Psalm 50; Zech. 4:1-14; Rev. 4:9-5:5; Matt. 25:1-13
This vision is to encourage Zerubbabel to complete the work of rebuilding the temple and also to testify to him and to Joshua the high priest from yesterday’s reading. Apparently there were those who like the opponents of Nehemiah, “despised the day of small things” in the sense that they never believed the temple would be completed. It is easy to look on the work in progress sometimes and doubt, but the Lord calls us to have faith not in strength or power but in the Lord’s spirit. Here the two men are seen as olive trees which ensure a never ending supply of the Spirit of God, further ensuring the work will be completed according to His plan. Certainly it is a rare prophet who encourages leaders of the people. We do not read such prophetic encouragement often in the canon, generally the leaders are the ones condemned, so these two men, referred to as “anointed ones” (Hebrew literal translation – sons of oil) must have been extraordinary.
We get a parable regarding a lack of oil following the prophetic word on the abundance of oil. These would have been waiting for the groom to return from the house of the bride to his own house that the party might begin. They were invited to the wedding feast but no one ever knew quite when such festivities would commence and the wait was longer than anyone expected but some were prepared even for an extended time of waiting by bringing extra oil. It would be assumed at the groom’s house that anyone coming later would be “wedding crashers” and would not be admitted to the feast. Each person is responsible for his/her own preparations. Advent is a season of preparation and calls us to fill up or top up our oil supplies as we wait, that we be prepared to receive Him. Let us ask this day for an extra measure of the Spirit from Him whose joy it is to grant that request.
The elders offer worship by taking off their own crowns and casting them down as praise is offered to the one on the throne, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. Their praise is interesting. He is worthy to receive glory, honor and blessing because He created all things and by His will they existed and were created. The praise is very specifically tied to the creative activity of God and now all things will come to an end in the judgment of God and a new creation will be brought forth by His will. Then all will praise Him for that creation. A problem is introduced in the bringing forth of the book with seven seals and no one is worthy to open it until the one comes forth who is clearly identified as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” the one who has conquered. Who is this one of whom the elder has spoken? We know but did John know by those words?
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
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