Tag: sanctuary

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.

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.