And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
The vision shows two olive trees standing beside the bowl on top of the golden lampstand, one on its right side and one on its left, emptying golden oil through golden tubes into the bowl to keep the seven lamps burning with bright, unceasing light. The two trees are the two anointed ones who stand in God's presence by the Lord of the whole earth, heavenly messengers through whom He keeps communication open with earth and imparts His Spirit to consecrated workers. The golden oil they supply is the Holy Spirit, the fullness of divine light, love, grace and power, which Christ Himself provides because church and lamp have no light of their own. That supply flows into prepared vessels and churches and then out again in light and service, but it is received only by those emptied of self and pride and daily replenished by taking in and giving out. So the work pictured succeeds not by human might nor power but by God's Spirit alone, and when His people turn from the light the lamps go out like the foolish virgins without oil.
Vision Picture and Setting
The vision shows a golden candlestick or lampstand with a bowl on its top, and by that bowl stand two olive trees, one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side thereof. The trees stand before God beside the bowl and are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth in God's presence. The churches are the golden lamps that hold the treasure of the oil and disperse the light, and a lamp in itself is not light but the vessel from which light is dispersed.
Golden oil empties out of the trees and their two olive branches through golden tubes or pipes into the bowl and then into the lamps, feeding the sanctuary lamps so they give a bright, continuous light. That supply is for seven lamps, and the oil is the oil of grace, the same oil the five wise virgins took in their vessels with their lamps. The oil is the fullness of divine light and love and power, the Spirit of God and the grace God supplies through messages of His Spirit, imparted to His people and to consecrated servants so the work is accomplished not by might nor by power but by God's Spirit and so God's Word is a lamp to His people.
The fourth chapter continues the instruction of the third chapter about Joshua the high priest having his filthy garments and iniquity removed and being clothed anew, for the present time when those who have repented, confessed their sins to the sin-pardoning Saviour, and received pardon are reproached, accused, and tantalized by unrepentant transgressors who refuse to humble the heart and confess their own sins. Zechariah 3 and 4 need to be carefully studied because much in them is essential for the last days, and the lesson of dependence on the Spirit rather than human might or power must be learned by all who have any connection with God's sacred work. The representation is also applied to neglecting the building and care of God's house. What Zechariah 4:3 depicts will be understood at the time when the lost face their final judgment.
Identity of Olive Trees
The two trees with their two branches are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth in God's presence. They stand beside the bowl above the golden lampstand, one on the right side and one on the left, and empty golden oil out of themselves through golden tubes into the bowl to feed the lamps of the sanctuary so they give a bright, continuous light. Through them the Holy Spirit is given to consecrated servants, supplying the heavenly grace that enables God's Word to be a lamp for His people and accomplishes the work not by human might or power but by God's Spirit. Believers have no light in themselves but need this continuing connection with heaven and God's love so their light can keep shining.
They are heavenly messengers and angels, the holy ones around God's throne through whom God keeps constant communication with people on earth. Standing in the presence of God, they empty golden oil out of themselves through golden pipes into the golden bowl that feeds the lamps, and that oil is the Holy Spirit and the grace of God supplied through messages of His Spirit. From the Holy Ones who stand in God's presence the Spirit is thus imparted to human beings consecrated to God's service, and to preachers of the Word who must be continually replenished so they can impart greater strength and efficiency to the church. The golden oil from these heavenly messengers must be received through soul consecration and connection with divine influences, purified from selfishness, pride, impurity, self-sufficiency and ambitious devising, and this makes every worker a living channel of light. Every church needs this golden oil, for lamps are going out when they should be bright and clear to send forth a shining light that penetrates the moral darkness covering the world like a funeral pall, and the anointed ones were never needed more than now.
They are God's witnesses and channels through whom God must work, including two messengers standing before the Lord of hosts. Appointed to empty themselves of golden oil through golden pipes into vessels prepared to receive it, they supply living agencies and the churches, represented by the golden bowls and the burning lamps, with treasures of truth. The heavenly witnesses are thus pictured as the source of the golden oil that fills believers' lamps, enabling each believer to shine clear light on a sinner's path. This working is the only remedy for institutions, churches, families and individuals, bringing entire conformity to the will and character of God, reviving the Spirit of God in human hearts, introducing a Christlike principle like leaven, and overcoming satanic agencies so that without it no one is safe for a moment from Satan's schemes to deprave human nature. The oil is God working by His Spirit behind the human agent, so the impression made on the people is made by the Lord and not by the preacher, and therefore the preaching work must not rest on one man alone while other appointed servants sit idle but a variety of gifts must blend together with each taking his lot and place and opportunity.
