The Desire of Ages--63--Thy King Cometh

[Dorine]

"Yet again the Spirit of God speaks to Jerusalem. Before the day is done, another testimony is borne to Christ. The voice of witness is lifted up, responding to the call from a prophetic past. If Jerusalem will hear the call, if she will receive the Saviour who is entering her gates, she may yet be saved."

I used to focus on the excitement of the triumphant entry but with each reading I find myself focusing on the heart wrenching account of Jesus' deep agony on the summit over looking Jerusalem. The description is so vivid. Jesus' love for this unworthy nation does not want to let go of them.

The thought that impressed me this morning is that the sun is about to set on this world and the love of Jesus is just as strong and intense as it ever was. Jesus is longing to take His children home but He is waiting. Waiting for His church to wake up and take Him seriously before the sun sets. But the sun will set and those who are righteous will be ready and those who are unrepentant will not. How important it is to be spending time each day in the study of God's word. It anchors our faith in His promises and holds us fast in Jesus.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!

Happy hearts overflow with worship to Jesus when we realize who He really is--the Savior of the world and the only one whose way is truth! He died for us and rose from the grave that we may experience eternal life! May we ever abide in Him and flourish in His love and grace!

"Christ was following the Jewish custom for a royal entry. The animal on which He rode was that ridden by the kings of Israel, and prophecy had foretold that thus the Messiah should come to His kingdom. No sooner was He seated upon the colt than a loud shout of triumph rent the air. The multitude hailed Him as Messiah, their King. Jesus now accepted the homage which He had never before permitted, and the disciples received this as proof that their glad hopes were to be realized by seeing Him established on the throne. The multitude were convinced that the hour of their emancipation was at hand. In imagination they saw the Roman armies driven from Jerusalem, and Israel once more an independent nation. All were happy and excited; the people vied with one another in paying Him homage. They could not display outward pomp and splendor, but they gave Him the worship of happy hearts. They were unable to present Him with costly gifts, but they spread their outer garments as a carpet in His path, and they also strewed the leafy branches of the olive and the palm in the way. They could lead the triumphal procession with no royal standards, but they cut down the spreading palm boughs, Nature's emblem of victory, and waved them aloft with loud acclamations and hosannas." {The Desire of Ages, page 570, paragraph 1}

May the Lord give us strength to walk with Jesus this day--all the way to heaven! 

[Richard Myers]

What a serious chapter!  Poor Jesus, how His heart ached as He saw the result of His favored people's rejection of His love. Listen to His howl as His heart breaks in agony for what is coming upon Israel. We know that what is coming upon the world will be even worse. And, we know that His favored people today are not in any better condition than was Israel then. But, there is a difference. It was prophesied that Israel would be cut off. Not so for the seventh and last organized church. It will not be cut off,  but clean water is being poured out upon her and she will see revival and reformation. But, many will not surrender all for Christ. Thus, we understand the great sorrow that fills our hearts as we know what is coming upo the impenitent who will not buy of Jesus gold tried in the fire.

  Israel had been a favored people; God had made their temple His habitation; it was "beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth." Psalm 48:2. The record of more than a thousand years of Christ's guardian care and tender love, such as a father bears his only child, was there. In that temple the prophets had uttered their solemn warnings.

So it is today. What will come upon those who refuse to surrender self? What happened to Israel?

    But the bright picture of what Jerusalem might have been fades from the Saviour's sight. He realizes what she now is under the Roman yoke, bearing the frown of God, doomed to His retributive judgment. He takes up the broken thread of His lamentation: "But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."   

So it will be for those who continue to reject Christ knock at the door of the heart. His agony at the the thought of Israel's future, was also for those who today reject all that He has done to save them.

