The Menorah

The Menorah. The Lampstand of the Tabernacle. The Candlestick of the Temple. Often called "the Lamp of God" (1 Samuel 3:3), this symbol, when rightfully understood, speaks volumes. It also is a design that well conveys both the purpose and call of those of Messianic Israel.

"You shall make a menorah of pure gold," the Father said, "its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the menorah from its one side and three branches of the menorah from its other side" (Exodus 25:31-32).

Menorah is a feminine word taken from manowr, which suggests a frame, and from niyr (neer), which speaks of glistening, of a light, as in a chandelier, candle, or lamp. ⁽¹⁾ Thus, the menorah is a light that has a particular frame.

This seven-branched Light is described as being feminine because, at the center its golden frame is a main shaft, or yarek--which comes from a word meaning, to be soft, as in the thigh (from its fleshy softness, and speaks of a shaft, flank or side, alluding to a body, especially the loins. Figuratively, it speaks of the generative parts.⁽²⁾

Comparing two different uses of this word will help us see the generative symbolism implied in the Menorah:

"All the persons who came from the yarek/loins of Jacob were seventy in number..." (Exodus 1:5).

"You shall make a lampstand of pure gold...its base and its yarek/shaft...shall be of one piece with it. Six branches shall go out from its sides; three...from its one side and three...from its other side"(Exodus 25:31-32).

From these verses we see that, even as Jacob's loins were a life source for the tribes of Israel, so the main shaft of the menorah depicts the One Who is the life source of the people of Israel. For, just as Jacob had descendants (seed), so Messiah Yeshua has "seed." We see this in that, the Father promised King David that He would "raise up David's Seed" and would "build up the throne of that Seed forever" (Psalms 89:3-4,26-29,36-37; 2 Samuel 7:12-16). This "promised Seed," this "Eternal One," is Messiah Yeshua. Moreover, this Promised Seed also has "seed." For, His "imperishable seed" lives in all who have been "born anew" of His Spirit.⁽³⁾

So it is that, in the celestial creation that is the Menorah, in this generative symbol, we see a picture of both our Messiah, and of His Body. For, the Menorah's central shaft depicts the One who is Light of the World. It portrays Yeshua HaMashiach.

Also, the Menorah has seven lights, and, according to The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphbet by ArtScroll (see House of David Materials Brochure), seven, due to its numerical value, represents "the Spiritual Presence of the One God of all the Earth" (page 104). Further, six is said to be the number of man, because, on the sixth day, the Creator created man in His image.

The Yarek: The Vine
In Which We Must Abide

The Menorah has a main branch with six branches coming forth from its sides. And, the Father says of the "Branch," "Behold, days are coming... when I will raise up for David a right-eous Branch; and He will reign as king....In that day the Branch of Yahveh will be glorious. ... For, 'Behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch'" (Jeremiah 23:5; Isaiah 4:2; Zechariah 3:8).

Even so, Yeshua said to His disciples, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned" (John 15:5-6).

When a branch is broken off the vine, it becomes useless, dried up. And, even as each of the curved branches in the Menorah must remain attached to the yarek--for without a foundation they cannot stand on their own--so each Believer must abide in the supporting vine that is Yeshua. We must remain in union with Messiah if we are to live and bear fruit in the eternal Kingdom of Israel.

Yeshua: The Root of the Tree

Concerning Yeshua's being our life-source, we note that, when speaking "to the house of Israel and the house of Judah," Jeremiah said, "Yahveh called your name, 'A green olive tree.'" Thus, both Ephraim and Judah, are branches in the olive tree that is Israel (Jeremiah 11:10,16). Thus, Judah-Judaism is not the "root" of Israel's Olive Tree. For Messiah said, "I, Yeshua, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star" (Revelation 22:16). We know King David is in "the olive tree" that is "Israel," and we see that Yeshua is the "root" of the tree in which David abides.⁽⁴⁾

The root of a tree is its life source, and Yeshua is the life source for the olive tree of Israel; He is the root source from which unbelievers are "broken off," they are "cut off" from relationship with Him (Romans 11:20).

However, it is Father's will 'that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him have eternal life" (John 6:40). For, He is "the way, the truth, and the life," and "no one comes to the Father but through Him" (John 14:6). In Yeshua, "we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). All who seek to be a "light" in this world of ever increasing darkness must remain in the One Who said, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Called To Be Shining Lights

As "branches" in the Menorah, we too are called to be "lights." For Messiah says of us, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. So let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Yeshua also warns, "The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. So watch out that the light in you is not darkness.... Believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light" (Matthew 5:14-16; Luke 11:34-36; John 12:35-36).

