He by the grace of God should taste death for every man

Jesus- LOWER THAN THE ANGELS????

Heb_2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (KJV)

A closer translation reads (who FOR A LITTLE WHILE was made lower than the angels.)

Heb 2:9  What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels. Because of God's wonderful kindness, Jesus died for everyone. And now that Jesus has suffered and died, he is crowned with glory and honor!  (Contemporary English Version)

Why was Jesus for a little while made lower than the angels? Because He became HUMAN and humans were made the same way…  for  a while made lower than the angels.

Heb 2:7  You made us lower than the angels for a while. Yet you have crowned us with glory and honor.  (Contemporary English Version)

We CANNOT ignore the 'for a while' aspect to these verses.  We were NOT created to be forever lower than the angels.

When we were created it was with the intention of us evolving, not remaining stagnant. We were 'created for a while- LOWER than the angels' which implies that it was something that would only exist for a period of time, but not forever. For awhile we were to be lower than the angels and we can comprehend this, can't we?  Human beings, unlike angels are not spirit form that can take on the appearance of flesh. We are flesh and spirit beings without the ability to divest ourselves of our flesh. We were NOT created to be angels. We are unique beings made in the LIKENESS of our CREATOR, in our CREATOR'S image. The angels were NOT created in their Creator's image.

Our Creator, our Savior was MADE human so He could live as we live and die like we die, but all without sin!

By the GRACE of God our Savior tasted death for every single human being!  If our Savior had not taken on our human flesh and been made lower than the angels, He could not have died.

I saw a movie recently and in the movie they showed a Roman soldier searching for the truth about Jesus, that a drug could mimic death for three days and those people tried to prove to the Roman solider that Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection was nothing more then trickery.  The Roman solider investigated further and talked with the guards present when Jesus died and he talked with the one who actually thrust the spear into the Savior's side and testified that he made sure that Jesus was truly dead. There was NO way that the Savior was alive when He was put into the tomb.

Our Savior rose from the dead in His flesh, and His flesh was transformed-  remember this--

Joh_20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father…

And then this…

Joh_20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Our Savior was raised from the dead and He was no longer a little lower than the angels- why? Did He become simple spirit without flesh? NO! He retained His flesh, and His flesh was changed to incorruptible flesh. No longer was He simply human and subject to death. He could never die again!

This is the same plan for humans to one day obtain an at oneness with our God through the GRACE of our Savior, just as our Savior by God's grace overcame DEATH.

What a miracle! What amazing things we need to comprehend. Our Savior by God's grace tasted death.  

We don't truly realize that the same GRACE that is given to us for life, was given to our Savior to be able to die for us!

Heb_2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (KJV)

Grace! AMAZING, WONDROUS, MIRACULOUS GRACE!

How truly blessed we are!

All glory, honor, and praise unto our GOD, always!

Help in time of need

Heb_4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

The throne of grace.

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The THRONE of GOD.

When we envision the throne of God, the throne of Grace in heaven we can picture a literal throne, can't we? We've all seen movies or pictures of kings and queens sitting on their earthly thrones,  so we can clearly picture what a throne looks like. We take this image in our minds and transfer it to heavenly thrones. However we have to stop for a moment and remember, the heavenly and earthly sanctuaries are similar. The earthly was formed from the pattern shown.

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

And we know this…

Exo_25:22  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

God met with mankind from above the mercy seat.

Mercy seat- throne of grace.

We are to go BOLDLY to the throne! We are to go BOLDLY- confidently- before our SAVIOR. Our Savior WANTS us to come with HOPE in us, a solid hope. We can ONLY find grace before HIM upon His throne!

We can only find MERCY there! But we must COME before Him!

Heb_4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

Help in time of need.

We have a need to be SAVED.
We have a need to be FORGIVEN.
Why else would we go near the throne of grace if we aren't seeking grace, seeking pardon, seeking to be forgiven for our sins?

We have help in time of need.

We can't forget we are in constant need of grace! Daily we must seek Him while we can find Him!

Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Act 17:29  Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

And our Savior tells us--

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

WE must constantly bow before the throne of grace, it is ONLY there we can find the help we need in ALL things!

Christ FIRST in all things!

We are constantly desiring help, we plead for help as well we should, and our SAVIOR hears us!

Please LORD, help us as we bow before YOU, before Your throne of grace seeking You, Your love, Your mercy!

Please.

His Being Sinless Saves Us

Heb_12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

We've discussed this before, but with all things spiritual they need discussing over and over because they are our life, our future eternity.

We can FAIL of the grace of God.
The grace of God is NOT forced upon anyone.
God HAS made His grace available, but will NOT coerce a single person into accepting His grace. Not a single trace of force will be used on anyone to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

There are a lot of religions which advocate force. In fact, in the Old Testament we can read of vengeance of God against those who turn from His and follow other gods. We know that in the New Testament the 'wrath of God' is a very real thing that will be poured out upon all the ungodly, all those who do not choose God.  They aren't being FORCED to accept God's salvation, even in the Old Testament they are not forced. It's a choice you make and consequences you face as a result.

Sin cannot be allowed to survive.

Those who choose to refuse the grace of God are in essence desiring sin to live on.   It's true.

God is love.

When you refuse the grace of God, you refuse love and all it means.

Believe otherwise at your own risk.

We can fail of the grace of God.  It's offered to all, but the very bottom line is not ALL will accept it- not TRUTHFULLY.  What I mean by that is many make a pretense of accepting God's grace, some even to the point of believing in their own pretenses, but very few truly accept the grace that is offered.  Very few accept the truth of the submission that is necessary in obtaining God's grace.  Very few believe they can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to earn salvation.

It's true.

Others believe that they can't do anything, and so they live their lives as if all they do has very little consequence. Where Paul asks if we should sin because we are no longer under the law, and the answer is …

Rom_6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

GOD FORBID!

Our Savior told those He healed to 'Go and sin no more.'  Why would He say those words if sinning didn't matter?

Sin will ALWAYS separate us from God and when we willfully sin we are willfully separating ourselves from God. To willfully separate ourselves from God is truly something we can say these words to- 'God forbid.'

We sin not willfully enough, we can't choose to separate ourselves from God and think it's is perfectly fine because we have grace.

Our Savior HAS grace to give us because He was SINLESS!

And it's HIS SINLESSNESS that saves us THROUGH HIS GRACE.  He never CONDONED sin, never!  He showed compassion for the one caught in sin and healed them, telling them to stop sinning.

We have to constantly go to our SAVIOR seeking forgiveness for our sinning, but we cannot laugh in the face of God and sin happily, believing sin is something good. SIN SEPARATES us from GOD. As we happily sin we are happily separating ourselves from God. How contrary is that to our desire to be one with God?

We can fail of the grace of God.

God forbid we do that!

Please LORD, help us truly accept YOUR grace knowing this--

Eph_2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

The gift of grace, is the gift of God.

Bless us sweet Savior! Bless us, keep us, save us!

Let us have grace

Heb_12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear

We receive a kingdom that cannot be moved.
Let us have grace.
Grace so we can serve God acceptably.
Serving God with reverence and godly fear.

A kingdom that cannot be moved- what kingdom?

Jesus preached this-  Mat_4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The kingdom of heaven was at hand.
The kingdom of heaven cannot be moved.

Can kingdoms be moved?  Earthly kingdoms are moved and in the past were moved all the time through wars and such. The borders of earthly kingdoms change all the time, but the heavenly kingdom does not change. Our Savior does not change.

Heb_13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

A kingdom that cannot be moved- we RECEIVE that kingdom. A kingdom so sure, so true, so real- is it any wonder we are to have GRACE, it's with GRACE we are accepted into the kingdom of heaven.  We can only serve God acceptably - with grace. We can only serve God with reverence and godly fear - with grace.

Because of this promised kingdom we MUST have grace, and in having grace we SERVE GOD acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Let us have grace.

2Pe 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen

We are discussing progressing in grace- growing in grace, and this verse that tells us 'let us have grace' is the same grace we are to GROW IN.

Whenever we get it in our heads that we do not need grace first and foremost we have to remember it truly is the ONLY way we can serve God acceptably.

Grace.

Our Savior alone offers us grace- salvation that is UNMERITED by us, salvation we CANNOT manufacture ourselves!

If we try to serve God with any of ourselves, we serve God in vain. We must serve God through our Savior.  It is Christ who taught us to pray- OUR FATHER- His Father, Your Father, My Father- OUR FATHER. We must FOREVER pray this way, we must FOREVER live this way, knowing that it is THROUGH CHRIST that we can even come before God. How arrogant of us to ever believe we of our own accord have the right to come to the FATHER. We only serve Him acceptably through the grace of our Savior!  We CAN'T FORGET THIS!  The comprehension that we are in the presence of God through Christ is something amazing, something we can't forget.

Please, LORD, keep us in YOU, in YOUR grace as we seek to serve God acceptably!  Please!

All in CHRIST, always!

Imperfect Children of God

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Our Savior- full of GRACE and TRUTH.

Throughout our lives we come face to face with circumstances that will define us in minute ways. How exactly do we become what we are?  It isn't all about being a product of our environments because some seem to rise above their adverse upbringings while others succumb to them, even going on to promote the adversity in the next generation.

When we are born, we are truly unique beings already established with various traits that slowly make themselves known. An infant with a quick temper?  Don't all infants have quick tempers? No, frankly, they do not. Mischiviousness, stubborness, silliness, kindness, these traits can be readily seen in babies.  It is so easy to see how individual we are from birth once you have a child of your own. Otherwise it is easy to stand on the outside and contemplate why the parents are letting their babies have bad tempers, or be stubborn.  It truly isn't a matter of 'letting' a child have their own personalities replete with good tendencies as well as not so good tendencies, they are given them by birth, formed in the womb truly with their personalities as individual as their appearance. Parents can shape personalities, meaning they can comprehend the child has their own quirks and if they are undesirable quirks it's in the child's best interest to try and find ways to guide that quirk so it doesn't become a detriment to them as they are maturing. Quirk guiding however is just that, it's learning to channel the quirky behavior in ways that help offset the quirk. Truly, people cannot, without destroying most that is good within a child, absolutely change a bad tendency, they cannot, I should say, get rid of that tendency.  There are parents that harm their children until that child learns to bury the part of themselves that is detrimental to them. Burying a trait because the trait causes you to be abused, doesn't automatically form a 'better' child. The outside of the child may appear to have been corrected, but the inside can be damaged in ways far more awful than the trait they were born with ever could be. No, I'm not talking about discipline and correction being wrong, but abuse is definitely wrong.

What does all this have to do with the Bible verse above?

Our Savior was born full of grace and truth, and our Savior offers us grace and truth when we are born again in Him.

We are all products of our upbringings. We are all born into imperfect worlds that from the start seem to poke at us, teasing us into letting out all the defects of our characters. We are born imperfect and raised imperfect and this alone can allow us to realize our need of the PERFECT SAVIOR.

The child who is being raised by parents with the best of intentions of turning out a well adjusted mature adult some day, will still turn out riddled with imperfections. There are no perfect parents, but there are imperfect parents with the best of intentions. There are also imperfect parents without the best of intentions, whose only desire is for the child they are raising to simply not bug them while they go about their own lives- sad, but true.

Our children are NOT extensions of ourselves, but they are influenced by us. We can treat them as if they are part of us, and all that matters is they don't embarass us, but we fail them when we do that. Our children are gifts that are entrusted to us. And as any precious gift, we need to take care to see that it remains undamaged if at all possible by our imperfect caregiving. Most importantly, we need to guide our children towards the only hope we have, the Perfect Savior. We need to teach our children that we have to go to our Perfect Savior and confess our imperfections, repenting of them truly because we do not desire that that imperfections of our characters dominate our lives. We will find forgiveness for our imperfections- whatever they may be, the ones we are born with and form our personalities, they too must be repented of, not excused and accepted simply because we were born that way.  If we go that route then we can take it all the way to the point of saying we are victims born in sin so we must embrace the sins we are born to live in and simply accept them never caring that each sin separates us further from God.

God knows the adversity we are born into and every person has been given a way out- Jesus Christ.  Will our Savior make it so we never sin again? Ultimately, yes. Through Him and His GRACE, His MERCY, His LOVE, His RIGHTEOUSNESS, He will take from us all that promotes the sin in us and replace it with Himself, letting HIS righteousness become ours and when He returns for those who are His, we will NEVER ever have a single tendency to sin within us, it will be gone, all by HIS POWER to forgive and cleanse us, all through GRACE.

Right now we may not be able to imagine living sinlessly because each day the sin tendencies within us seem more and more apparant, but one day it will happen.  All the terrible imperfections in our thoughts, in our actions, in our hearts will be revealed and forgiven because they've been revealed and we have repented of them to our Savior.  Over and over again we may need to endlessly repent and throw ourselves on the mercy of our Savior, but we must NEVER despair of doing so, because if we despair of seeing the PERFECTION created in us ONLY by our SAVIOR, we have no hope. If we despair then we are secretly believing that we can somehow create the perfection ourselves, that we can give it to ourselves and we've failed to do so. We can NEVER create perfection in ourselves but we CAN ALWAYS submit to the ONE who can be, and is, perfect for us and is willing to keep us in Him until He can change us into incorruptible beings, beings without any guile, perfect as HE is perfect.

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1Pe_5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Heb 13:20  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Heb 13:21  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Col_1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus

Joh_17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Our Savior is full of GRACE and TRUTH, and it's to HIM we go for all things!

Guide us to YOU,  Savior.  Let us LIVE IN YOU, and YOU LIVE IN US so that we may be YOURS in LOVE. 

Walk Uprightly- it is ONLY possible if Christ lives in us!

Psa 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

So why do we imagine that we do not have to do anything once we are under grace, that we do NOT have to walk uprightly, because somehow that means we are trying to earn grace?

Yes, this is an Old Testament verse, and some will be quick to point that out, but it holds true for the New Testament as well.  When is it ever okay to claim the grace of God and live in such a way that is completely contrary to God? It's too easy for people to believe Satan's lie that they will never die. They also believe the lie that as long as they mouth the words of love for Christ, and have some measure of feeling for Him, that they are Christ's.

Tell me then, who is going to say in the day of Christ--

'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?'

Who is going to say that? One who never prophesized? One who never cast out devils? One who never did any wonderful works in the name of Christ?

NO!

It will be THOSE who are claiming Jesus' name!  These are the ones who are going to say that to our Savior when He returns and WHAT will our Savior reply to them?

'Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. '

These workers of iniquity will be working in Christ's name!!!!!!!!! They will believe, REALLY believe they are Christ's!

We need to think about that, really think about it. Our Savior tells us--

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

A DOER of the FATHER'S WILL, that is who will be Christ's in the day of His return.

A living faith, a living belief in our Savior that is the Father's will.

Think about it for a moment.  The Apostles and the first believers lived their lives in the joy of the Savior's offered salvation. It was REAL to them!  It was a living, breathing FAITH for them.  ALL they did in life came SECOND to that FAITH they lived. And they did all the sorts of things that we all do to live- eat, drink, bath, dress, work, play, etc. They didn't stop living but their living was done IN CHRIST and the knowledge, the reality, of the SALVATION He brought to mankind.

Col_1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

Gal_2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Christ in us! Christ LIVING in us! We still live in our flesh, but we also live in FAITH in our SAVIOR, the SON OF GOD!

