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

[Lena]

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?

Will we know when we have or will we still look at ourselves as filthy rags compared to Jesus?

[Philip T]

     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.

As Jerusalem was at her fall mothers eating their own children, fighting with them over scraps of food so it will be at the end of times, family turning against family, all an effort to save self rather than turning to Jesus for forgiveness of sin and safety in our Redeemer, and seeing God's love just waiting to be poured out as at this late date, if Jerusalem would just repent and turn to God he would have saved the city as he did Nineveh when Jonah preached to them for repentance for their sins and they repented and the city was saved, so God was ready to pour out his love, forgiveness and redemption on Jerusalem.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Phil!

The full value of a soul can be fully known only by looking to Jesus, the One who paid for us and offers us an eternity with Him! Oh, how Christ longed for His people in Jerusalem, which is also a symbol of His longing for the souls of the entire world. Christ paid the price. Let us count the cost and realize our true value as we look to Jesus and abide in Him in a full-heart surrender!

"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} 
   
There is still time for us to turn fully to Christ. Probation is still open and people can still come to repentance, but Christ is about to complete His work as our High Priest (and close probation for repentance) and return to this world as a King (to rescue those who have received the gift of repentance)! Only those who behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world and receive the divine nature by grace through faith which is manifest in all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be able to stand when probation closes, for they have washed the robes of their character in Christ's blood and made them white. We can overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony!

[Dorine]

Lena it seems to me that we will not know until Jesus comes and changes us from mortal beings into immortal beings. I'm sure Richard or Pastor Sean can help you with that question.

[Dorine]

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.

As I read this I couldn't help but think about the persecution that will be experienced by God's people soon. Only as we have that abiding connection with Jesus day by day will our faith hold us to trust in God that He will give us the strength to hold fast. Our witness will cause many to go to the word to examine scripture and will be convinced that what they read is true. Just as in Jesus' day many will accept Him as their personal Saviour and will swell the ranks of God's people. We are facing exciting times because Jesus is soon to come and take His children home. May we stay surrendered and faithful to Him continually.

[Beacon]

"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.

[Richard Myers]

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?

Will we know when we have or will we still look at ourselves as filthy rags compared to Jesus?

Lena, that is a very good question to which you probably already know the answer. When we compare ourselves to Jesus we have a perfect standard to judge ourselves by. The closer we get to Jesus the more we can see our failures. But, this is not the issue. We know when we have sinned and not repented. Job knew he had not sinned when his friends accused him. Do we have love, joy, and peace, a peace that passes all understanding?  The Holy Spirit speaks to us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Are we resisting Him? We will know. That is the question all will ask when probation closes. They do not want to bring reproach upon Jesus by not having confessed all sin.

If we look at the time of Jacob's trouble we find the answer. When Jacob would not let go of Jesus, he had repented of all sin or else he would have been destroyed. He pleaded with God knowing his motives were righteous. Here we read about the ones who are sealed after the close of probation:

Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day. He will so arrange affairs as to hedge up their way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause them to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that their hearts may be overcharged with the cares of this life and the day of trial may come upon them as a thief. { GC 625.3}
As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. Like the Christians of the Piedmont valleys, they will make the high places of the earth their sanctuaries and will thank God for “the munitions of rocks.” Isaiah 33:16. But many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. No human ear is open to hear their moans; no human hand is ready to lend them help. { GC 626.1}

Those who are not sealed will refuse to be persecuted and will be seen to be traitors to the cause of God. They have already received the mark of the beast. Are we ready for a time of trouble such as never was? I am not. But, God gives us another year and He dungs the tree one more time. Are we willing to become partakers in the sufferings of Christ?

[Lena]

Yes, I do know the answer to my question.  I was questioning the way this sentence was worded "Have we come to that place where need no more forgiveness of sin?"  Thank you for clarifying what you meant.

[Richard Myers]

Just so others who may not understand, let me be more pointed. Some do not understand who may be reading. God gives to us a period of time to learn of Him. If we reject His offer of salvation, we are lost. But, if we learn of Him who gave all that we might be transformed, then we will love Him because we see He first loved us while we were yet sinners.

