The Seven Lampstands

What can the early church teach the modern-day church? We always hold up the early church as such a perfect example of what followers of Christ are to look like. We also read through the Book of Acts trying to find the reasons whyza they grew so steadily and made the most out of sharing the Gospel. Yet, we also know that they had their fair share of problems. Some of these problems were misunderstanding on the commands of Christ. Some were miscommunication, whether intentionally or not, on the ways of being a follower of Christ. Many things were learned by trial and error such as their organizational structure and how to meet certain needs. They did not have the gift of technology so all of there communication was from letters written by higher up leaders and through messages delivered through trusted disciples.

The final writing of the Apostles was from St. John the Beloved. He was the last one living, never to be completely martyred. What do I mean by that, “completely martyred?” The Roman government tried three times to execute John but he lived through each one of those attempts. So finally, they exiled him to the deserted island of Patmos.

Pray and Read Revelation 1:9-20

Revelation 1:9–20 NRSV

I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

So, it was Sunday, or maybe even Easter Sunday. John was praying and worshiping God on his own when he heard a voice so profound and as loud as a trumpet! This Voice tells him to write down all that he will see, and send it to the seven churches. These seven churches were the ones close to him. He knew the people and probably would love to be with them at this time to worship and pray with them, but he is isolated all on his own. But what a perfect place for a one-on-one with our Savior?

So John turns to see who is speaking to him and he is taken back by the sight of seven lampstands and in the middle was standing one looking like the Son of Man. Jesus is the Son of Man. If you remember John’s writing or story telling style, then you will remember that he rarely uses first-person narrative and is rarely direct with who exactly is doing something or speaking.

The One speaking “resembles” Jesus but does not look like the same Jesus John remembers all those years ago. It has been nearly 60 years since he saw Him last. He remembers how He looked before His death, he remembers the blood and the bruises that made Him almost unrecognizable, and he remembers seeing Him anew, glowing and looking radiant after the Resurrection. However, this time His look was even more different than ever before and almost unrecognizable yet perfect and beautiful. The Son of God and Man looked terrifying if truth be told. His skin was not the same brown but bronze. His eyes were not soft but like a blaze of fire. His hair was white as in aged but He did not resemble just any old man. In fact His hair seems to signify a pure and wise nature.

His clothes were the most different. When Jesus walked this earth, he wore the traditional robe with a cloak and an apron, and with sandals. They were just as dusty and tattered as the others who walked miles alongside Him. But now His clothes were radiant with a golden sash only seen on the Roman gods that the people painted and worshipped in the cities. However, the Son of God and Man stood in front of him. His presence and divinity were undeniable.

So John falls to his knees in reverence. He cannot look upon Him any longer. The Sword of Truth protrudes from His mouth and His face was a bright as the sun on the sunniest of days. John just lays there unsure of what to do next. But Jesus places His same nail scarred right-hand on his shoulder and speaks directions to John that must be followed perfectly.

“Do not be afraid”, a phrase spoken to righteous persons by angels in the past. Only a select few has heard those words spoken by the very presence of the One True God. Jesus, the beloved friend of Jesus reminds him that He was the very first letter of the very first word spoken. He lives today as in every day. And He will be the last letter of the last word spoken for all of eternity. Jesus holds the Key to life and death for all things and for all time. Death nor Hell itself can stand against His commands.

Then He tells him why He has come to him. John is to write a letter to each of the seven churches in Asia. However, it is the imagery that would make this entire revelation something amazing and mind blowing. The first piece of imagery we get is the seven lampstands with the Messiah in the middle. A lampstand is a pedestal that holds the candle or oil wick lamp. Before electricity these lampstands would be hung along a hallway on the wall and on top of shelves. Many of us already knew this, or it at least seems like common sense. However, there is so history with lampstands that makes the use of them here far more interesting. In Exodus, God declared that there would be seven lampstands around the tabernacle. They were also then placed in the Solomon’s temple which was dedicated to worship of God. Today, we see the beautiful menorah being lit by the Jewish people during Hanukkah. The menorah is eight lights and the word itself means “lampstand”. The first light that is lit will be used to light the candles for the next seven nights. So picture it! Jesus, the light of the world, standing between seven lampstands. He is standing there to bring light to the other lamps and keep them lit. This also brings a whole new meaning to the parable He told about the ten virgins in the Gospel texts. You remember that five of them were not mindful of their responsibility and therefore did not keep their lamp with enough oil to burn through the ceremony. The other five were diligent to have enough oil for all the time needed. They kept their oil lamps burning until the Groom came to escort them all to the wedding. Maybe this is a little bit of warning regarding what these letters are about.

John already knows some of the ways these churches need to improve. He already knows the ones that are closer to being as Christ commands His bride. John is about to be the messenger of warnings and blessings for these churches. Are they on fire with the power of the Holy Spirit? Or are they cold as death? Maybe they are lukewarm and somewhere in between? The big question is do they have time to improve? Can they? How? How can the church be the perfect Bride for a Perfect Royal Groom? What can we possibly do to be worthy to marry the Savior of the World? Are we willing to see the error of our ways? Do we truly care enough to become all that we were created to become. We have had 2000 years to become the perfect bride for Christ? Have we truly been all that we need to be?

Here is the big question? How is the oil in our lamp? Are we diligent enough to keep the Fire burning? Are we burning with the Fire of the Holy Spirit? Are we even aware of what that means for us to be on fire with the Holy Spirit? If Jesus were to have John write us a letter, what would it say?

In the Name of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen