4:5Zechariah 4:5

The angel shows Zechariah a golden lampstand with its bowl, lamps, pipes and two olive trees, then asks whether he understands what they are, and Zechariah humbly admits that he does not and needs it explained.PK 593.1–594.1+2 His honest answer is the right pattern for all who would understand the chapter, to keep asking the Lord for light until the Spirit makes it plain.Ms 108, 1901, par. 20–23 The oil from the olive trees is the Holy Spirit, given by God and borne by heavenly messengers to fill cleansed vessels, so that God's word shines as light through His people.COL 406.3–408.1+3 That is why the work pictured is to be finished not by human might or power but by God's Spirit alone, who gives all efficiency, purity and success to the church.PK 593.1–594.1+4 No one can pass on that light without first receiving it, for the golden oil must flow into the heart and then out again in word, influence and service to others.STMW8 22.3–23.1+4

The exchange belongs immediately after the vision of Joshua and the Angel, when the angel wakes Zechariah and shows him a golden candlestick with a bowl, seven lamps, seven pipes, and two olive trees as a message regarding the work of Zerubbabel.PK 593.1–594.1 In that exchange Zechariah asks what these things are and the angel asks him in return whether he knows, and Zechariah answers that he does not, opening the way for the answer that the work is accomplished not by might nor by power but by God's Spirit.PK 593.1–594.1 The chapter continues and belongs with the instruction of Zechariah 3 about Joshua the high priest, the taking away of filthy garments, the removal of iniquity, and the pardon of those who have repented and humbled themselves before God while unrepentant accusers prompted by Satan seek to reproach and condemn them.Lt 360, 1906, par. 8–11

The verse records the interpreting angel asking, Knowest thou not what these be, whether Zechariah understands the lampstand, bowl, lamps, pipes, olive trees and branches he is seeing.PK 593.1–594.1+4 Zechariah respectfully answers, No, my lord, admitting he does not know and needs the angel's explanation.PK 593.1–594.1+4 He does not know what the vision's symbols mean and says so to the angel, and the angel then explains the vision.Ms 65a, 1900, par. 11–13+2 The question leads to the explanation of the vision of the lampstand and olive trees as God's message to Zerubbabel.RH Jan 16, 1908

His question, What are these, my Lord, is a model of humble, persistent inquiry.Ms 108, 1901, par. 20–23 The chapter should be read repeatedly while seeking the Lord's explanation and the Spirit's enlightenment.Ms 108, 1901, par. 20–23 The two olive branches or trees are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.Ms 27, 1897, par. 6–8+2 Discerning what God has prepared in the vision belongs with spiritual sight of heavenly realities.Lt 138, 1897, par. 20–23+1

The lamp and its oil stand for God's word and the Holy Spirit, with the two olive trees supplying the oil and the two anointed ones communicating heavenly grace to God's people so that God's word can guide them.COL 406.3–408.1 The golden and holy oil is the Holy Spirit itself, given by God and carried by heavenly angels to vessels prepared and cleansed to receive it.HSP 11.6+1 It is divine light and love and power and grace, imparted by the holy ones who stand in God's presence to those consecrated to His service, to sustain the church and replenish ministers of righteousness so they can impart strength and efficiency.Lt 61, 1896, par. 6+2 Under its influence people apply truth in practical life and speak words that soften hearts and are spirit and life.Lt 352, 1908, par. 11

The continuing supply comes through heavenly messengers to those united to God by faith, enabling them to shine as lights and serve others by good works, and that light is not produced by human skill.Ms 27, 1897, par. 11–12 The lamps are the churches and God's people entrusted with light to communicate to others, the golden bowls are His churches, and the burning lamps fed from those bowls also represent His churches.Ms 57, 1896, par. 29+2 The two olive trees are God's witnesses and heavenly messengers who stand in God's presence and pour out the golden oil to replenish the lamps.Ms 57, 1896, par. 29+2

The oil flows from the two olive trees and branches through two golden pipes or tubes into the golden bowl that feeds the sanctuary lamps, keeping their light shining.Lt 61, 1896, par. 6+2 The anointed ones empty themselves through the golden pipes, and the golden oil flows out into the golden bowls to flow forth into the lamps, which are the churches.Lt 29, 1896, par. 15–16 The lamp's oil coming through golden tubes into the bowl shows that the inner life and inner spiritual life must be supplied from heaven through heaven's true messengers, and God's communication to people is never without purpose.7T 248.3+1

