God told the Israelites to bring "pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always" (Ex. 27:20). The Lampstand, though beautiful, was useless without oil to burn in it The wick would not produce light without oil, so the oil was essential above all else. Oil throughout the Scriptures symbolize the Holy Spirit; here we see how essential He is if, individually or collectively, we are to have a light shining for Christ. The disciples were powerless until the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they received power and became witnesses of Christ. The essential difference between the Christians of the first century and today is the filling of the Holy Spirit. They fasted while we feast, they prayed while we play, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit while too often we are filled with a hateful spirit or a careless spirit. Nothing will cause the light to burn but the oil. Nothing is going to set our churches or ourselves on fire for God but the emptying of self and the filling of the Spirit. Not our enthusiasm or endeavors but the energizing of the Holy Spirit will cause a life to shine for Christ.
Israel's responsibility was to fill the lamps with oil. God always is ready to fill the vessel that contains the "treasure" of the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:7), and the formula is that we "draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh" to us (Jas. 4:8). The priests could have had the most perfect wick possible but it would not burn without oil. All the training, talents, and efforts in the world will not get the job done without the oil, the Holy Spirit controlling us.
Our testimony as a Christian or a church will shine only as the Holy Spirit is allowed to flow in and through us and "cause the lamp to burn."
God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go. "Be not deceived; "Evil company corrupt good morals" 1 Cor 15:33. "He that walks with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" Pro.13:20.
This is CRITICAL. "Nation against nation, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, many false prophets and shall deceive many, iniquity shall abound" "All these are the beginning of sorrows" (BIRTH PAINS). Matt 24:7-14, WHEN THE BIRTH PANGS GET MORE INTENSE AND MORE FREQUENT YOU KNOW THE TIME IS NEAR. Dear people you would have to be a zombie not to see this is being fulfilled before your very eyes.
So what. PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD. I implore you to think seriously about all of this. Because I love YOU. ABC Sumner
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