Numbers 8:2
Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick. Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
Numbers 8:2 records God's instruction to Aaron for lighting the seven lamps on the golden candlestick of the earthly sanctuary. That candlestick with its seven lamps stood in the first apartment of the earthly tabernacle, together with the golden altar of incense, where its lamps gave light before God. The earthly tabernacle with its candlestick was the pattern of things in heaven.
The seven lamps of fire burning before God's throne that John saw are the heavenly counterpart to that earthly candlestick. The seven burning lamps, on earth and before God's throne, represent the Holy Spirit in all its operations. The lamps therefore identify the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary as the setting of John's vision, proving he was looking into the place where Christ began His ministration as High Priest.