The Bible

 

Exodus 25:31-40 : Lampstand in the Tabernacle

Study

31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. Of hammered work shall the lampstand be made, even its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it.

32 There shall be six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of its one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of its other side;

33 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower; and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lampstand;

34 and in the lampstand four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers;

35 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the lampstand.

36 Their buds and their branches shall be of one piece with it, all of it one beaten work of pure gold.

37 You shall make its lamps seven, and they shall light its lamps to give light to the space in front of it.

38 Its snuffers and its snuff dishes shall be of pure gold.

39 It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these accessories.

40 See that you make them after their pattern, which has been shown to you on the mountain.

Commentary

 

Keep the Lights On – Tabernacle Lampstand

By Todd Beiswenger


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A common feature of a near death experience is experiencing God's light. Most of us don't have that experience, but the Bible tells us of the tabernacle's lampstand which is our reminder to see things in the light of heaven.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 9577; Exodus 25:31-40; Job 29:3; Luke 8:16, 11:33-36; Psalms 119:104-105)

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #9578

Study this Passage

  
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9578. PLANETS OUT IN SPACE - THE FIRST PLANET THERE WHICH I HAVE SEEN

I was conveyed by the Lord by means of angels to some planet in the universe, where I was allowed to see into the actual planet but not to talk to those inhabiting it, only to spirits who had originated from there; for all the inhabitants or people of any planet whatever become spirits after the life they have led in the world, and they remain around their own planet. From them however knowledge is obtained regarding their planet and the state of those inhabiting it; for when people depart from the body they take all their previous life and all their memory with them.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.