Title [Exodus 27:20-21]
The tabernacle was divided into three main parts. The Holy of Holies, the Holy of Holies, and the Courtyard. The altar of burnt offering and laver were set up in the courtyard, and the table for showbread, candlesticks, and altar of incense were installed in the sanctuary. And in the Most Holy, the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat (the mercy seat) were installed on it. Today, let's take a look at the lighthouse installed in the sanctuary and receive grace. Seven lamps can be placed on this lighthouse, beaten out of pure gold. And the lamp was lit, and the light was lit continuously from evening to morning. To light this lamp, the people had to bring in pure olive oil. The priests went into the sanctuary morning and evening, and devoted their heart to managing this lamp.
1. The church should always have a light on it.
The lighthouse in the sanctuary symbolizes the church. Revelation 1:20 says, “What you saw are the mystery of the seven stars in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.” Then, the lighthouse of the sanctuary symbolizes the church, and to keep the light on the lighthouse means that the church must always turn on the light. Jesus also has a mission he has given to the church. To be the salt and light of the world. First, He taught us to be the salt of the world (5:13), and then He told us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). “You are the light of the world, and a town that is on a hill cannot be hidden. People light a lamp and put it on a lampstand, not under a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Light must illuminate the dark world. Complaining that it is dark is not what the church looks like. Nor is it a saintly life. The forces of darkness hate light. I also don't want to come to the light. They are afraid that their unrighteous and evil deeds will be exposed. But those who are of righteousness love the light. Jesus, the head of the church, came as the light, so the evil generation did not accept Jesus. The church that has Jesus as its head must shine a bright light toward the dark world. This is the mission of the church. The reason the world is getting darker is because the church is not fulfilling its mission. I hope that all of us will shine through with deep reflection.
2. For the church to shine, oil must be supplied continuously.
The oil must be pure olive oil. This oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Church. When there is the work of the Holy Spirit, the church can properly shine its light toward the world. The Holy Spirit plays two important roles. One is to regenerate. It means being born anew. It makes unbelievers into people of faith and evil people into good people. Galatians 5:22-23 reveals the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” This is good deeds here. Those who are born again can glorify God in heaven through such good deeds. The other is the ability to preach the gospel. After receiving the filling of the Holy Spirit, the early church members diligently preached the gospel. The characteristic of a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit is that he is devoted to witnessing the gospel. The Holy Spirit acts as oil. We hope that our members will be able to radiate this light to the world through the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I hope that all of us will do our best to keep this lamp from going out again and again.