Should there be any aspect of our life that is NOT subject to Christ living in us through faith?

We can't live our Christian life as if Christ isn't living in us.

And this has to be a REALITY. What I mean by that is, we have to remember the people who are going to think they live in Christ but don't? We don't want to be numbered in their lot, they will not be saved, Christ doesn't know them.  They have all the outward trappings of being a Christian, so much so they prophesize and cast out devils, yet they are NOT Christ's!

Christ tells us this very important fact that SO many choose to overlook-

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

And so many do not do this. Some don't do it for fear they are being legalistic, and if they do keep the commandments they are trusting in their works, not in grace. Others don't do it because they believe it doesn't matter to truly spend time studying deeply to find out the facts of Christ's commandments. People have this WARPED idea of what it is to love God and love others.

First of all, God is love.
Secondly, if we love God we are living as God would live- remember, God is love.
Thirdly, if we are living as God would live we are automatically keeping His ten moral laws given to all of mankind.

To love God and others, we are living as God would have us live.

Loving God and others is NOT a hodge podge of feeling benevolent. Loving God and others is not ever self congratulatory for living as God would live- helping others even if it means dying to help them.

There is a reason our Savior told us to pray in a closet, and...

Mat_6:3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth

We are NOT ever to do a single Godly thing for selfish intents.  We are to do them because CHRIST lives in us, and CHRIST commands us to love Him and Others, and all that means!


It is CHRIST living in us!

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and IN ALL.

Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is WITHIN you.

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL BE IN YOU.

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and YE IN ME, AND I IN YOU.

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will COME UNTO HIM, and MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM.

Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4  ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23  I IN THEM, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be IN YOU, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God DWELLETH IN YOU?

Gal 4:19  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ BE FORMED IN YOU

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an HABITATION OF GOD through the Spirit.

Eph 3:17  That Christ may DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE THAT IS IN YOU, than he that is in the world.

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


PLEASE LORD, please let us have YOU in us!  Live in us through the HOLY SPIRIT!  LIVE in US! And we know that YOU living in us alone gives us all the grace we will ever need!

ALL in YOUR AMAZING LOVE!

Amen!

More Grace

Grace-  God gives MORE grace than the lust inside us that would destroy us if we let it.  Seriously, we CAN and WILL be destroyed if we do not choose GRACE.

Grace is NOT forced upon us, it is offered to us and we must accept that grace. Read the following a couple of times...please...

Jas 4:1  From whence come wars and fightings among you?
come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

The lusts inside of us cause us to fight, to argue to even war within ourselves.

Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

We lust and our lusts are not satisfied. We even kill because we lust. We desire but we cannot get what we desire. We fight and war all trying to take care of the lusts within us. We ask, wanting those lusts fulfilled. We aren't fulfilled though because the things we are lusting after are wrong things. We are asking for things that are not of God. We are asking for things that will satisfy our perverted lusts, our selfish lusts.

Jas 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

We are ADULTERERS and ADULTERESSES when we leave the love of our Betrothed, our Groom, and go with ANY other no matter who they are. Even when we believe ourselves to be more worthy than our Savior, we are betraying the LORD.  God's people time and time again committed adultery against God, leaving Him and going after strange gods. Time and again they were called to repent for their actions. When WE choose to have a friendship with the world, to LOVE the world, we are choosing to be at war against GOD. This world is an enemy of God's, and if WE are friends with the world then WE are enemies of God too!

So many people want to twist our selfish lusts into something acceptable and good. So many want us to believe that being of the world is a good thing, but it is NOT.

Jas 4:5  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

TRUTH!

GOD gives us MORE grace.

Yet, GOD resists the PROUD.

GOD gives grace unto the HUMBLE.

The proud, what does this mean to us?  Do we consider only the proud as those who are stuck up and arrogant?

Dictionary Definition-

Proud-
1.
feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.
2.
having or showing a high or excessively high opinion of oneself or one's importance.

The focus of being proud is all consideration is placed upon SELF. Even if we are proud of someone else, it revolves around SELF.

We can receive GOD'S GRACE, God gives us MORE GRACE, but we have to SUBMIT to GOD, put our FOCUS on GOD.  Can we? It is what we must do!

Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

HUMBLE OURSELVES, in the SIGHT of the LORD.

God will give us more GRACE, we must not ask amiss for our needs, and our need is GOD, not selfish lusts that fight inside of us for dominance wanting us to leave the LORD we love!

By God's GRACE!

Hope to the end for grace

We are to PROGRESS in grace, PROGRESS in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Are we progressing?

How do you progress in grace?

1Pe_1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Gird up the loins of your mind.
Be sober.
Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

So, how do we gird up the loins of our minds?

Jesus said-

Luk 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luk 12:35  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
Luk 12:36  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Loins girded, lights burning.

Loins of our mind.

What are the loins of our mind?

Our thoughts, our imaginations, all that goes on in our minds. Read this-

1Ch_28:9  And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

The LORD searches all hearts and understands the IMAGINATIONS OF THE THOUGHTS.

Pro 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief…

The LORD hates- a heart that devises WICKED IMAGINATIONS.

Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

VAIN in THEIR IMAGINATIONS.

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

Our spiritual weapons- CAST DOWN IMAGINATIONS- and EVERY high thing that exalteth itself AGAINST the KNOWLEDGE of GOD and BRINGING into CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT to the OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST!

Our imaginations are POWERFUL things, they can be wicked, vain, exalting themselves above God.

Is there any wonder we are told to GIRD up the loins of our minds?

GIRD UP.

When  you are girding something up you are--

'Definition of GIRD
1
a :  to encircle or bind with a flexible band (as a belt)
b :  to make fast (as a sword by a belt or clothing with a cord)
c :  surround
2
:  provide, equip; especially :  to invest with the sword of knighthood
3
:  to prepare (oneself) for action
intransitive verb
:  to prepare for action
— gird one's loins
:  to prepare for action :  muster up one's resources'
Pasted from  

Prepare our imaginations, bind our imaginations… we HAVE to bring EVERY THOUGHT INTO CAPTIVITY, this is preparing, this is binding, this is comprehending that our thoughts can ruin us!

1Pe_1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

We have to be active in our progressing in grace.  We cannot fool ourselves into believing that we are left unchanged when we accept our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Yes, we are sinners.
Yes, we are forever reliant upon our Savior for salvation- never able to give it to ourselves- never. Not a single action of ours will save us other than believing and even then we must pray for our Savior to help  our unbelief! (Mark 9:24)
Yet our Savior tells us that if we LOVE Him we will keep His commandments. (John 14:15) Why would our Savior tell us that if we are not expected to KEEP, actively keep, His commandments?

We are not saved by grace through faith only to keep actively sinning.

Jesus did not say to the woman caught in adultery to go and keep on sinning. He told that woman to go and sin no more.

To think that we are not supposed to bring our every thought into captivity is to choose to NOT believe in truth!

Gird up the loins of our MINDS, be SOBER - why be sober- because when we aren't sober our minds are easy prey for Satan as anyone who has ever been drunk knows. HOPE to the END FOR THE GRACE that is to be brought to us at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST.

Progress in grace… grow in grace!

We must grow in grace through our SAVIOR, living HIS TRUTH, HIS WORD!

We MUST watch our thoughts, our minds!

Php_4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things

THINK ON THESE THINGS.

We are giving instructions and we'd do well to heed them, all through our SAVIOR, through HIS LOVE! HIS GRACE! HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!

All through HIM!

Progress in Grace

2Pe 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Grow…

...in grace.

Grow…

...in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Growing-  'of a living thing- undergo natural development by increasing in size and changing physically; progress to maturity.' (Dict. Def.)

Progress to maturity.  

Progress to mature grace.

