{"id":98772,"date":"2025-12-18T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T16:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=98772"},"modified":"2025-12-18T10:03:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:03:49","slug":"6-7th-century-seven-lampstand-menorah-pendant-found-in-jerusalem-consistent-with-revelation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/religious-news\/6-7th-century-seven-lampstand-menorah-pendant-found-in-jerusalem-consistent-with-revelation\/","title":{"rendered":"6-7th century seven lampstand menorah pendant found in Jerusalem; consistent with Revelation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>
\n\u00a0Menorah pendant
\n(Photo by Eliyahu Yanai via I365)<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Israel365 News<\/em> reported the following:<\/p>\n

December 18, 2025<\/p>\n

How did an ancient pendant made of cast lead, decorated on both sides with a seven-branched menorah, come to Jerusalem at a time when Jewish presence in the city was restricted?<\/p>\n

A very rare personal necklace pendant from the 6th \u2013 early 7th centuries CE (Late Byzantine period) was recently discovered in a large-scale archaeological excavation in the Davidson Archaeological Park of Jerusalem, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in cooperation with the City of David Foundation and the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter. The rare find is decorated on both sides with an identical image of a seven-branched menorah and was apparently worn by a Jew who arrived in Jerusalem during the Byzantine period, when Jews were prohibited from entering the city. …<\/p>\n

Dr. Yuval Baruch of the Israel Antiquities Authority<\/strong>, who has been directing the excavations at this site for about a quarter-century, and who studies the subject of menorahs, emphasizes that, \u201cThis is an unusual find. This pendant, bearing the symbol of the menorah, is not just a material object; it is a personal seal, an emblem of memory and identity, which probably belonged to an anonymous Jew who chose to wear it around his or her neck. This choice is not only the essence of a personal commitment to one\u2019s religious faith, and perhaps even an expectation of that unanimously recognized person who held the artifact for national revival, but it also attests that during periods when imperial edicts were issued prohibiting Jews from residing in the city, they did not stop coming there! It can be further surmised that the choice to use lead, rather than one of the more common metals for making jewelry, suggests that the owner of the object wore it as an amulet, not jewelry. There is a strong basis to this contention, because lead was considered a common and particularly popular material for making amulets at that time.\u201d Dr. Baruch emphasizes, \u201cDuring the Byzantine period the menorah became a symbol of national memory, and it expressed the expectation of national revival among the Jewish communities in the Land of Israel; in the Diaspora, they adopted it in exactly the same way. Moreover, in recent years, there is increased archaeological evidence that show that Jews, despite all the prohibitions and difficulties imposed on them, found the ways to reach Jerusalem \u2013 and it is possible that there were even some who settled there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Israeli Minister of Heritage, Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, summarizes<\/strong>, \u201cThe exciting find of the menorah pendant joins a series of testimonies that continue to be discovered in Jerusalem, and that tell the story of the continuity and devotion of the Jewish people in the city. Even during periods when Jews were prohibited from entering Jerusalem, the connection to this holy place did not cease. I invite the public to see and get impressed by this rare find as part of the Heritage Week events led by the Ministry of Heritage during the Hanukkah holiday.\u201d https:\/\/israel365news.com\/414750\/a-rare-1300-year-old-lead-pendant-decorated-with-a-menorah-symbol-uncovered-by-temple-mount\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The above ties a menorah in with the Hanukkah holiday (which is currently ongoing). It also points to a seven lampstand menorah. There is also a nine lampstand version that some Jewish literature shows, but that is not the current find, nor the version of the menorah that the Temple Institute has made (see Temple Institute on the Menorah; Waldensians and COGwriter on a tie to the lampstand and seven churches of Revelation<\/a>).<\/p>\n

As far as how many lamps a biblical version would contain, the Book of Exodus has the following:<\/p>\n

31 “You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. 32 And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. 33 Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower \u2014 and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand. 34 On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. 35 And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. 36 Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece; all of it shall be one hammered piece of pure gold. 37 You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it. (Exodus 25:31-37)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, it had seven lamps. We also see that the prophet Zechariah saw a seven-lamped lampstand (menorah) much later:<\/p>\n

2 And he said to me, “What do you see?”<\/p>\n

So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. (Zechariah 4:2-3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now, here is something that the Book of Revelation teaches about Jesus, the stars, and seven lampstands:<\/p>\n

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:12-20)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We see a tie to lampstands and the seven churches of Revelation.<\/p>\n

What the Jews call the menorah is referred to in the English language as a candlestick (KJV) or lampstand (NKJV) in both the Old and New Testaments (e.g. Exodus 25:31; Hebrews 9:2).<\/p>\n

The menorah basically is a connection of the seven lampstands, the seven candlesticks.<\/p>\n

Notice something that Jesus told the Church of God in Ephesus:<\/p>\n

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,<\/p>\n

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the above, we see that it is Jesus “who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands,” hence Jesus is the connection between the lampstands. These lampstands represent the Churches of Jesus–the “Churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16), the Church of God, throughout the church age.<\/p>\n

