SANCTUARY MEETINGS
After the 2 hour outdoor section of the
meeting, there was an intermission. During break time the crowd was to move into
the meeting hall. The spot lights were turned onto the sanctuary model and
themes of the sanctuary were discussed followed by a quiz.
Setting
up the sanctuary was full of challenges like in all places of the world except
there was one extra hurdle. The proceedings were halted till there could be permission
obtained for hanging the curtains. It blocked the first night of lessons but we
made up for it later. We also were missing parts of the table due to being left
behind in Nevada after the seminar there. Also there was an accidental burn
while Jenny was making the bread for the table.
The heat inside was one factor to the reduction of crowd. Also there is a
shyness of being seen going inside for meeting. Outdoors from both sides of the
screen, many watched from their homes. There was a 30 minute section of word for
word scriptures being read in their own language along with the acted out
English version of the same. We covered Mathew, John, and Acts. Finally we
covered the End events. This part was followed by Jenny sharing a Bible story
that illustrated the 10 commandments. After her hour session, I gave a health
talk and testimony of what God had done for me. The intermission gave us time to
reset the equipment for graphics and microphone inside.
There was a one hour session each evening on the sanctuary themes ending on the
Feast of Tabernacles. It was thrilling to see the young people and those young
at heart answering quiz questions and getting the large picture roll pictures as
rewards.
One young man drew and colored two large poster size pictures of the sanctuary. It was a nice job. No one else took up the challenge so he received the prize.
Many saw the laver and understood how God expects us to be baptized before a deeper fellowship with Him. Many began showing interest. We took courage and asked how many wanted baptism. With joy we decided to stay some more days and cover the set of Telegu Bible review lessons at the end of the book Steps to Christ. The Bible set is from Mark Finley.
The
FEAST OF TABERNACLES. This service is fun for it is a prophecy of heaven. This meeting of the
sanctuary series was the most well attended. The day had been exhausting in getting the
needed flowers and palms but everyone must have heard something extra special
had been done for their flowers were used to make the program more delightful.
It
is my favorite program for I love speaking about heaven. I love to think of
being there. There are so many symbols of heaven in this sanctuary service. For
example, there will be no reminders of sin in the earth made new except the
marks of scars on Jesus. On His side remains the scar of where the soldiers
pierced Him.
It is written by the prophet Habakkuk as while in vision, He saw Jesus in heaven. He writes in Habakkuk chapter 3 verse 4, "He had bright beams coming out of His side and there was the hiding of His power."
This fact of the plan of Jesus to retain the scars is why it was celebrated every year in the Feast of Tabernacles. These scars are reminders of His act of love for us. These scars are HIS highest honor. Through eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare HIS POWER.
At
the altar of sacrifice, which symbolizes Jesus, the golden vessel ceremony
started and ended.
On
the shoulder, the priest carried the pitcher out of the temple while trumpets
played and people sang Psalms 122. Palm branches were waved and people shouted Halleluiah
. When they returned there was a most amazing pouring of that water, obtained
from the Brook Kidron, and grape juice into two silver bowls simultaneously.
Under
the ground in Solomon's temple the tubes joined that drained these silver bowls.
The water and the grape juice joined into one tube and flowed back to the Brook
Kidron. This was a big highlight to the FEAST OF TABERNACLES because it is the
spotlight of our thinking throughout all eternity.
Again
I quote the prophet: It is written by the prophet Habakkuk as while
in vision, He saw Jesus in heaven. He writes in Habakkuk chapter 3 verse 4,
"He had bright beams coming out of His side and there was the hiding of His
power."
In heaven, the scars on Jesus will remain throughout eternity. It is not a crown that marks HIS highest honor, but these scars.
The story of his blood and water flowing from His side is evidence of a love that is so deep that we cannot comprehend it. It is so unlike any love we have ever experienced. He had power to leave the scene of torture. The nails could not hold this God WHO had so much power HE spoke and the world came into existence. It was HIS love that held HIM to the cross. His love that calls us to believe on Him, obey, and be saved.
The wages of sin is death. The broken law requires the life of the sinner. No obedience reveals a heart in rebellion. He took our sins on HIMSELF so we could have life.
Imagine the pain in HIS heart when we have no gratitude or desire for HIM. Jesus took our punishment for breaking the 10 Commandments. WE can show our loyalty to HIM by a strong desire for help in obeying all the light we have. He will forgive if we fall on our knees and cry to HIM for cleansing. We must be on our face before the Lord asking for Him to show us where there are defects and let Him wash us clean. The final test of loyalty of all who say they love HIM is if they will keep the day holy that He has set to meet with Him. The 7th day. (Exodus 20)
To occupy this day with work for gain is
the same as inflicting these wounds on Jesus ourselves. It is a rejection of HIS
payment for our lawbreaking. He then withdraws HIS light from us only because He
does not force our love. On His day of rest we can help the sick and suffering,
study HIS words, and pray. It is a day for fellowship with HIM. It is not a day
for visiting with friends discussing every day issues. It is a day to study
alone and together the great themes of salvation and to pray. That is why, to
buy and sell on this day is breaking the Sabbath. The story of the manna teaches
that all cooking must be done before Sabbath begins. EVERYTHING that occupies
our thoughts during the week can be set aside for a 24 hour appointment with the
CREATOR of the Universe.
How about you? Won't you let Him search your heart and see if there is any wicked way in you and lead you in the way everlasting? He can create in you the desire for a clean heart. It is heaven's greatest joy over one sinner that repents and is saved. There is great rejoicing. (Psalms 138, Psalms 51)
Recommended further reading:
One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ in His glory, "He had bright beams coming out of his side: and there was the hiding of his power." {FLB 361.6}
The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity.
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{FLB 361.7} Faith I Live By
One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of his crucifixion. Upon his wounded head, upon his side, his hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ in his glory, "He had bright beams coming out of his side; and there was the hiding of his power." [HAB. 3:4 (MARGIN)] That pierced side whence flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God,--there is the Saviour's glory, there "the hiding of his power." "Mighty to save," through the sacrifice of redemption, he was therefore strong to execute justice upon them that despised God's mercy. And the tokens of his humiliation are his highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth his praise, and declare his power. {GC88 674.1}
"O Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion." [MICAH 4:8; EPH. 1:14.] The time has come, to which holy men have looked with longing since the flaming sword barred the first pair from Eden,--the time for "the redemption of the purchased possession." [MICAH 4:8; EPH. 1:14.] The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption. All that was lost by sin has been restored. "Thus saith the Lord . . . that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited." [ISA. 45:18.] God's original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed. "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever." [PS. 37:29.] {GC88 674.2}
Great Controversy
by Ellen White