Progress to mature knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are to PROGRESS in grace, PROGRESS in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Are we progressing?

How do you progress in grace?

1Pe_1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Jas_4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Heb_12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear

Heb_12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

Heb_4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

Heb_2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Tit_2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

Tit_3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2Ti_1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

1Ti_1:14  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2Th_1:12  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th_2:16  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace

Col_1:6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth

Col_3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Eph_6:24  Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen

Eph_4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Eph_2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

Eph_3:2  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward

Eph_3:7  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Eph_1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace

Eph_2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph_1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

2Co_12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2Co_9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work

2Co_8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

2Co_8:7  Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

2Co_1:2  Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Co_1:12  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

1Co_15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1Co_1:4  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ

Rom_12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Rom_6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Rom_5:17  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Luk_2:40  And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Joh_1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Joh_1:16  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Joh_1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Act_4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Act_11:23  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Act_13:43  Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Act_14:3  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Act_14:26  And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Act_15:11  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Act_15:40  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Act_18:27  And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace

Act_20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Act_20:32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Rom_1:5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Rom_1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom_3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Rom_4:16  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all

Rom_5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom_5:15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

*******

And by the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST we will delve much deeper into this subject tomorrow.

In HIS LOVE.

He Cleans Us

Yesterday we did this study but today we are going to delve a little deeper into the same study--

There is a RELATIONSHIP between Daniel 8:14- the Sanctuary Being Cleansed, and the Judgment was set in Daniel 7 all connected to Leviticus 16 and the Day of Atonements.

Why does this matter? Seriously, why am I so hung up on this Sanctuary and Atonement stuff?

Because so many are clueless to the work our Savior is doing RIGHT now in Heaven for us.

Take a moment and ask yourself what are you imagining the Savior doing right now? What have you imagined Him doing for the last 2000 some years?

Pleading on our behalf? Just hanging out with His Father? Considering our petitions? Watching and hoping people will believe Him? What?

From before the beginning of the world, and the entrance of sin into the lives of mankind, the plan of salvation existed. Should man fall the plan would be enacted. Man fell, the plan was enacted.  For the next almost four thousand years mankind waited for the Messiah, the most important part of the plan. God with man, God in the flesh of man, God reconciling man with Himself. But as we ALL know, every single one of us that believes in our Savior, we all know that it did NOT end, the plan did NOT end with the resurrection and yet SO many want us to believe that it did. So many want to believe that after the resurrection and the return to heaven, our Savior sat down, His work over- the plan complete. So what was left? Seriously, WHAT was left to do? Why didn't it all END right there? Please tell me, why? Or rather I'll tell you why.  It didn't end there because the SACRIFICE had been completed but the APPLICATION of the blood had YET to be used as needed.  On the Day of Atonement, there wasn't a single sacrifice and everyone went home, it was finished.  There was a ritual, a cleansing ritual. Why? Because there had to be a cleansing that encompassed all the sanctuary, all the people.  SIN'S filth, SIN'S forgiven, that guilt had to be placed upon the one whose lot it was to bear it and then be no more.  It wasn't simply slaughtering the sacrifice, so why would the plan of salvation end with the sacrifice?

Our Savior CONTINUED the plan of salvation in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and He will be continuing it until sin is gone.

With this in MIND, let's reread the article from yesterday.  By the grace of our God may we be enlightened, may our eyes be opened!

*******

WWN-
'What relationship is there between "the judgment was set" in Daniel 7, "the sanctuary shall be cleansed" in Daniel 8, and the typical Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16?
It should be obvious that there IS a relationship between Daniel 7 and 8.
The prophecies are parallel.
When one understands the textual background for Daniel 8:14, and the parallel choice of words in the LXX between Daniel 8:14 and Leviticus 16:30, one can sense there IS a relationship there.
But what is the relationship between Daniel 7 and Leviticus 16?
This is NOT so obvious.
Our failure to recognize the distinct differences between the prophecy of Daniel 7 and the typical ritual of Leviticus 16 has not helped the cause of truth.
Daniel 7 DOES reveal a "judgment," definitely pre-Advent, before which the "little horn" power is arraigned.
This arraignment is before the assembled hosts of Heaven. (Dan. 7:9-10)

(((Dan 7:9  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. ))))

 On the other hand, the typical services of the sanctuary were connected with a covenant.
The covenant is primary; the services secondary.
The text in Hebrews does NOT say "The worldly sanctuary with its ordinances of divine service had also connected with it a covenant." (See Heb. 9:1)
(((Heb 9:1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ))))
 It was the covenant which had "also" the sanctuary with its services.
Just so, Jesus as "the mediator of a better covenant" is also "a minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man." (See Heb. 8:6, 2)
(((Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. ))))

The "judgment" of Daniel 7 involves the WHOLE problem of sin and the key players in that problem, while the shadowy ritual of the earthly sanctuary tells how a covenant people must relate to the provision for sin to escape the condemnation of the judgment.
It must be kept clearly in mind that the "little horn" of Daniel 7 is continued in symbolism in Revelation by the first "beast" of Chapter 13, and by the "woman in scarlet" in Chapter 17.
Through these symbolisms, runs a continuous thread - "the dragon gave [the beast] his power, and his seat, and great authority." (Rev. 13:2)
The final dictum upon "spiritual Babylon" is that "in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." (Rev. 18:4)
The "little horn" stands in the judgment as the embodiment of ALL wickedness and the symbol of rebellion against God.

"The man of sin" in II Thess. 2, another designation of the "little horn", is noted as "the Wicked." (ver.8) The Greek is anomos defined by Thayer as "he in whom all iniquity has as it were fixed its abode." (Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, p. 48)

In the book of Hebrews, the message which God speaks "unto us in a Son" (Heb.1:2 Gr.) is that having become "in all things like unto His brethren that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest" (2:17), He is first "a son over His own house."(3:6) Then seated as "a priest upon His throne" (Zech. 6:13), He dispenses mercy and "grace to help in time of need." (4:16)

This is His first apartment ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

But what happens when the judgment is set and the books are opened before the Ancient of Days? Here the ritual agenda of Leviticus 16 provides the detail. The first entry with blood into the Most Holy Place on the day of Atonement was by the High Priest with the blood of a bullock which was for himself and "for his house." Not only is Jesus "the Lord's goat" but He also "offered Himself." (Heb. 9:14) Thus the dual entry on the Day of Atonement with "cleansing blood."

The agenda of Leviticus further indicates that the atonement of the Most Holy Place is necessitated "because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins." (16:16) however, no blood of any sin offering ever reached the Most Holy Place during the yearly ritual, but the sins and transgressions of the children of Israel had been recorded in "the books." What was to be done?

The judgment must begin where and over what sin began.
Sin began at the Throne of God and over the creation of man.
The creation plan intended man to be only "a little while inferior to the angels." (Heb. 2:7 margin) But in sin man fell even lower than the "inferior" position.
Now can God bring an end to sin, and carry out His original plan and none of the angelic host become jealous as did Lucifer?
The judgment is set in the presence of that assembled host. (Dan. 7:10) Jesus coming with His sacrifice asks not only pardon full and complete for His covenant people, but a seat upon His throne. Was His sacrifice sufficient to grant this request?

The next step of the agenda was the blood of the Lord's goat. This was God's sacrifice. (See Gen. 22:8)
(((Gen 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. ))))
Here the lots had been cast, a choice had been made.
Standing in the Court was the other goat, representing Azazel.
Could God roll back on him the sins of His Son's "house"?
Again the assembled host must respond, for they, too, had cast their lot, made their choice. Was the cost of Calvary sufficient so that God having paid the price could do with "sins" as He so chooses?

Another question must be settled. What about the "uncleanness" of the "children of Israel?"
In the agenda of the ritual service, this was the last act of the atonement. {Lev. 16:19-20)
Is the "decree" for the removal of the uncleanness then entered to be carried out at the time indicated in Daniel 7:13-14?

