The Symbols of the Lampstand:
1. The lampstand points us to the (Zechariah 4:1-3) And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
(Zechariah 4:10)
(1 Peter 3:12) For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
(Proverbs 15:3)
(Proverbs 5:21) For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
(Psalm 139:7-10) Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
2. The lampstand revealed the only source of true light.
(John 1:9) The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
(John 8:12) Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(Hebrews 1:3) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
3. When God reveals and releases an authentic aspect of his nature and character, there will always be a counterfeit provided by the enemy.
(2 Corinthians 11:14) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
(John 3:20) For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
(2 Corinthians 4:4) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
How does the light of God change us?
1. God’s light draws us into holiness.
(1 John 1:5) This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
2. God’s light gives us knowledge to live by.
(Daniel 2:22) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
(Psalm 119:130) The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
3. God’s light gives us stability in a constantly changing world.
(James 1:17) Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
4. God’s light gives us a ministry to fulfill.
(1 Peter 2:9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
5. God’s light gives us a glory to look forward to.
(Revelation 21:23) And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.