In this teaching, we look at what it means for an assembly of Jesus followers to be a radiant, shining &#8220;lampstand&#8221; according Revelation 2-3. We invite you to join us as we tremble and stand in awe before the Lord of the lampstands, as we set our hearts on the hope of the lampstands, and as we ask for grace to faithfully walk out the high calling of the lampstands.

Tim Miller

Church

1. Today is the final message in the Gospel Foundation Series; in today’s message, we will wrap up the series with a summary of Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.
2. A great passage with which to conclude the series, for several reasons: a) from the last book of the Bible; b) rich in references and allusions to the beginning and to other parts of the biblical story; c) a clear vision of what Jesus is looking for in congregations that claim Him as Lord and which identify themselves with His name. As we will see in today’s message, Jesus is interested in far more than a Gospel Foundation Series, unto better understanding (as important as right understanding is); He is looking for a people whose way of life is actually built on the foundation of the gospel, unto a faithful representation of Himself. He is looking for lampstand communities through which He can radiate the light, life, power, and ways of the one true God to the world.
3. Today we will examine four main questions: 1) What is the significance of the image of a “lampstand” being used in reference to churches/assemblies? 2) What is the Lord of the lampstands like? 3) What hope and prize does the Lord of the lampstands set before the lampstands? 4) In light of all He has done for the lampstands, what does the Lord of the lampstands expect and require of those who claim to bear His light?
Revelation 1:10–13 (CSB)
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. 
4. Don’t have time today to go into a detailed exposition of everything Jesus says to each church. Rather, going to look at several summary lists in order to highlight important themes and ideas, and relate these to the broader Biblical storyline. As we move through these lists, think of each point like the stroke of a paintbrush. My hope is that this message will stir hunger for deeper study. Notes will be available online. Encourage you to grab these and look up the Scripture references.

