FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 30
A PARENTHETICAL CHAPTER OF THIS SERIES ON THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE
If you are one of the numberless who have been long wondering “in pain” why the ungodly and corrupt seem to be prospering and becoming more powerful over the humble and contrite ones, you are not alone. So did David—-until he found the answer by the very sanctuary he desired and prepared to build for the Lord but could not because his hands were bloody as a man of war.
The sanctuary doctrine helps explain how Almighty God is fulfilling His promise, “Vengeance is Mine: I will repay saith the Lord.” (Rom. 12: 19, 17-21; Prov. 24: 29). Here’s the answer given in chapter 73 of Psalms (emphasis mine):
“Truly God is good to Israel, [i.e..]. even unto such as are of a CLEAN [pure, margin] HEART. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was ENVIOUS at the foolish, when I saw the PROSPERITY of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men.
Therefore PRIDE compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have MORE THAN they could wish. They are corrupt, and speaketh wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore His people return hither, and waters of a full cup are rung out to them.
And they say, HOW DOTH GOD KNOW? AND IS THERE KNOWLEDGE IN THE MOST HIGH? Behold, these are the ungodly, who PROSPER in the world; they INCREASE in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart IN VAIN, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long I have been PLAGUED, and CHASTENED every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
When I thought to know this, it was TOO PAINFUL FOR ME, UNTIL I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD; THEN UNDERSTOOD THEIR END.” Psalms 73: 1-17, KJV (read up to verse 38).
The omnipotent God of love, mercy, and justice measures all—-individuals, generations since Adam’s to the final one, kingdoms, empires, nations, and churches with one unerring, eternal standard, His covenant-law (Deut. 4:13), “weighing them in the balances of the sanctuary,” i.e., the heavenly, not earthly sanctuary.
Christ our merciful High Priest’s last work of “cleansing the sanctuary” (Dan. 8:14), is closing soon! Do we fully understand why and how the sanctuary doctrine determines the eternal salvation or damnation of all?
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.