Category: Daily Manna

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 8

CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’ – NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Last of 20 Parts)

“In the interview with Nicodemus, Jesus UNFOLDED THE PLAN OF SALVATION and His mission to the world. In none of His subsequent discourses did He explain SO FULLY, STEP BY STEP, the WORK necessary to be done in the HEARTS of all who would INHERIT the kingdom of heaven.

At the very beginning of His ministry He opened to a member of the SANHEDRIN, to the mind that was MOST RECEPTIVE, and to an appointed teacher of the people. But the LEADERS did not welcome the light. Nicodemus hid the truth in his heart, and for THREE YEARS there was little apparent fruit.

“But Jesus was acquainted with the SOIL into which He cast the seed [of truth]. The words spoken AT NIGHT to ONE LISTENER in the lonely mountain were not lost. For a time Nicodemus did not publicly acknowledge Christ, but he WATCHED HIS LIFE, and PONDERED His teachings In the Sanhedrin Council he repeatedly THWARTED the schemes of the PRIESTS to destroy Him.

When at last Jesus was lifted up on the cross, Nicodemus REMEMBERED the teaching upon Olivet: ‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the SON OF MAN be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’
The light from that SECRET INTERVIEW illumined the cross upon Calvary, and Nicodemus SAW in Jesus the world’s Redeemer.

“After the Lord’s ascension, when the DISCIPLES WERE SCATTERED BY PERSECUTION [by the Jews!], Nicodemus came BOLDLY to the front. He employed his WEALTH in sustaining the INFANT CHURCH that the JEWS EXPECTED TO BE BLOTTED OUT at the death of Christ!

In time of peril he who had been so cautious and questioning [in the beginning] was FIRM as a rock, ENCOURAGiNG the faith of the DISCIPLES, and furnishing means to carry forward the work of the gospel.

[Soon after] he was SCORNED and PERSECUTED by those who had paid him reverence in other days. He became POOR in the world‘s goods: yet he faltered not in the faith which had its BEGINNINGS in that night conference with Jesus.

“Nicodemus related to John the story of that interview, and by his pen it was recorded for the instruction of millions. The truths there taught are as important TODAY as they were on that SOLEMN NIGHT in the shadowy mountain, when the Jewish leader came to LEARN THE WAY OF LIFE from the lowly Teacher of Galilee.” – E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 176, 177, April. 1950, PPA.

If you have already been baptized by water immersion, the baptism of repentance, have you experienced spiritual rebirth of the new mind and heart and the fiery, purifying, sanctifying baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Justification is our “title” to kingdom of heaven; sanctification is our “fitness” for it, and finally, the seal of God in the forehead is our “passport” to that “place” Christ went to “prepare for all those who love Him!”

Bless all, NMF

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 7

CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’ – NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 19)

“Those who had been bitten by the serpent might have delayed to look [up to the serpent made of brass made by Moses by God’s order]. They might have QUESTIONED how could there be efficacy in that brazen symbol. They might have demanded a SCIENTIFIC explanation. But no explanation was given. They must ACCEPT THE WORD OF GOD TO THEM THROUGH MOSES. To refuse to look was to perish!

“Not through controversy and discussion is the soul enlightened.[remember this!]. WE MUST [by faith] LOOK AND LIVE. Nicodemus received the lesson, and carried it with him. He searched the Scriptures in a NEW WAY, not for a discussion of a theory, but in order to RECEIVE LIFE IN THE SOUL. He began to SEE the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN as he SUBMITTED himself to the leading the Holy Spirit.

“There are thousands today [more like millions] who need to learn the SAME TRUTH that was taught to Nicodemus by the UPLIFTED SERPENT. They depend on their obedience to the law of God to commend them to His favor. When they are hidden to look to JESUS, and believe that He saves them SOLELY THROUGH HIS GRACE, they exclaim [like Nicodemus], ‘How can these things be?’

“Like Nicodemus we must be willing to enter into life into the SAME WAY as the chief of sinners. Than Christ, ‘there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ Acts 4: 12.

“Through FAITH not by feeling, imagination, or seeing physically] we receive the GRACE of God; BUT FAITH IS NOT OUR SAVIOR. It earns nothing. It [faith] is the hand by which we lay hold upon Christ, and APPROPRIATES HIS MERITS, THE REMEDY FOR SIN.

“And we cannot even REPENT without the aid of the Spirit of God. The Scriptures says of Christ, ‘Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for HE GIVETH REPENTANCE to Israel, and FORGIVENESS of sins.” Acts 5:31.

“Repentance comes from Christ as truly as does pardon.” – E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 175, PPA, 1950.

Pardon is synonymous with forgiveness of sin, the transgression of God’s law. Justification means “pardon, full and complete” that God grants to the repentant sinner upon thorough confession of that sin.

On that point and instance, the merits of Christ’s perfect atoning sacrifice is IMPUTED to him; he did not earn it in any way. He complied by faith and receives forgiveness by faith.

The sinner is NOT automatically forgiven. He must, in true contrition and humility, plead for it by faith, not works! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”’1 John 1:9

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 6

CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’-NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 18)

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as SERPENTS, and harmless as doves.” Matt. 10: 16, KJV. Jesus did not say, Be ye therefore “venomous” but “wise” as serpents.

Hereunder is comprehensive meaning of “serpent” as used in the Bible so we don’t misapply, misunderstand, be confused or perplexed as to why the word “serpent” was used by Jesus, or that He pointed Nicodemus back to the time when God commanded Moses to fashion a serpent from brass and raise it up on a pole that all Israelites who were bitten by extremely venomous “fiery serpents,” looked up to, lived! Those who refused died an extremely painful death.

“There are about 35 kinds of serpents in Palestine some of which are extremely poisonous. Nine different Hebrew and 4 different Greek words are used in the Bible to designate various types of serpents. Some of these terms are GENERIC, designating serpents in general, others are specific, naming such serpents as cobras, vipers, adders, etc. Unfortunately, none can be identified with certainty.

“Serpents can live among stones (Amos 5:19) and rocks (Prov. 30: 19), or in the warm sand of the desert. Some seek wet areas, such as the vicinity of wells, which probably explains why the Semites named many of their wells after snakes.

“The serpents were feared for their poison, and were REPRESENTED frequently as the TOOLS of God’s wrath (Num. 21:6; Deut. 32:24; Jer. 8: 17). They are set forth as symbols of DISHONESTY, STEALTHINESS, and SLANDER (Gen. 49: 17; Ps. 40: 3), CUNNING EVIL(Matt. 3:7; 23: 33), EFFECTS OF INTOXICATION (Prov. 23:32), but also of WISDOM (Matt. 10:16). Satan used a serpent to bring about the fall of man (Gen. 3; 2 Cor. 11:3): hence he is sometimes referred to as a serpent (Rev. 12:9; 20: 22, etc.).

“The following names are used in the Bible for serpents:
1) the Heb. nachash, a frequently used generic term which, when referring to a reptile, is always translated ‘serpent’ in the KJV;
2) the Heb. tannin, also used in the generic sense to mean ‘serpent’ (Exo. 7: 9,10,12; Deut. 32:33, KJV ‘DRAGON’; Ps. 91:13, KJV ‘dragon’);
3) the Heb. pethen, rendered ‘asp’ and ‘adder’ (Deut. 32:33; Job 20:14, 16; Ps. 58:4; 91:13; Isa. 11:8), and representing a very fierce and poisonous snake, perhaps the cobra, of which certain kinds are found in Palestine;
4) the Heb. shephifon (Gen. 49:17), rendered ‘adder’ (KJV) and ‘viper’ (RSV), usually understood to mean a horned snake;
5) the Heb. akshub, (Ps. 40:3), rendered ‘adder’ (KJV), ‘viper’ (RSV), apparently another form of horned serpent;
6) the Heb. sepha, and
7) siphoni, 2 words rendered ‘adder’ and ‘COCKATRICE’ in the KJV, and ‘adder’ in the RSV (Prov. 23:32; Isa. 11:8; 14: 29; 59: 5; Jer. 6:17), representing some kind of a poisonous snake. . . .

“The most common NT word for snake is the Gr. ‘OPHIS,’ which is used 14 times (Matt. 7:10; John 3:14; Rev. 12:9, etc.). . . .

“It has been argued that the ancients believed that serpents ATE DUST and that this MISTAKEN VIEW was rooted in the predictive curse pronounced by God (Gen. 4:14). The recently recovered literature of the ancient world had revealed, however, that the ancients understood such statements FIGURATIVELY, for they accompanied their strong curses by the statement that the cursed one would have to ‘eat dust.’

“Serpents were objects of WORSHIP in the CANAANITE religion [in the earthly promised land!], though it is uncertain whether these creatures were considered to be gods. [why were they worshipped then?]. Steles have been discovered in Palestine and Syria that show individuals, probably gods, around whom serpents are wound. Some gods and goddesses were depicted holding snakes in their hands.

Serpent MONUMENTS such as the one at Petra, were certainly erected as objects of worship. [Mark this!]: “When the Israelites [again!] IMITATED pagan SERPENT WORSHIP by making the bronze serpent of Moses into an IDOL, the pious king Hezekiah DESTROYED IT!(Num. 21: 8, 9; 2 Kings 18:4).” – SDA Bible Dictionary, Complete with Atlas, Commentary Reference Series Vol. 8, Review & Herald Publishing Asso. Washington D. C., 1960.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 3

CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’- NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 17)

“Nicodemus saw that the MOST RIGID obedience to the MERE LETTER of the law as applied to the OUTWARD LIFE could entitle no man to enter into heaven. In the estimation of MEN, his life had been just and honorable: but in the PRESENCE of CHRIST he felt that his HEART was unclean, and his LIFE unholy.

“Nicodemus was being DRAWN to Christ. As the Savior explained to him concerning the NEW BIRTH, he LONGED to have this change wrought in himself. BY WHAT MEANS COULD IT BE ACCOMPLISHED?

“Jesus answered the unspoken question: ‘As Moses LIFTED UP the serpent on the wilderness, even so must the SON Of MAN BE LIFTED UP: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3: 14, 15.

Here was ground where Nicodemus was familiar. The SYMBOL OF THE UPLIFTED SERPENT made plain to him the Savior’s mission. When the people of ISRAEL were dying from the sting of the fiery serpents, God directed Moses to make a serpent of brass [not gold, silver, or any precious stones], and place it on HIGH in the MIDST of the congregation. Then the word was sounded throughout the encampment that ALL WHO SHOULD LOOK upon the serpent SHOULD LIVE.

“The people well knew that IN ITSELF the serpent had no power to help them. It was a SYMBOL of Christ. As the image made in the LIKENESS OF THE DESTROYING SERPENT was LIFTED UP for their healing, so One made ‘IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH’ was to be made their Redeemer. Rom. 8: 3.

Many of the Israelites had regarded the sacrificial service as having as having IN ITSELF VIRTUE to set them free from SIN. God desired to teach them that it had NO MORE VALUE THAN THE SERPENT OF BRASS.

“It was to lead their MINDS to the Savior [the Son of man/Son of God]. Whether for the healing of their WOUNDS or the PARDON [forgiveness] of their sins, they could do NOTHING for themselves but show their FAITH in the Gift of God. THEY WERE TO LOOK AND LIVE.” – The Desire of Ages, E. G. White, pp. 174, 175, New Edition, 13th printing, April 1950, Pacific Press Publishing Asso.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 2

CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’A-NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 16)

“He [the Son of man] was in the world, and the world was made (created) by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came to His own (Israel/Jews) and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to BECOME the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name, which were BORN, not of BLOOD, nor the will of the FLESH, nor the will of man, but of GOD.” John 1: 9-13, KJV.

“There was no excuse for the BLINDNESS of Israel [and the Jews] in regard to the work of REGENERATION. [Why?]. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah had written, ‘We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags.’

David had prayed, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.’ And through Ezekiel the promise had been given, ‘A new heart will I also give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony [stubborn, rebellious, scheming, proud] heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes.’ Isa. 64;6; Ps. 51:10; Eze. 36: 26, 27.

“Nicodemus had read these scriptures with a CLOUDED mind; but he now began to comprehend their meaning.” – The Desire of Ages, E. G. White, p. 174, April 1950, PPA.

How about you and me? Have we also been reading the Bible with a clouded mind? How long has this been going on?

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 1

CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’-NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 15)

Before the night time one-soul audience of Nicodemus with Christ, He had just shocked Jerusalem with His first dramatic public purging of the Jerusalem temple during the Passover feast. See John 2: 13-25. Now this:

“The Jews whom Jesus had driven from the temple claimed to be CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM, but they had fled from the Savior’s presence because they could NOT ENDURE the GLORY of God which was manifested in Him [One of the occasions when Christ’s undiminished yet quiescent divinity flashed through humanity].

Thus they have evidence that they such professed ‘children of Abraham’ or the ‘chosen people’] were NOT FITTED BY THE GRACE OF GOD to participate in the sacred services in the temple. They were zealous to maintain an APPEARANCE OF HOLINESS, but they neglected HOLINESS OF HEART.

While they were sticklers for the LETTER of the law, they were constantly violating its SPIRIT. [‘The letter killeth but the spirit giveth life.’ 2 Cor. 3: 6]. The GREAT NEED was that very CHANGE which Christ had been explaining to Nicodemus—a NEW MORAL BIRTH, a cleansing from sin [transgression of God’s law], and a renewing of knowledge and holiness.”- The Desire of Ages, pp. 173, 174. New Ed., 13th Printing, April 1950, PPA.

(To be continued). God bless all, NMF.