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THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 33)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 27

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 33)

Christ Bore Our Sins in His Own Body or Flesh.

“For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also SUFFERED for us, leaving us an EXAMPLE, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was there guile found in His mouth: Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: WHO HIS OWNSELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE [of Calvary] that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes we are healed.” 1 Pet. 2: 21-24, KJV.

My fellow weary, suffering mortal, please join me to momentarily refocus our eyes and minds on the untold suffering, the dead, and dying among us and in the world today and concentrate on the Lamb of God, the Sin Bearer of all penitent sinners, represented by one of the two thieves crucified with Him that epochal day. There many ignored truths bearing eternal consequences ENFOLDED in the plan of redemption of the gospel and UNFOLDED to mankind during the Calvary Moment regarding death and resurrection, so grievously misunderstood in mainstream Christianity, thus, in the world that should have been enlightened by them! Now this:

“In the SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST UPON THE CROSS prophecy was fulfilled. Centuries before the crucifixion, the Savior had foretold the treatment He was to receive. [Through David] He said, ‘Dogs have compassed Me; the assembly of the wicked have compassed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare at Me. They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.’ Ps. 22: 16-18, KJV.

The prophecy concerning His garments was carried out without counsel or interference from the friends of enemies of the Crucified One. To the soldiers who had placed Him upon the cross, His clothing was given. Christ heard the contention of the men as they parted the garments among them. His tunic was woven throughout without seam, and they said, ‘Let us NOT REND it, but CAST LOTS for it, whose it shall be.’

“In another prophecy the Savior declared, ‘Reproach hath broken My heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take PITY, but there was NONE; and for COMFORTERS, but I found NONE. They gave Me also GALL to be My meat; and in My THIRST they gave Me VINEGAR to drink.’ Ps. 69: 20, 21.

To those who SUFFERED DEATH BY THE CROSS, it was permitted to give a STUPEFYING POTION, to deaden the sense of pain. This was offered to Jesus, but when He had tasted it, He refused it. He would receive nothing that would BECLOUD HIS MIND.

His FAITH must keep fast hold on God. This was His ONLY STRENGTH [in His incarnated humanity!]. TO BECLOUD HIS SENSES WOULD GIVE SATAN AN ADVANTAGE.” – E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 748.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 32)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 26

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 32)

Jesus Christ is the Real (Antitypical) Lamb of God.

“The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the LAMB OF GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1: 29, KJV. See verses 19-37. Compare to Exodus chapter 12.

“As in the TYPICAL service the high priest LAID ASIDE His pontifical robes, and officiated in the WHITE LINEN DRESS of an ordinary dress, so Christ Himself [the Creator] laid aside His [divine] royal robes, and garbed Himself in HUMANITY [John 1:1-3, 14; Heb. 2: 9-18], and offered SACRIFICE, Himself the PRIEST, Himself the VICTIM.

“As the high priest [in the typical service], after performing his service in the HOLY OF HOLIES [or most holy place on the Day of Atonement], came forth to the waiting congregation IN HIS PONTIFICAL ROBES [replacing the white linen dress]; so CHRIST WILL COME THE SECOND TIME, clothe in garments whitest white ‘so as no fuller [soap] on earth can white them’ [Ps. 68: 32-34].
He will come in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father, and all the angelic host will escort His way.” – E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 33.

As the Lamb of God, “Christ’s SACRIFICE in behalf of men was full and complete. THE CONDITION OF THE ATONEMENT HAD BEEN FULFILLED. The work which He had come to this world had been accomplished. He had WON the kingdom. He had WRESTED it from Satan.” – Ibid, p. 29.

(To be continued). Bless all. NMF.

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THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 31)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 25

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 31)

In the Type the blood of the sacrificial animal was presented to the Lord. Lev. 4: 5, 6. When the blood was not taken into the Sanctuary it’s flesh was eaten by the priest before the Lord. Either flesh or blood of the sin-offering was taken into the sanctuary—a type of the actual work of Christ, Himself both the antitypical Lamb at Calvary, and after His ascension, our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary . Lev. 10: 16-18; 6: 30.