Meaning of Golden Oil
The golden oil emptying from the two trees through the golden tubes into the bowl to feed the sanctuary lamps so they give a bright, continuous light is the fullness of divine light and love and power, the Spirit of God imparted to His people and workers for the light of the sanctuary and the world. It is the divine Spirit as the source of strength and righteousness that accomplishes the work given to Zerubbabel, not by human might nor by power but by God's Spirit. Heavenly messengers impart this Holy Spirit and grace of God through this channel to preachers of the Word, and ministers of righteousness must be continually replenished from it so they can impart greater strength and efficiency to the church. Dependence on this supply brings victory not by outward manifestation, might, or power, but by inward purity, cleanness of soul, heart piety, and holiness as wholeness to God. Those thus enriched with God's love are to impart light and joy and refreshing to others as channels of His love to the world.
The oil is the oil of grace, the grace of the Spirit of God held in the two trees standing one on the right side and one on the left of the bowl on top of the golden candlestick and emptied through golden pipes into the bowl and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. It is the same oil the five wise virgins took in their vessels with their lamps, received by placing oneself in right relation to God, putting trust in God, and keeping the heart open to receive it in order to advance and succeed. It is God's grace and love sensed as light in the morning in the midst of the church militant, and its gracious power nourishes faith, love, and patience and keeps lamps burning as believers prepare for the Lord's return. The strength of every child of God and of the church of God in every age is found in God alone in this way, by a distinct, living connection drawing strength and sufficiency from Him alone as a people waiting and watching for the Son of Man to come in the clouds of heaven. Its flow belongs with purity and holiness in vessels prepared for anointing and emptied of self, for those who serve as God's instruments must be clean and live by holy principles, while losing connection with God leaves the heart unsoftened by that grace. As consecrated people receive this grace of God's Spirit to keep the light burning, they share it with others, and as they shed light for people in darkness they receive further light and their lives become Christlike through receiving in order to impart.
The oil is also spiritual life and blessing from God, the dew and rain of heaven flowing through golden pipes into bowls and then into the lamps, which are the churches. It is the message from heaven, the supply from the refreshing, life-giving stream, the tidings of joy and hope that come only from heaven through the work of the Holy Spirit, emptied by angels from heaven present when a man enters the pulpit into the heart of him who teaches the Word. A true servant must first receive this heavenly anointing and message and abide in Christ before ministering spiritual nourishment to others, for what is not received cannot flow forth, and learning and moral energy alone accomplish nothing and leave hungry souls empty with only cheap fodder placed before the people. What is received flows forth to impart spiritual life, makes the application of truth solemn and serious, and expels sin from the heart unless the door is padlocked and Christ is refused admission, giving life with no stagnation and constant growth to the full stature of Christ like Enoch walking with the Lord. The oil means untold resources of precious ore of truth, hitherto in the possession of very few, put in possession by careful and thorough digging instead of skimming over the surface, and the rich resources so gained with conscientious practice of the truth under all circumstances bring Christian culture and can then enrich others as treasures of God's Word shared as truth spoken in love.
The oil is God's love, not produced by human skill but communicated by heavenly messengers and conveyed to people united to Him by faith, with the Holy Spirit's gifts, and no one can create this light or give what has not been received. It flows into hearts united to God by faith and then flows out in good works, heartfelt service, and light shared with others, and this continual supply enables a person to shine for God, while bitterness, evil reports, and broken fellowship obstruct that witness. Through the golden tubes into the golden bowls, which are His churches, and from there to the burning lamps, which also represent His churches, this working brings entire conformity to the will and character of God as the only remedy for institutions, churches, families, and individuals. The golden oil revives the Spirit of God in human hearts and introduces a Christlike principle like leaven which through the inspiration of the Spirit of God overcomes satanic agencies. Without God working through these witnesses and channels, no one is safe for a moment from the machinations of Satan to deprave human nature and assimilate it to his own corrupt principles.
Christ is the source of this oil of grace, having emptied Himself of His glory to fill His believing ones with His Spirit for power and efficiency. The churches are the golden lamps that hold the treasure of the oil and disperse the light, yet a lamp in itself is not light but the instrument, the vessel, from which light is to be dispersed, and it must receive both oil and fire before it can shine forth. A church of itself has no grace, no fire of God's love or His glory and no light of its own, but is wholly dependent upon Christ, the Source of all light, who supplies the oil and kindles the flame. Receiving from Christ the golden treasure of oil and the fire, it can shine forth in distinct rays amid the moral darkness, but a church that receives light without diffusing it as God requires becomes a receptacle of darkness. The Lord's messengers bear as a message the golden oil of sacred truth, and if they first receive the oil they will present the truth with all fervency to make it appear in its importance, while those with a special work for God need a large supply in rich measure to be a strength to the church with wisdom and courage and zeal to work in Christ's lines, with a spirit softened and subdued to speak guardedly and wisely and advisedly and to gain victories over self.
Flow From Trees to Lamps
From the holy ones standing in God's presence the Spirit is imparted to human agencies consecrated to His service, and the mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate the heavenly grace that alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. Heavenly angels take part in this supply by preparing human hearts to receive it, so that Christ may be all and in all. Receiving this oil means submitting to God and being led by the Holy Spirit rather than relying on human strength. Christ is the source of this oil of grace, having emptied Himself of glory to fill believing ones with His Spirit for power and efficiency, and those with a special work need a large supply in rich measure to be a strength to the church with wisdom and courage and zeal to work in His lines.
