Jachin And Boaz

Jachin and Boaz - Pillars in the Temple of God, Pt. 3

The workings of the Spirit in the life of the believer are never quick or painless. There are no instant formulas for success when it comes to Christian victory and becoming pliable in the hands of the Spirit. King David, who is a type of a Christ, invaded the Land of Zobah, defeated Hadarezer, which means "my demon-helper," freed the land from the dominion of demon spirits and brought back "much brass," to Jerusalem, which would ultimately be used in the construction of the temples of Solomon's temple, which was what the Lord Jesus had in mind when He made this great promise to the over comer as He addressed the church at Philadelphia in the book of Revelation. The Lord Jesus wants to MAKE us a pillar in the temple of God and write His new name upon our lives. All of this was made possible because of what He accomplished at the Cross.

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: Rev. 3:11-12
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. [12] Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

As we continue this sermon series on this great promise of Christ to the overcomer we see a tremendous pattern in how the Holy Spirit deals with the life of the believer once one comes to Christ. As we've stated, David, who had been given instructions by the Holy Spirit as to the architectural design of the temple, was a type of Christ, the Worshipping King. David's son, Solomon, who actually built the temple, was a type of Christ, the Conquering King. Solomon's kingdom was without a doubt the greatest in all of Israel's history even to this day and will never be surpassed in its glory and grandeur until Christ returns to Earth at the beginning of His Millennium reign and rule from Jerusalem.

1 Kings 7:13-14
And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. [14] He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.

When Solomon began to build the Temple, the Bible tells us that he fetched a man by the name of Hiram, a widows son and a worker in BRASS, and who is in a sense, a type of the Holy Spirit. As Hiram was to fashion these pillars and works with brass, so too the Holy Spirit fashions and works with humanity. The Holy Spirit is wisdom and understanding personified and He is cunning in His work with humanity today. So Solomon sent for Hiram and in the fifteenth verse, it said he cast two pillars of brass, 18 cubits high a piece. It said in the 16th verse he made to chapiters of molten brass to set up on the tops of the pillars. As this process in 1 Kings took a great deal of time in the natural, so too the process that it takes the Holy Spirit to fashion and change us is timely and extremely extensive and not without pain sometimes.

1 Kings 7:16
And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:

These chapiters could not be built until first Solomon built a MOLD, which he did by digging a pit in the ground and building a mold in the pit.

1 Kings 7:41
The two pillars, and the two bowls of the chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars; and the two networks, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars;

1 Kings 7:46
In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

This is a type of death and Resurrection for the Child of God. To do all of this Solomon had to take wagons of warehouse where all the brass was stored, and then bring it to the plain of Jordan. This time of storing was discussed in part two of this series and it bears repeating that just because we've been baptized with the Holy Spirit doesn't mean that we are suddenly mature. The fact is, the initial filling of the Baptism with the Spirit is just the beginning. After that, the Holy Spirit has MUCH to do on us, that is, if we are to be "pillars in the Temple of God." We may think because we speak with other tongues, and possibly even have a Gift or two given to us by the Holy Spirit, that we are something pretty special: however, there is still much of the old way attached to us, of which must be cut away from our lives. As stated, it is never a pleasant process, and neither is it a quick process.

Most Christians want to circumvent this process, especially new ministers of the gospel, but friend one cannot expect to be fully used by God without this process.

In this great work of sanctification there are two principles in opposition - salvation by works and/or salvation by Faith. The one principle directs men to great activity in going about to establish their own righteousness; the other, forbids all carnal religious effort and commands Faith in a Saviour Who has accomplished everything necessary for Man's redemption, which includes our walk with God AFTER we get saved.

Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

The world applauds the first principles; and whatever the world applauds, influences and pleases man, for it gives certain glory to him. But that glory obscures Christ's Glory and falsifies the Gospel, something that does not seem to bother most in the seeker-sensitive church. Man delights to return to those things that gratify the flesh. He eagerly accepts whatever appeals to him. Hence the popularity of "religious ordinances." But to rest upon them is to rest upon "the flesh," and not the Spirit.

