The Testimony of Jesus
In the Scriptures there are different references to the lampstand depicting the testimony. Exodus 25:31 says, “And thou shalt make a lampstand of pure gold, of beaten work shalt thou make it.” This was the main verse on the cover of A Witness And A Testimony for 49 years.
Brother Sparks emphasized that there are three progressive revelations of the golden lampstand, each one deeper than the one before:
- Exodus 25 — Here with the golden lampstand, the stress is on its nature being an aspect of Christ.
- Zechariah 4 — In this chapter, the stress of the golden lampstand is on its nature being an aspect of the seven Spirits.
- Revelation 1 — In this chapter, the stress is on the golden lampstand’s spiritual reprint, or duplication, which is the propagation of many churches practically expressed in many localities.
From these three stages, we have an understanding of the golden lampstands, which typify the church. We progress from Exodus to Zechariah and then on to Revelation. This is just to pass from the revelation of the nature of the church to the revelation of the church being manifested in the Spirit, and finally into the practical carrying out of the church in the localities.
The church, as manifested in many localities, is just the testimony of Jesus Christ. |
The church, as manifested in many localities, is just the testimony of Jesus Christ. However, it is not enough that the vision of this testimony be recognized by only a few people; the practical manifestation must be seen by many in reality and in practicality. Our understanding of the church must progress from the church being “the mystery...hidden in God, who created all things” (Eph. 3:9) to the church being manifested to people in reality.
When we speak of the church, we should not only ask, “What is the church?” i.e.,
We must also ask: “Where on earth is this church we’re talking about?" |
“What is the character of the church, and what is the commitment and destiny of the church?” We must also ask: “Where on earth is this church we’re talking about? Do you have a testimony of oneness? Do you have a testimony of Christ being manifested? Do you have a testimony of being on fire? Do you have a testimony of shaming Satan and of letting God have His rest?”
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Following Brother Sparks’ conference in Taiwan, the messages released by Brother Lee came under three categories:
1. The Testimony and Ground of the Church
With the church, there is not only the issue of testimony, but even more the issue of the ground of oneness. It is through the ground of oneness that the testimony can be produced. The testimony is just the Body of Christ, the visible expression in reality.
2. God’s Building—Concerning the Coordination of the Body
We should not only know that the church should be built up; we must have the practical way of building up the church. The practical way is just through the coordination of the Body.
3. How to Enjoy God
The church should not only recognize that Christ, as the content of the church, has unsearchable riches. Even more, we must also recognize that the church, through the continuous enjoyment of God and the continuous eating and drinking of Christ, becomes the fullness of the One who fills all in all.
In conclusion, the church through “the ground of oneness,” “the coordination of the Body,” “the enjoyment of God,” and by revelation, arrives at the manifestation mentioned in Ephesians 3:10, “In order that now…the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the church.” Moreover, the church becomes what is revealed in Revelation 4:5, “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.”
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