Jesus is in the Most Holy Place in heaven doing two works. He is revealing to the universe that the is good reason to allow some to enter heaven. In other words, they are justified having love God with the whole heart and thus their characters met the standard which is the law of God. They were obedient to it. The work Jesus is doing is preparing a people to vindicate Him. They will keep His commandments no matter what Satan throws at them.  We are there yet. Jesus cannot walk out of the heavenly Sanctuary because He does not have a people who have ceased to sin. There are still some who can be saved, so the Sanctuary remains open for the forgiveness of sin. But, when all have chosen their course, then the Bible says "Let him who is holy be holy still and he who is filthy be filthy still. The character is fixed for eternity, either for good or for evil. Jesus cannot come until He has a people who do not need to be forgiven of sin because they have confessed and forsaken their sins. But, more than that, He has brought them to a place where their characters will not allow them to sin. My question was have we come to that point? I suppose some may have. Elijah and Enoch were of such. But, for myself and the church, we are not ready for Jesus to close the Sanctuary. I still need His intercession, but there are many which will find today is their last day, their probation is closing because their hearts are so hardened they cannot hear that still small voice speaking to them. If you still feel the guilt of hurting Jesus, then there is still time to repent. Godly sorrow fore what our sins have done to our Savior worketh such a repentance not to be repented of.

[Richard Myers]

     Well might the Saviour weep in agony in view of that fearful scene.

As Jerusalem was at her fall mothers eating their own children, fighting with them over scraps of food so it will be at the end of times, family turning against family, all an effort to save self rather than turning to Jesus for forgiveness of sin and safety in our Redeemer, and seeing God's love just waiting to be poured out as at this late date, if Jerusalem would just repent and turn to God he would have saved the city as he did Nineveh when Jonah preached to them for repentance for their sins and they repented and the city was saved, so God was ready to pour out his love, forgiveness and redemption on Jerusalem.

Amen, Brother Philip!  So it is today. Modern day Israel stands in the same position even though there is a vast difference. Israel was prophesied to be  cut off as a nation. His church today will not be cut off, but rather will see revival and reformation. But, many in His church will be cut off. We live in the anti-typical Day of Atonement. Jesus is pouring out clean water upon His people, but not all will accept it. Their probations are even now closing.

Welcome to our small group fellowship as we spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating His wondrous love for us. It is such a blessing to read what others are learning each day from studying the life of our Savior!

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Try to imagine what is was like when Jesus, on the first day of the week, made His triumphal procession into Jerusalem just before He would be crucified on the preparation day, just five days later. The "Hosannas" of some that day would in a few days later be turned to "Crucify Him," but He meekly followed the path the Father laid out for Him to fulfill the plan of salvation! May we praise the Lord and lay all our sins on Jesus, so He can work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure this day!

"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}

We are the reward of Jesus' infinite sacrifice! As we behold the loveliness of Jesus, love awakens in our hearts, and we are enabled to have Him produce in us by the divine nature all of the fruits of the Sprit without one missing! What a joy to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth!

[Beacon]

"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"

What tremendous love and compassion Jesus had for those who were rejecting His willingness to for forgive and save them from destruction, but they would not come. How is it with you and I today? His offer of Mercy and Grace, Forgiveness and Restoration is still available to us individually --- I pray that we all will be willing to make a total surrender of our lives to Him before the final offer of His saving grace comes to a close. 

[Philip T]

    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.wi

The disciples of Jesus had been told of His coming suffering and death on the cross, this paragraph shows they had forgotten His words in the excitement and happenings around Jesus as he entered the city of Jerusalem with the crowd proclaiming Jesus king of a worldly kingdom. They in effect too their eyes off of Jesus as the redeemer of the world. Do we do this also in our lives, allowing our selves to come to the front, and pushing our love for Jesus and His promises out of first place in our hearts. We need to surrender to Jesus every day, every hour, every minute of our lives. Keeping our eyes ever on Jesus.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear brothers! What a sad thing Jesus had been witnessing. He had been leading Israel from the days of Abraham and when coming in person, it was harder than leading from above.

     Jesus gazes upon the scene, and the vast multitude hush their shouts, spellbound by the sudden vision of beauty. All eyes turn upon the Saviour, expecting to see in His countenance the admiration they themselves feel. But instead of this they behold a cloud of sorrow. They are surprised and disappointed to see His eyes fill with tears, and His body rock to and fro like a tree before the tempest, while a wail of anguish bursts from His quivering lips, as if from the depths of a broken heart. What a sight was this for angels to behold! their loved Commander in an agony of tears! What a sight was this for the glad throng that with shouts of triumph and the waving of palm branches were escorting Him to the glorious city, where they fondly hoped He was about to reign! Jesus had wept at the grave of Lazarus, but it was in a godlike grief in sympathy with human woe. But this sudden sorrow was like a note of wailing in a grand triumphal chorus. In the midst of a scene of rejoicing, where all were paying Him homage, Israel's King was in tears; not silent tears of gladness, but tears and groans of insuppressible agony. The multitude were struck with a sudden gloom. Their acclamations were silenced. Many wept in sympathy with a grief they could not comprehend.