IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS
REVELATION 1:12-18
Introduction:
The “candlesticks” mentioned here refer to the lampstand of the Tabernacle. It was a stand of seven lamps fueled by olive oil and burned perpetually in “holy place” of the Tabernacle just outside of the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.
It was NOT a candlestick OF CANDLES because candles were not invented until later by Scientist Michael Faraday, during his life in the nineteenth century.
In the “Holy of Holies” was the Ark of the Covenant where the High Priest made expiation or atonement once a year for the Hebrew congregation on the Day of Atonement.
I. SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS vv. 12-13
A. The Voice, Exodus 20:18, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”
1. The AUTHORITY of the voice causes John to turn to see who spoke, Matthew 7:28-29, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
2. It was the LORD’S voice, Micah 6:9, “The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.”
B. The Golden Candlesticks, Zechariah 4:2, “And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:”
1. These REPRESENT the SEVEN CHURCHES of Asia, Revelation 1:20, “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.”
2. These churches are TO HOLD FORTH LIGHT, Matthew 5:15, “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.”
a. This LIGHT is the WORD OF GOD, Psalms 119:130, “The entrance of thy words GIVETH LIGHT; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
b. The WORD of God BRINGS BLESSING, Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, BLESSED are they that HEAR the word of God, and KEEP IT.”
3. God’s churches are “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD,” Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
a. While the Lord was here HE was the LIGHT of the world, John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
b. Now His churches REFLECT THAT GREAT LIGHT in a DARK world, Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness SAW GREAT LIGHT; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”
II. THE SON OF MAN IN THE MIDST OF THE CANDLESTICKS v. 13
A. John RECOGNIZED JESUS’ GLORIFIED FORM as MAN because HE SAW IT at the TRANSFIGURATION, Mark 9:2-3, “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was TRANSFIGURED before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, EXCEEDING WHITE as SNOW; so as NO fuller on earth can white them.”
1. John HAD SEEN the Lord ENDURING the AGONY of Gethsemane, and the SHAME and ANGUISH of Calvary, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, DESPISING THE SHAME, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
2. Now he sees Jesus in His GLORY as THE SON OF MAN, Revelation 4:1-3, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”
B. The Lord Jesus’ CONTINUAL PRESENCE in the MIDST of His churches, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
1. The Lord has NOT SENT His churches into the world ALONE, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
2. The Lord has NOT LEFT US COMFORTLESS or WITHOUT GUIDANCE, John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
a. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, John 14:16, 26, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
b. The Comforter will GUIDE US into all truth, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
3. He will NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE HIS OWN, Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.”
CONCLUSION:
Jesus is in the midst of His churches. He is ever present in the person of the Holy Spirit guiding and counseling regarding the Lord’s work on this earth. He has not given us work that we cannot do, but rather, has supplied every need as individuals and as His Church to accomplish His will.