Zec 4:1-14  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts”

[Study Aired June 22, 2023]

Zec 4:1  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 
Zec 4:2  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: 
Zec 4:3  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 
Zec 4:4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 
Zec 4:5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 
Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Zec 4:8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 
Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Zec 4:11  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 
Zec 4:12  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 
Zec 4:13  And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 
Zec 4:14  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

We have to go back to Zechariah 3:6 to understand that this is the same angel of the Lord who represents the body of Christ who is going to come to Zechariah to spiritually awaken him, “as a man that is wakened out of his sleep” in this first verse of chapter four. The angel visiting us typifies the body of Christ that is come to us if we are dragged to Christ and His body in this age (Joh 6:44, Col 1:24, Eph 5:30) “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.“

The church is the first to know and understand these mysteries which have been hidden from the world for the purpose that, in time, all will see “what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ”. Ultimately the entire world will be awakened out of their spiritual sleep, and there is an order to that awakening of humanity starting with God’s elect (2Co 4:14-18) who are represented by Zechariah, who is going to be shown these mysteries which were not for his sake but for ours (Eph 3:9-10, Psa 8:4, 1Co 15:22-26, 1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12). 

2Co 4:14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you [“wakened out of his sleep“]. 
2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes [1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12], that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 
2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day [Zec 4:1 “wakened out of his sleep“]
2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [Rom 8:18]; 
2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen [“hid in God” of Ephesians 3:9]: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

This mystery of our relationship with Christ is only made possible “by the faith of him” (Eph 3:12) and revealed “by the church” and likened to our physical marriages in the earth (Eph 5:27-33, Eph 1:17-23) of which Christ is the Head. Our Father, who is Christ’s head (1Co 11:3), states of this relationship which we have with Him and Christ, that it is “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” (Eph 2:10, Joh 17:3)

Eph 3:12  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them [how we walk in them (Rom 1:17)].

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [3Jn 1:4].

These words of the apostle Paul found in Ephesians 3:9-12 are foundational thoughts upon which the following statements he makes are founded in Ephesians 3:13-21, and they reflect for us the strength and power God can give to those whom He has purposed to be His witnesses in this life by His power and not ours (Rev 11:3, Zec 4:6). This fourth chapter of Zechariah reveals, in type and shadow imagery, the means by which God is going to bring this relationship with Christ and His bride to its predestined conclusion in the first resurrection, and how His strength will be made perfect through those who are given to overcome in this age, not by might nor by power but by God’s holy spirit (Zec 4:6).

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zec 4:1  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 

These verses (1Co 15:33-34, Eph 5:13-16) confirm to us what the spiritual meaning of being woke up by the angel means:

1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 
1Co 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

Eph 5:13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light [1Pe 4:17]: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light  [It is through that reproving that the light of Christ is made manifest (1Pe 1:7, Mat 25:7-9, Rev 3:18, Heb 12:6)]. 
Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 
Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil [Psa 90:12]. 

We have the example of Paul who was a messenger or angel of God sent to awaken the church to the righteousness of Christ. It is with the light of God’s word that we are awakened to Christ’s righteousness, and if God’s spirit is within us and being stirred up (2Pe 3:1, 2Ti 1:6-7) then we will be that light to one another in the body of Christ, and to all men, each joint supplying in love what the other needs (Gal 6:2) in order to have spiritual vision (Pro 29:18) which is given to those who receive that light and don’t reject it (Eph 4:16, Joh 1:10-12, Joh 3:19-21). 

2Pe 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2Ti 1:6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [Zec 4:6].

Joh 1:8  He was not that Light [John the baptist], but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 
Joh 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world [Act 17:28]. 
Joh 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not [The camp of Israel can  symbolize the world that knew him not]. 
Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not [The Jewish religion of his day typifies the churches of Babylon – “He came to his own” – that reject the true gospel message of Christ today  (Isa 3:1)]. 
Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power (Rev 11:3, Zec 4:6) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [believed on his word [“his name” (Pro 22:1)] in order to do the work of God as His witnesses (Joh 6:28-29)]

Zec 4:2  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: 
Zec 4:3  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 
Zec 4:4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 
Zec 4:5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 

Zechariah can describe the vision he had, just as Pharaoh could describe the dreams that are found in Genesis 4:1-7, but it took Joseph, a man of God who typifies those who have God’s holy spirit within them, to interpret the dreams that are one (Rom 8:9, Gen 41:12, Gen 41:15-16, Gen 41:25). 

Gen 41:12  And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.

Gen 41:15  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 
Gen 41:16  And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 

In the same manner as the Ethiopian eunuch who, when asked if he understood what he was reading declared, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Act 8:31), so, too, was Zechariah’s humble answer to the angel that talked to him, “Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.” (Psa 69:32, Mat 18:4, 1Pe 5:5)

Act 8:31  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

1Pe 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Zechariah looked and what he saw was “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” which represent the body of Christ that Christ is in the midst thereof (Rev 1:4, Rev 1:11-13). 