The golden oil empties out of the trees themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowls, which represent the churches, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary, which also represent the churches. A lamp in itself is not light but the instrument, the vessel, from which light is to be dispersed, and it must receive both oil and fire before it can shine forth. A church of itself has no grace, no fire of God's love or His glory, but is wholly dependent on Christ the Source of all light, and receiving from Him the golden treasure of oil and the fire it can shine forth in distinct rays amid the moral darkness. The golden oil is the dew and rain of heaven, the spiritual life and blessing and sacred truth from God, and the Lord's messengers bear it as a message to be first received themselves and then presented with fervency to make it appear in its importance.
The same lamp is the individual consecrated believer whose life receives that oil and sheds light on a sinner's path, so that personal service can reach people more effectively than an impressive public display. The inner lamp must receive oil flowing from heaven's true messengers through the golden tubes into the golden bowl, for this heavenly supply is necessary for the Lord's communication to reach people effectively and never comes in vain when received. When believers are emptied of self and prepared to receive that oil, each can keep a lamp burning and bring light to an individual sinner, and when they are emptied of self and receive heavenly oil their lamps shine as a light that can guide a sinner.
A true servant of God must first receive this heavenly anointing and message before being able to minister spiritual nourishment to others, for self must be renounced and the minister must first commune with God and eat the bread from heaven himself. The Word is the preacher's light, and this supply gives a new perception of truth instead of stale, oft-repeated ideas, and a word that touches every case, so that those who sit under such a ministry, if their hearts are susceptible to the Holy Spirit's influence, feel an inner life and have the fire of God's love kindled within them. The capacity to receive that holy oil is kept up only by emptying it out again in word and action to supply the necessities of other souls, for there must ever be an interchange of taking in and giving out, receiving and restoring. The work is to be constantly receiving and constantly imparting, with fresh supplies every day, each consecrated vessel receiving holy oil daily and passing it on to others, and as light is shed for people in darkness further light is received and lives become Christlike through receiving in order to impart.
The oil empties out of the branches themselves into vessels prepared for its reception, and all who are brought into connection with God must be pure and holy, hearing the Word of the Lord and doing it with exactitude. It must be received through soul consecration and connection with divine influences, purified from all selfishness, pride, impurity and self-sufficiency, with the heart converted and consecrated, motives right with God, self laid upon the altar as a living sacrifice, and the root holy, for the Lord will not accept even the most splendid service without such purification. Those who receive it feel they have a work to do and realize they must let their light shine, beginning with a right example in the home and not allowing the minds of children to become estranged from God. This happens in God's institutions when self-seeking gives place to unselfish love and labor, and then the lives of the workers are an exposition of the sacred truths of His Word, guarded against error through wrong principles or methods and bringing forth sound, healthful fruit acceptable to God.
Not by Human Power
The work pictured by the lampstand is finished not by human strength or ability but by the Spirit of God, the word spoken to Zerubbabel for the building work. The two trees beside the bowl empty their golden oil through golden pipes to keep the seven sanctuary lamps burning with a bright continuous light, and that oil is the divine Spirit as the source of strength, righteousness, light, love and power received from above. The branches that supply the oil are the two anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth, and the lesson of dependence on the Spirit through them must be learned by all connected with sacred work and studied carefully with Zechariah 3 as essential for the last days. Those brought into connection with God must be pure and holy, hearing the Word and doing it with exactness in order to receive the holy oil from heavenly messengers, impart it to others, and receive the seal of the living God.
The strength of every child of God and of the church in every age is found in God alone, not by might nor by power but by His Spirit. It is received by being placed in right relation to God, trusting in Him, keeping a distinct living connection that draws strength and sufficiency from Him alone, and keeping the heart open to receive the oil of grace. That oil is the grace of the Spirit held in the two trees and emptied through golden pipes into the bowl and then into the lamps that gave light to the sanctuary, the same oil the five wise virgins took in their vessels with their lamps, sensed as morning light and love in the midst of the church militant. What is thus communicated by the holy ones standing in God's presence alone can make His Word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path, enabling His commandment-keeping people, precious as the apple of His eye, to advance and succeed as a people waiting and watching for the Son of Man to come in the clouds of heaven, with a lamp kept burning that can light many others.
Divine love and power are not produced by human skill but flow into hearts united to God by faith and then flow out in good works, heartfelt service and shared light. Dependence on this supply brings victory not by outward manifestation, might or power, but by inward purity, cleanness of soul, heart piety and holiness as wholeness to God. Receiving it is a personal work of being emptied of all self, selfishness and cheapness, personally surrendered and controlled by the Holy Spirit, chosen and sanctified through obedience to the truth by the grace and providence that gave the Son to die, so that believers are conformed to God's image, represent the beauty of holiness, perfect a Christlike character fitted for the city of God, and make known by glorifying works what grace has wrought in them as they press toward the high calling in Christ Jesus.