 Christ came to save Jerusalem with her children; but Pharisaical pride, hypocrisy, jealousy, and malice had prevented Him from accomplishing His purpose. Jesus knew the terrible retribution which would be visited upon the doomed city. He saw Jerusalem encompassed with armies, the besieged inhabitants driven to starvation and death, mothers feeding upon the dead bodies of their own children, and both parents and children snatching the last morsel of food from one another, natural affection being destroyed by the gnawing pangs of hunger. He saw that the stubbornness of the Jews, as evinced in their rejection of His salvation, would also lead them to refuse submission to the invading armies. He beheld Calvary, on which He was to be lifted up, set with crosses as thickly as forest trees. He saw the wretched inhabitants suffering torture on the rack and by crucifixion, the beautiful palaces destroyed, the temple in ruins, and of its massive walls not one stone left upon another, while the city was plowed like a field. Well might the Saviour weep in agony in view of that fearful scene.

The most fearful event recorded in Scripture is about to fall upon those who have rejected the plea of Christ. The last plagues are coming soon. What does Christ feel for those who He has given so much?

   Jerusalem had been the child of His care, and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son, so Jesus wept over the beloved city. How can I give thee up? How can I see thee devoted to destruction? Must I let thee go to fill up the cup of thine iniquity? One soul is of such value that, in comparison with it, worlds sink into insignificance;

How many in His church today does He weep over?  It  is not too late for many Laodiceans to turn to Jesus and give Him the whole heart. Search my heart, dear Lord. Do not let me be blind of my great need of thee continually.

[Beacon]

"If Jerusalem had known what it was her privilege to know, and had heeded the light which Heaven had sent her, she might have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her God-given power. There would have been no armed soldiers standing at her gates, no Roman banners waving from her walls. The glorious destiny that might have blessed Jerusalem had she accepted her Redeemer rose before the Son of God. He saw that she might through Him have been healed of her grievous malady, liberated from bondage, and established as the mighty metropolis of the earth. From her walls the dove of peace would have gone forth to all nations. She would have been the world's diadem of glory."

Quote from Richard Meyers...." It is a well kept secret that if will spend a thoughtful hour a day looking upon Jesus we would not only be saved, but be a light on a shining hill! Thy King is coming very soon and few are making preparation  of Him. How can we prepare for Him? We can learn of Him. We can behold His grace. We can worship Him in Word, in truth, and in song.. We can bless Jesus if we will appreciate all He has done for us."

My Mom used to say...."Count your many blessings name them one by one...and it will "surprise you what the Lord has done" It is only by contemplating and beholding all that Jesus has done and is doing for us that we will be drawn to Him with hearts full of praise and thanksgiving. No wonder Satan has devised SO MANY DISTRACTIONS that tempt us to spend our time and money on things that ultimately cause us to spend time and money on things which in realty are broken cisterns.

Time is fast running out for planet Earth. The door of probation is soon to close!! I pray that you & I will take a moment to analyse how we spend our time and money. Is our focus on Jesus OR on the world. We know from the counsel God has revealed that the Final Events of this worlds history are going to be RAPID ONES. Satan wants to keep us distracted or asleep until it's too late. How sad it would be to hear Jesus say "Depart from me -- I never knew you. "

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY. JESUS YEARNS FOR EACH ONE OF US JUST LIKE HE YEARNED OVER JERUSALEM. HIS PROMISE OF VICTORY AND THE GIFT ETERNAL LIFE CAN STILL BE HAD, BUT WE MUST RESPOND BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. WHEN WE SURRENDER COMPLETELY TO JESUS ON A DAILY BASES -- THERE IS GREAT REJOICING IN HEAVEN FOR IN BEHOLDING JESUS WE BECOME CHANGED AND WILL BE BE READY TO MEET HIM WHEN HE COMES TO TAKE HIS REDEEMED ONES HOME.   

HAPPY SABBATH TO ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD. KEEP LOOKING UP AND LISTEN FOR THE SHOUT.    

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!

We may behold Jesus afresh this Sabbath and be encouraged to walk with Him in victory! Christ knew what His Father was leading Him to do, and He came to Jerusalem before His crucifixion that all may be directed to Him as the Savior of the world. As we learn of Christ, our hearts and minds may thrill with the high calling laid before us of proclaiming Christ's soon second coming in glory!