Man likes to have some credit and some position. He likes that which he can see, handle and CONTROL. He refuses to be treated as vile and incapable of good, and is angered that he and his religious efforts should be condemned to annihilation. He will willingly practice efforts to annihilate himself, for that ministers to his own importance and pride. Man angrily refuses to accept the absolute judgment of death upon his nature, his religious energies and his moral virtues, and to be commanded to be silent, and to trust the life-giving Saviour and to find in Him all that is needful for Righteousness and worship, is distasteful and repelling. THIS HOWEVER IS THE PLACE AND POSITION THE HOLY SPIRIT STRIVES TO BRING US; and this is the place and position which the flesh opposes. (Williams, JSM)

The doctrine of the atonement is offensive to the self-righteous mind, for it declares that man is morally lost, wicked and hopeless, helpless and dead, and that he can ONLY be recovered by being re-created, or re-born by the Spirit of God.

John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

This re-creation takes place when man believes upon Christ as the atoning Saviour. Man denies that he is altogether lost, and he claims that he can add something to the Sacrifice that Christ infinitely accomplished for him at Calvary. Such an addition destroys the gospel, for it denies the infinite perfection of Christ's Sacrifice. If that Sacrifice was infinite, then there is no room for human additions to it in order to add to its perfection.

LIFE AND HOLINESS IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ALONE. It's not the work of the Holy Spirit AND rehab centers, Celebrate Recovery, 12-step programs or any other religious fad out there the church places along side the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The Holy Spirit operates Salvation through Christ and the Cross, and He operates Sanctification on the same principle. Both are realized on the principle of Faith. Many know that they have received Spiritual Life through Faith. Many know that they have received Spiritual Life through Faith, but they think they can only secure Sanctification by works. This is great error and it NEVER brings victory.

We must KEEP our faith anchored in CHRIST not only for our salvation but for our sanctification as well. As Righteousness is not founded on law-obedience so true holiness and victory is not secured by carnal efforts to reach that obedience. Holiness is only produced by the energy of the Divine life in the soul, and not by the activity of the human will in the body. (Williams)

So many try to life by will-power only to fail miserably and become so frustrated by their failure they start questioning God's love for their life. The failure is not God's fault whatsoever but the enemy seeks to whisper that lie in the ears of many struggling in sin. Let us be clear about the struggle of those who say they're born again. If the believer doesn't understand the cross and has their faith in anything other than the Cross - no matter how long they've been saved - the Holy Spirit will back off this process and that individual will be left to will power. (Romans 7:1-4, 23, 28) At some point if that believer continues to live that way, sin will once more take dominion over that believer and he/she will wind up quite possibly bound worse in many ways before they ever come to Christ. Unless repentance takes place that individual's soul will stand in eternal jeopardy!

Many who claim they're saved while still practicing sin day in and day out without conscience. That is not Biblical salvation and no where in the Word of God does it teach a "sinning" salvation!

1 John 1:5 - This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 3:4 -10 -Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. [5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. [6] Whosoever abides in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. [7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. [8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. [10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.

The true believer does not live a lifestyle of sin; yet the believer without his glorified body will always be prone to ACTS of sin, thus the need for the Spirit's help, conviction and deliverance upon our repentance and trust in Christ's blood. That is GRACE AND MERCY! There is NO license of sin granted to the believer when they get saved and friend if you are practicing sin while still professing Christ, you need to check your salvation!!! There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with one who continues in sin without truly seeking deliverance from bondages and addiction we know that are not pleasing to God. If we are a true believer, we will feel the tug of the Holy Spirit immediately upon sinning and we would do wise to REPENT quickly! That is the work of the Spirit, not some legalistic methods wrought by men who have forsaken the cross and sought to pervert the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace and legal Righteousness cannot coexist. Christ in His circumcision undertook to perfectly obey all law, and in His Baptism to fulfill all Righteousness which he did in totality. He did this not in order to obtain merit for Himself, for He was sinless, but or those who should believe upon Him, and to whom all His moral perfection, ceremonial observance, and law-obedience are reckoned. If one seeks to obtain salvation by works then perfect obedience is required, but absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to imperfect man; hence the hopelessness of Salvation by works but ALSO the foolishness and folly of trying to find victory over sin AFTER we get saved by works!

