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

[Beacon]

"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?"

What will "OUR" choice be?? Will "WE" bring Sadness and Sorrow to Jesus?? Or will "WE" be in the group that can look up with great joy when we see our saviour face to face?

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1
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee;
  Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
2
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist’rous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say’st to them, “Be still.”
Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea,
  Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
3
Though death’s valley I may pass,
Still Thy grace will fear surpass;
In Thy presence I will rest,
And, while leaning on Thy breast,
I will hear Thee say to me,
  “Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

Lyrics:Edward Hopper (1816-1888)
Music:John Edgar Gould (1822-1875)

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

We have a sure word of prophecy! Jesus IS the Messiah and the word of God is clear evidence that He fulfilled the prophecies so all who would come to Him could experience salvation!

"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 571, paragraph 3}

Souls are still coming to Christ to this day! Jesus is coming again SOON and He calls us all to accept Him as Lord and Savior, abide in Him in full surrender so He can manifest through us His character (true obedience to His commandments accompanied by all the fruits of the Spirit without one missing)! What a blessed experience is ours in being saved to the uttermost from sin to do His holy will!

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers! As the crowd followed Jesus, they had no idea of what was about to happen. So it is today. A very few understand what is about to happen.

     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. 

[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."

Have "WE" experienced missed opportunities to magnify God's plan for all the inhabitants of this planet in rebellion against Jesus??  Are we willing to surrender "ALL" to Jesus and be used of Him to rescue those who are searching & yearning for a better life.??

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1
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
    O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
2
Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Lyrics:Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960)
Music:Carl Harold Lowden (1883-1963)

HAPPY SABBATH TO ALL GOD'S FAMILY THROGHOUT ALL HIS CREATION.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

Happy Sabbath!! Let us learn prophetic parallels from the past in light of Christ's ministry!

When Jesus came to Jerusalem in His triumphal entry, He yearned over the people that they would come to repentance and accept His salvation. But so few would respond, and as a nation, the Jewish people were plotting His death that would take Him to the cross. It was not too late while Christ was heading to Jerusalem for the people to repent.

"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}

So today, Christ addresses His church, calling for true repentance:

Revelation 3:14-22: "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Those who choose to heed Jesus' call to true repentance recognize that they continually need His abiding presence in the soul, and when there is an entire surrender to Christ of the whole heart, the power of the Holy Spirit in the soul produces all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as the converted child of God walks in all the light that is shining upon the pathway in true, affectionate obedience to all of God's commandments. Then, just as Christ yearned over Jerusalem, God's people will feel a yearning desire for the conversion of the souls in the world, so many of whom are lost and do not know Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit empowers the giving of the final message of warning to the world, so they, too, can respond to Christ and be saved before it is too late, and Sunday laws are passed that, if accepted, signify allegiance to earthly powers over loyalty and worship to Christ who calls us to keep holy the seventh day Sabbath, not Sunday. While no one has the mark of the beast at this moment, the warning call must be given in love to warn souls not to go along with the fatal delusion of presuming to change the law of God by enjoining Sunday observance by law when the unity of church and state makes this a global issue. Let us heed the warning call and give it with conviction in the power of the Holy Spirit:

Revelation 14:6-12: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

We are called to share the final message, and just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem because He so loved the people, God's love in our hearts will constrain us to go to the ends of the earth to give the final message so all can make their final choice, and Christ's words can be fulfilled with as great rapidity as possible: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14). Will you surrender your life fully, heeding the call to true repentance, given the three angels' messages, walking in the light of truth, and help others in this world have the final opportunity to respond to Jesus? Only in eternity will we know the full impact of being faithful now to His call to win souls while mercy still lingers!!! Jesus is coming soon!!!

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers!  What a sorrowful story is the history of Israel.

   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. 

There is a mighty work to be done for those who called a horrible curse upon themselves and their children when they cried out "His blood be on us, and on our children." Matt 27:25. Many wonder why it is that the Jews have suffered so greatly over the last 2,000 years. Do we not see that suffering today? The door to each and every Jew is open until they by continually rejecting the truth  harden their heart to the point where they can no longer hear that still small voice calling them to their Messiah.......Jesus Christ. Why do they reject the Word of God as revealed in Isaiah 53? And why is it that so many professing Christians continue to believe God wants the Jews to rebuild their temple and begin sacrificing animals? That would be an abomination when the Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior on the cross put an end to the types and shadows that pointed to His suffering and death on the cross. Did not the ripping of the Most Holy Place veil  from top to bottom  when Christ died confirm the end of the sacrificial offering had come? The light was and is shining brightly upon Calvary's cross where we see our precious Savior's back bleeding from the stripes He took that belong to us. It is by beholding these stripes that we are healed. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5. Jesus is the Lamb of God that was slain to take away the sins of the world.
d

[Beacon]

"The tears of Jesus were not in anticipation of His own suffering."

"Just before Him was Gethsemane, where soon the horror of a great darkness would overshadow Him."