"Never before in His earthly life had Jesus permitted such a demonstration. He clearly foresaw the result. It would bring Him to the cross. But it was His purpose thus publicly to present Himself as the Redeemer. He desired to call attention to the sacrifice that was to crown His mission to a fallen world. While the people were assembling at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, He, the antitypical Lamb, by a voluntary act set Himself apart as an oblation. It would be needful for His church in all succeeding ages to make His death for the sins of the world a subject of deep thought and study. Every fact connected with it should be verified beyond a doubt. It was necessary, then, that the eyes of all people should now be directed to Him; the events which preceded His great sacrifice must be such as to call attention to the sacrifice itself. After such a demonstration as that attending His entry into Jerusalem, all eyes would follow His rapid progress to the final scene." {The Desire of Ages, page 571, paragraph 2}

 

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Beacon and Pastor Sean!  And what is our condition today? Are we as a people any different from Israel in that day? Are we prepared for what is coming on the world? Are we prepared to receive Jesus at His second coming? Is our life a witness of the power of grace to cause us to glory in our tribulation? Or are we seeking to rejoice in our prosperity in this world? Do we realize the most weighty trust and the highest honor God can bestow upon us is to become partakers in the sufferings of Christ? God's church remains in a Laodicean condition. Many will be forever lost because they think they are rich and increased with goods, but know not that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. There are many others who will awake to their lost condition and follow the counsel given by Christ. They will buy "gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eye salve" and repent of their sins. God's church will see revival and reformation. Those who learn of Christ will love Him supremely and will be a witness not only to this world, but to the worlds above.

   This day, which seemed to the disciples the crowning day of their lives, would have been shadowed with gloomy clouds had they known that this scene of rejoicing was but a prelude to the suffering and death of their Master. Although He had repeatedly told them of His certain sacrifice, yet in the glad triumph of the present they forgot His sorrowful words, and looked forward to His prosperous reign on David's throne. 

Jesus had told them that He die, but like many today, they did not want to hear the truth. If we will spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, we would have spiritual discernment, for the Holy Spirit would open our blind eyes to the loveliness of Jesus and we will  then give our hearts fully to Him who gave all for us.

[Beacon]

"It was not because of the reminders of His cruel death that the Redeemer wept and groaned in anguish of spirit. His was no selfish sorrow. The thought of His own agony did not intimidate that noble, self-sacrificing soul...It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of Jesus.Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God and scorned His love, that refused to be convinced by His mighty miracles, and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer, and what she might have been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her wound. He had come to save her; how could He give her up?"

Jesus expressed His strong pathos with heartbreaking words as recorded in Matthew 23:37.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

Sometimes we criticize the people who lived in the time Jesus was on earth. But, in all honesty, Would He say the same thing about You and I ??, the people of His church today---who claim to be His " People " 

Perhaps we should reflect more on the counsel given in 2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Let not repeat the sad story of Israel.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Many are the parallels from Christ's first advent to the second advent that is about to take place! While Jesus was longing to bring His people to repentance and reformation by accepting His grace, so today He longs to do the same. As it was then, the same barriers of pride, worldliness, and strife for supremacy were cause many to lose their souls. Yet Jesus must give every soul an opportunity to repent, for His love is infinite and He knew that if they understood the character of His Father and became imbued with His Spirit, they could truly receive Him. So in our time, right before Jesus returns, we need to behold the loveliness of His character that we may be transformed into His image, ready to meet Him when He comes in power and great glory to take His people to heaven! While at the first advent the triumphal ride was preparatory to Christ's agony on Calvary to atone for the sins of the world, the final gospel proclamation of the three angels's messages of Revelation 14:6-12 now being shared is to prepare a people to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator during the time of Jacob's trouble, that God's people may corporately, fully reflect His image and be welcomed into His presence! Let us respond to Christ's heart call to repentance that we may meet Him in peace! The only way to victory is complete surrender so our hearts and minds may be cleansed from sin and imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing!

