The Golden Oil in Zechariah 4.

"And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold ... " Zachariah 4:2

"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?" Zachariah 4:12 The following study contains relevant Spirit of Prophecy and SDA Pioneer definitions of the "Golden Oil" in Zechariah chapter 4. Using Miller's Rules of interpretation we know that the "Two Olive Branches", the "To Anointed Ones" and the "Golden Oil" are figures and Zechariah chapter 4 is a vision. Rule #8 "Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy to represent future things, times and events; such as mountains, meaning governments; beasts, meaning kingdoms, waters, meaning people, lamps, meaning Word of God, day, meaning year. Daniel 2:35,44; 7:8,17; Revelation 17:1,15; Psalms 119:105; Ezekiel 4:6." Rule #10. "Figures sometimes have two or more different significations;" Rule #11. "How to know when a word is used figuratively: If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally; if not, figuratively. Revelation 12:1,2;17:3-7."

Rule #12. "To learn the true meaning of figures, trace your figurative word through your Bible, and where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense you need look no further; if not, look again."

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