QUESTION:
With Christ being the first and last at Revelation 1:17, (and the root and the offspring at Revelation 22:16) do you think he is both the cornerstone and also the capstone at Zechariah 4:7?
MY REPLY:
Zech.4 explains who the capstone is. I will highlight points that this chapter makes, with some scriptures to unlock those points. The scripture verses will be in bold black.
Zech.4:
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep.
[The 'waking up', is prophetic (Rev.3:2 ESV Matt.25:5-7)]
2 He asked me, ‘What do you see?’ I answered, ‘I see a solid gold lampstand
(Rev.1:20; Matt.5:15 -a congregation/house)
with a bowl at the top
[a heart that pours out testimony/a star or angel/prophet, sent to that congregation (Rev.16:1; Luke 6:45)]
and seven lamps on it (Rev.4:5 NKJV -the spirit/insight of prophets),
with seven channels to the lamps (seven channels pouring oil/spirit to the seven lamps)
(The testimony by spirit/oil from that bowl, is feeding the light of the 7 lamps/prophets).
[The reason why there are both one and seven, is because the 4th living creature/7th prophet,
contains the spirit/prophetic insight, given to all seven (Rev.15:7; 17:1; 21:9)
as well as perceiving their fulfillment. By the pouring out of his own heart/bowl/censer (Rev.8:5),
he enables the prophets to be heard again (Rev.8:2,5; Isa.58:1; 41:27; 40:9).
Through the prophets being heard once again; God's condemnation is unveiled
(Rev.8:5; Eze.13:13; Joel 3:16).
The 7th angel is the messenger/angel of the covenant (Rev.10:1; Gen.9:13 NKJV Mal.3:1),
sent ahead of Christ in the time of the end/Revelation's fulfillment
(Rev.22:10; 10:7)(Matt.3:1-3; Luke 1:16-17,76-77; Isa.57:14; 62:10-11; 49:11; Matt.24:16,15)
(Matt.17:3,12-13,11)]. "Elijah" had a spirit from God that differed from common prophets (Matt.11:9).
That spirit/role was filled by John the Baptist. That spirit/role will arrive again in the time of the end,
to "restore all things" (Matt.17:11).
3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.’ (Rev.11:4).
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’
5 He answered, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ ‘No, my lord,’ I replied.
6 So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.
(What God accomplishes through his prophets during judgment day, will be by means of His spirit...
not by means of worldly power, riches, a Gentile army, or hoards of followers.)
7 ‘What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.
Then he will bring out... (make visible)
("raise the signal/banner for the nations" -Isa.41:27; 13:1-5; Rev.17:14; Isa.5:26; 11:12; 2:2-4)
...the capstone to shouts of “God bless it! God bless it!”’
[That mighty mountain to be destroyed and replaced with Zion, is "Babylon's" last daughter,
or last head of the beast (Rev.17:9; Rev.8:8; Jer.51:24-25,29), which is brought down
by the faith of the capstone (Mark11:22-23) by the spirit it is given]
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me:
9 ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it.
[Who does Zerubbabel represent? Who is the one who lays the foundation of the spiritual temple
(1Cor.3:16; 1Pet.2:5,9)? (John2:19,21; 1Cor.12:27)
(Rev.21:14; Matt.16:18; John6:70; 15:16; Eph.2:20-22).
Zerubbabel (meaning "against Babylon/against confusion") is Jesus Christ.
God set him as the cornerstone,
upon which the whole building rests (Isa.28:16; Matt.21:42,44).
Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
(John16:7-8,13-15; Rev.5:7; 10:1-3; Rev.22:16,6)
10 ‘Who dares despise the day of small things?
[(Zech.4:10; Amos 7:1-2,7-8; Rev.13:10)>remember that "plumb line" is synonymous with capstone)(Zech.4:10 NKJV Zech.4:10 NIV )],
These seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth, will rejoice
when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel.’
[The 7 eyes are also the 7 spirits/lamps (Matt.6:22; Rev.5:6; 4:5)... the prophets that are
sent into all the 'earth'. The prophets have longed to understand what they were inspired to record,
and at the time of the capstone, they rejoice that their words are then, opened
(Dan.12:4; Rev.10:4,7; 22:10,6-7; 10:7).]
11 Then I asked the angel, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?’
12 Again I asked him, ‘What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?’
[The branches of the two olive trees are pouring out spirit from the trees, through themselves.
They are supplying the oil that fills the bowl, and the bowl is supplying the seven lamps
with oil/spirit/light. That bowl/censer (Rev.5:8), is the same one at Rev.8:3]
13 He replied, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ 'No, my lord,’ I said.
14 So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.’ (Matt.17:3).
The capstone/plumbline, and the two witnesses, are working together as one, which is why they are put in the same vision, and depicted as connected in their activity.
(Isa.28:17; John16:8; Eze.40:3; Amos 7:7-8; 2Kings21:13; Rev.11:1-2; 10:11)
(Rev.3:17-18; Zech.13:9; Rev.9:18; Mark8:35; Rev.21:15,27)
The two witnesses, supply spirit and truth to the one golden bowl (heart) (Zech.4:3,12),
and the one golden bowl (capstone/plumbline), provides the spirit/fuel of light, to ignite seven lamps/prophets (Rev.15:7; Zech.4:2,7),
as well as it's own congregation/lampstand (Zech.4:2; Matt.5:15).
The two witnesses of truth (John8:17) can manifest themselves in any who represent them,
including their lampstands/congregations (Rev.11:4; 1:20).
The two witnesses/plumbline/capstone, stands beside Christ,
rather than being Christ himself (Matt.17:3; Zech.4:14).
They are used by his symbolic right hand (Zech.4:10; Rev.1:20) (Luke 22:69; 1Cor.15:24,28).
As regards Jesus being both the root and offspring...
We know Jesus is the son or descendant of David, as the "offspring" (Matt.1:1,6).
He is the root of David, because he is the one through whom the "world"/nation of Israel was made and sprang up (John1:3,10-11).
("world" = Greek: "Cosmos") (LINK)
It is similar to his being the first and last.
Rev.1:17 continues... Rev.1:18.
Rev.1:18 tells us that although Jesus died... he lives (Col.1:18; Rev.1:5) as the "first".
He is the firstborn of the new creation.... and also, the "last" Adam (Col.1:15; 1Cor.15:45).
Jesus Christ has become the "last Adam", because he is the start of the new creation (Isa.65:17; 2Cor.5:17). He is the last Adam, because this solution is final and everlasting, as Christ becomes the father of all the living (Isa.9:6) and his bride becomes the mother of all the living (Gal.4:26 NKJV)... replacing Eve (Gen.3:20).
(2Pet.3:13; Rev.21:1-3,4-5)
[For more information about this topic, please consider:
Jesus said that he would return upon, the clouds of heaven (Matt.26:64; 24:30; Luke 21:27)(Heb.12:1; John8:17) (Rev.19:11,14; 17:14).
He is the one who sends forth his angels/messengers/witnesses
(Matt.13:41; 24:31; John1:51; Gen.28:12-14)
So yes... in a way... Jesus' return is manifested through that last "capstone".
Of course there is so much more explaining that could be written and scriptures that could be referenced, but I'm hoping these scriptures, address your questions.
Love in Christ,
Pearl
Thank you.
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