Filled With Fresh Oil

In the Holy Place, the only source of light was found in the golden Lampstand, which burned brightly day and night. However, on a daily basis, morning and evening, the priests of old had to trim the wicks and replenish the oil. For the Father instructed Aaron and his sons to "keep the lamps in order on the pure gold lampstand before Yahveh continually." He also said, this order was "to be a lasting ordinance in Israel forever..." (Exodus 27:21; Leviticus 24:4).

To keep the menorah in proper "order," they had to bring "pure oil from beaten olives for the light, to make the lamp burn continually" (Leviticus 24:2).

"Oil" represents the Ruach HaKodesh, the Spirit Most Holy (1 Samuel 16:13). "Pure/clean" oil, speaks of our call to purity: "Create in me a pure heart, O God," cries the Psalmist, "renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then, will I teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will be turned back to you" (Psalm 51:11-13). To give forth a light that properly shows the way to the sinner, we need to have a "clean" heart.

As priests, we must continually be renewed in the Spirit; daily we must beseech our Father, "Pour in fresh oil, that I might burn brightly for You." And, when our "wicks" be-come burned out and soot filled, we must either trim them ourselves, or, the Father will try to have others trim them for us (John 7:24; 1 Corinthians 5:12; 6:2-3; 11:29).

We must be kept in this proper order because, an unattended lamp first burns brightly, then dimly, and our Father does not want us to be erratic, sporadic lights. Instead, He wants continual, constant light. And when our wicks are trimmed, when we have a consistent flow of oil, we burn more evenly.

Unlike the "foolish virgins" of Matthew 25:1-13, we do not want to be found "without oil." When our Bridegroom returns, we want to be among those who were wise enough to have kept their lamps filled and trimmed.

How do we do this?

The Holy One instructed His children to, "Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets" (2 Kings 17:13; John 14:15,24). And, in and through the New Covenant, the Father's Law is to be written on our hearts" (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Luke 22:20). However, it is "a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:6). And in it, we are to "confess our sins to one another, and pray for one another, that we might be healed" (James 5:16). Thus, as New Covenant Israelites--as those called to be a "light" to the heathen nations and thus to open the eyes of the blind--we must seek to put away all darkness from our own lives (Isaiah 42:6-7). On a daily basis, we must seek to remove the soot of sin. Morning and evening, we must seek the infilling oil of the Father's Holy Spirit. As those who would be priests before the Holy One, as those who would be deemed as wise, we must keep our own lamps trimmed at all times. For, we become lights by first being an example of Yeshua's Light.

Yeshua: Set Above His Companions

In the natural, the higher one holds a lamp in the air, the more light it sheds on those things we want illuminated. And, certain descriptions of Yeshua paint a picture of the first menorah, in which picture it appears that the central shaft was set above the others. For, the menorah glistens as a picture of "all" Israel, and, Yeshua is the epitome of all that "Israel" is called to be:

In Isaiah, we see that the One whom the Father calls His "Servant," also is "Israel." Further, this Servant-Israel says, "Listen to Me, O islands, and pay attention, you peoples from afar. Yahveh called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me. And, He has made My mouth like a sharp sword...And...He said to Me, 'You are My Servant, Israel, In Whom I will show My glory'" (Isaiah 49:1-3).⁽⁵⁾ Also, the Father says He will make this One, "A light to the Gentiles/Nations" (Isaiah 49:6).

These verses speak of Yeshua, for He was named from the body of His mother:"She will give birth to a son, and you shall give him the name Yeshua" (Matthew 1:21).

Also, this Servant has a "mouth like a sharp sword," and Revelation 1:16 says of Yeshua, "Out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword."

And, the Almighty says, "You are My Servant, Israel, in Whom I will show My glory," and Yeshua is, "A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:25-32).

Yeshua is the One whom the Father is using to light the way of those of His who are in the Nations (John 14:6; 10:16). He is the "Israel" in whom the Father is showing forth His glory, or pa'ar (paw-ar')--which word means, to gleam, and to explain (i.e. make clear) oneself. ⁽⁶⁾ And, Yeshua did explain the Father. He even said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).⁽⁷⁾

Also, the Psalmist said of Yeshua, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; Therefore God/ Elohim, Thy God/Elohim, has anointed Thee with the oil of joy above Thy fellows" (Psalm 45:7). Thus, Yeshua is the Servant Who is "high and lifted up," it is His "train that fills the temple" (Isaiah 52:13; 6:1).

As a Light, Yeshua is set above His companions, for, "He is head of the body, the ekklesia/church; He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything" (Colossians 1:18). And to have more light, we lift Him up.

You Shall Make A Lampstand...

