Study Desk

The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees

Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke^(a) me up, like someone awakened from sleep.^(b)

He asked me, "What do you see?"^(c) I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand^(d) with a bowl at the top and seven lamps^(e) on it, with seven channels to the lamps.

Also there are two olive trees^(f) by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."

I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"

He answered, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I replied.^(g)

So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:^(h) ‘Not⁽ⁱ⁾ by might nor by power,^(j) but by my Spirit,'^(k) says the Lord Almighty.

"What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.^(l) Then he will bring out the capstone^(m) to shouts⁽ⁿ⁾ of ‘God bless it! God bless it!'"

Then the word of the Lord came to me:

"The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation^(o) of this temple; his hands will also complete it.^(p) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me^(q) to you.

"Who dares despise the day^(r) of small things,^(s) since the seven eyes^(t) of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone^[a] in the hand of Zerubbabel?"^(u)

Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees^(v) on the right and the left of the lampstand?"

Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?"

He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said.

So he said, "These are the two who are anointed^(w) to^[b] serve the Lord of all the earth."