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; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Hebrews 8:1, 2.
The question, What is the sanctuary? is clearly answered in the Scriptures. The term “sanctuary,” as used in the Bible, refers, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the “true tabernacle” in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The “true tabernacle” in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant.
The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.” Revelation 4:5. He saw an angel “having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” Revelation 8:3. Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the “seven lamps of fire” and the “golden altar,” represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth. Again, “the temple of God was opened” (Revelation 11:19), and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. Here he beheld “the ark of his testament,” represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God….
Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him. Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven. And John testifies that he saw it in heaven.
The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth.
When Christ ascended to heaven, He ascended as our Advocate. We always have a Friend at court.
The Faith I Live By p.202
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Prayer Requests
—-Lou will be getting a pacemaker either today or tomorrow. Please pray that this will take care of her heart problems and that she will fully recover. Eileen
—-My friend is asking for prayers. He did a job, and the person is refusing to pay for the work. Rosemary
—-Please pray for my friend Gary who was recently diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. It has spread and he now has a large tumor on his neck. Kathy
—- please include Tatay in Your prayer. MG
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Dear Friends,
Disasters by fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, are becoming more and more common. Our Dear Saviour foretold these devastations, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Matt 24:7 God is our only protection in this sinful, old planet. Only God can keep us from harm so that nothing like these recent happenings would happen to us and those we love.
One time some years ago before I retired, when I was frightened by a recent happening, our Heavenly Father sent me an assuring message. While making my daily deliveries within the courthouse where I worked, I rode the elevator with a young man. We began talking about the recent happenings. I pointed up and said, “We have only one protection.” He smiled a big smile and said, “Amen! For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7 Just then we arrived at the ninth floor, and he got off. Joy filled my heart where fear had been. God had used a young man in an elevator to give me just the Bible text that I needed to hear.
Truly our only protection is in a God Who is places a hedge of protection about us, Who loves us “with an everlasting love,” Who draws us with His lovingkindness,” Who upholds “all things by the word of his power.” Job 1:10; Jer31:3; Heb 1:3 Our only safety is in the One Who cares deeply about what goes on in our life just as He cared for the Children of Israel in days of old. Isaiah exclaims, “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. Isa 63:7-9
“I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” Jer 15:21 “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour” Isa 43:1-3 “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps 50:15 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8
What a Wonderful Redeemer! What a Dear and Loving Friend! He is always there guiding, protecting, watching over us. We can trust in Him knowing that nothing can happen to us that is not within His will! “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28
May we ever praise our Great Creator for His wonderful love and care. May we declare as did the psalmist, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Ps 32:7;119:114 May we, no matter what transpires around us, put our trust in the One Who loves us so.
Rose
The Very Center of His Work