The
Two Witnesses and The Two Olive Branches
“Cherish an ambition that will bring glory to God
because it is sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Let the holy oil, which comes
from the two olive branches, burn with a holy radiance upon the altar of your
soul. The work of these olive branches represents the richest impartation of
the Holy Spirit.”— Letter 123, 1904. {1MCP 318.2}
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“The two classes of watchers represent the two
classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins
because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word of God. The psalmist
says, “Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto may
path.” Psalm 119:105. The oil is a symbol of the
Holy Spirit. Thus the Spirit is represented in the prophecy of Zechariah.
“The angel that talked with me came again,” he says, “and waked me, as a man
that is wakened out of his sleep, 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; and two olive trees by it, one upon the right
side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered
and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What
are these, my lord? ... 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.... And I answered
again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the
two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? ... Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the
Lord of the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:1-14. {COL 406.3}
From the two olive trees the golden oil was
emptied through the golden pipes into the bowl of the candlestick, and thence
into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the
holy ones that stand in God’s presence His Spirit is imparted to the human
instrumentalities who are consecrated to His service. The mission of
the two anointed ones is to communicate to God’s people that heavenly grace
which alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. “Not by might,
nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6. {COL
408.1}
“Those who present the eternal principles of
truth need the holy oil emptied from the two olive branches into the heart.
This will flow forth in words that will reform but not exasperate. The truth is
to be spoken in love. Then the Lord Jesus by His Spirit will supply the force
and the power. That is His work.”—Testimonies
for the Church 6:120-123. {GW 375.2}
In the parable, all the ten virgins went out
to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For
a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church
that lives just before Christ’s second coming. All have a
knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ’s near
approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is
now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard,
“Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him,” many are unready. They have no
oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit. {COL 408.2}
Without the Spirit of God a
knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied
by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be
familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character
will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to
distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful
temptations of Satan. {COL 408.3}
The class represented by the foolish virgins
are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the
truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not
yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit’s working. They have not fallen upon the
Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are
represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they
fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit
works upon man’s heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a
new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been content
with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they
have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how
to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. “They come unto
thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My
people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their
mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.”
Ezekiel 33:31. The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special
characteristic of those who live just before Christ’s second coming. He says,
“In the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their
own selves; ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. {COL 411.1}
This is the class that in time of peril are
found crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into security, and
dream not of danger. When startled from their lethargy, they discern their
destitution, and entreat others to supply their lack; but in spiritual things
no man can make up another’s deficiency. The grace of God has been freely
offered to every soul. The message of the gospel has been heralded, “Let him
that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely.” Revelation 22:17. But character
is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the Spirit
for another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of
the Spirit’s working. “Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it [the land], as I
live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they
shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” Ezekiel 14:20. {COL
411.2}
It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the
earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out
to meet him,” and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was
seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares;
but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without
preparation. So now, a sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that
brings the soul face to face with death, will show whether there is any real
faith in the promises of God. It will show whether the soul is sustained by
grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it will
be too late for the soul’s need to be supplied. {COL 412.1}
The ten virgins are watching in the evening of
this earth’s history. All claim to be Christians. All have a call, a name, a
lamp, and all profess to be doing God’s service. All apparently wait for
Christ’s appearing. But five are unready. Five will be found surprised,
dismayed, outside the banquet hall. {COL 412.2}
At the final day, many will claim admission to
Christ’s kingdom, saying, “We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou
hast taught in our streets.” “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and
in Thy name done many wonderful works?” But the answer is, “I tell you, I know
you not whence ye are; depart from Me.” Luke 13:26; Matthew 7:22; Luke 13:27.
