Zechariah 4:1

This is the fourth of Zechariah's eight visions, the central features of which are the seven branched golden candlestick and the two olive trees, one on each side of it. Fortunately, we do not need to rely upon the subjective guesses of liberal commentators for the interpretation of this vision, which in the light of related passages of the Bible appears simple and easily understood. The golden candlestick from the very first appearance of it in the ancient tabernacle typified the word of God by virtue of its being the only light in the sanctuary representing both Israels of God.

Zechariah's vision adds a significant detail to the metaphorical candlestick of the tabernacle, namely, the two olive trees; but that merely changed the symbolism to show the source of the Word of God, the olive trees, which undoubtedly stand for the Old and the New Testaments.

We reject the near-unanimous opinion of present-day exegetes who boldly claim that Joshua and Zerubbabel are the two olive trees; for such an interpretation makes Joshua and Zerubbabel the source of God's Word, involving us in an interpretation that makes Zerubbabel speak to himself in the vision, which we cannot accept. There is another significant difference. The tabernacle candlestick was in the sanctuary, symbolizing it as the source of light to God's people; but the absence of any enclosure in this vision emphasizes that the light is provided for all the world, the only true light the world has ever had. Since that light is diffused for the benefit of mankind by God's people only, the candlestick in this wonderful vision becomes thereby a symbol of Israel, the Theocracy, or the Jewish church (as called by some), particularly in this vision a symbol of the returnees from Babylon. in keeping with this expanded meaning of the candlestick, the apostle John's vision represents the seven-branched golden candlestick as a symbol of the whole church of Jesus Christ in the present dispensation, fulfilling the type as indicated in its application to the old Israel. (See Revelation 1 and Revelation 11).

The Messianic thrust of all of these visions is demonstrated and confirmed by the appearance of two olive trees, undoubtedly symbolizing the Word of God as supplied to the whole world throughout both the Mosaic and Christian dispensations, that is, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The specific reasons for these interpretations will appear in the following notes on the chapter.

Zechariah 4:1

"And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep."

Apparently all eight of these visions came in a single night; and it appears that Zechariah, wearied by the excessive excitement, had fallen asleep; and the angel came "again," a second time, to arouse him from his slumber. This was not the first time he had fallen asleep during that momentous chain of events.