E. The Future Prophecy - The Two Olive Trees.

E. The Future Prophecy – The Two Olive Trees.
"And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” (Zechariah 4:3)
These are also described in Zechariah 4:11-14.
“Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?” (Zechariah 4:11)
“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?” (Zechariah 4:12)
“And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.” (13)
“Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:11-14)
These are the same as the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11:3-4.
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Revelation 11:3)
“These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (Revelation 11:4) 
1260 days equals 42 months; and, using a 30-day Jewish month, the result is 3 ½ years. In other words, the first 3 ½ years after the Rapture.
Their introduction prophetically was basically given over 2500 years ago in Zechariah, Chapter Four, as we will examine here. Then a little over 2000 years ago, specific details of their ministry during the Tribulation of seven years was prophesied by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John in Revelation, Chapter 11. This is what is known to Bible students as Progressive Revelation.
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”- (2 Peter 1:21) 
First, I would like to point out that Zechariah had no idea what the Lord was talking about concerning these two olive trees. Notice his words in Zechariah 4:11.
“What are these two olive trees...” 
Then, again in Zechariah 4:12.
“ And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches...” 
And, again in Zechariah 4:13.
“And he (the Lord) answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.”
Daniel, like Zechariah, had many prophecies given him to record. Some were fulfilled and many yet for the future. Daniel’s words to the Lord are in Daniel 12:8 and God’s response is in Daniel 12:9. 
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” (Daniel 12:8)
“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” – Daniel 12:8-9
“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)
These Two Witnesses are described in Zechariah 4:3 and Zechariah 4:11 as olive trees, not bushes or shrubs. Bushes and shrubs are easily moved, or cut down, but not trees. Trees have their roots deep in the ground. Described as trees, their spiritual roots are grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ and His words. Psalms 1:1-3 would be descriptive of each of these Two Witnesses for the Lord in the Tribulation.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalms 1:1)
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalms 1:2)
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3) 
Zechariah 4:12 is a very interesting verse.
“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?”
Notice that the Two Witnesses were illustrated as two olive trees in Zechariah 4:3; Zechariah 4:11. Now, in Zechariah 4:12, they are spoken of as “olive branches.” The Hebrew for “branches” is “shibboieth” and means “a stream, (as flowing), a flood, to flow and to grow out of (as an ear of grain).” In other words, these Two Witnesses branch out everywhere! They are moving as a stream or river flows, witnessing everywhere, like a flood. 
Notice the word “through” in Zechariah 4:12. The Hebrew word for “through” is “yad,” which is a prime word and is defined as, “a hand, the open one (indicating power, means, direction, and etc.).” 
Notice that the “Two golden pipes” – The Hebrew for “pipes” here is “tnastarah” and means “to be hollow as a water spout, or hollow tube, or gutter.” Gold is a precious metal. Pipes are hollow through which something can flow, and there are two of these. These simply, by object illustration, reveal to the world how precious their testimony is flowing from their mouth and illustrated by their hand gestures.
Notice that they “Empty the golden oil out of themselves.” In other words, they are to speak, or give out everything that the Lord has given them to proclaim. They are to hold nothing back. The last thing given concerning these Two Witnesses is in Zechariah 4:14.
“Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” – Zechariah 4:14
Revelation, Chapter 11, gives the details and conclusion of their ministry.