June 2005
Article 54

      17 “He also made the lamp-stand of pure gold; of hammered work he made the lampstand. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and its flowers were of the same piece.
      18 “And six branches came out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side.
      19 “There were three bowls made like almond blossoms in one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower - and so for the six branches coming out of the lampstand,” Exo 37:17-19.

      The purpose of the lampstand was to give light for the ministry of the priests within the tabernacle. Perhaps the most striking thing about the lampstand is that it was made of pure gold, which represents the divine nature of God. There was no acacia wood or human element associated with the lampstand itself. However, the priests were charged with the all around maintenance and service of the lampstand.

      14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
      15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Mt 5:13-15.
      20 "The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches,” Rev 1:20.
      The lampstand first represents Christ, then it portrays the covenant people as one with Christ in the church as the body of Christ. The “oil” speaks of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through the church as the body of Christ. The “light” signifies the influence or testimony of the Word of God shining forth in the lives of the covenant people.       18 Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World,” Jn 8:12; 9:5. And then to His church He also said, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.,” Mt 5:14.
      18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
      19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
      20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
      21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God," Jn 3:18-21.
      Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, Jn 14:6. He is also the light of the world, as stated above. Jesus is the light that lights the way and the truth which leads to divine life. The candlestick or lampstand was made of pure gold, which emphasizes the divine nature of truth and righteousness which also leads to divine life.
      Indeed, this is absolutely grand beyond current human comprehension. However, it also requires faith-obedience, at a minimum, well beyond what is normally considered sufficient. We must remember that this is the Laodicean church age, which is strongly condemned by the Lord, Rev 3:16-17. We are sure that we are doing great, and cannot believe that such language even remotely applies to us.
      16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
      17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' -- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked,” Rev 3:16-17.
      The prophetic application of the Laodicean church certainly appears to be specifically to us in America today. Comparatively, we fit the description all around. It appears that we have no great need of any kind.