Moreover, by this we also understand what Jesus—Himself the “Word who was in the beginning with God, and was God,” then in the incarnation “was made FLESH and dwelt among us”(John 1:1-3, 14)—meant when He said to the unbelieving Pharisees, “I am the heavenly Manna come down from God.” “Unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you have no part with Me.”

To eat His flesh spiritually, is to study the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, the written Word. To drink His blood, spiritually, is to live His life of self-denial and self-sacrifice which He demonstrated by example during His thirty-three and a half years from the manger in Bethlehem to the cross of Calvary. Indeed, “life is in the blood.”

“‘Without the shedding of blood,’ says the apostle, ‘there can be no remission of sin.’
‘The LIFE of the flesh is in the BLOOD.’ Lev. 17:11. The broken LAW of God demanded the LIFE of the transgressor. The blood, REPRESENTING the FORFEITED LIFE of the sinner whose GUILT the victim bore, was carried [transferred] by the priest into the holy place and sprinkled before the [second] veil, behind which was the ark [of the covenant or testimony] which contained the law that the sinner had transgressed.

“By this ceremony [of the ceremonial law] the SIN was, through the BLOOD [of the sacrificed lamb]TRANSFERRED IN FIGURE, to the sanctuary.

“In some cases the blood was not taken into the holy place: but the FLESH was then to be eaten by the priest, as Moses directed the SONS OF AARON, saying, ‘God hath given it to you to BEAR THE INIQUITY OF THE CONGREGATION.’ Lev. 10:17. Both ceremonies alike symbolized the TRANSFER of the SIN of the PENITENT [truly repentant] sinner to the sanctuary.” – E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., p. 418.

There are extremely important truths in the plan of redemption connected with the “handling” and “disposal” of confessed sins and its corresponding guilt, both individual and corporate (congregation of faithful believers), taught in this part of the sacred ceremony and service of the type. Think of the words and processes of “transferring,” and “blotting out of sins” and “cleansing of the sanctuary,” all part of Christ’s last work for His faithful followers on earth before He returns.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 30)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 22

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 30)

In the Type the Repentant Sinner Brings the Lamb, Confesses His Sins over it, then Slays it.

“And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against ANY of the commandments of the Lord, concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring HIS OFFERING, a kid of the goats (sheep), a female without blemish, FOR HIS SIN, which he hath sinned.” Lev. 4: 27, 28, KJV.

“And he shall lay his HAND upon the HEAD of the SIN OFFERING, and SLAY the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering.” Lev. 4:29.

Num. 5: 5-7. “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or a woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty. Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add them to the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.” Num. 5: 5-7.

In both the Old Testament type and New Testament antitype, nowhere does the Bible teach or even imply suggest that sins (the transgression of God’s law) whether committed ignorantly or intentionally are “already forgiven” because Christ already paid them all at Calvary,” etc.

Christ, the one and only Lamb of God, PAID the one and only ransom price acceptable to heaven’s plan and way of salvation—HIS BLOOD, not obtained by non-fatal extraction or transfusion, but by and through His actual DEATH at Calvary. Through this sacrificial blood atonement provision, devised by the Godhead, the guilt and burden of sin and the AUTOMAtTIC condemnation that comes with the sinful act, may all be TRANSFERRED to Christ, the Burden-bearer and Sin-bearer.

How and when? Each time the winner sins, is genuinely sorrowful for his deed, repents in true contrition for the act, not the painful consequences, confesses this sin in prayer, “having repentance towards God,” white law had been transgressed, and “exercises faith in Christ, his Substitute, Surety, Advocate, Mediator, and intercessor to the Father.

