The Menorah

A pattern for church Structure

(Brief definition and suggestions for implementation)

"The seven candlesticks are the seven churches (Re 1:20)"

The Menorah (candlestick) is the singular most comprehensive Biblical symbol of the church. In his familiar sermon on the mount, Jesus said:

"Ye are the light of the world . . . Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;" (Mt 5:14-15)

If one understands the Hebrew mind of our Lord, there can be no mistaking the reference that Jesus is making is to the Menorah when He said "Ye are the light of the world". This conclusion is reinforced by his encouraging us to place our light on a "candlestick".

The most dominant numerical pattern displayed by the candlestick is the seven lamps. Universally, the number seven is the theological number representing God's fullness, completeness and perfection. As a point of interest, the following are a few biblical references to groups of seven;

The Seven Spirits of God are of particular significance to us since they are referenced more often in scripture than any other. If the church is to reflect the fullness of God (Eph 1:23, Eph 3:19), these seven spirits must be operating through it. When this happens, the church becomes, in effect, a flaming candlestick sending forth light into all the world (the community - our world). With these the church possesses the anointing and power to go forth blessing, conquering and overcoming.

"And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and the seven lamps thereon, ..."

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying .... not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord." Zech 4:2,6

What are the seven spirits of God?

"And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might , the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." Isa. 11:2

These seven words descriptively identify; ". . . the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." (Rev. 5:6) This sevenfold anointing upon the church results in bringing spiritual and numerical growth to it and high profile to the truth in the immediate community and beyond, or sets the church "on a hill" as it were. (Mt 5:14)

How does this structurally manifest itself?

"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Pr 9:1

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God." (Rev.3:1)

"Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." (Ac 6:3)

The scripture teaches that the body of Christ is the house of God (1 Tim 3:13). The suggestion here is that the fundamental pattern of structure for the local manifestation of a Biblical church are these seven pillars. These "pillars" are manifested as seven individuals upon whom rests an anointing of a specific nature.

Beyond the pastoral leadership and elders of the church, there should be seven individuals identified as representing these seven spirits. Each individuals God given talents, interests and skills will demonstrate the nature of their anointing in this group of seven. These seven individuals are the seven eyes (observers)and seven horns (motivational forces) of the church. (Rev. 5:6)

Jos 6:4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns:

These seven priestly ministries were foreshadowed by those who bore the Ark of The Covenant across the Jordan river as Joshua went to conquer the promised land.

Each of these seven leaders in the church will have the responsibility to define, promote, maintain and give practical direction to those of like spirit in the church. They ensure that each of these seven spirits of God is consistently operative both in the church and in the city. They keep their particular lamp trimmed so that the seven lamps or spirits are always burning in the body.

When each of these spirits are clearly defined, the process of plugging people into their most compatible activity will be easily facilitated.

Defining the seven spirits:

"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you , and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Rev.1:4)"

These seven spirits alluded to in the very opening of the book of Revelation are highly credited with conveying a divine message to John and the gentile churches of Asia. The author of this book seems persistent in drawing our attention to the existence of these seven spirits and makes the reference four times early-on. Seven messages were sent from God through seven angels (spirits) to seven churches. The nature of each of these seven spirits can be ascertained by the content of his message of concern. This is also a "life" truth. One can know what anothers pursuits and interests are in life through their conversation. If they are a carpenter, an archeologist or a aeronautical engineer their interests and speech betray them every time. So is it with an individual who is highly motivated by one of the seven spirits of God.

The seven Spirits of God are identified with some specificity in two places, Revelation Chapters 2&3 and Isaiah 11:1-2. We will discover that there is a close correlation between the personality and character descriptions of these seven spirits found in the seven letters to the seven churches and the one word description given to us by Isaiah. The following is a comparative chart demonstrating this correlation.

Some, but not all, of the words appearing under the heading of NATURE are found in the seven letters to the churches of Asia. However, a thorough investigation of these letters will reveal that those principles are definitely expressed in them. Also, as we make a comparative study of Isaiah and Revelation, the correlation becomes apparent.

What are their practical manifestation?

1. Spirit of the Lord or Love:

This spirit burns from the center lamp of the Menorah. Historically, it is know as the "Servant Lamp" or Shamash. It is from this spirit that all others emerge. It serves to hold all things in tact. 1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Since "God is love" it is the word love that best describes the very essence of who and what our Lord is. "For God so loved the world" says it thoroughly. This spirit is redemptive in nature. It is the underlying motivation and passion for missions. It compels and propels us into the "great commission".

The spirit of love wrote his letter to the Ephesus church with the complaint "You have left your first love." The book of Ephesian is almost totally devoted to the need for love within the body of Christ. Jesus Himself said in "Joh 13:35 "By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

However, our first demonstration of love must be toward one another in the body of Christ. This is the "first love" which is referred to in Revelation 2:1. We can never truly love the lost until we have love for each another. A Church that supports "missions" and is active in declaring the redemptive gospel to the "lost" can succeed only as we maintain it's first manifestation. You can not hate your brother and simultaneously love the lost. By love shall all men know . . . .

