The Two Anointed Ones

The story of humankind in the Bible begins in Genesis 1-2 with harmony with God and ends similarly in Revelation 21-22. However, in between beginning and end war ensues as people are the subject of the devil’s effort to defame and dethrone God. The devil was expelled from heaven. [1] He cannot rule God or God’s loyal angels, so his goal is to rule over people.

In Revelation 12:9, Jesus reveals to us a dragon named Satan and the devil. He is against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. [2]

In Revelation 13:1, Jesus reveals to us a beast that ascends from the sea (a metaphor for people) with multiple heads and crowns (metaphors for evil empires) with blasphemous names on their heads.

The beast blasphemes (speak against) God, His name, His dwelling place, and blasphemes those who dwell in heaven. He makes war with the saints to overcome them. Many people on earth worship him. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (believers in Christ) do not. [3]

The Lord says to His people… “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." [4]

Those who enslave and murder, shall reap the same reward. Saints, on other hand, will live by patience and faith in God.

The goal of the beast is to place his mark on the right hand or foreheads of people. He uses economic sanctions to conquer people. [5]

In the days of the Old Testament Prophet Zechariah, God’s people had experienced similar rule under pagan rulers. The Lord revealed to Zechariah in a vision two olive trees. Zechariah wanted to know what they represented. An angel said to him,

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
says the Lord of hosts.
‘Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” [6]

This prophecy had an immediate application for the people of his time, but also an application for what was to come, namely, the ministry of Holy Spirit through Messiah Jesus Christ. God’s people are to rest in the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus Christ who comes with grace upon grace. These two are God’s mountain levelers.

The angel explained the two olive trees to Zechariah… “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” [7] Together with the Lord between them, they represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Later, the angel speaks to Zechariah of a “Man whose name is the BRANCH! He shall build the temple of the Lord. He shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule on His throne; so, He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” [8] Branch is a metaphor for Messiah. Our Lord Jesus Christ is both King and Priest. He is the one who brings peace and victory for God’s people.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son and Holy Spirit. Please help us to always live by faith in You. Please grant us resolve to boldly proclaim the message of Your reign and victory despite all the blasphemy of the enemy. We know in the end, the devil is destroyed, but You and Yours, that is, WE, shall live forever in paradise. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.”

[1] Revelation 12:9
[2] Revelation 12:17
[3] Revelation 13:6-8
[4] Revelation 13:9-10
[5] Revelation 13:16-17
[6] Zechariah 4:3-7
[7] Zechariah 4:13-14
[8] Zechariah 5:12-13