Zechariah is awakened by an angel and given a vision of
lampstands with olive trees beside them.
He is also given a proclamation that Zerubbabel has laid the foundations
of the temple and he will likewise finish the building. The people were, if not discouraged, at least
overwhelmed by the task they had undertaken of rebuilding the temple upon their
return from exile and they needed encouragement. Zechariah is given that encouraging word to
deliver to the leaders and the people. The
vision says that they have to remain connected to the source if they are to
complete the task they have been given. The
lamps are directly connected to the source of oil which the angel says are the
two anointed ones, in context the high priest and the ruler/leader of the
people. The people should not be
discouraged in their efforts for in the end it is not by might or power that
the work will be done but by the Spirit of God.
The same is true in the church today, we can plan and scheme but unless
the Spirit is present the church will never grow and it will not be what it was
intended to be.
The custom of marriage was that there was an engagement
period in which the groom built a room onto the house of his father. When the work was complete the groom would
come to the home of the bride's parents to take his bride to see the room and
they would consummate the marriage with a feast there in their new home. Timing was uncertain because it depended on
the work being complete. The bridesmaids
awaited the coming of the groom for his bride and the wise virgins took enough
oil so that if the groom were delayed they would be able to escort the couple
along with the groomsmen even if the hour was late and darkness overtook
them. It was a great privilege to be
part of this procession and we know that metaphor relates to Jesus coming back
for His bride, the church. We must
always be filled with His Spirit, the oil, and keep our lamps burning so that
we might have the joy of being in that procession.
The elders know their place.
We know this scene from the hymn, "Holy, holy, holy." "Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore
Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea…" The elders are aware of their own place in
this scene. They may have enough merit
to sit on thrones around the throne but they know that their places are
honorific and not earned through any merit of their own independent of the one
on the throne. Whatever they have done
in life does not compare to Him and whatever they have done is only because
they allowed themselves to be used by Him.
When the living creatures offer praise to the king, the elders throw off
their own crowns and bow before the real king.
The scroll sealed with seven seals is brought forward and yet no one,
not even these on the thrones, was found worthy to receive and open this
scroll, it takes extraordinary holiness to receive such a scroll. John weeps loudly for the lack of a worthy
one but is reassured that there is one who has conquered and is worthy. In this scene who could imagine one worthier
than the elders?
No comments:
Post a Comment