When God's highly privileged and enlightened people walk away from light into forbidden paths they separate themselves from God so He cannot use them as channels for the oil. Every church needs this golden oil emptied by the heavenly anointed ones through the golden tubes into the golden bowls, for lamps are going out when they should be bright and clear with a shining light to penetrate the moral darkness covering the world like a funeral pall. A church that receives light without diffusing it as required, having no light of its own apart from what Christ supplies and kindles, becomes a receptacle of darkness. Many are now asleep like the foolish virgins with no oil in their lamps because they do not have the Spirit, emptied of self, selfishness, self-sufficiency and ambitious devising and controlled by the Holy Spirit, while those who work with Christ still meet the lukewarm, covetous, self-righteous and impure as chief stumbling blocks, yet truth must triumph.
Ministry and Daily Living
God's ministers must be continually supplied with the Holy Spirit through the two olive trees and the golden pipes into the bowl that feeds the sanctuary lamps, so that they can impart strength and efficiency to the church. The anointed ones standing in God's presence empty themselves of golden oil, which is the grace of God and the dew and rain of heaven, to minister to preachers so that preachers can minister to others. When a man enters the pulpit, angels from heaven are present emptying the golden oil of truth, which is the message from heaven and the refreshing life-giving stream, into the heart of him who teaches the Word. What is not first received cannot flow forth, so learning and moral energy alone accomplish nothing and leave hungry souls empty, while shepherds who have not been ministered to speak words destitute of heavenly power and set only cheap fodder before a starving flock. Chosen vessels at the heart of the work are to receive this oil in partnership with Jesus Christ and communicate light from the burning lamps to the regions of darkness with the saving message.
True ministry belongs to true Christianity in which self is renounced for Christ's likeness, the minister first communes with God and eats the bread from heaven himself before speaking. The minister must be divested of self and peculiar habits, eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood, eat the bread which came down from heaven, and then the ministry has the element of eternal life. This supply makes the lamp of life flash with a clearness and power that all discern, giving a new perception of truth on every side instead of stale, oft-repeated ideas, and a word that touches the case of all without worldly confusing ideas. Those who sit under such ministry, if their hearts are susceptible to the Holy Spirit's influence, feel an inner life, have the fire of God's love kindled within them, and find the bread of life satisfying every soul hunger. The impression is then made by the Lord working by His Spirit behind the human agent and not by the preacher, so the work must not rest on one man alone while other appointed servants sit idle, but a variety of gifts must blend together with each taking his lot and place, trusting God to speak through each and showing the things of God to hearers.
Those thus enriched with divine light and love and power are to impart light and joy and refreshing to others as channels of God's love to the world. That love is not produced by human skill but flows into hearts united to God by faith and then flows out in good works, heartfelt service, and light shared with others, for no one can create this light or give what has not been received. Words, example, and even unconscious influence carry truth and awaken thirst for the water of life as heavenly grace is received and then communicated through the continual passage of the holy oil. When believers are emptied of self and prepared to receive that oil, each can keep a lamp burning and bring light to an individual sinner's path, and such consecrated personal service can do more good than a showy procession of lights. Bitterness, evil reports, and broken fellowship obstruct that witness and its continual supply to shine for God.
The transforming energy of the Holy Spirit flowing from the Lord's center through the golden tubes to supply the golden bowls is needed in every institution, so that light shines forth in distinct rays to the world. The holy oil thus flows through surrendered people and workers, bringing grace and divine influence to others through their service, including in publishing houses and in the hearts of those in responsible positions. The two anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth provide light to the church through united Christian ministry to bring truth to people and save perishing souls. Every believing soul is appointed not to be a sermonizer but to minister by precept and example, presenting Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, laboring with burden and travail of soul for those perishing in sin in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. The church is to use all ability at its command and multiply the channels through which the Holy Spirit can work, till the holy oil conveyed to the world has tested and proved all.
Christ is the source of this oil of grace, having emptied Himself of His glory to fill believers with His Spirit for power and efficiency, and from the holy ones in God's presence that Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities consecrated to His service to make the Word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. Receiving it in rich measure makes workers meek, tender, and lowly in heart, with spirit softened and subdued to speak guardedly and wisely and to gain victories over self. It enables truth to be spoken in a way that reforms rather than exasperates, in contrast to harsh, self-driven speech that poisons and stirs others to rebellion, and it guards those in opposed fields against arousing bitterness and prejudice by keeping the channel of the heart unobstructed. Believers must receive that golden oil and must have Jesus, for without Him nothing can be done while with Christ all things can be done, and the light to be carried as sunlight everywhere is lifting up Jesus, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher, proclaiming Him as the Lamb of God and the Bread of life to hungry, thirsting souls. The Spirit's power thus received enables effective work, brings a different showing, and trims the lamp to burn day and night with holy fire as people put truth into practice.
