Prophetic Lessons From The Tabernacle - Part 2 - Most Holy Place - Golden Lampstand - Altar Of Incense - Holy Of Holies And Ark Of The Covenant Series

The Golden Lampstand

The Golden Lampstand is also known as the Menorah. It had a central shaft, three branches with lamps rising up and out from the two sides, and was shaped like the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden (Exodus 25:32). It was placed at the south side of the Holy Place so that it would illuminate the area in front of it (Exodus 25:31-40; Leviticus 24:1-4; Numbers 8:1-4).

The Golden Lampstand represents the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, who brings the Fire of revelation and impartation to His people. The Priests would go in daily to clip off the wick's burnt area, put in fresh oil, and light it afresh. The only light in the Holy of Holies was from the Golden Lampstand.

"And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy."

(Acts 2:17-18 ESV)

The light it provides continues to be a reminder to God's people that they are called to be "Light to the nations" and as a powerful symbol of bringing His Glory, truth, and holiness into this dark and sinful world (Isaiah 42:6; Zechariah 4:6 ESV).

The Golden Lampstand also speaks of eternal life with God for those He calls His bride only made available by the blood of the Messiah, Jesus. He said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 ESV). Jesus is the tree, and only those found in Him can eat from it, live a spiritually pleasing life, and produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; Revelation 22:1-5,14).

"God is light and in him is no darkness at all." (John 1:5 ESV)

In the same area of the Brazen Alter where offerings were made, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12,20 ESV). He was standing close to the Golden Lampstand and the Table of Shewbread, which was a prophetic shadow of the coming Messiah as the Bread of life and the ultimate light of God. Light is God's shadow! Every Born-Again Christian is called to represent Jesus by bringing His light to the world.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give Glory to your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

Altar of Incense

The Alter of Incense was placed before the Veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (Exodus 30). The top was square, 18 inches per side, and the Altar was 36 inches high. It was made of Acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had four "horns," one at each corner, similar to the Brazen Altar in the Courtyard (Exodus 30:2). Rings of gold were built into it so it could be carried with Acacia wood poles that were slipped through the rings.

The Priests burned only a particular incense on the Altar, "most holy to the Lord," each morning and at twilight as an offering to God (Exodus 30:7-10). The Fire used to burn the incense was taken from the Brazen Altar (Leviticus 16:12). On the Day of Atonement, only the High Priest was to put blood on the horns of the Altar to cleanse it and create a cloud of incense that concealed the Ark of the Covenant, God's throne in the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:13).

The cloud emphasized the invisibility and inaccessibility of Heaven and God Himself (Leviticus 16:13). The smoke and fire combination filled the Holy Place and reminded the Priest that He was entering a sacred place and drawing near to the very presence of God. The continued presence of the Shekinah Glory of God was made visible in a cloud that entered visibly into the Holy Place (Exodus 19:16-25; 24:15-17; 33:18-34:8; 40:34-38; 1 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chronicles 5:13).

Throughout the Bible, incense is often associated with prayer (See Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10). John the beloved saw the Elders around the throne of God "holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people" (Revelation 5:8; 8:3).