Day 16: Pillars

Proclamation #11

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God…” (Revelation 3:12a)

            In the book of Job, which some believe to be the oldest book in the Bible. We find Job talking about pillars. Let us read, “The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.” (Job 26:11) This can be taken that the pillars are the sky, the mountain, heavenly host, or some other spiritual inference. No one really knows. In the book of 1^st Samuel, we find “… For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.” (1Sa 2:8) This is a little easier to pin down, as this is definitely the earth in some form. What each of these verses has in common is that “Pillars” represent strength, support, permanence, and value. In our eleventh Proclamation Jesus declares, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God…” (Rev 3:12a) So, let us begin to dig deep into scripture and discover exactly what Jesus is giving us.

            During the Exodus, there was a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Whenever this pillar would move, the Israelites would know it was time to leave and they would follow the pillar. “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Exo 13:21-22) This pillar was Jesus Christ Himself. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1Co 10:1-4) Jesus was this cloudy pillar by day and pillar of fire by night guiding and leading the Israelites. In the Book of John, Jesus exclaims this truth when He says “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (Joh 8:12) This is the same light that was in the wilderness. No longer is the light only leading the Israelites but all who come in and become spiritual Israel. He is leading us to the new promise land of Heaven, which is by definition our Father’s presence.

            Now we understand the connection of Jesus being a pillar. How does this relate to us becoming “a pillar in the temple of His God?” What is Jesus declaring over us? Let us look at the following Bible verse: “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:” (Act 7:37-38) Jesus is the pillar to the church in the wilderness. We just reviewed this. In addition, as the verse states, Jesus is the prophet that God raised up from among His brethren. Here is the start of the connection to the proclamation. Let us read, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1Ti 3:15) So now, we start to un-wrap the heart of this promise from Jesus. Just as Jesus was the Pillar to the church in the wilderness, we are the pillars of the church as the family of God. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1Co 3:9-11) This again is best expressed with the following, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph 2:20-22)

            In the book of Revelation, a mystery is revealed to us. Speaking about heaven, the writer states “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” (Rev 21:22) So you might be asking yourself, how can that be? Jesus just said “…I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God…” In this, the beauty of the proclamation is revealed. As it stands now, the Bible teaches us “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1Co 3:16-17) This is correct and true, we are the Temple of God. His Spirit lives within us. This is going to change in a most amazing fashion. Let us read Revelation 21 one more time, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” (Rev 21:22) What will transpire is a reversal of dwelling, so to speak. Right now, Gods Spirit is alive within us. When Jesus makes us a pillar “in the temple of My God…” we will dwell within the Father! This is how we will be a pillar in the temple. As we have read, God is the Temple and the Lamb. We will dwell forever “within” the Father! Held close to His chest, nearest to His heart, we will be as one. It is almost too wonderful to comprehend the magnitude. It is the truth; we will no longer be separated by sin and rebellion. Every barrier to the Father will be removed and our dwelling place is within. Let us take it a step farther. Speaking of the Father, we read, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1Ti 6:16) We already talked about how we will put on immortality, without it we could never approach the unapproachable light where our Daddy dwells. This is why and how we receive it; see we can be with Him. We are to be firm and fixed pillars to never leave the immortal presence of God.

            Remember the “unapproachable light” in 1^st Timothy we just talked about? Keep that in mind as we read the text in full, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” (Rev 21:22-25) That unapproachable light of God is what will illuminate the Kingdom of God and his Dear Son. This is how we dwell within the Father for all eternity. This is how we are the children of the light. This is what Jesus is giving to us by making us “Pillars.” He is giving us the Father! For now, our Daddy dwells within us, yet upon that great day, we will dwell within His eternal presence and being, forever!

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