Revelation Chapter 1, Part 12
Revelation Chapter 1
VERSE 12 “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands.”
“The message that was to be sent was not limited to the seven literal churches named, but symbolically represented the entire church or Gospel age. In a symbolic sense, John represents the last or feet members of the church, who have to “turn and look back” to the early church to see what the voice (Jesus or his representing angel) had to say. We, on this end of the age, have the benefit of previous history to help us interpret the message.”
THEN I TURNED TO SEE THE VOICE THAT SPOKE WITH ME:
We must alter the direction of our lives to see what Jesus is telling us (Compare Verse 10). In one sense, the Harvest Church can turn —look into the past (history) —to see (understand) the message from Jesus. In the literal sense, of course, John (figuratively, placed in our day) had to look back (through time) to see the vision of which he must write.
AND HAVING TURNED I SAW SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS:
As we look back, we clearly see the Church having gone through seven periods of historical experience. In each period it gave us our divinely appointed light as due —however now having reached the end of the age the light (knowledge) of all seven periods is blended together constituting one light, the whole Gospel message.
“The phrase “being turned” is similar to John’s hearing “behind” him the voice of Jesus. From this turned posture, the Apostle looks back upon history as prophecy fulfilled. From this perspective he discloses the contents of each message to the seven churches. The introduction of seven candlesticks in the vision is a reminder of the light used in Israel’s Tabernacle and of the later use of candlesticks in the Temple of stone, which replaced the “tent of meeting.”
In the Tabernacle only one candlestick was necessary to illuminate the interior of the Holy compartment. However, the candlestick had seven branches, three branches on either side of a central branch stem. It was made of one piece of solid gold, which was beaten or hammered out into final intricate form, representing the disciplinary experiences that come upon the Lord’s people in holding forth the light of truth (Exod. 37:17).” For more on the Golden Lampstand or candlestick please see The Only Way, Part 17
“Although the candlesticks or lamp stands mentioned in Revelation are related to the Menorah used in the Tabernacle, yet the parts are separated, the union or relationship between them being supplied by the Redeemer, the antitypical high priest.
The lamp stands of Revelation symbolize the Lord’s nominal Church of this Gospel Age, including the true Church, and are more closely identified with the candlesticks placed in the Temple at the Lord’s direction. The candlesticks hold forth the light of life, the light that shines in darkness, the light God directed to shine before men so that they might see the good works of His people and glorify the Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Alas, the Master evidently found few good works and little glorifying light shining out from his earthly representatives in many of these epochs, as evidenced by the messages, chidings, and encouragements that he gave to each of the seven epoch churches represented by the seven candlesticks or lamp stands. When the Lord addresses each of these lamp stands or churches, he finds fault with the many and approves the few. This situation is especially true in the last or seventh Church: the Laodicean Church of the present.
The descriptions in Verses 13 to 16 are a character study of Jesus in glory, and NOT a reference to his personal appearance. This symbolic picture denotes the various abilities, perfections, and attributes of the risen Redeemer, which are used to benefit his Church during its earthly pilgrimage here below.”
In our next post we will take a look at Verse 13
2 thoughts on “Revelation Chapter 1, Part 12”
“Although the candlesticks or lamp stands mentioned in Revelation are related to the Menorah used in the Tabernacle, yet the parts are separated…”.
Interesting.
My question is on the separation of the Menorah. Any scripture reference?
Thanks
In reference to Revelation Chapter 1 Verses 9-13 viz.,
“I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.”
We find the following remarks which we believe explains the significance of the candlesticks being separated one from another as opposed to the common depiction of the seven candlesticks found together in the Golden Lampstand.
“Turning and looking, John saw in symbol as we may now see with the eye of faith and understanding. He saw one like a Son of man [like a man – like a priest, as implied by the clothes described] walking amongst seven golden candlesticks, caring for them, trimming the wicks, seeing to the supply of oil, etc. We see that our Lord Jesus, our glorified Master, although absent from us, has been present with his Church throughout the past eighteen centuries and more, protecting the interests of his cause and directing in respect to all of his people’s affairs, especially inspecting and caring for the Church as a light bearer, a candlestick. Alas, how poor the wicks sometimes have been, how feeble the light that has sometimes shone out into the darkness, how much of trimming has been necessary and how much more may yet be necessary!
In the Tabernacle, and subsequently in the Temple of Solomon, the golden candlesticks or lampstands were placed by the Lord’s direction – not seven candlesticks, but one with seven branches, representing the whole Church, the complete Church during this Gospel age. In Revelation the same candlestick or lampstand is brought to our attention, but the parts are separated – the union, the relationship between them, being supplied by our Redeemer, the antitypical High Priest.
The lampstand symbolized the Lord’s nominal people of this Gospel age, including his “members.” It holds forth the light of life, the light that shines in the darkness and which he directed should be so let shine before men that they might see our good works and glorify the Father in heaven. Alas! the Master evidently found but few good works, but little glorifying light shining out from his earthly representatives in many of these epochs. This is represented by his messages, chidings, encouragements, etc., given to each of these epoch churches represented by the different candlesticks or lampstands.
It is to be noted that the lampstand represents the nominal Church of Christ rather than the true. This is shown by the fact that in the Lord’s addressing each of these lampstands or churches he finds fault with the many and approves the few, especially so in the last, the seventh, the Laodicean Church of our day.” R3569