The Hebrew Sanctuary

[Sister Marie]

Do you mean the size and where everything went and such? We have been having studies on this and they are very detailed. They are given by Don Grant and he is very detailed. I have what we have been given so far (which is a lot) I could scan them and send them to you as an attachment.  Let me know.

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With Christian Love,
Sister Glass

[Richard Myers]

Yes, Sister Glass. That would be much appreciated. Let me give an example of what we are looking for. We see many pictures of the Tabernacle and sometimes it is flat roofed and sometimes it is pitched. I believe it to be a pitched roof, but then comes the interesting part. How high and what design? We want to remain in harmony with the Bible. We don't want to render it according to human wisdom. There are a number of possiblities.  

Richard

[This message has been edited by Richard Myers (edited 08-06-2002).]

[Sister Marie]

This is true. I will start to get these things I have so far scanned and sent to you. I don't know a lot about computers, so lets hope I have no problems.  

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With Christian Love,
Sister Glass

[Allan F]

The sanctuary and its message is the very base in both NT and OT theology. We can find it everywhere in the Bible. In the beginning, before the sanctuary was given, the Bible describes (only) 2 of the items of the sanctuary. The first and last: the altar and the 10 commandments. Have you recognized that the sanctuary fills the space between these two items in the sanctuary? It shows us how sinners, via the altar, can turn into harmony with God (10 commandments).

For the last months I have become aware of what I now see as a very clear presentation of the sanctuary in the gospel of John. I would like to present what I have found soon, and will appreciate comments. I am not finish with this study yet and therefore would really like to get your thouhgts and comments, especially because I never have heard anybody presenting this topic before.

Allan F

[Joan]

  17 PAGES  

excuse me as I interrupt and express my astonishment.

Not having followed intensely all the topics in this BoL sector, would you tell me if there is another topic that has more than this on pages in it's thread ?

Joan

[Allan F]

The name of John means "Jehovah is a gracious giver". This is very evident from the gospel of John, as he in a beautiful way takes us into the sanctuary by his presentation of Jesus and shows us all the good gifts which are hidden there.

"Jehova is a gracious giver" - The SANCTUARY:

The reason why God told the jews to build a sanctuary was that He wanted to live among his people (Exo 25:, to teach them the way of salvation. The earthly sanctuary became the centre and foundation of their relgion for more than 1000 years.

In John 1,14 we read that "the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
In the original language the word "dwelt" means "have one's tabernacle". As God dwelt in the Sanctuary built by humans, so Jesus came to this earth to dwell among us. He came as a true human being. He clothed his divinity with humanity.
What was not commonly known in his time, was that He, and not the tabernacle was the very foundation of the hebrew religion. More than this, he was also the giver of it all.

Until this very day I have never heard of any better gift or offer, than the gift of salvation. The possibility of living forever, many religion claim to offer. But no one presents the gift of overcoming our own sinful minds and evil tendensies in such a way as Jesus and the Bible do.

Allan F

[This message has been edited by Allan F (edited 08-10-2002).]

[Allan F]

"Jehova is a gracious giver" - The LAMB

In the very first chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus is being presented according to his great mission on earth: "Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). It was of utmost importance that Jesus was being presented in a true way.

The whole nation beleived in Messiah, but as long as they beleived that Jesus was in company with the devil, the belief in Messiah was of no value. What the people wanted to hear those days was rather "behold, the lion of juda, which taketh away the romans, out of Israel".

What many failed to see, was the two aspects of the OT-prophecies about the Messiah: First the lamb, then the lion. First the cross, then the crown and throne. In His days, people beleived that His presence would leed to freedom from their enemies. Today people beleive that his second coming will leed to freedom from their sins. We seem to be no better than the israelites in the time of Jesus...

The wrong interpretations of the scriptures were maybe one of the toughest challenges to Jesus. Again and again He was confronted with misinterpretations of His own Word.

The first step on the way to full denial of Jesus as Messiah was taken by the religious leaders as ealry as His birth in Bethlehem. That time they denied the uneducated shepherds and heathen wise men's claims of having received direct information from God about the Messiah. They beleived that God would first turn to them, who where the religious leaders and the ones who "knew" the scriptures. Their pride in this situation was the first step toward their decission of killing Jesus.

Jesus, on the other hand, showed a different personality and character. As the lamb of God "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth" (Isa 53:7). "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted (Heb 2:18).

