FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 28
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 13)
The Ark in the Second Apartment of the Heavenly Sanctuary:
“And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ARK OF THE TESTAMENT: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” Rev. 11: 19, KJV.
God’s word specifies this: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses the truth is established.” Thus: “Those who were studying the subject found indisputable proof of the existence of a sanctuary in heaven. MOSES made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him [at Mt. Sinai]. PAUL teaches that the pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven. And JOHN testifies that he saw it in heaven.
“In the temple in heaven, the dwelling-place of God, His throne is established in RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUDGMENT. IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE IS HIS LAW, the great rule of right by which ALL MANKIND are tested. The ark that enshrines the tables of the law is covered with the MERCY-SEAT, before which Christ pleads HIS BLOOD in the [repentant] sinner’s behalf.
“Thus is represented the UNION OF JUSTiCE AND MERCY in the plan of human redemption the way of salvation of the gospel’]. This union INFINITE WISDOM alone could
devise, and INFINITE POWER accomplish; it is a union that FILLS ALL HEAVEN with wonder and adoration. The cherubim of the EARTHLY sanctuary, looking reverently down upon the mercy-seat, represent the interest with which the heavenly host contemplate the WORK OF REDEMPTION.
“This is the MYSTERY OF MERCY into which angels desire to look,—-that GOD CAN BE JUST WHILE HE JUSTIFIES [not sanctifies] THE REPENTING SINNER, and renews His intercourse with the fallen race; that Christ should stoop [in the mystery of the incarnation!] to raise UNNUMBERED MULTITUDES from the abyss of ruin, and clothe them with the SPOTLESS GARMENTS of His own righteousness, to unite with ANGELS who have never fallen, and to dwell forever in the PRESENCE of God!” – E.G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., p. 415.
If this does not quicken your heart and make you want to love, please, honor, adore and worship God in Christ and lovingly obey all His commandments, I don’t know what will!
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.