NEW BEGINNINGS

[Albert Finch]

"Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band." Revelation 1:12, 13

 

The lampstands are allegorical representations of the Church, the Body of Christ, God's people, Believers in the Light:

"The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches." Revelation 1:20

The lampstands are allegorical references to the temple at Jerusalem where there was a lampstand of seven branches; three on either side of one central one (see Exodus 25:31-37). We are golden lamps, precious in the sight of God and continually shining and burning with His abiding love.

He pours His oil and fire into us and we are the dispensers of the light! Christ pours the unlimited oil of the anointing in us so that we can shine and burn continually and perpetually with the glory and love of the Lord to the world. There's no limitation for the workings of Jesus through us because He's constantly pouring, pouring, pouring His workings in us, the rich oil of His anointing for harvest.

It's not yesterday's oil, but fresh oil for today. It's abundant oil that will fill us constantly, and replenish yesterday's oil. It's faith faith, grace grace, to walk in what's happening today. Today!

"You are the "light of the world." A city set on a hill "cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)

We are a lamp, not hidden anymore, because He will fill us with the effectual workings of Christ, the effectual WORD in us as a beacon to all who are in the world.

"Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Matthew 5:15

As He went to the cross, Jesus said, I AM, I AM the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. He in us pours His workings into us to be that light. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

 

IT IS STILL DAY

 

This speaks of the effectual, powerful, and mighty accomplishments and deeds of Christ. While it's still day, we can work the works of Christ through us, because Jesus is in us. He is still in the world, and it is still day. Jesus said that while He is in the world, He is the "light of the world" (John 9:5). We have enough light to work as long as the light is in the world, "While I AM in the world, I am the light of the world." The religious leaders of that day didn't know where Jesus came from or who He was, but Jesus said, "I AM! I am THE LIGHT." Who is the light?

"Jehovah is my light and salvation." Psalm 27:1

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17

In effect, Jesus was saying, "I AM GOD. I am the Jehovah of light and salvation. I am the Father of lights. As long as I'm in the world it's day, because I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."

As God's child, believing in the Son, and with His Spirit in us, we have the light! "While we have the light, believe in the light, that we may become sons of light" (John 12:36a). We are the sons (and daughters) of Light! Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). As believers we are not to abide in darkness, but we are to abide (live, have our being) in Him who came as a light into the world (see John 12:46).

 

"Seven" Biblically is completion, the ending of one thing, which means the start of a NEW thing. Do we want certain doors to close and new ones to open? Are we tired of going around the same old mountain hoping to get to the top, but the obstacles hold us back? This is the time to shake off the old and get ready for the new and for receiving the workings of Christ in us, for NEW beginnings.