He then receives forgiveness, pardon of justification. That forgiven sun is now COVERED with Christ’s blood in his book of records in heaven. It is only BLOTTED OUT, if and when he is found to have fully overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of his testimony” when he dies, during the pre-advent judgment currently taking place in the most place in the heavenly sanctuary!

Such kind of believers continually “asks, seeks. and knocks” for the grace of God, imparted through the Holy Spirit that empowers him to successfully resist temptation and overcome all the “sins that have so easily beset him.”

This is how he “turns away” or “forsakes his sins” while trusting implicitly on the efficacy of Christ’s shed blood” to “cleanse him from all unrighteousness.” This is the essence of “overcome even as He (Christ) overcame.”

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 29)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK: October 21

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 29)

Christ’s Shed Blood was for the Remission of Sins:
“And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them [the Twelve], drink ye all of it; for this is MY BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.” Matt. 26, 27, 28, KJV.

[Read 1 John 3: 1, 2; 1: 9]. The conditions for obtaining MERCY from God are simple and reasonable. The Lord does NOT require us to do some GRIEVOUS THING in order to obtain forgiveness (pardon of justification) [as Church of Rome and other world religions do].

We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of the HEAVEN or to expiate our transgression. For he that ‘confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy.’ (Prov. 27:13).

“In the courts above, CHRIST is pleading for His church—pleading for those for whom HE HAS PAID THE REDEMPTION PRICE OF HIS BLOOD. Centuries, ages, can NEVER LESSEN the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice [made on earth at Calvary]. ‘Neither life nor death, height nor depth, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus;’ not because WE hold Him SO FIRMLY, but because HE holds us SO FAST.

“If our salvation depended on OUR EFFORTS, we could not be saved; but it depends on the One who is behind all the promises. Our grasp on Him may be FEEBLE, but His LOVE is that of an older brother; so long as we maintain our UNION with Him, no one can pluck us out of His hand.” -E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, pp. 552, 553.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 28)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 20

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 28)

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like as the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him [the Son of man] to Him [the Ancient of days].” Dan. 7:13, KJV.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that OPENETH and no man shutteth; and SHUTTETH, and no man openeth.” Rev. 3:7, KJV.

NOTE: This specific message was given to the church in the “Philadelphian” and sixth of its seven stages (Rev. 2, 3), from 1833-1844. Here is an excerpt from E. G. White’s visions at that time, “End of the 2300 Days’ (all emphasis mine):

“I saw the Father rise from the throne and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and most of those who were bowed down AROSE with Him. I did NOT SEE one ray of hope pass from Jesus to the CARELESS multitude AFTER HE AROSE, and they were LEFT IN PERFECT DARKNESS.

“Those who arose when Jesus did, KEPT THEIR EYES FIXED ON HIM as He left the throne and LED THEM out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, ‘Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom [see Dan. 7: 14]; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will ‘return from
the wedding’ [Luke 12:36] and receive you to Myself.’

“Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was BORNE TO THE HOLIEST; where the Father was. There I beheld Jesus, A GREAT HIGH PRIEST, standing before the Father. . . . Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their FAITH to Him IN THE HOLIEST, and pray, ‘My Father give us of Thy Spirit.’ Then Jesus would breathe upon them His Holy [Spirit]. In that breath was LIGHT, POWER, and MUCH LOVE, JOY and PEACE.

“I turned to look at the COMPANY WHO WERE STILL BOWED BEFORE THE THRONE; THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT JESUS HAD LEFT IT. SATAN [yes, you read it right] APPEARED to be by the throne, TRYING to carry out the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne and pray [the same as the first], ‘Father, give us Thy Spirit.’ SATAN WOULD THEN BREATH UPON THEM AN UNHOLY INFLUENCE; in it there was MUCH LIGHT AND MUCH POWER, BUT NO SWEET LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE!
Satan’s object was to keep them DECEIVED and to draw back and deceive God’s children.” – Early Writings, pp. 55, 56.

