186
The Tabernacle Revelation, from the first promise of the Redeemer, in Gen. 3: 15, to the closing scene of Revelation, with the glorious picture of the Lamb as the Light of heaven, Jesus, the Son of God, is presented to a sin-darkened world. And from Genesis to Revelation His blood-bought chil- dren are admonished to live before Him as in the light of His Presence. But it is in the New Testament teaching, concerning Christ and His church, that the fulfillment of the symbolism set forth in the golden candlestick of the Jewish tabernacle is most clearly set forth. As there was no other light in the Holy Place of the sanctuary in the wilderness, even so Christ is the only Light to a groping world in sin. And as He "hath shined in our hearts," even so He expects us to reveal Him to darkened souls. The priests walked in the light of the golden candlestick as they ministered before the Lord and worshipped Him. Our service will be futile unless we "walk in the light as he is in the light." Our worship will not magnify Him and give peace to our own souls unless we reflect His glory. Through His church He manifests His love, bidding us let our "light so shine" that men may see our "good works, and glorify" our "Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5: 16). ยท The central branch of the golden candlestick speaks to us of our Lord; the six branches which sprang from it, of His church. United to Him in an eternal bond, we shall reflect and show forth His glory here on earth as we "walk in the light." Indeed, one significant reason why God told Moses to have Aaron light the lamps of the golden can- dlestick was that they might "give light over against the candlestick" (Num. 8:2). The light illuminated the deli- cately fashioned and marvelously beautiful lampstand of gold. May God give each one of us grace to say, with Paul,
The Tabernacle "In nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now.also Chris_t shall be magni,~ fied in my body, whether 1t be by life, or by death (Phil. 1:20). 2. A Very Costly Candlestick. The marginal note of "The Scofield Reference Bible" tells us that "a talent of pure gold" (Exod. 25: 39), from which the candlesti~k was fashioned, is valued at $29,085. Add to that the skil- ful workmanship that formed it of "beaten work"; and you get some idea, my friend, of the very great cost of this light for the Holy Place. The "pure gold" reminds us again of our Lord's eternal deity; the very great cost, of the price He paid to redeem the souls of men! That He was ever eternal God, and that He became "Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us," we have sought to show in our former lessons. And that the price He paid for our redemption was very costly-far beyond human understanding-we have also tried to make very plain. Apart from these truths, we have no Gospel. If Jesus of Nazareth was not the Son of God, then there is no hope for the sinner; and but for His atoning work on Calvary's cross, we should still be condemned, "having no hope" in the world (Eph. 2: 12). But thank God! The words of the Apostle Paul have come down to us through the centuries, giving light and life eternal: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (II Cor. 8:9). "Ye are bought with a price ..." (I Cor. 6:20). We know that the price which the Son of God paid for our salvation cost Him bitter agony in Gethsemane,
187
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online