Ver. 4. These are the two olive trees , etc.] Or represented by the two olive trees in ( Zechariah 4:3,11-14), which there design Joshua and Zerubbabel; and who in laying out themselves, their gifts and wealth, in rebuilding and finishing the temple, were types of these witnesses, the ministers of the Gospel, in the successive ages of the apostasy; who may be compared to olive trees, because of the oil of grace, and the truth of it in them; and because of the gifts of the Spirit of God bestowed on them, or their having that anointing which teacheth all things; and because they freely impart their gifts, and the golden oil of the Gospel unto others, and also bring the good tidings of peace and salvation by Christ, of which the olive leaf is a symbol; and because they are like the olive tree, fat, flourishing, and fruitful in spiritual things; they are sons of oil, and God's anointed ones: and the two candlesticks ; which hold forth the light of the word, in the midst of Popish darkness: this shows that churches, as well as ministers, are designed by the witnesses, since the candlesticks are explained of the churches, ( Revelation 1:20), though the simile well agrees with ministers of the word, who are the lights of the world, or hold forth the light of the Gospel, which is put into them by Christ: and these olive trees and candlesticks are represented as standing before the God of the earth ; ministering unto him, enjoying his presence, and having his assistance, and being under his protection. The Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read, “the Lord of the earth”; and so the Complutensian edition; (see Zechariah 4:14 6:5).
Verses 3-13 - In the time of treading down, God kept his faithful witnesses to attes the truth of his word and worship, and the excellence of his ways, The number of these witnesses is small, yet enough. They prophesy i sackcloth. It shows their afflicted, persecuted state, and deep sorro for the abominations against which they protested. They are supporte during their great and hard work, till it is done. When they ha prophesied in sackcloth the greatest part of 1260 years, antichrist the great instrument of the devil, would war against them, with forc and violence for a time. Determined rebels against the light rejoice as on some happy event, when they can silence, drive to a distance, or destroy the faithfulservants of Christ, whose doctrine and conduc torment them. It does not appear that the term is yet expired, and the witnesses are not a present exposed to endure such terrible outwar sufferings as in former times; but such things may again happen, an there is abundant cause to prophesy in sackcloth, on account of the state of religion. The depressed state of real Christianity may relat only to the western church. The Spirit of life from God, quickens dea souls, and shall quicken the dead bodies of his people, and his dyin interest in the world. The revival of God's work and witnesses, wil strike terror into the souls of his enemies. Where there is guilt there is fear; and a persecuting spirit, though cruel, is a cowardl spirit. It will be no small part of the punishment of persecutors, bot in this world, and at the great day, that they see the faithfu servants of God honoured and advanced. The Lord's witnesses must not be weary of suffering and service, nor hastily grasp at the reward; but must stay till their Master calls them. The consequence of their being thus exalted was a mighty shock and convulsion in the antichristia empire. Events alone can show the meaning of this. But whenever God' work and witnesses revive, the devil's work and witnesses fall befor him. And that the slaying of the witnesses is future, appears to be probable.