"Yet again the Spirit of God speaks to Jerusalem. Before the day is done, another testimony is borne to Christ. The voice of witness is lifted up, responding to the call from a prophetic past. If Jerusalem will hear the call, if she will receive the Saviour who is entering her gates, she may yet be saved." {The Desire of Ages, page 578, paragraph 1}

There is still hope today! Christ still pleads the merits of His blood as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, calling all to repentance, but soon the door of mercy will close, and the seven last plagues will fall upon the world, far exceeding the terror that came upon Jerusalem in its destruction. Let us turn to Christ today with ALL the heart and invite ALL we can to come to Christ and be saved!!

[Richard Myers]

"It was not because of the reminders of His cruel death that the Redeemer wept and groaned in anguish of spirit. His was no selfish sorrow. The thought of His own agony did not intimidate that noble, self-sacrificing soul...It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of Jesus.Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God and scorned His love, that refused to be convinced by His mighty miracles, and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer, and what she might have been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her wound. He had come to save her; how could He give her up?"

Sometimes we criticize the people who lived in the time Jesus was on earth. But, in all honesty, Would He say the same thing about You and I ??, the people of His church today---who claim to be His "People"?

Amen Brother Beacon. That was my thought as I read this morning. God has given us a wonderful opportunity, not as a nation, but as a witness of what He can do for a people. We are to witness the character of our God before not only this world, but before the universe.

     Israel had been a favored people; God had made their temple His habitation; it was "beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth." Psalm 48:2. The record of more than a thousand years of Christ's guardian care and tender love, such as a father bears his only child, was there. In that temple the prophets had uttered their solemn warnings. There had the burning censers waved, while incense, mingled with the prayers of the worshipers, had ascended to God. There the blood of beasts had flowed, typical of the blood of Christ. There Jehovah had manifested His glory above the mercy seat. There the priests had officiated, and the pomp of symbol and ceremony had gone on for ages. But all this must have an end. Jesus raised His hand,--that had so often blessed the sick and suffering,--and waving it toward the doomed city, in broken utterances of grief exclaimed: "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!--" Here the Saviour paused, and left unsaid what might have been the condition of Jerusalem had she accepted the help that God desired to give her,--the gift of His beloved Son. If Jerusalem had known what it was her privilege to know, and had heeded the light which Heaven had sent her, she might have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her God-given power. There would have been no armed soldiers standing at her gates, no Roman banners waving from her walls. The glorious destiny that might have blessed Jerusalem had she accepted her Redeemer rose before the Son of God. He saw that she might through Him have been healed of her grievous malady, liberated from bondage, and established as the mighty metropolis of the earth. From her walls the dove of peace would have gone forth to all nations. She would have been the world's diadem of glory.

We are to be the world's and the universe's "diadem of glory." And by God's grace He will have this before Jesus will come. As Pastor Sean has pointed out, We are the Jerusalem of our day. What happened to Israel then will not happen to His church today. God is pouring out His glory upon His church. He has promised He will have a people who reflect His glory. Clean water is being poured out upon us now. By beholding His glory we will be changed into His image (2 Cor. 3:18). "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." Ezekiel 36:25. This promise is ours today. His church will see revival and reformation. We are that "valley of dry bones" spoken of in Ezekiel chapter 37.

[Beacon]

"Jerusalem had been the child of His care, and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son, so Jesus wept over the beloved city. How can I give thee up? How can I see thee devoted to destruction? Must I let thee go to fill up the cup of thine iniquity? One soul is of such value that, in comparison with it, worlds sink into insignificance; but here was a whole nation to be lost. When the fast westering sun should pass from sight in the heavens, Jerusalem's day of grace would be ended."

"While the procession was halting on the brow of Olivet, it was not yet too late for Jerusalem to repent. The angel of mercy was then folding her wings to step down from the golden throne to give place to justice and swift-coming judgment. But Christ's great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem, that had scorned His mercies, despised His warnings, and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood. If Jerusalem would but repent, it was not yet too late."