The Father said to Moses:

"You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand and its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side. Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower--so for six branches going out from the lampstand; and in the lampstand four cups shaped like almond blossoms, its bulbs and its flowers. A bulb shall be under the first pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the second pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the third pair of branches coming out of it, for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. Their bulbs and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold. Then you shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it. Its snuffers and their trays shall be of pure gold. It shall be made from a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. See that you make them after the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain....You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lamp-stand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.... You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually.... In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel"

(Exodus 25:31-40; 26:35; 27:20; 27:21).

The First, Spirit Inspired, Menorah

To make the first Menorah, the Father called Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, and He said of him, "I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make....the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils....according to all that I have commanded you" (Exodus 31:2-11).

Thus we see that the menorah is a "Spirit" inspired piece. Among the symbols used by Christians and Jews (the Cross and Star of David), the Menorah is the only one of which we can absolutely say, "It is 'Spirit' inspired."

The Menorah Depicts
A Hammered People

The Father commanded that His Menorah be made of beaten, hammered work: "You shall make a menorah of pure gold....its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it...it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold."....Then [Bezalel] made the menorah of pure gold. He made the menorah of hammered work, its base and its shaft; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers were of one piece with it. ...the whole of it was a single hammered work of pure gold" (Exodus 25:31,36; 37:17,22).

Miqshah, or hammered, is a feminine word that speaks of being rounded, of being molded by hammering, of being repousse', or beaten; to be hammered out of one whole piece. It comes from miqsheh, which is used in Isaiah 3:24 to speak of "well-dressed" hair. Thus, hammering speaks of beating something into an attractive, well-set state.⁽⁸⁾

Moreover, the Father's Lampstand was only to be filled with oil from "beaten" olives (Leviticus 24:2). For, "oil" comes forth only when the fruit is beaten.

From these verses we see that, as Messiah's followers-- as those who wish to be part of "the Light"--as those who wish to be "one" with Yeshua--we are going to be "hammered." In this world, we are going to be "beaten."

We need to meditate on the truths that our Father called us to be "one" with Yeshua. And He instructed us to "become conformed to the image of His Son." Moreover, He says we cannot be "conformed to this world," but must be "transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." We are called to "know...the fellowship of Messiah's sufferings," to "be conformed," not to our "former lusts," but to "His death." In Him, we are to "die daily" (Romans 8:29; 12:2; 1 Peter 1:14; Philippians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:31).

This means, before the Father finishes with the business of completely "conforming us" into the image of His Son, we will be so repousse', so beaten; so perfectly hammered into shape, that we will even have "well-dressed" hair. Truly, we all will find that it is a "bruising challenge" to be "in the world," but not "of the world" (John 17:11,16).⁽⁹⁾

Seven: The Focal Point

We now look to another principle that can be seen in the Menorah--as viewed from a Rabbinic Jewish perspective. For, in the Hebrew aleph-bet (alphabet), letters also serve as numbers. And of seven, or zayin, we read in a commentary from the book, The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet:

"...Seven comprises the six physical directions of expansion (east, west, north, south, up, down) plus one, representing its own individual focal point. [And] Human existence involves a constant tension between what man is --his values, goals, concepts, visions, self--and the environment in which he lives. He is affected by everything around him: How much effort must he exert and how far must he go to earn his livelihood! What sort of people must he deal with! Are his neighbors and conditions of life compatible with his own sense of what he is and what he wishes to make of himself! How much should he learn from his neighbors and how much should he shun their influence, even if he cannot leave their company! This is but a small part of the infinite list of questions that confronts every human being as he makes his way through life. In short, man is at the center of an often turbulent, always confusing, set of elements that entice and threaten, convince and reject, submit and rebel. Figuratively this condition is likened to the six directions--east, south, west, north, up and down-- that surround every human being.... [they] are influences that work on him incessantly. They are outside of man, at a distance from his essence, but he is never free of them....

"The seventh factor is the placid center of it all--the inner man who is the object of all the forces, but is not part of them. How well he succeeds in shaping and maintaining his identity in accordance with the spiritual dictates of his soul is the challenge and purpose of life" (The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet, ArtScroll Mesorah Series, page 105).⁽¹⁰⁾

(While a vision of the menorah with our human nature at the center is less inspiring than a Menorah wherein Messiah Yeshua is at the center, still, there is wisdom to be gleaned from the above perspective.)