In this life they have not entered into fellowship with Christ; therefore they
know not the language of heaven, they are strangers to its joy. “What man
knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of
God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11. {COL 412.3}
Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal
ear are those words of doom, “I know you not.” The fellowship of the Spirit,
which you have slighted, could alone make you one with the joyous throng at the
marriage feast. In that scene you cannot participate. Its light would fall on
blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no chord
of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your
own unfitness for its companionship. {COL 413.1}
We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking
when the cry is heard, “Behold, the Bridegroom!” and then gathering up our
empty lamps to have them replenished. We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives
here, and yet be fitted for His companionship in heaven. {COL 413.2}
In the parable the wise virgins had oil in
their vessels with their lamps. Their light burned with undimmed flame through
the night of watching. It helped to swell the illumination for the bridegroom’s
honor. Shining out in the darkness, it helped to illuminate the way to the home
of the bridegroom, to the marriage feast. {COL 414.1}
So the followers of Christ are to shed light
into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s word is a light
as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting
in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the
attributes of God. The light of His glory—His character—is to shine forth in His
followers. Thus they are to glorify God, to lighten the path to the
Bridegroom’s home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb. {COL 414.2}
The coming of the bridegroom was at midnight—the
darkest hour. So the coming of Christ will take place in the darkest period of
this earth’s history. The days of Noah and Lot pictured the condition of the
world just before the coming of the Son of man. The Scriptures pointing forward
to this time declare that Satan will work with all power and “with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10.
His working is plainly revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the
multitudinous errors, heresies, and delusions of these last days. Not only is
Satan leading the world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed
churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will develop into darkness
deep as midnight, impenetrable as sackcloth of hair. To God’s people it will be
a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of persecution for the truth’s
sake. But out of that night of darkness God’s light will shine. {COL 414.3}
He causes “the light to shine out of
darkness.” 2 Corinthians 4:6. When “the earth was without form, and void, and
darkness was upon the face of the deep,” “the Spirit of God moved upon the face
of the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and
there was light.” Genesis 1:2, 3. So in the night of spiritual darkness, God’s
word goes forth, “Let there be light.” To His people He says, “Arise, shine;
for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isaiah
60:1. {COL 415.1}
“Behold,” says the Scripture, “the darkness
shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise
upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.”
Isaiah 60:2. {COL 415.2}
It is the darkness of misapprehension of God
that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His
character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a
message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence
and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the
world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy,
and truth. {COL 415.3}
This is the work outlined by the prophet
Isaiah in the words, “O Jerusalem, that bringest good
tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto
the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with
strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him,
and His work before Him.” Isaiah 40:9, 10. {COL 415.4}
Those who wait for the Bridegroom’s coming are
to say to the people, “Behold your God.” The last rays of merciful
light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a
revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His
glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God
has done for them. {COL 415.5}
The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to
shine forth in good works—in words of truth and deeds of holiness. {COL 416.1}
Christ, the outshining of the Father’s glory,
came to the world as its light. He came to represent God to men, and of Him it
is written that He was anointed “with the Holy Ghost and with power,” and “went
about doing good.” Acts 10:38.
In the synagogue at Nazareth He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath
anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable
year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18, 19. This was the work He commissioned His
disciples to do. “Ye are the light of the world,” He said. “Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14, 16. {COL 416.2}
This is the work which the prophet Isaiah
describes when he says, “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that
thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when
thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from
thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine
health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee;
the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” Isaiah 58:7, 8. {COL 417.1}
Thus in the night of spiritual darkness God’s
glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up the bowed down and
comforting those that mourn. {COL 417.2}
All around us are heard the wails of a world’s
sorrow. On every hand are the needy and distressed. It is ours to aid in
relieving and softening life’s hardships and misery. {COL 417.3}
Practical work will have far more effect than
mere sermonizing. We are to give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and
shelter to the homeless. And we are called to do more than this. The wants of the soul,
only the love of Christ can satisfy. If Christ is abiding in us, our hearts
will be full of divine sympathy. The sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike love will be unsealed. {COL 417.4}
God calls not only for our gifts for the
needy, but for our cheerful countenance, our hopeful words, our
kindly handclasp. When Christ healed the sick, He laid His hands upon them. So
should we come in close touch with those whom we seek to benefit.
{COL 418.1}
There are many from whom hope has departed.
Bring back the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them
words of cheer. Pray for them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read
to them from the word of God. Upon many is a soul sickness which no
earthly balm can reach nor physician heal. Pray for these souls, bring
them to Jesus. Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there. {COL 418.2}
Light is a blessing, a universal blessing,
pouring forth its treasures on a world unthankful, unholy, demoralized.
