Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 156:623 (Jul 1999)
Article: The Pillar and the Throne in Revelation 3:12, 21
Author: Daniel K. K. Wong

BSac 156:623 (July 99) p. 297

The Pillar and the Throne in Revelation 3:12, 21

Daniel K. K. Wong

Reference to a pillar in Revelation 3:12 is in Christ’s message to the church at Philadelphia (vv. 7–12), and reference to His throne in verse 21 is in His message to the church at Laodicea (vv. 13–21). The church at Philadelphia, though of little power, had kept the Word, resisted false teachers, and had not denied Jesus’ name. Because of her faithfulness, Christ promised to set before her an open door (v. 8),1 to cause her enemies to bow down at her feet (v. 9), and to keep her from the hour of trial which will come on the whole earth (v. 10). Christ also exhorted her to hold fast what she had, in order that no one would take her crown (v. 11).

By contrast, the church at Laodicea, though materially rich, was apathetic, being neither hot nor cold, as well as spiritually poor, blind, and naked (vv. 15–17). Christ exhorted her to repent, and to find in Him true riches, purity, and spiritual sight (v. 18). To those who heed the Spirit’s warnings and “overcome,”

* Daniel K. K. Wong is President and Professor of Biblical Studies, Truth Theological Seminary, Alhambra, California.

BSac 156:623 (July 99) p. 298

He promised the blessings of becoming a pillar in God’s temple and being inscribed with the name of God and the new Jerusalem (v. 12) and of sitting with Christ on His throne (v. 21).

It is profitable to inquire into the spiritual condition of those who eventually would stop keeping the word (v. 10), not repent (v. 19), and lose the crown (v. 11),2 but the main purpose in this article is to address the background, nature, and people of each blessing.

The Pillar with a Name

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusal...