The Two Olive Trees of Zechariah

“Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and roused me, as a man who is awakened from his sleep. He said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.”” Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?” And I answered the second time and said to him, “What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?” So he answered me, saying, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my Lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NASB1995‬

Who are They? 

The two olive trees are: God’s Anointed The High Priest (Lev. 8:1-12, Hebrews 4:1-5:10) AND 2. God’s Anointed King (1 Samuel 16:11-13, Isaiah 11:10, John 12:13-15, 1 Tim. 6:13-15, Revelation 17:14. 

In the context & co-text of Zechariah, these are Joshua the High Priest (Zechariah 3) and Zerubbabel the Governor (Zechariah 4:6 *of the tribe of Judah & descendant of king David*).

Both selected by God (anointed ones) and both representing the two offices of rulership & priesthood that will be joined together in one Person, the Messiah that is both King and High Priest at His return  from Heaven’s throne to Jerusalem at the end of the age  – Christ Jesus the Lord, to establish God’s Kingdom on Earth.  The oil is the Holy Spirit given by Christ Jesus, which is the oil for the lamp to light the household of God (see Jesus’ parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25). 

“Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak (“God the Righteous”), the high priest. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch (Netzer in Hebrew – “the Nazarene” see Isaiah 11, Isaiah 4:2, Jeremiah 23:5, Matthew 2:23) , for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” ’ Zechariah‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NASB1995

They are One

Two offices joined together properly by God’s Authority for the first time when Christ Jesus the Lord returns from God’s right hand in Heaven (where He is serving as High Priest),  to Jerusalem and establishes God’s Kingdom on Earth as both High Priest (in the order of Melchizedek) AND King (in the order of David) to reign forever.