Enlightening Menorah Information

Candelabra communiques:

A) In the Babylonian Talmud, in the book of Yoma, we read, "Our Rabbis taught: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple, the lot ['For the Lord'] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-coloured strap become white; nor did the western-most light shine; and the doors of the Hekal would open by themselves..." And in Tosaf Sotah 38a, we read, "When Simeon the Righteous died, with many such indications that such glory was no more enjoyed, his brethren no more dared utter the Ineffable Name."⁽¹¹⁾

Around the time of Yeshua's crucifixion, the westernmost light on the Menorah would not stay lit. Could it be because, as stated in Ezekiel 10:18, Yahveh's "glory departed from the temple..."?

B) It is often difficult to find a decorative menorah be-cause many Orthodox Jews forbid reproduction of anything that was in the Temple, including the Menorah. Further, Christians often dismiss it as being "Jewish," and so are not interested. Thus, manufacturer's's find little market for the Menorah, which in turn makes them hard to find.

C) In 168 B.C., Antiochus Epiphanes, desecrated the Temple, only to be defeated by Judah Maccabee. Today, in celebration, for eight days Jews light candles on a nine branched Hanukkah lamp (the above prohibition had a lot to do with the invention of this nine branched lamp). Although it should be called a Hanukkia Lamp, to distinguish it from the God-inspired Menorah, still, most call it a "menorah."

D) The Menorah in the Tabernacle was made of a "talent" of "pure" gold. This equals about 75 pounds. Presently, gold prices run around $350.00 per troy ounce (a troy pound equals 12 ounces as opposed to our normal 16 ounce pound). And, this price is for 14K gold (as opposed to the 24K pure gold used in the Menorah. Thus, the current price of the Menorah would be far in excess of one half million dollars--and that is for materials alone!

E) When Titus, the Emperor of Rome, defeated Judea in 70 A.D., he took the Menorah to Rome, as a symbol of his conquest. To this day, an image of that Menorah can be seen on the Arch of Titus--which Roman arch was constructed to celebrate his victory--and under which arch, in honor of their fallen people, many Jews refuse to walk.

F) Today, the national symbol of Israel includes a picture of the Menorah Titus took to Rome--which picture was especially chosen to declare an end to that victory. This symbol also features two olive branches, and is undergirded by the name, , Yisrael. (O that Judah would under-stand the reason for the two olive branches of Yisrael!)

G) The Menorah does seem to have a connection with Yisrael's soil, for its description is couched in botanical terms: branches, flowers, calyxes, petals and cups (Exodus 25:31-36). We also see this connection in a plant that is native to Israel: though not always seven branched, there is a sage (Salvia), called a moriah. Some twenty varieties of this plant offer fragrant leaves used in making spices and medicines.⁽¹²⁾

The Lampstand and the Ekklesia

The seven-branched candelabrum that once stood in the Holy Temple is the most enduring symbol of the Hebraic faith. First created for use in the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, or portable sanctuary carried by our forefathers in the wilderness--more than any other symbol, the glow of the menorah links our many generations from Moses to our present day. Moreover, our Father decreed how the menorah was to be made, as well as how it was to be tended (Exodus 25:9,30-40; 27:20; 30:7-8; 37:17-24; Numbers 8:2-4).

This glorious symbol should not be put away as though belonging to another era. Nor should it exist only in the far recesses of our minds. Instead, the Menorah is an emblem that well suits New Covenant Believers. In fact, Yeshua Himself designated it as our identifying symbol.

In the Book of Revelation, Yeshua says, "Lampstands are churches..." And, this revealing Book begins by stating its enlightening purpose: "The Revelation of Messiah Yeshua, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants..."

Yeshua's bond-servants are meant to gain "revelation" about Him from this Book; among which revelations we find one about "lampstands."

The author, John, says he is writing to, "The seven churches." Further, one of the first symbols he speaks of is that of the "seven golden lampstands." Then, a glorious resurrected Messiah Yeshua explains their symbolism:

"As for the mystery of...the seven golden lampstands... [they]...are the seven churches" (Revelation 1:4,12,20).

Lampstands are churches, and the Menorah traditionally depicts Israel.

But, is it as many teach? Is "the church" (meaning the ekklesia of New Covenant Believers whom Yeshua finds acceptable) an entity that is "separate" from Israel?

Not in the Father's eyes!

Called Out To Light The Way

To begin, the English word, church, is derived from an ancient Germanic word, keirke, the essence of which means, "circle." Using this word hinders our understanding of our call. Keirke cannot convey the true meaning of our call because we are not called to go around in circles.

Ekklesia is the Greek word used to describe Yeshua's called out ones--which word speaks of being called out, of an assembly.⁽¹³⁾ Moreover, this word was used in the Septuagint⁽¹⁴⁾ to translate the Hebrew, miqra; which word also speaks of our being called out, of an assembly, as well as of a rehearsal.⁽¹⁵⁾ Further, miqra is most often used in conjunction with ko'desh, which means most holy.⁽¹⁶⁾ Together, these two words are usually translated, holy convocation, or holy assembly. And, what makes these convocations holy is the fact that it is the Holy One of Israel Who is issuing the call.

