Just as Daniel gave us some insight into the Book of Revelation, Zechariah also enlightens us. Zechariah is an interesting book that can be understood with a bit of patience. We can see some general ideas reiterated in both Revelation and Zechariah; candlesticks, seven eyes, and two olive trees. Candles imply light. Eyes imply sight. Olive trees imply anointing oil. In order to understand Zechariah we have to read Revelation. In Zechariah we also see Jesus named a few times. He is spoken of along side someone else with a similar name. We also see another name the Messiah is given. Zechariah prophesies this name twice. We might have missed its significance if we had not looked at the words in the Greek. There have been different forms of light for the people of the world. There was a light before the temple, during the first temple, during Jesus’ day, today, and a still different form of light during the first part of the tribulation. Let’s explore.
We will notice that the Septuagint varies in scripture number from the modern translations that use the Masoretic Texts as the modern texts combine verses 2 & 3, but the Septuagint separates them.
We have a person named “Jesus the High Priest” and “another Jesus”. The occurrence of Aleph Tav throughout the Hebrew translation here marks the second Jesus as the strongman on the cross. Yehoshua (meaning Jehovah saves) is the name Joshua which is also translated “Jesus” (That is the short answer. It can be better understood in the blog sited above, Jesus’ Name in the Old Testament). To understand this we want to note that Joshua the High Priest is a shadow of the coming High Priest Jesus the Messiah.
Zechariah 3:1 And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and the Devil stood on his right hand to resist him. 2 And the Lords said to the Devil, 3 The Lord rebuke thee, O Devil, even the Lord that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: behold! is not this as a brand plucked from the fire?
In Zechariah’s vision, Joshua the High Priest is standing before the Lord and the devil is being adverse or repugnant towards Joshua the High Priest. Since the devil accuses us before the throne of God day and night we can understand why Joshua the High Priest is being accused. Zechariah sees Joshua standing before the Lord, but next Zechariah sees Jesus the Messiah standing before the angel.
Zechariah 3:4 Now Jesus was clothed in filthy raiment, and stood before the angel. 5 And the Lord answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy raiment from him: and he said to him, Behold, I have taken away thine iniquities: and clothe ye him with a long robe, 6 and place a pure mitre upon his head. So they placed a pure mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments: and the angel of the Lord stood by.
Jesus the Messiah was clothed in excrement covered clothes and those standing among Him were told to take those clothes away. This is prophetic, seeing into the future from Zechariah’s time. Now the angel speaks to Joshua the High Priest.
Zechariah 3:7 And the angel of the Lord testified to Jesus, saying, 8 Thus saith the Lord Almighty;
If thou wilt walk in my ways, and take heed to my charges, then shalt thou judge my house: and if thou wilt diligently keep my court, then will I give thee men to walk in the midst of these that stand here.
Now the angel will explain the vision of Jesus clothed in filth.
Zechariah 3:9 Hear now, Jesus the high priest, thou, and thy neighbours that are sitting before thee: for they are diviners, for, behold, I bring forth my servant The Branch.
The word diviners is not negative here, it simply means “observers of signs”. Now, we know who we call “the Branch”, Jesus. But this may not be quite accurate. The word branch means “sprout” or the “bud springing”, anthos. But there is also an interesting note here. The last phrase of this in the Greek literally reads “I lead, az doulos, I anatolē” or “I lead, aleph tav servant, I rising dawn”. Jesus is the aleph tav and the bright and morning star, phosphorus.
395 LSJ Gloss: ἀνατολή a rising, rise
Dodson: ἀνατολή rising of the sun, the East (a) rising of the sun, hence (b) (sing. and plur.) the quarter whence the sun rises, the East.
Thayer:
1) a rising (of the sun and stars)
2) the east (the direction of the sun's rising)
ἀνατολή
anatolē an-at-ol-ay' From G393; a rising of light, that is, dawn (figuratively); by implication the east (also in plural) KJV Usage: dayspring, east, rising.
Jesus is the rising sun, the light of day. No one else has received this name. It is not simply a title as chapter six tells us. Joshua the High Priest is a type and shadow of the Yehoshua to come. In chapter six of Zechariah we have the Messiah’s name.