INTRODUCTION

“Lampstand”= a Jewish menorah with seven branches (Keener, IVPBBCNT, 730): one of the items in the tabernacle
2. The tabernacle and its sacred objects are full of symbolism. Its design is meant to point worshipers’ attention both backward in history (to Eden) and forward in history (Kingdom of God/restored Eden), calling forth both remembrance of things that have already taken place, and stirring up longing and hope for what God has promised will take place. It represents so much of what has been covered in the Gospel Foundations Series.
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List 1: Lampstand in Context
b. Some quick highlights/examples, which in itself is a great visual depiction and summary of the series (cf. Genesis 1-3, Exodus 25-30, Ezk. 40-48, Rev. 21-22):
• Threefold arrangement, with increasing degrees of holiness: Mountain of God (cf. Ezk. 28), Garden, Region (Eden); Holy of Holies, Holy Place, courtyard (tabernacle); cf. three-fold structure of creation, sectioning off at Mt. Sinai, etc.
• Life-giving waters: Rivers flowing eastward, bronze basin in the courtyard, river flowing eastward in the New Jerusalem
• Precious metals and stones: gold, bdellium, and onyx in Eden; beautiful colors, precious metals and stones in the tabernacle itself and in clothing (e.g., onyx stones with the 12 names, precious  stones on breastpiece); foundations, walls, and streets in the New Jerusalem (including onyx, different layers—Re. 21:20)
• God’s manifest glory, special dwelling place with humanity
• Priestly service: Priestly service (“serve” and “guard/keep”; Gn. 2:15, Nu. 3:7; cf. Rev. 20:6)
• Cherubim: guarding entrance to Garden; curtain design and over the ark; four living creatures, angelic worship, etc.
• Food: fruit trees in the Garden (to feed human beings, who serve and worship as priests); Bread of the Presence in the tabernacle (food for priests); food in the age to come (marriage supper of the Lamb, fruit trees, etc.).
• Wisdom/God’s Instruction: tree of knowledge of good and evil (true wisdom=obeying God’s command);  two Tablets, Book of  the Law, manna, Aaron’s staff (God’s wisdom/law/provision/authority); if you disregard it or tamper with it or try to access it on your own terms, leads to death; no unclean things or evildoers in the city (Rev. 21:7, 22:5)
• Tree of life: tree-like lampstand representing the tree of life (branches, with “lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals” (Ex. 25:33, NLT); this lampstand, or menorah, is our focus today, but it is important to bear in mind its significance in relation to the tabernacle as a whole
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List 2: Significance of the Lampstand
a. Menorah: “derives from the verb meaning ‘to shine or be radiant’ in joy (נהר, nhr) (LBD, sv lampstand);  it is the God of Israel, the Creator and one true God, the God of light “in whom there is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5, NIV) who gives light and is the source of eternal life
b. Oil, fire, light: fire and light represent the glory, power, and presence of the God of light (who wraps himself in it, who creates it, etc.), of the God who is an all-consuming fire; the “life-giving presence and blessing of God” (Wenham, TOTC Nu, 107; b) oil associated with the Spirit in the OT” (Wenham, Lev., 70)
<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.1Sa16.13">1 Samuel 16:13</a> (ESV)
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
c. Constant flow of oil; lamps had to be kept burning continually (<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Le24.2">Lev. 24:2</a>) 
d. The number seven: Completeness/fullness/perfection; connection with covenant/oath-swearing (same consonantal root; “to…seven oneself, or bind oneself by seven things” [TWOT, 899) 
e. Shines on the twelve loaves of the Bread of the Presence (twelve loaves represent twelve tribes of Israel)= the Aaronic blessing in visual form (Wenham, TOTC Nu, 107)
<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Nu6.24-26">Numbers 6:24–26</a> (ESV): 24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
f. Lampstand is arboreal in its construction. Represents the tree of life in the Garden (see, e.g., Stuart, Exodus [NAC], 577); therefore, points backward and forward (talked about this above)
g. By New Testament times, the menorah represents Judaism and eternal life (Walton, IVPBBCOT, Ex. 25:31-40); Jewish people=stewards of the oracles and knowledge of God; eternal life=the longing and hope of Israel and the nations
4. In Revelation 1, we learn that the lampstands among which Jesus is walking represent specific churches, or congregations
Revelation 1:20 (CSB)
20 The mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Gk. ekklēsiai; i.e., congregations, assemblies).
5. What incredible imagery and what a profound statement: Through His Son, the God of Israel, the One true God, has redeemed human beings from among both Jews and Gentiles and entered into a solemn covenant with them. He has poured His perfect, sevenfold Spirit into us—His very own light, oil, glory, power, and life. As the Messiah walks among His people and lives His life in and through us, He wants to shine forth His light and blessing upon the world, so that others, too, may know him and experience His salvation. As those who have received the firstfruits and deposit of the Spirit, we are trees being grown and nourished by the very Spirit of life, being prepared for the day of Christ Jesus. We are living signposts who bear the message and the hope of eternal life on behalf of the Creator Himself, the one true God, the God of Israel.
6. Obviously, there were more than seven congregations at the time Revelation was written in the 90s AD. Seven=the number of fullness; these seven churches are representative of what Jesus is looking for from every congregation that claims Him as Lord.
Revelation 2:7 (NIV)
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches (“the assemblies” [YLT]). To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
• Keener: “Word often spread from major cities (cf. Acts 19:10), so messages to the churches in these seven cities would affect the churches of the entire province. A messenger delivering John’s book would arrive first in Ephesus; the other cities are arranged in the sequence a messenger would follow on foot to reach them.” (Keener, IVPBBCNT, 729)
7. One quick note before we move on: Jesus says some pretty intense things to these churches. When we hear these messages, we must remember that the weight and seriousness of the things Jesus says to the seven churches only make sense when we understand them in proportion to the greatness of the gift we’ve received, and in light of the incomparable preciousness of the message that we carry and represent as his followers. The stakes are incredibly high, and therefore Jesus sometimes gets intense. Yet we also see his great mercy and longsuffering come through as well. Affirmation+warning.
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THE LAMPSTANDS