The second phase of the ritual agenda was concerning the registry on the horns of the Alter of Burnt Incense.
Here has been made during the year the record of corporate confession. In Daniel 7, none could be found for the "little horn."
Of this "horn" under the symbolism of "Jezebel," Jesus declared, "I gave her space to repent ... and she repented not." (Rev. 2:21) the "horn" and all corporate bodies who have not repented during the time allotted for repentance are at this point in the judgment declared "found wanting."

In the time sequence of Daniel 7, this would occur just PRIOR to the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of Days to receive His kingdom of "saints" - holy ones made holy by His cleansing.

The agenda next indicates a third phase of judgment.
In the Levitical ritual, the final atonement involved a cleansing of the confession of guilt registered on the horns of the Alter in the court.
Here in the daily service the individual only was involved.
No blood was carried into the sanctuary recording the fact that confession had been made and the penalty paid.
The common priest had eaten of the victim. He carried the record in himself.
So likewise, Jesus as a common priest having in all things been "made like unto his brethren" offered the sacrifice of Himself and all who place their full dependence in Him are carried in Him.
They do not come into judgment but pass from death into life. (See John 5:24, Gr.) In the typical ritual, the High Priest went in for the people, none even entered the court.
(((Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. ))))

Having completed His work of cleansing, Jesus comes before the Ancient of Days to ask for His kingdom, and His people who have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice.
And the Ancient of Days, declares, "Granted."
All the host that witnessed the Judgment declare with a loud voice - "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." (Rev. 5:12)

The "agenda" of the Judgment as revealed in the shadowy type gives us a clue as to where we are in the stream of time.

It is after the corporate phase, the individual cleansing begins.
According to Jesus' own prophecy, the times or probation of the nations (corporate bodies) would end with the fulfilling of the sign spoken of in Luke 21:24.
This has occurred.

*

This projects for our thinking some interesting questions:

1)  Is the "man clothed in linen" (Eze. 9:2-4) NOW sealing those among the professed house of Israel who HAVE and ARE afflicting their souls, trusting NOT in their own works - doing "no work in that same day"? (Lev. 23:28) Do these become in the final hour "His own house" cleansed as represented by the mingled blood of the bullock and the Lord's goat at the Alter of the Court? Do these become marked with the mark of redemption, "the sign of the cross of Calvary"?

2)  Has the "man in linen" reported back to the One on the Throne saying - "I have done as thou has commanded me." (Eze. 9:11) Are we at the time when from the Throne will come the command to the "man clothed in linen" to "take coals from between the cherubim" so as to do for His "marked" people as was done for Isaiah? "Eze. 10:1-2; 6-7. See also Isa. 6:6-7, compare with Rev. 14:5)

(((Eze 10:1  Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
Eze 10:2  And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.

Eze 10:6  And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
Eze 10:7  And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out.

Isa 6:6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Rev 14:5  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. ))))

The sanctuary teaching is not a "stale, flat, and unprofitable" doctrine, but vibrant with meaning for this very hour.

(((TRUTH))))

A fuller understanding of Daniel 7, and its interrelationship with the agenda of Leviticus 16 challenges us today, even as the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 challenged those who perceived that prophecy as pointing to the beginning of the hour of God's judgment in 1844.

 "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks to the memory of His sanctuary." (Ps. 97:11-12, margin)

"The Lord has made His people the repository of sacred truth.
Upon every individual who has had the light of present truth devolves the duty
of developing that truth on a higher scale  than it his hitherto been done." -- Ellen G. White

--- End --- 1989 Special 3 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 3

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TRUTH!

NOT a STALE, FLAT, UNPROFITABLE doctrine!

Today OUR Savior is continuing HIS work- the plan of salvation continues until it is completed fully. And we know sin still exists today, we see it in every tear that falls, every pain, every heartache, every evil, sin still exists and as long as it still exists the plan of salvation is being worked out for us.  We stand on the edge of salvation's completion and sin's eradication.  We must believe that our SAVIOR LIVES for us and is cleansing us, HE IS CLEANSING US! HE IS CLEAN FOR US! HE and HE ALONE is CLEAN and by HIS TOUCH HE CLEANS US. We must BELIEVE!

By HIS LOVE, we BELIEVE!

A Fuller Understanding...

---1989 Special 3 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 3 (WWN)


The Blending of the Light --

 What relationship is, there between "the judgment was set" in Daniel 7, "the sanctuary shall be cleansed" in Daniel 8, and the typical Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16?

It should be obvious that there is a relationship between Daniel 7 and 8.

The prophecies are parallel.

When one understands the textual background for Daniel 8:14, and the parallel choice of words in the LXX between Daniel 8:14 and Leviticus 16:30, one can sense there is a relationship there.

But what is the relationship between Daniel 7 and Leviticus 16?

This is not so obvious. Yet the sanctuary doctrine as understood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the past decades stands or falls over this relationship. It is our failure to come to grips with this issue that has given cause for the assaults which the "new theology" advocates have made against the sanctuary teaching.

Our failure to recognize the distinct differences between the prophecy of Daniel 7 and the typical ritual of Leviticus 16 has not helped the cause of truth.

Daniel 7 DOES reveal a "judgment," definitely pre-Advent, before which the "little horn" power is arraigned.

This arraignment is before the assembled hosts of Heaven. (Dan. 7:9-10)

(((Dan 7:9  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. ))))

 On the other hand, the typical services of the sanctuary were connected with a covenant.

The covenant is primary; the services secondary.

The text in Hebrews does NOT say "The worldly sanctuary with its ordinances of divine service had also connected with it a covenant." (See Heb. 9:1)

(((Heb 9:1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ))))

 It was the covenant which had "also" the sanctuary with its services.

Just so, Jesus as "the mediator of a better covenant" is also "a minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man." (See Heb. 8:6, 2)

(((Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. ))))

The "judgment" of Daniel 7 involves the whole problem of sin and the key players in that problem, while the shadowy ritual of the earthly sanctuary tells how a covenant people must relate to the provision for sin to escape the condemnation of the judgment.

It must be kept clearly in mind that the "little horn" of Daniel 7 is continued in symbolism in Revelation by the first "beast" of Chapter 13, and by the "woman in scarlet" in Chapter 17.

Through these symbolisms, runs a continuous thread - "the dragon gave [the beast] his power, and his seat, and great authority." (Rev. 13:2)

The final dictum upon "spiritual Babylon" is that "in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." (Rev. 18:4)

The "little horn" stands in the judgment as the embodiment of all wickedness and the symbol of rebellion against God.

"The man of sin" in II Thess. 2, another designation of the "little horn", is noted as "the Wicked." (ver.8) The Greek is anomos defined by Thayer as "he in whom all iniquity has as it were fixed its abode." (Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, p. 48)

In the book of Hebrews, the message which God speaks "unto us in a Son" (Heb.1:2 Gr.) is that having become "in all things like unto His brethren that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest" (2:17), He is first "a son over His own house."(3:6) Then seated as "a priest upon His throne" (Zech. 6:13), He dispenses mercy and "grace to help in time of need." (4:16) This is His first apartment ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

But what happens when the judgment is set and the books are opened before the Ancient of Days? Here the ritual agenda of Leviticus 16 provides the detail. The first entry with blood into the Most Holy Place on the day of Atonement was by the High Priest with the blood of a bullock which was for himself and "for his house." Not only is Jesus "the Lord's goat" but He also "offered Himself." (Heb. 9:14) Thus the dual entry on the Day of Atonement with "cleansing blood."

The agenda of Leviticus further indicates that the atonement of the Most Holy Place is necessitated "because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins." (16:16) however, no blood of any sin offering ever reached the Most Holy Place during the yearly ritual, but the sins and transgressions of the children of Israel had been recorded in "the books." What was to be done?