Churches and lamps have no light or grace or oil or fire of God's love and glory in themselves, but are wholly dependent on Christ the source of all light.Ms 192, 1901, par. 3–7+2 They must continually receive from Christ the golden treasure of oil, with heavenly fire making them burn and shine, in order to shine in distinct rays amid moral darkness.Ms 192, 1901, par. 3–7+1 A steady light therefore depends on vital connection with heaven and constant replenishment, and without God's abiding love and a continuing supply the light goes out.Ms 27, 1897, par. 6–8 A church that receives light but does not pass it on becomes dark, and God's people without this supply are asleep like the foolish virgins with no oil in their lamps.Ms 186, 1905, par. 3+1

Zechariah's admission that he does not know what the lampstand, bowl, lamps, pipes, olive trees and branches are opens the way for the angel's explanation, which is God's message to Zerubbabel that the temple work would be accomplished not by human might or power but by God's Spirit.PK 593.1–594.1+4 The objects in the vision require that explanation, and the answer that follows gives the meaning of the golden candlestick and the two olive trees.6T 457.3–458.3+2 The revelation sets forth the features of the work of God's people, teaching that power and efficiency are not in themselves but are received from a higher source by God's Spirit, as holy oil received from heavenly messengers to be imparted to fellow men.Ms 20, 1899, par. 8–12+1 Strength, healing and success likewise come not by human might nor power but by God's Spirit, in whom alone every child of God finds power and by trust in whom the church in every age advances.Ms 20, 1899, par. 8–12+1

Victory for the Lord's servants comes not by might nor by power nor by mere outward manifestation, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts working inward purity, cleanness of soul, heart piety, and holiness which is wholeness to God.Lt 61, 1896, par. 6 That work leaves them wholly dependent on the grace of God, and ministers must be continually replenished with that Spirit so they can impart strength and efficiency to the church and meet souls wrestling with doubt, despair and hopeless longing.Lt 61, 1896, par. 6 The explanation applies to everyone who has Bible truth: each must allow the Holy Spirit to work through them as they prepare the world for Christ's coming.Ms 109, 1897, par. 11+1

The third and fourth chapters need to be carefully studied because much in them is essential for the last days, giving encouragement that strength not of our own may be had.Ms 177, 1897, par. 49 The vision's message will become a living reality amid coming evil and obstruction to God's work.Ms 177, 1897, par. 49+1 That message of the third and fourth chapters is connected with doing advance work for people hungering and thirsting for righteousness.STMW10 6.2–7.1

God's servants must first receive heavenly truth and spiritual life before they can pass it on to others, as oil flows from the anointed ones through golden pipes into the bowls and then into the lamps.STMW8 22.3–23.1 The anointed ones empty themselves through the golden pipes, and the golden oil flows out into the golden bowls to flow forth into the lamps, which are the churches, and this is the work of every true, devoted servant.Lt 29, 1896, par. 15–16 The anointed ones must minister to preachers in the pulpit that they may minister to others, for when that ministering has not taken place their words lack heavenly dew and rain, hearts are not touched and broken, the sheep starve for the bread of life, and only cheap fodder of long anecdotes is set before the people.Lt 29, 1896, par. 15–16

There must ever be an interchange of taking in and giving out, of receiving and restoring, which links human workers together with God.Lt 119, 1898, par. 5–7 Giving out expresses the truth and increases the power of taking in, and the capacity for receiving the holy oil from the two olive trees that empty themselves is kept up only by emptying that oil out in word and in action to supply the necessities of other souls.Lt 119, 1898, par. 5–7 This constant receiving and constant imparting is the lifework of the Christian, for he that will lose his life will find it, and it is precious, satisfying work in which souls are helped by communicating what is received.Lt 119, 1898, par. 5–7 Fresh supplies are needed every day, and all heaven waits for channels through whom the holy oil can be poured to be a joy and refreshing to others, with the divine fullness flowing through the consecrated agent in whom Christ abides so that work abides and character represents Christ in union with the unchanging Jesus.Lt 119, 1898, par. 5–7+1 Those who receive the grace of God's Spirit are to pass it on to others, and a Christlike life is possible only by receiving in order to impart, with every soul to be a living channel for the treasures of grace and the unsearchable riches of Christ.Lt 228, 1908, par. 12+1

The emptying goes on continually from receiving the golden oil to communicating the same to others.Lt 48, 1897, par. 3–10 The oil is given out by spoken words, by unconscious influence surrounding the soul that is felt although no words are designedly spoken, by a word spoken as seed sown, and by tract or paper carrying impressions to hearts so that reader or hearer thirsts for the water of life.Lt 48, 1897, par. 3–10 Ample provision has been made that heavenly graces shall be abundantly supplied to all, that truth as it is in Jesus shall hold first place in the heart and occupy the soul temple, producing thorough devotion and making every true believer a fisher of men.Lt 48, 1897, par. 3–10 A lamp kept burning with this oil can light many others, and the lamp's light is the Spirit's work through God's people in ministry including the saving of souls.16MR 293.1–2+1

