Revelation 1:12-13 MKJV (12) And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. (13) And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. And in the midst of the seven lampstands I saw One like the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and tied around the breast with a golden band.
Revelation 2:1 KJV Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Jesus speaks to John from the midst of seven golden candlesticks.
Not single candlesticks unattached to each other, but like the seven branched MENORAH from the Tabernacle.
The first letter to the first church is this picture of Jesus in the midst of the candlesticks.
Last week we referred to the details of the candlesticks, and found them to be in the shape of an almond tree with 6 branches from the sides of a shaft.
We compared it with the TREE OF LIFE.
- The focal point of the Garden of Eden.
- Jesus is the TREE OF LIFE.
- Just as Adam would eat the fruit of life and obtain eternal life, Jesus said to eat his flesh and drink his blood and get eternal life.
John 6:35 MKJV And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes on Me shall never thirst.
John 6:51 MKJV I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he shall live forever. And truly the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:54 MKJV Whoever partakes of My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
What is interesting is that the CANDLESTICKS in the Tabernacle and Temple were shaped like an almond tree.
Exodus 25:31-33 MKJV And you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of beaten work; its shaft, and its branches, its cups, its knobs, and its blossoms, shall be from it. (32) And six branches shall come out of the sides of it-- three branches of the lampstand out of the one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. (33) Three almond-like cups on the one branch, with knob and blossom; and three almond-like cups on the one branch, with knob and blossom, so for the six branches, those going out of the lampstand.
Notice each branch had three bowls like almonds, a knop (bud) and a flower.(Verse 33).
Exodus 25:33 MKJV Three almond-like cups on the one branch, with knob and blossom; and three almond-like cups on the one branch, with knob and blossom, so for the six branches, those going out of the lampstand.
The shaft had four sets of each:
Exodus 25:34 MKJV And in the lampstand shall be four almond-like cups, with their knobs and their blossoms;
That makes 9 X 6 (54) elements on the 6 branches + 12 on the shaft (54+12=66)
66 elements, the number of books of the bible.
- Nine elements on each branch (X 6) (54)
- Twelve on the shaft.
We showed this was the same state that the ALMOND ROD OF AARON resurrected from being a dead stick appeared as after it was left in the Tabernacle’s most holy Place by Moses.
Numbers 17:8 KJV And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
So, it showed PRIESTHOOD, which was proved to be the Levite’s office in Numbers when Korah challenged Moses as to who should be ministers.
Aaron’s family BELONGED in the priesthood because the BRANCH WAS MANIFESTING supernatural life.
- This is important.
- It comes up later in our studies.
Just as the TREE OF LIFE was inside the GARDEN OF EDEN, the model of the Garden was the HOLIEST OF HOLIES where the DEAD ROD of Aaron resurrected to bear buds, flowers and fruit.
(Cherubim and flaming sword)
Just like the ROD OF AARON was placed before the ARK in the Tabernacle…
- And Jesus is THAT TREE OF LIFE who gives food and drink of eternal life in his flesh and blood…
- We read saints are BEFORE THE THRONE (like the branch before the ark) serving in the TEMPLE, like the branch in the holiest.
Put this together with Aaron’s rod in the holiest before the ark, and see that it is a picture of US INSIDE THE GARDEN manifesting eternal life, but not just HAVING ETERNAL LIFE – MANIFESTING GIFTS AND FRUIT AND ATTITUDES of that eternal Life.
- Many saints HAVE eternal life in them, BUT THEY MANIFEST NONE OF IT.
- When we manifest it, we are MINISTERING.
Jesus FEEDS THEM AND LEADS THEM TO FOUNTAINS OF LIVING WATERS.
- Food and drink.
- Never hunger nor thirst.
Notice what Isaiah said about FOOD AND DRINK.
Isaiah 55:1-3 MKJV Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat. Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (2) Why do you weigh silver for what is not bread? and your labor for what never satisfies? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (3) Bow down your ear, and come to Me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Isaiah associated FOOD AND DRINK that makes THE SOUL LIVE (not body) with SURE MERCIES OF DAVID.
The sure mercies were that David was told HIS SON, SOLOMON, would not have the throne taken away from him as Saul did.
2 Samuel 7:12-16 KJV And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. (13) He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. (14) I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: (15) But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. (16) And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
The everlasting covenant is the GOSPEL, and the SURE MERCIES OF DAVID have to do with the RESURRECTION according to Acts 13.
Acts 13:34 KJV And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
How do the sure mercies of David associate with the resurrection?
Here’s how:
- Solomon would built the temple, and sure mercies would mean that the throne would never leave that family no matter what.
- But Acts 13:34 applied SURE MERCIES to Jesus’ resurrection.
- Put that together with 2Samuel 7’s words to David about the throne never departing.
- If Jesus resurrected and can never die again, the throne would never depart from HIM!
- That is like putting the sure mercies of maintaining the throne in David’s line on STEROIDS!
- The throne will never leave if CHRIST IS KING FOREVER AND NEVER due to never dying again after His resurrection!
And notice that Revelation 7 mentioned the TEMPLE.
- Solomon would build the temple.
- His kingdom would be established.
- He would be God’s Son.
- Mercy would not depart and he would the throne of David would be established forever.
- And associating HIS RESURRECTION with the sure mercies, and knowing the sure mercies were associated with the SON OF DAVID WHO WOULD BUILD A TEMPLE, we see the saints in Rev 7 eating and drinking eternal FOOD AND DRINK WHO ARE BEFORE THE THRONE!
- Like the ROD BEFORE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT.
Revelation 7:15-17 MKJV (15) Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. And He sitting on the throne will dwell among them.
