My Column Column

My Column Column

Today, my written column is a blog post about columns.... also called pillars, as in the architectural kind. Read on:

Rev 3:12 ESV
"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."

Walking home yesterday, I had a vision. I believe the Lord gave it to me. I saw a single pillar. It was made of grey stone, and had a flat solid base, and a flat solid top. It seemed to be a little pillar, but very solid. It was on the ground, upright. Then I saw several earthquakes. Each earthquake was quite intense, and the pillar would wobble, but remain standing. There were many tremors in the earth, but the pillar kept standing. Then a huge tremor hit, and the pillar tipped over. At that point, a huge hand came in, and immediately caught the pillar, and propped it back up again. The pillar almost fell over, but never hit the ground, because of the hand. That happened only once.

Then I saw a chisel. I saw hands very quickly and powerfully etching "JESUS" in the pillar. There were other designs and symbols. But the outstanding word was "Jesus", chiseled sideways, up the side of the pillar.

I believe the pillar is a symbol in the old testament, representing the power and the presence of the LORD. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Those two pillars were the two main manifestations of the one true God leading His people through the wilderness. (Exodus 13:22) There were pillars in Solomon's temple. (Jer. 52:21-22)

Now, Jesus Christ, who reveals God perfectly in Himself has built the Church on Himself, the Rock and the Cornerstone. He built His church, and is still building it. His living church is made of living pillars.

Eph 2:18-22 ESV
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
 
 1 Tim. 3:15 ESV "if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth."

I believe God is making His disciples and followers into pillars. Pillars are strong columns, that hold things up. The Roof, the flag, multiple floors, etc. Pillars are architecturally important. Jesus promises us that if we overcome and are faithful to Him until the very end, He will reward us by making us living breathing spiritual pillars in Heaven's Temple! Be encouraged... if you are like me, then you have been through more than a few earth-shaking events. But God has held you steady. He held me steady. We are being tried and tested. Once the testing and the chiselling is complete (our lifetime) then He will fit us into the Heavenly temple permanently. We are already a living building, the church! Keep on standing for JESUS! He is inscribing His NAME -The Lord Jesus Christ- and His city, the HEAVENLY Jerusalem from above, into you!

Be Blessed,
Pastor Curtis