The Golden Candlestick

Revelation 1:17-20 "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18]  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. [19]  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; [20]  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Revelation 2:1-7 "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [2] I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. [4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

I remember a beautiful woman that I grew up with. She always sang songs, spiritual songs, as she did her housework. She used to let me sleep with her when I was lucky enough to spend the night with her. I remember those times at Grandma's house. Grandma and Grandpa slept in twin beds, and I always wanted to sleep with Grandma. As I lay there, trying to go to sleep (but, being a kid, often unsuccessful), Grandma would rub my back and hum a song to me. In no time at all I'd relax, and the next thing you know I'd be asleep.

Grandma always had great food, and she'd always force an extra helping on you (as if I needed any help). She always told wonderful stories of the old days, and I'd listen in fascination about days gone by. When it was time to go home I'd cry and carry on, in some way hoping that Mom and Dad would say, "All right, Son, you can stay here", but that never happened. Grandma's house was Heaven on earth, and Grandma often prayed for me that I'd grow up to be the Christian man she knew I could become. Grandma believed in me.

That was then. Now, when I visit Grandma, she often calls me "Jay", confusing me with my Daddy. She cries a lot, and when I call her to talk she spends her time complaining bitterly. She's in pain I know, for the ravages of time have been harsh to her, but this Grandma no longer sings or praises God. This isn't Grandma's fault, because we believe she has Alzheimer's, but it doesn't change the fact that I miss my Grandma, the Grandma who left me years ago. I wanted Grandma to see me preach one day, and that's impossible. Grandma's prayers were answered. Her roughneck little boy grew up to be what she prayed, and she can't see it. My heart hurts.

As tragic as this is,  it's even more tragic that believers often go through a spiritual parallel to Alzheimer's. Believers in Christ drift, bit by bit, farther and farther out of fellowship with the Lord. Little by little they give in to Satan, self, and the world, and the light of faith that once burned so brightly in their lives flickers and grows dim - they become indifferent to God and His Church.

Though many today have forgotten it and see the Church as no more than a building or a clubhouse, the Scripture clearly teaches us that the Church is more than either to Our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus revealed Himself to John, John fell down in a swoon while Jesus introduced Himself:

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Revelation 1:17-18 "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18]  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

The first words that Jesus said to John, "Fear not", are the key to this entire text of Scripture. It was natural for John to fall down in a swoon when he saw Jesus in His glory. This was not the Jesus that Pontius Pilate washed his hands over, or the Jesus that the cruel Roman soldiers tortured and drove nails through. This was the victorious Jesus, resurrected, who was now robed in Deity and Power, the Great "I am". He Who died for the sins of the world, then resurrected in supreme Glory to remain "alive for ever more". Then Jesus said the words that surely frightened John just as they frighten me, and fill me with awe: "and have the keys of hell and of death". Jesus has the keys, they are in His hand, of both "hell" (HADES = the place of departed souls) and "death" (THANATOS = cessation of life as we know it). It is Jesus' choice whether we as humans gain eternal life, or whether we as humans enter the Lake of Fire. He alone can use those keys to free us, or with those keys can bind us over to the Lake that burns forever.

Yet Jesus said "Fear not". Jesus Christ our Savior desires a family relationship with each and every one of us. He does not want that relationship based on fear, but on family. He died for us to make it possible for us to receive adoption as God's sons. Fear is natural if you don't know Jesus, because it is through Jesus and Jesus alone that we either gain or lose salvation. His words carry a stern warning to us all here today. Know, truly know Jesus and find a relationship in Him, or be afraid, be very afraid, for He alone holds the keys to death and hell.

Not only does Jesus have these keys, He holds something else in His hand, "seven stars".

Revelation 1:20  "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

Jesus tells John that the seven stars are the angels (AGGELOS, Angels, Messengers of God, Pastors), the Pastors that He has appointed over these Churches. The Pastor is in Christ's right hand to signify that:

• He was hand picked for that Church by Christ, and holds that position while it pleases the Lord.
• He is expected to be an instrument used by the Master Carpenter to fulfill God's will on earth, not the minister's nor the people's own good pleasure.
• He is responsible to Christ, responsible for the actions or inaction of his Church, and will be held accountable.
• His primary responsibility is to lead the Church in shining the Gospel of Light, the Gospel of Christ, to a dark and sin sick world.

Jesus stands in the midst of the "seven golden candlesticks", in the midst of all the Churches of John's day. This is significant because:

• Christ is present in the midst of the Church. He is present here, today, and stands with me as I preach and watches you as you hear. He is watching those who are ignoring the message, watching those who smile at judgment, watching those who heed the Word.

• The Christian who says, "I don't need to go to Church to worship the Lord" is deluded. Our Lord said:

and again,

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25]  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

This concept of "I don't need to go to Church, I don't need to serve in the Church" is totally out of the mouth of Satan, for Jesus stands in the midst of the Church, He fellowships with us in the Church, and the Spirit of God operates through us in the Church.

• Jesus stands in the midst of the Churches because He is concerned about them. He sees all and knows all about His Church.

• Jesus is present to teach and grow the Church.

• Jesus is present to provide and protect the Church.

