Christ in all the scriptures The Golden Lampstand

 Christ in all the scriptures

The Golden Lampstand

"In Him was life and the life was the  light of men"-John 1v4

Readings: Exodus 25v31-40; 26v35; 35v14; 37v17-24; 39v37; Leviticus 24v1-4; Rev. 4v5.

Scripture symbolism is very graphic, and it needs to be to portray the Lord Jesus, the most awe-inspiring person in existence.  Every facet of this tabernacle speaks of Him and the golden lampstand is an outstanding example.  There is so much in this symbolism we can only afford brief comments, each one of which can be magnified by careful thought.

At first glance the lampstand (not candlestick as per KJV) looks like a vibrant tree, reminding us of the tree of life, from which all humanity is debarred because of the fall.  A central shaft with six branches, all depicting fruit, and flowers, and foliage, symbols of growth and life.  Emphasis is on the almond bowls or cups-(25v33-34), suggesting the almond tree is in view. Naturally speaking, the almond tree is symbolic of HOPE, being the first tree to blossom in the middle East, around January/February.  It is the sign of the end of winter and the beginning of spring.  Biblically it is symbolic of God's WATCHFULNESS over His word to fulfil it-Jeremiah 1v11-12; also it is a symbol of God's WARNING against rebellion-Numbers 17v8-10, where Aaron's rod brought forth buds and blossoms and produces almonds, and this was to be a constant reminder to them to honour God's authority.  All of these apply to Jesus, as is documented in the scriptures.  

The next outstanding feature is that it is all of pure glistening gold, symbolic of Christ in His Deity and beauty.  Attention is drawn to the value of the lampstand, it was made out of one talent of gold-25v39, a fortune in modern terms.  Trace the repetition of  the word "precious" in Peter's epistles-1st Peter 1v7; 1v19; 2v4; 2v6; 2v7; 3v4; 2nd Peter 1v1; 1v4, describing the value of His person, His work, and His blessings on His people.  The Lampstand was of "beaten work"-literally shaped by the constant and skilful beating of hammers on the pure gold.  None of us know the intense process of what it took to produce such perfection of Deity in a man, the suffering involved, particularly the suffering in His crucifixion, throughout which He displayed the glory of God in the crucible of Calvary.  To watch Him at every turn, is to witness the goodness of God revealed in the extremity of  soul of that beautiful man.  The finished product is a beautiful, compelling work of art, bristling with fruit and flowers and gleaming excellence.  It is well known that the most durable and beautiful plants flourish in the harshest conditions.  Jesus suffered more than any man-"His visage (His face) was so marred more than any man; and His form (skeletal frame) more than the sons of men-Isaiah 52v14.  His mental anguish was greater than any man-Lamentations 1v12 "Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger". So wrote the weeping prophet Jeremiah, and applied to Christ it takes on infinite proportions.  Scripture reports "He was bruised for our iniquities...", Isaiah 53v5; also "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him...", 53v10 

Then there is the function of the lampstand, to give light in the darkness.  There was no window in the holy place, and the lampstand was the only light.  The priests were to light the seven lamps every evening, and snuff them every morning-Exodus 27v20 and Leviticus 24v1-4.  All through the darkness, continually, the light shone.  This world is in darkness, as is said in many portions, and the light shines in Christ who is the light-"God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"-2nd Corinthians 4v6.  He is the light of God to a dark world, and those of us who are in Him are the true "illuminati", not the corruption of it, which currently rules the darkness of this world.  What gives the light is the pure oil olive, which is interpreted in Zechariah 4 as the Spirit of God.  He is the illumination of God in Christ.  This is declared in what is called "the upper room ministry" in John 14-16.  All the while Christ was in the world, He was the light of the world, but now, still in the darkness the light shines in the Spirit.  He reveals Christ to the world-John 16v8-11; He reveals Him to believers, who become light-reflectors-John 14v26 and 16v13.  The apostles were declared to be the light of the world-Matthew 5v14; the seven churches (representing all churches in this present time) are "golden lampstands", shining the light of Christ in a darkened world.  From heaven, in the future, those lamps are still shining on a rebellious world, it will never cease to shine wherever there is darkness-Revelation 4v5.  This is the message of the lampstand, the light of the knowledge of God will never cease, during the darkness which is this world.  Just as the lampstand was made of "beaten work", so the pure oil was "beaten for the light"-Exodus 27v20.  In the course of His ministry the Holy Spirit will often be grieved, as He deals with God's people in the process of sanctification-Eph. 4v30 and others.  No matter, His work of illumination will never cease.  

Finally, there are no dimensions given to the lampstand, such as are given to most other vessels.  This proclaims the unlimited nature of Divine revelation, the light of God to human kind.  As Paul wrote in Romans 11v33, His judgments are unsearchable, and His ways past finding out.

"And the light shineth (present continuous) in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not"-John 1v5.  Wherever there is darkness, the light of Christ will shine.   Sadly many choose to remain in darkness.