August 10, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE ‘PURIFICATION OF SINS’ OF HEBREW 1:3 REFERS TO CHRIST’S WORK OF ATONEMENT PROPHESIED IN THE 70-WEEK PROPHECY OF DANIEL 9: 24.
Atonement is actually the work ‘at-one-meant.’ Some aspects of the atonement need further consideration.
“If Christ made ‘purification of sins,’ and SIN STILL EXISTS [to this very moment], what is meant by ‘purification of sins’? This question still becomes more important when we learn that not only was Christ to make purification of sins POSSIBLE but He was to ‘MAKE AN END OF SINS,’ and that this was to be accomplished WITHIN THE PROPHETIC PERIOD OF 70 WEEKS. Said the angel to Daniel:
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [the Jews] and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to MAKE AN END OF SINS, and to make reconciliation of iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.’ Dam. 9:24, KJV.”
“To make an end of sins’ means more than merely to FORGIVE sins. It means the COMPLETE ERADICATION OF SIN OUT OF THE LIFE. It means sanctification, the uprooting of every evil, a life completely controlled by the Holy Spirit. THIS WAS CHRIST’S [prophesied] WORK, and this He was to do within the allotted time mentioned by the angel [in Dan.9:24].” Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, p.54.
This is why the remnant of Revelation are clearly identified by exclusive specifications: “they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” and “have the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY which is the testimony of Jesus Christ.” They are distinguished by their knowledge and understanding of the prophecies for the last days.
May we be numbered among them by the books of heaven, not merely record books of earth! Bless all! NMF