ZACHARIAH 4, THE GOLDEN BOWL

Introduction​:

The primary purpose of this study is to reveal the system God has set in interpreting the written Word of
God and transmitting it to the church.

PRAYER THOUGHT:
1. TM 509.1​ ​“The continued communication of the Holy Spirit to the church is represented by the
prophet Zechariah under another figure, which contains a wonderful lesson of encouragement for
us.”
2. TM 188.2​ “​Read and study the fourth chapter of Zechariah. The two olive trees empty the golden
oil out of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl from which the lamps of the
sanctuary are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are to be
constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to church. "Not by might, nor by power, but by
My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."

Therefore we are going to study that prophecy to see the light contained in there.

ZACHARIAH IN VISION.

Zec 4:1 -6

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

Zec 4:2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of
gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps,
which are upon the top thereof:

Zec 4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side
thereof.

Zec 4:4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

Zec 4:5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these
be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel,
saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

NOTICE THAT​:

1. The prophet saw a golden candlestick with 7 lamps on it, and a golden bowl at the top of it.

2 He saw two olive trees at the left and right side of the bowl.
3. He saw two golden pipes extracting the oil from the olive trees to the golden bowl that is lying at the top of
the candle sticks.

4 He also saw 7 pipes from the 7 lamps to the golden bowl transmitting the extracted oil from the golden bowl
to the lamps that the lamps may shine brilliantly.

5 The angel told Zachariah that the symbolism is about the word of God.

Ellen White wrote that

​ ever are we absent from the mind of God. God is our joy and our salvation. Each of the ancient prophets
"N
spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us." ​selected messages.
3SM 338)

In order to understand this lesson, we shall deal with the symbols separately and put the pieces together for the
clearer picture, beginning with the question;

1. WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM OF THE CANDLE STICK?

A ​“CANDLE STICK​” represents a ​CHURCH. ​(Rev. 1:20) “​The mystery of the seven stars which thou
sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

WHAT DOES GOLD SYMBOLIZE​?

1. “GOLD” symbolizes PURITY” (Isa 13:12)​I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a
man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

2. The “GLDEN CANDLE STICK” represents a CHURCH in a purify state.

3. WHAT DO THE OLIVE TREES SYMBOLIZE?

1. Zachariah 4: 14​“Then said he, Theseare the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole
earth.

2. REVELATION 11:3, 4​ “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a
thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the
two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

GC 267: 1, 2​ ​“Concerning the two witnesses the prophet declares further: "These are the two olive trees,
and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.""Thy word," said the psalmist,"is a lamp
unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Revelation 11:4; Psalm 119:105. The two witnesses represent the
Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of
the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the
Old Testament point forward to a Saviour to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell of a
Saviour who has come in the exact manner foretold by type and prophecy. {​ ​GC 267.1}
"They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three-score days, clothed in sackcloth." During the
greater part of this period, God's witnesses remained in a state of obscurity. The papal power sought to hide
...."

WHAT DOES THE GOLDEN OIL SYMBOLIZE?

1. {​TM 337.2​}​When these angels empty from themselves ​THE GOLDEN OIL OF
TRUTH ​into the heart of him who is teaching the word, then the application of the truth will be a
solemn, serious matter. The angel messengers will expel sin from the heart, unless the door of the
heart is padlocked and Christ is refused admission. Christ will withdraw Himself from those who
persist in refusing the heavenly blessings that are so freely offered them.

Now we have seen that the trees represent the Bible and the oil in the them symbolizes the Truth therein. We
move to next question;

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE TWO GOLDEN PIPES?

1. 2Pet 1:20​“​Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were]
moved by the Holy Ghost. 2Pet 1:20

2. Daniel 12:4, 9.​“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the
end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”“And he said, Go thy way,
Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:4, 9.

3. Amo3:7​Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the
prophets.

4. Here in pictorial lesson God is unmistakably teaching that He controls the Scriptures and that He reveals
them when a need arises through His chosen instruments -- the prophets, just as Joseph controlled all the
grain in the storehouses of ancient Egypt, to hand it out in the time of famine. And as only through him
could the Israelites, as well as the Egyptians, obtain grain in time of want, so likewise only from Christ,
the King, through His Spirit-filled instrumentalities -- the prophets (His specially appointed interpreters
of the dreams and the visions which the Bible contains, whether they be to rebuke and enlighten the
church or to forewarn the Gentiles) -- can we obtain the "oil" which God has placed in the Bible.

5. 5T 661.1 ​"In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days
He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His
people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would
have them pursue."

