Today’s message is Part 3 on the book of Zechariah. The subject of today’s passage is a vision that Zechariah saw of a lampstand. The vision can be interpreted as being about the glory of God’s temple which was to be built, as well as the nature of the Church in the future New Testament era. Jesus once said, “You are the light of the world.” As the Church, we want to shine forth God’s glory and the hope found in God. The vision encouraged Zechariah to set about rebuilding the temple. Now, let us briefly recall what we have read from the book of Zechariah so far.
Two leaders were chosen for the work of rebuilding God’s temple. They were the high priest Joshua and the governor Zerubabbel. Chapter 1 verse 3 said, “Return to me . . . and I will return to you.” The message of God began with an invitation to repent. The Lord will be with those who repent.
The first vision Zechariah saw was of four horses and a horseman. They went across the world to observe it, leading to the announcement that God’s time has come. The vision made clear that it was time to rebuild Jerusalem. At the same time, it announced that those who had been proud in their own strength would be judged.
The second vision was of four horns and four craftsmen. Those powerful nations who dominated others, such as Assyria and Babylon, would be cut down by the craftsmen and destroyed. God desires the leaders of this world to learn humility. No matter how much power they have to boast about, one day they will face God’s judgment. The second vision makes that clear.
The third vision is about a measuring line. This is found in chapter 2 verse 1. The vision shows that God Himself will rebuild the walls, and He promises to become a wall of fire for his people. In chapter 2, verse 5, he also promises, “I will be the glory within it.” Jerusalem will become God’s dwelling place; God Himself will dwell within it. Chapter 2 verse 13 says, “Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Entering chapter 3, the fourth vision is about the unclean garments of the high priest. In the vision his filthy garments are taken away; clean and fine garments are given to him. This foretells how God will purify his people through the Savior Jesus. In the same way, we are granted forgiveness of sins and made into God’s people through Jesus’ work of redemption on the Cross. 3:9 says, “I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.”
We will look at chapter 4 today, which contains the vision of a golden lampstand. This is the fifth vision of Zechariah. Now let us see what it is about. The lampstand has a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it. There are seven channels to each lamp. Therefore, 7 x 7 means there are 49 candlewicks. In other words, 49 lights. This lampstand is shining very brightly. Furthermore, it stands in between two olive trees. Verse 3: “Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” God provides the oil to keep these lamps burning. The role of the olive trees is to produce that oil. But it is God who enables the lamps to give light.
Next, we will read the main verse for today, 4:6: “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.’” The rebuilding of God’s temple is not just awork of human hands. God Himself will lead the building of the new temple. It is not accomplished by human strength or the power of the people. “By my Spirit,” God declares. The same is true of our church. Certainly, leaders and board members must be appointed, programs created, and worship services conducted, but the work of the church is accomplished by God’s power and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Last Sunday was our Pentecost service. The global Church was born on Pentecost Day. The birth of the Church was the work of the Holy Spirit—this is what we reaffirm every year through Pentecost service. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, people were led to repentance, accepted Christ’s forgiveness, and the Church was brought into being. In this passage, Zechariah says to his people who are filled with worry and anxiety, and to the leaders, that the temple will be rebuilt “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
Going back to the lampstand: it can be understood to represent the glory of God shining forth from the temple. This is not by the work of human hands. It is by the Spirit of God that the temple shines. We believe in the Word of God. The Word of God has life. It is the power of God that transforms our lives. Therefore, we proclaim God’s Word. This Word declares that we are the light of the world. As Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Even if we are weak, we are each made to live as a light. This is achieved not by our own strength, but solely through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Next, verse 7 says, “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” The mighty mountain represents a mighty obstacle. We sometimes face great difficulties in our lives. As for Zerubbabel, he probably encountered difficulties far greater than ours. But no matter what mountains stand in our way, they will be levelled with God’s help. Eventually, those difficulties will disappear. The vision shows that the temple will be rebuilt despite obstacles, and the people will cry out “God bless! God bless!” In our walk, may we not focus on our problems but rather on the grace of God. Verse 9 states, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.” Temple will surely be finished by the help of the Holy Spirit.
As for the two olive trees, I believe these may represent the two leaders: high priest Joshua and the governor Zerubbabel. They serve as leaders of the people with courage and humility before God. Let us recall what we heard earlier. The oil that they, the olive branches, pour out comes ultimately from God. The words “Not by might or by power, but by my Spirit” were spoken to encourage them as they serve God. Again, the reconstruction of the Temple was not by human power. It was by the power of God. In the same way, as we seek to build up the Church today, all the ministry that we do is the work of God. Relying on the Holy Spirit, we serve with God’s help.
Let us look at what Jesus said concerning the Church. Matthew 16:15-18: “‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’” Jesus said that he would build his church upon the rock. He will build his church upon the rock of our confession of faith in Jesus as the Son of the living God. This is something we need to realize.
May each of us live as channels of God’s glory. Last week, my wife and I visited Okinawa. In October 2019, the main hall of Shuri Castle had burned down. It’s still being rebuilt. I went for an early morning walk and read Matthew chapter 5’s Sermon on the Mount at the top of the hill park of Shuri Castle, and I prayed for the peace of Okinawa and blessing for the churches there. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” says the passage. I prayed that world leaders will come to realize the truth of this passage. As Christians, we can pray anywhere. This is truly a blessing. I pray that the Church may be a source of light, and that we will be used as channels by God. There is power in prayer. Prayer can bring about the power of God upon the earth. Where two or three believers are gathered in worship, there the Lord Jesus is, in their midst. God’s power is poured out upon every church that belongs to Christ. Glory shines forth from the Church. Brothers and sisters, let us live out our Christian lives with hope. With God’s help, each of us is able to walk as a light to the world.
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