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| Light of the World |
The purpose of this article is looking at the deeper things of God in His Word. All the pieces of furniture in the tabernacle of Moses all represent something and is repeated some time in the new testament. This page, as I receive more revelation, more will be posted. Everything points to God then ultimately Jesus.
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man . . . (Rev 1:13
Exodus 25:31 – 39
- The Lamp Stand was made of Pure Gold, no dimensions were specified
- The Candlestick was hammered out of One Piece of Pure Gold
- Its accessories were pure golden wick trimmers and trays
- 7 Pure Gold Lamps were on top of the Candlestick
- The Candle Stick was made out of 1 Talent of Gold (34 kgs)
Lampstand in the Tabernacle
The Tabernacle Lampstand
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Rev. 1:20).
The scriptures teach that the Menorah was and is esteemed of God a symbol extraordinaire.
Menorah
-The Lamp of God – The Light of God
… I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of Gold … and his seven lamps thereon …” (Zech. 4:2).
This lampstand symbolizes many things such as the Nation of Israel, the Church, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the Seven Spirits of God, even the Lord Jesus Christ himself as “the light of the world.”
The first mention of the menorah is mentioned in Exodus 25:31-40. Moses just returned from his encounter with the Lord on Mt. Sinia with instructions of the Tabernacle.
All of the furnishings of the temple including the lampstand were to be constructed according to the “pattern” of heavenly things – the heavenly blueprint. Apparently Moses was permitted to peer into the heavenlies and there to see the divine pattern for praise, worship, and service , the system employed by the heavenly hosts themselves from the time of creation. Hebrews 8:5 speaks of this event: “. . . John himself in Revelations 4 was actually seeing the heavenly tabernacle during the feast of Trumpets – representing the future rapture of the church.
The number 7 – seven branches on the menorah. Seven seemed to be used to represent an act of “completion” or “perfection” e.g. –
•Pharaoh’s dream (which led to Joseph’s rise to power) had 7 fat cattle and 7 starved cattle.
•The lampstand in the Temple had 7 branches (as seen today in the Menorah)
•The Israelite annual holy days were filled with measurements of 7, including the Days of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles which each have 7 days.
•There are 7 weeks between Passover and Pentecost.
•The Israelites were to give the land itself a rest every 7th year.
•The Israelites marched around Jericho for 7 days before its fall, when 7 priests blew 7 trumpets 7 times
•There are 7 recorded statements of Jesus while He was on the cross
•Coincidently or not, Jerusalem is 777 meters above sea level
•The 7 churches, with their 7 spirits, in Revelation
•The 7 stars, 7 Seals, 7 trumpets, 7 candlesticks, 7 vials of end-time prophecy.
*The knops, flowers and bowls appear to add up to seventy plus two. The number 70 plays the dominant role in Biblical expression and numerology. Concerning the candlestick the first-century Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus confirms “It was made with its knops, and lilies, and pomegranates, and bowls (which orna-ments amounted to seventy in all);”
The lampstand was made to look like a tree. It had members that demonstrated the 3 stages of life:1) buds – potential 2) flowers – beauty 3) almonds – fruit
All 3 were present at the same time. The lampstand and members all pointed to the Lord. It was a “vehicle of light” of God, “I am the light of the world.” The lampstand was a method of self-revelation (making God known to man). This is the purpose of “the word” in John 1:1.
The lampstand was solid gold, not gold “plated”. The laver was wood and copper, The ark was wood and gold. They had 2 natures/materials due to the 2 natures of our Lord: humanity – to die (God can not die) = High Priest-know man’s infirmities God – divine to endure fires of Calvary = Priest forever.
The Process of Gold vs. the Believer
When gold is taken out of the earth, it is fit for nothing. In order to make it useable it must pass through the purifying fires. It is at this point that the impurities are removed for it is the fires where that which is pure gold is manifest. After the gold is brought to this point it can be fashioned in the hands of the gold smith. The process can be painful and take a long time, for the gold must submit to the hammers and beating work of the smith. In this process the gold has to go through a lot, but when the work is done, it is a thing of rare beauty.
