Category: Mid-week Manna

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

November 5, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE MIND OF GOD MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH 

    “Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God (cf. Heb. 1:3): but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him(self) the form of a servant, and was MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN: and being found in fashion AS A MAN, He HUMBLED HIMSELF, and became OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2: 5-8, A. V. 

     “Jesus became a man. . . .that He might RESTORE  to man the ORIGINAL MIND which he lost in Eden. . . . DISOBEDIENCE is not accordance with the NATURE which God gave to man in Eden.” E. G. White, Letter 121, 1897. 

     “And this HUMILIATION (of the incarnation) on His part was that He might restore to man the original mind, THE IMAGE OF GOD which he [man, beginning with the first Adam] lost in Eden.” Ibid, Signs of the Times, Oct. 14, 1897. 

Both the original mind and the image or character of God Creator in original man—Adam and Eve—were lost in their Eden home—an instant result from their disobedience to God’s command. 

Note this fellow Bible students: Disobedience in any form or degree was “not in accordance” with man’s original nature, it being totally free of any defects, weaknesses, inherent sinful propensities for the “knowledge of evil.” Disobedience was unnatural, strange, aberrant, incongruous, antithetical. 

Thusly sin, “the transgression of the law” (1 John 3: 4) is the core substance of “the mystery of iniquity.” (2 Thess. 2:7). But it is self-evident that God’s antidote to it is “the mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3: 16), the great precious truth we are presently focusing on! 

Hereunder is a fuller, more comprehensive definition, thus, meaning of MIND, aside from being “the image of God,” even as the GLORY of God in Christ Jesus” is His CHARACTER of righteousness which He perfected “through sufferings” (Heb. 5: 8, 9). 

Sourced from the Hebrew and Greek Lexicons of Strong’s Comprehensive Concordance based on the Authorized Version (KJV). The English “mind,” was translated from one Hebrew word in the Old Testament and three Greek words in the New, as follows (emphasis mine): 

     Heb. “Metalepsis,” meaning, “participate, accept, PARTAKE, RECEIVE.” 

    Gr. “Phroneo,” meaning, “entertain, sentiment, opinion, SET AFFECTION, BE THE SAME.”   Gr. “Nous,” meaning, “INTELLECT (divine,human), THOUGHTS, FEELING, WILL, UNDERSTANDING.  Gr. “Dianoia,” meaning, “DEEP THOUGHT, faculty, DISPOSITION, its exercise through IMAGINATION/UNDERSTANDING.” 

    Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth Edition, 1942,  defines mind as “That which one thinks; opinion. . intention or wish; PURPOSE; DESIRE. . . sentiment; disposition; CHOICE; liking; INTENT; the subject of consciousness; that which feels, perceives, wills, thinks, etc. THE PERCEPTIVE AND THINKING PART OF CONSCIOUSNESS. . . Divine Mind:—a synonym for God. Philosophical: the conscious element or factor in the universe; spirit; intelligence—contrasted with ‘matter.’ Psychology: the total of the conscious states of the individual. One’s capacity for mental activity, etc.” (end quote) 

With just these initial basic truth-filled facts alone, it exposes the gross error of sinful ignorance and presumptuous arrogance to assert and assure ourselves and others that, “Regardless, we all are made in the image of God, period.” As Jesus taught Nicodemus, “Unless you are baptized by water and the Holy Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Without true conversion and transformation of moral character by the purifying work of sanctification, all are lost in sin, captive slaves of the master deceiver and “father of lies,” are spiritually”wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”

Here is the most fundamental

plain truth regarding man: God Creator originally made man a separate and distinct order of creature as the crowning act and work of His six-day creation week. Man alone, not angels, was exclusively “made in the image and likeness of God,” formed by the fingers of his Maker from the dust of the ground and made of flesh and blood, not spirit, like the angels before him. Adam and Eve, the first man, or mankind, had the sinless mind, image, and yet-undeveloped character of God. But by disobedience they instantly lost all these. Right there in Eden paradise! And what they no longer possessed they could not pass on to their offsprings. All mankind thereafter is fallen, sinful, devoid of the mind, image, and character of God. 

The very purpose of the plan of redemption of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to completely restore all these that was lost through disobedience and sin, which could only be enabled,

FIRST, by the Creator’s supreme condescension in “the great mystery of godliness”—the incarnation! Without His Incarnation, Calvary was not possible and had no meaning at all! Hallelujah, Amen! 