The judgment must begin where and over what sin began.

Sin began at the Throne of God and over the creation of man.

The creation plan intended man to be only "a little while inferior to the angels." (Heb. 2:7 margin) But in sin man fell even lower than the "inferior" position.

Now can God bring an end to sin, and carry out His original plan and none of the angelic host become jealous as did Lucifer?

The judgment is set in the presence of that assembled host. (Dan. 7:10) Jesus coming with His sacrifice asks not only pardon full and complete for His covenant people, but a seat upon His throne. Was His sacrifice sufficient to grant this request?

The next step of the agenda was the blood of the Lord's goat. This was God's sacrifice. (See Gen. 22:8)

(((Gen 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. ))))

Here the lots had been cast, a choice had been made.

Standing in the Court was the other goat, representing Azazel.

Could God roll back on him the sins of His Son's "house"?

Again the assembled host must respond, for they, too, had cast their lot, made their choice. Was the cost of Calvary sufficient so that God having paid the price could do with "sins" as He so chooses?

Another question must be settled. What about the "uncleanness" of the "children of Israel?"

In the agenda of the ritual service, this was the last act of the atonement. {Lev. 16:19-20)

Is the "decree" for the removal of the uncleanness then entered to be carried out at the time indicated in Daniel 7:13-14?

The second phase of the ritual agenda was concerning the registry on the horns of the Alter of Burnt Incense.

Here has been made during the year the record of corporate confession. In Daniel 7, none could be found for the "little horn."

Of this "horn" under the symbolism of "Jezebel," Jesus declared, "I gave her space to repent ... and she repented not." (Rev. 2:21) the "horn" and all corporate bodies who have not repented during the time allotted for repentance are at this point in the judgment declared "found wanting."

In the time sequence of Daniel 7, this would occur just prior to the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of Days to receive His kingdom of "saints" - holy ones made holy by His cleansing.

The agenda next indicates a third phase of judgment.

In the Levitical ritual, the final atonement involved a cleansing of the confession of guilt registered on the horns of the Alter in the court.

Here in the daily service the individual only was involved.

No blood was carried into the sanctuary recording the fact that confession had been made and the penalty paid.

The common priest had eaten of the victim. He carried the record in himself.

So likewise, Jesus as a common priest having in all things been "made like unto his brethren" offered the sacrifice of Himself and all who place their full dependence in Him are carried in Him.

They do not come into judgment but pass from death into life. (See John 5:24, Gr.) In the typical ritual, the High Priest went in for the people, none even entered the court.

(((Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. ))))

Having completed His work of cleansing, Jesus comes before the Ancient of Days to ask for His kingdom, and His people who have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice.

And the Ancient of Days, declares, "Granted."

All the host that witnessed the Judgment declare with a loud voice - "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." (Rev. 5:12)

The "agenda" of the Judgment as revealed in the shadowy type gives us a clue as to where we are in the stream of time.

It is after the corporate phase, the individual cleansing begins.

According to Jesus' own prophecy, the times or probation of the nations (corporate bodies) would end with the fulfilling of the sign spoken of in Luke 21:24.

This has occurred.

This projects for our thinking some interesting questions:

1)  Is the "man clothed in linen" (Eze. 9:2-4) now sealing those among the professed house of Israel who have and are afflicting their souls, trusting not in their own works - doing "no work in that same day"? (Lev. 23:28) Do these become in the final hour "His own house" cleansed as represented by the mingled blood of the bullock and the Lord's goat at the Alter of the Court? Do these become marked with the mark of redemption, "the sign of the cross of Calvary"?

2)  Has the "man in linen" reported back to the One on the Throne saying - "I have done as thou has commanded me." (Eze. 9:11) Are we at the time when from the Throne will come the command to the "man clothed in linen" to "take coals from between the cherubim" so as to do for His "marked" people as was done for Isaiah? "Eze. 10:1-2; 6-7. See also Isa. 6:6-7, compare with Rev. 14:5)

The sanctuary teaching is not a "stale, flat, and unprofitable" doctrine, but vibrant with meaning for this very hour. A fuller understanding of Daniel 7, and its interrelationship with the agenda of Leviticus 16 challenges us today, even as the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 challenged those who perceived that prophecy as pointing to the beginning of the hour of God's judgment in 1844.

 "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks to the memory of His sanctuary." (Ps. 97:11-12, margin)

"The Lord has made His people the repository of sacred truth.
Upon every individual who has had the light of present truth devolves the duty
of developing that truth on a higher scale  than it his hitherto been done." -- Ellen G. White

--- End --- 1989 Special 3 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 3

*******

Please, Lord, help us to comprehend the times we are living in. There is TRUTH for us today!  There is truth that we need to know, that we can know.  This truth isn't hidden from us, it's there for us to see!

The plan has been made and will unfold as needed, as predicted.

The END will come.  There was a beginning and there is an end of sin! Sin is the intruder, the interloper, the interruption, the hiccup, the very EVIL of all that, in the plan God intended for humans.  Sin will be destroyed.  We ALL know that life isn't supposed to be this messed up existence we all find ourselves in, it just isn't. We know deep down that all things evil shouldn't exist, and WON'T exist when everything is all over.

It will end.

We are told how it is to end.

Please LORD, let us be YOURS now and when it ends.

All by YOUR grace, YOUR love, YOUR mercy, all by YOU!

Prophecy and Atonement

Daniel Seven and the Day of Atonement-

---1989 Special 3 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 3 (WWN)

p 4 -- DANIEL SEVEN -- The seventh chapter of Daniel sheds light upon the final atonement when we relate it to the shadowy type of Leviticus 16, and helps us to see WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROGRESSION OF THAT HEAVENLY JUDGMENT.

This key prophecy above all others in Daniel, gives us a sequence of symbols and imagery by which we can identify in history the "little horn." The attack on this prophecy today in the form of prophetic speculation is reprehensible. For individuals to profess "historic" Adventism, to promote the sales of "Spirit of Prophecy" books, such as Great Controversy, and then to undermine the force of this God-given prophecy in Daniel is to reveal themselves as the "agents" of Satan. Those who promote such "agents" have themselves become instruments of the evil one to confuse God's professed people.

Daniel , in a night vision saw four beasts arise in succession from the sea "diverse one from another." (7:2-3)

The first was "like a lion,, and had eagle's wings." (7:4)
The identity of this beast, as can be shown both by Scripture and archeology, is Babylon. Jeremiah, a contemporary of both Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, used this same symbolism in describing Babylon's king. (Jer. 49:19, 22, 28)

The lion was followed by the bear, leopard, and the non-descript beast.

Out of the last beast with ten horns arose another "little horn" who plucked up three of the ten. It had the eyes of a man, and spake "great things." (7:8)

It must be kept in mind that this "horn" never existed apart from the beast out which it arose. Its life and source of being was ever rooted in the non-descript beast.

The Powers which in succession followed Babylon were Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome.

Out of Rome and in the midst of the invading peoples who occupied the Roman Empire, there arose that unique power called the Papacy. It was to continue for "a time and times, and the dividing of time." (7:25)

This would bring the sequence of the symbols as seen by Daniel down to 1798 A.D. From the earthly march of nations, Daniel's attention was then turned to the heavenly. He wrote - "I watched until the thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days sat ... the court was set and the books were opened. " (7:9-10 Heb.)

In the sequence of this prophecy, this "judgment scene" would follow 1798, and it did according to the next prophetic vision given to Daniel, in 1844. (8:14)

But the setting of the judgment did not conclude the night of vision of Daniel 7. Two more events followed in the vision. He "beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake." He continued to see the history of the little horn "till" the beast [which nourished the horn] was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame." (7:11)

Before considering the "great words" which the horn spoke after 1844, we should note the comparative prophecy in Rev. 19:20, where the beast, also non-descript, (13:2) is with "the false prophet," cast alive into "a lake of fire."