The individual in a church who is anointed with this pillar spirit manifests a burden for the lost, for missions and for cultivating Godly devotion to each other. This spirit of love wards off the spirit of division not by design but simply by temperament.

2. The spirit of Preservation or might;

The secret to spiritual longevity is to be "Strong in the Lord and in the power of his might".

We are promised that our whole "spirit and soul and body [can] be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Thes. 5:23). This theme is declared in the eternal priestly benediction which proclaims "The lord bless you and keep (preserve) you . . . " The nature of God's covenant with Noah was one of preservation, that of being saved from destruction. Satan is the destroyer who is intent on crushing us all. Some members are stronger than others. However, even the strongest are challenged. We have need one of another at such times. Still, there are week members of the body who's "Feeble knees hang down".

The individual anointed with this pillar spirit is one who specializes in spiritual ICU's (intensive care units). They keep the body posted on the needs of the weaker. They organize visitation. They are concerned over abortion, the homeless and the poor and forsaken. They recognize the unrecognized and honor the less honorable. They concern themselves with meeting the need of the people. They notice visitors and seek to embrace them through warm welcome. They follow up with contact by phone or correspondence or visitation. This spirit preserves the fruit: Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

3. The spirit of remembrance or counsel.

Heb 2:1 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip." Remembrance is a vital, indeed a marvelous, part of our brain capacity. However, it is dependent entirely upon stimuli. That is, it must be prompted. To re-member simply means to re-connect or put back together. This is what counseling is all about. Counseling is an effort to re-establish or re-connect the order of things in our thought patterns & processes.

The Biblical Feast days (Passover, Pentecost and tabernacles)were instituted as a liturgical calendar so that we may be reminded of the goodness of God. Jesus said of the Communion Supper "This do in remembrance of me." In the natural course of events we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and holidays of all description to stimulate our memory. Signs and symbols such as the cross and the candlestick or a dove facilitate recall of vital truth. The Sabbath was instituted through the fourth commandment for a remembrance practice.

The individual with this pillar spirit in a local church is very active in counseling. They are approachable resident counselors in whom you can confide. They are individuals who keep the church posted on upcoming events and coordinate celebrations (remembrance practices) stressing their significance.

4. The spirit of revelation or understanding

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The church of Thyatira was seduced into believing false teaching because they did not have the spirit of revelation. Truth is not acquired through investigation, interpretation nor translation or even education, as important as these things may be, but rather through divine disclosure entirely.

An individual anointed with this spirit in the local body grasps the principle of divine truth to become a quality teacher. They are the superintendent of the teaching effort of the church. They may even be an interpreter of dreams. An individual with a prophetic spirit.

5. The spirit of perfection (maturity) or wisdom.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

This is a progressive spirit. It produces a commitment and is a driving force to do better. It produces spiritual growth and maturity. It transforms us into givers and not takers only. By this spirit we are weaned from the milk of Gods word and able to receive strong meat [deeper truth].

The individual anointed with this pillar spirit is a perfectionist with wisdom. They insist on things being done properly and seek ways to improve and devise ways to encourage people to fulfill obligations and become responsible. They are encouragers of the people in what God has called them to do. They are not judges and critics but observers and motivators. They encourage the body to be doers of the word and not hearer only. They say "Let's do it!" They insist that "All things be done decently and in order". They are "diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." They are business managers.

6. The spirit of publishing or knowledge

This is the spirit of the scribes. Without this spirit we would not have a Bible.

Ps 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great [was] the company of those that published [it].

This is a "key " spirit that opens and shuts doors. The declaration of the word, either written or verbal, is a power force. By it, ideas and thoughts become reality.

The individual anointed with this pillar spirit wants to get the word out through publications. They are motivated to advertise the church and it's message through every existing medium (radio, television, newspaper, billboards, etc.). They monitor the literature department and see to it that the word gets published. These people are driven to see the earth filled with the knowledge of the Lord.

7. The spirit of Fear or restoration

It is a healthy fear of the Lord (not necessarily dread but perhaps respect) that helps maintain a good relationship with him. The objective in conducting revivals in the church is to make this emphasis and by it people are restored or renewed. This is what the spirit was attempting to do with the Laodicean church (Rev. 3:14-15).

Re 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Acts 9:31 "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."

The individual with this pillar spirit in the local body refuses to "write people off." They maintain relationships with those who have fallen or deserted the body in faith and hope of restoration. If the spirit of preservation does not retain them, this spirit will pursue and retrieve them. They are coordinators of local revivals Also they maintain a consciousness within the body of the need to pursue the prophetic restoration message of our time and encourage the pastor in it's declaration.

These are the seven eyes and horns or spirits that are manifested in Christ, then through the Church to the world. Only when these spirits a burning through us personally and through the Church corporately can we truly become the "Light of the world."