Revelation 1:12; Seven Golden Candlesticks

Posted on Posted in Devotions Tagged with , ,

Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Zechariah 4:1-6 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all ofgold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which areupon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right sideof the bowl, and the other upon the left sidethereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What arethese, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

The church is described as the golden lampstand. The tabernacle contained one lampstand made of pure gold with seven lamps (Exod. 25:31, 37). Solomon’s temple had ten golden lampstands: five on the left and five on the right in front of the inner sanctuary (1 Kings 7:49); and Zechariah saw only one golden lampstand with seven lights with seven pipes supplying oil to the lights (Zech. 4:2). Even though John’s imagery is based on the Old Testament, here he uses the word lampstands, to which he supplies the number seven. The lampstands are seven churches (Rev. 1:20), and seven denotes completeness. That is, John presents a picture of the entire church.[1]

Zechariah saw a special candlestick, which the Jews call the Menorah. It is of solid gold and very precious. The candlestick had seven branches. This 5th vision signifies the completion of the Temple. The Manorah is a significant furnishing in the tabernacle and temple. It is to shine forth as light and witness to the world of the living and true God. Israel is to be the light of the world by their worship of Him, reflecting God’s light, just like the Church today.

Every church is symbolized by a lamp into which God puts the light which is to be reflected and spread abroad. Holding forth the word of life is the sacred mandate of every local church. The Holy Spirit is the power that energizes the church in her efforts of missions and evangelism.

The candlestick is lit by the oil supplied by the two olive trees, the lifeline to keep the light burning. It is to give constant light. The olive tree takes a long time to mature but will become very profitable. It symbolizes a provision of continuous supply. Olive oil is thus a beautiful emblem of the rich and ever fresh presence and grace of the Spirit. The two olive trees describe the two leaders Joshua and Zerubbabel (v 14) in which the Holy Spirit abides and energizes for every God-honouring endeavour. Through them, God equipped His people to complete the rebuilding, despite shortages.

May we be a fit temple for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, shining for our Lord. Amen.

 

[1]Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 20: Exposition of the Book of Revelation. New Testament Commentary (94). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.