Zechariah 6:2 G2532 And G2046 you shall say G4314 to G1473 him, G3592 Thus G3004 says G2962 the lord G3841 almighty, G2400 Behold, G435 a male, G395 Rising G3686 is his name; G1473 G2532 and G5270.1 from beneath G1473 him G393 he shall rise G2532 and G3618 shall build G3588 the G3624 house G2962 of the lord .
Zechariah is told to say to Joshua the priest from the Lord Almighty that there is a male whose name is Rising whom Joshua will be under in position, or beneath, and Rising/Jesus shall build the house of the Lord. He will have a throne and He will rule. This is interesting because the earthly priests did not have a throne and they did not rule. They served in the temple. So this Yehoshua will in fact have a throne and He will rule. These words to Joshua are to remind him that he is beneath this High Priest, Yahweh. Nothing like making sure the earthly servants of the Lord realize their position. Joshua the priest is not greater in authority than the real Lord of the Earth, even if he is the priest after the exile. Nor is Zorobabel (a great governor after the exile who will build the temple), because the Spirit will do the building, as we will see shortly.
What is the name of the one whom Joshua the priest is a shadow of? The Day Star, the Day Dawn, the Rising. The Aramaic says this a bit differently. It gives us the double meaning of this name.
Zechariah 6:12. And say to him, "Thus said the Almighty Lord, behold, a man -- and his name shall be Sunrise* -- and he shall rise from beneath."
13. And it is he who shall build the Temple of the Lord, and it is he who shall receive glory,* and sit and rule upon his throne and he shall be the King of Peace between them both. http://www.v-a.com/bible/supporters/zechariah_6.html
The name “Rising” can have a double meaning, as we see here he rises from beneath, and Jesus does just that. Jesus is the first one resurrected from the dead. The angel continues regarding a stone with seven eyes.
Zechariah 3:10 For as for the stone which I have set before the face of Jesus, on the one stone are seven eyes: behold, I am digging a trench, saith the Lord Almighty, and I will search out all the iniquity of that land in one day. 11 In that day, saith the Lord Almighty, ye shall call together every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig-tree.
Here we see something interesting, there is a stone with seven eyes. Has any human ever been given a stone with seven eyes? No. Jesus the Messiah is the only one who has been given a stone with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that go out into the earth. The angel will explain this stone to Zechariah. He will also explain something about a candlestick and lamps and olive trees.
Zechariah 4:1 And the angel that talked with me returned, and awakened me, as when a man is awakened out of his sleep.
2 And he said to me, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, and behold a candlestick all of gold, and its bowl upon it, and seven lamps upon it, and seven oil funnels to the lamps upon it: 3 and two olive-trees above it, one on the right of the bowl, and one on the left. 4 And I inquired, and spoke to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these things, my lord? 5 And the angel that talked with me answered, and spoke to me, saying, Knowest thou not what these things are? And I said, No, my lord.
The angel brings up this interesting character, Zorobable (Zərua' Bāvel is Hebrew meaning "the one sown of Babylon”). While in captivity Zorobable/Zerubbabel was born and became a governor from the tribe of Judah. When they left captivity, Zorobable was given the task to rebuild the temple. So the first thing the angel says is ‘here is a word from the Lord to Zorobable…’ This establishes that Zorobable was not rebuilding this temple from his own accord by his power or strength, but the Spirit of the Lord was going to do this.
Zechariah 4:6 And he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the Lord to Zorobabel, saying,
Not by mighty power, nor by strength, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord Almighty. 7 Who art thou, the great mountain before Zorobabel, that thou shouldest prosper? whereas I will bring out the stone of the inheritance, the grace of it the equal of my grace.
8 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 The hands of Zorobabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands shall finish it: and thou shalt know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to thee. 10 For who has despised the small days? surely they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet of tin in the hand of Zorobabel: these are the seven eyes that look upon all the earth.
And we know the story, the temple was started but they had a lot of trouble with the surrounding people until the city walls were rebuilt, then the temple could be finished. Joshua the High Priest is not the ultimate priest, the one named “Rising” is. Zorobabel is not the hero who built the temple, the Spirit of the Lord is. Isn’t it interesting that the Glory of the Lord left the temple in Ezekiel’s time after over 337 years of defilements and yet now the Spirit will build the temple again. This does not mean the Glory will return however. The angel talks about the seven eyes. They are looking at the earth. He further talks about two olive branches.