Then follows the 1000 years and the judgment of the Great White Throne, before whom the "dead" [the lost] stand as individuals. (20:11-12) Corporate bodies of earth through which Satan worked during time cease at the Second Advent. Following the 1000 years, the Devil no longer operating through "agents" leads the host of the lost in the final confrontation. (20:8)

Now we return to a consideration of the "great words" which the "horn" spake after 1844.

In 1854, the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was promulgated. This fact assures us that in the final conflict the doctrine of the Incarnation will play a vital role.

In 1870, the Dogma of Papal Infallibility was affirmed by Vatican Council I. The issue of "authority" and what is true "authority" cannot be treated lightly in the end-time.

Then in 1950, Pius XII made official dogma for the Catholic Church the teaching that Mary was received bodily into Heaven.

In the prophetic sequence of Daniel 7, after Daniel hears the "great words," he sees "one like unto the Son of man" coming not to earth, but to the Ancient of Days to receive "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom" made up of "the saints of the most High.". (7:13-14, 18) In this same night vision, Daniel was told that the Judgment renders a decision in favor of the "saints of the most High," and the time came for them to possess the kingdom. (7:22) Further, when the judgment shall sit, one of its objectives was to take away "the dominion" of the horn, and "to consume and destroy it unto the end." (7:26)

How shall we harmonize the shadowy type of Leviticus 16, and the prophetic sequence of Daniel 7?

On the typical Day of Atonement, the first entry of blood into the Most Holy Place was by the High Priest, not only for himself, but "for his house." (16:11) Then came the blood of the Lord's goat by the same High Priest. This was defined as necessary "because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins." (16:16) But the "uncleanness" was not cleansed until the final act at the Altar in the court where both the blood of the bullock and goat were mingled. It was at this Altar that the daily service for the individual provided forgiveness because through the blood of the sin offering confession was made, and the fact that the penalty had been paid was recorded by the placing of the blood on the horns of that Altar.

The prophetic symbolism of Daniel 7 fits the picture of Christ coming to the Ancient of Days having completed the cleansing of the "saints" of their uncleanness. Thus the "saints" can possess the Kingdom through "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" - God's grace in providing it, and Jesus' willingness, as Isaac's, to be "the propitiation." (Rom. 3:24-25)

(((Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God))))

The "great words" which began with a dogma concerning Mary, closed with a dogma concerning her in 1950. The events - both secular and within the Church - which took place at that date and since, take on a new significance for those who wish to walk in the light from the Throne. ( I John 1:7)

(((1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ))))

Consider the following data, now a matter of history. The World Council of Churches was formed in 1948. Israel was re-established a State the same year. An 1949, Bible Readings for the Home Circle was revised, and the doctrine of the Incarnation was the first doctrine to be altered. It was followed by other doctrinal changes in succeeding decades culminating in the adoption of the 27 Fundamental Statements of Belief in 1980. In 1950, Wieland and Short made their original presentation to the General Conference on the infiltration of Baal worship into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. (See original manuscript - 1888 Re-Examined as reproduced in A Warning and Its Reception.) In 1952, a world-wide Bible Conference held in the Sligo Park Church discussed the significance of Luke 21:24. It has since been fulfilled. (See manuscript - The Times of the Gentiles Fulfilled.) All of this must now be understood and harmonized for the time has come for the saints to possess the kingdom. "The hour has come, the hour is striking, and striking at you, the hour and the end!" (Eze. 7:6-7 Moffatt)

DANIEL 8:14 -- The KJV reads "Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." We have, therefore, associated this verse with the Day of Atonement, and have concluded that following the culmination of the 2300 days in 1844, the ministry of Christ would begin in the Heavenly Reality as prefigured in the type. However, the Hebrew Masoretic text reads sadaq in the Niphal or passive form and means "to be justified or vindicated." (Gesenius) It is obvious that should the Masoretic text stand without challenge, it would be difficult to associate Daniel 8:14 with Leviticus 16.

The Septuagint (LXX) a Greek translation of the Old Testament older than the manuscripts on which the Masoretic Hebrew text is based reads - "shall be cleansed" - using the future passive form of katharizo. Here there is a connection with Leviticus 16 for the same word is used twice in verse 30, once as an infinitive, and once using the same passive form as in Daniel 8:14. The Douay Bible following the Latin word used in the Vulgate -- mundabitur - reads also, shall be cleansed."

How can the difference between the Hebrew text and the LXX and Vulgate translations of the Old Testament be reconciled in regard to Daniel 8:14? Hebrew scholars have long held that the Hebrew portions of Daniel (1-2:4a; 8-12) were translated . from Aramaic originals. This hypothesis was confirmed by the studies of Zimmermann in 1938 and 1939. Building on this, Dr. H. Louis Ginsberg, Sabato Morais Professor of Bible at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, stated the Aramaic for Daniel 8:14 would read - "the sanctuary will become clean (or be cleansed)" He maintains that the Hebrew text which led to the Masoretic use of sadaq (to be justified) was a very poor rendering of the Aramaic by the translator. (See his Studies in Daniel, pp. 41-42, 79-80) Thus in all three languages, the language in which Daniel wrote, and the Greek and Latin translations of that text, the KJV is confirmed.

Both the LXX and the Vulgate use the future passive - "the sanctuary shall be cleansed" - to render the thought of the Aramaic. The end of the 2300 days in 1844, therefore marks the beginning of the process which shall end in a cleansed sanctuary. Daniel 7 outlines the events to be fulfilled on earth during the Heavenly judgment before the Ancient of Days. A continuum is noted "The Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (7:22)

We are now at the end of the period as outlined in Daniel 7. The devil would rob us of the certainty of the truth committed in sacred trust to the Advent Movement by seeking to destroy the fundamental pillars of the sanctuary doctrine as based in the shadowy types and prophecies of the Old Testament. The simple refining of our perceptions of the truth leaves unmoved the basic foundation.
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People call it nitpicking when they don't want to delve too deeply into semantics. In fact saying it's mere semantics as if it has no real importance is a deception all too often used by those who don't want to dig deep. The milk drinkers don't like to bite down into the thick, tough meat of a meal, but rather eat something that goes down smooth and easy without any real effort on their part. We can't afford to be milk drinkers. We have to get into the heart of the matter, we have to be willing to search deep the scriptures because…

Joh_5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Jesus spoke those words, not me!  And the scriptures He referred to were NOT those exclusively written after He died.

In the Old Testament we find the testifying of our Savior to come. In the Book of Daniel we find prophecies extending all the way down to the very, very end when it is all finished…

Dan 11:45  And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Dan 12:1  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Thy people shall be delivered.  Even those who are dead who die in Christ, they shall wake up to everlasting life.

When we read about the Day of Atonement, about the cleansing of the Sanctuary we can't help but reference this old testament verse--

Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

There is a work being performed even now in this cleansing process.

We have…

Heb_4:14  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.
Heb_4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Heb_9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come…

Our Great High Priest is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary and make no mistake when His work is complete He will come to get His people, to call them from the earth to meet Him in the air.

1Th_4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

With the cleansing over all will be cleansed that will ever be cleansed, made clean by the Blood of the Lamb!

We've been blessed with the scriptures which explain so much to us as we wait and watch for the coming of our Lord and Savior. We know what work is being performed. We see the signs unfolding that we are told to watch for. We can comprehend the truth through the blessing of the Holy Spirit giving us spiritual sight. Truth we must walk in, truth we must live in, all through the LOVE, the GRACE, the MERCY, the RIGHTEOUSNESS of our SAVIOR!