This process is typical of that which God works in His Church.God, by His Spirit, is purifying and sanctifying His Church by means of fiery trials, testings and sufferings. Through it all the Church will come forth as pure gold, and it will conform to the Divine pattern that God has fore-ordained (Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:4-5, Job 23:10, 1 Peter 1:7, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 John 3:3).
A goldsmith once pointed out, that hammering gold makes it stronger. As we are hammered into objects of usefulness and beauty, we are strengthened in Him:
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor.4:8-9).
When we are called to endure suffering, in whatever form it comes, we are sharing the suffering of Christ.
The ark pictures the Lord Jesus’ human and divine natures. The laver that of the Holy Spirit baptizing the regenerated. The pure gold lampstand = the deity of the Lord Jesus = the word of God because the word was God!
The word of God (= the Lord Jesus) was the agent of creation (Jn 1:1). Where and what was the source to create all these things?
The buds on the lampstand
The buds on the lampstand take the mind back to Aaron’s rod that budded, a picture of Christ in resurrection life. Christ is the source and vehicle God uses to provide the life of God to His own. The gold symbolizes the divine glory involved.
John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
The secret of success revealed in Zech 4:6 = “by my spirit, saith the LORD…” The Holy Spirit represents the oil in the lamp. The lampstand (symbol of testimony) is maintained by the HOLY SPIRIT of God. Where do we see this fulfilled in the NT?
Producing Fruit:
John 15:1-4 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
From Genesis to Revelation when you consider that it represented the presence of all truth, hence the light of the world? God informed Moses that the Menorah was to be located in what was known as the “Holy Place” in the sanctuary of God.
It was the only source of light in the wilderness tabernacle as it continued to be in all future Temples except for the annual glowing of the Shechinah glory visitation in the Holiest of Holies.
He was commanded to build a sanctuary according to the “heavenly” pattern. It was to contain such imagery as the candlestick, a table of shewbread, altars, the ark of the covenant, golden cherubims of glory, angelic figurines embroidered on the inner curtains of the sanctuary and many other items that Moses had seen in his heavenly vision.
The Menorah an ever present symbol of truth – the Light of Christ. “The Lamp of God” – the Menorah is a timeless symbol of eternity. God is eternal and determining our path can be eternal.
The Menorah was not referred to as the “Lamp of the Jews” or the “Lamp of the Temple” nor the “Lamp of the Synagogue” but the “Lamp of God”. Because it was God who designed it, had it constructed, and commanded its use (Ex 25:31, Number 8:2-4).
Lamp of God the Word of God
The Lamp of God, which is the Word of God (Psa. 119:105) and our understanding of it. If when we are perplexed in life, the Word of God is a light to the pathway for direction. Even though today, the hebrew heritage has been so eroded over time starting back approximately 400 AD during the time of Constantine. The light of God shall the kingdom of heaven likened unto ten virgins – being ready and in season.
The Ten Virgins
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. . . .While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. … And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (Mt 25:1,2,5,8).
There was a time when a woman was being betrothed, she did not know when the bridgegroom was ready and come after her. She had to be ready and prepared to leave at any notice. Jesus will come at a twinkle of an eye and the church will be taken out so we must be ready.
If we are to shine forth as lamps in a world of darkness as Jesus indicated (Luke 12:35), God’s word must become very precious to us and an accelerated understanding of it a high priority. Apathy toward truth is undoubtedly one of the subtle sins of our time. In Revelations it talks about the 7th church being in apathy.
Lets look at the vision Zechariah had: And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: . . .Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel,[the restorer] saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts (Zech. 4:2,6).
The Menorah symbolizes the seven-fold spirit of God at work in the restoration efforts taking place in Jerusalem.
It is only through a complete seven-fold anointing that doctrinal unity and maturity can be brought to the body of Christ to insure our success in God’s purposes. The restoration was symbolized by the candlestick.
After captivity in Babylon, the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalum and the temple of God and the anointing of the church to proclaim the gospel to the nations (Mt. 24:14) and bring the restoration of all things.
