Olive Trees and Lamps - Rumor notes 71

 Revelation 11

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth.

the two olive trees

The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. He said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I have seen, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it; and two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl, and the other on the left side of it."

I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?" Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says Yahweh of Armies. Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'" Moreover the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you. Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of Yahweh, which run back and forth through the whole earth."

Then I asked him, "What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on the left side of it?" I asked him the second time, "What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that pour the golden oil out of themselves?" He answered me, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:1-14)

As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:29-31)

But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God's house. I trust in God's loving kindness forever and ever. I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it. I will hope in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your saints. (Psalms 52:8-9)

Given the descriptions of the activities of these two witnesses, the evidence seems to lean toward them being in reference to the characters of Elijah and Moses. The question then arises, how accurate is the testimony of these witnesses? Given the following passages linked to them, we have to take into account the implications of other clues.

Then shall the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and cry to the gods to which they offer incense: but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble. For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal. Therefore don't you pray for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry to me because of their trouble.

What has my beloved to do in my house, seeing she has worked lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from you? when you do evil, then you rejoice.

Yahweh called your name, A green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he has kindled fire on it, and the branches of it are broken. For Yahweh of Armies, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have worked for themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense to Baal.

Yahweh gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it: then you shown me their doings. But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter; and I didn't know that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit of it, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. But, Yahweh of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I shall see your vengeance on them; for to you have I revealed my cause.

(Jeremiah 11:12-20)

Just because some group has been called by God to be His witnesses does not preclude the potential that they can so distort that privilege that God has to finally reject their testimony because it is only accomplishing the opposite from what they were called to do. One of the most dangerous notions that people of God become trapped in is the belief that because God chose them as a people to bear His name, that no matter how negligent they have become, God does reverse His gifting to them or revoke His covenant with them. This has been a problem of God's chosen people many times throughout history, including while Jesus was living among His fellow Jews on earth.

Paul picks up on this in a way that resonates with what we are finding regarding these two witnesses. Consider this sobering advice given to those who were replacing the people who had failed their calling by God and had been broken off from the true trunk of the olive tree.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree; don't boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don't be conceited, but fear; for if God didn't spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. (Romans 11:17-22)

There is an interesting passage in Isaiah that can relate to this. But the only translation I have found that makes this connection clear is the literal translation from the Greek Septuagint called the Apostolic Bible Polyglot. And while it does not specifically mention an olive tree, the message that comes through regarding God's attitude toward branches is quite revealing.

And you shall say to him, Guard to be still, and do not fear! nor your soul be weak from the two trees of these smoking firebrands; for whenever the anger of my rage takes place, again I will heal.

(Isaiah 7:4 ABP)

the two lampstands

He said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I have seen, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it; and two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl, and the other on the left side of it."

I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?" Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says Yahweh of Armies. Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'" (Zechariah 4:2-7)

There is a fascinating connection that may need closer examination involving these olive trees, lampstands and an additional feature – a mountain. I think we need to explore this more closely because they are interconnected in this prophecy in Zechariah with the symbols of the olive trees and the lampstands. This may reveal clues that might resonate with other things in Revelation and could enhance our capacity to perceive deeper insights as to the identity of these two witnesses.

I will render to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, says Yahweh. Behold, I am against you, destroying mountain, says Yahweh, which destroys all the earth; and I will stretch out my hand on you, and roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a burnt mountain. They shall not take of you a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but you shall be desolate for ever, says Yahweh. (Jeremiah 51:24-26)

The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, (Revelation 8:8)

These words Yahweh spoke to all your assembly on the mountain out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. He wrote them on two tables of stone, and gave them to me. (Deuteronomy 5:22)

This is the blessing, with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. He said, Yahweh came from Sinai, And rose from Seir to them. He shone forth from Mount Paran. He came from the ten thousands of holy ones. At his right hand was a fiery law for them.

(Deuteronomy 33:1-2)

He said, Go forth, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh. Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but Yahweh was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

(1 Kings 19:11-12)

After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. (Matthew 17:1-3)

Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. Mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. (Exodus 19:17-18)

For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, storm, the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them, for they could not stand that which was commanded, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned;" and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling."

But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels, to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:18-24)

What is emerging from these passages appears to reflect transitions that have taken place throughout history in how God's people perceive Him and related to Him. I wonder if these symbolic two witnesses represent old ways that God was perceived through the mindset and modeling of Moses and Elijah. It is clear in the following verses that the actions of these witnesses parallel actions carried out by these two prophets. So what kind of conclusion does this suggest? Are these witnesses false witnesses, true witnesses or merely less than fully informed witnesses with good motives but immature ideas about God's heart and the methods they expect Him to use to overcome evil?

