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Pillars and Posts - part 1 of 3Amplified (unless otherwise specified) As we increasingly live by the life of the risen Christ within us, victorious over the world, the flesh and the devil, God is forming us to become the true and tested pillars of His temple. For we have the promise that “He who overcomes (is victorious), I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of my God; he shall never be put out of it or 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 descends from My God out of heaven, and My own new name” {Rev 3:12}. To these who have “guarded and kept My word of patient endurance,” the Lord gives added assurance, “I also will keep you (safe) from the hour of trial (testing) which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth” {Rev 3:10}. Inherent in the concept of pillars are the characteristics of uprightness, stability and strength. To Jeremiah, God declared, “For I, behold, I have made you this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land…[giving you divine strength which no hostile power can overcome]” {Jer 1:18}. In reflecting on some of those whom God had graced with the opportunity to become pillars but who had not remained firmly established and upright, I realized that the concept of “a fallen pillar” is a contradiction both in terms of nature and manifestation of purpose. “Hiram set up the pillars of the porch of the temple; he set up the right pillar and called its name Jachin [he will establish], and he set up the left pillar and called its name Boaz [in strength]” {I Kings 7:21}. Except the Lord establish and set the pillars, they will not stand. Becoming and remaining standing pillars of the Lord’s temple requires continued demonstration of motives and behavior arising from Christ’s righteous nature from within. While He Who is our Wisdom and Righteousness is building His house, each one builds his own house, as did Solomon, the temple builder: “Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all of it” {I Kings 7:1}. Every house (life) is built upon either a solid or a crumbling foundation, and the materials used are either eternal or transitory in nature. “Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out and set up her seven [perfect number of] pillars” {Pro 9:1}. In Second Chronicles we read the account of the overthrow of Athaliah, a pillar of evil. Here we find symbolic foreshadowing of the Lord’s overthrow of Satan and his works through means of His Church. For six years the child Joash was “hidden in the house of God” while “Athaliah reigned over the land” {22:12}.“In the seventh year” (the year of completion), “Jehoiada [the priest] took strength and courage and made a covenant with the captains of hundreds…” {23: 1}. Since the word “captain” means “to rule” or “to exercise dominion,” those who are so established represent pillars of strength and rule. Only when they were prepared were they sent out as posts (messengers) to gather those who were to come to Jerusalem. Assembling, the prepared ones then covenanted to proclaim the rightful king and to cast down the usurper. “And all the assembly made a covenant in the house of God with the king [little Joash], to suddenly proclaim his sovereignty and overthrow Athaliah’s tyranny]” {23:3}” Is not all this predictive of God sending His anointed ones throughout the kingdoms of this earth to demonstrate His authority through them as they destroy the works of the evil one? Among the name of the captains we find revelations of various aspects of God’s nature or working within our own lives: “Azariah (Jah has helped) son of Jeroham (compassionate), Ishmael (God will hear) son of Jeho-hanan (Jehovia-favored), and Elishaphat (God of judgment) son of Zichri (memorial) (2 Chro 23:1). Like them, we are to herald the good news and testimony of that which the Lord has done, is doing and will do for us, in us, to us and through us. Armed with “spears, bucklers and shields” {v. 9}, the captains then brought the forth the people and crowned the king. There, amid great rejoicing, “the king stood by his pillar at the entrance” {v. 13}. Truly, our King does stand beside (with) his pillar(s), for He lives and rules through them. Even as “the king stood by his pillar…Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason! Treason!” {v 13}. As the King of kings stands by His pillars, the accuser of the brethren will likewise shout, “Treason! Treason!” For then the “great voices in heaven” shall declare with triumphant shout, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” {Rev 11:15} A similar scenario occurs in the book of Esther when couriers (posts) were used to send forth the message that God’s people “…should be ready on that day to avenge themselves upon their enemies” {Est 8:14}. The people were urged “to gather and defend their lives; to destroy, to slay and to wipe out any armed force that might attack them, their little ones and women; and they should take the enemies’ goods for spoil” {v 11}. As a result of obedience, “The Jews had light [a dawn of new hope] and gladness and joy and honor” {v 16} and “…on the [very] day the enemies of the Jews had planned for a massacre of them, it was turned to the contrary and the Jews had rule over those who hated them” {9:13}. Victory for others as well as ourselves is guaranteed as we become pillars and posts in the Hands of our loving and triumphant Lord. - Ruth French April Newsletter 2003 | Impurity | Get It Together part 1 | Progress of Maturity part 1 of 2 Pastor's Journal April 2002 | Present Day Fathers part 1 | Pillars and Posts part 1 of 3 |
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