• Jesus is present to guide and direct the Church.

• Jesus is present to give light to the Church.

It is Christ's Church, His Body, and He wants us to know that Church is important to Him, and you will never grow in Grace until you understand this.

Now that you understand the symbology used in our text, let's look at our focal verses.

Revelation 2:1 "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks"

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write". Jesus didn't address the Church directly, but addressed the Church through the Pastor He placed over it. This is how Jesus teaches the Christian in the Church Age, through His Pastors.

When I was in the military when one of my people, those I supervised, made a mistake, I was called to the Commander's office. The problem was addressed directly to me, and then I proposed a solution and counseled the wayward. This is called "Chain of Command", and Jesus originated this idea. He placed the Pastor in charge, and addresses the problems He's found at Ephesus to that Pastor, who is accountable.

The Church at Ephesus had a small beginning. When Paul went there, there were only twelve believers in all of the city. They were all won to the Lord by the immature but impressive Apollos, who failed to teach them that they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Since they were unaware of this fact, the Church itself was weak and powerless. Once the Church learned of their strength, previously hidden by unbelief and ignorance, they became mighty, preaching the Word of God throughout all Asia.

Revelation 2.2 "I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars"

"I know thy works" (ERGON, work to the point of exhaustion). The Church worked hard, and Jesus recognized that work. The true mark of the believer is that he or she is willing to work for Christ in His Church, and these people were workers. Please note that Jesus watches each Church and keeps an account of their works. He knows when we should be working and when we're not!

"I know thy ... patience"

And also,

Revelation 2.3 "And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted."

The Church bore up under persecution and kept on working .. again, a true mark of the believer. So many today profess faith in Christ but fall away when the going gets rough. This Church, when faced with adversity, just kept slugging for Jesus. Jesus saw this, and loved them for it.

But then, Jesus said something very strange. After commending them for their faithfulness in adversity, for their hard work, He said:

Revelation 2.4 "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."

Here is a key ingredient, "love", AGAPE. The Church was busy doing for Jesus, but in the midst of the doing they had forgotten Who they were doing it for. The bright flame of faith and love for Christ had dimmed, and they had somehow started to forget that they were Children and He the Savior. They had forgotten that He suffered and died so He could have fellowship with them.

The seed of this coldness starts small. When others raise their hands in praise to the Lord, the coldness stares at the worshipper. "How dare they do this in Church! We are a respectable assembly. What will others think?". They censure King David when he commands:

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Psalms 47:1 "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."

Jesus stands in our midst and cries, "Won't you forget yourself for a moment and praise Me? I forgot Myself, My glory, and hung on a cursed tree for you. Can't you freely worship Me?".

The seed of coldness grows stronger and blossoms as the Children dutifully hear the Words of Light yet refuse to cry "Amen". Why should I raise my voice in agreement, lest my neighbor hear and think I judge? Why should I speak, lest others see and think ill of me. Yet the Psalmist said:

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Psalms 106:47-48 "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. [48] Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD."

The Ephesians had lost their sensitivity and warmth to Christ, and had ceased to freely pray and fellowship with Him. Just as Adam hid from Jesus in the Garden, the Ephesians hid from Jesus in their hearts. Jesus walked in their midst and cried out, "Adam, where are You? Adam, where have You gone? Why do you hide Yourself, for I desire Your companionship?"

Revelation 2.5 "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Do you remember the day you were saved? I remember it like it was yesterday, the overwhelming relief that I knew my eternal life was secure because of Jesus. The time, after Church, when I went home and lay on the bed, looked up to Heaven in wonder and thanksgiving and thanked Him for what He did for me. Why should He, Who has angels as His attendants, Who sits enthroned in yonder Heaven care for such a worm as I? I remember pledging my life to Him that day, and pledging to be a friend to Him as He is to me.

Do you remember that day? Is your heart as deeply indebted to Him now as it was on that day? For Jesus desires a relationship, a living relationship, with each and every one of you. He wants your works, but not because the Pastor forced you to it. He wants your works because you do it for Him. He wants your support, not because you're afraid of being punished, but because you love Him. He wants all of you, as a Church Body, else He will "will remove thy candlestick out of his place". We either pull together as a Body because we love Jesus, or we follow those Churches who have died in the last few years. That is your choice.

Do not let your heart go to seed, or be like the many members I have talked to who make excuses for not coming to Church. He Who walks in the midst of the Golden Candlestick is watching, and hears these excuses, and finds them wanting. He has sacrificed everything for you at the Cross, and all He asks in return is that you establish a loving relationship with Him.
 

D.L. Moody called it the biggest blunder of his life. It happened on October 8, 1871, during a preaching series in Farwell Hall, Chicago. His text was “What then shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ.” At the conclusion of the sermon Moody said he would give the people one week to make up their minds about Jesus. He then turned to Ira Sankey for a solo, and Sankey sang “Today the Savior Calls.” But by the third verse Sankey’s voice was drowned out by the noise outside the hall. The great Chicago fire had begun, and the flames were even then sweeping toward the Hall. The clanging of the fire bells and the noise of the engines made it impossible to continue the meeting. In the years that followed, Moody wished that he had called for an immediate decision for Christ.

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