God uses people as channels for that oil to keep the lamp burning to enlighten the world.Lt 34, 1896, par. 4 When those favored above all others with privilege and light walk away into forbidden paths and separate from God, He cannot use them as those channels.Lt 34, 1896, par. 4 The lukewarm, the covetous, the self-righteous, and the impure who refuse to be channels bring the greatest trial and discouragement to Christ and to fellow workers, yet truth must triumph and Satan is not always to triumph.Lt 34, 1896, par. 4

Those who work for God need a daily supply of divine power and must work in His way in consecration and submission to His will.RH Oct 7, 1909 The diligent, humble worker who seeks help by earnest prayer and study of truth as it is in Jesus, not from human ideas but from the very fountain of wisdom and knowledge, will be regarded and enabled to work intelligently in Christ's spirit for the salvation of others.RH Oct 7, 1909 The Holy Spirit fulfills His office work by emptying the golden oil into the golden bowls, so the lamps send forth clear, perfect light that brings the purposes of God to the understanding of others.RH Oct 7, 1909

Sincere prayer brings the golden oil that keeps the lamps of the churches burning and enables them to enlighten others.Lt 166, 1897, par. 3–4 Worship and prayer provide strength for ministry and for shining amid moral darkness, since the lamp cannot shine without the holy oil.Ms 110, 1899, par. 36–37 The lamp-and-oil imagery shows that churches need heavenly help to keep their light shining clearly into the world's moral darkness, and the anointed servants who stand by the Lord of the whole earth are especially needed now to supply that help.STMW10 7.3

Without first receiving the golden oil of truth and the message from heaven into the heart, no learning or moral energy can impart spiritual life, and hungry, thirsty souls are sent away empty.Lt 29, 1896, par. 17–19 The golden oil is the message from heaven, the refreshing, life-giving supply from the Holy Spirit working on hearts and expelling sin unless the door is padlocked and Christ refused admission, from whom Christ withdraws when heavenly blessings persistently refused.Lt 29, 1896, par. 17–19 Receiving it gives life with no stagnation and constant growth to the full stature of Christ, a deep growing experience of walking with the Lord as Enoch did, with most earnest prayer for the heavenly anointing to distinguish the heaven-born right from the common and to make the application of truth solemn, bringing tidings of joy and hope.Lt 29, 1896, par. 17–19

The Word is the preacher's light, fed by golden oil emptying from the heavenly olive trees into the bowl, and this heavenly supply makes the lamp of life flash with clearness and power that all discern.Lt 29, 1896, par. 21–23 That supply gives new perception of truth instead of stale ideas, and kindles inner life and the fire of God's love in hearers whose hearts are susceptible to the Spirit's influence.Lt 29, 1896, par. 21–23 The treasures of the Word are to be shared as if that oil from the two pipes is poured into a prepared vessel, with words spoken in love as a power for good by those who bear sacred truth in meekness and a subdued spirit.Lt 121, 1899, par. 1

Professed commandment-keepers must awake and arouse to receive the holy oil from the two olive branches, which empty the oil out of themselves into vessels prepared for its reception.Ms 64, 1899, par. 13–14 Receiving that oil gives the sense of having a work to do and of needing to let light shine.Ms 64, 1899, par. 13–14 It brings the conviction that God will not accept a wrong example in the home, especially parents allowing the minds of their children to become estranged from God by neglecting their God-given work in the family.Ms 64, 1899, par. 13–14 To press forward to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, believers must be emptied of all self and supplied with the golden oil which through the two golden pipes is communicated by the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.Ms 38, 1899, par. 8–9 This supply comes by God's dealing through grace and providence, who from eternity chose obedient children and gave His Son to die that they might be sanctified through obedience to the truth and cleansed from littleness and cheapness of self.Ms 38, 1899, par. 8–9

Receiving it requires a personal work and personal surrender of self to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, conformed to God's image, representing the beauty of holiness and perfecting a Christlike character to enter the city of God.Ms 38, 1899, par. 8–9 The vessels are Christ's workers connected with His institutions when they are clean and self-seeking gives place to unselfish love and labor.Lt 58, 1902, par. 16–18 The golden oil is divine influence, the fear of God and sense of His goodness and holiness, the influence of heaven imparted by holy angels, Christ abiding in humanity and humanity abiding in Christ.Lt 58, 1902, par. 16–18 When received, the lives of the workers expound the sacred truths of His Word, their character wrought through divine power receives light and glory from heaven and stands as a witness pointing to the throne of the living God.Lt 58, 1902, par. 16–18 The work then moves forward with solidity and double strength with new efficiency in every line, the reconciliation from iniquity brought in by the Messiah through His sacrifice is learned, and the last message of warning and salvation is given with mighty power so the earth is lightened with the glory of God before the soon coming of the Lord in power and glory.Lt 58, 1902, par. 16–18