The natural mind loves outward ceremonies, and so Satan ministers to that desire by imposing on the Sacrificial Work of Christ, WHICH IS A FINISHED WORK, a demonic structure of outward sacraments and religious ceremonies and prayers and fastings controlled by manmade preachers and priests.

Thus, the confused heart seeks to secure moral perfection but in effect destroys the Gospel, simply because moral perfection CANNOT be obtained by this manner.

The Gospel condemns man, as man, to death, and so puts an end to him and ALL his religion, and it reveals a "new man." born of the Spirit of God and not of nature. The impotency of man to serve and please and obey God was made manifest under the Law. Satan's aim during the present day of Grace is to united the religion of flesh with that of the Spirit. (WEUST) The impossibility and wickedness of that union are plainly set out in the teaching of Paul. Christ gave Himself up for a Sin-Offering in order to take His people out of the world. In the Cross of Christ man and his religion and the world are judged. Every effort of man, therefore, as a man by natural birth, to make himself religiously acceptable to God is rebellion, and presents itself only as energy of the "evil world," out of which Christ redeems!

When the believing sinner comes to Christ, he definitely experiences a death and Resurrection, of which Solomon's MOLD was a type in making the brasen pillars in the Temple of God. It is recorded in Romans 6:3-5, where Paul tells us that the believing sinner is "baptized into the DEATH of Christ, buried with Him, and raised with Him in the newness of life."

However, even though this is marvelously done, and is referred to by Christ as the "born again," experience.

John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

After we're born again we must continue, death to the sin nature, and resurrection unto the image of Christ. In other words, in this process we are more and more made into the image of the Heavenly.

1 Cor. 15:49
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Romans 8:7-8
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Man's way must be PUT ASIDE! The Cross is where death to all that is of "self," takes place and where Resurrection unto all that is of "Christ" results! That doesn't say that self must die, but that all energy of self must be laid aside. We will always be in these mortal bodies until the trump sounds! This is what Jesus meant when He laid the requirements of true Bible salvation down in coming to Him:

Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

It means we renounce all efforts to trust in one's self or its ability in ANY capacity, but rather we place all of our Faith and Trust in Christ and what Christ has done for us at the Cross.

The Holy Spirit Is Not A Goal, But A Gateway

All that we've stated about the atonement of Christ brings us back to the process that takes place once one fully accepts this and is truly born again. The Holy Spirit wants us to get rid of the old denominational syndrome. we are not to despise our churches; we are to love our churches; However, when our churches seek to take superiority over what the Bible teaches and what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives, we need to lose those denominational tags and be molded into the image of Christ!

It concerns this writer deeply when I asked someone, "are you saved," and they say quickly, "I am Baptist, I am Catholic, I am a Presbyterian, I am a Pentecostal," or a myriad of ten thousand other things most respond with. Others are quick to tell you how much "good," they do for people i.e. feeding, clothing, and all sorts of other things people tend to point to as to what makes them feel they're saved. I say this in no uncertain terms - we had better stop depending on our churches to save us; there is NO salvation in the church!!! Our dependence is on CHRIST and the main thing we need be concerned with is that we're washed, cleansed and covered in the Blood of the Lamb of God!

Millions are church members in good standing, but they're lost. They've never been born again and should these folks die - no matter how moral, kind, sweet, loving and friendly they may be - they will go to hell. That sounds blunt to some, horrible to others, mean-spirited to some, but this is exactly what will happen. Even many in mainline denominations across this great land of America know absolutely NOTHING about the born again experience. Ask them a question about the Purpose Driven Life or Church and they just applaud and swoon over how great it is; ask them a question about the Bible and they can't tell you where the book of Judges is or even perhaps the book of John. It humors me to see people who are so religious and arrogant in their views about certain things without understanding or having one ounce of knowledge as to what the Word of God says.