To be continued, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

October 29, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE PURPOSE OF THE CREATOR’S INCARNATION IN THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS (Part 1)

The Incarnation: We start this most solemn, enlightening, and humbling truth from which emanates and branches out the grandest themes as well as the details and depths of the nature of gospel’s plan of salvation for fallen mankind. 

Its prophesied and fulfilled manifestation is a revelation to man, angels both holy and demons, as well as to the unnumbered unfallen worlds of God’s eternal universe of “the mystery of godliness.”  By comparison and contrast, it clearly exposes and delineates the exceeding sinfulness of sin of “the mystery of iniquity.”

If and when earnestly and humbly sought, with “an eye single to the glory of God,”the revelation of this “mystery of godliness,” will unfold into the revelation of another profound mystery, as follows: 

     “The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest unto His saints: to whom God would make known what is the RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom: that we may present every man PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS.” Col. 1:25-28. 

We continue by simply citing certain “It is written” and “Thus saith the Lord” texts that, on its own, declare these truths, both directly as well by comparing scripture with scripture as in “line upon line, precept upon precept, line upon line.”(Isa. 28: 8-13. Unless stated otherwise, as always, all verses are from the King James or Authorized Version (all emphasis provided):

God said to the serpent, Satan: 

     “I will put enmity between thee and the woman [starting with Eve], and between thy seed and her SEED; it [the Seed] shall bruise thy HEAD, and thou shalt bruise his HEEL”

Gen. 3:15. (see verses 1-24).

     “But when the fulness of the time was come, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, MADE OF A WOMAN, made under the law, to redeem them that were under [the condemnation and curse of] the law, that we might receive the adoption of sins.” Gal. 4:4, 5. 

      “And without controversy GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Tim. 3: 16. 

     “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. . . . He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. . . .And THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1: 1-3, 10, 14. 

    “God, who at sundry (various) times and diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers [godly patriarchs] by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His SON, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the WORLDS, who being the BRIGHTNESS OF HIS [the Father’s] GLORY, and the EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON, and upholding all things by the word of His power. . .But unto the SON, He [the Father] saith, Thy throne, O GOD, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness  is the scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou hast LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS, and HATED INIQUITY (sin; transgression). . . And, Thou, LORD, in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: they shall perish; but THOU REMAINEST; and they shall all wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art THE SAME, and Thy years shall not fail.” Heb. 1: 1-3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. (Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb. 13:8. “For I am the Lord, I change not. . .”Mal. 3:6). 

     “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH, AND FOR SIN, CONDEMNED [not condoned] SIN IN THE FLESH: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the (Holy) Spirit.” Rom. 8: 3, 4. 

     “And she [Mary] shall bring forth a SON, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for HE shall SAVE His people FROM their sins. . . . Behold, a VIRGIN shall be with child, and shall bring forth a SON, and they shall call His name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.” Matt. 1:21, 23. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

October 22, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S MISSION ON EARTH 

     “Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith. . . But a body hast Thou prepared Me. . . . Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the book of is of Me, to do Thy will, O God.” Heb. 10: 5, 7, KJV. 

Jesus said: “If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, EVEN AS I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10. 

     “Christ came to this world and lived the law of God, that man might have perfect mastery over the natural inclinations which corrupt the soul [the whole, living person]. The Physician of soul and body, He gives victory over warring lusts He has provided every facility, that men may possess completeness of character. 

    “When one surrenders to Christ, the mind is brought under the control of the law [Ten Commandments]; but it is the royal law [James 1:25] which proclaims liberty to every captive [of ‘the world, the flesh, and the devil]. By becoming one with Christ, man is made free. Subjection to the will of Christ means restoration to perfect manhood [while yet in the fallen, sinful, mortal nature].   

     “Obedience to God is liberty from the thralldom of sin, deliverance from human passion and impulse. Man may stand conqueror of himself, conqueror of his own inclinations, conqueror of principalities and powers, and of ‘the rulers of the darkness of this world,’ and of ‘spiritual wickedness in high places.’ (Eph. 6:12, KJV).” E. G. White, Ministry of Healing, pp 130, 131. 

    “Our Lord Jesus came to this world as the unwearied Servant of man’s necessity. He ‘took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses,’ that He might minister to every need of humanity. (Matt. 8:17). The burden of disease and wretchedness and sin He came to remove. It was His mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and PERFECTION OF CHARACTER.” Ibid, p. 17. 