Jesus, through John, prophetically calling His people to covenant renewal, or affirming covenant loyalty that has already been demonstrated; in a number of respects, the NT version of the book of Deuteronomy; similar to covenant lawsuits in the prophets (cf. Keener, IVPBBCNT, 731). Jesus addresses these congregations in the second person singular. 
Revelation 2:1 (CSB)
1 “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says (Gk. Tade legei; cf., e.g., Ex. 7:17 [LXX]) the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
• “When a prophet, such as Moses, invokes that expression he is using a common Near-Eastern idiom for the final, authoritative word of a god. In other words, ‘Thus says …’ is a proclamation derived directly from the gods, and it is not to be altered or changed. The role of the prophet is to communicate the announcement unmolested.” (Currid, EPSC [Gen], 44).
2. Who is the one to whose word we are to incline our ears and whose summons we are to heed?
a. The one who knows, sees, and takes note of every aspect of our individual and congregational lives
Revelation 2:2 (NLT)
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance&#8230;.
b. The Lord in authority over all creation (Keener, IVPBBCNT, 730). He appoints and assigns angels/messengers. He guards His assemblies; he upholds, strengthens, and protects those whom he sends; walks in the midst of His people, taking note of what is happening, listening to our prayers, etc. Right hand represents “prominence and strength” (LBD, sv right hand)
Revelation 2:1 (CSB)
1 “Write to the angel (or messenger) of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars (stars=angels; cf. 1:20) in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
c. The eternal King and resurrected Lord
<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Re2.8">Revelati</a>o<a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Re2.8">n 2:8</a> (CSB)
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life:
d. The one whose words cut and pierce like a sharp sword (cf. Heb. 4:12—“The word of God is living and active…” [NIV])
Revelation 2:12 (CSB)
12 “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: Thus says the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword:
e. The one who is an all-consuming fire; a jealous God, who has an exclusive claim on His people and shares them with no others (Dt. 4:24); he looks into the the depths and burns away everything contrary to who his is; his fiery eyes are “penetrating and all-seeing” (Fee, NCCS [Rev], 17), full of “penetrating scrutiny or fierce judgment” (Johnson, EBC [Rev], 606; cf. Rev. 19:12); his feet like “a fine metal made glowing-hot [Gk. puroō] in a furnace” (Re. 1:15, BHT); full of light and fire through and through, no impurities
Revelation 2:18 (CSB)
18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:
f. The one on whom the perfect Spirit rests in fullness (cf. Is. 11): Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, godliness (LXX). The Lord of the angels.
Revelation 3:1 (CSB)
1 “Write to the angel of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits (the “sevenfold Spirit” [NIV footnote])  of God and the seven stars: 
g. The one who is unique and set apart from all others, who is faithful to His people and true to His word; the one who has authority to shut and open doors, whose will cannot be thwarted, who gives access to the city of David/New Jerusalem (Morris, TNTC [Re], 81); the Messiah possessing &#8220;the right to rule” (FSB, Rev. 3:7); the ruler over the house of David (Keener, IVPBBCNT, 736)
Revelation 3:7 (CSB)
7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens:
h. The one in and through whom all the promises of the the covenants are “Yes and Amen” (2 Cor. 1:12); “it is true” (L-N, 79.6); promises confirmed (Rom. 15); faithful and loyal to the Father, even unto death (cf. Heb. 3:2, Rev. 2:13); trustworthy, dependable, and reliable in all He says and does (Keener, IVPBBCNT, 728); the source of all creation (cf. REB), the very one through whom all things came into existence
Revelation 3:14 (CSB)
14 “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation:
i. The one who reproves and disciplines those he loves
Revelation 3:19 (CSB)
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent.
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THE LORD OF THE LAMPSTANDS