To what is the Holy One calling His children?

"Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'Yahveh's appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convoca-tions--My appointed times are these: ...the Sabbath... Passover....Unleavened Bread.... sheaf of the first fruits.... bread of the first fruits [Shavuot/Pentecost]...blowing of trumpets...day of atonement....[and] the Feast of Booths" (Leviticus 23:2-36).

Yahveh calls these occasions, "My" appointed times. And He commands the sons of Israel to "proclaim" them, as, "holy convocations." The ancient miqra/ekklesia of Israel was given a call--by the Holy One--to celebrate His Feasts --and they were called to celebrate as one people.⁽¹⁷⁾

We rehearse these feasts, that we might learn more about them, as well as more about ourselves, and about the role we play in this life. Also, we are preparing for the day when they no longer are "rehearsals," but actually are the "real" play (Zechariah 14:18-19).

As the people of New Covenant Israel, we are a people called out, a people set apart. We are a people who have been sovereignly chosen (Matthew 22:14; Psalm 4:3; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:9; Exodus 19:5).

However, we are not a people who have a "call" that is separate from that of "Israel" (Ephesians 2:11-22). For our "One" God has "one" people. Yeshua said He was "One" with the Father (which means they cannot have two separate peoples as some suggest). And He prayed that "we might be one" with them. Thus, our first martyr, Stephen, spoke of the "ekklesia that was in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38). Thus, the Holy Spirit inspired the use of ekklesia to describe both those of ancient Israel and those who follow Messiah.

Israel's Messiah, Who is our Yeshua, "is the head of the body, the ekklesia" (John 10:30; 17:22; Colossians 1:18,24). And in Him, Ephraim is called to be a light--especially so to those of Judah (Matthew 5:16; Romans 11). As those of the "wild" side of the family, Ephraim is especially called to bring unity to the whole house of Israel.⁽¹⁸⁾

And we see this unity depicted in the Menorah, which divine design well portrays the Believers born of Messiah. For, just as Eve was taken from Adam's side, so Yeshua's Bride is taken from His side (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 5:9). However, in the case of the Menorah, children are coming out from both sides--thus depicting "both the houses of Israel" (Isaiah 8:14)--thus depicting those of "'Gentile' Ephraim Israel"(Genesis 48:19; Romans 11:25)-- as well as those of "Jewish Israel." Though our backgrounds and histories may be different, though we may come from different sides of the proverbial track, still, we are called to be one people in the Branch that gives us life (Isaiah 11:1). As it is written, the Menorah "was a single hammered work of pure gold" (Exodus 37:22).

Standing Before The Light

Another picture found in the Menorah is seen in the Father's instructions to Bezalel: "You shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it" (Exodus 25:37).

Why is the Menorah to shine light in the front?

Because ultimately, we all must stand before Yeshua: "Keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength...to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Romans 14:10). Eventually, all men will have to stand before the "Light," before He Who is the Judge. For, the Father "has given all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22).

We cannot "slip in the back way," for that is darkness. No. We all must stand before Him. Then it will be even as Yeshua warned: "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day" (John 12:48).

Zechariah Saw The Light

Yeshua does tell us of some who will be "able" to stand before Him--He speaks of them as being "two olive trees and two lampstands..."

To identify these two olive trees, we look to Zechariah, who tells of a vision in which an angel asked him, "What do you see?" Zechariah responded, "'I see a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.' Then I said to the angel...'What are these, my lord?'" ...[and he] said, 'Do you not know what these are?' And I said, 'No, my lord.'....Then I said, 'What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?' And...the second time..., 'What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?' So he answered me, 'Do you not know what these are?' And I said, 'No, my lord.' And he said, 'These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth'" (Zechariah 4:1-14).

Who are the two branches who produce pure, golden oil?

Speaking of the last days, in Revelation 11:3,4, Yeshua says, "I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy..." Then, He identifies these two witnesses: "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth."

Also, the Father further identifies these two in that He says of the sons of Israel: "You are My witnesses"(Isaiah 43:10). And, He explained the purpose and required number of witnesses: "A single witness shall not rise up against a man...on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed" (see Deuteronomy 19:15 and the Herald, One Witness?) Moreover, a day came when the House of Israel was divided. And, of this division, the Holy One said, "This thing is from Me" (2 Chronicles 11:4).

