Cross or Candlestick Part 1

For years now, a seed sowed by the Jehovah Witnesses has been germinating in my spirit, until for the past months it has borne fruit.

I have received the revelation that the cross, the symbol that the church always uses to represent Christianity is not a Biblical accurate symbol.

I faintly remember where I read in a Watch Tower an argument that Jesus died on a tree or a crucifix and not a cross. I do not even know which Watch Tower I read it in or which Awake Magazine.


However, while I will not entertain arguments on whether or not Jesus died on a cross or crucifix, the message is clear to me that the symbol that God would have his church be represented with is not a cross. The correct symbol of the churches is the candles stick or menorah which is a Jewish symbol, especially for Hanukkah.



For instance in Matthew 5, Jesus uses the symbol of a candle stick. Matthew 5:15 (King James Version) says:

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Even in the book of Revelations, the churches are represented by candlesticks and not crosses. Revelation 1:20 (King James Version)states:

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

With this evidence, why is it that we Christians today do not use the candlestick, but use instead the cross to symbolise Christianity? Is it because the Jews use the menorah or candle stick as symbol of their religion, that we feel the need to differentiate ourselves by taking up a symbol that is also associated with the pagan God - Tammuz? (Ezekiel 8:14)

The crucifix and cross is tradition of men, and not based on Biblical symbolism. It comes from Roman Christianity, which is tainted with corruption and paganism. It comes from Constantine, who was told in a dream/vision, "in this sign, conquer" ("In hoc signo vinces").

Today, evidence of the paganism of the sign of the cross is coming to fore. I see people wearing black crosses, or upside down crosses or the death rune (which is a broken cross), or the ankh, the crosses with the pointed edges. Some even wear crosses with images of a man on it suffering. Some people think that these crosses are even Christian, but they are all cursed, and symbols of idolatry. (Which is why Satanists wear them and witches use them in magical rituals.)

The Bible in contrast, uses the candlesticks to represent the church and the people of God. The cross is not a symbol of the Church. It is a symbol of suffering or burden. So I am not saying that the Bible does not use the cross as a symbol. The Bible does use the cross, but it is as a symbol of humility, suffering and self-denial.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.(Matthew 16:24)

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)

So if we want to observe tradition of men and use a symbol that the Bible does not use to represent God's people, the cross is fine. However, we should use it appropriately and truthfully to represent what it really means - suffering, shame, humility, and self-denial.

However, our God wants his people to see themselves as light in a dark world, reflecting his glory and the candlestick is his symbol of choice as a symbol of his people, his nation or community of priests.

References:

"In hoc signo vinces." (2009, October 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:14, November 1, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=In_hoc_signo_vinces&oldid=322615205