聖經是我們獨一無二的標準 - 生命.. 結晶.. 啓示

Ordained

God ordained His vessel from the beginning

God has a clear plan and design for His vessel, not casual or temporary decisions

The golden lampstand was made according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain

We need to cooperate with God's work according to His will and design, not according to our own ideas

"Ordained" is the foundation that establishes God's will for the vessel; all other characteristics are built upon this divine ordination; God's ordination requires the vessel to be corporate and of the Body

Hebrews 8:5 "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain'"

Corporate

God's vessel is not individual but corporate

An individual cannot satisfy God's heart; God desires to gain a corporate vessel

The golden lampstand is a whole unit with a main stem and six branches

We must transcend individualism and value corporate coordination and building up

"Corporate" is closely related to "of the Body," indicating that what God desires is not individual believers but a collective coordination; corporate nature is the foundation for shining and testifying, as a complete testimony requires the manifestation of all saints together

Romans 12:5 "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others"

1 Corinthians 12:14-27 "Now the body is not made up of one part but of many... Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it"

Ephesians 4:16 "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work"

Exodus 25:31 "Make a lampstand of pure gold"

Revelation 1:20 "The seven lampstands are the seven churches"

2 Peter 1:4 "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature"

Revelation 11:4 "They are 'the two olive trees' and the two lampstands, and 'they stand before the Lord of the earth'"

Of the Body

God's vessel operates according to the principle of the Body of Christ

Each member has a function but must be in the Body to function normally

As the parts of a human body coordinate with each other, so should the church

Learn to live out the Body life, reject the natural life, learn submission and fellowship

"Of the Body" is the practical expression of "Corporate," emphasizing the organic connection between members; Body life is the place where the "golden" nature is manifested, and also the practical way of "shining" and "testifying"

Golden

Divine, from God, possessing the divine nature

Gold represents God's nature and divine essence

The golden lampstand was made of pure gold, without mixture

We need to experience God's workmanship, allowing His life and nature to be formed in us

"Golden" is the inner essence of all characteristics; the vessel must have God's nature to fulfill its other functions; the corporate Body without God's nature (gold) cannot truly shine and testify

Shining

God wants His vessel to shine and illuminate

Not only golden, but also shining; not only possessing God's life but also expressing it

The lamps on the lampstand were to be lit to illuminate God's house

To shine for the Lord in this dark age, revealing God's glory and truth

"Shining" is the natural outward expression of the "golden" nature; gold that does not shine cannot fulfill God's ordination; shining must be through the corporate Body to achieve maximum effectiveness, and it is for testimony

Exodus 25:37 "Then make its seven lamps"

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"

Revelation 1:9 "I, John... for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus"

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth"

Isaiah 43:10 "You are my witnesses, declares the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen"

Testifying

God's vessel is for testifying of God Himself

Testifying of what God is, what God has done, and what God desires

The lampstand placed in the sanctuary testified of God's presence and glory

The church as God's testimony reveals God's reality, righteousness, love, and redemption

"Testifying" is the ultimate purpose of all characteristics; God's ordained vessel, through the corporate Body, expresses God's nature (gold), shines and illuminates, in order to become God's full testimony on earth