#2. In your own words, what does the candlestick mean to you as a Christian and it representing Christ?

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1998

Answers

In John 8:12 we read "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." And in John 9:5, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." This is further reflected in the Christian's life as seen by Christ's words in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said "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." We are not to hide the fact that we are as Christ light to this world. It is realized also in the fullest reality in the church as well. Rev 1:12-13,19-20 "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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."

The Church of the firstborn is as Christ witnesses of that Light, which is that light that came into the world to save His people and be a shining light to all men, a light which is to be reflected unto His glory.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1998

Yes, in Revelation the candlesticks within the context of Revelation are for the seven churches. We are members of that church. We are to be lights to the world that glorify God.

Matthew 5:14-16 says, "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." (KJV)

We must be lights not dimmed by the sin of the world, but bright shiny testimonies of Christ and His Light to the world.

Christ enlightened us with His light.

Luke 1:79 says of Christ, "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (KJV)

John 1:9 says, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (KJV)

He is the "Light of Life," "The Light of World."

We ought to rejoice in His Light.

John 5:35 says, "He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." (KJV)

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1998

I agree with the answers. In the Tabernacle the Candlestick was the only light. It lighted the Tabernacle or sanctuary and so the church is the only light in the world. Christians are the light of the world we are to let our light shine so that others may see Christ in our lives. Christ is our oil, and we our his lamps in the world. We our to let our lamps shine to a dark world.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 1998

The concept and type of Christ as the candlestick, with believers as the church emanating as branches from the main, with the Oil of the Holy Spirit coursing throughout is absolutely glorious. Not only are we completely attached to the center of the candlestick, the main shaft, but the Oil of the Holy Spirit flows freely and completely through the pipes! His light is our light! And the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead...dwells in me and in you!

(Rom 8:11 KJV) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The Oil of the Spirit is the VERY LIFEBLOOD of the church. It is what gives us joy and victory! The oil of gladness that God anointed Jesus with flows through our bodies today as we serve Him.

Hebrews 1, quoting Psalm 45:7

8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

I just find it incredible and absolutely glorious that the Spirit of God flows through me, as a part of the Church, and that along with my brothers and sisters, we are permanently attached to the center. The Oil of Gladness, the Blessed Holy Spirit mixes and mingles...I share Oil with all my brothers and sisters, and with our Savior! I don't have my oil, and you have yours...it's all flowing through the whole!

This also ministers to me our utter helplessness and inability to do anything on our own. As the branches of the candlestick, our only job is to "be there", and to be open, or available. We can't do one thing on our own; we can't serve Him, we can't even love Him. HE will do the work. All we have to do is be there, and be unplugged, and the precious Oil will flow-His Oil is My Oil...His Light is My light!

Blessings, Mark Jones

-- Anonymous, November 03, 1998

Again my apologies for jumping in so late. You all have done a wonderful job and I am in agreement with what each of you have said. Let me only add that in a world that loves darkness rather than light, we must as Jesus said "let our lights shine" What a glorious thought as ambassadors of Christ we are the light of the world. Dr. Dehann in our testbook also make an excellent point of the light of the word of God. For me personally there is no greater honor or joy than to preach and teach the Living Word that enlightens the hearts and minds of men and women, to be a light in such a dark and dreary world.

Jim

-- Anonymous, November 04, 1998