Ultimately, "both the houses of Israel" began to "stumble"over He who would be a "Sanctuary" to them (Isaiah 8:14). Yet the Father continued to use divided Israel:

Historically, there are only two peoples on the face of the earth who have been "witnesses" for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Those two peoples are known as "Christians and Jews."

And, a remnant from these two peoples are beginning to be known as "Ephraim and Judah." For, the veil also is being lifted from the eyes of those of Ephraim Israel; and they are beginning to understand the enigma that is "Israel" (Genesis 48:19; Isaiah 8:14; Jeremiah 31:18,19; Romans 11:25).

Yeshua said He would "grant authority" to His "two witnesses," and that "they will prophesy..." Moreover, He describes these two as being both, "olive trees," and "lampstands."

These two are anointed to bring forth a message from the God of Israel. They are lampstands. And lamp-stands are...churches-ekklesias (Revelation 11:3,4; 1:20). And ekklesias are congregations, and, in Ezekiel 37:15-28, we see the Father calling forth two congregations of peoples: They are the "two sticks," the two 'ets, or "trees" that He will soon make one in His hand: Ephraim and Judah.

When Judah and Ephraim truly become "one" in Messiah --when they move their oneness from the elementary imputed state of Ephesians 2:11-22--when they truly begin to implement, to walk hand in hand in their oneness--then, they will begin to confirm the Father's Word in the Earth--then, they will truly meet the Father's self-imposed "two or three witnesses" requirement. And then, they will truly begin to "shine" (1 Samuel 17:45; Isaiah 11:13-14; Obadiah 1:18; Zechariah 8:3,7,13; 9:13; Jeremiah 3:14-18; 50:4-5,20; Ezekiel 37:22-26).

All the Earth is waiting, groaning, to get but a glimpse of that glorious Light...

Abba, in Your mercy, we pray that You will allow that we begin to walk in that Light.
We also ask You to pour in Your healing oil now, and to trim our soot filled wicks.
Allow us, Abba, by Your grace, to begin to be a light that truly represents the glory of all Israel.

STAR  of  DAVID

Magen David

The Star of David (English) or Magen David (Hebrew) is the “Shield of David” rarely known as ‘Solomon’s Seal.’ The Star of David is a hexa-angular star, also called a hexagram, and is the recognized symbol of Jewry today, found in many Jewish homes, in all Jewish synagogues, and is the ensign of the restored national Jewish homeland, the modern state of Israel as waved on its blue and white flag. The Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross is the Red Magen David.

There are many theories to the origin and meaning of the Star of David:

(1) Historical/Linguistic/Militaristic Theory. In the ancient Hebrew/Phoenician alphabet, the third letter, dalet, looked like a triangle [A]. David’s name began and ended with the dalet, and since David was a man of war, greatly feared by the nations which flew their own pendant, the Star of David, consisting of two triangular dalets, was chosen as an effective symbol of warfare. It is suggested that the symbol was not used religiously until centuries later. However, the Hebrew people, and especially the runner of Messiah, David, did not see a ‘separation of church and state,’ but a kingdom.

(2) Symbolic Rabbinic Judaism (which is divergent from Biblical Judaism) suggests that the two triangles demonstrate the two realms, the top triangle strivings upward, toward God, while the lower triangle strives downward, toward the real world. Medieval alchemists borrowed the talmudic pun-ish mayim, fiery water, and shamayim or heaven to demonstrate the inter-penetration of the two realms. Because of this symbolism the Mogen David brandy/wine evolved. The two triangles became symbolic of the Jewish people, intertwining and inseparable the three sides represent Jews: The Kohanim or Priests, the Levites, and the common people, Israel.

(3) Mystical intertwined, equilateral, triangles are thought to be a good omen, to bring good luck in the Middle East and Africa. Jewish mystics used the hexagram as a magical protection against demons, often inscribed on the outside of mezuzot and on amulets. Present day cults use the pentagram or five-pointed star as such a mystical symbol.

(4) Sensational. The Star of David is suggested to represent Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah of Israel. A passage in Numbers (24:17) speaks of a star rising from Jacob, a scepter from Israel; the wise men [magi] saw His star and came to worship Him. In medieval times, on shabbat, German Jews would light a Judenstern (“Jewish star”) or a star-shaped brass oil lamp emblematic of the messianic age to come. The Star of David was popular with the followers of the [false] messiah, Shabbatai Tzevi in the 17th century due to its messianic implications.