Some of this is because many preachers stand behind pulpits without themselves being born again. You say, "how is that possible?" Because the criteria for ministry today is not longer whether the preacher exhibits the nature of Christ and is truly Spirit-filled; it's whether they've been educated and trained in our "church-growth," principles and formulas. How many preachers will stand at the Great White Throne judgment themselves eternally LOST and stare into the hollow eyes and the screaming voices of those they led astray asking them, "why didn't you say to us what needed to be said;? why didn't you tell us the truth?" These teachers and ministry leaders trusted in their religion without truly knowing CHRIST. How many preachers and ministry leaders have abandoned the Bible for a popular book among modern church circles today and as a result millions stand trusting in their works and in their own righteousness and salvation?

Many of these listening to these leaders truly do want to reach out to God but don't know how to do it; they are lost and will be eternally lost unless they accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior. But without the true gospel being preached, they will be lead to a false Christ, proclaimed through a FALSE gospel, birthed by false spirits, and not the HOLY GHOST.

Neighbor, your salvation is not in the Catholic Church, the Assemblies of God, the Pentecostal Holiness, the Southern Baptists or any other denomination. We're saved by faith in the CHRIST OF GLORY, the Son of the Living God, the First and the Last, the Rose of Sharon.

We lose our worldly identity through the FIRE of the Holy Spirit, who seeks to produce our identification in CHRIST.

The Furnace Of Affliction

All of the brass door knobs, candleabra, doorstops, fixures of every nature, which David had taken from the heathen, now how to be melted down by fire! All identity with its former occupation had to be completely destroyed! Consequently, in order for this to be done, a furnace was built, with all of these brass objects thrown into the furnace and melted. In effect, that is the process through which the HOLY SPIRIT takes us, in order to make of us what He desires. He is going to MAKE us into a Pillar in the Temple of God and this is how it works.

Stop a minute and think about all we've already discussed to this point. He first loosed us from the dominion of Satan, as David loosed the brass from the hands of Hadarezer. Afterwards David brought the brass back and put it in storage for an extended period of time to bring it out ONLY after Solomon, his son, would mold a cast which speaks of our identity in the DEATH and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and hire a man named Hiram, to "fashion, mold and make," the brass into beautiful pillars.

Romans 6:3-5
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Those processes are already extremely hard on our flesh and many don't make it through this test to be honest. Then after all of this Solomon would take the brass and throw it into a fiery furnace! This speaks to us of the need for a total eradication of our old identity and life:

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Isaiah 48:10
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

Hebrews 12:6-7
For whom the Lord loves he chasteneth, and scourges every son whom he receives. [7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

This "refinement," is not possible outside the furnace of affliction where the Lord tries us with fiery trials, chastenings and "scourgings," which YIELD the peaceable "fruit of righteousness." You say, "I don't like this chastisement," and "I can get through this Christian life without chastisement." No you can't. If we be without chastisement are we not "bastards," and NOT sons, says the Scripture? If we endure this chastening then God deals with us as SONS!!!! Yes it's grievous at times; yes it's humiliating; yes it hurts and sometimes it's done in the presence of one's enemies so as to make those who don't like us too much to "shoot out the lip in scorn," as those who hated Jesus Christ did at the foot of His cross.

We MUST be washed and transformed by the Washing and Watering of HIS WORD which cuts away our old life and exhorts us not to be "conformed," to "this world," but be transformed by the renewing of our minds!

Romans 12:1-3
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

This brass, which represents the judgment of God, was stored in warehouses and now soon to be melted down in a furnace was to be poured into this "mold" and speaks to us of the laver of brass in the Old Testament which the Lord told Moses to make for the High Priests. The Priest could not just go in to the Holy Place and teach or minister WITHOUT first stopping at the brazen laver before the curtain into this compartment and WASH himself!

Exodus 30:17-21
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [18] Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. [19] For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: [20] When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord: [21] So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

Exodus 38:8
And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

This brass lined the laver in which the priest had to stop in the outer court before he even could even come near to the altar, or offer sacrifices of burnt offering to the Lord. He had to judge himself first, and also wash his hands and feet before going before the Lord any further to minister in behalf of the people. The priests had to present themselves without spot or blemish, just as we are to present ourselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable by the work of the Holy Ghost in our lives.

Hands represent our works as believers, and feet our walk with the Lord on this earth. If we judge ourselves, we will not be judged,

1 Cor. 11:31
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The priests would actually have died, if they had not been obedient to look into the laver to see their reflection in it and the water, and if there were spots, they were to wash as commanded.

