by 鍾卓權牧師 (Rev. Bernie Chung)
上帝在一夜之間讓先知撒迦利亞見到八個異象。第一個異象是紅馬騎士宣告上帝會守護猶大並審判列邦，因為他們過份地加害神的子民猶大。第二個是四個角和四個匠人的異象，上帝審判臨到四周兇悍的敵國。第三個是拿著準繩之人的異象，預言耶路撒冷將來的榮耀，因為上帝要在他們中間。第四個異象是潔淨約書亞，將他身上污穢的衣服換上義袍，並戴上潔淨的冠冕作為大祭司。撒迦利亞書第四章是第五個異象，有趣的是天使和先知撒迦利亞一問一答之間揭露了異象所表達的意思，之後，天使又喚醒睡夢中的撒迦利亞，問他看到了什麼。撒迦利亞回答說，見到金燈臺和左右兩旁的橄欖樹。撒迦利亞問天使這些是代表什麼，天使並沒有直接回答，只是說：「這是耶和華指示所羅巴伯的．不是倚靠勢力、不是倚靠才能、乃是倚靠我的靈、方能成事。」 所羅巴伯是省長，他是大衛王的後裔。
此刻、大祭司約書亞和省長所羅巴伯正在执行重建聖殿的工作，但不到五個月，因面臨各樣的問題就氣餒而停了重建聖殿的工程。耶和華的話再次又臨到撒迦利亞說：「所羅巴伯的手、立了這殿的根基．他的手也必完成這工．」(4:9)，並繼續勸勉所羅巴伯不要輕看這日的事，
不要隨便枉費時日，要他把握機會努力工作，這樣才會有成功的一日，是完成託付的秘訣。
當耶和華的眼睛見到所羅巴伯手拿起建築工具，諸如線鉈之類就歡喜，因為他們將繼續重建聖殿的工程。又當撒迦利亞再問天使左右兩棵橄欖樹和兩個流出金色油的金嘴是代表什麼的時候，這位天使似乎開玩笑地回答說：「你不知道這是甚麼意思麼？」．撒迦利亞就說：「主阿、我不知道。」，天使終於在最後一節才揭曉這兩棵橄欖樹是代表兩個受膏者、站在普天下主的旁邊。表示一位是大祭司約書亞、另一位是省長所羅巴伯。所以第四個異象和今次第五個異象讓先知撒迦利亞的注意力集中在兩位領袖身上，是耶和華所揀選和喜悅的，他們要倚靠的是上帝的靈方能成事，聖殿重建的工作也必能完成。
大祭司約書亞和省長所羅巴伯可以說是預表了受膏者彌賽亞，我們的主基督就是這位永遠的大祭司和全能的君王。我們今天的生活，因為內在的聖靈好像這金燈臺流出金色油的七盞燈不斷發光，為在黑暗中走路的人照亮真理的道，為心蒙脂油、眼睛昏迷的人見到救恩之門。讓與神隔離的人謙卑接受基督，成為他們個人的救主，蒙恩作神國的子民，感謝主的恩典。阿們！
Translation:
God let the Prophet Zechariah see eight visions all in one night. The first vision was about a man mounted on a red horse. It was explained that God would protect Judah and judge the nations because they went too far to punish Judah, God's people. The second was the vision of the four horns and the four craftsmen, signifying God's judgment will come to the ferocious enemies surrounding Judah. The third vision was about a man holding a measuring line, predicting the future glory of Jerusalem because God will be among His people. The fourth vision revealed Joshua who changed his filthy clothes and put on the robe of righteousness and the holy crown of the High Priest. Chapter 4 of Zechariah tells the fifth vision. Interestingly the angel and Prophet Zechariah revealed the meaning of the vision through an answer and question exchange. The angel woke Zechariah up and asked what he saw. Zechariah replied that he saw a solid gold lampstand and two olive trees, one on the left and one on the right. Zechariah asked the angel what these images meant. The angel did not answer directly, but said: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zerubbabel was the governor and a descendant of King David.
At that time, High Priest Joshua and Governor Zerubbabel were carrying out the reconstruction of the temple. But within five months, they stopped the work because they were discouraged by various obstacles and problems. The word of the Lord came again to Zechariah and said, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you” (Zechariah 4:9 NIV). The Lord continued to exhort Zerubbabel not to take lightly the matter at hand, but to conserve time and work hard. God gave Zerubbabel the formula to successfully complete the task God has entrusted to him.
Jehovah was happy to see Zerubbabel picking up construction tools, such as plummet; because it meant the rebuilding of the temple will continue. When Zechariah asked the angel about the two olive trees (one on each side of the lamp stand), and the two golden pipes that poured out golden oil the angel jokingly replied: "Do you not know what this means?" Zechariah said, "Lord, I don't know." The angel finally revealed at the very end that the two olive trees represent the two anointed persons who stood beside the Lord of the whole world. One was Joshua the High Priest and the other was Zerubbabel the governor. Thus the fourth and fifth visions directed Zechariah’s attention on these two leaders, both chosen and favored by Jehovah. By God's Spirit the successful completion of the temple reconstruction was assured.
The High Priest Joshua and Governor Zerubbabel can be said to signify the anointed Messiah, Jesus Christ the eternal High Priest and King Almighty. In our everyday life, the Holy Spirit is like the golden oil poured out from the pipes of the gold lampstand. The oil helps to light up the seven lamps on the lamp stand. The shining light illuminates God's Words of Truth so people will no longer walk in the dark, but will traverse on the path of light and righteousness. Salvation will come even to those with calloused hearts, dull ears, and blurred eyes. May those who have turned away from God humbly accept Christ as their personal savior, receive our Lord's salvation grace and enter into God's Kingdom. Thank you for being our gracious Father. Amen!
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