(5) Official (digressing to its genesis) Today, the Jewish symbol and ensign on the flag of modern Israel is embraced by Jews in general, many branches of Judaism in particular (Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Karaite, Hasidic), and a myriad of Jewish missions and ministries (like Messianic Ministry to Israel) due to its derivation from or a sign of the Davidic throne and kingdom believed to be prophetic/futuristic. Messianics (Jewish believers in Yeshua) anticipate the literal return of Yeshua to Israel, to Jerusalem, to the Temple Mount, to restore the Davidic throne and Kingdom. Yeshua will reign for a literal one-thousand years as son of David, yet Lord of the earth, the new Adam in the land. This is called the millennial kingdom. It is suggested by many that the Star of David is not ancient, but a relatively new Jewish symbol; that the symbol is so rare in early literature and art that forgery is suspicioned when later works of art or literature are found containing the icon. 20th and 19th Centuries AD – Russia, Romania, France, Germany and other anti-Semitic countries were hosting violent pogroms. A movement began initiated by, Theodore Herzl, the father of Zionism. Herzl chose the Star of David as the symbol of Zionism; in 1897 the Magen David was adopted as the emblem of the Zionist movement though the symbol remained to be a subject of controversy for years (scriptural basis; religious content; secular acceptance). Jews and non-Jews recognized the Star of David as an occurring Jewish symbol. During the Holocaust years (1939-1945) the nazi regime required that all Jews wear the yellow Star of David as the identifying badge. Following the Holocaust, modern Israel transitioned the symbol into a badge of honor to caricature the Jewish people. Franz Rosenzweig composed his philosophy in Star of Redemption (1912) and the Jewish star symbolized the basis of Jewish faith: creation, revelation, and redemption. Christian X (1870-1947), king of Denmark (1912-1947) and Iceland (1918-1944), son and successor of Frederick VIII, born near Copenhagen, was the dignified if powerless symbol of national unity, and supposedly wore the Star of David to express solidarity with his Jewish subjects. 13th - 18th Centuries AD – ‘Christians’ of Europe forced Jews to wear this distinguishable icon in order to identify Jewish ethnicity for the purpose of preserving religious and ethnic allocations. During the Middle Ages the Jewish hexagram or Star of David was specifically a Jewish symbol used in and on synagogues (as a cross is used Church roofs today), in art, in decoration, as a magical symbol, and even as an astrological symbol, a big star. In the early 1300s Emperor Charles IV of Czechoslovakia permitted the Jewish community to create and fly their own flag of red and gold, two six-pointed stars, to welcome the king to the city of Prague. A similar flag remains to this day in the oldest synagogue in Prague, the Altneuschul. Tombstones in cemeteries were festooned with the Star of David, and the Star of David spread to the Jewish communities of Moravia and Bohemia and then eventually to Europe. In the 17th century the Jewish and Christian quarters in Vienna were separated by a boundary stone inscribed with a hexagram on one side and a cross on the other. Pogroms, government and church supported riots on Jews, forced the Hebraic people in many countries to wear the yellow Star of David outwardly on their clothing. The French Enlightenment period gave Jewish people an enormous freedom, a new-world in which to thrive. Jews were allowed to go to the universities, to become professionals, to be ‘Frenchmen,’ to be treated equal. The distinguishable marks disappeared, though the Jews chose to embrace the six-pointed star as their design with their emancipation. Ninth Century AD – Islamic Khalif, Al Mutawakkil, ruled an Islamic Middle East. To distinguish themselves from other peoples in Israel, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, etc. Jews and Christians wore distinctive marks to preserve religion and ethnicity. This may have been the first occasion for Jewish people to have a mark First and Second Centuries AD – Scholars have attempted to trace the Star of David to Rabbi Akiva and the Bar Kockba (“son the star”) rebellion against Rome’s Hadrian. Others suggest that the Star of David evolved from kabbalah and kabbalists like Rabbi Isaac Luria (16th century). No Jewish writings or artifacts document this claim. Sixth Century BC – The earliest known Jewish use of the hexagram was as a seal in ancient Israel, and in a synagogue frieze in Capernaum where a swastika type motif also appears. However, these hexagrams may have been only ornamental designs. Many like, C. E. Legends connect this symbol with the “Seal of Solomon,” the magical signet ring used by Solomon, memorializing his father, David. Another theory is that King Solomon’s signet ring was inscribed with the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the four-letter name of God, and that the hexagram or Star of David was used on medieval amulets where it began. 2nd Century BC - If one travels to the land of Israel and views the many ancient ruins unearthed, he or she will discover Jewish symbol on the archeological finds. At one sight in particular, Capernaum, a tourist may see and photograph millennia old stones, some inscribed with menorahs, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Star of David. I, personally, have viewed and photographed such a stone, numerous times. Bronze Age – The Star of David was used in the ancient world from Mesopotamia to Britain The Opposition – It is the opinion of non-Jews that the Magen David is mystical, an occult symbol. Among the Jewish people it is deemed by a few as unkosher. However, the only satanic inference of the symbol is that instigated by so called ‘Christians’ who attacked the Jews, promoted the pogroms, made Jews to wear the symbol, and murdered the descendants of Abraham The hexagram first appears as a magical symbol in the early Middle Ages, especially in Muslim and Christian countries, and was used on notarial seals as well as for architectural decoration on churches. It appears that the hexagram was employed even earlier by the Karraite Judah Hadassi in the mid-12th century in connection with amulets and names for God. However, at this time it did not symbolize either God or the Jewish people; its precise meaning is unclear, but scholars have suggested that it suggested God's protecting power, hence the association with a "shield." The star was also employed in Kabbalah at this time; the ten sefirot were arranged within the six-pointed star and it was used in amulets. It further appears that the hexagram and pentagram were used interchangeably until this period, and then the six-pointed star gained favor, as it was associated with the notion of a "shield" of God and taken to have magical powers when used as an amulet. From the 14th century through the 18th century, the terms "shield of David" and "seal of Solomon" were used in magical texts indiscriminately though the hexagram ascended in popularity as the pentagram diminished in popularity. It is in this context that the Prague Jewish community chose to use the hexagram as its symbol when King Charles IV granted them the privilege of having their own flag in 1354. Theodor Herzl popularized the symbol when he chose it to represent his new Zionist Movement. The first issue of the Zionist journal Die Welt, featured a Magen David. In the 19th century, Jews wanted to have a simple geometric symbol to identify Judaism in the manner in which the Christian community employed the cross. The hexagram served that purpose well. The philosopher Franz Rosenzweig employed the star as a motif for structuring his ideas about the relationships between God, Jews, and the world, in a work entitled Der Stern der Erloesung (The Star of Redemption, 1921). During the Nazi era, Jews were forced to sew yellow six-pointed stars to their clothing in order to identify them as Jews and separate them from the rest of the population. This facilitated rounding Jews up for transportation to ghettos, concentration camps and death camps. It was intended to be a sign of humiliation. Shortly after World War II, however, the star was placed on a field of white between two blue stripes (the white field and blue stripes symbolizing the tallit) becoming the flag of the newly reborn State of Israel, once again a symbol of pride and belonging. Today, the six-pointed star is a proud symbol of an ancient heritage and is used to adorn and decorate many ritual objects. It has even been used as the basis of architectural plans for synagogues and other buildings of the Jewish community.

