THE APOCALYPSE AND THE TEMPLE CODE

A. Christ is standing in the midst of the candlesticks (1:13)

1. The meaning of the seven-branched lamp stand

a. The ancient seven-branched candelabra of gold was called the Menorah – 6 ft. high b. Josephus said it was 100 pounds of gold, with hollow shafts, and 70 ornaments c. Josephus believed the 7 branches represented the 7 planets (including the sun/moon) d. Each bowl held one days worth of oil (it held three eggs)

2. The message of the seven lamp stands

a. The Menorah brought light to the inner court or holy place b. The seven branches represented the 7 churches in Revelation c. Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12) and we are to shine as lights (Phil. 2:12-16) d. The light was to burn continually; fresh oil was added daily (Lev. 24:2) e. Rabbis believe the Menorah is a symbol of the Torah and the Tree of Life f. The seven pipes (lamps) can represent the seven eyes of God over the earth g. There were seven known planets then: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn

3. The Messiah and the seven lamps

a. The Menorah was to be cleaned, replenished with oil, and relit every day b. The western branch was to continually burn; others were lit from this one branch

THE MEANING OF THE SEVEN STARS

Main verses : Revelation 1:16, 20

A. The seven stars are the seven angels (messengers)

1. These are the seven pastors of the churches, and the message was to seven churches 2. 1,000 cities were in Asia Minor but these 7 were the largest and most pagan cities in the region 3. These 7 were the largest and most influential churches – Paul started many of them 4. Paul died (67 AD); John was the Bishop of these churches for 27 years

B. There may be a dual application

1. There were over 40 major churches in the time of the Apocalypse 2. These 7 stars are the imagery of the Pleiades (constellation) 3. The brightest star is al- cyone which means “the center” (an Arab belief) 4. It has one star surrounded by 7 stars called the “seven sisters” 5. It is located in the constellation of Taurus the bull (the bull was the priest ’ s offering) 6. The 7 churches were located at the base of the Taurus Mountains

Note: The ancient Persians believed 7 stars rising and setting determined beginning and ending of a voyage.

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