Pillars

PILLARS

Definition
Pillars in Scripture
Spiritual Significance
Solomon's Temple Pillars

Definition

A pillar is a vertical support structure for a building, or a pillar may be a monument. Pillars in temples were decorated with memorial plaques honoring people for great historical feats.

Pillars in Scripture

1. Jacob set up memorial pillars and dedicated them to God (Gen 28:18, 22; 31:13, 45, 51-52, 35:14, 20).
2. Absalom set up a pillar as a memorial to himself (2 Sa 18:18).
3. The Lord appeared to Israel in the wilderness as a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire (Ex 13:21-22).
4. Moses built an altar with 12 pillars for 12 Tribes of Israel (ref. Ex 24:4). The pillars were in a circle to symbolize the Covenant of the Law.
5. The posts that supported the Tabernacle were called pillars (Ex 26:32, 37; 27:10-17).
6. Monuments for idol worship were called sacred pillars (Deut 7:5; 12:3; 16:22; 2 Ki 10:26-27; 17:10).
7. Samson broke loose the two pillars of the Philistine temple of Dagon and brought it down on him (Judg 16:25-30).

8. Two bronze pillars 18 cubits tall marked the entrance of Solomon's Temple (1 Ki 7:15-21; 2 Ch 3:15-17; 4:12-13). The pillars were carried away into Babylon (Jer 52:17-23).
9. Seven pillars symbolize seven categories of Bible Doctrine (categories of theology) (Prov 9:1).
10. Legs are like pillars (SOS 5:15).
11. There was a pillar (likely an obelisk) to the Lord in Egypt, likely during the Ptolemies (Isa 19:19). The pillar on the border marked the entrance into the Temple of the Lord in Egypt during the time the Lord was worshiped there.
12. Falling pillars symbolize destruction (Jer 50:15; Ezek 26:11).
13. Peter, James, and John were pillars in the Jerusalem Church (Gal 2:9).
14. Church Age winner believers will be rewarded with a pillar in the Temple of God (Rev 3:12). They will have a pillar of recognition in the Heavenly Jerusalem in the Eternal State forever.
15. The Church is the pillar and support of the Truth (1 Tim 3:15).
16. An angel will have feet like pillars of fire in the Tribulation (Rev 10:1). The fire symbolizes judgment.

Spiritual Significance

1. Pillars can have figurative and spiritual meaning. The meaning depends on the context. Pillars can be used in metaphors to describe spiritual functions.
2. Pillars that support a physical building may symbolize support functions in a spiritual temple (Eph 2:21; 1 Pet 2:5). Peter, James, and John were pillars in the Church (Gal 2:9).

3. The entrance to Solomon's Temple was marked off by two bronze pillars to designate the way to Eternal Life and fellowship with God (1 Ki 7:15-21). Bronze symbolizes judgment, corresponding to Judgment for sins and the redemption solution. Outside the pillars was the way of reversionism and eternal judgment.
4. Church Age winner believers will be rewarded with a pillar in the Temple of God (ref. Rev 3:12).
5. Pillars were used as altars for worshiping God (Gen 28:18), and monuments for idolatry were called sacred pillars (Deut 7:5).
6. A pillar can symbolize a person.

Capital - head
Pillar proper - torso and legs
Base - feet.

7. An erect pillar symbolizes standing and support, while a falling pillar symbolizes destruction of the entire building (Jer 50:15).
8. A pillar differs from a horn. A pillar symbolizes strength that supports, and a horn symbolizes power that gores.

Solomon's Temple Pillars

1. Two large cast bronze, or brass, pillars stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple to mark the way to Eternal Life and fellowship with God (1 Ki 7:15-21; Jn 14:6; Matt 7:13-14).
2. Bronze symbolizes judgment. Departing from the way of Salvation leads to eternal judgment.
3. The pillars were on the left and right side of the entrance (1 Ki 7:21).
     a. Right - spiritual side - Jachin, meaning "He will establish."
     b. Left - temporal side - Boaz, meaning "in Him is strength."
4. Dimensions: The pillars were 18 cubits high with a capital and a base. The capitals were 5 cubits with lilies (4 cubits high) on top. The overall length was 35 cubits, for rest from enemies (2 Ch 3:15). The pillars marked the way of protection from enemies.
5. The capitals were like two bowls pressed together. The capital on the pillar symbolized the head. The parts of the capital contained:
     a. Two rows of 100 pomegranates, where 100 is for maximum Divine Good production and 200 is for double blessing. Pomegranates symbolize the fruit of the womb.
capital

     b. The round central part with netting symbolized the skull and also a bulb from which the lilies grew.
     c. The wreath of chainwork at the top symbolized the Lord's Covenant with Israel in the Mosaic Law.
     d. The lilies on top of the capital symbolized the New Life, or Eternal Life, including Resurrection Life.

Author: Larry Wood, Released December 15, 2017