Category: Daily Manna

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 15

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 25)

The Object of the Sanctuary Service is to Put Away Sin from Sinners

Apostle Paul wrote: “For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world [ see verses 24,25]: but now ONCE in the end of the world [age] hath He appeared to PUT AWAY SIN by the sacrifice of Himself.” Heb. 9:26, KJV.

Moses wrote: “For on that day [the closing service at the year’s end] the [high] priest shall make an ATONEMENT for you, to CLEANSE you, that you may be clean FROM all your SINS before the Lord.” Lev. 16:30.

Open your Bible and read for yourself Lev. 4:27-31 first. Now this:
“Through Moses, God’s purpose to send His Son as the Redeemer of the fallen race, was kept before [ancient] Israel. . . In patriarchal times the SACRIFICIAL offerings connected with divine WORSHIP constituted a perpetual reminder of a coming Savior; and thus it was with the ENTIRE RITUAL OF THE SANCTUARY SERVICES throughout Israel’s history.

In the MINISTRATION OF THE TABERNACLE, AND OF THE TEMPLE that afterward took its place, the people were TAUGHT EACH DAY BY MEANS OF TYPES AND SHADOWS, the great truths relative to the advent of Christ as Redeemer, PRIEST, and King; and ONCE each year their minds were carried forward to the coming events of the GREAT CONTROVERSY between Christ and Satan, the FINAL PURIFICATION OF THE UNIVERSE FROM SIN AND SINNERS.

“The sacrifices and offerings of the MOSAIC RITUAL were ever pointing toward a BETTER SERVICE, EVEN A HEAVENLY. The earthly sanctuary was ‘a figure of the time then present,’ in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices’; it’s TWO holy places were ‘patterns of things in the heavens;’ for Christ our great High Priest, is today a ‘Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.’ [Heb. 9:2]” – E. G. White, Prophets & Kings, pp. 684, 685.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 14

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 24)

The Service in the Earthly Sanctuary a Shadow of the Heavenly:

Apostle Paul instructs the true believer: “Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: we have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. A Minister of the sanctuary, and of the TRUE tabernacle, which the LORD PITCHED, and not man.

For every [earthly] high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this MAN [Christ the High Priest in heaven] have somewhat also to offer, for if HE WERE ON EARTH, HE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIEST [why?] seeing that there are [earthly] priests that offer gifts according to the law [i.e., the ceremonial, Mosaic law]; who served unto the EXAMPLE AND SHADOW OF HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the [first] tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou maketh all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN shown to thee on the mount.” Heb. 8: 1-5, KJV. See Exodus ch 25-27.

“Important truths concerning the ATONEMENT are taught by the TYPICAL services. A substitute was accepted in the sinner’s stead; but the sin was NOT cancelled by the BLOOD of the victim. A MEANS was thus provided by which it was TRANSFERRED TO THE SANCTUARY.

“By the offering of BLOOD the sinner ACKNOWLEDGED THE AUTHORITY OF THE LAW, confessed his GUILT in transgression, and expressed his desire for PARDON [forgiveness or justification] through FAITH in a Redeemer TO COME; but he was NOT YET entirely released from the condemnation of the law.

On the Day of Atonement the high piriest, having taken an offering from the congregation, went into the MOST HOLY PLACE with the BLOOD of this offering, and SPRINKLED it upon the mercy-seat, directly over the LAW, to make SATISFACTION for its claims.

“Then, in his character of MEDIATOR, he took the SINS UPON HIMSELF and bore them from the sanctuary. Placing his hands upon the SCAPEGOAT, he confessed over him all their sins, thus IN FIGURE TRANSFERRING them from himself to the goat. The goat then bore them away, and they were REGARDED AS FOREVER SEPARATED from the people.” -E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., p. 420.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 12

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 22)

Jesus the Penitent Believer’s Priest and High Priest In the Heavenly Sanctuary/Temple:

Apostle Paul wrote (emphasis mine): “Which HOPE, we have as an ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, both sure and steadfast, and WHICH ENTERETH THE SECOND VEIL WHITHER THE FORERUNNER IS FOR US ENTERED, EVEN JESUS, MADE AN HIGH PRIEST after the order of Melchizedec.” Heb. 6:19,20, KJV.

“Now of the things which we have spoken, this is THE SUM: WE HAVE SUCH AN HIGH PRIEST on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. A MINISTER OF THE SANCTUARY, AND OF THE TRUE TABERNACLE, WHICH THE LORD PITCHED, AND NOT MAN.” Heb. 8: 1, 2, KJV.

The true hope and the sure anchor of every sincere and striving soul (the living person) is in the Forerunner, Who, as both Priest and High Priest, is the one and true “Minister of ministers” in the true heavenly sanctuary (as He is also the “King of kings, Lord of lords an and “God of gods”) who already entered into the second veil into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in the year 1844, as prophesied in Daniel 8:14 to begin His final and closing work of cleansing that sanctuary.