1. To those who are victorious, the one who is reliable and never lies promises:
a. Will be given renewed access to the tree of life in restored Edenic glory (Rev. 2:7)
b. Will be given the victor&#8217;s crown of life (Re. 2:10)
c. Will mercifully be spared the Second Death (Rev. 2:11; i.e., the Lake of Fire; cf. Rev. 20:14-15)
d. Will be given the “hidden manna” (Rev. 2:17); various possibilities of meaning (see Mounce, NICNT [Re], 82; Keener, IVPBBCNT, 267)
i. In the Messiah’s Kingdom, the ark and the pot of manna, which Jeremiah had hidden at the time the temple was destroyed, will be brought out of hiding, and the shekinah cloud of glory will once again appear (2 Macc. 2:4-7); cf. Is. 4
ii. In the Messianic Kingdom, manna will again descend from heaven (Bar. 29:8)
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iii. Manna=Wisdom=Jesus himself (cf. Sir. 24:19, 21); Jesus, the Wisdom of God, who satisfies the hunger for wisdom; cf. Gen. 3:1-7
e. Will be granted a “white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it” (Rev. 2:17); number of possibilities (see Mounce, NICNT [Re], 82; Keener, IVPBBCNT, 734)
i. White pebble=vote for innocence (vs. black pebble)
ii. Pebble used for admission to a celebration, sometimes given “to the victor at games” (Mounce); i.e., for admission to the Messianic banquet
iii. In the ancient world, a change of name very significant (e.g. Abraham, Sarah, Israel); “to change someone’s name is to exercise authority over them and their destiny” (Matthews et al., IVPBBCOT, Dn. 1:7); vassal received a new name from suzerain (Ibid., Gen. 3:20); like Abraham and Sarah when they received new names, God affirming them as servants (Ibid. Gen. 17:3); a new name (destiny, assignment, etc.) for a new age/creation, based on an intimate knowledge between Jesus and his servant
f. Will be granted authority over the nations and be given “the morning star” (Rev. 2:26-27)
i. Venus, the morning star, heralds the beginning of the new day; in Roman world in NT era, a symbol of “sovereignty and victory” (Evans and Bubeck, BKBC [Re], 360)
ii. Morning star used of Jesus in Rev. 22:16; may be an allusion to Num. 24:17 (FSB, Rev. 2:28); promise to share in the Messiah’s rule in the new Day
g. Will walk with Jesus dressed in white (Rev. 3:4); color of garments worn by priests and worshippers (Keener, IVPBBCNT, 735)
h. Names will not blotted out from the book of life, and will be acknowledged before the Father and the angelic host (Rev. 3:6)
i. Will be made pillars in the temple of God, and will never have to leave it (Rev. 3:12)
j. Will have the name of God, the name of the city of God, and Jesus’ new name written on them (Rev. 3:12)
i. Identified as belonging to God, the Messiah, and the New Jerusalem
ii. cf. Is. 1:26 (new name=“city of righteousness, faithful city”), Is. 60:14 (new name=“the City of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel”), Is 62:2-4 (new name=“My Delight Is in Her” and “Married,” vs. “Forsaken” and “Desolate”)
k. Will be given the right to sit beside Jesus on his throne (Rev. 3:21)

