Fifth Vision: A Lampstand and Olive Trees

¹The angel who explained the visions woke me from what seemed like sleep.

²Then he asked, “What do you see?”

“A solid gold lampstand with an oil container above it,” I answered. “On the stand are seven lamps, each with seven flames.

³One olive tree is on the right side and another on the left of the oil container.[#Rev 11.4.]

⁴But, sir, what do these mean?”

⁵Then he asked, “Don't you know?”

“No sir,” I replied.

⁶So the angel explained that it was the following message of the Lord to Zerubbabel:[#Ezra 5.2.; #4.6 Governor of Judah (see Haggai 1.1).]

⁸The Lord spoke to me again and said:

¹¹Then I asked the angel, “What about the olive trees on each side of the lampstand? What do they represent?[#Rev 11.4.]

¹²And what is the meaning of the two branches from which golden olive oil flows through the two gold pipes?”[#4.12 The Hebrew text has “gold,” which possibly refers to the color of the olive oil as it flows through the gold pipe.]

¹³“Don't you know?” he asked.

“No sir, I don't,” was my answer.

¹⁴Then he told me, “These branches are the two chosen leaders who stand beside the Lord of all the earth.”[#4.14 The Hebrew text has “people of oil.” In ancient times prophets, priests, and kings had olive oil poured over their heads to show that they had been chosen (see 1 Samuel 10.1; 16.13).]