Z’s vision of a lampstand
1The angel who talked with me earlier woke me up, just like you’d wake up anyone else. 2He said, “What do you see here?” I said, “I see a gold lampstand. It has a bowl [1] on top. And I see the seven lamps that provide the light. Each lamp has spout [2] for the wick. 3I see the lampstand also has pictures of two olive trees, one on the left side of the bowl and one on the right.”4I asked the angel, “Sir, what is this about?” 5The angel said, “You don’t understand?” I said, “No sir, I don’t.”
6He answered, “It’s a message from God to Zerubbabel. [3] Here’s the message: ‘You won’t accomplish what you’re doing because of your physical strength, or your military might. Instead, depend on the power of the Spirit of the LORD—the LORD of all. 7Mountains [4] won’t get in Zerubbabel’s way. He’ll sweep them away, flat as a coastal plain. He’s going to finish his work and crown it with a capstone. When he does, everyone will say, “Thank you, Lord.’” [5]
This won’t be a tiny temple
8Then the LORD came to me with another message. He said:9“Zerubbabel built the foundation of Jerusalem’s new Temple. And he’ll finish what he started. When he does, people will know that the LORD of everyone has sent you, Zechariah. 10As for those folks who complain about how small the Temple looks in the beginning, wait until they see Zerubbabel get busy with a plumb [6] line at the walls.
So, the seven lamps of the LORD will flood the world in light.”
Two who stand with God
11Then I asked, “Why did you put two olive trees on the lampstand?” 12I added, “And what are those two branches? The ones that extend from the trees and feed into gold pipes that distribute olive oil to the seven lamps?”13He said, “Don’t you know what they are?” I said, “No sir, I don’t have any idea.” 14He said, “They are the two [7] I’ve chosen to stand beside me, the Lord of this world.”