(To be continued). God bless, NMF.

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THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 27)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 19

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 27)

A Special Insight and Startling Revelation for all Worshipping Christians! Here’s what’s happening, unseen to human eyes, irrelevant to those who only live for this world, but also unperceived by professed “church believers” who, like Nicodemus, (a highly respected “teacher of Israel” and distinguished member of the Jewish Sanhedrin), have not yet undergone the Christ-prescribed genuine spiritual rebirth (being born again) through the inextricably-intertwined TWIN BAPTISMS of water immersion (never sprinkling!) symbolizing the death of the “old man” of a past sinful life and coming out of the water as the resurrection of the “new man” or “new creation in Christ Jesus.”

This is followed by the “baptism with fire” of the Holy Spirit of self-denial, self-sacrifice, resisting temptations, overcoming all hereditary and acquired sinful tendencies and habit, and fighting the spiritual battles of the Lord. Jesus personally modeled this fundamental initial requirement and it’s provisions before one can “see,” or spiritually discern, and then “enter His kingdom” on earth.”

“All righteousness cannot be fulfilled” unless these one-two steps are clearly understood and willingly taken. Christ, our Pattern Man accomplished His at the Jordan, before He could begin His three and a-half year mission. Compare Matt. 3:1-17 to John 3: 1-12.

All Bible students should be fully aware of a most fearfully deceptive thing happens in their worship experience when anyone who professes to be a “lamb” or “sheep” of Christ, calling Him Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and the “Bishop and Shepherd of his soul,” yet stops following Him by faith from His death, resurrection, and ascension.

Those who refuse to continue following Him as He assumed His penultimate office and work as our merciful High Priest, beginning in the first apartment (the holy place) of the heavenly sanctuary at His ascension in 31 A. D. He then transferred to the most holy place in the year 1844 to do His final work of “cleansing the sanctuary,” as prophesied in Dan. 8:14, also known as the “pre-advent judgment,” or investigative judgment.

Be sure to read tomorrow’s Daily Manna. It reveals the “open-and-shut-door” in the heavenly sanctuary and the stark difference between those worshipping but remain in the first apartment (holy place) experience and those who followed Christ into the second apartment or the holy place!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 26)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 18

SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 26)

Without the Shedding of Blood There Could Be No Remission of Sin:

“And almost all things are by law purged (cleansed, margin) with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 8:22, KJV.

God’s messenger takes us back and behind the scenes to the beginning after the fall of man: “Sorrow filled heaven, as it was realized that man was lost, and that world which God had created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness, and death, and there was NO WAY OF ESCAPE for the offender. THE WHOLE FAMILY OF ADAM MUST DIE. I saw the lovely Jesus and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow in His countenance.

“Soon I saw Him approaching the EXCEEDING BRIGHT LIGHT which enshrouded the Father. [Lucifer was once a covering cherub of the this exceeding glory!]. Said my accompanying angel, ‘He is in close converse with His Father.’ The anxiety of the angel seemed to be intense while Jesus was communing with His Father.

THREE TIMES He was shut in by the glorious light about the Father, and the THIRD TIME He came from the Father, His person could be seen. His countenance was calm, free from all perplexity and doubt, and shone with benevolence and loveliness, such as words cannot express.

“He then made known to the angels how that A WAY OF ESCAPE had been made for lost man. He told them that He had been pleading with His Father, and had OFFERED TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM, to take the sentence of death upon Himself, that THROUGH Him man might find pardon; that THROUGH THE MERITS OF HIS BLOOD, AND OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW OF GOD, they could have the FAVOR of God, and be brought unto the beautiful garden, and eat of the fruit of the tree of life.” – E. G. White, Early Writings, p. 149.

This “the way of escape” Paul meant when he wrote: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer (permit, margin) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make A WAY OF ESCAPE, that ye may able to bear it [not yield].” 1 Cor. 10:11, KJV.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.