Ben Carter
Candles are a symbol of God's light in the Bible. In Genesis 1, God is presented as the creator of light, and Jesus refers to himself as the light of the world in John 8:12. Christians believe that lighting candles during worship and prayer helps them to focus on God and his attributes, such as his majesty and goodness. The practice of using lamps to symbolize the presence of God is also seen in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple. In the New Testament, the apostle John describes Jesus standing among seven golden candlesticks, which represent the seven churches that existed in the Roman province of Asia during his exile on Patmos. The use of gold to describe the Church conveys a message about its purity and enduring value in the eyes of God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Light | Glory of God, dispelling darkness, brilliance of God's character |
| Flowers | Vibrant life, growth, flourishing, beautiful colour, creativity, uniqueness |
| Gold | Extravagance, great wealth, purity, worship-filled gifts worthy of the King |
| Number seven | Completeness, perfection, healing, fulfillment of promises of God |
| Candlestick | Symbol of the church of God, enlightenment power of the Holy Spirit |
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What You'll Learn
Candles represent God, the Holy Spirit, Christ, and life
In Christianity, candles are often lit during prayer vigils, worship services, and special seasons associated with key spiritual events, such as Christmas Eve, Advent, and memorial services. This tradition originates from the Old Testament, where an oil lamp was lit to sustain a perpetual flame, symbolising the continuous presence of God.
Christians believe that lighting candles honours God and reflects on His majesty, goodness, and mercy. The light of the candle symbolises God as the creator of light, as mentioned in Genesis 1. It also represents the Holy Spirit, who revealed Himself as a pillar of fire and light. Additionally, the candle symbolises Jesus, the Son of God, who referred to Himself as the "light of the world" in John 8:12 and John 9:5.
The custom of lighting candles is particularly significant in Catholic and Orthodox churches, where it is believed to have originated from the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple. Lamps were used in these sacred spaces to symbolise the presence of God, and Jesus often referenced them in his teachings. For instance, Jesus celebrated the Festival of Lights (also known as Hanukkah), which commemorates the importance of keeping sacred lamps burning in the Temple.
Candles can also symbolise life. They represent the light that Christ brings into our lives, offering spiritual insight and comfort. The light of the candle serves as a reminder of the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit and Christ, guiding believers towards goodness and enlightenment.
Furthermore, candles are mentioned in the Bible in relation to God's instructions to Moses in the book of Exodus. God provided specific instructions for the construction of the candlestick, also known as the lampstand, emphasising its importance in worship. The light of the candle is also associated with the Spirit of God, as mentioned in Proverbs 20:27, where it is described as searching all the inward parts of the belly.
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The light of the candle symbolises God's enlightening power
The candle is a powerful symbol in Christianity, with its light representing God's enlightening power. This symbolism is derived from the Bible, where God is presented as the creator of light in Genesis 1. Christians hold that the triune Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—is linked to light.
In the Old Testament, lamps were used to symbolise the presence of God, and the book of Exodus describes God's instructions to Moses for the creation of a golden candlestick, or lampstand. This lampstand was to be placed in the tabernacle, the church, and was to burn continuously, symbolising the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit shining through believers and illuminating the church.
The importance of light in the Bible extends to Jesus, who is referenced as the "light of the world" in John 8:12. Christians teach that by focusing on this light, they become "sons of Light" (John 12:36). This belief has led to the common practice of lighting candles during worship and prayer, allowing Christians to focus their thoughts and prayers on Jesus.
The lighting of candles during special worship services and seasons, such as Christmas Eve, Advent, and memorial services, is a valued tradition for Christians. The flame of a candle represents many attributes associated with God, including life, the Spirit, Christ, and repentance. The act of lighting a candle is seen as an honour to God, reflecting on His majesty, goodness, and mercy.
The design of the golden candlestick in the Bible also holds symbolic meaning. The use of gold represents extravagance, great wealth, purity, and worship-worthy of God. The number seven, represented in the seven lamps of the candlestick, symbolises completeness and perfection, the fulfilment of God's promises, and healing. Thus, the light of the candle, with its symbolic connections to God's power, serves as a reminder of God's illuminating presence in the lives of Christians.