    “Christ came to this world to show that by receiving power from on high [imparted by the Holy Spirit], man can live an unsullied life [unblemished; spotless; holy; uncorrupted; morally and spiritually upright; sanctified]” – Ibid, p. 25. 

    “Christ came [to earth] that He might re-create the image of God in man; and WHOEVER turns men away from Christ is turning them away from the source of true development; he is defrauding them of the hope and PURPOSE and glory of life. He is a thief and a robber.”- Ibid, The Desire of Ages, p. 478. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

October 15, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION

    “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us [4 things] wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and REDEMPTION.” 1 Cor. 1:30, KJV. 

Definitions of “redemption.”

The untranslated Greek word is ‘apulustrosis’, meaning “The act  of ransom in full; figuratively, riddance, or specifically, Christian salvation; deliverance.”  See Luke 21:28; Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1: 7, 14; 4:30; Heb. 9: 15. 

Webster’s: Collegiate Dictionary Fifth Edition, 1942, has this definition of REDEEM:       

     “To regain possession of by repurchase, or especially, payment of amount due as on a pledge or mortgage. To rescue or deliver, as from bondage, by paying a ransom… To make amends for; atone for. To fulfill, as a promise. Theologically, To rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God’s violated [transgressed] law. Synonym: Ransom.” (end quote). 

With these helpful, incisive insights, consider the following (all emphases provided):

    “To restore IN man the IMAGE of his Maker, to BRING HIM BACK TO THE PERFECTION IN WHICH HE WAS CREATED. . . . This was to be the WORK of redemption.” E. G. White, Education, pp. 15, 16.

     “The PLAN of redemption contemplates our COMPLETE RECOVERY FROM THE POWER OF SATAN. Christ always SEPARATES the contrite [humble, penitent; repentant] soul FROM SIN. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He had made PROVISION that the Holy Spirit be IMPARTED to every repentant soul to KEEP HIM FROM SINNING. . . .

There is NO EXCUSE FOR SINNING. A holy temper, a Christian life, is ACCESSIBLE to every repenting, believing child of God. THE IDEAL OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IS CHRISTLIKENESS. As the Son of man [incarnated human nature as ‘the second Adam’] was PERFECT in His life, so HIS FOLLOWERS are to be perfect in their life. . . . HIS CHARACTER IS TO BE OURS.” Ibid, The Desire of Ages, p. 311. 

Dear friend, do you claim to be a follower of Christ, a child of God, a born-again, Bible-and-Bible only believer?   

If so, is your faith “the faith of Jesus,” such that it not only grasps this gloriously “simple, accurate, and pure truth”, but  cherishes it by “pressing towards this definitive life-goal as the very “mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

October 8, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION

     “Submit yourselves therefore unto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh unto you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4: 7-11, KJV. 

Let’s keep it simple, accurate and pure in “the truth as it is in Jesus.” Note the following quotes from the inspired pen (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):

    “There are many who get above the simplicity of Jesus Christ, supposing that they must do some great thing in order to do the works of God [that He requires and empowers us to do]. . . . [But] our first and highest duty is to know that we are abiding in Christ [see John 15:7]. We must do the work. We are to seek to know ‘What saith the Lord, yielding our lives to His guidance…..

     “SALVATION means to us COMPLETE SURRENDER of soul, body, and spirit [mind, character, attitude, personality]. Because of the unruly elements of our [fallen, sinful] nature our passions often gain the mastery. THE ONLY HOPE OF THE SINNER IS TO CEASE FROM SIN. Thus his will, will be in harmony with Christ. His soul will be brought into fellowship with God.” -E. G. White, Manuscript 73, May 11, 1899.

I can never overstate this fundamental truth of the Gospel’s purpose:

    “It was to RESTORE this [the image-character of the Creator in the man] that the PLAN OF SALVATION was devised. . . .TO BRING HIM BACK TO THE PERFECTION in which he was first created is the GREAT OBJECT OF LIFE,—the object [aim, purpose, goal] that underlies every other.” -Ibid, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 595. 

     “He [God in Christ] would give all heaven to WORK OF SALVATION, OF RESTORING THE MORAL IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN.” Ibid, Sons and Daughters (devotional), p. 229. 

