Month: November 2021

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 18

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 49)

“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34) is a an antitypical expression of Christ as it were, having already said those mournful words through David, who wrote in a Psalm: “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? why art Thou so far from HELPING me, and from the WORDS of my roaring?” Ps. 22:1, KJV. (A Psalm of David).

No wonder David is also called “a man after God’s own heart” Here’s David’s spiritual significance: He was a prophet (Acts 2:30); an inspired man (Matt. 22: 43); a TYPE OF CHRIST (Jer. 23: 5, 6); NAME DESIGNATES CHRIST (Eze. 34: 23, 24); Christ was called ‘the so of David” in His genealogy (Matt. 1:1).

“The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His BODY lacerated with stripes, those HANDS so often reached out in blessing, nailed to the wooden bars; those FEET so tireless in ministries of love, spiked to the tree; that ROYAL HEAD pierced by a crown of thorns; those QUIVERING LIPS shaped to the cry of woe. And all that He endured—the BLOOD DROPS that flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable ANGUISH that filled HIS soul with the HIDING OF HIS FATHER’S FACE—speaks for EACH CHILD OF HUMANITY, declaring, IT IS FOR THEE THAT THE SON OF GOD CONSENTS to bear the burden of guilt; for Thee Hs spoils the domain of death, and opens the gates of Paradise.
He who stilled the angry waves and walked the foam-capped billows, who made devils tremble, and disease flee, who opened blind eyes and called forth the dead to life, OFFERS HIMSELF UPON THE CROSS AS A SACRIFICE AND THIS FROM LOVE TO THEE. He the Sin Bearer, endures the wrath of divine justice, and FOR THY SAKE BECOMES SIN ITSELF!” – E.G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 755, 756.

(To be continued) Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 17

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 48)

“When the darkness lifted from the oppressed spirit of Christ, He revived to a SENSE OF PHYSICAL SUFFERING, and said, ‘I THIRST.’

One of the ROMAN SOLDIERS [not any of His disciples, brothers, or any of the Jewish religious leaders!], TOUCHED WITH PITY as he looked upon the parched lips, made a sponge on a stalk of hyssop, and dipping it in a vessel of VINEGAR, offered it to Jesus.

BUT THE PRIESTS MOCKED AT HIS AGONY. When darkness covered the earth, they had been filled with FEAR, as the terror abated, the TERROR returned that Jesus would yet ESCAPE them. His words, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ they had MISINTERPRETED.

With bitter contempt and scorn they said, ‘This Man calleth for Elias.’ THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO RELIEVE HIS SUFFERINGS THEY REFUSED. ‘Let be,’ they said, ‘Let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.’” – E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 755.

Isn’t it imagination-defying that one of the cruel Roman soldiers (representing Rome, the hated national enemies of the Jewish nation then), carrying out the crucifixion of Jesus (as condemned by the Jewish leadership) would have a heart of sympathy for Christ in His horrifying dying agony at the “ninth hour” at the cross!

The Scriptures that says, “He came to His own and HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT” (John 1: 11, KJV) comprehends exceedingly far more than a mere refusal to acknowledge Him as the promised Messiah. They considered and treated Him as the worst of criminals of their day!

Moreover, mysterious divine forbearance was still extended to the Jewish RELIGIOUS LEADERS to the very last dying moments of Christ, an opportunity to show some form of any pity or empathy remaining in their hearts for Christ, whom Pilate himself publicly and emphatically declared to be innocent of all their false accusations and formal charges.

Instead, they mocked at his agony. By legitimate comparison and contrast, who do you think would have a better standing in their judgment—-that Roman soldier or any of the venerated priests?

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 16

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 47)

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Mark 15: 34, KJV.

From Daniel’s time; “he knelt on his knees and prayed three times a day” (Dan. 6:10) to Christ, the Jews practiced daily three “hours of prayer” as follows: the first at the “third hour” (our 9 AM), Acts 2:15; the second at the “sixth hour” (our 12 noon), Acts 10:9; and the third at the “NINTH HOUR” (our 3 PM), Acts 3:1.

Remember the “ninth hour” of Friday, preparation day, 31 A.D. at Calvary!

