What will our future role be in the Kingdom of God? The Apostle John recorded one description: "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more" (Revelation 3:12). We are to become parts of God's government structure—pillars in His temple.
Why does God use this description? What is the function of a pillar—and how can we prepare to become pillars?
Many of us have seen the famous ancient buildings of Greece and Rome, in person or in pictures. Those buildings featured prominent pillars on the outside. Pillars supported the roof and were important for the stability of the building. Different cities at different times favored different designs of pillars, and to this day we can discern the era in which a structure was built by looking at the shape of its pillars.
What will be the design of pillars in God's temple? From Exodus 27:12–17 we gain a glimpse of the beauty and the meticulous detail God places on His pillars' design. We can understand that God also places great importance on the design of His symbolic pillars as described in Revelation 3:12. God is creating in us, His symbolic pillars, a distinctive design— His own character.
People looking at the designs of ancient pillars can distinguish them by sight as Corinthian, Doric or Ionic pillars. Soon, the world will be able to recognize us—by our design—as belonging to the Kingdom of God. If you are a Philadelphian Christian, this is what God promises you, if you overcome and endure to the end: you will be a pillar in the temple of God.
Are you a pillar? Are you preparing now to become a pillar? Or are you a pillow? What is the difference between a spiritual pillar and a spiritual pillow?
Some Christians today could be called "fair-weather Christians." As long as the sun is shining on them—as long as everything seems to be working out fine—they are "good Christians." But God expects more of His pillars, and He is testing us to see what we really are. We read: "But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
Over the years, most of us have met people who seemed to be pillars—people on whom we could lean and rely. They were always open, friendly and serving— yet they fell away. What lesson did we learn from this? If you lean on people, you may fall when they move. If you place your faith in other people, and your vision is to become like those other people, what happens if they fall away? Your stability is gone, and you may fall as well. Those who have placed their faith in other people, looking to them for guidance, vision and support—rather than looking to Christ—have often found that their Christian conviction can topple like a house of cards when the ones they looked to have fallen away. This does not mean we should have a "just Jesus and me" attitude; it means that when we follow others, we should do so as they follow—imitate— Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). If others stumble, it will not cause us to stumble, as we are keeping our eyes on Christ.
The difference between a pillar and a pillow in the shape of a pillar can be seen when both are under pressure. That pressure may be a test from God (pressure from above), or it may be peer pressure (which presses us against each other), or it may be pressure from "every wind of doctrine" (which can push us apart). When pressure is removed, a pillar and a pillow-shaped pillar may look identical, and both can stand tall. But when they are under pressure, the difference becomes obvious: a spiritual pillow gives in to every form of pressure, while a true pillar will continue to stand tall and unmoved.
Not every Christian is a Philadelphian. Scripture describes another group of Christians in the end-time who are known for their "laid-back" attitude. These Christians are, in a sense, functioning as spiritual pillows rather than pillars, as they are quick to "bend" to the world around them, often seeking ways to fulfill the "minimum" requirements while "doing their own thing."
When we compare the properties of pillars and pillows, we can see some areas in which we need to examine our own character and attitude, if we hope to realize our calling as Philadelphian pillars in the temple of God:
Pillars are unbendable and strong. Pillows are flimsy—they do not sustain weight without bending as they give in to pressure.
Pillars are solid, inside and out. The outside reflects what is inside. Pillows may have a firm exterior, but they contain a softer filling inside. Some pillows are filled with air, which makes them look more substantial than they truly are.
Pillars stand upright; they serve a higher purpose above themselves. Pillows usually lay down flat, serving to increase comfort at their own level.
Pillars are built to carry weight; they become stronger and more effective when they stand with others. Pillows are built for comfort. If you increase the number of pillows, you may gain more comfort, but you will lose stability. Sitting on one pillow may be comfortable, but try sitting on a stack of pillows and see what happens!
Pillars are fixed in place, supporting a building. Pillows are movable interior decorations, providing comfort for those inside the building.
For some of us, it may be much easier to fall into the category of "pillow." Especially when we are spiritually weak, or feel drained by the challenges of Christian life, we may tend to seek comfort, the relief of pressure, and the "easy way out" of our troubles. But quick momentary relief will not help us fulfill our calling. There is no "vacation" from our Christian commitment. If you take a piece of metal out of the fire before it is refined, it will be ruined. If you try to use a piece of rock as a column before it is hewn, it will fail. So we, who are called to be pillars, must strive to develop the qualities of a pillar—learning to remain strong, consistent, serving, effective team members and focused on a mission above and outside ourselves.
Ancient King David wrote: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). God is right now creating in us the ability to support His Church and its brethren. He, through His Spirit within us, is developing us by purifying and strengthening us to become pillars of solid substance. We read: "For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined" (Psalm 66:10). Strong pillars are refined—purified— into unadulterated substance when the process of refinement is complete.
A pillar is useful not only because of what it is made of, but because of where it stands. We must be sure of where we stand, so we can carry out our God-given responsibilities. A single pillar standing at the edge of God's word will not be very useful. To fulfill our potential, we need other pillars with whom we can help share one another's loads. Each pillar must be sure that it stands on solid ground.
A foundation does not move to where the pillars are; rather, pillars must be built on the proper foundation. We know that any pillar is only as strong as the foundation on which it is built. No matter how strong or how stable it may seem, a pillar built on sand will eventually fall. Jesus warned us that "everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall" (Matthew 7:26–27). We must be careful that we are built as pillars on the solid foundation of the Rock—which is Christ, the Word of God.
Now that we have heard the qualities that define a real pillar, what will we do? We are told: "Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown" (Revelation 3:11). Let us each keep and revive the zeal we had when we were first called. Let us be sure we are building on the foundation of Christ, rather than self. We must avoid overconfidence, remembering the Apostle Paul's admonition, "therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). What good are we as pillars if we let ourselves fall? The choice is ours.
The next time you lay your head on a pillow, be thankful for the comfort it provides, but remember: your calling is to be a strong pillar!