When any sinner, no matter how deep he has fallen into sin, and has not yet committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit, and in humble repentance, unconditionally, willingly, and voluntarily yields his will and submits to God in Christ, God will restore in him His own image of moral perfection by the character-perfecting work of sanctification—the impartation of Christ’s perfect righteousness, which is “the fitness for heaven.” 

This is accomplished, perfected, and sealed in the redeemed, overcoming sinner while yet on sin-cursed earth in his mortal nature and corruptible flesh subject to death and decomposition. It is not the former but the latter is what is “changed in the blink of an eye at the last trumpet” from “corruptible to incorruptible” glorified flesh nature at Christ’s second advent! This is part of the “many-splendored” parts of the perfect and perfecting plan of salvation! Praise God! 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

October 1, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

To better comprehend and advance even more in grateful appreciation the unfathomable depths of God’s love for fallen man, revealed in His stated purposes in the different yet unifying aspects of the plan of redemption, hereunder is a comprehensive and definitive meaning of the word ‘Purpose’ according to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth Edition, Merriam-Webster, 1942: 

     “Purpose: To propose as an aim to oneself; to intend; resolve.

N. 1.a. That which one sets before himself as an object to be attained; intention. 1.b. Resolution. 2. The object or result aimed at. 3. The immediate subject or action;—in, to the purpose, with relevancy. —Syn. End, aim, plan.” Furthermore, it recommends looking up the word, Intention. So here it is: 

    “Intention: A determination to act in a certain way or to do a certain thing. The Object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim, specifically, Purpose as to marriage; End for which prayers are offered; intent or import. Logic. A concept or notion, esp. a concept considered as a product of attention directed to the object conceived.” 

Bearing in mind this comprehensive and definitive meaning of ‘Purpose,’ we now return to quotes from the inspired pen: 

THE PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL AND ITS PLAN

First, we repeat a succinct, simple, accurate, and scripturally pure definition of what the gospel is, and what it was divinely-designed to do and achieve for mankind lost in sin: 

     “The gospel is a system of practical truths destined to work great changes in human character. If it does not work the transformation in life, in habits, and practice, it is no truth to those who claim to believe it. Man must be sanctified through the truth. And said Jesus, ‘Thy word is truth’ (John 17:17). Unless the truth of God shall lift up man out of his depravity, his intemperate and profligate habits, and make him reflect the image of God, he is lost.” E. G. White, Letter 14, Mar. 13, 1885. 

Now these:

    “By sin [the transgression of the law] the [original] image of God in man has been marred and well-nigh obliterated.  It is the work of the gospel to restore that which has been lost.” -ibid, Vol. 5 Testimonies for the Church, p. 743. 

    “When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, fhe fulness, the completeness of the Gospel Plan is fulfilled in the life.” -ibid, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 420. 

As Paul wrote: 

    “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. . .”Rom. 16.

The Mystery of the Riches of the Glory of the Gospel Revealed:     

    “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY among the Gentiles, which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY. Whom we preach, warning every man in all wisdom; that we may present EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS.” Col. 1: 25-28, A.V. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

September 24, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

 This is Whole Gospel Ministries, in service for God in Christ through the Holy Spirit in the Word, to you as precious souls “bought with a price” of God’s blood that Christ shed at Calvary’s cross. 

Thus, we have no other agenda, mission, or purpose than to help the end-time “remnant saints who keep the commandment of God and faith of Jesus and have the Spirit of prophecy which is the Testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 19:10), proclaim while probation’s door still stands ajar, as best as we can, in simplicity, accuracy, and purity, earth’s final merciful warning messages of the everlasting gospel.

We prayerfully share only spiritually edifying and sanctifying subjects designated as “the present, testing truths” of the Bible and the Testimonies on this platform and site with all seekers of eternal truths. 

Thus, we continue this miniseries on God’s Revealed Purposes:

    On His Sermon on the Mount, Christ himself the promised Messiah and divine Gospel bearer, introduced the nature of His prophesied kingdom of righteousness on earth. 

      To His disciples and followers to-be, or Christians, He declared: “Ye are the light of the world. . . .Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5: 14, 16, K.J.V.

Notice the following magnification on this, with my emphasis on what the gospel means and comprehends as the divine remedy for sin and the fallen sinner’s sinful nature, propensities, and lost condition: 

    “CHRISTIANS must be LIGHT-BEARERS, holding forth the WORDS OF LIFE. They are exhorted by the apostle (Paul, in Phil. 2:14, 15) to the highest achievements of piety [holiness; righteousness; sanctification].

    “The world is not to be convinced by what the PULPIT TEACHES, but by what the CHURCH LIVES [in practice, example, and influence]. The path to heaven is dark or bright, JUST IN PROPORTION as the church gives forth a clear and strong, OR doubtful, fitful light. 

    “The preacher in the pulpit gives the THEORY OF THE GOSPEL, but the PRACTICAL PIETY of the church demonstrates the power of truth, showing its real value. 

    “THE GOSPEL IS A SYSTEM OF PRACTICAL TRUTHS DESTINED TO WORK GREAT CHANGES IN HUMAN CHARACTER. If it does not work the transformation in LIFE, HABITS, AND PRACTICE, is no truth to those who claim to BELIEVE it. Man must be sanctified through the truth [not by any lie, falsehood, untruth, or ‘another gospel’]. And said Jesus, ‘Thy word is truth’ (John 17:17). 

     “Unless the truth of God shall lift up man out of his depravity, his intemperate and profligate habits, and make him REFLECT the image of God [Christ’s perfected character on earth], he is LOST.” -E. G. White, Letter 14, Mar. 13, 1885. 

The latter is—simply, accurately, and in truth-purity-the purpose of the gospel for individuals who will be eternally-redeemed. This is what makes salvation truly individual for Christ is a personal Savior by example. Thus He sums it up: “overcome even as I overcame.” 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

September 17, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

A MANY-SPLENDORED UNIVERSAL PURPOSE FULFILLED 

     “And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought agains the dragon; and the dragon fought with his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12: 7-9, K.J.V.

     “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. . . . And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father; full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3, 14. 

We return to the inspired pen of Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 69, 70 (First part repeated from last week. All emphases and bracketed words supplied):

    “It was a marvel of all the universe that Christ should humble Himself to save fallen man. That He that passed from star to star [constellation to constellation; galaxy to galaxy of unnumbered billions], from world to world [planet to planet; exoplanet to exoplanet], superintending all, by His providence supplying the needs of every order of being in His vast creation,—-that He should consent to leave His glory and take upon Himself human nature, was a mystery which the SINLESS INTELLIGENCES OF OTHER WORLDS desired to understand. 

    “When Christ came to our world in the form of humanity, all were INTENSELY INTERESTED in following Him as He traversed, step by step, the blood-stained path from the manger to Calvary. Heaven [the home of unfallen angels] marked the insult and mockery that He received, and knew that it was at Satan’s instigation. They marked the work of counter-agencies going forward; Satan constantly pressing darkness, sorrow, and suffering upon the [human] race, and Christ counteracting it [through angels doing His bidding]. 

      “They watched the BATTLE between light and darkness as it waxed stronger and stronger. And as Christ in His expiring agony upon the cross cries out, ‘It is finished,’ A SHOUT OF TRIUMPH RANG THROUGH EVERY WORLD, AND THROUGH HEAVEN ITSELF. [But not on earth; not among His sorrowing disciples; not among His own chosen people who condemned the innocent ‘Holy One of Israel’]. 

     “The great contest [of the great controversy; the cosmic conflict of the ages] that had been so long in progress in this world WAS NOW DECIDED, AND CHRIST WAS CONQUEROR [in death!]. His death had ANSWERED THE QUESTION whether the Father and Son had SUFFICIENT LOVE FOR MAN to exercise SELF-DENIAL AND A SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE.”

Note: Self-denial and self-sacrifice are graphically depicted by Christ’s two out-stretched bloody arms with hands nailed to the cruel cross! 

     “Satan had revealed his TRUE CHARACTER AS A LIAR AND A MURDERER [the ‘father of both from the beginning.’]

     “It was seen [exposed; revealed] that the very same spirit which he had ruled the children of men who were under his power [starting from Cain to the wicked antediluvian generation to Christ’s time in Judea!], he would have manifested IF PERMITTED TO CONTROL THE INTELLIGENCES OF HEAVEN. [earth was the universe’s proving ground in more than one sense and greater dimension!]

     “With one voice the LOYAL UNIVERSE UNITED in extolling the divine administration [of the government of God’s everlasting kingdom of righteousness].” (End quote) 

To be continued next MWM, God willing.  Bless all, NMF.