Revelation Chapter 1

VERSE 12 “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands.”

“The message that was to be sent was not limited to the seven literal churches named, but symbolically represented the entire church or Gospel age. In a symbolic sense, John represents the last or feet members of the church, who have to “turn and look back” to the early church to see what the voice (Jesus or his representing angel) had to say. We, on this end of the age, have the benefit of previous history to help us interpret the message.”

THEN I TURNED TO SEE THE VOICE THAT SPOKE WITH ME:

We must alter the direction of our lives to see what Jesus is telling us (Compare Verse 10). In one sense, the Harvest Church can turn —look into the past (history) —to see (understand) the message from Jesus. In the literal sense, of course, John (figuratively, placed in our day) had to look back (through time) to see the vision of which he must write.

AND HAVING TURNED I SAW SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS:

As we look back, we clearly see the Church having gone through seven periods of historical experience. In each period it gave us our divinely appointed light as due —however now having reached the end of the age the light (knowledge) of all seven periods is blended together constituting one light, the whole Gospel message.

“The phrase “being turned” is similar to John’s hearing “behind” him the voice of Jesus. From this turned posture, the Apostle looks back upon history as prophecy fulfilled. From this perspective he discloses the contents of each message to the seven churches. The introduction of seven candlesticks in the vision is a reminder of the light used in Israel’s Tabernacle and of the later use of candlesticks in the Temple of stone, which replaced the “tent of meeting.”

In the Tabernacle only one candlestick was necessary to illuminate the interior of the Holy compartment. However, the candlestick had seven branches, three branches on either side of a central branch stem. It was made of one piece of solid gold, which was beaten or hammered out into final intricate form, representing the disciplinary experiences that come upon the Lord’s people in holding forth the light of truth (Exod. 37:17).” For more on the Golden Lampstand or candlestick please see The Only Way, Part 17

“Although the candlesticks or lamp stands mentioned in Revelation are related to the Menorah used in the Tabernacle, yet the parts are separated, the union or relationship between them being supplied by the Redeemer, the antitypical high priest.

The lamp stands of Revelation symbolize the Lord’s nominal Church of this Gospel Age, including the true Church, and are more closely identified with the candlesticks placed in the Temple at the Lord’s direction. The candlesticks hold forth the light of life, the light that shines in darkness, the light God directed to shine before men so that they might see the good works of His people and glorify the Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Alas, the Master evidently found few good works and little glorifying light shining out from his earthly representatives in many of these epochs, as evidenced by the messages, chidings, and encouragements that he gave to each of the seven epoch churches represented by the seven candlesticks or lamp stands. When the Lord addresses each of these lamp stands or churches, he finds fault with the many and approves the few. This situation is especially true in the last or seventh Church: the Laodicean Church of the present.

The descriptions in Verses 13 to 16 are a character study of Jesus in glory, and NOT a reference to his personal appearance. This symbolic picture denotes the various abilities, perfections, and attributes of the risen Redeemer, which are used to benefit his Church during its earthly pilgrimage here below.”

In our next post we will take a look at Verse 13