Chapter Six/Unlocking a Sacred Secret - The Stars and the Lampstands - Conclusion

 The seven lampstands are the seven congregations to whom John directs the book of Revelation: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  Why are congregations symbolized by lampstands?  Because Christians, whether individual or collectively as congregations, have to 'let their light shine before men' in this bedarkened world. (MATTHEW 5:14-16) Additionally, lampstands were among the furnishings of Solomon's temple. Calling the congregations lampstands would likely remind John that, in an illustrative sense, each local congregation of anointed ones is "God's temple," a dwelling place for God's spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Moreover, in the antitype of the Jewish temple arrangement, members of the congregation of anointed ones serve as "a royal priesthood" in Jehovah's great spiritual temple arrangement, of which Jesus is the High Priest and where Jehovah dwells personally in the heavenly Most Holy. - 1 PETER 24:5, 9; HEBREWS 3:1; 6:20; 9:9-14, 24. 

Next time: Chapter Six/Unlocking a Sacred Secret - The Great Apostasy

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