Whole Gospel Ministries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.