Jesus, "The Lamb", is the best evidence for
me that God is love, and that this kind of love is something else than sentimentalism, which the word is so associated with today. God sent his only begotten son to this earth, with the possibility for Jesus to choose between right and evil as we do in the struggle with our sinful nature. this is a frightening thought. When we recognize this we see how much God wanted and still wants to do in order to save us.

This gift - The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world - raises an important and personal question to us all:

Has the Lamb of God taken away your sins?

Allan F

[This message has been edited by Allan F (edited 08-10-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Allan F (edited 08-10-2002).]

[Allan F]

"Jehovah is a gracious giver" - The WATER (I)

The next item in the sancturay was the laver which was filled with water.
After the presentation of Jesus as the lamb in John 1:29, John in the following chapters presents the living water, which is free to all who seek it. The water is a symbol of the renewing power of The Holy Spirit. It is made clear that Jesus is the one who "baptizeth with the Holy Spirit" (John 1:33).

CHAPTER 2
In verses 1-11 Jesus is present in a wedding, a symbol of the union between man and Christ. Here is what EGW writes about the meaning of water and wine:

"The gift of Christ to the marriage feast was a symbol. The water represented baptism into His death; the wine, the shedding of His blood for the sins of the world. The water to fill the jars was brought by human hands, but the word of Christ alone could impart to it life-giving virtue. So with the rites which point to the Saviour's death. It is only by the power of Christ, working through faith, that they have efficacy to nourish the soul.
The word of Christ supplied ample provision for the feast. So abundant is the provision of His grace to blot out the iniquities of men, and to renew and sustain the soul" (DA p. 149).

The next verses tells us about Jesus cleansing the temple. This action had a deeper meaning which EGW writes about in DA p. 161:

"In cleansing the temple from the world's buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin,-from the earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul."

Before we can be a temple for the Holy Spirit the heart must be cleansed from evil, which is symbolized by the laver with water.

Allan F

[M.A. Crawford]

Good posts on the Sanctuary. Since the Hebrew Sanctuary was a type of the Heavenly (Heb. 9:24) which foreshadowed the work our High Priest Jesus Christ would perform there in behalf of all who are willing to confess and forsake their sins, permit me to transpose some information here on this topic from another location:

"The ministration of the earthly sanctuary consisted of two divisions; the priests ministered daily in the holy place, while once a year the high priest performed a special work of atonement in the most holy, for the cleansing of the sanctuary....

"...After His ascension our Saviour began His work as our high priest. Says Paul: 'Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.' Hebrews 9:24.

"The ministration of the priest throughout the year in the first apartment of the sanctuary, 'within the veil' which formed the door and separated the holy place from the outer court, represents the work of ministration upon which Christ entered at His ascension. It was the work of the priest in the daily ministration to present before God the blood of the sin offering, also the incense which ascended with the prayers of Israel. So did Christ plead His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners, and present before Him also, with the precious fragrance of His own righteousness, the prayers of the penitent believers. Such was the work of ministration in the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven." (GC, 418, 420, 421).

To be continued.

M.A.

[M.A. Crawford]

"For eighteen centuries this work of ministration continued in the first apartment of the sanctuary. The blood of Christ, pleaded in behalf of penitent believers, secured their pardon and acceptance with the Father, yet their sins still remained upon the books of record. As in the typical service there was a work of atonement at the close of the year, so before Christ's work for the redemption of men is completed there is a work of atonement for the removal of sins from the sanctuary. This is the service which began when the 2300 days ended. At that time, as foretold by Daniel the prophet, our High Priest entered the most holy, to perform the last division of His solemn work--to cleanse the sanctuary.

"As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement. The cleansing of the sanctuary therefore involves a work of investigation--a work of judgment. This work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ to redeem His people; for when He comes, His reward is with Him to give to every man according to his works. Revelation 22:12.

"Thus those who followed in the light of the prophetic word saw that, instead of coming to the earth at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844, Christ then entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work of atonement preparatory to His coming.

"It was seen, also, that while the sin offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the author of sin, upon whom the sins of the truly penitent will finally be placed. When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon Satan, who, in the execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty. The scapegoat was sent way into a land not inhabited, never to come again into the congregation of Israel. So will Satan be forever banished from the presence of God and His people, and he will be blotted from existence in the final destruction of sin and sinners." (GC 421-22).

M.A.  