So it is with the light of the Sun of Righteousness. The whole
earth, wrapped as it is in the darkness of sin, and sorrow, and pain, is to be
lighted with the knowledge of God’s love. From no sect, rank, or class of people is the
light shining from heaven’s throne to be excluded. {COL 418.3}
The message of hope and mercy is to be carried
to the ends of the earth. Whosoever will, may reach forth and take hold of
God’s strength and make peace with Him, and he shall make peace. No longer are
the heathen to be wrapped in midnight darkness. The gloom is to disappear
before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The power of hell has been
overcome. {COL 418.4}
But no man can impart that which he himself
has not received. In the work of God, humanity can originate nothing. No man
can by his own effort make himself a light bearer for God. It was the golden
oil emptied by the heavenly messengers into the golden tubes, to be conducted
from the golden bowl into the lamps of the sanctuary, that
produced a continuous bright and shining light. It is the love of God continually transferred
to man that enables him to impart light. Into the hearts of all who are united
to God by faith the golden oil of love flows freely, to shine out again in good
works, in real, heartfelt service for God. {COL 418.5}
In the great and measureless gift of the Holy
Spirit are contained all of heaven’s resources. It is not because of any restriction on the
part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If all
were willing to receive, all would become filled with His Spirit. {COL 419.1}
It is the privilege of every soul to be a
living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of
His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. There is nothing that Christ desires so much
as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character. There is
nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of
the Saviour’s love. All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be
poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts. {COL 419.2}
Christ has made every provision that His
church shall be a transformed body, illumined with the Light of the world,
possessing the glory of Emmanuel. It is His purpose that every Christian shall be
surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace. He desires that we
shall reveal His own joy in our lives. {COL 419.3}
The indwelling of the Spirit will be shown by
the outflowing of heavenly love. The divine fullness will flow through the consecrated
human agent, to be given forth to others. {COL 419.4}
The Sun of Righteousness has “healing in His
wings.” Malachi 4:2. So from every true disciple is to be diffused an influence for
life, courage, helpfulness, and true healing. {COL 419.5}
The religion of Christ means more than the
forgiveness of sin; it means taking away our sins, and filling the vacuum with
the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart
emptied of self, and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ
reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, the
fullness, the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the life. The acceptance
of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect
assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in
the life testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its
Saviour. {COL 419.6}
Christ does not bid His followers strive to
shine. He says, Let your light shine. If you have
received the grace of God, the light is in you. Remove the obstructions, and
the Lord’s glory will be revealed. The light will shine forth to penetrate and
dispel the darkness. You cannot help shining within the range of your
influence. {COL 420.1}
The revelation of His own glory in the form of
humanity will bring heaven so near to men that the beauty adorning the inner
temple will be seen in every soul in whom the Saviour dwells. Men will be
captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ. And in currents of praise and thanksgiving
from the many souls thus won to God, glory will flow back to the great Giver.
{COL 420.2}
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isaiah 60:1. To those who
go out to meet the Bridegroom is this message given. Christ is coming with
power and great glory. He is coming with His own glory and with the glory of
the Father. He is coming with all the holy angels with Him. While all the world is plunged in darkness, there will be light in
every dwelling of the saints. They will catch the first light of His second
appearing. The unsullied light will shine from His splendor, and Christ the
Redeemer will be admired by all who have served Him. While the wicked flee from
His presence, Christ’s followers will rejoice. The patriarch Job, looking down
to the time of Christ’s second advent, said, “Whom I shall see for myself, and
mine eyes shall behold, and not a stranger.” Job 19:27, margin. To His faithful
followers Christ has been a daily companion and familiar friend. They have lived in close contact, in constant communion with
God. Upon them the glory of the Lord has risen. In
them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
has been reflected. Now they rejoice in the undimmed rays of the brightness and
glory of the King in His majesty. They are prepared for the communion of heaven;
for they have heaven in their hearts. {COL 420.3}
With uplifted heads, with the bright beams of
the Sun of Righteousness shining upon them, with rejoicing that their
redemption draweth nigh, they go forth to meet the Bridegroom, saying, “Lo,
this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.” Isaiah 25:9.
{COL 421.1}
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great
multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty
thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him; for
the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.... And
he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of
the Lamb.” “He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with Him
are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 19:6-9; 17:14. {COL 421.2}
COL 421.1