"While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple, tower, and pinnacle, would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour's love, and avert her doom? Beautiful and unholy city, that had stoned the prophets, that had rejected the Son of God, that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage,--her day of mercy was almost spent!"

Before the day is done, another testimony is borne to Christ. The voice of witness is lifted up, responding to the call from a prophetic past. If Jerusalem will hear the call, if she will receive the Saviour who is entering her gates, she may yet be saved.

Ezekiel 18:31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 33:11Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

SADLY SHE WOULD NOT TURN FROM HER SINS BUT REJECTED ALL THE LOVE - MERCY AND GRACE, WILL WE DO THE SAME?

 

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!

May we realize that the same doom that came upon Jerusalem in 70 AD is about to fall upon the entire world as the seven last plagues will be poured out upon the impenitent and unbelieving. May we see in Christ's yearning for the repentance of His people during His triumphal ride a heart appeal to us to turn completely to Jesus with a full-heart surrender so He may give us the miracle of conversion in our hearts! Oh, let us see the true value of each soul for whom Christ died by beholding Him laying down His life for us on Calvary!

"Jerusalem had been the child of His care, and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son, so Jesus wept over the beloved city. How can I give thee up? How can I see thee devoted to destruction? Must I let thee go to fill up the cup of thine iniquity? One soul is of such value that, in comparison with it, worlds sink into insignificance; but here was a whole nation to be lost. When the fast westering sun should pass from sight in the heavens, Jerusalem's day of grace would be ended. While the procession was halting on the brow of Olivet, it was not yet too late for Jerusalem to repent. The angel of mercy was then folding her wings to step down from the golden throne to give place to justice and swift-coming judgment. But Christ's great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem, that had scorned His mercies, despised His warnings, and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood. If Jerusalem would but repent, it was not yet too late. While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple, tower, and pinnacle, would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour's love, and avert her doom? Beautiful and unholy city, that had stoned the prophets, that had rejected the Son of God, that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage,--her day of mercy was almost spent!" {The Desire of Ages, page 577, paragraph 3}

As we choose to respond to Christ in full surrender of the heart to Him, He will blot out our transgressions and give us a new heart and a new mind imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit--not one missing. Otherwise, we will inevitably drift in the downward course to eternal ruin, and oh how that would break the heart of Jesus! He gave all for us, and shall we not yield all to Him so we may gladden His heart by the joy of being with Him--one of His redeemed sons or daughters for eternity? Let us look and live, and know the depth of that love given us in Christ more fully this day!

[Dorine]

"Never before in His earthly life had Jesus permitted such a demonstration. He clearly foresaw the result. It would bring Him to the cross. But it was His purpose thus publicly to present Himself as the Redeemer. He desired to call attention to the sacrifice that was to crown His mission to a fallen world. While the people were assembling at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, He, the antitypical Lamb, by a voluntary act set Himself apart as an oblation. It would be needful for His church in all succeeding ages to make His death for the sins of the world a subject of deep thought and study. Every fact connected with it should be verified beyond a doubt."

Because of the shed blood of Jesus you and I and every person born on this planet  may have eternal life if we so choose. What a truth to meditate upon. Some take it for granted, some don't believe it, some cheapen it but praise God there are many who have come to the foot of the cross with heavy sin burdened hearts and in great humility have accepted the greatest gift ever offered to man. This is to be our daily experience.

[Richard Myers]

Amen Sister Dorine, Pastor Sean, and Brother Beacon. God has given us a picture of His love and desire to do all He can to bring sinners to repentance. We see His love for apostate Jerusalem and His attempt to bring her to repentance. So it is with individuals. He came to save the sick, not those who need not a Savior.

    It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of Jesus--Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God and scorned His love, that refused to be convinced by His mighty miracles, and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer, and what she might have been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her wound. He had come to save her; how could He give her up?