[Allan F]

"Jehovah is a gracious giver" -  The WATER (II)

In chapter 3 and 4 of the gospel of John, water is still a central theme. The two main stories are about one top educated theologian and one uneducated foreign woman, who both needed the same thing, water. Jesus presented his gift in two different ways. In the case with Nicodemus He goes straight on to tell Him what he needs most. Toward the samaritan woman He is a bit more "careful" (Jesus always does everything in love), as He in a beautiful way compare His gift of life with the necessity of water, and in this way creates a wish in her for this special gift.

Chapter 3
Let us first look at the story of Nicodemus. Here are some quotations from the book Desire of Ages that in a good way exppresses what the spiritual water is all about:

""Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. Nicodemus had come to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but Jesus laid bare the foundation principles of truth. He said to Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity satisfied, but to have a new heart" (p 168).

"Jesus continued: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." By nature the heart is evil, and "who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Job 14:4. No human invention can find a remedy for the sinning soul. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Rom. 8:7; Matt. 15:19. The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit" (p. 172).

"Those who had been bitten by the serpents might have delayed to look. They might have questioned how there could be efficacy in that brazen symbol. They might have demanded a scientific explanation. But no explanation was given. They must accept the word of God to them through Moses. To refuse to look was to perish. Not through controversy and discussion is the soul enlightened. We must look and live. Nicodemus received the lesson, and carried it with him. He searched the Scriptures in a new way, not for the discussion of a theory, but in order to receive life for the soul. He began to see the kingdom of heaven as he submitted himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit" (p 175).

In the chapter "Modern revivals" (GC), Ellen G. White points out the dangers in much of what is called spiritual revival in the last days and she writes that there is a strong tendency to diminish the importance of christlike obedience to Gods will, which I guess all of us all can confirm as happening around us today. She here also expresses in a clear way what is taking place at the new birth:

"In the new birth the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation from God has ended; the new life of reconciliation, of faith and love, has begun. Then "the righteousness of the law" will "be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:4" (GC 469).

Chapter 4
At last, I want to share two quotations about the samaritan woman at the well. Instead of accepting her way of living and her present state, it is so good to read how Jesus was able to create a wish of something better in the heart of this woman. That is what He wants to do in all of us:

"He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul" (DA 187).

"Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew her soul" (DA 190).

Allan F

[Richard Myers]

Very well put, Brother Allan. Let us ask for this "Water" today, that we may be filled. "Like the womat at the well I was seeking for things that could not satisfy, but then I heard my Saviour speaking; draw from my well that never shall run dry."  

[Allan F]

"Jehovah is a gracious giver" - The WATER (III)

As Richard mentioned we need the spiritual water everyday. We need it to be cleansed, and we need to "drink" it every day to stay alive spiritually. These two functions of water is presented by John in his first chapters of his gospel.

Let us now turn to ch. 4, the last chapter where water and the new life again is a central theme. This post is a bit too long, but I found the quotations from EGW very good.

In this chapter Jesus is at the pool of Bethesda. As he walks beside this pool he can see all the sufferers that is beside the pool, waiting for the water to be agitated. Only the strongest people would have the possibility to be the first to enter the water. How different this is from the criteria of getting the new life which Jesus wants to give us all:

"Walking alone, in apparent meditation and prayer, He came to the pool. He saw the wretched sufferers watching for that which they supposed to be their only chance of cure. He longed to exercise His healing power, and make every sufferer whole. But it was the Sabbath day. Multitudes were going to the temple for worship, and He knew that such an act of healing would so excite the prejudice of the Jews as to cut short His work."  

"But the Saviour saw one case of supreme wretchedness. It was that of a man who had been a helpless cripple for thirty-eight years. His disease was in a great degree the result of his own sin, and was looked upon as a judgment from God. Alone and friendless, feeling that he was shut out from God's mercy, the sufferer had passed long years of misery. At the time when it was expected that the waters would be troubled, those who pitied his helplessness would bear him to the porches. But at the favored moment he had no one to help him in." (DA 201)

Let us look carefully how Jesus is approaching this man. I think we can learn an important lesson on how few conditions there are to receive the new spiritual life/birth:

"The sick man was lying on his mat, and occasionally lifting his head to gaze at the pool, when a tender, compassionate face bent over him, and the words, "Wilt thou be made whole?" arrested his attention. Hope came to his heart...Jesus does not ask this sufferer to exercise faith in Him. He simply says, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." But the man's faith takes hold upon that word. Every nerve and muscle thrills with new life, and healthful action comes to his crippled limbs. Without question he sets his will to obey the command of Christ, and all his muscles respond to his will. Springing to his feet, he finds himself an active man." (DA 202)

"Through the same faith we may receive spiritual healing. By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied. Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than was the impotent man capable of walking. There are many who realize their helplessness, and who long for that spiritual life which will bring them into harmony with God; they are vainly striving to obtain it. In despair they cry, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Rom. 7:24, margin. Let these desponding, struggling ones look up. The Saviour is bending over the purchase of His blood, saying with inexpressible tenderness and pity, "Wilt thou be made whole?" He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength. Whatever may be the evil practice, the master passion which through long indulgence binds both soul and body, Christ is able and longs to deliver. He will impart life to the soul that is "dead in trespasses." Eph. 2:1." (DA 203)

What Jesus did to this man, happened on a Sabbath, the memorial of creation. Because of that he was brought to Sanhedrin to answer the charge of sabbathbreaking. In His answer to His accusers it is interesting to see that He claims to be a creator and have the same power as God has (v.21). That is why the Pharisees must accept Jesus in order to have spiritual life. Spiritual life is given only through Jesus:

"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you." (John 5:38-40.42).

Allan F

[Allan F]

"God is a gracious giver" - The BREAD OF LIFE

In the gospel of John, we have so far looked at the courtyard experience in the christian life. Let us shortly summarize it:

- The SANCTUARY - "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (ch. 1)
- The ALTAR - "The lamb of God" (ch. 1)
- The LAVER - "The water of life" (ch. 2-5)

Bread of Life - Jesus and his Word
In chapters 6 and 7 the theme is Bread. First physical, then spiritual bread (6:27-). But let us start in the previous ch. In the end of chapter 5 Jesus says to the pharisees: "search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life". It is true that spiritual life is found in the scriptures. But not in the words themselves. The main purpose of the testimonies, histories etc. in the Bible is to help us to have faith in the only one who can give us life, Jesus. Secondly the Bible guides us in how to live our life. But without power received by faith there is no real use for councels and commandments that we are not able to follow (except that they show us that we need help). The commandments can not give life, neither can the other words in the Bible. Only Jesus can do that. But the Bible helps us to take faith in Jesus as the only and best help.

Let me use an example to illustrate my point. Food is a vital source in order to uphold life and to stay healthy. Every day we need to eat. If we don't, we will soon cease to exist. But even though how healthful bread/food may be it is only useful for those of us who are alive. If I find a person living lifeless on the ground because of a heart attack, it is certainly not the time to feed him with bread. What is needed is to help him to get the heart start beating and get him alive.

So it also seems to be in the spiritual life. The pharisees were eating bread (studying the scriptures) all the time but it didn't help them to stay alive, as they thought. Why? Because they were spiritually dead as long as they didn't accept Jesus and by faith received a new heart from him.

With this I do not intend us to stay away from the Bible until we receive spiritual life from God. In fact, the Bible is one of the best sources to help us take faith in Jesus. But my point is that if we, like the pharisees study the Bible and still doubt that Jesus can give us power to be made and kept spiritually alive, the Word of God is of no spiritual or saving value. The pharisees taught almost an infinite number of rules that focused on the outward. Religion didn't deal with the inside, the heart. EGW writes in DA 309 that "The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul." In this way their religion became focused on eating the right spiritual food which included hundreds of unbiblical laws/ingredients of what when and how to eat (see DA 29).

Today we also face the same deception as EGW mentions in DA 309, mostly because of the teachings of "the false prophet" in Rev, which says that it is neither possible nor really necessary to be alive, because Jesus has been alive for us. In this way people are robbed (mainly by priests and theologians...) for the best experience heaven want to offer humans on this earth. But as long as this mindset guides our Bible study, we will benefit from it no more than the Bible study of the pharisees. In both cases Bible study will not help us to become spiritually alive, because "ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:40). In the first case both the teacher and His message is denied. In the latter, only the message is denied.

With this in mind we will go to John 6-7 to see what we can learn from the Bread of Life.