6. TM 510.1​“As the olive trees empty themselves into the golden pipes, so the​ h​ eavenly
messengers​ seek to communicate all that they receive from God. The whole heavenly treasure
awaits our demand and reception; and as we receive the blessing, we in our turn are to impart it.
Thus it is that the holy lamps are fed, and the church becomes a light bearer in the world.”

7. 7T 248.3​ The inner lamp must be supplied with the oil that flows from the messengers of heaven
through the golden tubes into the golden bowl. The Lord's communication never comes to man in
vain.
 The fact is that the two Golden pipes extracting the oil from the trees represent His prophets through whom
truth is revealed to the church.
Notice that the pipes are two, there's more interpretation to it, and that will be done in another study.

WHAT DOES THE BOWL SYMBOLIZE?

1. The bowl is the container of the oil (Inspired Truth) extracted from the Olive trees (the Bible)
through the golden pipes (the inspired interpreters).

2. The GOLDEN BOWL can only symbolize the writings of E. G. White (The spirit of prophecy)

3. Rev. 19:10 -​The Spirit of Prophecy publication

4. 1SM 55 ​“These words will still have life and speak.”​ – The living Spirit of Prophecy

WHAT DO THE SEVEN LAMPS SYMBOLIZE?

1. The number 7 symbolising completeness (AA 585), the seven lamps symbolise the churches in the
denomination which are to receive the oil (inspired interpretations) from the 7 Pipes (ministers). This oil
is to make the churches shine as the light of the world

2. TM 510.1​“As the olive trees empty themselves into the golden pipes, so the​ h​ eavenly
messengers​ seek to communicate all that they receive from God. The whole heavenly treasure
awaits our demand and reception; and as we receive the blessing, we in our turn are to impart it.
Thus it is that the holy lamps are fed, and the church becomes a light bearer in the world.”

GOD’S END TIME PEOPLE ARE IDENTIFIED AS THOSE WITH THE TESTIMONY
1. Rev 12:17​ And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. Rev 19:10​ And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am the , and
​ OR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS
of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: F
THE ​SPIRIT OF PROPHECY​.

3. Fundamental Beliefs of SDA Church, article 18 reads​, ​“one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is
prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of
Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s messenger. Her writings are a continuing authoritative source of truth
which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instructions, and corrections. They also make clear that
the Bible is that standard by which all teachings and experience must be tested.”

IS THE BIBLE ALL WE NEED?

5T 661.1 ​"In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He
speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more
earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue."
LDE 44.2}​Men may get up scheme after scheme and the enemy will seek to seduce souls from the truth,
but all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White and has given her a message will be safe
from the many delusions that will come in these last days.--3SM 83, 84 (1906). {LDE 44.2}

Zechariah in the vision ​saw 7 pipes from the 7 lamps to the golden bowl transmitting the extracted oil
from the golden bowl to the lamps that the lamps may shine brilliantly.

WHAT DO THE SEVEN (7) PIPES SYMBOLIZE?

1. “The number 7 symbolizes completeness.” – ​Acts Of Apostles (AA) 585.3

2. TM 188.2​“​Read and study the fourth chapter of Zachariah. The two olive trees empty the golden
oil out of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl from which the lamps of the
sanctuary are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are to be
constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to church. "Not by might, nor by power, but by
My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." God's servants can obtain victories only by inward purity, by
cleanness of heart, by holiness. It is of the utmost importance that ministers set a right example. If
they follow lax, loose principles, their example is quoted by those who are doing wrong as a
vindication of their course..-- ​Review and Herald, December 22, 1904. {TM 188.2}

3. Therefore in this context, the Seven (7) PIPES symbolize God’s ministers / Gospel workers in the
denomination.

4. Ministers are to go directly to the bowl, feed themselves with the oil (Inspired interpretations) and
impart them to the churches.

COMMENTS

{​TM 336.3}​There are men who stand in the pulpits as shepherds, professing to feed the flock, while the
sheep are starving for the bread of life. There are long-drawn-out discourses, largely made up of the relation
of anecdotes; but the hearts of the hearers are not touched. The feelings of some may be moved, they may
shed a few tears, but their hearts are not broken. The Lord Jesus has been present when they have been
presenting that which was called sermons, but their words were destitute of the dew and rain of heaven.
They evidenced that the anointed ones described by Zechariah (see chapter 4) had not ministered to them
that they might minister to others. When the anointed ones empty themselves through the golden pipes, the
golden oil flows out of themselves into the golden bowls, to flow forth into the lamps, the churches. This is
the work of every true, devoted servant of the living God. The Lord God of heaven cannot approve much that
is brought into the pulpit by those who are professedly speaking the word of the Lord. They do not inculcate
ideas that will be a blessing to those who hear. There is cheap, very cheap fodder placed before the people.