The Menorah symbol such as the cross, the lamb, the dove or the fish that are of common use throughout Christendom today.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. ( Mt. 5:14-17)
The church here is represented by the symbol of the candlestick. The lesson is that the Church must become the light of the world (a reflection of the Word of God). The book of Revelation gives substantial affirmation to this assertion when the angel states:
… the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Rev. 1:20) with our Lord walking up and down the isles of the church.
The spirit of Love is central to the very essence and nature of God as is demonstrated in the symbolism of the candlestick. The center lamp of the Menorah is, in Hebrew, called the Ner Elohim the “Lamp of God” as well as Shamash. Since the scriptures teach that “God is love” (1 Jo 4:8), one might even call this center light the “Love Lamp” amidst the seven.
Today, there seems to be a bridge connecting the gentiles with the Jews. An awakening to the roots of Judism and the symbolic meanings.
The Seven Spirits
Finally, we see seven flames of fire, a heavenly Menorah as it were, blazing before the throne in heaven:
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Rev. 4:5)
What are the seven spirits of God and what is their mission? Isaiah the prophet is very specific on this point:
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. (Isa 11:2)
The purpose for mentioning these seven spirits ablaze before the throne of God is to show that the principles of the candlestick are also manifested in the heavenlies. For the Church to be a living lampstand in the earth, and the light on a “candlestick” that Jesus predicted (Mt 5), all of these seven spirits of God must be burning in our personal lives, as well as in the corporate Church. The seven-branched candlestick was given to constantly remind us of that important truth. Even a casual observer of the scripture must draw that conclusion.
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Rev 5:6)
Liturgy of lights
Pastor: And I saw seven spirits of God burning before the throne!
Congregation: The Spirit of Love (Lord)
The Spirit of Wisdom
The Spirit of Understanding
The Spirit of Counsel
The spirit of Knowledge
The spirit of Strength
(and) The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord
Corporate: Jesus is the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Now we are the light of the world!
We will shine forth as lights in a world of darkness!
Lord Jesus Christ, you are our light and our salvation! Amen!
(Ref. from Rev. 4:5, Isa. 11:1-2, Jn. 1:9, Mt. 5:14, Ph. 2:15, Ps 27:1)
The Menorah can be effectively used at wedding ceremonies, infant dedications, home dedications, the dedication of a business or any other occasion where a declaration of the seven spirits of God would be appropriate.
The candlestick is the Biblical symbol of the Church.
Thoughts About The Cross To Think About
While the preaching of the cross and its message is indeed “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16), so horrible was the scene at the cross, that the Heavenly Father could not bring Himself to look upon it. Therefore it is possibly doubtful that Jesus, if He was on earth, would encourage the historic emphasis and high profile we have placed on the emblem of the cross. For the Christians it is very symbolic what the Lord did for us on the Cross. Although the message of sacrifice and redemption would have remained the same. Indeed, it is entirely possible that He would even discourage its being excessively displayed.
To reach the Jews to the Lord, the menorah can be used to bridge relationship to bring them to the cross.
The cross represents the excruciating torment our Lord and Savior endured for us “endured the cross despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). What is interesting is the cross is so glaringly missing, indeed totally absent, from the abundance of symbolism to be found in the book of the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It is simply nowhere there to be found. It makes you wonder why the cross is not even mentioned but the menorah is – the seven lampstands since Jesus is the Light of the World.
The seven lampstands represents the church and the church age. The seventh church is possibly where the church is today.
On the other hand, He would no doubt be heartened and thrilled at the sight of the golden candlestick, which is so profoundly meaningful in the revelation of who He is in the power of His resurrection and the light of His presence. Something not really taught in the church today since the time of Constantine. As we more fully appreciate the significance of this magnificent symbol, we will join with the angel to declare “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord” (Zec 4:6).
Jesus said that we were to be the “light of the world.” And that we were to put our light on a candlestick (Mt. 5:15). Could it be that the candlestick would surpass the cross as the symbol for representing the Christian church? Probably not, but at the very least, it should be included.
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