Rev 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 
Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 
Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

We are told there is “a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it“, which candlestick represents the elect of God who have been tried in this life to become a candlestick made of pure gold that continues to be tried and purified (Act 14:22, 1Pe 4:12,  Mat 25:7-13) so that we are able to provide light to the house of God and be a light in this dark world (Php 2:15, Mat 5:14-16) because of the store of God’s word, which is spirit (Joh 6:63) found in our heavens, our minds, which are set on things above (Col 3:2). Our sufficiency is in Christ (2Co 3:5) who is our Head, represented as “a bowl upon the top of it” atop the candlestick the body of Christ (Rev 11:4).

There are “seven pipes to the seven lamps” and they are “upon the top thereof“. The seven pipes represent the complete church, each joint that supplies (Eph 4:16) what is needed for the building up of the body of Christ in love, and the pipes run to the “seven lamps” that represent where the whole store, or the complete (7) “stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water” of Isaiah 3:1 is obtained, “upon the top thereof“, meaning from the Giver of every good and perfect gift from Jerusalem above, the “the Father of lights” (Jas 1:17, Gal 4:26).

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 

In the physical event “in the second year of Darius” (Zec 1:1), it was the prophets Haggai and Zechariah who “prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel” to stir them up, with Zerubbabel and Jeshua leading them, “to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem” (Ezr 5:1-2) (after being stalled by their enemies – see Ezra chapters 1 and 4).

Ezr 5:1  Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. 
Ezr 5:2  Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

Here in Zechariah 4:6, we are told that it is “the LORD of hosts” who speaks to Zerubbabel via the angel of the Lord. As mentioned at the beginning of this study ‘the angel of the Lord’ here is a type of those who have Christ’s spirit in them as their hope of glory within (Col 1:27). It is therefore they who are able to confidently answer the question, “Who can make war with the beast”? (Rev 13:4), which is the same question being asked here, “Who art thou, O great mountain?” The answer to the question is the same in both instances, and it is Christ in us who will save us by grace through faith (Eph 2:8, Rom 7:24-25). 

Our old man will be abased through our trials and much tribulation in this life and so it is written, “before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain^H4334…”

Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 
Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight^H4334, and the rough places plain: 
Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Isa 42:15  I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. 
Isa 42:16  And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight^H4334. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Psa 143:10  Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness^H4334.

…and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.“ (grace said twice, as a witness of it being Christ who is doing the work in us as “the head-stone“ – Php 2:12-13, 1Co 11:3).

Christ is our cornerstone, or “head-stone” (Job 38:5-6, Isa 28:16, Eph 2:18-22) as translated in the KJV and many other versions (AFV, AKJV, BBE, Cepher, CLV, Darby, EWB, EJ, EVI, ERR, GEN, IH+, IAV, JST, JUB, LBP, LOT, NSB, RNK, REB, RV, WCB, WoY). However, it is instructive to also look at other translations of these combined Strong’s numbers H68 H7222 that make up the english words “head stone”

“capstone” – HNV, ISV, LITV, NET, NAA, NWT, TLV, TS, VW, WEB
“top stone” – ACV, ASV, ESV, JPS, JPA, LEB, LSV, MKJV, YLT
“topmost stone” – GW, ULB, UPD
 “first stone” – COV, MST, TRC
“most important stone” – CEV, ERV, NIRV
“stone of inheritance” – Brenton, CTB, CAB, ABP+
“chief stone” – DRB
“keystone” – NJB
“stone of the main architect” – JPT
“crowning stone” – LHB
“last stone” – GNB

Job 38:5  Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 
Job 38:6  Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 

Isa 28:16  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 

Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 
Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The favor or grace we are receiving in this age in advance of all the world “with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it” is to decrease through the chastening grace of God, the much needed tribulation in our lives so we can become abased, “a plain“, and Christ in us can increase, “he shall bring forth the headstone.” If we endure that process, it will be something God will make possible through Christ (Rom 5:10, Php 4:13), preparing the bride to begin to work with the nations of this world who are represented by mount Esau, another “O great mountain” which will be judged by the same measures by which we have been judged in our lives (Oba 1:21, Eze 43:10).

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Eze 43:10  Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. 

Zec 4:8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 

In Babylon we separated Christ from His body all the time and considered that Zerubbabel was Christ alone and not His body, just as we considered “THE BRANCH” to represent only Christ and not Christ working within His own body. It is with that faulty mindset that we miss the incredible promise being made to those who have eyes to see it, and that promise is that Christ will build the church through the body stated this way, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.” It is the LORD of hosts who is doing the work within us as we move with fear and work out our own salvation knowing it is Christ working mightily in us to this good end (Heb 11:7, Luk 12:5). We are filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake, the church (Col 1:24), and we are filling up the second half of Christ’s ministry as the scapegoat, and second dove, represented by the two witnesses who complete the ministry of Christ (3.5 years Christ’s ministry, and 3.5 years with the two witnesses who represent the ministry of the church in this life (Rev 11:3), which adds up to that complete ministry of seven years.)

Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

We all have despised the day of small things at our appointed time, and grow into a greater and greater appreciation of how we must possess our souls patiently as we fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ (Luk 21:19). In doing that, our joy will increase as Paul said, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Col 1:24). 

This parable in Matthew 16:2-3 says the exact same thing. We have trials our whole life, the red skies in the morning part of our life and the red skies in the evening part, but at the end of the day (Joh 11:9) in the evening we rejoice having filled up what is behind of Christ’s affliction and see those red skies at that point in our life as a great indicator that we are truly more than conquerors through Christ, who are going to be blessed and delighted to rule and reign under our LORD. “When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red” is the confirming message that those who are enduring through this life in Christ should take from our Lord’s parable regarding sailing conditions, that also concluded with another parable that assures us that this prior parable is speaking about what is happening within the body of Christ (Mat 16:4).

Mat 16:2  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Mat 16:3  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Mat 16:4  A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. 

God’s elect are typified by “those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth“, and the earth is the church that has to go through a process of judgment now in order to grow to maturity (Jer 22:29). The “plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven” represents the word of God within the church, the words of eternal life that are used like a “plummet” to measure us up to the fullness and stature of Christ (Eph 4:13-14). The plummet must be “in the hand of Zerubbabel” who typifies those who have the mind of Christ who do not think above what is written (1Co 4:6). It takes the “hand of Zerubbabel” and “the eyes of the LORD” that run to and fro through the “whole earth” (Jer 22:29) to accomplish the complete judgment of Christ’s body so we can enter into the temple of God (Rev 21:9, Rev 15:8).

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Eph 4:13  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:
Eph 4:14  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; 

Rev 21:9  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

If we are blessed to endure until the end of this life and be found in Christ (Php 3:9), then God will use us to begin that process of judgment in the earth through the thousand-year reign of the saints (Rev 20:6). That symbolic period of time is the same as saying ‘O earth, earth, earth’, or 10x10x10=1000, or flesh, flesh, flesh, hear the word of God, hearing without understanding at first (Luk 6:46), the learning of righteousness (Isa 26:9), but no actual change with the inward man, seeing those waters that fill the earth have not yet been tried in the lake of fire which will sanctify the rest of humanity at that appointed time unto conversion (Hab 2:14, Rev 20:10).

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Zec 4:11  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
Zec 4:12  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 

Zechariah is being shown the source of what empowers and surrounds God’s elect on the left and right (Eph 1:1, Rom 8:28), “two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof.” That empowerment from God makes our predestined calling in Him possible as it gives us the ability to carry out His will in this manner, “with power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (Zec 4:6, 2Ti 1:7). That is the unction (1Jn 2:20) typified for us with the two witnesses in chapter eleven of Revelation that also represents the church, the body of Christ (Rev 11:3, Php 2:12-13).

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 

2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 

Rev 11:3  And I will give power [1Jn 2:20] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 

Zechariah asks the question again “I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?” This asking a second time reminds us that it takes Christ’s life in us as the true witness to keep us in that state of mind which is questioning, ever searching and coming to the knowledge of the truth (Mat 6:33) by the grace and faith of God. We are olive branches (Zec 3:8) that have been grafted into Christ (Rom 11:23-25) who is the vine (Joh 15:5), and our function as a body is described as “two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves.” The olive oil represents the spirit of God which He gives to His children that is distributed through Christ’s life in us, represented by the “two golden pipes” (Col 1:27), and each joint operates in the measure of faith God gives, as His love is shed abroad in our hearts. That is how the church empties “the golden oil out of themselves” (Rom 12:3, Rom 5:5).

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Zec 4:13  And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 
Zec 4:14  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. 

Zechariah, who is a type of the elect, is asked by the angel of the Lord, “Knowest thou not what these be?” which reminds us of Paul’s question to the Corinthians, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Co 3:16-17) 

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Then the angel of the Lord speaks plainly and tells him “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Only Christ in us can stand as we’re given His spirit, the very faith of Christ, so that we may “stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” That standing before the Lord is only possible because of the anointing given to the “two anointed ones” representing the body of Christ (Rev 11:3, 1Jn 2:19-29).

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction^G5545 from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 
1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 
1Jn 2:23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1Jn 2:24  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father [Heb 6:3]. 
1Jn 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life [Joh 17:3]. 
1Jn 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 
1Jn 2:27  But the anointing^G5545 which ye have received of him abideth in you [Col 1:27], and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing^G5545 teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him [Joh 16:13]. 
1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; (Joh 8:31-32, 1Ti 6:12) that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 
1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.