Zechariah 4:11 And I answered, and said to him, What are these two olive-trees, which are on the right and left hand of the candlestick? 12 And I asked the second time, and said to him, What are the two branches of the olive-trees that are by the side of the two golden pipes that pour into and communicate with the golden oil funnels? 13 And he said to me, Knowest thou not what these are? and I said, No, my lord. 14 And he said, These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
There are two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the earth. Who is the Lord of the whole earth, and who are these anointed ones. We will soon find out. By themselves these references of candles, stones with eyes, and olive branches, give us little understanding. However these terms and ideas are used again in the Book of Revelation. This is where we start to put these ideas together.
John is scribing and Jesus tells him to write this and send it to the seven churches. What does John see? Seven gold lamp stands or candlesticks and Jesus in the middle of them.
Revelation1:11 G3004 saying, G3739 What G991 you see, G1125 write G1519 in G975 a scroll, G2532 and G3992 send forth G3588 to the G2033 seven G1577 assemblies, G1519 in G* Ephesus, G2532 and G1519 in G* Smyrna, G2532 and G1519 in G* Pergamos, G2532 and G1519 in G* Thyatira, G2532 and G1519 in G* Sardis, G2532 and G1519 in G* Philadelphia, G2532 and G1519 in G* Laodicea!
12 G2532 And G1563 there G1994 I turned G991 to see G3588 the G5456 voice G3748 which G2980 spoke G3326 with G1473 me. G2532 And G1994 having turned G1492 I beheld G2033 seven G3087 [2lamp-stands G5552 1golden];
13 G2532 and G1722 in G3319 the midst G3588 of the G2033 seven G3087 lamp-stands G3664 one likened G5207 to son G444 of man, G1746 being clothed G4158 with a foot length robe, G2532 and G4024 being girded G4314 to G3588 the G3149 breasts G2223 [2belt G5552 1 with a golden].
3087 Dodson: λυχνία a lamp-stand.
Thayer:
1) a (candlestick) lamp stand, candelabrum
λυχνία
luchnia lookh-nee'-ah From G3088; a lamp stand (literally or figuratively)
KJV Usage: candlestick.
3088 LSJ Gloss: λύχνος a portable light, a lamp
Dodson: λύχνος a lamp.
Thayer:
1) a lamp, candle, that is placed on a stand or candlestick To a lamp are likened an eye, i.e. which shows the body which way to move and turn; the prophecies of the OT, inasmuch as they afforded at least some knowledge relative to the glorious return of Jesus from heaven.
λύχνος
luchnos lookh'-nos From the base of G3022; a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: candle, light.
In Zechariah 3, we just saw that Jesus had been covered in filthy clothes and then was cleaned up and given clean garments. Jesus is standing in the middle of the candlesticks. He then declares to John who he is; the first and the last, the one who was living, then was dead, and now is alive. Jesus is also holding a set of keys.
Revelation1:17 G2532 And G3753 when G1492 I beheld G1473 him, G4098 I fell G4314 to G3588 G4228 his feet G1473 G5613 as G3498 dead. G2532 And G2007 he placed G3588 G1188 his right G1473 G5495 hand G1909 upon G1473 me, G3004 saying, G3361 Do not G5399 fear! G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G3588 the G4413 first G2532 and G3588 the G2078 last;
18 G2532 and G3588 the G2198 living one, G2532 and G1096 I became G3498 dead, G2532 and G2400 behold G2198 I am living G1510.2.1 G1519 into G3588 the G165 eons G3588 of the G165 eons. G281 Amen. G2532 And G2192 I have G3588 the G2807 keys G3588 G2288 of death G2532 and G3588 G86 of Hades.
Who has the keys to hell and death? John is now writing what he has seen. John has seen Jesus and Jesus has the keys to death and hades. Jesus will now explain the candlesticks.
Revelation1:19 G1125 Write G3767 then G3739 the things which G1492 you saw, G2532 and G3739 the things which G1510.2.6 are, G2532 and G3739 the things which G3195 are about G1096 to take place G3326 after G3778 these things!
