The Menorah

The menorah of Israel's temple, a seven-branch lamp stand, symbolized the presence of Holy Spirit in their midst.

"Then 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...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." (Exo 25:31-37 NASB unless noted)

Around 72 AD the Romans, under Titus, destroyed the temple. Mosaics and carvings portray the menorah being taken away to Rome by soldiers and many believe that it remains there, hidden among the treasures of the Vatican.

This event could have symbolized the move of Holy Spirit out of national Israel and into Gentile nations—depicting the beginning of the time of the Gentiles—giving the Gentiles the opportunity to come into a relationship with God through Holy Spirit.

In Yeshua's letters to the Assemblies in Asia Minor (Revelation 2 and 3) He speaks of the seven lampstands among the Gentile nations:

"As for the mystery of ... the seven golden lampstands: the seven lampstands are the seven [Assemblies]." (Revelation 1:20)

The Bible does refer to a temporary change in the exclusivity of God's covenant relationship to Israel. The Old Covenant which Israel broke by rejecting God's Messiah.

"They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers." (Jeremiah 11:10)

"Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." (Romans 11:19)

It seems that Israel needed to be removed from the scene for a time to allow this opportunity to the Gentiles.

"a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;" (Romans 11:26)

When the required number of Gentiles has come in the partial hardness will be removed and Israel as a whole will be saved:

"For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-- so that you will not be wise in your own estimation-- that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26)

When Israel is saved the 70th week begins, reinstating Israel's relationship with God to be "My own possession among all the peoples" (Exodus 19:5).

"And [the one who makes desolate] will make a firm covenant with the many for one week;" (Daniel 9:27)

This last week of years represents a time when Israel will again be the chosen subject of God's exclusive covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his descendants.

What happens to the Gentiles when the "fullness of the Gentiles has come in" and Israel and God return to their exclusive relationship to fulfil the 70th week of Daniel's vision?

One possible scenario is that this may be the time that the rapture event would take place so that the Christian Gentiles are not deserted when God must commit Himself to Israel.

It will be interesting to see if the Menorah too, is returned, as a gift to Israel at that time, representing the presence of Holy Spirit on the promised land.

Perhaps the awakening of Israel will be such that they become aware that, in Yeshua, the final sacrifice has been offered and accepted. No "temple" rebuild is required. Their bodies are now the temple of God.

Maranatha Emmanuel!

©2015, Dr Steven Bydeley, a man.

All publishing rights reserved. Permission is herewith granted to reprint this article for personal use and to link or refer to it; however, no commercial re-publishing of the material in this article is permitted without prior written consent.

Steven is the author of Fathered by God and with his wife Dianne, co-author of Dream Dreams and Dreams the Heal and Counsel. He has been a guest on the Miracle Channel, Trinity Television, and Crossroads Communication, and has taught internationally on various topics.

Without Prejudice. © 2023, Steven., house of bij de Leij., of man.