“The silence of the grave seemed to have fallen upon Calvary. A nameless terror held the throng that was gathered about cross. The cursing and reviling ceased in the midst of half-uttered sentences. Men, women, and CHILDREN fell prostrate upon the earth. Vivid lightnings occasionally flashed from the CLOUD, and REVEALED the cross and the crucified Redeemer. PRIESTS, RULERS, SCRIBES, EXECUTIONERS, and the MOB [of people, not the ‘Mafia.’], all thought that their time of vengeance had come. After a while some whispered that Jesus would now COME DOWN from the cross. Some attempted to grope their way back to the city [of Jerusalem] beating their breasts and wailing in fear.

“At the NINTH HOUR the darkness lifted from the people, but still enveloped the Savior. It [the darkness] was a SYMBOL of the agony and horror that weighed upon His heart. No eye could pierce the GLOOM that surrounded the cross, and none could penetrate the DEEPER GLOOM that enshrouded the suffering soul of Christ. The angry lightnings seemed to be hurled at Him as Hs hung upon the cross.

“Then Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani’? ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’ And the outer gloom settled upon the Savior, many voices exclaimed: THE VENGEANCE Of HEAVEN IS UPON HIM.

The bolts of God’s wrath are hurled against Him, BECAUSE HE CLAIMED To BE THE SON Of GOD. Many who believed on Him heard His despairing CRY. HOPE LEFT THEM. [They erroneously thought]: If God had forsaken Jesus, in what could His followers trust? “- E.G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 754.

(To be.continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 15

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 46)

The Mysterious Darkness of the Ninth Hour at the Antitypical Altar of Sacrifice.

“With amazement ANGELS witnesses the Savior’s despairing agony. The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight. Inanimate NATURE expressed sympathy with its insulted and dying Author. The SUN refused to look upon the awful scene. In full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at MIDDAY [the ‘ninth hour’] when SUDDENLY it seemed to be blotted out. COMPLETE DARKNESS, LIKE A FUNERAL PALL ENVELOPED THE CROSS. ‘There was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.’ There was NO ECLIPSE or other natural cause for this darkness, which was AS DEEP AS MIDNIGHT WiTHOUT MOON OR STARS.

What was its cause then? “IT WAS A MIRACULOUS TESTIMONY GIVEN BY GOD THAT THE FAITH OF AFTER GENERATIONS MIGHT BE CONFIRMED. In that thick darkness God’s [actual] presence was HIDDEN. ‘He makes darkness His pavilion’ and CONCEALS His glory from human eyes. GOD AND HIS HOLY ANGELS WERE BESIDE THE CROSS. THE FATHER WAS WITH HIS SON. YET HIS PRESENCE WAS NOT REVEALED. [Why? Answer for the following reasons]:

1. “Had His glory flashed forth from the cloud [of darkness], every human beholder would have been destroyed!
2. “And in that DREADFUL HOUR [‘the ninth hour’] Christ was NOT to be comforted with the Father’s [visible] presence. [Prophecy had to be fulfilled that] He ‘trod the wine press alone, and of the people [His fellow Jewish people] there was none with Him.’ [Isa. 63: 2, 3].
3. “In the thick darkness God veiled the last HUMAN AGONY of His Son.

“All who had seen Christ IN HIS SUFFERING had been convicted of His DIVINITY. That FACE, once beheld by humanity, was NEVER FORGOTTEN. [Here’s why]:

“When the FACE OF CAIN expressed his guilt as a murderer [‘fallen countenance,’ de de Gen. 4: 6] so the FACE OF CHRIST revealed innocence, serenity, benevolence—THE IMAGE OF GOD! But His accusers [The religious leaders of the chosen nation and people!] WOULD NOT GIVE HEED to the signet of heaven. Through long hours of agony [six hours, nailed at 9 AM, expired at 3 PM, Friday, 31 A.D./C.E.], Christ had been GAZED UPON by the jeering multitude. NOW HE WAS MERCIFULLY HiDDEN BY THE MANTLE OF GOD.” -E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p.p. 753. 754.

