See the Light to Come

Read Zechariah 4
 
Zechariah 4:1-3, 14 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.” … 14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
 
DO you appreciate the personal tone of these visions? Zechariah describes his own physical and emotional condition as a man awakens from his sleep. The visions are mind-challenging, physically depleting. Scripture records that all who hear from God are dramatically affected. It seems, too, that the prophet shares the angel’s messages as if he sharing a friend’s conversation. This chapter even seems to have a bit of humor as Zechariah must twice ask the angel the meaning of the olive trees.
   This vision shifts from Joshua, the high priest, to Zerubbabel, the king in Jerusalem. Then it includes both of them – and also Jesus.
   First is the golden lampstand. It is a vision here to represent the real lampstands of Exodus and 1 Kings. God designed lampstands with seven lights for his tabernacle and temple. These represent the physical display of his glory in the worship places. The lampstands are also an image of his church in Revelation 1:12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands.
   This particular lampstand points to God’s unending light. From a large bowl above, 49 tubes (seven lines to seven lights) fuel the light. Seven multiplied by seven is perfection and promise. This is the Savior’s presence, his eternal kingdom, the everlasting light for his people.
   Zerubbabel is the governor of Judah as the Jews returned. By rights of his lineage, descended from David, he was given some authority over a portion of the Jews while in exile. When Darius of Persia allowed the Jews’ return, Zerubbabel led about 50,000 people to Jerusalem and Judah. Thus, he is as a king but not of Persia or even of Judah. That land and title still belonged to Darius. But he is the designated king or a governor of the Jews. The vision confirms to Zechariah, the prophet, that Joshua will be the priest and Zerubbabel will be the king to lead Israel for this time. Thus, this vision is a profound illustration of the Christ to come. He is eternal, the Light of the World, everlasting to everlasting. He is our Prophet, Priest and King.
   See, too, how the lampstand and the olive trees point to the Day of the Lord.
 
Revelation 11:4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.