This article is about light and Jesus Christ as the light, and includes in its discussion Revelation 21:23, Exodus 27:20, 2 Kings 8:19, and 2 Chronicles 21:7.

Source: Clarion, 1989. 2 pages.

David's Lamp

… and its lamp is the Lamb

Revelation 21:23

When John introduces the lamp that will burn continually in the new Jerusalem, he refers to a concept deeply rooted in the Old Testament Scriptures. In the law, the LORD commanded that a lamp be set up to burn continually in the tent of meeting, Exodus 27:20. The light was a symbol of God's presence, and reminded the congregation of God's appearance at the burning bush. This was the first sign of a continuously burning light, and with the institution of the law and its duties, the lamp receives a permanent place among God's people. Keeping the lamp burning was to be a statute forever, throughout the generations, Leviticus 24: 2-4.

Scripture returns to the idea of the lamp in David's time. In promising David a perpetual kingship, the LORD says that His servant David would always have a lamp before Him in Jerusalem, His chosen city, 1 Kings 11:36. Later, Scripture indicates the special care of the LORD by which He preserved Judah as a tribe not for its own sake but for the sake of the promise He had given to David. David and his sons would have a lamp before Him forever, 2 Kings 8:19, 2 Chronicles 21:7. David and his sons would be the bearers of God's light in the world. God's presence was symbolized in David's kingship.

Through sin's power and the continual attacks of Satan, the tribe of Judah was almost destroyed. It was barely preserved through the exile, and in the ensuing years it becomes a dimly burning wick. But the hour of fulfillment manifests God's truth: David's sons have a lamp forever in Jesus Christ, David's greatest Son! He is the eternal lamp for God's people!

The Revelation to John makes this abundantly clear. The Lamb of God is introduced as a royal King in David's line. God's Lamb is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David," Revelation 5:5,6. David's position and kingship have their source and raison d'etre in Christ. It was for the sake of Christ and His coming that the LORD gave David and his sons an enduring lamp in Jerusalem.

And the Lamb conquered through obedience to His Father. In Him God's light came into the world, Isaiah 60:1. But as John says, men loved the darkness rather than the light, John 3:19. So He let the light of God's presence be extinguished in Himself when He gave Himself up to be slaughtered, so that in Him the whole world might be judged. For in His death on the cross He exposes the world's sin and guilt, and also extends the gift of life and light to all who believe. So His death proves that God's true light cannot be quenched in the world; for in His death and resurrection He brings life and immortality to light.

So His victory brings the eternal light of God's presence among us. David's lamp and the lamp of the temple endures forever in the Lamb. He is called

the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.Revelation 22:16

With the completion of His work a light dawns upon the world which no one will be able to quench. For the one who died, now lives forever, and will bear God's light eternally in a renewed world.

With the coming of the Lamb who also fulfils God's temple law, we have a Ruler and Prince who surpasses even David's expectations. David expressed the hope that His kingship would endure as long as the sun, Psalms 72:17. But the Revelation to John tells us that with the arrival of the Lamb, sun and moon are no longer needed. In other words, His fame and glory endure longer than the sun, and He occupies a glory and honour surpassing the brightness of the sun.

Where is this light to be found? In the church of Christ, where His Word is proclaimed, and where the Spirit of renewal affects His work. We find among God's people today a lamp and light which surpasses the bounds of all created light. David's eternal lamp shines in our hearts through Christ, and we may experience this as the light of the coming age. In Christ we may share the prophetic Word and we may hold to it

as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.2 Peter 1:19

And we may be assured that the day is already dawning.

The night is far gone, the day is at hand.Romans 13:12

How much the more should we not then live as children of light, and let our light shine in the world? With the light of the prophetic word the reign of God is manifested in the church, and in the world around us. It represents a rule and kingship in which we seek to honour God's commandments for all of life, and acknowledge the Lamb of God as King and Saviour in every realm. The citizens of His kingdom will then preserve His truth unadulterated and uncompromised in the world and so "shine as lights," holding forth the enduring power of David's lamp, Philippians 2:15.

For it may appear that the darkness wins the day. But history shows how the unrighteous destroy themselves by their own lawlessness.

The lamp of the wicked will be put out.Proverbs 13:9; cf. 20:20

But those who live in the light of the Lamb will share the enduring blessings of the bright morning star all their days!

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