The deep as midnight without moon or stars, mysterious darkness that suddenly enshrouded the dying Lamb of God at “the ninth hour” suddenly reveals deeper Christ-centric saving truths than most Calvary-centric Christians realize!

Moreover, God’s promise that He “will NEVER leave or forsake” His faithful followers “even unto the uttermost parts of the earth” was eternally proven by no less than the Lamb of God as His sinless life was ebbing away, dying in unutterable agony with absolutely no one to comfort Him. Indeed He “trod the winepress ALONE.”

That is, as far as human mortal eyes can see; for it was in that VERY DARKNESS, the very least expected place, situation, and appearance that God stands watching as the loving, ever faithful “Father of lights.” This is how every child of God who is “suffering for righteousness sake” and has been totally forsaken by all earthly support and protection: Hidden from sinful mortal eyes, the great I AM—whose glory is veiled (as in the first veil of the temple), and further veiled (as in the second veil separating the holy from the most holy) by a darkness mysterious ans deep as midnight without moon or stars—has never left or blinked a divine eye!

He IS there as in the transcendent the great “I AM that I AM”—-not subject to time, space, or circumstance, nor “anything made that was made” “by Him or for Him.”

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK;
November 11

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 44)

The Real Cause of the Inexpressible Agony of the Dying Lamb of God.

When fiction, superstition, film, and traditions, but particularly the confusing and misleading teachings of “another gospel,”
are accepted as “gospel truth,”the real cause of Christ’s inexpressible suffering and pain as He hung dying on the cross will be portrayed and understood “carnally,” not spiritually.

Devastating result? Sin will not be feared, hated, and overcome; instead Christ’s sacrificial death will be used as the excuse, justification, and even the “freedom,” “liberty,” and “license” to go on sinning and still be “eternally saved” “because He already paid the price.”

“And now the Lord of glory was dying, a RANSOM for the race. In yielding up His precious life, Christ was not upheld by triumphal joy. All was oppressive gloom. It was NOT the dread of DEATH that weighed upon Him. It was NOT the pain and ignominy of the CROSS that caused His Inexpressible agony. Christ was the Prince of Sufferers; but His suffering was from a SENSE OF THE MALIGNITY Of SIN, A KNOWLEDGE THAT THROUGH FAMILIARITY WITH EVIL, MAN HAD BECOME BLINDED TO ITS ENORMITY.

“Christ saw how deep is the hold of SIN upon the human HEART, how FEW would be WILLING to break from its POWER. He knew that WITHOUT HELP from God, humanity MUST PERISH, and He saw MULTITUDES perishing WITHIN reach of abundant help! “ – E. G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 752, 753.

The plan of salvation of the everlasting gospel is (also) based on the inalienable, eternal right of man, originally created (not evolved) in the image and likeness of the Creator, to worship Him as a free moral agent, “compelled” alone by pure love, adoration, and admiration of His matchless love, unparalleled eternal glory, omniscience, and omnipotence. It is his unalloyed joy and happiness to dwell in the sinless purity of His presence, pleasing Him in all he thinks, says, and does. Such was the example set by the “only-begotten Son” to His Father!

In short, sin is what separates man from God, starting from the fall in Eden to the close of earth’s probation. Christ the Lamb of God’s given name, Jesus, means “a Savior FROM sin.” Matt. 1:21. True love for Jesus, the Sinless Lamb of God, is to clearly see the malignity and exceeding sinfulness of sin and to abhor it, avoiding it as the vey plague of plagues by God’s empowering grace imparted through the Holy Spirit!

(To be continued).Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 10

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 43)

The Dying Lamb of God Magnifies the Fifth Commandment

An integral part Christ’s earthly mission was to “magnify the law and make it honorable.” Isa. 42:21. His own testimony was, “I have kept My Father’s commandments.” John 15:10. These are the Ten Commandments, called His COVENANT. Deut. 4:13.

The first four defines man’s duties to God and the last six, man’s duties to his fellowmen, beginning with the familiar fifth commandment, “Honor thy father and thy mother.” Exo.20: 12; Deut.5:16.

In His life mission Jesus honored the Father in words and deeds. In His last living moments hanging on the cross as the Lamb of God, He honored His mother Mary, NOT by giving instructions to John the beloved that she should be honored by worshipping her as a “Mediatrix,” after His death, resurrection. and ascension but to take care of her in her old age as his own mother! Now this:

“As the eyes of Jesus wandered over the multitude about Him, one figure arrested His attention. At the foot of the cross stood HIS MOTHER, supported by the disciple John. She could not endure to remain away from her Son, and John, knowing that the end was near, had brought her AGAIN to the cross. IN HIS DYING HOUR JESUS REMEMBERED HIS
MOTHER.

“Looking into her grief-stricken face and then upon John, He said to her, ‘Woman, behold thy son!’ then to John, ‘Behold thy mother!’ John UNDERSTOOD Christ’s words, and accepted the TRUST. He at once took Mary to his home, and from that hour cared for her tenderly.

O pitiful, loving Savior; amid all His physical pain and mental anguish, He had a thoughtful care for His mother! He had NO MONEY with which to provide for her comfort; but He was ENSHRINED IN THE HEART OF JOHN, and He gave His mother to him as a PRECIOUS LEGACY. Thus He provided for her that which she MOST NEEDED—the tender sympathy of one who loved her BECAUSE she loved Jesus. And in receiving her as a sacred trust, John was receiving a GREAT BLESSING. She was a CONSTANT REMINDER of his beloved Master!” – E. G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 751, 763.

Let all Christians remember that the last and only record in the New Testament regarding Mary, the mother of Jesus is that she was numbered in the celebrated “one hundred and twenty disciples” gathered in an “upper room” in Jerusalem, obeying Christ’s instructions given before His crucifixion and more specifically after He returned, and gave post-resurrection final instructions.

Central to these was for His disciples to prepare to receive the prophesied and promised outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT and His power in Pentecostal measure! They spent ten days “in praying and supplication until they were of one accord.”

Then, the 120 disciples including Mary the mother of Jesus, received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, empowering to be Christ’s “witnesses to both Jerusalem, to all Judaea, in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1: 8; See Acts chapters 1 and 2: 1 Cor. 15:1-8.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 9

THE SANCTUARY EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 42)

The Sinless Lamb of God Was Numbered Among Transgressors at the Antitypical Altar of Sacrifice.

“The thieves crucified with Christ were placed ‘on either side, and JESUS IN THE MIDST.’ [John 19:18]. This was done by the direction of the PRIESTS AND RULERS [prototype of the final union of church and state in the closing days of America’s and earth’s probation]. Christ’s position between the thieves was to indicate that He was the GREATEST CRIMINAL OF THE THREE. This was fulfilled the Scripture, ‘He was numbered among the transgressors.’ Isa. 53: 12, KJV.

“But the FULL MEANING of their act the priests did not see. As Jesus, crucified with the thieves, was placed ‘IN THE MIDST,’ so His cross was placed IN THE MIDST OF A WORLD LYING IN SIN [and two classes of sinners: one defiant to the end; the other, repentant]. And the words of comfort spoken to the penitent thief KINDLED A LIGHT that will shine to the earth’s remotest bounds!

“With amazement the angels beheld the INFINITE LOVE of Jesus, who, SUFFERING THE MOST INTENSE AGONY OF MIND AND BODY, thought only of others, and encouraged the penitent soul to believe.

“In His humiliation, He, as PROPHET [Deut.18: 15, 18], had addressed the daughters of Jerusalem; as a PRIEST and ADVOCATE He had pleaded with His Father to forgive His murderers; as a LOVING SAVIOR He had forgiven the sins of the PENITENT thief [not the defiant other].” – E. G. White, Desire of Ages, pp, 751, 752.

I used to think and even preach that there is the “dark side” of Calvary, leading up to the cross, and the “bright side,” after His resurrection. But that spiritual myopia. Spiritually discerned, glory attended all the suffering and shame Jesus endured before and after Calvary! I did not better grasp these till now.

And there is infinitely more present truth to be revealed, if we “search the Scriptures daily,””line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little there a little,” with all our hearts and minds for “the truth as it is in Jesus,” as guided and taught of the Holy Spirit!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.