THE LAMSPTAND

When we think of Hanukkah, we think of the menorah.  But did you know that the menorah is also the symbol for the Church?  When the Apostle John was called to heaven in Revelation 1, he hears someone speaking in a loud voice, like a trumpet.  See Revelation 1:10.  He sees Jesus walking among the lampstands.  And he is told what the lampstands represent:

"The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."  Revelation 1:20.    

The lampstand is a piece of furniture found in the Tabernacle, and then the Temple. So, we can infer that John was translated into the heavenly Temple. And to bring things full circle, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple.

There are 7 churches listed in Revelation 3-4. The 2 most noteable are the last 2 listed:
6. the church of Philadelphia (raptured, saved from the hour of testing that comes upon the whole world)
7. the church of Laodicea (lukewarm, spit out of God's mouth, wealthy - but spiritually poor - need to be disciplined and purified)

On each day of Hanukkah, one of the candlesticks is lit. Jesus tells us that the Church is the lampstand. The 6th church listed is Philadelphia. I believe it may represent the candle that is lit on the 6th day of Hanukkah. The 7th church listed is Laodicea. I believe it may represent the candle that is lit on the 7th day. 

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (The Lord said on the Feast of Dedication, "My sheep hear my voice").

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Could the Rapture take place after the 6th candle is lit, but before the 7th candle is lit? The 6th church listed stands for those taken in the Rapture and the 7th church listed stands for those who are lukewarm and spit out of God's mouth. The 6th candle is lit on Thursday night, December 13, and the 7th candle is lit on Friday evening, December 14.