Solomon's Porch represents a very small portion of God's temple in Jerusalem that had withstood destruction and renovation.
While Herod undertook extensive renovations of the temple, expanding and enhancing its splendor, Solomon’s Porch was the only section that remained untouched. During the Feast of Dedication, a time of celebration and jubilation, all the political and religious luminaries of that time were celebrating in the newly renovated sections. Instead of joining them, Jesus walked on Solomon's Porch.
Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.
John 10:22-23
Jesus wasn't taking a leisurely stroll on Solomon's Porch, and this is not a simple casual remark about Christ's whereabouts.
This was the Son of God was making a declaration.
Solomon's Porch, as the only piece of the original structure, symbolizes the idea of a "Remnant" - a small, persevering faction that remains true and faithful despite the political and religious transformations. It signifies a very small group of believers steadfast in their faith, unwavering in the face of societal shifts or religious institutionalization.
The keyword here is "Remnant".
"Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small REMNANT, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah."
Isaiah 1:9
"Even so then, at this present time there is a REMNANT according to the election of grace."
Romans 11:5
The remnant of the temple, Solomon's Porch, is where the Spirit of Jesus resides today, not within any religious organizations. It is an organism, not an organization, with Christ as the head of the body.
“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. “
Colossians 1:18
His Spirit is walking amongst the Remnant(Solomon’s Porch).
Here, on the Porch, He is diligently training His army (described in Joel 2), meticulously preparing them for the spiritual battles that lie ahead, fortifying their faith, and instilling in them the discipline, wisdom, and strength necessary for the challenges they will face as they strive to fulfill His divine will.
'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD;' (Ephesians 6:10-17)
"And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them but will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them will return; the destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
For the Lord God of hosts will make a determined end in the midst of all the land."
Isaiah 10:20-23
Here on Solomon’s Porch, the Lord will unveil the fullness of His glory. Through a tiny, seemingly insignificant remnant, He will unveil the vast expanse of His Kingdom. It is here that the Kingdom of God will grow from the smallest of all seeds into a mighty tree.
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32
It is here, that the Lord will gather unto Himself a swelling throng of believers.
And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
Acts 5:12
Signing off for now!
A17
Well man I gotta hand it to you, this was really something.... I can't fault the reasoning and all backed up by scripture, very faith strengthening .. very soothing and comforting for someone who has been abandoned by organised religion .... But I never lost my faith despite everything
Do you see the remnant referred to as a remnant of the post-Pentecost Church (spiritual Israel), or as a group of Jewish (cultural Israel) people who have/will come to Christ? I always struggle with the actual group to which these passages refer.