Let’s talk about a fascinating image in Scripture—the two lampstands and two olive trees mentioned in Revelation 11:3–4:

“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.”

At first glance, this might seem mysterious, but when we look at the Old Testament, we find that this imagery isn’t new. To fully grasp the meaning, we’ll explore its Old Testament roots in Zechariah 4 and then unpack its New Testament fulfillment in Revelation.

Old Testament Roots: Zechariah’s Vision

In the book of Zechariah, God’s people had just returned from exile, and the task of rebuilding the temple seemed overwhelming. It’s in this context that Zechariah has a vision of a golden lampstand with a bowl on top and two olive trees beside it, providing a continual supply of oil (Zechariah 4:1–3).

The prophet is puzzled and asks, “What are these, my lord?” The angel responds in Zechariah 4:6 with one of the most quoted verses in Scripture:

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

This vision teaches a powerful lesson: God’s work will not be accomplished by human strength or effort but by the power of His Spirit.

The Symbolism in Zechariah

• The Lampstand: Represents God’s people, Israel, shining as a light to the nations (compare with Isaiah 42:6 and Matthew 5:14).
• The Olive Trees: Represent two anointed leaders—Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest. These men were tasked with rebuilding the temple and restoring worship in Jerusalem.

Zechariah’s vision also emphasizes the inexhaustible supply of God’s Spirit, symbolized by the olive oil flowing into the lampstand. Just as the lamp didn’t need to be refilled manually, God’s Spirit empowers His people without limit.

The Olive Trees in Revelation: Who Are They?

Now let’s turn back to Revelation 11. Here, the two olive trees and lampstands represent the two witnesses. But who are these witnesses?

Revelation 11:5–6 gives us clues:

“And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.”

These descriptions echo the ministries of Moses and Elijah:

• Elijah called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:37–38) and prayed for the rain to stop (James 5:17).
• Moses turned water into blood and brought plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7:20).

It’s clear these witnesses represent God’s power and authority to speak truth and execute judgment.

Their Mission

The two witnesses are tasked with prophesying for 1,260 days (about 3.5 years), during which they proclaim God’s message and demonstrate His power. Their ministry aligns with the theme of testimony, as seen throughout Scripture:

“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15, reiterated in Matthew 18:16).

Just as Zerubbabel and Joshua were God’s anointed servants in Zechariah’s time, these witnesses are God’s anointed servants in the last days.

The Role of the Lampstands

Lampstands are used throughout Scripture as a symbol of God’s people. For example:

• In the Tabernacle, the lampstand (menorah) was a source of light, representing God’s presence among His people (Exodus 25:31–40).
• In Revelation 1, Jesus walks among seven golden lampstands, which represent the seven churches (Revelation 1:12–13, 20).

Here in Revelation 11, the two lampstands symbolize the witness of God’s people through the two prophets. Their light is fueled by the Holy Spirit, just as the oil in Zechariah’s vision kept the lamp burning.

Old Testament and New Testament Connections

To understand the full picture, let’s compare the roles of the olive trees and lampstands in the Old and New Testaments:

1. Zechariah’s Olive Trees:
   • Represented Zerubbabel and Joshua, empowered by the Spirit to accomplish God’s purposes.
   • They point forward to the ultimate High Priest and King—Jesus Christ—who fulfills God’s promises.
2. Revelation’s Olive Trees:
   • Represent the two witnesses who testify during the tribulation, empowered by God’s Spirit.
   • Their ministry mirrors the roles of Moses and Elijah, who also pointed to Christ through their prophetic work.

Why Two Witnesses?

The number two is significant in biblical law and prophecy.

• Two witnesses were required to establish a matter legally (Deuteronomy 19:15).
• Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs to preach and heal (Mark 6:7).

The two witnesses in Revelation symbolize the fullness of God’s testimony to the world, emphasizing that His judgment is just and His word is true.

The Witnesses’ Death and Resurrection

The story of the two witnesses doesn’t end with their ministry. After 1,260 days, they are killed by the beast (Revelation 11:7). The world rejoices over their deaths, but after three and a half days, God breathes life into them, and they ascend to heaven (Revelation 11:11–12).

This sequence mirrors Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension:

• Just as Jesus was rejected, so are these witnesses.
• Their resurrection demonstrates God’s ultimate authority over life and death.

Application for Us Today

So, what does all this mean for us?

God’s Spirit Empowers Us:
Just as Zerubbabel and Joshua relied on the Spirit to rebuild the temple, and the two witnesses are empowered in Revelation, we too are called to rely on the Spirit. John 15:5 reminds us: “Without Me you can do nothing.”

Be a Faithful Witness:
The witnesses’ boldness inspires us to proclaim God’s truth, even in the face of opposition. Jesus said, “You shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8).

Trust in God:
The witnesses’ resurrection and ascension show us that God is always in control. Even when things seem bleak, His purposes will prevail. Romans 8:28 reassures us: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”

My Final Thoughts

The two lampstands and olive trees remind us of God’s faithfulness to empower His people, His justice in judgment, and His ultimate victory over evil. Whether in Zechariah’s time or the end times, God’s Spirit fuels His work, ensuring that His light continues to shine through His people.

As you reflect on these truths, remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14–16:

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Let’s be faithful witnesses, shining God’s light in a dark world.