Continuing, here are the words of Jesus to the Church of God in Ephesus:<\/p>\n

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place \u2014 unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.<\/p>\n

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”‘ (Revelation 2:1-7)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The above was both a spiritual and physical warning.<\/p>\n

Apparently Ephesus did not repent sufficiently which resulted in its lampstand being removed from its place. What happened to Ephesus was astounding. Spiritually, the era of Ephesus predominance came to an end c. 135 A.D. Physically, there was always silting impacting Ephesus’ ability to be a port. This accelerated in the 2nd century. Ephesus is no longer on the coast but is now inland (my family actually visited it twice)–that silt totally devastated it from being a port.<\/p>\n

The silt from a local river pouring out over time has actually removed Ephesus a distance of 4-6 miles (according to our Turkish tour guide Fahmi) from the ocean. As my wife and I personally verified, the view from the ancient harbor of Ephesus to the actual ocean is a long one.<\/p>\n

That being said, both the Old Testament and New Testaments tell of a seven candlestand menorah, and we saw that the New Testament ties the seven lampstands in with the Churches of Christ in Revelation 1:12,20.<\/p>\n

Consider that in the ‘Sermon on the Mount<\/a>‘ Jesus taught Christians were to be the light to the world:<\/p>\n

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, there is a connection in scripture about being followers of Jesus and light, and perhaps the menorah.<\/p>\n

It has been reported that the early Christians used a seven-lamped lampstand as a symbol. Notice what the Roman Catholic scholar and priest Bagatti reported:<\/p>\n

In reality for many centuries the candelabrum has been a symbol of the Jewish people. But in ancient times it was common also among the Judaeo-Christians. (Bagatti, Bellarmino. Translated by Eugene Hoade. The Church from the Circumcision. Nihil obstat: Marcus Adinolfi. Imprimi potest: Herminius Roncari. Imprimatur: +Albertus Gori, die 26 Junii 1970. Franciscan Printing Press, Jerusalem, p. 202)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It may be because there were seven lampstands, with apparently seven lamps each, that part of the message to the seven churches of Revelation is that in each ‘era,’ there would be some with characteristics of other eras. Others believe that despite the seven-lamped lampstand being mentioned in Zechariah 4:2, that Revelation 1:12 is referring to seven individual lampstands as the Greek does not distinguish (see Pulpit Commentary<\/em>). Presuming it does, as candles go out, the light\/flame can be passed from one to another.<\/p>\n

But presuming something like a menorah, there was a connection between all of the eras from Ephesus all the way through Laodicea.<\/p>\n

The late Dr. Herman Hoeh taught that the seven churches of Revelation were represented by a seven candlestick lampstand in Revelation 1:12-13 and tied to the seven stars of Revelation 2:1 (Hoeh, A True History of the True Church, p. 8). Some from Thyatira used a candlestick pointing to the 4th<\/sup> star of 7 to represent it.<\/p>\n

Last century, the old Worldwide Church of God published the following:<\/p>\n

On the Waldensian emblem or seal were seven stars (Rev. 1<\/em>:20). Directly below and POINTING AT THE FOURTH STAR was a lighted lamp representing the then active Thyatira Church. Around the rim was the Latin motto LUX LUCET IN TENEBRIS \u2014 “a light shines in darkness” (see Mat. 5:14-16).<\/p>\n

God’s people KNEW they were the Thyatira Church! (Lesson 51 – The Light In The Dark Ages<\/span>. 58 Lesson: Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course. 1968<\/span>)<\/p>\n

God also enjoys the beauty of gold. The New Jerusalem will be made of pure gold and have streets of gold (Rev. 21:18, 21). God told Moses to make many of the sacred objects of Tabernacle service of pure gold, and to overlay others with it. The candlestick or the Menorah, according to tradition, weighed at least 66 pounds of pure gold (Ex. 25:31-40). (Lichtenstein<\/span> JP. Are You Developing Character of Gold?<\/span> Good News, January 1984)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As far as the Waldensians go, while once being part of the Thyatira church era, here is a symbol that they used to use:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n(Public domain picture via Wikipedia)<\/em><\/p>\n

Here is some of what the Waldensians say about it current and earlier images (as machine-translated from the original Italian at https:\/\/chiesavaldese.org\/chi-siamo\/organizzazione\/<\/a> accessed 12\/05\/25):<\/p>\n

The Waldensian churches\u2019 current logo, dating back to the mid-17th century, depicts a candlestick holding a source of light \u2013 flame or candle \u2013 surrounded by seven stars, by the inscription \u201cIn tenebris lux\u201d or \u201cLux lucet in tenebris\u201d. (Light shines in the darkness). Biblical are clear references: the sentence from the Gospel \u2013 John 1:5 \u2013 where Jesus is referred to as the light shining in the darkness. The seven stars reference Revelation 1:16, where glorified Christ holds the stars in the respect the churches of Asia, by crises and persecutions. Through this two-fold Biblical reference, the Waldensians to their faithful affirmes to the truth of the gospel and belief their believed of being by Christ during persecution.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Continuing<\/em> Church of God points to the sixth lampstand, representing Philadelphia, as the lampstand Jesus referred to in Revelation 1:12, 20; 3:7-13 (see also Why is there a Philadelphian remnant of the true Christian Church of God?<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Presuming the menorah of Exodus 25 and Zechariah 4 represents the lampstands of Revelation 1:12 and 1:20, we see that the Christian church is that which, through Jesus, provides light to the unbelieving world.<\/p>\n

