FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 13
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 23)
Jesus is the High Priest and Minister in the Heavenly Sanctuary for His Faithful Followers and True Worshippers, HisCongregation on Earth:
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession [faith]. For we have not an High Priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in ALL points tempted like as we are, yet without sin [He resisted temptation unto death].” Heb. 4: 14, 15, KJV.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH is named….” Eph. 3:14, 15.
“The church of God below is ONE with the church of God above. BELIEVERS on the earth and the BEINGS in heaven who have never fallen CONSTITUTE ONE CHURCH. Every heavenly intelligence is interested in the ASSEMBLIES OF THE SAINTS [see Rev. 14:12] who on earth meet to worship God [‘in spirit and truth’].
In the INNER COURT of heaven they LISTEN to the testimony of the witnesses of Christ in the OUTER COURT on earth, and the praise and thanksgiving from the worshippers below is taken up in the heavenly anthem, and praise and thanksgiving and rejoicing sound through the heavenly courts because Christ has not died in vain for the fallen sons of Adam.
While angels drink from the fountainhead, the SAINTS ON EARTH drink of the pure streams flowing from the throne, the streams that make glad the city of our God. Oh, that we could realize the NEARNESS of heaven to earth!” -E. G. White, Vol. 6 Testimonies, p. 366.
As to who God’s true church on earth is, according to His infallible word, not by any man or church’s definition, see Rev. 12:17; 14: 12; 19; and 19: 10. Jesus plainly said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15.
All who truly love God MORE THAN anything and anyone else and keep all His commandments, are members of his true church on earth. “By their fruits you shall know them.”
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.