Zechariah 4:14KJV
14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
How does quoting Zechariah prove the two olive trees and two lampstands are literally two anointed men?
Clearly, you understand that Revelation is written using symbolic language throughout, that's why you interpret the two olive trees and two lampstands as symbolically representing two men. You think you've correctly discerned the
symbolism.
We know the candlesticks symbolize the New Covenant Church because we're told as much by John.
Revelation 1:20 (KJV) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and
the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
John is instructed to write seven letters for seven Churches that literally existed at that time. However, the fact that they are seven I believe is representative of the New Covenant Churches throughout this age. The message in the letters is filled with both blessings and warnings. Blessings as each individual Church remains faithful in its work of proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Also, warnings if the Church should become an abomination unto God, as Jerusalem of Old did, the warning is that the candlestick would be removed out of its place if there is no repentance found. The light of the Church that does not repent of evil found within would be extinguished. Just as Jerusalem of Old had become an abomination unto God through her spiritual adultery and idolatry and no longer a representation of God for all people. The city had been called Jerusalem the Holy City of God, with the Holy Temple where God could be found. Now unto God the city and Temple are desolate, without the True Light of God.
The purpose for the existence of the Church on earth was to make new faithful disciples for Christ as the gospel is proclaimed unto all the earth and the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven is complete. When Christ ascended up to heaven, He gave gifts to the Church that would enable them to complete this task. "
When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men" (Eph. 4:8)
Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV) And
he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we
henceforth be
no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
The single-minded priority of the Church, left on earth, of which all believers are is to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God, so that the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven is complete! And when that task is completed, time given the Church to accomplish its task shall be no longer, the seventh trumpet will sound, and Christ shall come again.
In his vision Zechariah saw seven candlesticks (lamps), and two olive trees. It's my opinion that the seven pipes to the seven lamps symbolize the oil (Spirit) from the two olive trees (Law & Prophets of Old) that through the gospel and the Spirit would provide the Light of Christ unto the full Church (7) as the Church proclaims the gospel of the Kingdom of God unto every nation of the earth.
Zechariah 4:2-3 (KJV) 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: And
two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
I believe that in the beginning the full Church, represented as seven, was strong and vibrant through the power of the Holy Spirit, remaining faithful even unto death. As time marched on and the power of Christ's Church began to grow, so too did the powers of darkness and evil. But Christ has promised that He would build His Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevent it.
As the end of time approaches the two witnesses symbolized as two olive trees and two lampstands is the Law & Prophets of Old that through the written Word of God continue to provide the Light of God, and two candlesticks (Churches) of the seven remain faithful through the power of the gospel of Christ with the Kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit being proclaimed unto all the earth. Though the Church symbolized near the end of time as two and no longer seven remains strong and faithful unto death by the evil one, her task on earth is finished, the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven complete. For a short time (little season) on earth it appears the Church is dead, no longer bringing Light and Life to the earth. It appears that evil has altogether silenced Her voice in the world. Just when it appears that Satan and his demonic hosts (Gog & Magog) have the victory, the two witnesses hear the voice of God calling them from heaven to come up. They are resurrected immortal & incorruptible as the enemies of God witness them ascend up into the air to be with Christ forevermore.
Thus begins the age of eternity to come to whosoever is saved through the power of the two witnesses that are the Law & Prophets of Old, and the Gospel & Spirit of the New.