THE HOPE OF THE LAMPSTANDS

1. In light of all He has done for us (the subject of the Gospel Foundation series), the Lord of the lampstand is looking for:
2. Patient endurance, courage, and loyalty through persecution and suffering
Luke 9:23 (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
a. Perseverance/patient endurance for Jesus’ sake (Rev. 2:2-3, 19); patiently endure afflictions, financial pressures, and slander (Rev. 2:9); obey his word/teaching/command to endure patiently (Rev. 3:10)
b. Courage in the face of suffering, persecution, the devil’s testing (Rev. 2:10); cf. Job
c. Faithfulness and loyalty to Jesus even to the point of death (Rev. 2:10)
d. Loyally hold fast to Jesus’ “name” (NRSV), or “cause” (REB); “remain true” (NIV, TEV) and “loyal” (NLT) to Jesus in times of suffering and persecution, even when fellow believers are put to death (Rev. 2:13)
e. Obey Jesus’ teaching and remain true to his name in our weakness (Rev. 3:8)
3. Steadfastness, hard work, ongoing growth, holding fast
a. Hard work/labor/toil in His service (Rev. 2:2, 19)
b. Strong love and faith (Rev. 2:19)
c. Don’t wane in love/loyalty, but continue to grow in it (Rev. 2:5); involves actions/deeds (Rev. 2:5, 19)
d. Later deeds excelling earlier ones (Rev. 2:19)
e. Hold fast to what we have until Jesus returns (Rev. 2:25, 3:11); making sure that no one takes away our victor’s crown (Rev. 3:11)
f. Continue in the things/deeds Jesus commands until He returns (Rev. 2:26)
g. Take active steps to strengthen areas that are lacking them and bring unfinished deeds to completion  (Rev. 3:2); if we see that we are starting to get dull and sleepy, or that our garments are soiled, take steps to remedy it (Rev. 3:3-4)
h. Remember what we have received and heard and obey it (Rev. 3:3)
4. Guard against deception from without and from within
a. Refuse to put up with false apostles, false teachers, and false prophets, whose conduct and motives are evil in Jesus’ sight; test and examine them (Rev. 2:2), lest the flock be devoured by wolves (Ac. 20:29)
b. Hate, refute, and address teachings and practices that put God’s people at risk of coming under his judgment; especially those that lead people into idolatry and immorality (the “teaching of Balaam” [Rev. 2:14]): e.g. the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:6, 15), and Jezebel (Rev. 2:20, 24). (In Elijah’s day, Ahab married to Jezebel, from Sidon. She promoted the worship of Baal in Israel and had the LORD’s prophets killed; see 1 Ki. 16-21). Jesus says that he hates these things, and that eventually his patience runs out if they aren’t dealt with.
Revelation 2:6 (NIV)
6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans (cf. Rev. 2:15—the “teaching of the Nicolaitans”), which I also hate.
Revelation 2:21–23 (NIV)
21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
• “Little is known about the Nicolaitans, but they appear to have advocated participation in pagan religion and immoral behavior&#8230;.The second reference suggests that the Nicolaitans’ teachings were virtually identical to those of the groups identified with Balaam and Jezebel (Aune, Revelation, 148; Beale, Revelation, 261; Boxhall, Revelation, 59–65).” (LBD, sv Nicolaitans)
c. Recognize and remember our true spiritual need; not let ourselves become blind because of comfort and affluence (Rev. 3:17)
d. Reputation for being alive matches the reality (Rev. 3:1); discrepancy between name and reality like soiled clothes in Jesus’ eyes (Rev. 3:4)
e. Resist lukewarmness, recognizing how repulsive it is to Jesus (makes him want to vomit/spit it out; Rev. 3:16); staying earnest (Rev. 3:15, 19)
5. Recognize who Jesus is, respond to Him when He calls, and run by the Spirit’s power
a. Recognize Jesus as the one who searches minds and hearts (Rev. 2:23)
b. Remember that Jesus’ rebuke and discipline stem from his love and loyalty (Rev. 3:19)
c. Take Jesus’ warnings seriously and repent when he brings correction and discipline (Rev. 2:5, 2:16).
i. Warning to church in Ephesus: Repent, or I will come and remove your lampstand (Rev. 2:5). (Jesus is not only in the business of starting churches, but also shutting them down if they aren’t radiating His light.)
ii. Warning to church in Pergamum: Repent, or I will come and engage them in battle (those who hold to the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans) with the sword of my mouth (Rev. 2:16). Ac. 5 (Ananias and Sapphira)
iii. Warning to the church in Thyatira: Repent, or I will afflict Jezebel’s followers with a plague (Rev. 2:22-23). Cf. 1 Cor. 11
iv. Warning to church in Sardis: Repent and wake up, or you will be caught off guard when I visit you (Rev. 3:3).
v. Warning to church in Laodicea: Repent, and I will come in and eat with you (implication: if you don’t repent, we won’t eat together) (Rev. 3:19-20)
d. Jesus’ is concerned about truth, loyalty, faithfulness, and obedience to his gospel, not whether we feel comfortable or not.
e. Yet we have great reason for confidence and assurance as well. Jesus not only corrects, but also affirms. Along with heeding his warnings, we also need to take his promises and assurances seriously, and by the Spirit of the Lord of the lampstands burning within us, “press on toward the goal to win the prize” (Php. 3:14)
Revelation 21:7 (NIV)
7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
6. So what about this congregation: Bethany Church? What would the Lord of the lampstands say to us?

THE HIGH CALLING OF THE LAMPSTANDS

Barry, John D., David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder, eds. “Right Hand.” The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.
Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.
Currid, John D. A Study Commentary on Genesis: <a href="https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Ge1.1-25.18">Genesis 1:1–25:18</a>. Vol. 1. EP Study Commentary. Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, n.d.
Fee, Gordon D. Revelation. New Covenant Commentary Series. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2011.
Foster, Chad Michael. “Lampstand.” Edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.
Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Second Edition. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014.
Matthews, Victor Harold, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Electronic ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
Stuart, Douglas K. Exodus. Vol. 2. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman &amp; Holman Publishers, 2006.
Wenham, Gordon J. Exploring the Old Testament: The Pentateuch. Vol. 1. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2003.
Wenham, Gordon J. Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 4. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981.

SOURCES REFERENCED

In this teaching, we look at what it means for an assembly of Jesus followers to be a radiant, shining &#8220;lampstand&#8221; according Revelation 2-3.

Shining Lampstands