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The number seven symbolises completeness and perfection
The number seven is highly significant in the Bible, symbolizing completeness and perfection. It appears over 700 times throughout the Old and New Testaments and is linked to God's creation of the world in seven days. The word "created" is used seven times to describe God's creative work, and the seventh day is the holy Sabbath, a day of rest.
The number seven is also associated with important biblical concepts and figures. There are seven churches in the Book of Revelation, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. The seven deacons were chosen by the apostles, and the seven spirits of God are mentioned in Revelation. The number seven is also connected to exoneration and the fulfillment of promises. Deuteronomy, for instance, instructs the Israelites to cancel all debts and free their slaves every seventh year.
The number seven is further linked to healing and perfection. Jesus spoke seven statements of agony from the Cross, marking the completion of His earthly duties. In the context of perfection, Jesus also spoke in groupings of seven when teaching how to pray, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, which contains seven petitions.
The Bible's extensive use of the number seven suggests that it holds sacred significance. While not every mention of the number carries a divine implication, the recurrence of seven throughout the Bible highlights its importance in symbolizing completeness and perfection in God's plan and throughout biblical history.
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The burning candle is a symbol of trust in God
The candle is a powerful symbol in Christianity, with its light representing the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit. The act of lighting a candle during prayer vigils and worship services is a valued tradition for Christians, who believe that it honours God and helps them focus their thoughts and prayers on Jesus.
The burning candle is also a symbol of trust in God. In the Bible, God commands his people to light the lamps on the golden candlestick every evening, indicating their trust in him and their obedience to his commands:
> "Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually." (3)
> "As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him... Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the Lord our God. But you have forsaken Him." (5)
The continuous burning of the lamp is made possible by the oil provided by each family, symbolising the need for believers to continually trust in God and follow his commands.
The golden candlestick, or lampstand, is first mentioned in the Bible in God's instructions to Moses in the book of Exodus. It is described as having a central stem with six curving branches, upon which rest seven lamps. The importance of light in this description is clear, with the brilliance of the light reflecting the glory of God and dispelling the darkness. The number seven is also significant, symbolising completeness and perfection, as well as the fulfilment of God's promises.
The burning candle as a symbol of trust in God is further reinforced by the use of lamps to symbolise the presence of God in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple, as well as in the teachings of Jesus. Christians are taught to "trust in the Light so that [we] may become sons of Light" (John 12:36). Thus, the lighting of candles during worship and prayer serves as a reminder of their faith and trust in God.
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The candlestick is a symbol of the church of God
The Bible mentions the word "candlestick" in God's initial instructions to Moses in the book of Exodus, and the visions given to John in the book of Revelation. The Hebrew word for candlestick is "menorah", which is a seven-branched candelabrum or lampstand. The word "lampstand" is used in modern translations of the Bible to more accurately convey the meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek words for candlestick.
The number seven is significant in Scripture, often representing wholeness or completion. The seven lamps of the candlestick have been interpreted as signifying the seven planets or the completeness and perfection of God's promises. The oil used to fuel the lampstand is also symbolic of the Holy Spirit, with believers being likened to wicks that soak up the oil and are set ablaze to shine light into the darkness.
The golden candlestick, with its brilliant shine, further symbolises the preciousness of the church as God's most valued possession. The church, as the container of the Holy Spirit, is meant to shine God's light into the darkness of the world. This is reflected in Paul's reference to the Church as an "oil-burning lamp" in Second Corinthians 4:4, emphasising the role of believers in hindering the work of Satan and bringing light to those blinded by darkness.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are lit during Christian worship to honour God and reflect on his goodness. They are also used to focus one's thoughts and prayers on Jesus.
Candles symbolise many things, including life, God, the Holy Spirit, Christ, repentance, and prayer.
The golden candlestick, or candlesticks, symbolise the church of God. In Revelation 1:20, the seven golden candlesticks are said to represent seven churches that existed in the Roman province of Asia.
The number seven is often associated with completeness or perfection in the Bible. In the case of the seven golden candlesticks, it signifies the completeness of the church.
In Zechariah's vision, seven lamps are fed by two olive trees, interpreted as "the two anointed ones," representing the civil and spiritual aspects of theocracy.