The vision shows two olive trees standing beside the bowl on top of the golden lampstand, one on its right side and one on its left, emptying golden oil through golden tubes into the bowl to keep the seven lamps burning with bright, unceasing light. The two trees are the two anointed ones who stand in God's presence by the Lord of the whole earth, heavenly messengers through whom He keeps communication open with earth and imparts His Spirit to consecrated workers. The golden oil they supply is the Holy Spirit, the fullness of divine light, love, grace and power, which Christ Himself provides because church and lamp have no light of their own. That supply flows into prepared vessels and churches and then out again in light and service, but it is received only by those emptied of self and pride and daily replenished by taking in and giving out. So the work pictured succeeds not by human might nor power but by God's Spirit alone, and when His people turn from the light the lamps go out like the foolish virgins without oil.
Vision Picture and Setting
The vision shows a golden candlestick or lampstand with a bowl on its top, and by that bowl stand two olive trees, one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side thereof. The trees stand before God beside the bowl and are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth in God's presence. The churches are the golden lamps that hold the treasure of the oil and disperse the light, and a lamp in itself is not light but the vessel from which light is dispersed.
Golden oil empties out of the trees and their two olive branches through golden tubes or pipes into the bowl and then into the lamps, feeding the sanctuary lamps so they give a bright, continuous light. That supply is for seven lamps, and the oil is the oil of grace, the same oil the five wise virgins took in their vessels with their lamps. The oil is the fullness of divine light and love and power, the Spirit of God and the grace God supplies through messages of His Spirit, imparted to His people and to consecrated servants so the work is accomplished not by might nor by power but by God's Spirit and so God's Word is a lamp to His people.
The fourth chapter continues the instruction of the third chapter about Joshua the high priest having his filthy garments and iniquity removed and being clothed anew, for the present time when those who have repented, confessed their sins to the sin-pardoning Saviour, and received pardon are reproached, accused, and tantalized by unrepentant transgressors who refuse to humble the heart and confess their own sins. Zechariah 3 and 4 need to be carefully studied because much in them is essential for the last days, and the lesson of dependence on the Spirit rather than human might or power must be learned by all who have any connection with God's sacred work. The representation is also applied to neglecting the building and care of God's house. What Zechariah 4:3 depicts will be understood at the time when the lost face their final judgment.
Identity of Olive Trees
The two trees with their two branches are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth in God's presence. They stand beside the bowl above the golden lampstand, one on the right side and one on the left, and empty golden oil out of themselves through golden tubes into the bowl to feed the lamps of the sanctuary so they give a bright, continuous light. Through them the Holy Spirit is given to consecrated servants, supplying the heavenly grace that enables God's Word to be a lamp for His people and accomplishes the work not by human might or power but by God's Spirit. Believers have no light in themselves but need this continuing connection with heaven and God's love so their light can keep shining.
They are heavenly messengers and angels, the holy ones around God's throne through whom God keeps constant communication with people on earth. Standing in the presence of God, they empty golden oil out of themselves through golden pipes into the golden bowl that feeds the lamps, and that oil is the Holy Spirit and the grace of God supplied through messages of His Spirit. From the Holy Ones who stand in God's presence the Spirit is thus imparted to human beings consecrated to God's service, and to preachers of the Word who must be continually replenished so they can impart greater strength and efficiency to the church. The golden oil from these heavenly messengers must be received through soul consecration and connection with divine influences, purified from selfishness, pride, impurity, self-sufficiency and ambitious devising, and this makes every worker a living channel of light. Every church needs this golden oil, for lamps are going out when they should be bright and clear to send forth a shining light that penetrates the moral darkness covering the world like a funeral pall, and the anointed ones were never needed more than now.
They are God's witnesses and channels through whom God must work, including two messengers standing before the Lord of hosts. Appointed to empty themselves of golden oil through golden pipes into vessels prepared to receive it, they supply living agencies and the churches, represented by the golden bowls and the burning lamps, with treasures of truth. The heavenly witnesses are thus pictured as the source of the golden oil that fills believers' lamps, enabling each believer to shine clear light on a sinner's path. This working is the only remedy for institutions, churches, families and individuals, bringing entire conformity to the will and character of God, reviving the Spirit of God in human hearts, introducing a Christlike principle like leaven, and overcoming satanic agencies so that without it no one is safe for a moment from Satan's schemes to deprave human nature. The oil is God working by His Spirit behind the human agent, so the impression made on the people is made by the Lord and not by the preacher, and therefore the preaching work must not rest on one man alone while other appointed servants sit idle but a variety of gifts must blend together with each taking his lot and place and opportunity.