    Christ's great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem, that had scorned His mercies, despised His warnings, and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood. If Jerusalem would but repent, it was not yet too late. While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple, tower, and pinnacle, would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour's love, and avert her doom? Beautiful and unholy city, that had stoned the prophets, that had rejected the Son of God, that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage,--her day of mercy was almost spent!
     Yet again the Spirit of God speaks to Jerusalem. Before the day is done, another testimony is borne to Christ. The voice of witness is lifted up, responding to the call from a prophetic past. If Jerusalem will hear the call, if she will receive the Saviour who is entering her gates, she may yet be saved. 

[Beacon]

"If Jerusalem had known what it was her privilege to know, and had heeded the light which Heaven had sent her, she might have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her God-given power. There would have been no armed soldiers standing at her gates, no Roman banners waving from her walls. The glorious destiny that might have blessed Jerusalem had she accepted her Redeemer rose before the Son of God. He saw that she might through Him have been healed of her grievous malady, liberated from bondage, and established as the mighty metropolis of the earth. From her walls the dove of peace would have gone forth to all nations. She would have been the world's diadem of glory."

Today Jesus is pleading with His Remnant Church - with you and I, to come with humility & confession and be willing to "totally surrender" our lives to Him that He may be glorified through us, so that those around us may be attracted to Him, and find the path that leads to eternal life. The sunset of this world's history is fast approaching. Let us determine today to confess our great need of Jesus and renew our personal experience through His mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing power, thereby bringing great joy to Jesus.

1
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
At the impulse of Thy love.

2
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Always, only, for my King.

3
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Not a mite would I withhold.

4
Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.

5
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon! What victory we find in Jesus!

"Never before had the world seen such a triumphal procession. It was not like that of the earth's famous conquerors. No train of mourning captives, as trophies of kingly valor, made a feature of that scene. But about the Saviour were the glorious trophies of His labors of love for sinful man. There were the captives whom He had rescued from Satan's power, praising God for their deliverance. The blind whom He had restored to sight were leading the way. The dumb whose tongues He had loosed shouted the loudest hosannas. The cripples whom He had healed bounded with joy, and were the most active in breaking the palm branches and waving them before the Saviour. Widows and orphans were exalting the name of Jesus for His works of mercy to them. The lepers whom He had cleansed spread their untainted garments in His path, and hailed Him as the King of glory. Those whom His voice had awakened from the sleep of death were in that throng. Lazarus, whose body had seen corruption in the grave, but who now rejoiced in the strength of glorious manhood, led the beast on which the Saviour rode." {The Desire of Ages, page 572, paragraph 2}

Let us look upward to Jesus and allow Him to give us a new heart--filled with His love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance as we obey His law of love from a heart renewed by His grace!

[Beacon]

"Christ's great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem, that had scorned His mercies, despised His warnings, and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood.

If Jerusalem would but repent, it was not yet too late.

"While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple, tower, and pinnacle, would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour's love, and avert her doom? Beautiful and unholy city, that had stoned the prophets, that had rejected the Son of God, that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage,--her day of mercy was almost spent,"Yet again the Spirit of God speaks to Jerusalem. Before the day is done, another testimony is borne to Christ. The voice of witness is lifted up, responding to the call from a prophetic past. If Jerusalem will hear the call,

If she will receive the Saviour who is entering her gates, she may yet be saved".

Many times throughout the history of Israel God's voice was heard pleading with His children to turn from their sinful ways..I.E. 

Ezekiel 33:11 "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

Today, Jesus is pleading with His "Remnant " church ( you and I ) with the same message. The cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary is in progress, every name will come up for review, each case will be decided based on our record and marked either for Eternal Life or Eternal Death. If we will confess and turn from our sins He will cleanse us from all sin and we will be Covered By the Blood of The Lamb and Marked as worthy of Eternal Life through His shed blood on the cross of Calvary. Let us Turn Our Eyes Upon Jesus - Look FULL in His Wonderful Face & the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the Light of His Glory and Grace. 