This was the burden of the urgent warning of the first angel’s message in 1840, formally opening the intense three and a half year start of the Advent movement, “Fear God and give glory unto Him for the hour of His judgment is come.” (Rev. 14: 6, 7).

Thus the solemn plea: “Oh, let us live wholly for the Lord and show by a well-ordered life and godly conversation that we have been with Jesus and are His meek and lowly followers. We must work while the day lasts for when the dark night of trouble and anguish comes, it will be too late to work FOR GOD.

Jesus is in His holy temple and will now accept our [self] sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and sins and will pardon [forgive; justify] all the transgressions of [antitypical, spiritual] Israel that they may be BLOTTED OUT BEFORE HE LEAVES THE SANCTUARY [See Acts 3:19].

When Jesus leaves the sanctuary, THEN they ‘who are holy and righteous will be holy and righteous STILL’; for all their sins will THEN be blotted out, and they will be SEALED with the seal of the living God.

But those that are unjust [unforgiven] and filthy [unrepented, unconfessed and clinging sins] will be ‘unjust and filthy still.’ [Rev. 22: 11]; FOR THEN THERE WILL BE NO PRIEST IN THE SANCTUARY to offer their sacrifices, their confessions, and their prayers before the Father’s throne. Therefore WHAT IS DONE TO RESCUE SOULS FROM THE COMING STORM OF [divine] WRATH MUST BE DONE BEFORE JESUS LEAVES THE MOST HOLY PLACE.”- E. G. White, “Early Writings,”’p. 48.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 8

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRiNE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 20)

A Sanctuary-focused Prayer of Petition, Gratitude, and Blessing:

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let me cry unto Thee. Hide not Thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline Thine ear unto me: in the day when I call, answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned up as an hearth. My heart is smitten and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.” Ps. 102: 1-5, KJV.

“He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
FOR HE HATH LOOKED DOWN FROM THE HEIGHT OF HIS SANCTUARY: FROM HEAVEN DID THE LORD BEHOLD THE EARTH; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those who are appointed to death, to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem.” vs 17-21.

Therefore, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases: who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Ps. 103:1-5.

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that FEAR HIM, for He knoweth our FRAME; He remembers that we are DUST. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field so he flourishes for the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

But the MERCY of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting unto them that FEAR Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children; TO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT, AND TO THOSE WHO REMEMBER HIS COMMANDMENTS TO DO THEM. The Lord hath prepared HIS THRONE IN THE HEAVENS, and His kingdom RULETH over all.” Ps. 103: 1-5, 13-19.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer” Ps. 19:14. In Jesus mighty name. AMEN.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 7

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 19)

The One-of-a-kind Excelling Priesthood of Christ, God in the flesh, That Exceeds All that We Can Ask or Think. Ponder upon the following:

“In stooping to take upon Himself humanity [at His incarnation], Christ revealed a character opposite the character of Satan. But He stepped STILL LOWER in the path of humiliation. ‘Being found in the fashion [likeness] as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ Phil. 2:8.

AS THE [typical , earthly] HIGH PRIEST LAID ASIDE HIS GORGEOUS PONTIFICAL ROBES, AND OFFICIATED IN WHITE LINEN DRESS OF THE COMMON PRIEST, SO CHRIST TOOK THE FORM OF A SERVANT, and offered sacrifice, HIMSELF THE PRIEST, HIMSELF THE VICTIM. ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.’ Isa. 53:5.

“Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for OUR sins, in which He had NO share, that we might be justified by HIS righteousness, in which WE had no share. He suffered the DEATH which was ours, that might receive the LIFE which was His. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’

“By His life and His death, Christ has achieved EVEN MORE than recovery from the ruin wrought through SIN. It was Satan’s purpose to being about an ETERNAL SEPARATION between God and man: but in Christ we become
MORE CLOSELY UNITED TO GOD than if we had never fallen.

In taking OUR NATURE, the Savior has BOUND HIMSELF TO HUMANITY BY A TIE THAT IS NEVER TO BE BROKEN. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. [John 3:16 quoted]. He gave Him not only to bear our sins. and to DIE as our sacrifice; HE GAVE HIMSELF TO THE FALLEN RACE.

To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become ONE WITH THE HUMAN FAMILY, FOREVER TO RETAIN HIS HUMAN NATURE.” -E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 25, Pacific Press Publishing Asso, 1950.

Yes, there is infinitely more comprehended in the description, “Christ is our one and only “merciful High Priest,” thus, only Mediator, Intercessor, and Advocate with the Father in the heavenly sanctuary!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 6

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 18)

The Typical Earthly Priests Offered Gifts and Sacrifice FOR Sin: Christ the Antitypical High Priest Offered Himself, the Antitypical ‘Lamb of God’ in order to ‘PUT AWAY SIN.’

The following verses of Scriptures declare these truths (emphasis and words in brackets mine]:

“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for me in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices.” Heb. 5: 1. KJV.