One more thought relating to the two lampstands symbolism. It has been noted that there are only two assemblies in the addresses of Jesus, that did not receive any negative feedback or reprimand from Him. An interesting distinction between the two is that apparently one is warned that they will suffer death while the second one is promised to be spared from that kind of testing.

To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: "The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: "I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won't be harmed by the second death. (Revelation 2:8-11)

To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things: I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn't deny my name. Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. (Revelation 3:7-13)

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:14-17)

standing before the Lord of the earth

Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man. It shall come to pass, when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, even the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand in one heap. (Joshua 3:11-13)

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. (Psalms 97:5)

For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. (Isaiah 54:5)

Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs brass; and you will beat in pieces many peoples: and I will devote their gain to Yahweh, and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth. (Micah 4:13)

Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:14)

The angel answered me, "These are the four winds of the sky, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth." (Zechariah 6:5)

What are we to make of these mixed signals found in these references to the Lord of all the earth? We have already seen repeatedly how symbols and nuances in this book must be given very close attention, as they often have been overlooked in a rush to force them to fit traditional conclusions. We need to be more diligent and open to receiving new insights to allow the Spirit of truth to guide us into deeper understandings that correspond with the truth as revealed by the Lamb against every other agenda.

Discerning the meaning of this title Lord of all the earth may hold much significance for helping to unlock the mystery of the deeper meanings of these two witnesses.

Additionally, I find a number of references using this phrase that connect directly with the symbol of a mountain. We just reviewed this connected with two other symbols in this prophecy, so I find this compelling. This is likely a useful key for discerning more of what these witnesses are about. In particular, I find in Micah 4 a number of significant clues that may also help bring us closer to understanding the nature of what this chapter may be designed to reveal. That chapter begins with reference to mountains and ends with mention of this phrase Lord of all the earth. Even more importantly, we find a very strong clue in both of these locations that I feel may be a vital key to unlock far more than we might be expecting when it comes to these two witnesses.

But in the latter days, it will happen that the mountain of Yahweh's temple will be established on the top of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills; and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will go and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem; (Micah 4:1-2)

But they don't know the thoughts of Yahweh, neither do they understand his counsel; for he has gathered them like the sheaves to the threshing floor. Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs brass; and you will beat in pieces many peoples: and I will devote their gain to Yahweh, and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.

(Micah 4:12-13)

Is it possible that there could be a difference of meaning between Yahweh here and the meaning of the Lord of the whole earth? I understand the literal method of Hebrew parallelism or repetition, and according to that this would be seen as saying the same thing with different words. But what if God is nuancing this to disclose something more profound than our simplistic way of typical interpretation here? Is that possible or credible enough to consider?

What if mountains might at least in part represent various figures throughout history that loom large in shaping our perceptions about God, people like Moses and Elijah for instance? This tells us that in the latter days – that would seem to apply to us more than anyone previous would it not – the mountain of Yah's temple will be established at the very top of all other mountains. Then in this context that we read that He will teach us of His ways. Wouldn't that imply this is necessary because we do not yet really know His ways?

This is reinforced at the end of the chapter where it talks about not knowing the thoughts of Yahweh or understanding His counsel. Some might rush to insist that this only refers to the enemies of Zion, in this case other nations assembled against God's people. Yet all of these are symbols that resonate with similar issues still very much present today. The problem all along has been that humanity does not know the thoughts or ways of Yahweh, often because they resist knowing them, not always because of ignorance. This is a theme that I am finding more clearly everywhere I look in Scripture as well as here in the book of Revelation. A principle is to use the first key given in the book, and filter everything we read as synchronized by the truth about God that Jesus alone brings to light, and that eclipses every other version of God including those of Moses and Elijah.

If the best interpretation we find in the end as to the meaning of these two witnesses is to embody the methods and motives of Elijah and Moses and all who share their immature views of God and how He uses power, it occurred to me that rather than the traditional view of them representing the Old and New Testaments, they could represent the Law and the Prophets meaning that the New Testament is more in line with representing Jesus rather than as a second witness. And I believe this may be confirmed rather succinctly in the event that happened on the mount of transfiguration When God contrasted their inferior testimonies to the authentic witness of His Son who is to have the final word over any other testimony.

But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here, who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Kingdom of God." It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.

Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. It happened, as they were parting from him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah," not knowing what he said.

While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!" When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. (Luke 9:27-36)