MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
July 9, 2025
God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration
THE FIRST INTIMATION OF THE GRAND PLAN OF REDEMPTION
Sacrifice and intercession make up the two major working parts of the divine plan of redemption. The purpose of both is atonement, that is, the “at-one-ment” or reconciliation between God and man eternally separated by “transgression” or sin, whose “wages is death.”
God’s law, the foundation of His everlasting kingdom of love and righteousness, and transcript of His character, which was transgressed and broken, would not only be restored but “magnified and made honorable” on earth, in heaven, and throughout the unfallen worlds of God’s universe!
Let’s resume quoting from the inspired pen of God’s last-day messenger, “the lesser light that leads to and magnifies the greater light,” the Bible. (All emphases and bracketed words provided):
“Christ assured the angels that by His death, He would ransom MANY [only the sinners who would fully avail of His atoning sacrifice at Calvary, and intercessory atonement thereafter as High Priest and Intercessor to the Father at the heavenly sanctuary], and would DESTROY him who had the power of death [but not of life; Satan, Heb. 2:14]. He would RECOVER THE KINGDOM [part of the comprehensive plan of redemption] which man [through Adam] had LOST by transgression, and the REDEEMED [only the ‘many’ who truly love Christ the Redeemer by ‘keeping His commandments.’ John 14:15) were to inherit it [the redeemed original kingdom] WITH Him, and dwell therein FOREVER.” Sin and sinners would be BLOTTED OUT [not ‘burn in hell eternally’!], never more to disturb the peace of HEAVEN OR EARTH.
“He bade the angelic host [described as “the clouds of heaven”] to be IN ACCORD with plan [of redemption] that His Father accepted [Christ Himself originated, devised, and presented it to the Father!], and rejoice that, THROUGH HIS DEATH, fallen man COULD BE reconciled to God.
“Then [and only then, again after the first creation week] JOY, INEXPRESSIBLE JOY filled Heaven! The glory and the blessedness of A WORLD REDEEMED, OUTMEASURED EVEN THE ANGUISH AND SACRIFICE of the Prince of Life!
“Through the celestial courts [the ‘holy places’ of heaven] echoed the FIRST STRAINS of that song which was to ring out ABOVE THE HILLS OF BETHLEHEM [some four thousand years later],—‘Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL [of God’s gospel plan] TOWARDS [undeserving, fallen, sinful] MAN.’ (Luke 2:14). With a DEEPER GLADNESS now than in the rapture of the new creation [of earth], ‘the morning stars’ [the angelic hosts] sang together, and all the sons of God [same] shouted for joy.’ (Job 38:7).”- Ellen G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 65.
Notice that the angels “sang and shouted for joy” with their voices; there were no “harps” or other musical instruments played for accompaniment (that is, as fallen mankind knows them) mentioned at that time, nor at Bethlehem.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.