According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, a pillar is a firm upright support for a superstructure. So in essence a pillar is made to hold something, like a building, up. Pillars obviously have to be able to withstand massive amounts of pressure, and stress. When I think about pillars I think about the ancient pillars that are found, still today, in Rome. Even though buildings have fallen down, pillars are always left standing. Okay, so what’s the deal with all the talk on pillars? Because God tells us in Revelation that he is going to make us a pillar! Let’s look at verses 10-13 of Revelation 3.
10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Wow! What an award it is to be called pillars in the “temple of God”! Let’s look at why he will make us pillars in the temple. Verse ten says that it is because we have kept his word about patient endurance. Friend, can you testify to about enduring through some tough times in your life? I know that I can. In those enduring trials, were you patient? Were you just going, “Oh please God, get me out of this!” or were you praying, “Oh please God, let me grow through this and give you glory!” The latter one takes patient endurance.Understand that enduring for the sake of Christ is to bring him glory and you good. You have two choices when it comes to enduring for Christ. You can complain and be bitter about your circumstance (in other words, have a pity party), or you can patiently endure asking God to reveal himself to you through your trial.
So, because we patiently endure he will keep us from going through the wrath of God that is to come, at his second appearing. Now here is the jewel that comes from this text; don’t miss this dear one. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Guess what brother or sister? You, yes you, are the conquerer! Romans 8:37 tells us so, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Remember how earlier I said that pillars are always left standing, even after the buildings fall? Jesus could not have used a better word for us that are inheriting the heavenly kingdom. Look at Hebrews 12: 26-27
26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
When the Lord comes back to shake the earth and the heavens, the things that cannot be shaken, pillars of God, will remain! You and I, believer, will remain! We will stand because God will make us pillars of the temple of God! Praise be to God for the blessing of being made as pillars in Our Heavenly Home!
Love,
Hannah
Sources:
"John: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple." Barnes & Noble. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2013."Bibles | Crossway." Bibles | Crossway. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2013.