{5T 217.2} ​The church has turned back from follwing Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward
Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. ​Doubt, and even disbelief of the
testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers
who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God
has spoken to you. Light has been shining from His word and from the testimonies, and both have been
slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among
us.{​ 5T 217.2}
 THE DANGER LINE
“​The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. "Where
there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and
through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony.-- Letter
12, 1890. {1SM 48.3} There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings
of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear a
track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels
of the Spirit of God are heeded.-- Letter 40, 1890. {1SM 48.4}

{3SM 358.2} ​I am instructed to say to our churches, Study the Testimonies. They are written for our
admonition and encouragement, upon whom the ends of the world are come. If God's people will not study
these messages that are sent to them from time to time, they are guilty of rejecting light. Line upon line,
precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, God is sending instruction to His people. Heed the
instruction; follow the light. The Lord has a controversy with His people because in the past they have not
heeded His instruction and followed His guidance. {3SM 358.2}

When you find men questioning the testimonies, finding fault with them, and seeking to draw away the
people from their influence, be assured that God is not at work through them. It is another spirit. Doubt and
unbelief are cherished by those who do not walk circumspectly. They have a painful consciousness that their
life will not abide the test of the Spirit of God, whether speaking through His Word or through the
testimonies of His Spirit that would bring them to His Word. Instead of beginning with their own hearts, and
coming into harmony with the pure principles of the gospel, they find fault, and condemn the very means
that God has chosen to fit up a people to stand in the day of the Lord.​ {1SM 45.1}

3SM360 ​Tell the people to take no man's word regarding the Testimonies, but to read them and study them
for themselves, and then they will know that they are in harmony with the truth. The Word of God is the
truth.--Letter 132, 1900. I urged our brethren to become acquainted with the teachings that are in the
Testimonies. God has given us light that we cannot disregard or treat with indifference or contempt. He has
let light shine upon us in reproofs, in warnings, that we may, if we will, take hold upon it and escape the
dangers that beset our pathway.

IGNORANT OF THE TESTIMONY IS NO EXCUSE

​ Ch 94.4} ​Many are going directly contrary to the light which God has given to His people, because they do
{C
not read the books which contain the light and knowledge in cautions, reproofs, and warnings. The cares of
the world, the love of fashion, and the lack of religion have turned the attention from the light God has so
graciously given, while books and periodicals containing error are traveling all over the country. Skepticism
and infidelity are increasing everywhere. ​Light so precious, coming from the throne of God, is hid under a
bushel. God will make His people responsible for this neglect. An account must be rendered to Him for every
ray of light He has let shine upon our pathway, whether it has been improved to our advancement in divine
things or rejected because it was more agreeable to follow inclination​.​ {​CCh 94.4}

The Testimonies should be introduced into every Sabbathkeeping family, and the brethren should know their
value and be urged to read them. It was not the wisest plan to place these books at a low figure and have
only one set in a church. They should be in the library of every family and be read again and again. Let
them be kept where they can be read by many. 122​{CCh 94.5}

CONCLUSION
The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led
them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light. We are living at a time when Satan is at work on
the right hand and on the left, before and behind us; and yet as a people we are asleep. God wills that a voice
shall be heard arousing His people to action. -​ -​"​Testimonies for the Church," Vol. V, pages 703-709.

Councils to Sabbath School Work pg 52.1​“​There is yet much precious truth to be revealed to the
people in this time of peril and darkness, but it is Satan's determined purpose to prevent the light of truth
from shining into the hearts of men. If we would have the light that has been provided for us, we should
show our desire for it by diligently searching the word of God. Precious truths that have long been in
obscurity are to be revealed in a light that will make manifest their sacred worth; for God will glorify His
word, that it may appear in a light in which we have never before beheld it. But those who profess to love the
truth must put to the stretch their powers, that they may comprehend the deep things of the word, that God
may be glorified and His people may be blessed and enlightened. With humble hearts, subdued by the grace
of God, you should come to the task of searching the Scriptures, prepared to accept every ray of divine light
and to walk in the way of holiness”.​ {​CSW 25.1}

A study by Bro, Amo Richard through the help of Bro Samuel Antwi