"The sheepgate also was in sight, through which for centuries the beasts for sacrificial offerings had been led."

"This gate was soon to open for Him, the great Antitype, toward whose sacrifice for the sins of the world all these offerings had pointed."

"Near by was Calvary, the scene of His approaching agony." 

"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 Paid It All - All to Him we owe -- " ARE WE WILLING TO SURRENDER ALL TO JESUS??

========================
1
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
  That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
  Was blind, but now I see.
2
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
  And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
  The hour I first believed!
3
The Lord hath promised good to me,
  His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
  As long as life endures.
4
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
  Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
  Than when we first begun.

Lyrics:John Newton (1725-1807)
Music:Traditional American melody

[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 we become front page news we too will be the talk of every tongue bringing the Sabbath before every mind. May we be faithful in the little things each day not wavering so that our bold witness for truth will send many to the scriptures to see whether these things are so.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine! I am amazed at how the Holy Spirit led us to share essentially the same concept, but in different words! I wrote the post below before looking at your post, Sister Dorine! Truly the Holy Spirit is moving and bringing unity!

It had never happened like that before. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem upon a colt, He knew it would lead many to study His word. So in these last days, God allows liberty of conscience to become agitated in the issue of a global Sunday law (yet future at this moment) while the Three Angels' Messages (Revelation 14:6-12) are being proclaimed with a loud voice around the world. Many will see the truth of God's word and take their stand for Christ in harmony with His faith and all of His commandments, including the fourth that enjoins rest and worship upon the seventh day of the week. God is faithful! If you behold, appreciate and study the closing scenes of Jesus' life, many insights emerge to help God's faithful people navigate the time of trouble preceding His glorious second coming!

"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 571, paragraph 3}

Many more are still responding to the everlasting gospel, and it must be given around the world, for this is one of the final indications of the nearness of Jesus' soon return (Matthew 24:14). Let us all give the final message for this time with Christ in the center of it!

[Philip T]

     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!

[Philip T]

     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!

Just as Jerusalem and Israel's time was growing short as His special people, so is our time to surrender all to Christ, and fulfill His las Commission drawing to a close as the world hurls itself towards the 2nd Advent and the final judgement.

[Beacon]

"Christ's great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem'"

"The city 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!"

Almost but NOT Willing!! Does that describe "OUR" relationship with Jesus?? God forbid that "WE" would make the same mistake!! The door of God's Amazing Grace is still open but in the near future it will be "FOREVER TO LATE" Let us come "NOW" while the door of God's Amazing Grace is still open.


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1
I’ve wandered far away from God,
  Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
  Lord, I’m coming home.
    Coming home, coming home,
  Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love;
    Lord, I’m coming home.
2
I’ve wasted many precious years,
  Now I’m coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
  Lord, I’m coming home.
3
I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord,
  Now I’m coming home;
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word;
  Lord, I’m coming home.
4
My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
  Now I’m coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore:
  Lord, I’m coming home.
5
My only hope, my only plea,
  Now I’m coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me;
  Lord, I’m coming home.
6
I need His cleansing blood, I know,
  Now I’m coming home;
O wash me whiter than the snow;
  Lord, I’m coming home.

Lyrics:William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)
Music:William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

[Dorine]

"The tears of Jesus were not in anticipation of His own suffering. Just before Him was Gethsemane, where soon the horror of a great darkness would overshadow Him. The sheepgate also was in sight, through which for centuries the beasts for sacrificial offerings had been led. This gate was soon to open for Him, the great Antitype, toward whose sacrifice for the sins of the world all these offerings had pointed. Near by was Calvary, the scene of His approaching agony. Yet it was not because of these 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?"

The Lord is looking down on His church today. How His heart aches for those who refuse His gift of salvation. May the story of Jerusalem help us realize that time is running out for this generation. Are we living for the pleasures and comforts of this world or are we walking in the footsteps of Jesus who suffered deeply because of His love for lost souls?

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brother and sister!  Such a sad reading today. Jesus came to His own and they knew Him not. Brother Beacon, what is the title of the hymn today? I have never heard it. The lyrics are powerful.

    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 child of His care, and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son, so Jesus wept over the beloved city." Imagine how we would mourn over a wayward son, Jesus  mourned over a whole nation.  Israel's King was in tears; not silent tears of gladness, but tears and groans of insuppressible agony.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, and Brother Richard! The hymn Brother Beacon shared is called, "Lord I'm Coming Home" (Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal #296).

The way Jesus saves and restores lives is so thorough and complete! Try to imagine the scene of the triumphal entry!

"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}

If Jesus was able to save and restore lives of those He met in the days of His personal ministry, we can take heart that He is still in the soul-saving business! He can fully restore you to God's glorious character--a life imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as you gladly obey God's law of love! Take courage! You are NOT an impossible case for Jesus! He gets you, and He's got you. Really!! So look up by faith and praise Him!!