20 G3588 The G3466 mystery G3588 of the G2033 seven G792 stars G3739 which G1492 you saw G1909 upon G3588 G1188 my right, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G2033 seven G3087 [2lamp-stands G3588 G5552 1golden]. G3588 The G2033 seven G792 stars G32 [2angels G3588 3of the G2033 4seven G1577 5assemblies G1510.2.6 1are]. G2532 And G3588 the G2033 seven G3087 lamp-stands G3739 which G1492 you saw G2033 [2seven G1577 3assemblies G1510.2.6 1are].
The candlesticks represent the seven assemblies, and the seven stars are the angels assigned to the seven assemblies. Now Jesus says write to Ephesus and then reiterates what he just said.
Revelation 2:1 G3588 To the G32 angel G3588 of the G1577 assembly G* in Ephesus G1125 write! G3592 Thus G3004 says G3588 the one G2902 holding G3588 the G2033 seven G792 stars G1722 in G3588 G1188 his right hand, G1473 G3588 the one G4043 walking G1722 in G3319 the midst G3588 of the G2033 seven G3087 [2lamp stands G3588 G5552 1golden]
1577ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both) KJV Usage: assembly, church.
He tells them something important and we all should pay attention here. It is possible for an assembly to have it’s candlestick removed.
Revelation 2:5 G3421 Remember G3767 then G4159 from what place G1601 you have fallen, G2532 and G3340 repent, G2532 and G3588 [2the G4413 3first G2041 4works G4160 1do]! G1490 But if not, G2064 I come G1473 to you G5036 quickly, G2532 and G2795 I will move G3588 G3087 your lamp stand G1473 G1537 from out of G3588 G5117 its place, G1473 G1437 unless G3361 G3340 you should repent.
The seven assemblies were actual assemblies at that time. They were groups of called out believers in Christ. They also represent church ages. They also represent all churches everywhere in our time. If we are in an age, we are in the Laodicean age, the fat and happy church. We have become blind. These churches represent our present day struggles, and warnings. Yet an assembly can have its candlestick removed out of its spot unless it repents. The whole assembly should repent, not just one or two people for the whole congregation. There is no sneaking out of this, as some of our assemblies have tried to do today. The assembly needs to repent, all together.
In Sardis’ assembly Jesus announces that he has the seven spirits and the seven stars.
Revelation 3:1 G2532 And G3588 to the G32 angel G3588 of the G1722 [2in G* 3Sardis G1577 1assembly] G1125 write! G3592 Thus G3004 says G3588 the one G2192 having G3588 the G2033 seven G4151 spirits G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G3588 the G2033 seven G792 stars. G1492 I know G1473 your G3588 G2041 works, G3754 that G3686 [2a name G2192 1you have], G3754 that G2198 you live -- G2532 but G3498 you are dead. G1510.2.2
Sardis should also be a concern for all of us as we see Jesus saying that he will blot out people’s names from the book of life. Jesus can remove a candle which indicates the entire group and Jesus can erase names which indicates individuals. Certainly the one who has the seven spirits of God, the seven angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks, has the power and ability to blow out a candle. Let’s remind ourselves what we saw in Zechariah. Jesus has worn the filth and excrement of the world, and in doing so he is now given power and authority over the world.
After John writes to the seven assemblies, he sees a door open and is called to see what things will happen after the age of the assemblies. What he sees is a throne and all sorts of interesting things, including seven torches.
Revelation 4:5 G2532 And G1537 from out of G3588 the G2362 throne G1607 went forth G796 lightnings, G2532 and G5456 voices, G2532 and G1027 thunders. G2532 And G2033 seven G2985 lamps G4442 of fire G2545 were burning G1799 before G3588 G2362 his throne, G1473 G3739 which G1510.2.6 are G2033 seven G4151 spirits G3588 G2316 of God.
2985 LSJ Gloss: λαμπάς a torch gleaming with torches
Dodson: λαμπάς a torch, lamp, lantern.
Thayer:
1) a torch
2) a lamp, the flame of which is fed with oil
λαμπάς
lampas lam-pas' From G2989; a “lamp” or flambeau
KJV Usage: lamp, light, torch.
2989 LSJ Gloss: λάμπω to give light, shine, beam, be bright, brilliant, radiant
Dodson: λάμπω I shine I shine, give light.
Thayer:
1) to shine
λάμπω
lampō lam'-po A primary verb; to beam, that is, radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: give light, shine.
