466. REV 1:12. CHRISTIAN CHURCHES LIKENED TO GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS
Rev_1:12. Christian Churches Likened To Golden Candlesticks
"I saw seven golden candlesticks."’97Rev_1:12.
Our text relates to the visions of Patmos. Here the servant of God was show ed wonderful things in reference to the kingdom and reign of Jesus. He was allowed to see through the vista of succeeding generations, until he beheld the termination of time, the conflagration of the earth, the erection of the judgment, and the everlasting destiny of the universal family of man. Thus was the banishment of God’s servant to a dreary island overruled for the glory of God, and for affording those revelations by which the canon of the scriptures should be completed. It appears that the things which were first presented to the mind of John, were the seven Asiatic churches, unto whom the mind of the Spirit and the word of God were to be first sent. The representation under which these churches were brought before him was that of a golden candlestick, having seven branches, in the midst of which appeared the "Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot," &c. This representation equally applies to all the churches of the Saviour throughout the world. The seven candlesticks would doubtless be better rendered lamps; but the spirit and signification of the metaphor is in both cases the same. Observe, then,
I. The Metaphor employed
"A candlestick."
II. The Material of which it is composed.
"A golden," &c.
III. The Source of its Light and Splendor.
"In the midst," &c.
I. The Metaphor employed.
"A candlestick." That is, an instrument of light. That by which light is lifted up and made manifest. "Ye are the light of the world." "A city set upon a hill," &c. Every Christian church is elevated above the world to give light to it To shine forth," &c. "Holding forth he word of life," &c. Now the church of Christ is to diffuse abroad,
1. The light of knowledge.
They know the truth, and have it richly deposited with them. Pillar and ground of truth. Gospel of light is with them, &c. And herein they know God, and his holy and blessed will, and Jesus Christ the blessed mediator whom he hath sent, and this light of the knowledge of the glory of God they are to diffuse abroad, even to the ends of the earth.
2. The light of holiness.
That which is the opposite of the darkness of depravity and sin. The light of the divine image. "The glory of the Lord hath risen," &c. The light of the new moral creation, &c.
3. The light of benevolence.
Darkness is the fit emblem of the vicious and malevolent. Light the emblem of goodness. God is love. And this love is the distinguishing feature of renewed minds, and of his sanctified church. This good will is to be prominent and distinctly evidenced towards all men, but especially to the household of faith.
Thus the church is to shine forth in truth, in beauty, and goodness. And this they are to do in their individual character, each one as the servant of God. And in their collective character all united in effort to show forth his praises and to advance the divine glory in the world. The church is to do this,
(1) By maintaining the ordinances of the gospel in their purity.’97Word, baptism, Lord’s supper, &c.
(2) By enforcing spiritual discipline and order.
(3) By vigorous exertions to extend the Kingdom of Jesus. Observe,
II. The Material of which it is composed.
"Gold." A golden candlestick. Indicating,
1. The purity of the church.
Formed of the most holy and excellent materials.
2. The splendor of the church.
Arrayed in moral beauty, in spiritual splendor. "All glorious within." "Beauty of the Lord upon them," &c. "Changed into the same glory," &c.
3. The preciousness of the church.
Intrinsically valuable. The purchase of precious blood, &c. Compared to Jehovah’s diadem. His jewels. His treasures His delight.
4. The perpetuity of the church.
Durable. Not corruptible or evanescent Firm, abiding, in all countries, ages, &c. Unconsumed in fire, purified in flames and preserved always. Notice,
III. The Source of its Light and Splendor.
The Son of man in the midst. What a sublime and glorious description is presented of him. His eternity’97"Hairs white." &c. His purity’97sacerdotal "garment," &c. His knowledge’97"His eyes like a flame," &c. His strength and power’97"Feet as brass," &c. His sublime majesty’97"His voice as the sound of many waters," &c. His station is in the midst of his churches. Accessible to all. Near to all. The glory of all.
1. He is the source of the church knowledge.
The truth. The light. The depository of all wisdom.
2. Of her purity.
His blood, righteousness, Spirit.
3. Of her benevolence.
His love imparted produces it. It if his love, operative, constraining, &c.
4. Of her perpetuity.
Because he is in the midst she is not destroyed. He lives, and therefore his church lives also. He is the Alpha and Omega of the church, its glory, and all in all.
Application
1. How differently God and the world estimate the church. To one the object of scorn and contempt, to the other glorious and exalted.
2. The true design of Christ. To give light. To shine. To show forth the glory of God.
3. What will be its splendor and magnificence in heaven.
4. If the omniscient Jesus is in the midst, how holy and spiritually minded should his members be.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS