FRIDAY MORNING MANNA
Biblical Numerology: NUMBER SEVEN – Part 20
THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS EVEN AS THE TUMULTUOUS YEAR 2017 WEARS AWAY
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eye of your understanding be enlightened. Ephesians 1: 17, 18, KJV. [This is my earnest wish and prayer for you!]
I missed preparing and sending to “Kuya” Charles Fegarido for (possible) posting on the Cyberlink the FMM for the 17th of this month due to human incapacitation. I apologize even for that failure.
David reminds all—both high and mighty as we sadly read about their graphic downfall and humiliation in today’s overloaded information systems, and to all “small and great, rich or poor, free and slave”: “As a farther pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him, for He knows out frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember to do them.” Psalms 103: 13-18.
I recognize it now as a stark and necessary reminder that we are all yet in the mortal, corruptible, fallen human nature that all mankind inherited from our first parents immediately after their fall in Eden—not too long ago–just six thousand years ago according to Biblical genealogical reckoning. I thank God it was not eons or millions of years ago. Imagine what earth and mankind would be now? Man would have self-destructed and the earth blasted into smithereens, corrupting stellar space. British physicist Stephen Hawking has his latest scientific doomsday prediction for earth.
You and I should constantly praise and thank God He is in control of the final destiny of the earth He created for Adam. It will, according to Isaiah and John’s prophecies be exactly opposite what Satan and his wicked followers, both fallen angels and incorrigibly wicked men hoped and designed to inflict upon God’s character and authority as expressed and manifested in the works of His hands since creation. However, lest we forget:
“We are living in the most solemn period of this world’s history. The destiny of earth’s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depend upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ [really, all who profess to be Christians, not only Seventh-day Adventist Christians] should earnestly inquire: ‘Lord, wilt Thou have me to do?’ [Not ‘Are you already saved?”—a misleading idea based on a misapprehension of the nature of man, the nature of the great controversy, and the divine plan of redemption as its divine antidote, expressed in various ways].
We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His word [not on what is happening around the world], especially upon the scenes of the judgment [which, according to “new theology,” has already been accomplished at the cross, i.e., two thousand years ago! So what has been Christ doing since all these almost two thousand years since He resurrected, ascended, and then even promised to return again?]. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God [not on the super enchanting, spell-binding, technologically-channeled, mind-altering, conscience-searing “things of this world that will soon pass away.”1 John 2: 15-17].
We have not a moment to lose.Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan’s enchanted grounds. Sleep not, sentinels of God [‘Watchman, what of the night?’ Isa. 21; 11, 12,]; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey.
“Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They congratulate themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit [often by comparing themselves with others], and forget to enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God [the church]. They are to answer His expectation by bearing fruit. [See also ‘fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5: 22-26]. He holds them accountable for their failure to accomplish all the good which they could have done, through His grace strengthening them. In the books of heaven they are registered as cumberers of the ground. [Luke 13; 7, K.J.V.]
“Yet the case of even this class is not utterly hopeless. With those who have slighted God’s mercy and abused His grace, the heart of longing suffering love yet pleads. ‘Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise form the dead [spiritually], and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, . . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ Eph. 5: 14-16.”- GC 601, 602.
“The science of redemption is the science of all sciences. the science that is the study of angels and of all the intelligences of the unfallen worlds, the science that engages the attention of our Lord and Savior, the science that enters into the purpose brooded in the mind of the Infinite—‘kept in silence though times eternal,’ the science that will be the study of God’s redeemed throughout the endless ages. This is the highest study in which it is possible for [mortal, fallen, sinful] man to engage [here and now]. As no other study can, it will quicken the mind and uplift the soul. . .
The theme of redemption is one that angels desire to look into; it will be the science and song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? . . . .
The subject is inexhaustible. The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and mediatorial work will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last; and looking to heaven with its unnmbered years, he will exclaim, “Great is the mystery of godliness’ [1 Tim. 3: 16].
NOTES:
1. The incarnation of Christ: “We marvel [Do we?] at the Savior’s sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man’s nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden [sinless, unfallen yet!].
But Jesus accepted humanity where the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. [Nature, in contrast to nurture]. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us an example of a sinless life.” – Desire of Ages, pp. 48, 49. [See Christ’s genealogy, from both sides, divinely given at the very beginning of the gospels, Matt. 1: 1-24; Luke 3: 23-38.
2. Christ’s perfect atoning sacrifice:
“Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds, that they may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted. The arch deceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful mediator. [Both are in and through Christ alone and must always be presented as such]. He knows that with him [Satan] everything depends on diverting minds from Jesus and His truth. Those who would share the benefits of the Savior’s mediation, should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God [2 Cor. 7: 1].
The precious hours, instead of of being given to pleasure, to display, or gain-seeking, should be devoted to an earnest, prayerful study of the word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which it is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fulfill. Every individual has a soul to save or lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face. How important, then, that every mind contemplate often the solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, when, with Daniel, every individual must stand in his lot [Dan. 12: 13, K.J.V.].”- Great Controversy, (1911), p. 488.
“When Satan heard the declaration that enmity should exist between himself and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that his efforts to deprave human nature would be interrupted [not yet suspended removed till end of the great controversy]; that by some means mans was to be enabled to resist his power.
“Satan’s enmity against the human race is kindled because, through Christ, they are objects of God’s love and mercy. He desires to thwart the divine plan in man’s redemption, to cast dishonor upon God, by defacing and defiling His handiwork; he would cause grief in heaven and fill the earth with woe and desolation. And he points to all this evil as the result of God’s work in creating man.
“It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul [of the grace-implanted enmity] creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. [the desirable, essential conflict over the deceptive, sin-indulging, excusing peace]. The power which Christ imparts enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper {Satan and his agencies]. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above.”- Ibid, p. 506.
“Satan presents a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived, who desire to shun the self-denial and sacrifice demanded by the truth; but it is impossible for him to hold under his power one soul who honestly desires, at whatever cost, to know the truth. Christ is the truth and the ‘Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ John 1: 9. The Spirit of truth has been sent to guide men into all truth. And upon the authority of the Son of God it is declared: ‘Seek, and ye shall find.’ ‘If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.’ Matt. 7: 7; John 17: 17. [The official records of the Church and testimony of historians witness to the Roman papal power’s blasphemous claims, by declarations and decretals of its own making, not the authority of the Holy Scriptures, to assume in the three realms of “heaven, earth, and the underworld,” hence, the pope’s triple tiara, the offices, authority, and exclusive powers of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption]”.- Ibid, p. 528.
Christ’s Mediatorial work:: “The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work, which after His resurrection he ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter in within the veil, ‘whither for the Foreunner is for us entered.’ Hebrews 6: 20. There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain clearer insights into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has opened the way to the Father’s throne, and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God. [Prov. 28: 13 quoted].” – Ibid, pp. 488, 489.
“In eternity we shall learn that which, had we reached the enlightenment that it was possible to obtain here, would have opened our understanding. The themes of redemption will employ the hearts and minds and tongues of the redeemed through the everlasting ages. They will understand the truths which Christ longed to open to His disciples, but which they did not have faith to grasp. Forever and forever new views of perfection and glory of Christ will appear. Through endless ages the faithful Householder [in the parable] will bring forth His treasures things new and old.
“Since God is infinite, and in Him are all the treasures of wisdom, we may to all eternity be ever searching, ever learning, yet never exhaust the riches of His wisdom, His goodness of His power.” – E. G. White, MS 18, 1894; My Life Today (Devotional), p. 360.
(Continued next week, only by God’s grace)