That is why, for example, in the 21st century, the Continuing<\/em> Church of God uses multimedia to give a witness to the world (see also Continuing<\/em>\u00a0Church of God Multimedia<\/a> page).<\/p>\n

Remember, as a Christian, to live as a light in this world.<\/p>\n

Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:<\/em><\/p>\n

The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3<\/a>\u00a0from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3. There is also a YouTube video:\u00a0The Seven Church Eras of Revelation<\/a><\/span>. There is also a version in the Spanish language:\u00a0Las Siete Iglesias de Apocalipsis 2 & 3<\/a>.
\nContinuing<\/em>\u00a0Church of God Multimedia<\/a>\u00a0page. What are many of the ways the\u00a0Continuing<\/em>\u00a0Church of God<\/a>\u00a0is reaching people around the world to fulfill the commissions from Jesus in Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20? What about literature, personal visits, the internet, radio, and television?
\nChristians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian<\/a>\u00a0This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available:\u00a0Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God<\/a>. Here is a video in Spanish:\u00a0\u00bfQu\u00e9 es un verdadero cristiano?<\/a>
\n1.\u00a0The Ephesus Church Era<\/a>\u00a0was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc. Here is a link to a related video sermon:\u00a0Ephesus Church Era<\/a>.
\n2.\u00a0The Smyrna Church Era<\/a>\u00a0was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc. Here is a link to a related video sermon:\u00a0The Smyrna Church Era<\/a>.
\n3.\u00a0The Pergamos Church Era<\/a>\u00a0was predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D. An especially persecuted Church. Here is a link to a related sermon video:\u00a0Pergamos Era and the Antichrist<\/a>.
\n4.\u00a0The Thyatira Church Era<\/a>\u00a0was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D.–but some are still in it. The Church during the time of Peter Waldo and the Inquisition. It claimed succession from the apostles. Here is a link to a related sermon:\u00a0Thyatira, Succession, and Jezebel<\/a>.
\n5.\u00a0The Sardis Church Era<\/a>\u00a0was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D.–but some are still in it. Discusses some early history of the\u00a0Seventh Day Baptists<\/a>,\u00a0Seventh-day Adventists<\/a>,\u00a0CG7-Salem<\/a>,\u00a0Jerusalem 7DCG<\/a>, and\u00a0COG-7th Day-Denver<\/a>. Here are two historical sermons:\u00a0Sardis Church Era: Beginnings, Doctrines, and Leaders<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Sardis: SDBs, SDAs, & CG7s<\/a>.
\n6.\u00a0The Philadelphia Church Era and Remnant<\/a>\u00a0Though the era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D., but some few faithful are still in it as a remnant has continued. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God were part of the era, and now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the\u00a0Continuing<\/a><\/em>\u00a0Church of God<\/a>. Here is a link to a related sermon:\u00a0Philadelphia Church Era: History & Teachings<\/a>.
\n7.\u00a0The Laodicean Church Era\u00a0<\/a>has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present.–and most end time Christians are part of it. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots.\u00a0 They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the\u00a0Great Tribulation<\/a>\u00a0if they do not repent. One video of related interest is\u00a050+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors<\/a>. See also\u00a0Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?<\/a>
\nWhy is there a Philadelphian remnant of the true Christian Church of God?<\/a>\u00a0Did the old Worldwide Church of God essentially predict a Philadelphian remnant? Is a Philadelphian remnant needed for end-time prophecies to be fulfilled? Here is a link to a related sermon:\u00a0The Philadelphia Remnant<\/a>.
\nLaying on of Hands Succession and List\u00a0<\/a>Does the Church of God have laying on of hands succession? Does the\u00a0Continuing<\/em>\u00a0Church of God have a list of leaders from the time of the apostles? Here is a link to a related sermon:\u00a0Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession<\/a><\/a>. Here is a related sermon in the Spanish language:\u00a0La imposici\u00f3n de las manos y la sucesi\u00f3n apost\u00f3lic<\/a>a.
\nExploring the Sermon on the Mount: Insights from Matthew 5-7 and Beyond<\/a>\u00a0This article has quotes from Jesus related to His message from the Mount from Matthew 5-7 (all verses covered) and Luke\u2019s accounts as well as other scriptures and comments from Church of God writers about this. Here are links to two related sermons:\u00a0Sermon on the Mount: Beatitudes & Priorities<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Sermon on the Mount: Prayer and Priorities<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Menorah pendant (Photo by Eliyahu Yanai via I365) COGwriter Israel365 News reported the following: December 18, 2025 How did an ancient pendant made of cast lead, decorated on both sides with a seven-branched menorah, come to Jerusalem at a time when Jewish presence in the city was restricted? A very rare personal necklace pendant from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t