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Revelation 1:12,13
“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.” Revelation 1: 12, 13
A common theme throughout the book of Revelation is that John hears the word spoken, then he looks to see with his eyes the image of the account. Counter to our expectations, the visual scene is sometimes unanticipated from the initial description. In this case, the voice has said, “I am the alpha and the omega.” The expectation is to be confronted with the presence of the eternal One. Yet as John turns, he is absorbed by the essence of the Holy place in the Heavenly sanctuary where the light of the seven candlesticks is the first detail to catch his eye. Jesus is truly the eternal Light, which lighteth everyone who comes into the world for all eternity. And as we about to realize, He also is the light that guides His church, between the beginning and the end, by His continual intercession for us and the omni-presence of the Holy Spirit. Eternity is only possible for us by the priestly work of our Savior. But then, what would eternity be for God without those whom He’s created? The priesthood speaks of God’s eternal love.
These seven candlesticks are objects familiar to the sanctuary and temples that God had designated in OT times for the intercessory work of the Levitical priesthood. Now Jesus, as the book of Hebrews (especially chapters 7-9) so eloquently points out, is revealed as our high priest clothed in the garment and girdle described for Aaron (Exodus 28), the priest of the Torah. Jesus establishes quite early, demonstrating the alpha or beginning of His work, an association with the Law of the OT. Rightly so, as the dwelling of God amongst us requires a place where we learn of God’s holiness, a knowledge of our sinfulness, our only means to come into His presence: Jesus, our priest and mediator, and involved always in the process of our sanctification.
The Savior wishes to leave no doubt that He works daily for the salvation of our lives, ministering to purge us from sin in the Heavenly sanctuary; the only true temple after which the earthly types were patterned (see Ex. 25: 9, 1Chron. 28: 19, and Ezek. chapters 41-43). By His sacrifice we are able to come into the presence of the Father, whose very desire from the beginning has been to dwell with us. Adam and Eve sinned and caused humanity to flee from the holiness of God; Jesus lives ever to restore us to a trusting relationship with His Father. The earthly priesthood has demonstrated by its types that the only way to live in harmony with God is to purge sin from our lives, which can only be accomplished by the work that Jesus does for us. The cross made His intercessory role possible; and now He strives moment by moment to change us by His life: the gospel message, which is the light to be borne to the world by His church throughout the ages. As Jesus walks in the midst of the candles, which represent His churches responsible for light to the world, He (even as the priests of old) makes sure these lights do not dim or lose their source of strength in the power of the Holy Spirit. Home | About Us | Bible Study | Billerica Blog | Bible Commentary | Devotional | Online Giving | Ministries | Prayer | Media | Bookstore | News | Calendar | Contact Us | Sermons
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