In biblical symbolism, the candlestick, or lampstand, holds significant meaning, particularly in its representation of the Church. The imagery of the candlestick is primarily drawn from the Old and New Testaments, where it serves as a powerful metaphor for the presence, witness, and mission of the Church in the world.

Old Testament Background

The concept of the candlestick originates in the Old Testament with the menorah, a seven-branched lampstand that was a central feature in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. In Exodus 25:31-40, God provides Moses with detailed instructions for crafting the menorah, emphasizing its purpose to provide light. The menorah was made of pure gold and was to be kept burning continually, symbolizing the perpetual presence of God among His people, Israel.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the imagery of the candlestick is expanded and given new meaning in the context of the Church. In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John receives a vision of seven golden lampstands, which are explicitly identified as the seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:20). Each lampstand represents a church, highlighting the role of the Church as a bearer of light in a dark world.

The lampstands in Revelation are a reminder of the Church's calling to reflect the light of Christ. Jesus Himself is depicted as walking among the lampstands, indicating His intimate presence and oversight of the churches (Revelation 1:13). This imagery underscores the responsibility of the Church to maintain its witness and purity, as well as the accountability it has to Christ, who is the source of its light.

The Church as Light-Bearer

The metaphor of the candlestick aligns with Jesus' teaching in the Gospels, where He calls His followers to be the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). The Church, as the body of believers, is tasked with illuminating the truth of the Gospel and dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance. The light of the Church is not self-generated but is a reflection of Christ's own light, as He declared, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).

The Apostle Paul echoes this theme in his epistles, urging believers to "shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15) and to live in a manner worthy of their calling. The Church's mission is to uphold the truth and to be a beacon of hope and salvation to all nations.

Warnings and Exhortations

The imagery of the candlestick also carries a warning. In Revelation 2:5, Jesus admonishes the church in Ephesus to repent and return to its first love, warning that if it does not, He will remove its lampstand from its place. This serves as a sobering reminder that the Church's light can be diminished or extinguished if it fails to remain faithful to its mission and to Christ.

The candlestick, therefore, is not only a symbol of the Church's identity and mission but also a call to vigilance and faithfulness. The Church is to be a living testimony of God's grace and truth, shining brightly in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ.Revelation 1:13,20
And in the middle of the seven candlesticks one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

On the Church of God and of Christ: or on the Church in General ...
... the name of "the church" at any time belonged, may so decline from that obedience
as to lose the name of "the church," God "removing their candlestick out of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation l on the church.htm

Death or Deep Water.
... searching flame, and tongue of keen-edged sword, and feet that had been through
the fire, who said to a Christian church, "I will move thy candlestick out of ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/death or deep water.htm

The Apostles did in all Cases Teach the Whole Truth to the Whole ...
... not usually "pushed away under a bushel, but placed on a candlestick," in order ... the
greater freedom, then, would they certainly preach in the church, who held ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xxvi the apostles did in.htm

To Urban vi
... Let all shine clear in the sight of God and men; as a light placed in the candlestick
of Holy Church, to which looks and should look all the Christian people. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to urban vi 3.htm

The Church of Christ
... off, till the tide comes and sets them afloat." Who can tell, then, what good may
be done by this church? If there is a light in this candlestick, let others ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Symbolic Ornaments of the Church
... [Illustration: Seven-branched candlestick]. ... The picture of the holy dove in the
decorations of the church tells of the coming of the same Spirit as the fruit of ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolic ornaments of the church.htm

Epistles to the Seven Churches.
... holdeth in his hand the messengers of the churches, admonished them that, unless
they repented he would remove their candlestick, ie, their church, of which ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/epistles to the seven churches.htm

The Decline of Enthusiasm
... It had settled down into the ways of an established church, with plenty ... passionate
loyalty; and unless it recovered this enthusiasm "its candlestick would be ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxxvii the decline of enthusiasm.htm

A Message from the Crowned Christ
... It is plainly said to the leader Church that it is no longer of use as a candlestick,
except a change come. It fails to give out the light. ...
/.../iv a message from the crowned.htm

The American Church on the Eve of the Great Awakening --A General ...
... The criticism of George Keith seems justified by the event"its candle needed a
candlestick. But no man can truly write the history of the church of Christ in ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter x the american church.htm

What are the seven candlesticks / lampstands of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Candlestick: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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