The lamps were to be lit ''that they may give light over against it" (Ex. 25:37). Any lampstand has one main purpose: to give light. Christ, as the shaft said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (Jn. 9:5). A primary purpose of Jesus was to be "the light of men" (1:4). "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (1:5). As we look back now and see the blaze of light He brought to reveal God and eternal life to men, we wonder how, when they saw His miracles and life, they did not comprehend or lay hold of it. God explains it to us when He says men are "dead in sins" (Eph. 2:5); "their minds were blinded" by Satan (2 Cor. 3:14). They had "the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Eph. 4:18).
There were some who saw, for Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16). Jesus told Peter, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven" (v. 17). It should humble us before the Lord to realize the grace of God that our eyes are open to see the light and to know Christ as our Savior.
Not only did the main shaft have a bowl at the end of it, but each branch had a bowl, and light at its end. These bowls had oil and a wick in them that made the light. The oil is a type of the Holy Spirit and is discussed later. The wick pictures the life of each believer as he burns out for God. Jesus said that while He was here, He was the light of the world; but now that He is gone, His words "Ye are the light of the world" (Mt. 5:14), are in effect.
What a responsibility is ours to take his place in the world.
You, are vital to Christ, to me and to all the world. Is YOUR light shinning?
All new articles on our website http://www.sumnerwemp.com. All new drawings. Enter the drawing once a day, daily for the best chance to get your name drawn.
Get our newest tract, "Your Ticket to Heaven" Call 1-877-827-2871 to order them in KJV, Spanish or ESV.. ABC Sumner
