The three ornaments of the Lampstand and its six side-branches were the "bowls," the "knops" and the "flowers."

The "bowls" were designed from the calyx of a flower. The calyx of a flower is made up of sepals, which are joined together in the form of a cup. The cup is a symbol of suffering and death.

The "knops" (knobs) were somewhat spherical (ball-shaped), similar to an apple, pomegranate, or bulb.

The "flowers" may have been like the lily in appearance.

The cup represents the death that results from a pouring out. The knob represents fruit—that which yields food to the hungry and seed to the sower. The flower portrays beauty, the beauty of the image of Christ, the beauty of holiness to the Lord.

The Christian life consists of a pouring out, of fruit, and of beauty.

The cup is related to the Altar of Incense. The fruit is related to the Table of Showbread. The flower is related to the Lampstand itself.

The cup speaks of what is poured out in death, thereby yielding to the Father the sweet perfume of Christ and of the wholly consecrated Christian life.

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42)

The cup corresponds to the Altar of Incense. Twice each day a cup was taken from its place on the Table of Showbread, filled with the holy incense, and poured on the coals of the Altar of Incense. The Holy Place was always filled with the perfume of the burning incense, and the Most Holy Place was permeated with incense on the Day of Atonement.

There must be death before there can be fruit.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24)

There are three deaths the Christian dies in the process of bringing forth the fruit—Christ. The three deaths are portrayed by the three cups in each of the six side-branches of the Lampstand. The three deaths bring forth Christ in the disciple, and also in other people to whom the disciple ministers and whom he influences.

The first death is death to the world. The second death is death to sin. The third death is death to self.

In the first death the world is poured out of the cup of the Christian and Christ (resurrection life) is poured back into his cup in return.

In the second death the bondage of Satan is poured out of the cup of the Christian and righteous and holy freedom in the Spirit of Christ is poured back into his cup.

In the third death the rule of self is poured out of the cup of the Christian and the throne of Christ is poured back into his cup.

It is impossible for Christ to be formed in the personality of the believer apart from the three deaths.

The end result of the three deaths is that the Christian comes into the image of Christ; he receives the fullness of fruitfulness and dominion promised to mankind; and he becomes a blessing to the nations of the earth in that he is able to bring the liberty of the glory of the children of God to all who will believe.

To be continued.