In revelation John tells us that those who overcome the world will be made pillars in the temple of his God to go no more out. For us latter-day folk this reference may be hard to understand. In John's day large buildings were difficult to build and if there was any height to the building it required the use of pillars. Not just pillars around the outside of the building but all through the interior of the building.
Most of the Greek and Roman Temple were filled with pillars and the open rooms were very small. The pillars would be massive and would hold tremendous weight. They were elegant and very impressive features. They stood motionless and they were very capable in fulfilling the function they were designed for.
The first century Christians were also taught that they were the body of Christ. This analogy would be easy to understand. As we become righteous we become part of God's abode and we become fully capable in fulfilling our callings no matter how much pressure is place upon us.
Now to my point. I recently decided to read the Book of Mormon. I started reading a couple of months ago but I haven't gotten past the first 10 pages. I keep seeing things differently, so I just keep going through the 10 pages trying to get it all.
In the first chapter Nephi talks about the dreams and vision that his father had. His father prays to God and see a pillar of light on a rock and he learns much. He is so tired from the experience that he goes home and falls on his bed and has a vision where he thinks he sees God.
I've wondered why he thinks that he sees God. At first I thought maybe since this was the first time for him to see God he just wasn't sure. I also wondered why he would use an image like a pillar of fire.
As you read on you find out that the Jews didn't like what Lehi had to say and they wanted to kill him. That was one of the reasons that he left Jerusalem. I have since come to realize that prophets had the same problem that Christ had. Christ often wouldn't come right out and say he was the Son of God, cause if he did the Jews would seek his life. I believe the ancient prophets had the same problem. If they came right out and said they saw God, the Jews would seek to take their lives.
So they would use images to describe who they were speaking with. Until recently I didn't know for sure who Lehi was talking about. Lets apply the keys we know have and decide who he spoke to.
So he spoke to a pillar of fire that was on a rock. The pillar an impressive piece of architecture that demonstrates strength and greatness. Fire represents the presents of God. So which God is he speaking to? Remember a few weeks ago I show you that there were multiple reference in the old testament that indicate that Jehovah is the Rock of Israel.
So Lehi is speaking to the pre-mortal Christ, to Jehovah himself. He has just vailed the being he is talking to in images that would only be understood by the faithful few who understood the scriptures and were looking for the truth. Everyone else would just be confused and think that Lehi was some batty old guy that wasn't worth their time.
I was excited to learn this as I have always wondered about this and feel the Spirit showed me the answer. I hope you learned something. My next post will answer the question.. "What three gifts do wise men give us?" If you know the answer please leave a comment or send me an email.
Oh one more thing. The next time you read the Book of Mormon, pay attention to how many of the prophets in the book claim to have see Christ. I would say that all of the writers of the book make the claim and many of the prophets make the claim. I think that is one of the prime purposes of the book, to teach us to see Christ.
