FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 19

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF FHE GOSPEL (Part 50)

“It is Finished!” What was finished?

“In silence the beholders watched FOR THE END to the fearful scene. The sun shone forth, but the cross was still enveloped in darkness. PRIESTS AND RULERS LOOKED TOWARD JERUSALEM; AND LO THE DENSE CLOUD HAD SETTLED UPON THE CITY AND THE PLAINS OF JUDEA.

The Sun of Righteousness [Malachi 4:2], the Light of the world [John 9:5] WAS WITHDRAWING HIS BEAMS FROM THE ONCE-FAVORED CITY OF JERUSALEM! The fierce lightnings of GOD’S WRATH were directed against the FATED CITY.

“Suddenly the gloom lifted from the cross, and in clear trumpet-like tones, that seemed to RESOUND THROUGHOUT CREATION, Jesus cried, ‘It is finished.’ ‘Father, into Thine hands I commend My Spirit.’ A light encircled the cross, and the FACE Of THE SAVIOR SHONE WITH A GLORY LIKE THE SUN. He then bowed His HEAD upon His BREAST, and DIED.

“Amid the awful darkness, APPARENTLY forsaken of God, Christ had drained the LAST dregs in the CUP OF HUMAN WOE. In those dreadful hours He had RELIED UPON THE EVIDENCE of His Father’s acceptance HERETOFORE given Him.

He was acquainted with the Father’s CHARACTER; He understood His JUSTICE, His MERCY, and His GREAT LOVE. By FAITH He rested in Him it ever had been His JOY to obey. And in submission HE COMMITTED HIMSELF to God, the sense of the LOSS OF HIS FATHER’S FAVOR was withdrawn. BY FAITH, CHRIST WAS VICTOR!” – E.G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 756.

Thus it was, is, and will be. All who are persecuted and martyred for Christ and “righteousness’ sake, from Abel to the last saint before probation closes in the very near future, will also “appear” forsaken of God and defeated by the enemies of truth, but they die in Christ, and like Christ, they have “the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12), and, like Christ, by faith they die as victors! To such Rev. 14:13 especially applies! Read it!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.