Meaning of Golden Oil
The golden oil emptying from the two trees through the golden tubes into the bowl to feed the sanctuary lamps so they give a bright, continuous light is the fullness of divine light and love and power, the Spirit of God imparted to His people and workers for the light of the sanctuary and the world. It is the divine Spirit as the source of strength and righteousness that accomplishes the work given to Zerubbabel, not by human might nor by power but by God's Spirit. Heavenly messengers impart this Holy Spirit and grace of God through this channel to preachers of the Word, and ministers of righteousness must be continually replenished from it so they can impart greater strength and efficiency to the church. Dependence on this supply brings victory not by outward manifestation, might, or power, but by inward purity, cleanness of soul, heart piety, and holiness as wholeness to God. Those thus enriched with God's love are to impart light and joy and refreshing to others as channels of His love to the world.
The oil is the oil of grace, the grace of the Spirit of God held in the two trees standing one on the right side and one on the left of the bowl on top of the golden candlestick and emptied through golden pipes into the bowl and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. It is the same oil the five wise virgins took in their vessels with their lamps, received by placing oneself in right relation to God, putting trust in God, and keeping the heart open to receive it in order to advance and succeed. It is God's grace and love sensed as light in the morning in the midst of the church militant, and its gracious power nourishes faith, love, and patience and keeps lamps burning as believers prepare for the Lord's return. The strength of every child of God and of the church of God in every age is found in God alone in this way, by a distinct, living connection drawing strength and sufficiency from Him alone as a people waiting and watching for the Son of Man to come in the clouds of heaven. Its flow belongs with purity and holiness in vessels prepared for anointing and emptied of self, for those who serve as God's instruments must be clean and live by holy principles, while losing connection with God leaves the heart unsoftened by that grace. As consecrated people receive this grace of God's Spirit to keep the light burning, they share it with others, and as they shed light for people in darkness they receive further light and their lives become Christlike through receiving in order to impart.
The oil is also spiritual life and blessing from God, the dew and rain of heaven flowing through golden pipes into bowls and then into the lamps, which are the churches. It is the message from heaven, the supply from the refreshing, life-giving stream, the tidings of joy and hope that come only from heaven through the work of the Holy Spirit, emptied by angels from heaven present when a man enters the pulpit into the heart of him who teaches the Word. A true servant must first receive this heavenly anointing and message and abide in Christ before ministering spiritual nourishment to others, for what is not received cannot flow forth, and learning and moral energy alone accomplish nothing and leave hungry souls empty with only cheap fodder placed before the people. What is received flows forth to impart spiritual life, makes the application of truth solemn and serious, and expels sin from the heart unless the door is padlocked and Christ is refused admission, giving life with no stagnation and constant growth to the full stature of Christ like Enoch walking with the Lord. The oil means untold resources of precious ore of truth, hitherto in the possession of very few, put in possession by careful and thorough digging instead of skimming over the surface, and the rich resources so gained with conscientious practice of the truth under all circumstances bring Christian culture and can then enrich others as treasures of God's Word shared as truth spoken in love.
The oil is God's love, not produced by human skill but communicated by heavenly messengers and conveyed to people united to Him by faith, with the Holy Spirit's gifts, and no one can create this light or give what has not been received. It flows into hearts united to God by faith and then flows out in good works, heartfelt service, and light shared with others, and this continual supply enables a person to shine for God, while bitterness, evil reports, and broken fellowship obstruct that witness. Through the golden tubes into the golden bowls, which are His churches, and from there to the burning lamps, which also represent His churches, this working brings entire conformity to the will and character of God as the only remedy for institutions, churches, families, and individuals. The golden oil revives the Spirit of God in human hearts and introduces a Christlike principle like leaven which through the inspiration of the Spirit of God overcomes satanic agencies. Without God working through these witnesses and channels, no one is safe for a moment from the machinations of Satan to deprave human nature and assimilate it to his own corrupt principles.
Christ is the source of this oil of grace, having emptied Himself of His glory to fill His believing ones with His Spirit for power and efficiency. The churches are the golden lamps that hold the treasure of the oil and disperse the light, yet a lamp in itself is not light but the instrument, the vessel, from which light is to be dispersed, and it must receive both oil and fire before it can shine forth. A church of itself has no grace, no fire of God's love or His glory and no light of its own, but is wholly dependent upon Christ, the Source of all light, who supplies the oil and kindles the flame. Receiving from Christ the golden treasure of oil and the fire, it can shine forth in distinct rays amid the moral darkness, but a church that receives light without diffusing it as God requires becomes a receptacle of darkness. The Lord's messengers bear as a message the golden oil of sacred truth, and if they first receive the oil they will present the truth with all fervency to make it appear in its importance, while those with a special work for God need a large supply in rich measure to be a strength to the church with wisdom and courage and zeal to work in Christ's lines, with a spirit softened and subdued to speak guardedly and wisely and advisedly and to gain victories over self.
Flow From Trees to Lamps
From the holy ones standing in God's presence the Spirit is imparted to human agencies consecrated to His service, and the mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate the heavenly grace that alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. Heavenly angels take part in this supply by preparing human hearts to receive it, so that Christ may be all and in all. Receiving this oil means submitting to God and being led by the Holy Spirit rather than relying on human strength. Christ is the source of this oil of grace, having emptied Himself of glory to fill believing ones with His Spirit for power and efficiency, and those with a special work need a large supply in rich measure to be a strength to the church with wisdom and courage and zeal to work in His lines.