The candle sticks have now become torches. We see seven torches before the throne of God. Where are they? In heaven. How did they get there? They were called up. Harpazo’d. The dead and living in Christ rise up, are seized, and all enter heaven together. This is why the small candle flame is now bigger and brighter. The candles had been wax, with a wick; but now they are fueled by oil, as Zechariah shows us with the usage of 2984.1. Let’s go back to Zechariah.
Zechariah 4:2 G2532 And G2036 he said G4314 to G1473 me, G5100 What G1473 do you G991 see? G2532 And G2036 I said, G3708 I have seen, G2532 and G2400 behold, G3087 a lamp-stand G5552 [2of gold G3650 1entirely], G2532 and G3588 the G2984.1 oil lamp bowl G1883 upon G1473 it, G2532 and G2033 seven G3088 lamps G1883 upon G1473 it, G2532 and G2033 seven G1884.4 oil funnels G3588 to the G2033 seven G3088 lamps G3588 G1883 upon G1473 it,
3 G2532 and G1417 two G1636 olive trees G1883 upon G1473 it, G1520 one G1537 at G1188 the right G3588 G2984.1 of its oil lamp bowl, G1473 G2532 and G1520 one G1537 at G2176 the left.
The angel never really explains the seven candles or candelabrum/menorah. We know it is an element in the temple which is being prophesied to be rebuilt by Zorobabel. The people of those days understood its representation. The seven branched lamp stand symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. The word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The seven churches provide illumination to the world. We don’t hide a light, we expose it. Light, in all instances dispels darkness. There is no such thing as light and dark coexisting or working side by side. Wisdom and knowledge are light. They take people out of darkness.
Remember how we noted Jesus as phosphorus, the bright and morning star? His name is “Rising”. Jesus is the light of the world and his assemblies represent Him. He has taken the light out of the temple and put it into the world. Where illumination was only in the temple, closed off to everyone except the priests who could enter the Holy Place, Jesus has made illumination available all over the world for everyone, not just a certain class of people. This is what Jesus was explaining about not hiding the light of the world under a bushel. Jesus was the illumination for the entire world, the day star rising, and because Jesus is light the seven assemblies have grown from candlesticks to torches. However, there will be a time that the candlesticks are no longer on the earth, after the harpazo. There will be different illumination at that time. Here in Zechariah we see two olive trees providing the oil for this lamp. We will clarify these branches shortly.
Zechariah mentions the seven eyes of the Lord which look upon the earth.
Zechariah 4:10 G1360 For G5100 who G1847 treated with contempt G2250 [2days G3397 1small]? G2532 And G5463 they shall rejoice, G2532 and G3708 shall see G3588 the G3037 [2stone plummet G3588 G2595.2 1tin] G1722 in G5495 the hand G* of Zerubbabel; G2033 these seven G3778 G3788 eyes G2962 of the lord G1510.2.6 are G3588 the ones G1914 looking G1909 upon G3956 all G3588 the G1093 earth.
There is a characteristic we may sometimes miss regarding the seven spirits. The seven eyes are rejoicing over the plumb line, the plumb line was being used to rebuild the temple and Zerubbabel was in charge of the first returning exiles. These seven spirits are rejoicing seeing the time of rebuilding. They are watching and reporting around the throne which takes us another step further in our understanding. In Revelation 4:5 we see lightning and thunder around the throne. Lightning is not necessarily flashing light in the sky but glaring light. As lightning during a storm is somewhat blinding, this is light so bright it is hard to see. Thunder is not just a rumble of high voltage rending the air but a roar. Then there are voices. Some Greek translations put the word voices before the word thunder. The voices were roaring. So imagine this; seven beings like pillars of glaring lights that yell or scream like thunder around the throne. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-seven-spirits-in-book-of-revelation.html
Heaven is a noisy and bright place. The seven eyes are looking, watching, observing. They are reporting what they see. Once the harpazo occurs, we see these seven eyes around the throne. We also see them around Jesus.
Revelation 5:6 G2532 And G1492 I saw, G2532 and G2400 behold, G1722 in G3319 the midst G3588 of the G2362 throne G2532 and G3588 of the G5064 four G2226 living creatures, G2532 and G1722 in G3319 the midst G3588 of the G4245 elders, G721 a lamb G2476 standing G5613 as G4969 being slain, G2192 having G2768 [2horns G2033 1seven] G2532 and G3788 [2eyes G2033 1seven]; G3739 which are G1510.2.6 G3588 the G2033 seven G4151 spirits G3588 G2316 of God G649 being sent G1519 into G3956 all G3588 the G1093 earth.