“Nor yet that He [Christ] should offer Himself OFTEN, as the [earthly] high priest entered into the holy place EVERY YEAR with the blood of others [i.e., the animal sacrifices]. For then must He OFTEN suffered since the foundation of the world: but now ONCE in the end of the world (‘age’ or dispensation] hath He appeared to PUT AWAY SIN BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF. And as it is appointed unto men ONCE TO DIE, but after this [death] the JUDGMENT: so Christ was ONCE OFFERED to bear the sins of MANY; and unto them that LOOK FOR HIM shall He appear THE SECOND TIME without sin unto salvation [i.e., no longer as The Sacrifice Himself again for the sins of His people but as the King of kings bringing the reward of eternal life for all His faithful dead and living commandment-keeping saints].” Heb. 9: 25-28.

Christ the Lamb of God, the antitypical “one offering” and “one sacrifice” offered Himself, according to the plan of salvation of the gospel, ONLY “once and for all” at Calvary, the antitypical altar of sacrifice located at the entrance of the outer court of typical earthly sanctuary. See Heb. 9: 26, 28; 10: 10, 12, 14.

But each time Mass is offered in the Roman Catholic Churches, according to its catechism and doctrines, her priests become the “creators of the Creator,” literally bringing Christ down repeatedly, unnumbered times, by allegedly having the power to change the wafer Into the literal body of Christ! at the “moment of consecration of the host, called transubstantiation!

They then say, “the body of Christ,” as they place the host with their finger on the open mouths of the eager participating congregants who believe they actually “ate” the flesh of the body of Jesus Christ!

Pray that the Holy Spirit, Christ’s appointed Vicegerent, not the Pope, whose work on earth will soon end, forever closing mankind’s probation, will open eyes, convict hearts, and enlighten the minds of all who yet to “come out of darkness into the marvelous light” of gospel “truth as it is in Jesus.”

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 5

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 17)

Christ’s Priesthood in Type and Antitype: Earthly Priests taken from among the People:

“For the law [concerning the priesthood] maketh men high priests which have infirmity [frailties of mortals], but the word of OATH, which was since the law, maketh the Son [Jesus] who is consecrated for evermore.” Heb. 7: 28, KJV.

“For every high priest taken from AMONG MEN is ordained for men in THINGS PERTAINING TO GOD, that he might offer both gifts and sacrifices FOR SINS.” Heb. 5: 1.

Our High Priest, Christ Jesus, Taken from Humanity: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest , that is PASSED INTO THE HEAVENS, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession [faith]. . . . Let us therefore come boldly INTO THE THRONE OF GRACE, that we may obtain MERCY, and find GRACE to help IN TIME OF NEED.” Heb. 4: 14, 16.

When did Christ, the Lamb of God, transition into our High Priest? “When the loud cry, ‘It is finished,’ came from the lips of Christ [at Calvary], the [earthly] priests were officiating in the [Jerusalem] Temple. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice [our 3 PM].

The lamb REPRESENTING Christ had been brought in to be slain. Clothed in his significant and beautiful dress, the priest stood with lifted knife, as did Abraham when he was about to slay his [only] son [Isaac]. With intense interest the PEOPLE were looking on.

But the EARTH TREMBLES AND QUAKES; for the Lord Himself [the Father] draws near. With a rending noise the INNER VEIL of the temple is TORN from top to bottom by an UNSEEN HAND, THROWING OPEN to the gaze of the multitude a place ONCE FILLED WITH THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

In this [most holy] place the SHEKINAH had dwelt. Here God had manifested HIS GLORY ABOVE THE MERCY SEAT. No one but the [earthly] HIGH PRIEST ever lifted the veil separating this apartment from the rest of the temple. He entered in ONCE A YEAR TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT [on the Day of Atonement, on the 10th day of the 7th month of the Jewish religious calendar] for the sins of the people.

But lo, THIS [second] VEIL IS RENT IN TWAIN. THE MOST HOLY PLACE OF THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY IS NO LONGER SACRED [or holy]!

“All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim; but the KNIFE DROPS from his nerveless hand, AND THE LAMB ESCAPES.” Why?

TYPE HAS MET ANTITYPE IN THE DEATH OF GOD’S SON. The great sacrifice has been made. THE WAY INTO THE HOLIEST [in the heavenly sanctuary] IS LAID OPEN. A ‘New and living way’ is prepared for all.

“No longer need sinful, sorrowing humanity await the coming of the HIGH PRIEST [out of the earthly temple after the day of atonement service]. HENCEFORTH THE SAVIOR WAS TO OFFiCIATE AS PRIEST AND ADVOCATE IN THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS.

It was as if a living voice had spoken to the worshippers: THERE IS NOW AN END TO ALL SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS FOR SIN. [it is the ceremonial LAW governing the types that was ‘nailed to the cross,’ for type had met Antitype in Christ!]. The Son of God is come according to His word, ‘Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,), to do Thy will, O God,’ ‘By His own blood,’ He entereth in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us [The blood obtained by His death is the purchase price for our redemption from Satan].” Heb. 10:7; 9:12.” – E.G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 756, 757.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.