What is Mezuzah?

Mezuzah is a Hebrew word meaning "doorpost." In the context of scribed items, the word mezuzah refers to a small piece of lambskin or goatskin upon which the words of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 are scribed. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul..." is how the passage begins. After a promise of blessings for keeping God's commandments and curses for disobeying, the passage finishes with a mandate to "write [these words] upon your doorposts and upon your gates. Thus, these scriptures have been traditionally written on a small square of parchment, rolled, and inserted into a container (also called "mezuzah" by many today), which is affixed to the doorpost of the house. There are many relationships between mezuzah and Messiah's atoning work: for example, just as the lamb's blood was applied to the doorposts during the plague of the death of the firstborn in Egypt, so was the blood of Messiah -- the Passover lamb -- the Word of God incarnate -- applied on our behalf so that death might be swallowed up in victory.

What are Tefillin?

Tefillin is the Hebrew word for the Greek "phylacteries", and tefillin comes from the Hebrew root word for "prayer". Four scriptures, two from Exodus and two from Deuteronomy, are scribed on long strips of parchment, rolled, and inserted into small black boxes called "houses". These boxes have long black leather straps which allow one to bind the boxes and their scriptures to the head and to the hand. The four scriptures within are four of the well known scriptures containing God's commandment to "let [My words] be a sign upon your hand and as frontlets between your eyes." The wearer usually dons the tefillin for the purpose of prayer and meditation, although some wear tefillin on other occasions.

The tefillin boxes and straps are filled with awesome symbolism in their structure and shape alone; even the tying of the knots represents the character and name of God. In binding the tefillin to the hand and head, a person physically renews his/her commitment to serve the L-rd, recalling that we are now freed from bondage to sin and death. Binding the tefillin to head and hand actually reminds us to place our mind and actions (strength) under His lordship. The number of the beast being applied to the head and hand of its followers (found in the book of the Revelation) is an attestation to the spiritual effects of the practice -- whether in a Godly obedience, as in tefillin, or in perversion, as in the number of the beast. Yeshua stated that one should do (wear tefillin) as the Pharisees commanded, but not in the manner in which they did (in arrogance or callousness of heart).