John tells us of all the beings in heaven, and in the middle of the twenty-four elders, stands a lamb who looks like he was slain. What does Jesus look like? He looks as if he was murdered. Jesus is no longer wearing garments covered in excrement, but he does look like one who has been beaten; with punctured skin and a ripped out beard. He still has the scars from being slaughtered and around Jesus are seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.
Shortly after this the Lamb takes the scroll. The beings around the throne, including the churches, rejoice that He is worthy. Then the assemblies, the saints, sing a new song, one that could not be sung until this time. None of the other beings can sing this song because the words do not apply to any other spiritual being, only the saints who are now in heaven gathered around the throne, watching the Lamb take the scroll. The candelabra/menorah was once hidden in the Holy Place and only a few could see it until Jesus came as a light to the world. He then gave the assemblies candlesticks which have since turned into torches before the throne. The assemblies, comprised of the saints, sing about being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb who stands before them looking as if he was executed. The only redeemable beings in the universe are humans, and the redeemed are watching the light of the world open the scrolls.
Zechariah told us in his prophecy of two trees; one on the right and one on the left of the candlestick. It is interesting to note that Zechariah asks a second time, as to an explanation of these two branches of olive trees. They are pouring and recycling the oil by funnels.
Zechariah 4:11 G2532 And G611 I responded G2532 and G2036 said G4314 to G1473 him, G5100 What are G3588 G1417 [2two G1636 3olive trees G3778 1these], G3588 the ones G1537 on G1188 the right side G3588 of the G3087 lamp-stand, G2532 and G1537 on G2176 the left?
12 G2532 And G1905 I asked G1537 of G1208 a second time, G2532 and G2036 I said G4314 to G1473 him, G5100 What are G3588 the G1417 two G2798 branches G3588 of the G1636 olive trees, G3588 the ones G1722 by G3588 the G5495 handles G3588 of the G1417 two G3459.1 tubes G3588 G5552 of gold G3588 of the ones G2022 pouring G2532 and G1877 returning back G3588 the G1884.4 oil by funnels G3588 G5552 of gold?
13 G2532 And G2036 he spoke G4314 to G1473 me, G3004 saying, G3756 Do you know not G1492 G5100 what G1510.2.3 these are? G3778 G2532 And G2036 I said, G3780 No, G2962 O lord.
1492 Dodson: οἶδα I know, remember
I know, remember, appreciate.
Thayer:
1) to see
1a) to perceive with the eyes
1b) to perceive by any of the senses
1c) to perceive, notice, discern, discover
1d) to see
1d1) i.e. to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything
1d2) to pay attention, observe
1d3) to see about something
1d31) i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it
1d4) to inspect, examine
1d5) to look at, behold
1e) to experience any state or condition
1f) to see i.e. have an interview with, to visit
2) to know
2a) to know of anything
2b) to know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive
2b1) of any fact
2b2) the force and meaning of something which has definite meaning
2b3) to know how, to be skilled in
2c) to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (
1Th. 5:12)
For Synonyms see entry G5825
εἴδω
eidō i'-do A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know KJV Usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.
5100 Dodson: τις any one, some one
any one, some one, a certain one or thing.
Thayer:
1) a certain, a certain one
2) some, some time, a while
τίς
tis tis An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object KJV Usage: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, -thing, -what), (+ that no-) thing, what (-soever), X wherewith, whom [-soever], whose ([-soever]).
3778 οὗτος, οὗτοι, αὕτη, αὕται
houtos houtoi hautē hautai hoo'-tos, hoo'-toy, how'-tay, how'-tahee
Including the nominative masculine plural (second form), nominative feminine signular (third form), and the nominate feminine plural, (fourth form). From the article G3588 and G846; the he (she or it), that is, this or that (often with the article repeated) KJV Usage: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
Look at verse 13. This should read a bit differently. The angel says don’t you perceive who they are? This is an awesome question. Zechariah had some benefits from his culture as to why he should have perceived who these two olive branches are. We have lost some of this knowledge in our day, but we can gain it back. What Zechariah should have known is who these olive trees, with unlimited power from the Holy Spirit, are. The two are called sons of fatness who stand beside the Lord of all the earth. First, let’s ask who is Lord of all the earth? Yahweh, also known as Jesus. There are two who stand on either side of Jesus. Who are they?
