A Light in a Dark World

Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk survived on the deserted island of Más a Tierra, near Chile, for more than four years, during which he often read the Bible and hunted goats before being rescued in 1709. His experience is said to have been memorialized in the classic novel Robinson Crusoe.

How lonely the apostle must have felt on the island of Patmos, perhaps even fighting against feelings of despair and hopelessness. What a wonder it must have been, then, to hear such a voice on that Sabbath day, a voice as triumphant as the sounding of a trumpet. Trumpets are used to spur people into action. That’s what this voice was doing, calling the captive to continue in his God-given post—to bear witness, to write, to prophesy.

When John turned, he saw a sight to dispel all the darkness of his loneliness, “seven golden lampstands.” At first glance, these may appear to be comparable with the seven-branch candlestick, made from solid gold and situated in the Holy Place of the Jewish sanctuary (Exodus 25:31–39). But notice the difference: These are seven separate lampstands.

In verse 20, we discover that these seven lampstands represent the seven churches to which John was writing. Jesus said to everyone who believes, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16). The mission of the Christian church is to light the world with the Word of God, “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

The message brought to John was the light that was to be given to the whole world. The Romans had tried to snuff out John’s light under a basket, but Christ would not allow it. What great hope that must have given to one shackled in isolation.

Thank You, Jesus, for standing beside me in my darkest moments that I may shine for You in this lonesome world.

For Further Study: Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 49:6; John 20:21

Key Bible Texts

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 1:12 KJV)