[Dorine]

   "Never before had the world seen such a triumphal procession. It was not like that of the earth's famous conquerors. No train of mourning captives, as trophies of kingly valor, made a feature of that scene. But about the Saviour were the glorious trophies of His labors of love for sinful man. There were the captives whom He had rescued from Satan's power, praising God for their deliverance. The blind whom He had restored to sight were leading the way. The dumb whose tongues He had loosed shouted the loudest hosannas. The cripples whom He had healed bounded with joy, and were the most active in breaking the palm branches and waving them before the Saviour. Widows and orphans were exalting the name of Jesus for His works of mercy to them. The lepers whom He had cleansed spread their untainted garments in His path, and hailed Him as the King of glory. Those whom His voice had awakened from the sleep of death were in that throng. Lazarus, whose body had seen corruption in the grave, but who now rejoiced in the strength of glorious manhood, led the beast on which the Saviour rode."

What a scene to behold. No wonder the leaders felt threatened. How blind and stubborn they were, filled with unbelief. Jesus came to save them but they rejected His gift of mercy and grace. As we share the gospel of salvation to others may we be very heavy on the side of grace so those who are under great burdens of guilt will not be discouraged but will come to see the compassionate love of Christ for them. We do not compromise truth but they need to know that Jesus takes them from where they are and changes them into His character. Such a love I do not comprehend but I am so thankful for it.

[Richard Myers]

Amen!!

   The events connected with this triumphal ride would be the talk of every tongue, and would bring Jesus before every mind. After His crucifixion, many would recall these events in their connection with His trial and death. They would be led to search the prophecies, and would be convinced that Jesus was the Messiah; and in all lands converts to the faith would be multiplied.   
     In this one triumphant scene of His earthly life, the Saviour might have appeared escorted by heavenly angels, and heralded by the trump of God; but such a demonstration would have been contrary to the purpose of His mission, contrary to the law which had governed His life. He remained true to the humble lot He had accepted. The burden of humanity He must bear until His life was given for the life of the world.   

I was greatly impressed with this truth.  It was important for those living in that day to understand what was happening, and so it is for us today. We ought to understand the "burden of humanity" that Christ had to bear. It will be the study of all in the universe for eternity. Let us each day make this our study that by beholding such grace we will not hurt the One who gave all that we might live. Sin hurts our Savior.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, and Brother Richard, for "Amen" is the name of Jesus addressed to the Laodicean Church!!

Let us realize what Jesus did for us, and how He desires all to behold His infinite sacrifice!

"Never before in His earthly life had Jesus permitted such a demonstration. He clearly foresaw the result. It would bring Him to the cross. But it was His purpose thus publicly to present Himself as the Redeemer. He desired to call attention to the sacrifice that was to crown His mission to a fallen world. While the people were assembling at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, He, the antitypical Lamb, by a voluntary act set Himself apart as an oblation. It would be needful for His church in all succeeding ages to make His death for the sins of the world a subject of deep thought and study. Every fact connected with it should be verified beyond a doubt. It was necessary, then, that the eyes of all people should now be directed to Him; the events which preceded His great sacrifice must be such as to call attention to the sacrifice itself. After such a demonstration as that attending His entry into Jerusalem, all eyes would follow His rapid progress to the final scene." {The Desire of Ages, page 571, paragraph 2} 

Looking upon Jesus, we see the Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world! Now the world is on the verge of Jesus' second coming, and we are to point people to the events that come just before He returns so all may be prepared to have that living heart surrender of affectionate obedience to the will of God manifest in a life imbued with all of the fruits of the Sprit without one missing!

[Richard Myers]

Amen Pastor Sean!  One of the events to take place is the King of the North will go into Jerusalem (Daniel 11:45). Then Michael shall stand up (Daniel 12:1) and walk out of the Most Holy Place never more to forgive sins. Have we come to that place where need no more forgiveness of sin?