1) Before the throne, like the rod before the ARK.
2) In the temple, like the rod in the tabernacle’s holiest.
3) Since they are before the throne in the temple and the ARK/throne is in the holiest, these are in the HOLIEST OF HOLLIES.
4) He dwells among them like being in the MIDST OF THE CANDLESTICKS!
(16) They will not hunger any more, nor thirst any more, nor will the sun light on them, nor any heat. (17) For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and will lead them to the fountains of living waters. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
They live off the LIFE that JESUS GIVES THEM, like branches on the vine, and rod of Aaron before the Ark receiving resurrection LIFE FROM THE ARK.
- Also, PRIESTS SERVE IN THE TEMPLE (There’s reference to the temple God mentioned to David about his son)
We are priests:
Revelation 1:6 KJV And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
AARON’S ROD was the proof of who the PRIESTLY NATION was!
- Proof of a person’s priesthood is MANIFESTING SUPERNATURAL GIFTING AND FRUIT.
What is so wonderful is that the CANDLESTICKS in the midst of which Jesus is standing, indicating PRIESTHOOD and the CHURCHES and their ministries, has 66 elements on it.
1 Cor 12 lists 9 GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.
Matthew 5 lists NINE BEATTITUDES.
Matthew 5:3-11 KJV Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Romans 12 lists 7 GIFT MINISTRIES.
Romans 12:6-8 KJV Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Gal 5:22-23).
Some say the FIVEFOLD ministry would more correctly be termed FOURFOLD.
Ephesians 4:11 KJV And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Pastors and teachers would be ONE.
One man, JERRY GOLDEN, made this diagram.
So we see the MINISTRIES shown forth producing FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT and GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.
We are branches that are meant to MANIFEST the LIFE Of Jesus through our lives.
He is the vine we are the branches.
John 15:2-8 KJV Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Disciples are meant to BEAR MUCH FRUIT.
Notice that Jesus speaks to the FIRST CHURCH LISTED IN REVELATION 2, EPHESUS, using these words:
Revelation 2:1 KJV Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Recall what the candlesticks represent.
Revelation 1:20 KJV 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.
And what he says to them refers to them as a CANDLESTICK.
Revelation 2:2-5 KJV I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Their candlestick was like a branch coming from Jesus.
- And Jesus said they were doing many good works, but lost their firstlove.
- It reminds me of Adam losing out with God in disobedience.
- His firstlove was to serve God.
- Adam lost that.
- And lost his place in the Garden.
Jesus spoke of the branches and said this:
Being a BRANCH ABIDING IN THE VINE OF CHRIST means we have to learn to trust in Jesus.
- To be used in the Kingdom is to get used to depending on Jesus to guide you and not to think in your mind what to do.
- Rely on the Spirit.
- Even in sharing, for example, do not think of something to say, but actually pray and ask God to give you something.
- When we are not relying on HIS SPIRIT, we act in the flesh and though we have lots of activity, it does NOT COME FROM HIS LIFE.
- It comes from natural life.
Jesus was telling them that failure to manifest HIS WILL – and He attributed that to LOSING THEIR FIRST LOVE — would require Him to remove their candlestick OUT OF ITS PLACE.
- At the Portage prayer meeting yesterday, God spoke to me about this and I shared it with two of the pastors and the people who were there then.
- Each letter to the seven churches shows situations that he dealt with in regards to, in most cases, hindrances that were STOPPING THEM FROM BEING THE BRANCH THAT JESUS NEEDS TO MANIFEST THROUGH.
- Smyrna and Philadelphia HAD NO PROBLEMS.
- The other 5 did.
- THOSE PROBLEMS hinder the LIFE-SAP of Jesus from flowing through them to manifest HIMSELF in their church.
- Each church had their unique situation.
- But Jesus was wanting a FULL (number 7) manifestation of His presence through them all.
It all boils down to OUR FIRST LOVE.
- Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God.
- Jesus is supposed to be in the MIDST, the focal point of our lives.
Like the trees of Life on either side of the river of life in Rev 22, the branches that are connected to Jesus LIVE BY THE SAP FROM THE VINE.
- That sap is the SPIRIT OF JESUS.
- HIS LIFE.
When we focus on many efforts and works and lose firstlove, we turn into legalists and carnally motivated believers who no longer depend on the Spirit of God.
- You can tell when someone flows in the Spirit.
- They charge the congregation up!
- Worship flows.
- Tears flow.
- You can feel the anointing.
And like removing a branch that does not abide in the vine, Jesus said He’d remove the Ephesians’ candlestick from its place.
But if they overcome, notice what is said.
Revelation 2:7 KJV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Just like JESUS was in the MIDST OF THE CANDLESTICKS, THE TREE OF LIFE IN THE MIDST OF THE PARADISE OF GOD (EDEN MEANS PARADISE).
- And he wraps up their word with a reference to GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE IN THE MIDST OF EDEN.
- Their first love was actually UNION TO JESUS who is the tree of life.
- A branch that abides in the vine is a believer and a church that RELIES ON AND DRAWS FROM THE LIFE OF THE VINE, Jesus Christ.
- And such a church MANIFESTS His POWER and LIGHT.
Jesus wants to UPLIFT the branches who have learned to manifest His power, because the world needs that kind of light.
After Matthew 5 mentions 9 BEATTITUDES (more segments on the candlesticks?), we read this:
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (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. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Candlesticks are to LIFT UP the LIGHT coming forth.
- If a church or even a believer is not manifesting God’s LIGHT, then THE CANDLESTICK IS TO BE REMOVED FROM ITS PLACE.