The golden oil empties out of the trees themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowls, which represent the churches, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary, which also represent the churches. A lamp in itself is not light but the instrument, the vessel, from which light is to be dispersed, and it must receive both oil and fire before it can shine forth. A church of itself has no grace, no fire of God's love or His glory, but is wholly dependent on Christ the Source of all light, and receiving from Him the golden treasure of oil and the fire it can shine forth in distinct rays amid the moral darkness. The golden oil is the dew and rain of heaven, the spiritual life and blessing and sacred truth from God, and the Lord's messengers bear it as a message to be first received themselves and then presented with fervency to make it appear in its importance.
The same lamp is the individual consecrated believer whose life receives that oil and sheds light on a sinner's path, so that personal service can reach people more effectively than an impressive public display. The inner lamp must receive oil flowing from heaven's true messengers through the golden tubes into the golden bowl, for this heavenly supply is necessary for the Lord's communication to reach people effectively and never comes in vain when received. When believers are emptied of self and prepared to receive that oil, each can keep a lamp burning and bring light to an individual sinner, and when they are emptied of self and receive heavenly oil their lamps shine as a light that can guide a sinner.
A true servant of God must first receive this heavenly anointing and message before being able to minister spiritual nourishment to others, for self must be renounced and the minister must first commune with God and eat the bread from heaven himself. The Word is the preacher's light, and this supply gives a new perception of truth instead of stale, oft-repeated ideas, and a word that touches every case, so that those who sit under such a ministry, if their hearts are susceptible to the Holy Spirit's influence, feel an inner life and have the fire of God's love kindled within them. The capacity to receive that holy oil is kept up only by emptying it out again in word and action to supply the necessities of other souls, for there must ever be an interchange of taking in and giving out, receiving and restoring. The work is to be constantly receiving and constantly imparting, with fresh supplies every day, each consecrated vessel receiving holy oil daily and passing it on to others, and as light is shed for people in darkness further light is received and lives become Christlike through receiving in order to impart.
The oil empties out of the branches themselves into vessels prepared for its reception, and all who are brought into connection with God must be pure and holy, hearing the Word of the Lord and doing it with exactitude. It must be received through soul consecration and connection with divine influences, purified from all selfishness, pride, impurity and self-sufficiency, with the heart converted and consecrated, motives right with God, self laid upon the altar as a living sacrifice, and the root holy, for the Lord will not accept even the most splendid service without such purification. Those who receive it feel they have a work to do and realize they must let their light shine, beginning with a right example in the home and not allowing the minds of children to become estranged from God. This happens in God's institutions when self-seeking gives place to unselfish love and labor, and then the lives of the workers are an exposition of the sacred truths of His Word, guarded against error through wrong principles or methods and bringing forth sound, healthful fruit acceptable to God.
Not by Human Power
The work pictured by the lampstand is finished not by human strength or ability but by the Spirit of God, the word spoken to Zerubbabel for the building work. The two trees beside the bowl empty their golden oil through golden pipes to keep the seven sanctuary lamps burning with a bright continuous light, and that oil is the divine Spirit as the source of strength, righteousness, light, love and power received from above. The branches that supply the oil are the two anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth, and the lesson of dependence on the Spirit through them must be learned by all connected with sacred work and studied carefully with Zechariah 3 as essential for the last days. Those brought into connection with God must be pure and holy, hearing the Word and doing it with exactness in order to receive the holy oil from heavenly messengers, impart it to others, and receive the seal of the living God.
The strength of every child of God and of the church in every age is found in God alone, not by might nor by power but by His Spirit. It is received by being placed in right relation to God, trusting in Him, keeping a distinct living connection that draws strength and sufficiency from Him alone, and keeping the heart open to receive the oil of grace. That oil is the grace of the Spirit held in the two trees and emptied through golden pipes into the bowl and then into the lamps that gave light to the sanctuary, the same oil the five wise virgins took in their vessels with their lamps, sensed as morning light and love in the midst of the church militant. What is thus communicated by the holy ones standing in God's presence alone can make His Word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path, enabling His commandment-keeping people, precious as the apple of His eye, to advance and succeed as a people waiting and watching for the Son of Man to come in the clouds of heaven, with a lamp kept burning that can light many others.
Divine love and power are not produced by human skill but flow into hearts united to God by faith and then flow out in good works, heartfelt service and shared light. Dependence on this supply brings victory not by outward manifestation, might or power, but by inward purity, cleanness of soul, heart piety and holiness as wholeness to God. Receiving it is a personal work of being emptied of all self, selfishness and cheapness, personally surrendered and controlled by the Holy Spirit, chosen and sanctified through obedience to the truth by the grace and providence that gave the Son to die, so that believers are conformed to God's image, represent the beauty of holiness, perfect a Christlike character fitted for the city of God, and make known by glorifying works what grace has wrought in them as they press toward the high calling in Christ Jesus.