The Last Days, Days of Suffering

Continuing now from our studies on the Sanctuary taken from Watchman What of the Night thought paper.

We've gone over this several times but we're doing so yet again and even more points will be brought out for us to consider.  And we MUST consider these points, not blindly read without any real thought at all whatsoever.

Again, this is another recap so if you've the feeling that you've already gone over all this it's because you have.

---1989 Special 3 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 3 (WWN)

When Aaron was to come into the most holy place on the Day of Atonement, he was to bring a young bullock for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. (16:3)
The "bullock" was to be "for himself, and for his house." (16:11)

But NO hands were laid upon the head of this bullock in either confession or transference, yet it was called a "sin offering."

One might reply that because this was a sin offering, the law of the sin offering required that this be done.

No blood carrying the confession of sin could cleanse, and in the final step of the cleansing the cleansing of the Altar of the Court the blood of the bullock was MINGLED with the blood of the Lord's goat. (16:18)

On the Day of Atonement, throughout the ministry of cleansing, Aaron was to wear the "holy garments" made of LINEN. (16:4) These were not removed until he had finished the whole ritual of the day up to and including the transfer of sin to the head of the live goat. (16:23)

Two kids of goats were taken from the congregation, and were presented before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle. (16:7)

Over these, lots were cast, one goat becoming the Lord's goat, and the other for Azazel, or the scapegoat.

A comment found in Keil Delitzsch explains well the significance of "one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat" (Heb. - Azazel; 16:8, margin) It reads:    

"The words, one lot for Jehovah and one for Azazel, require unconditionally that Azazel should be regarded as a personal being in apposition to Jehovah ... We have not to think, however, of any demon, who seduces men to wickedness in the form of an evil spirit, as the fallen angel Azazel is represented as doing in Jewish writings ..., like the terrible fiend Shibe, whom the Arabs of the peninsula of Sinai so much dread ..., but of the devil himself, the head of the fallen angels, who was afterwards called Satan; for no subordinate evil spirit could have been placed in antithesis to Jehovah as Azazel is here, but only the ruler or head of the kingdom of demons. (Vol. 1, p. 398)"

THREE times Aaron enters the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement.

First to burn incense, so that "a cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony." (16:12-13)
Next he brings the blood of the bullock, and sprinkles it seven times before the ark. (16:14) Finally the blood of the Lord's goat is brought in and the same procedure is followed as for the blood of the bullock. (16:15)

Then the text reads:      He shall make an atonement for the holy place [most holy], because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins. (16:16)

Here we must pause and do some thinking. IF in fact, the blood of the sin offerings represented the transference of sin to the sanctuary, how did the sin get into the Most Holy Place, inasmuch as no blood was ever taken into that Most Holy Place during the year?

Further, none of the blood on the Day of Atonement which was taken in was laden with sin.

The truth is, the RECORD of the sins of Israel were already recorded there, and the blood of the sin offerings merely indicated that the PENALTY HAD BEEN PAID for a life had been given. Now the record had to be EXPUNGED, and the final penalty for sin adjudicated.

But along with sin is introduced the "uncleannessess of the children of Israel."

This facet enters the ritual services again as the cleansing continues. While the record of the sins and transgressions could be expunged in the Most Holy Place, the uncleanness could not. The question remains - what does this phase of the cleansing mean? This must be addressed, and this we shall do as the study continues.

*

Following the cleansing of the Most Holy Place, the High Priest also cleansed the holy place, or first apartment, noted as "the tabernacle." (16:16) This was performed because of the record placed on the horns of the Altar of Incense. The instruction read:      And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it [Altar of Incense] once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements. (Ex. 30:10)

It must be kept in mind that on this Alter during the year was recorded only the blood of corporate confession.

Then Aaron went to the Court. (16:18) Here the blood of the bullock and the blood of the Lord's goat were mingled for the cleansing of the Alter of Burnt Offering. Two things should be observed:

1)  This Altar carried the record of the confessed sins of the individual, and the fact that the penalty had been paid.

And

2)  Only the uncleanness of the children of Israel is mentioned in this cleansing, not their sins. (16:19)

After Aaron had "made an end of reconciling the [most] holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar" (16:20), then the live goat entered the picture. On him the High Priest placed "both" of his hands and "confessed" over the goat "all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins." (16:21)

This goat was then dispatched by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness, to "a land not inhabited." (16:22)

Again it should be observed that the uncleanness of the children of Israel was not included, only that which had been adjudicated in the Most Holy Place. The cleansing of the uncleanness ended at the Altar of the court.

It is well to note in passing that after Aaron had assumed his official attire, he offered his burnt offering, and a sin offering for the congregation, thus bringing the blood of confession once again into the sanctuary. (Cmp. Lev. 16:24 & Num. 29:11)

The new year had begun and with it came the same round of services which could not make the comer there unto perfect. It was but shadowy. The Reality to which it pointed could and would accomplish the objective of God and the longing of the contrite soul.

*

OTHER ASPECTS AND QUESTIONS --

The Day of Atonement was MORE sacred than a regular Sabbath.

It is called a "Sabbath of sabbaths." (Lev. 23:32, Heb. )

"All the various elements effecting atonement are in a marked degree combined in the Day of Atonement ... It is called - 'shabbat shabbaton,' the holiest of rest days." (Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. II, p. 280; quoted in Messiah in His Sanctuary, p. 67)

On this day, as on the weekly Sabbath, NO work was to be done, while on the other feast days, "servile work" - the performance of a trade - alone was prohibited. (Lev. 23:28, cmp. with 23:7) It was to be FAST day, a day for SOUL AFFLICTION. It was called "the fast" by Luke. (Acts 27:9, margin)

The blood of the Lord's goat is noted in Scripture as "the sin offering of atonements" (Ex. 30:10) The same emphasis is to be found in Leviticus 23, though not apparent in the KJV. Literally, the record reads: "On the tenth of this seventh month is a day of atonements ... and ye shall do no work in this same day: for it is a day of atonements, to make an atonement for you." (27-28)

This day called for soul affliction, fasting and no work. In contemplating .the significance of these requirements, it would be well to ponder the message of Isaiah 58:1-7.

Isa 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Isa 58:2  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
Isa 58:3  Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Isa 58:4  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Isa 58:5  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Isa 58:6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

An observation worthy of much thought is to be found in the chapter. "The Seal of God." (Testimonies, Vol.5) It reads:      In the time when (God's) wrath shall go forth in judgments, ["the little company who are standing in the light", the] humble devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul-anguish, which will be expressed in LAMENTATION AND WEEPING, REPROOFS AND WARNINGS. (p.210)

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Soul Anguish- 'severe mental or physical pain or suffering.'
Lamentation-  'the passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping.'
Weeping- 'shedding tears.'
Reproving- 'reprimand or censure (someone).'
Warning- 'An intimation, threat, or sign of impending danger or evil.'

The last days are not for the weak. The last days will be days of suffering.  Suffering severe emotional, mental pain, filled with sorrow, much time spent in tears. Reproving of sin, warning of the penalty of unrepentant sin, this is how those who are God's will be living.  To believe otherwise is to bury our heads in the sand and make believe all is right in the world.

We are told NOT to cry, not to be depressed, not to be negative, not to be pessimistic, we are told by the world that we should focus on PEACE, on SAFETY, on all things good. We are even told by others who claim to follow Christ that it is wrong for us to not have faith and if we cry, if we sorrow, if we reprove and warn we are obviously lacking faith. They are WRONG! Christ Himself wept and sorrowed! Christ Himself warned and reproved!  Our Savior did not go about giggling and dancing, smiling and giddy all the time, far, far from it! Why then do we imagine that is how we are supposed to desire to live? Why?

More on all this tomorrow, by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

All in HIS LOVE!