “Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
“(These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range throughout the earth.)”
11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I said.
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
My Understanding: The book of Zechariah is a prophecy about Jesus Christ, and about what Jesus Christ did in dying on the cross for our sins so we could be free from the control of sin over our lives, and free from eternal damnation. In chapter three we learned about his plan of salvation for us in removing our sins and in giving us new life in Jesus Christ, our Lord. In chapter four we learn about the power and the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, as well as we learn more of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
The Building Project
Much of the book of Zechariah centers around the rebuilding of the temple, the same as did the book of Haggai. The foundation for the temple had been laid, but the people of God allowed persecution, rejection and opposition to discourage them. They got caught up in taking care of their own houses, and they allowed the building project to come to a halt.
That happens with the church, too. Jesus Christ laid the foundation for this spiritual building, and he is our capstone or cornerstone. He is also the one who will complete the work of the building of his church. The apostles and prophets also laid a spiritual foundation for the church, God’s people. Yet, Satan is out to destroy God’s people, the church, and so he throws opposition at us, or else he tempts us to be distracted by our own stuff. Haggai talked about this when he spoke with the people of God about how they were saying it was not time to rebuild God’s house. Yet, they were busy building their own houses, while they neglected God’s house.
Since the temple is now within the hearts of Christ’s followers, and since the temple is also collectively those in whom the Spirit of God dwells, the rebuilding of God’s temple that is necessary today is not on a physical level, but is on a spiritual level. The people of God (many of them) have allowed the distractions and pleasures of this world, the lies and deceptions of Satan (false teaching, for instance) and/or the opposition of the enemy, through the rejection of man, mockery, persecution, etc. to halt the “building project,” i.e. to halt spiritual progress within the body of Christ, his temple. Some have become complacent and apathetic. Others have forsaken their first love. Still others have tolerated sinful behavior in their own lives or in the life of the church, without correction. And, so God is calling out to his servants to rebuild the temple, i.e. this is a call for revival and renewal.
Resources and Power
Yet, the good news here is that we don’t have to do this in our own strength, or with human resources. This is a spiritual work, not a physical one, and it is completely and totally dependent upon the Spirit of God to do the work through us, as we cooperate with that work.
There are several symbols given to us in this passage of scripture that describe this power and working of the Spirit of God in and through us. When asked by Zechariah what these were, the Lord replied by letting him know that it is not by our might or power that we can rebuild God’s temple, i.e. true revival will take place, but it is by the Spirit of God, not by anything we do in our own human flesh or willpower. The symbols appear to demonstrate for us the abundant supply of this Holy Spirit power in order to do the work, i.e. it is unending. We will never run out. God just keeps giving and giving.
Then, the Lord spoke of a mighty mountain that needed to be brought down to level ground. The mountain represents anything that stands in the way as an obstacle to this rebuilding of God’s temple, i.e. any hindrances to spiritual renewal and revival in the hearts of followers of Christ. For some of us, the mountain may be our own selfishness, sin, pride, apathy, laziness, and/or preoccupation with self and our own desires. For others of us, the mountain may come from external sources such as family members, the church itself, the world, or whatever other external sources and influences might be standing in opposition to this rebuilding of God’s temple, his body, the church.
Zerubbabel and Joshua represent the priestly and royal offices of Jesus Christ as both King and High Priest, so truly it is before Christ Jesus that these mountains in our lives will be brought down, so that the work of revival and renewal in our hearts and lives can take place. And, God will see to it in his perfect timing.
Small Things
Solomon’s temple was glorious. This temple was not so glorious, as it was being built by poor exiles, so in man’s eyes, it was small and insignificant. Perhaps one of the reasons the project came to a halt is because the people themselves began to believe Satan’s lies and felt as though, if they could not rebuild “Solomon’s” temple, it was not worth rebuilding. I believe those same kinds of lies affect today’s church and often stand as hindrances to true spiritual growth and maturity in the life of the church via the Holy Spirit’s power, not ours. So many pastors and church congregations have bought into man’s philosophies for how to “build” Christ’s church using man’s methods, which are worldly methods, in order to attract the world to the church, and they have neglected the Holy Spirit’s power.
In following man’s means for “building” God’s temple, the church, the church has sacrificed the power of the Spirit of God in favor of doing what looks good to men. Many have placed their main focus on the “worship” service and the stage performance, and have taught and believed that idea that we are to give God our “best” outwardly (appearance) to be pleasing to him and to accomplish “his” purposes. But, that is not the way God works. His best is having our hearts, and in having our hearts, it also means we have submitted to his Lordship, and if we have submitted to his Lordship, then he is in control. Then we allow the Spirit to do the work through us HIS way, not ours. God can take the seemingly insignificant (in man’s estimation) and can work wonders, because it is his work, his way, using his methods. And, then we can rejoice in knowing that Jesus Christ is the one building HIS church, not men building earthly kingdoms which they call “church.”
Perhaps you are one of those “insignificant” ones the church of today has passed by or has overlooked because you didn’t measure up to man’s standards of what they think is “God’s best” that they must put forward in order to attract the world to the worldly church (social club; organization; business). Don’t be disheartened! God has overcome the world! And, he can move mighty mountains on our behalf, too!! We just have to rest in the Lord and know that it is not in our own strength or power that his work will be accomplished in and through our lives, but it is by his Spirit that God will do what he has planned for us, no matter what man does, and no matter what obstacles man puts in our way. God is stronger! There is not a mountain he cannot move. We just have to keep serving, loving and obeying him, trusting him to accomplish his will and purposes for our lives, despite the mountains that come our way, and despite how seemingly insignificant we might feel we are in the scheme of things.
No Less / An Original Work / March 19, 2012
I can do no less than praise You,
Lord, for all You’ve done for me.
You died for my sins to save me,
So I would be set free.
I adore You! Lord, I praise You!
Jesus, Savior, King of kings!
You provided my redemption.
Your grace has pardoned me.
I can do no less than serve You.
Lord, Your witness I would be,
Telling others of Your love,
And why You died on that tree.
Tell of how You gave of Your life,
So from sin we’d be set free,
So we could worship You forever,
And live eternally.
I can do no less than love You,
Lord, for You have first loved me.
You gave of Your life so willing,
Because You cared for me.
Turn from my sin! Obey freely!
Live for You each passing day.
Read Your word, and follow Your lead,
Lord, as I humbly pray.
http://www.godcares.tv/video/1483/No-Less
http://youtu.be/ntBP1BhcyzQ
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