In other words, men have to recognize the spots and imperfections in their own lives before going directly to minister, and be washed and cleansed by the Lord, by His blood and washing of the water of the Word, which reveals the imperfections in our lives in our works and walk with the Lord while on earth.

John 15:3
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

2 Cor. 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

The Holy Spirit through Paul warns us to "examine ourselves," to see if we be in the faith and that Jesus Christ is in us, "except we be reprobates." How many are suffering spiritual death today because of their refusal to go before the Lord without first being cleansed by the water of God's word, which REVEALS sin and JUDGES us!! Think about that last statement closely. Jesus says those who stand at the Great White Throne Judgment will be judged by THIS VERY WORD! We either allow the Word of God to judge us NOW or it will judge us as we stand lost in eternity!

John 12:47-48
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] He that rejects me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Jesus makes it clear He did not come to Judge the world, but to SAVE the world; the one who believes not is condemned already and receives not the words of Christ will have one who judges him - the WORD of God, that which Christ spoke! The "same shall judge him in the last day." The Lord made it clear that His Judgement is TRUE as is the WORD that brings Judgement to the unbelieving.

John 8:15 - You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.

Jesus came into this World to bring light to those willing to believe yet when one rejects light and truth, spiritual blindness always follows - the condition of the religious!

John 9:39 - And Jesus said, 'For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind."

Even the feet of the Lord in Rev. 2: 18 are shown as like "fine brass" ...or brass that has a brilliant luster as if they burned in furnace. Dan. 10: 6 also describes his vision of the Messiah, and his feet as polished brass. Where he stands, there will be judgment. And, if we stand in His midst, we must judge ourselves or the Judge will show forth his judgment on our lives later. (JP Kelley) That is the standard man must seek to meet by the help of the Spirit of God, who fulfills this operation as the "spirit of burning and judgment."

Isaiah 4:4
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

We either allow the Spirit to burn sin and the flesh out of us or sin and the flesh will consume us! The Lord wants to wash away the FILTH from the daughters of Zion, a prophetic picture of what He will do with Israel as a nation at the end of the Great Tribulation period, when He shall "have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof," by the SPIRIT of judgment of our BURNING.

God has some wonderful things in store for those who diligently seek His Face for His cleansing power in their lives. That is, perhaps, the most needful activity we can be exercised in today but it seems to be the one thing that concerns most the least. It is more important than being prosperous financially or even being physically healthy. Spiritual purity is the result of a working of the Holy Ghost in our lives and comes from the Hand of God.

Isaiah 1:25- And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

So many may desire the purity of the Spirit but when the fire gets hot so many shrink back from the process which produces Christ IN US and removes all that which is not pleasing to God. The Spirit of Judgment is that which shows us what God sees to be important (that is what the Hebrew word means). His scale of values is much different than ours. His Ways are higher. His Thoughts are higher. He is looking from a different angle (Eternity) than we do. The Spirit of Burning speaks to us of the FIRE and HEAT that is necessary to separate the dross and tin from our lives.

We must not forget that it is HIS SPIRIT that is producing the heat and pressure that it takes to rid us of the impurities in our lives. We may blame the devil, and even rebuke him, mistakenly, when in fact that which we are going through is from the work of the Spirit of burning. The process WILL come to an end when the desired result is accomplished.

The Ornamentation Of The Pillars

1 Kings 7:15-20
For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about. [16] And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits: [17] And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter. [18] And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter. [19] And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits. [20] And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.

On top of each pillar was a chapiter, which in effect was a crown, which the Lord referenced in this great promise to the overcomer.

Rev. 3:11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

There were seven wreaths of chain work on the Chapiters, which portrays the believer being chained to Christ, and something the Lord warned us to "hold fast," lest any man "take our crown." One the chains were "pomegranates," actually some 200 of them, which typifies the "fruit of the Spirit." "Lilies," were also carved into the Chapiters, which typifies "purity." Both spiritual "fruit," AND spiritual "purity," only come as a result of one's UNION and being CHAINED to Christ, which brings the Holy Spirit on the scene to do his work in the life of the believer!