When God's highly privileged and enlightened people walk away from light into forbidden paths they separate themselves from God so He cannot use them as channels for the oil. Every church needs this golden oil emptied by the heavenly anointed ones through the golden tubes into the golden bowls, for lamps are going out when they should be bright and clear with a shining light to penetrate the moral darkness covering the world like a funeral pall. A church that receives light without diffusing it as required, having no light of its own apart from what Christ supplies and kindles, becomes a receptacle of darkness. Many are now asleep like the foolish virgins with no oil in their lamps because they do not have the Spirit, emptied of self, selfishness, self-sufficiency and ambitious devising and controlled by the Holy Spirit, while those who work with Christ still meet the lukewarm, covetous, self-righteous and impure as chief stumbling blocks, yet truth must triumph.
Ministry and Daily Living
God's ministers must be continually supplied with the Holy Spirit through the two olive trees and the golden pipes into the bowl that feeds the sanctuary lamps, so that they can impart strength and efficiency to the church. The anointed ones standing in God's presence empty themselves of golden oil, which is the grace of God and the dew and rain of heaven, to minister to preachers so that preachers can minister to others. When a man enters the pulpit, angels from heaven are present emptying the golden oil of truth, which is the message from heaven and the refreshing life-giving stream, into the heart of him who teaches the Word. What is not first received cannot flow forth, so learning and moral energy alone accomplish nothing and leave hungry souls empty, while shepherds who have not been ministered to speak words destitute of heavenly power and set only cheap fodder before a starving flock. Chosen vessels at the heart of the work are to receive this oil in partnership with Jesus Christ and communicate light from the burning lamps to the regions of darkness with the saving message.
True ministry belongs to true Christianity in which self is renounced for Christ's likeness, the minister first communes with God and eats the bread from heaven himself before speaking. The minister must be divested of self and peculiar habits, eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood, eat the bread which came down from heaven, and then the ministry has the element of eternal life. This supply makes the lamp of life flash with a clearness and power that all discern, giving a new perception of truth on every side instead of stale, oft-repeated ideas, and a word that touches the case of all without worldly confusing ideas. Those who sit under such ministry, if their hearts are susceptible to the Holy Spirit's influence, feel an inner life, have the fire of God's love kindled within them, and find the bread of life satisfying every soul hunger. The impression is then made by the Lord working by His Spirit behind the human agent and not by the preacher, so the work must not rest on one man alone while other appointed servants sit idle, but a variety of gifts must blend together with each taking his lot and place, trusting God to speak through each and showing the things of God to hearers.
Those thus enriched with divine light and love and power are to impart light and joy and refreshing to others as channels of God's love to the world. That love is not produced by human skill but flows into hearts united to God by faith and then flows out in good works, heartfelt service, and light shared with others, for no one can create this light or give what has not been received. Words, example, and even unconscious influence carry truth and awaken thirst for the water of life as heavenly grace is received and then communicated through the continual passage of the holy oil. When believers are emptied of self and prepared to receive that oil, each can keep a lamp burning and bring light to an individual sinner's path, and such consecrated personal service can do more good than a showy procession of lights. Bitterness, evil reports, and broken fellowship obstruct that witness and its continual supply to shine for God.
The transforming energy of the Holy Spirit flowing from the Lord's center through the golden tubes to supply the golden bowls is needed in every institution, so that light shines forth in distinct rays to the world. The holy oil thus flows through surrendered people and workers, bringing grace and divine influence to others through their service, including in publishing houses and in the hearts of those in responsible positions. The two anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth provide light to the church through united Christian ministry to bring truth to people and save perishing souls. Every believing soul is appointed not to be a sermonizer but to minister by precept and example, presenting Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, laboring with burden and travail of soul for those perishing in sin in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. The church is to use all ability at its command and multiply the channels through which the Holy Spirit can work, till the holy oil conveyed to the world has tested and proved all.
Christ is the source of this oil of grace, having emptied Himself of His glory to fill believers with His Spirit for power and efficiency, and from the holy ones in God's presence that Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities consecrated to His service to make the Word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. Receiving it in rich measure makes workers meek, tender, and lowly in heart, with spirit softened and subdued to speak guardedly and wisely and to gain victories over self. It enables truth to be spoken in a way that reforms rather than exasperates, in contrast to harsh, self-driven speech that poisons and stirs others to rebellion, and it guards those in opposed fields against arousing bitterness and prejudice by keeping the channel of the heart unobstructed. Believers must receive that golden oil and must have Jesus, for without Him nothing can be done while with Christ all things can be done, and the light to be carried as sunlight everywhere is lifting up Jesus, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher, proclaiming Him as the Lamb of God and the Bread of life to hungry, thirsting souls. The Spirit's power thus received enables effective work, brings a different showing, and trims the lamp to burn day and night with holy fire as people put truth into practice.