The Lampstand
Brother Sparks emphasizes the significance of the lampstand as a symbol of God's presence and testimony in the world, rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. In Exodus, the golden candlestick represents divine light, purity, and the Lord’s presence among His people, symbolizing that the Lord and His people are inseparable in purpose. Revelation reveals the lampstands as seven churches, with Christ in their midst, highlighting His authority and the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and holiness. The lampstand signifies not only divine presence but also the identity of the Lord with His people, emphasizing that they are one in His purpose. Brother Sparks underscores that the church's testimony must be organic, spontaneous, and Spirit-led, not externally constructed or controlled by human institutions. The vessel of the lampstand is of pure gold, symbolizing divine nature—holiness and holy love—necessary for effective testimony. The process of shaping this vessel involves suffering and discipline, producing a vessel fit for divine use. The lampstand’s position between heaven and earth signifies the church’s role as a spiritual intermediary, separate from worldly influences, and committed to reflecting the Spirit’s light. Its function is to shine the Spirit’s light into the darkness, fulfilling God's purpose in the world. Brother Sparks calls for earnest prayer and faithfulness, urging believers to revive and maintain the testimony of Jesus, especially through the ministry of John, and to remain spiritually pure and separate from worldly involvement.
Outline of Main Points
Significance of the lampstand as a symbol of God's presence and testimony
Old Testament: Representation of divine light and presence in Exodus
New Testament: The seven churches as lampstands, with Christ in their midst
Unity of Lord and His people in purpose and identity
Spiritual meaning: organic, Spirit-led, not externally constructed
Material: pure gold symbolizes divine nature—holiness and holy love
Process of shaping the vessel involves suffering and discipline
Position: between heaven and earth, signifying separation from worldly influences
Function: to reflect the Spirit’s light, revealing holiness and guiding others
Call for spiritual revival, faithfulness, and maintaining the testimony of Jesus
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 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. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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.
31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. 40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