These pillars sat in front of the Temple, and were strictly for ornamentation, because they actually did not hold up anything. So it is with the child of God.

God does not "need," us because God needs nothing. We're given this place of glory and prominence, simply because He loves us. We are to ever be a reflection of His glory, even as those pillars were reflections of the sun. That is the purpose of this entire process we have sought to show the reader - that men may see CHRIST IN US and CHRIST ALONE!

These pillars were honed and shined until they glistened. They were facing the east because this was the way the temple was facing. They would reflect the rays of the rising sun when it burst atop the Judean hills. It was said in those days when the travelers of trade and commerce would come into Jerusalem that they would try to time their arrival to arrive on the outskirts of the city in the afternoon. they would stay all night on the outskirts of the city for one specific reason and that was so they could see the rising sun that would come up and burst upon those two brass pillars on the temple.

When the sun comes up in this part of the world it is unlike the rising of the sun in most places. It is dark one minute and seemingly light the next. In other words, the advent of the day seems to just burst upon the scene. And when those rays of the sun would strike that shining brass of those pillars, they said it was one of the most beautiful sights of the world of that day. It was like a thousand suns were shining and this is really the prophetic portrait of what Christ promised to the believer! We are not in His Kingdom because of our goodness; heaven will not suffer if we do not make it into the Kingdom. God's kingdom is not strengthened nor weakened by the fleshly efforts of man nor is it affected by man's rejection or acceptance.

He has gone to great trouble to save us, wash us in His blood for one purpose and that is that He may present us forever and forever as Hew Jewels. Again, we're ornamentation, meaning whenever the accuser of the brethren pounces before God's throne accusing man to God and God to man, God turns the devil and says, "LOOK at my prize redeemed creation!" No, we're not perfected yet and there is a great deal of work still left for the Holy Ghost to do - but in the end we're going to be presented FAULTLESS before the throne and shown to ALL eternity as trophies of God's amazing Grace!

Jude 1:24
Now unto Him (the Holy Spirit) that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Ephes. 3:3-8
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

We are to SHINE as the brightness of the sun under the Lord Jesus Christ forever and forever. We are His beauty. We are His jewels fashioned by His glorious hands.

Notice again that Hiram designed "pomegranates" or fruit, on the chapiters at the top typifying the FRUIT of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

We are to called to bear FRUIT for God's Kingdom. Fruit can be defined as either the "fruit of the Spirit," growth and maturity in Christ, and souls we bring into the Kingdom as a result of our testimony and witness for Christ.

The 19th verse it talks about the lily work which we state again is a type of the purity the Holy Ghost seeks to produce in the believer.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

2 Cor. 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:13-14
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. [14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Man cannot produce the holiness God demands on his own efforts or righteousness. We "cleanse ourselves," from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit through one all important word- repentance through faith. We REPENT of who we are always allowing the Holy Spirit latitude to do whatever is necessary to make us like Christ! That sounds easy but in fact it is extremely difficult for most who seek to perfect holiness not in the fear of God but through man-made means. That is a journal all to itself and one we will leave be for now. It's IMPERATIVE our hearts are pure before the Lord.

I remember telling a Bible class I recently taught that God has a lot of understanding and mercy when it comes to our failures. This understanding is based upon His covenant with Jesus Christ and because of His great love for all those who have placed their faith in that covenant (the Cross). What God does not and never will condone is REBELLION out of a perverse heart. In other words as long as we are sincerely seeking to overcome the Holy Spirit is there to help; if we seek to play the hypocrite by professing one thing but in our heart really wanting to do something else we can be sure we will never see God; only the PURE in heart sees God!

The names of the two pillars were Jachin, which means "God will establish," and Boaz, which means "God is strength." By the help of the Holy Spirit we can be established and we will have HIS strength!

Go No More Out

Rev. 3:11-12
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. [12] Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

This great promise of Christ says that he who overcomes is made a pillar in the temple of God "shall go no more out," speaking of abiding in the presence of the Lord forever and forever. To be made pillars in the Temple of God, therefore, is to enter lastingly and abidingly into the eternal, covenant communion with God, which is life eternal, which means that it will never end. This means that the welfare of the soul will no more be periled; that we shall never again be in danger of falling into temptation; that no artful foe shall ever have power to alienate our affections from God; that we shall never die.

