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

*******

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

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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!

Do Not Sugarcoat Christ

Do we understand why we need to be cleaned? Do we understand that we are filthy? Do we comprehend that our spirit without God's spirit, is dead? Do we fully realize that we are the living dead when we are separated from God and His love?

Too many people mistakenly believe that God loves all without any discretion whatsoever, that all will be saved because God is so incredibly benevolent that it cannot be otherwise.  Our LOVING God is a consuming fire, and if there are NONE to consume why would he need to be a consuming fire?

The same choice given to Adam and Eve is given to every one of us.

Will we choose to eat of the tree of Good and Evil? Or will we choose to obey God, our Creator, our Redeemer, our Prophet, our High Priest, our King.

It's a choice and IF we make the wrong choice and choose to serve ourselves and eat of the tree of good and evil, we will be consumed in the fire, God will NOT save us!

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
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 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

Our God is a consuming fire, we cannot forget this, God does NOT want us to forget this!

Jesus taught from the scriptures--

Mar_12:24  And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Mar_14:49  I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

Luk_24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luk_24:32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Luk_24:45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures

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

The Scriptures were THE OLD TESTAMENT!

And if you read the old testament you will see time and time again that God's wrath was played out. The consequences of choosing not to obey God were deadly, they were NOT slaps on the wrists and shrugging shoulders with wry hopeful grins.  They were not exasperated sighs and spankings, but fearful and truly deadly!  The rain of fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah was REAL, not made up of special effects, not pretend destruction, but very real, very horrific obliterating, torturous death. That was GOD'S wrath upon those who choose NOT to have faith in GOD. That was God's consuming fire upon those who choose not to serve God. And while people love to skew that into something awful by saying God must be terrible if He demands obedience, God is the dictator they lament, they are deceived and very, very wrong!  God is LOVE, God is SELFLESS, and those who choose SELF over GOD are truly those who deserve to be no more, there is NO real love in them, there can't be because God is love! And in choosing not God, they choose to live without any REAL love. Sure, they can be filled with a counterfeit love and millions, billions are filled with false love, a love so close to the REAL love it deceives, and it will deceive even those who possess the false love. They will stand in that day and cry out to our Savior, and He will NOT know them!

We cannot afford to SUGARCOAT Christ!  Christ did NOT sugarcoat Himself! Christ told the TRUTH in all things!

Please LORD help us to comprehend Your truth fully! Let there be NO GUILE in us, through YOU!

You are LOVE and You are a consuming fire!

All praise, all glory, all honor, all thanksgiving unto YOU our merciful, loving, fearful God!

Spiritual Filth

How important is it to be clean? I mean spirit clean, not physically clean, though we know from history that it's good to be as clean as possible. The hygiene of those in the dark ages and so on and so forth until dirt and germs were realized was awful. Surgeries performed in those times almost always resulted in death because of the dirt allowed to enter the open wounds. So we know that good hygiene and even a sterile environment when it comes to surgery is a very, very good thing. Not that mud and such doesn't have its place in certain situations, mud baths, mud covering to protect from the elements in certain climes and situations. But spiritual filth is never, ever good in any circumstance.

Spiritual filth results from our separation from the only source of spiritual cleanliness.  When we separated ourselves from the source of spiritual cleanness we instantly began to become spiritually dirty. We didn't have a source of cleanliness any longer! We wanted to clean ourselves, we wanted to be our OWN source of cleanliness. We wanted to be LIKE the source cleanliness, not like as in emulating but as it being that source in place of the source, or as a source ourselves. We wanted to be a God.  We did!  The Bible tells us this…

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Gen 3:2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Satan said- In the day you EAT of the forbidden fruit your EYES will be OPENED and you will be AS GODS, knowing GOOD and EVIL.

Eve HEARD those words and they affected her deeply. Here was someone other than God explaining to her that the ONLY reason the fruit was forbidden was because God DIDN'T want them to be GODS.  God wanted to stop them from being GODS in their own right. God did NOT want them to be GODS.  God wanted to keep them from becoming something special. God was denying them something that was to be desired.  God was using subterfuge.  God wasn't being completely forthright with them. God had an ulterior motive in not wanting them to eat of that fruit. These were all the things that Satan was insinuating to Eve and Eve was falling victim to his artful seduction.

The fruit was beautiful, desirable to look at (Gen. 3:6).  She'd been eating fruit from the other trees for a long while now. She understood what good fruit looked like. And this fruit from this tree- like any other tree- looked good to eat, it was pleasing to look at. There was nothing keeping her from getting close to the forbidden tree, nothing at all. She could stare at that fruit all she wanted.  And that fruit hanging upon it was ripe for the picking. She'd picked other fruit like that fruit, maybe not the exact same in appearance, but fruit that she'd been allowed to eat from other trees. In fact she had access to all the other and different trees and their fruits, all but this one.

Gen 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Every other tree.

We know just from the fruit trees we can eat from the variety there is to choose from.  Eve had access to all sorts of other fruit, other trees. It wasn't as if there were just two trees- one to eat from and one forbidden. EVERY TREE of the GARDEN they could eat from and as we know a garden is much more than a single tree.

This one tree.

And it was SO much more than a tree.

It was a TEST.

A test of FAITH.
A test of LOYALTY.
A test of LOVE.

A simple test.

Believe God or do not believe God.
Have faith in God or do not have faith in God.
Love God or do not love God.

When Eve chose to walk over to that tree, to raise her hand, to let her fingers wrap around the pleasant fruit, to tug the fruit from the branch and look upon it, bringing it to her mouth, biting down upon the skin, she did so with the realization that God had told them NOT to eat it. She KNEW she was disobeying God.  She knew.

She KNEW she was doing something contrary to what she'd been commanded to do.

So many trees, so many fruits to choose from.

Yet Eve chose to believe that God had misled her, that God did not want her to obtain something special because that something would make her competition with Him.  Satan insinuated that Eve was being deprived of something that would be good for her, it was a lie.  A lie that Eve chose to believe rather than believe a God that had created her.

When she made that choice she was choosing to separate herself from God.
She chose to separate herself from the light.
She chose to separate herself from all that was clean.
She chose to separate herself from all that was good.
She chose to separate herself from love.

When Eve and Adam ate of that fruit the lost so much. The separation from God resulted in so much loss for mankind.

Clothed in light, clothed in the righteousness of God no longer. Without God there is no cleanliness, no righteousness.

The Day of Atonement was a day symbolic of cleansing, the final cleansing, returning man to God, repairing the breach completely. All the righteousness of God would once more belong to man. All the light of God would once more belong to man. All the love and cleanliness will belong to man once more.  Never will sin separate God from man again, never.

Our High Priest is cleansing the Sanctuary as on the Day of Atonement, a cleansing that will result in a final Atonement for all.

By the grace of God may we be among those cleansed!

Please, LORD, please by Your mercy and grace, save us!

All in Your LOVE!