April 17, 2023

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “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

In the first compartment of the tabernacle proper, casting our eyes from right to left, we behold the table of showbread which represents Jesus as the Word of God, the Bread of Life. This Word is nourishment for our spiritual well-being and development. Next is the altar of incense representative of a life of prayer and the intercession of Jesus, our High Priest in heaven. And now we come to the seven-branch candlestick which was to burn constantly, providing light. This seven-branch candlestick represents Jesus bringing the light of heaven to a fallen world. The earthly ministry of Jesus was filled with preparations for His followers to become light. He said, “You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14a,16)

We have been reviewing some of the fulfillments of Daniel’s prophecy which stated: He [the little horn] even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the Host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:11-12)

There has always been a remnant of true worshippers of God. The daily consisted of feeding upon the Bread of Life, praying, and witnessing to others about the Good News of salvation in Jesus. These three are symbolized by the table of showbread, the altar of incense, and the seven-branch candlestick. The archenemy of God has worked, just as the Holy Spirit showed Daniel, to do away with these. The light of the true church was cast down and suppressed throughout the Dark Ages. The Roman papal church, with the aid of civil armies, hunted down, persecuted, tortured, and/or murdered every one (including their children and babies) they could find who did not agree with her teachings. However, in the great reversal of events to come, those millions who lost their lives because they chose to remain true to the Lord Jesus will receive the gift of eternal life, a life of unimaginable joy.

“That the church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history. It is impossible to form a complete conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite certain that no powers of imagination can adequately realize their sufferings.” W.E.H. Lecky, History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, vol.2, p.32, 1910

Are any of us today prepared to face the pressure that is soon to come—pressure to deny the Lord Jesus before men? Let us love Him so much that our faithfulness and our very demeanor will become His instruments to save someone who has been deceived. Paul brought a healthy reminder about keeping a good attitude as representatives and messengers of the salvation message: Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15, see also 1 Peter 4:9)