Then I turned and raised my eyes, and saw there a flying scroll. Zechariah 5:1

At first glance, this phrase seems to be bizarre, however as we said previously , we need to allow scripture to interpret scripture. When the prophet Zechariah says he “raised my eyes” this is an expression, the prophet is ready to hear the word from God

 I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? Psalm 121:1

Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

The vision the prophet Zechariah sees is a flying scroll. The scroll is very symbolic all throughout the prophets, this typically indicates the Word or decree from God, including judgement. The fact the scroll is flying indicates there will be a supernatural element to this decree from God

Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, / which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. Ezekiel 2:9-10

And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.” Zechariah 5:2

The interesting thing about this scroll , is it has exact measurements, which are symbolic of the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. This symbolizes that Gods Word is Holy and needs to be obeyed with great reverence. 

The vestibule in front of the sanctuary of the house was twenty cubits long across the width of the house, and the width of the vestibule extended ten cubits from the front of the house. 1 Kings 6:3

Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according to this side of the scroll; and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according to that side of it.” Zechariah 5:3

The decree issues by God is the curse of Israel for breaking the covenant by their sin and idolatry. This is leading to the New Covenant in Christ prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31)

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— Jeremiah 31:31

Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ / ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ / ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Deuteronomy 27

“I will send out the curse,” says the LORD of hosts; “It shall enter the house of the thief And the house of the one who swears falsely by My name. It shall remain in the midst of his house And consume it, with its timber and stones.” Zechariah 5:4

Nobody is fooling God, the false prophets and the false religious system may appeal to the flesh, but its an abomination to God. This is all leading to Christ, the only way to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) Outside of the Covenant with Christ, everyone is under the curse of sin and death

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ) Galatians 3:13

‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ” Zechariah 4:7

As we continue in this chapter, God is prophesying to Zechariah about the rebuilding of The Temple. Zerrubbabel remember is the governor of Judah at the time, prophesied to be one of the two olive trees, anointed leaders for God

But what’s fascinating about this prophecy, is once again its a prophecy pointing to Christ. As it states “he shall bring forth the capstone (the most important stone) as Christ is the chief cornerstone, the final temple 

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, Ephesians 2:20

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. 

The completion of the second temple was dedicated in 516 BCE, this was a fulfilment of this prophecy. Also fulfillment of what the prophet Haggai foretold about Zerubbabel and the completion of the 2nd temple, which all of this is a foreshadow leading to Christ

‘In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 2:23

For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”   Zechariah 4:10

The completion of the Temple not only fulfills prophecy, but demonstrates Gods power to fulfill His will regardless of the obstacles and opposition. I’m sure the idea of rebuilding The Temple was an overwhelming task led by Zerubbabel, but it was completed God’s sovereignty , as stated “the eyes of The Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole Earth” God is in complete control of the world. The number 7 is symbolic of completion or perfection

Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?” Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:11-14

The premise always when studying the Bible is “let scripture interpret scripture” The question of who are these two olive trees is actually answered by God “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside The Lord of the whole Earth” The reason they are olive trees, is oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. These are anointed leaders chosen by God to fulfill a purpose. 

It was identified that these two leaders chosen in this particular event (the rebuilding of the Temple) are the high priest Joshua and Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah. You can apply this same principle when interpreting the two witnesses in Revelation, 2 spirit filled anointed leaders called and raised up by God to fulfill a purpose

These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth Revelation 11:4