FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 23
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 10)
Incense Burned on Earthly Altar:
“And Aaron [the first typical high priest] shall burn therein sweet incense EVERY MORNING when he dresseth the lamps [on the seven-branched golden candlestick], he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps AT EVEN [evening, he shall burn the incense upon it, a PERPETUAL incense before the Lord throughout your generations.” Exo. 30: 7, 8, KJV
“In the holy place was the candlestick, in the south, with its 7 lamps giving light to the sanctuary both by day and by night; on the north stood the table of shewbread; and before the veil separating the holy from the most holy place was the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, from which the cloud of fragrance, with the prayers of Israel [corporate], was DAILY ascending before God.” – Great Controversy, p. 412.
Incense Offered in the Heavenly Altar Antitype:
“And I saw the 7 angels which stood before God; and to them were given 7 trumpets. And another Angel came and stood at the ALTAR, having a GOLDEN CENSER; and there was given unto Him MUCH INCENSE, that He should offer it with the prayers of the saints upon the GOLDEN ALTAR which was before the throne.” Rev. 8: 3, 4, KJV.
“The solemn service of the sanctuary typified the grand truths that would be revealed through successive generations. The CLOUD OF INCENSE ascending with the prayers of Israel REPRESENTS CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS that alone can make the sinner’s prayer ACCEPTABLE to God.” – Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 367.
A precious lesson:
“In Christ’s name our petitions ascend to the Father. Christ [not Mary or dead saints, etc.] intercedes in our behalf, and the Father lays open all the treasures of His GRACE for our appropriation, for us to enjoy and impart to others. ‘Ask in My name,’ Christ says. I do NOT say that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father Himself loves you. Make use of My name. This will give your prayers EFFICIENCY, and the Father will give you the RICHES of His grace [not material wealth]. Wherefore ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’” – Ibid, Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 178.
(To be continued) Bless all, NMF.