CHAPTER 4

1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 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: 3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 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. 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.

In chapter 3, Zecharaih received a vision to encourage Joshua, the High Priest. It is an ecouragement to all those who are made "kings and priests unto God" (Rev. 1:6).

In chapter 4, the vision is an encouragement to Zerrubbabel, the governor. It is also an encouragement to all Christians, for we are given the privilege of building the church of God in this earth. However, as we shall understand from the vision, the privilege of building the church is ours, but the power and responsibility is God's.

Notice that Zechariah is "awakened" from slumber. In order to receive the things God would teach us, we must be relieved of our self. We must be "stirred" from sleep to awakenness. It is God Himself Who accomplishes this, for Isaiah says, "....he wakeneth morning by morning..." (Isaiah 50:4). Dear Christian, do you realize that it is God Who gives you sleep at night, and that He awakens you to new revelations each day? He gives you rest, and He also awakens you spiritually to attend His teaching each day.

See what Zechariah saw: a large candlestick, similar to the Menorah that had been placed in Solomon's temple. The candlestick is erected with a bowl on top to receive oil which filters down the conduits to seven lamps, or small lights. The lights will continue to burn because the "two olive trees" on either side of the candlestick are constantly providing oil. Christ Himself is the "golden candlestick," and the churches are the lamps. It is Christ Himself who receives the wisdom and unction for the churches. The churches are to be "lights" and expose the glory and beauty of the Golden Candlestick.

There are seven lamps reflecting perfection. God always has exactly the right number of churches in the world for the building of His church and the propagation of the Gospel. We can do nothing aside from the power of our Lord (John 15:5). And all we do should be for His glory.

This brings the statement from the angel, "..not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

While this message was originally intended for Zerrabbel, to encourage him in building the temple; it is also a message intended for all Christians. Ours is the privilege of building, but it is by God's power. It is God's responsibility, and He allows us to have a small part. It is God's work through His "body" in the world to convict, convince, and bring to commitment. We are only the instruments through which He works.

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. 8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 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. 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. 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? 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? 13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

The great mountainous obstacles which face the church are overcome by the spiritual power of our Lord IN us and working WITH us!

Preachers, Zerrubbabel faced opposing forces of laxness and dissension on the part of the people. But he was encouraged by knowing that the WORK is of GOD'S power, and not of the people! God will fuel those who are willing to be awakened, and will empower them for the work.

Zerrubbabel faced obstacles of criticism and down-playing the work of God through the church. But he was encouraged that God's power would level the mountain and make it a plain.

Zerrubbabel, representing the church, had begun the work on the temple, and God promised he would complete it (verse 9). God has begun the work of the church today in Jesus Christ. And He will complete it in Him through his church, the ekklesia(Greek) - called out body. God uses the term ekklesia in many places in the New Testament (Eph. 5:23, 1Cor 1:2, Gal. 1:13, 1Thess. 1:1, 2Thess. 1:1, 1Tim. 3:5). And in Matthew 16:18, Jesus says the ekklesia is "HIS!"

Be encouraged dear pastor and every individual Christian. God will complete HIS work in and with us!

We are only to make ourselves available to be awakened and fed with His power.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.