Zechariah 4 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

A Lampstand and Two Olive Trees

Zec 4:1Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep.

Zec 4:2“What do you see now?” he asked.
I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks.

Zec 4:3

Zec 4:3And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl.”

Zec 4:4

Zec 4:4Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my lord? What do they mean?”

Zec 4:5

Zec 4:5“Don’t you know?” the angel asked.
“No, my lord,” I replied.

Zec 4:6

Zec 4:6Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

Zec 4:7

Zec 4:7Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’[fn]”

Zec 4:8

Zec 4:8Then another message came to me from the LORD:

Zec 4:9

Zec 4:9“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.

Zec 4:10

Zec 4:10Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
(The seven lamps[fn] represent the eyes of the LORD that search all around the world.)

Zec 4:11

Zec 4:11Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand,

Zec 4:12

Zec 4:12and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?”

Zec 4:13

Zec 4:13“Don’t you know?” he asked.
“No, my lord,” I replied.

Zec 4:14

Zec 4:14Then he said to me, “They represent the two heavenly beings who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”