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The face of Moses is glorious in the light of the gospel.

I. THE CANDLESTICK WAS AN EMBLEM OF THE CHURCH OF GOD. (See Revelation 1:20.)

1. The candlestick in the holy place was one.

(1) So is the Church of God a unity. Christ has not two mystical bodies (Colossians 1:18). He has not two brides (Ephesians 5:23). It comprehends the whole body of the faithful.

(2) It is unscriptural as well as invidious for any denomination to style itself "The Church." Denominations are not even "Churches," though often so misnamed; they are, at best, but divisions of the grand army of the saints.

2. It carried seven lamps.

(1) These are called "candlesticks" (Revelation 1:20). The reason is that visible Christian corporations, which are called "Churches "in the plural (see Acts 9:31; Acts 15:41; Acts 16:5), are types of the more perfect unity.

(2) "Seven" is a definite, put for an indefinite, number. It is the numeral for perfection, and likewise stands for many (see 1 Samuel 2:5). So the seven Churches of Asia, to which the candlestick is compared, are to be taken as representing the multitude of the Churches of Christendom. These are, indeed, countless, if, as Chrysostom says, "where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus there is a Church."

3. The candlestick was of pure gold. This was to express the preciousness of the saints.

(1) They are precious to God. He has redeemed them with the blood of Christ. He has prepared for them a heaven of inconceivable magnificence.

(2) They are precious to the world. They are its light. They are its salt. The light in them, like salt, is purifying and preserving, as well as illuminating (Matthew 5:13-16.)

II. THE LIGHT IN THE CHURCHES IS THE WORD OF GOD. This may be taken in kindred senses.

1. God's Word written.

(1) This is no uncertain light, as that of mere reason is.

(2) It is no false light, as that of tradition often is. For, however pure it may have been at its source, it soon becomes corrupted in transmission.

2. The personal Word of God.

(1) The presence of a personal Teacher in the living Spirit of Christ is a priceless blessing.

(2) Such an Interpreter is infinitely better than popes or Councils.

(3) Christians are still the disciples of the personal Jesus. They should cultivate in prayerfulness the simplicity and docility becoming such (see John 7:17).

III. THE OIL THAT SUSTAINS THE LIGHT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT'S GRACE. No wonder it must be "pure oil olive beaten for the light."

1. Jesus had the Spirit without measure.

(1) The fullness of the Godhead bodily was in him. So was he anointed with the oil of gladness immeasurably above his fellows.

(2) Thus was he constituted the Christ, or Anointed One.

2. Of his fullness we receive grace.

(1) Christians, therefore, with propriety have their name from Christ. Those who first gave that name in derision little knew its propriety (see 2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20, 27).

(2) This anointing is illuminating. So we learn in these references from John. It enlightens the Christian himself. It enables him to illumine others.

IV. THE OIL WAS FURNISHED BY THE WORSHIPPERS.

1. There is a sense in which believers bring the Holy Ghost.

(1) They do this by their faith. When the faith of the people is constant, the lamps of the Churches "burn continually." What an honour to the faithful!

(2) Through unfaithfulness the candlestick (or lamp) may be removed (see Revelation 2:5; also Matthew 21:43). How great is the responsibility of professors!

2. The Holy Ghost is nevertheless the Gift of God.

(1) This is true of his type. Who but God could put oil into the olive?

(2) So of the Antitype. Accordingly, in Zechariah 4:2, 3, the oil is represented as feeding the candlestick immediately from the olive. The figure is explained thus, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

V. AARON AMONG THE LIGHTS REPRESENTED CHRIST AMONG HIS CHURCHES,

1. This we have from the nature of the case. The high priest was, generally, a type of Christ. So in this particular.

2. We have it also by special revelation (see Revelation 1:13).

VI. THE CANDLESTICK WAS WITHOUT THE VAIL.

1. The Churches shine in this world.

(1) The sanctuary was the type of the kingdom of the heavens upon the earth. Here the candlestick was placed.

(2) Every Church member should realize that he has his light from God that he may diffuse it (Matthew 5:14-16).

2. The Shechinah was within the vail.

(1) There is no need of a candle in that bright Presence (see Isaiah 60:19, 20; Revelation 21:10, 23; Revelation 22:5).

(2) The seven Churches are there lost in the one Church, which flames with the glory of God. If there are before the throne "seven lamps of fire," they are explained to be the "seven Spirits of God," or Holy Spirit, whose light is "sevenfold" or perfect (Revelation 4:5; Isaiah 30:26). - J.A.M.

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KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

WEB: Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,