Facing East with Seven Candles: Why a Celestian Sanctuary Looks the Way It Does

Step into almost any Celestial Church of Christ parish and you will notice details that are no accident. This is a heritage look at how a Celestian place of worship is arranged, based on the Wikipedia article on the church.

According to Wikipedia, CCC temples of worship always face east. The altar stand carries seven candle holders, said to represent the seven spirits of God described in Revelation 4:5: "And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." On midweek service days, such as Wednesday and Friday, a smaller altar is set up with three candles instead of seven.

Other familiar sights are just as deliberate. Members worship in white garments and without shoes. Seats are arranged in separate rows for men and for women. Candles and perfumes are part of the prayer atmosphere, and services use English and Yoruba Bibles.

The church's own name, Wikipedia notes, was drawn from a vision and from Deuteronomy 26:15: "Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people."

Whatever the building looks like, whether a grand cathedral or a rented hall, the order inside carries the same message of reverence.

Over to you:
- What did the seven candles teach you when you first understood their meaning?
- Which part of Celestian worship order do you cherish most, and why?

Sources: Wikipedia, "Celestial Church of Christ" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_Church_of_Christ); KJV Bible.
Photo: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (a CCC church in Camberwell, London)