When we reach the heavenly world, our conflicts will be over, our doubts came to an end. As soon as we cross the threshold, we shall be greeted with the assurance, "he shall go no more out forever." This is to be eternal abode, and whatever of joy or felicity or glory that bright world can furnish, is to be ours, and to be ours forever (Barnes).

The Name of My God

Not only will the overcome abide in the presence of God forever, the Lord will "write upon him the name of my God." This speaks to us that the Lord is proud of us and He's not ashamed to put a "name," on us that we belong to Him! Because we have been washed in the blood, God owns us because He paid for us!

1 Cor. 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Because He paid for us, He's not ashamed of us!

Hebrews 2:11
For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

The Name of the City of My God

The phrase, "the name of the city of My God," proclaims the eternal abode of these who belong to Christ and that abode is the New Jerusalem, as seen in Revelation 21. We belong to that city, that city built foursquare. The idea world seem to be that in this world, and in all worlds where ever we may abide, we will be recognized as belonging to the Holy City, as enjoying the rights and immunities of such a citizen. True faith declares we are strangers of this present world and "looking for a city whose builder is maker is God."

Hebrews 11:10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

There is coming a day, which will take place after the Kingdom Age and after the Great White Throne Judgment, that God will literally change His headquarters from Heaven to Earth as seen in Revelation 21. The New Jerusalem will be the largest the world has ever known, some 1,500 miles wide, and some 1,500 miles long.

Rev. 21:16
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

The startling thing will be that it will also be 1,500 miles high at its highest point.

"MY New Name"

Rev. 3:12 - Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The Lord plans to also write upon us a "new name," that we do not now know. The unknown name is again mentioned in Revelation 19:12:

Rev. 19:12
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

No man can possess this name because of man's own merit of effort; this name will only be placed on the forehead of the overcomer through the precious Blood of the Lamb. Some reading this right now - you're name is a "drunk," or "druggie," or "whoremonger," or "thief." One day the Lord is going to present you to angels and say, "THIS IS HIS NEW NAME!" This was all made possible because of the Cross of Christ!

In Closing - He Who Hath An ear

Rev. 3:13
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

This message of Christ is all that matters and is given to those who "hath an ear," as to hear what the Spirit saith "to the churches." Men hear what other men have to say, but many seldom live close enough to the Lord to HEAR what HE has to say. To be frank, the process which we've spent three journals to discuss is what is required for the believer to have the proper "ear." Most of the time the flesh is screaming so loud that we cannot hear what the Spirit is saying.

We certainly better hear what He has to say but sadly most want to hear the voices of the apostate system of religion instead. This process of one being made into a pillar in the Temple of God will NEVER be completed by man's efforts or the instructions of man's voice. We must HEAR what the Spirit saith to the Church. He is SAYING that the Lord is FAITHFUL and POWERFUL. He has the key of David. He opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens.

In all our work in the Kingdom of God, our reliance MUST be on Christ and Christ ALONE. Of little strength itself, the Church is mighty in her mighty Lord, faithful and true. He shall keep us, so that we shall never fail as He makes us "Jachin," meaning "God will establish us." And with our eyes on Him we may be sure of the victory in His strength, as He makes us "Boaz," meaning "God is our strength." Because of what Christ did for us at the Cross, our victory shall be the victory of eternal glory in the New Jerusalem, in the Temple of God and His Tabernacle with men, where we shall see him face to face and love Him forever, as He has loved us. Because He Lives, we shall LIVE also!

He is MAKING us into a pillar in the Temple of God. This process may be so terribly hard on our flesh but again is working a weight of ETERNAL glory!

2 Cor. 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

I leave the reader with the words of one my favorite gospel songs: "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; the angels beckon me from heaven's open door; and I can't feel at home in this world anymore." This is the destination of the one made into a pillar in the temple of God, the overcomer through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. He that have an ear let him HEAR what the SPIRIT of God is saying to the church! Praise God.

Questions, Comments

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