Zechariah 4:14 G2532 And G2036 he said, G3778 These G1510.2.6 are G3588 the G1417 two G5207 sons G3588 of G4096 fatness, G3936 they stand beside G3588 the G2962 lord G3956 of all G3588 the G1093 earth.
4097 Dodson: πιότης fatness
fatness, as of the olive; richness.
Thayer:
1) fatness
πιότης
piotēs pee-ot'-ace From πίων piōn (fat; perhaps akin to the alternate of G4095 through the idea of repletion); plumpness, that is, (by implication) richness (oiliness) KJV Usage: fatness.
Sons of fatness. Zechariah should have known there were two in history who walked in such a great degree of holiness that they were taken off the earth. They were two anointed men. This history was more recent for Zechariah. The two branches are Enoch and Elijah. Enoch and Elijah are the two olive trees. They are the two witnesses. They will be the two lights during the first half of the tribulation. They will both loose their lives on the earth, but not before showing the world many signs, miracles, and wonders. The people on the earth will blame them for the disasters that take place when the seals are open and the trumpet judgments sound. Their deaths will be celebrated by humans giving gifts to each other.
Revelation 11:3 G2532 And G1325 I will give G3588 to G1417 [2two G3144 3witnesses G1473 1my], G2532 and G4395 they shall prophesy G2250 [4days G5507 1a thousand G1250 2two hundred G1835 3sixty] G4016 wearing G4526 sackcloths.
4 G3778 These G1510.2.6 are G3588 the G1417 two G1636 olive trees, G2532 and G3588 the G1417 two G3087 lamp-stands, G3588 the ones G1799 [2before G3588 3the G2962 4Lord G3588 5of the G1093 6earth G2476 1standing].
Where are these two witnesses standing? Before the lord of the earth. Who is the Lord of the earth? When Enoch and Elijah come to earth, they will be the lights, fueled with an endless supply of oil to illuminate the people left on the earth. When the beast comes out of the abyss he kills them, and their physical bodies lie in the streets for three days.The whole world sees and rejoices in their death. But Enoch and Elijah rise on the third day and are just in time for the coronation of Jesus.
Enoch lived before the flood and there was no temple then. The knowledge of the Lord had been passed down from Seth and was a light to their generation. Enoch wrote 365 books which Noah took on the ark. After the flood those writings stayed with Noah and Shem. Abraham lived with Noah and Shem. Later Shem started a school in Jebus which Isaac and Jacob both attended. The Zedek/Zadok priests and prophets came from this school. Even though David merged the Zedek and Levite priesthood, the Zedeks and prophets remained separated from the temple and the Levitical priesthood. Elijah was a prophet not a priest and he was anointed with great power. The temple was already defiled and the only light at this point in history was from the prophets. We can see the evolution of light to the world, and these two men will return to be a light to the world when the called out are called up.
Candlesticks and torches dispel darkness. The seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God are watching and observing, and are given to Jesus the Messiah who wore the filth of the world. His name is “Rising” or the Bright and Morning Star. It is interesting to look at Zechariah and notice that Jesus is named in the Old Covenant but that translations have been boggled to make some of these prophesies incoherent.
The anointed ones seen on either side of Yahweh/Jesus are Enoch and Elijah. They were transported, they still have their earthly bodies. But as it is appointed for every man to die, they will die when the beast from the abyss rises to make war with them. However, when they rise the entire world will see them rise and hear the voice calling them up. Many will believe on the Lord. These two witnesses bring light to the earth. The assemblies, the called out redeemed, are no longer the light of the world as they are in heaven. The witnesses have three and one half years to bring light to the world. So Enoch and Elijah are the anointed, powerful, miracle working, servants of the Lord of the earth who feed the candlesticks with oil. Sons of fatness. Servants of the Day Star Rising.
Peter has an interesting perspective that sums this up for all of us.
2 Peter 1:19 (AMP)
19 And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises (comes into being) in your hearts.
May the Day Star arise in our hearts.