Those who labor in business lines must exercise every precaution against error through wrong principles or methods and have the supply of the inner lamp from the golden bowl through golden tubes from true messengers of heaven.Ms 33, 1896, par. 8 That supply requires a converted and consecrated heart, right motives with God, and self laid upon the altar as a living, consuming sacrifice.Ms 33, 1896, par. 8 When the oil is received, the Lord's communication never comes to a person in vain, but makes the root holy and produces sound, healthful fruit alone acceptable to God, seen in a faultless business record like Daniel's in the courts of Babylon under closest scrutiny.Ms 33, 1896, par. 8 God's workers need also to trim their lamps and receive into them the holy oil from the two olive branches, which is the power of the Spirit of God resting upon them.Ms 91, 1907, par. 5 This is needed for reaching those not of the faith through health and temperance work, and when the power of the Spirit rests upon workers the showing of their labors will be altogether different from what is now seen.Ms 91, 1907, par. 5

Everyone who kindles his taper from the divine altar holds his lamp firmly, burning not with common fire upon his censer but with holy fire kept burning day and night by the power of God.Lt 48, 1897, par. 39–40 Those who walk in the footsteps of Jesus and surrender their lives to His guidance and service have the golden oil in their vessels with their lamps.Lt 48, 1897, par. 39–40 They are never placed in a position for which God has not made provision, for the lamp of life is always trimmed by the very hand that lit it.Lt 48, 1897, par. 39–40 To receive the golden oil emptied from the heavenly messengers into the golden bowl is having Jesus, for without Him nothing can be done but with Christ all things can be done, so that the oil flows forth in golden rays of light to communicate to all they visit.Lt 174, 1896, par. 7–8 God's servants are the channels by which the holy oil, which is the Holy Spirit emptying itself into human channels, conveys light to the world until all are tested and proved.Lt 55, 1897, par. 16–19

The Spirit works with human workers who recognize and cooperate with Him by presenting Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and by ministering to others by precept and example.Lt 55, 1897, par. 16–19 The church must multiply the channels through which the Spirit can work by using all ability at its command, ministering not only to those who know the truth but to those perishing in sin.Lt 55, 1897, par. 16–19 When believers live the truth and seek to win others with travail of soul for the lost, seed-sowing is immediately followed by ingathering as with the Samaritan woman.Lt 55, 1897, par. 16–19 The channel is the heart and must be kept unobstructed so the oil from the two olive branches is received constantly.Ms 93, 1902, par. 54–58 Those who receive it are made meek, tender, and lowly in heart and enabled to avoid arousing feelings of bitterness and prejudice as they go from place to place, so that those who have taken the first step in condemning them will not close their hearts against the truth when it is presented.Ms 93, 1902, par. 54–58

The imagery of olive branches and oil belongs with the Spirit's work that brings truth into words able to reform without provoking or wounding.19MR 199.1–3 The holy oil pictured as flowing to vessels prepared to receive it shows divine influence filling and working through surrendered workers and institutions, so their lives and labor carry an influence from heaven.STB 179.1 Consecrated people receive holy oil daily and pass it on to others.6T 116.2 The lamps filled with holy oil from the divine altar are Christ's true followers who use their knowledge to make others the recipients of His grace.Ms 59, 1902, par. 71 They go forth to give light to those in darkness and see many souls turning to the Lord, and new truths continually unfold to them, and as they receive they impart.Ms 59, 1902, par. 71

The lamp's golden oil represents divine light supplied from heaven, which believers are to carry to sinners through personal, active work.STMW11 644.2 The image of consecrated vessels receiving holy oil and pouring it into other vessels applies to daily consecration and service, in which God's people receive what they need from Him in order to serve others and advance His work.Lt 54, 1899, par. 12 Work done in Christ's service has lasting results in the eternal world.Lt 54, 1899, par. 12 The two olive trees are God's witnesses emptying themselves of golden oil through golden tubes into golden bowls and then to the burning lamps, and the golden bowls and the burning lamps fed from them represent His churches.Ms 57, 1896, par. 29+1 Entire conformity to the will and character of God is the only remedy for institutions, churches, families, and individuals.Ms 57, 1896, par. 29 Unless God works through the two olive trees to supply this golden oil, no one is safe for one moment from the machinations of Satan, who will if possible deprave human nature and assimilate it to his own corrupt principles.Ms 57, 1896, par. 29

The golden oil revives the Spirit of God in the human heart and introduces a Christlike principle like leaven, and through the inspiration of the Spirit of God satanic agencies are overcome.Ms 57, 1896, par. 29+1 The golden oil flowing from the two olive branches through golden pipes into vessels represents God's grace, and when those handling sacred work lose their connection with God, their hearts are not softened by that grace.Ms 107, 1899, par. 1–4