(To be continued)

Allan F

[Allan F]

"Jehovah is a gracious giver" - The BREAD OF LIFE (II)

The miracle with bread in John ch. 6 is happening in an interesting setting. The disciples who were the ones who were delivering the pysical food to the people, have for some time been giving spiritual food to people in Israel. They have just returned from their first mission trip. For a certain time they have been travelling around, preaching the gospel to people. They now need rest and to spend time at the feet of Jesus to learn from him.
Secondly, the miracle is happening just prior to the passover (v.4). In this feast there was one week where the people ate unleavend bread, which was a symbol of Christ.

Bread in the Bible symbolizes both Jesus and his Word (eg. Joh 6:48; Deut 8:3). The grain, which may symbolize the pure words itself (Mar 4:14) is mixed with oil/water and salt in order to become a healthy and delicious bread. In the same way God wants to give us along with His word, also the Holy Spirit (oil/water) and Christ righteousness (salt). To get strengthened by spiritually bread we need first all the ingredients, then faith to "digest" the Word. "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Heb 4:2).

To live by His words is not something we can do in our own strength. This was clearly demonstrated by Jesus a few hours after this miracle. Soon after he had sent the disciples away, they happened to be in a terrible storm on the sea. As Jesus approached the boat, He told Peter to come to him on the water. This is a good parallel to the christian life. The christian life is impossible from a mere human viewpoint. It is supernatural, and in order to live by the words of Jesus we need faith. As soon as Peter started loosing faith, he got in troubles. But Jesus is always at our side, helping us to walk, and to raise us up again when we fall.

The next day the people was looking for Jesus. When they found him they were eager to get to know facts about the miracle on the sea, but Jesus tried to lead their minds to eternal values, to eat of the real bread of life. In the 20 verses from 6:39-58 Jesus mentions the resurrection 5 times. He tries to make the people understand that to eat of the spiritual bread is far more important than anything else. The people wanted Jesus as their king because he could heal the sick, open the eyes of the blind, provide food etc., but this could only lengthen the physical life. But Jesus is much more concerned about of our well being than to think primarly on our physical life here and now. He knew that the motives of the common people were not right. He pleaded His father to open the eyes of the people so that they could understand His mission on earth. In His speach to the people the day after the miracle, He pointed them to the spiritual food which would make them live forever. And the food was Himself.

"To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to receive Him as a personal Saviour, believing that He forgives our sins, and that we are complete in Him. It is by beholding His love, by dwelling upon it, by drinking it in, that we are to become partakers of His nature. What food is to the body, Christ must be to the soul. Food cannot benefit us unless we eat it, unless it becomes a part of our being. So Christ is of no value to us if we do not know Him as a personal Saviour. A theoretical knowledge will do us no good. We must feed upon Him, receive Him into the heart, so that His life becomes our life. His love, His grace, must be assimilated" (DA 389).

"As our physical life is sustained by food, so our spiritual life is sustained by the word of God. And every soul is to receive life from God's word for himself. As we must eat for ourselves in order to receive nourishment, so we must receive the word for ourselves. We are not to obtain it merely through the medium of another's mind. We should carefully study the Bible, asking God for the aid of the Holy Spirit, that we may understand His word. We should take one verse, and concentrate the mind on the task of ascertaining the thought which God has put in that verse for us. We should dwell upon the thought until it becomes our own, and we know "what saith the Lord"  (DA 390.4).

"The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine similitude. This is what it means to live "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This is eating the Bread that comes down from heaven" (DA 391).

Allan F

[This message has been edited by Allan F (edited 10-05-2002).]

[Allan F]

"Jehovah is a gracious giver" - The BREAD OF LIFE

In chapter 7 of the gospel of John, the Bread of Life - the teaching of Christ - is again in focus:

"Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (v.14-17).

I want here to focus on the last sentence. In the kingdom of God there is certain principles that we must follow when we want to understand the word of God. Jesus was not educated in the scriptures after the model of the pharisees. But it is evident from this chapter that Jesus revealed an understanding of the scriptures that far surpassed the pharisees. And the people (+ his enemies..!) were amazed (v.46).

A famous SDA writer has paralelled the christian experience with a life long course in the School of Holiness. In this school we need some good rules, the holy law. In addition we need some good text books, the holy Word of God. We also need good examples to follow, The Holy one (Jesus), and a good teacher, The Holy Spirit.

The teacher is of special importance, since it is The Holy Spirit that made the authors write the Bible. It is also Him that will lead us to the whole truth. Without contact with him, we will not be able neither to fully understand what He ment by "His" writing, the Bible, or to receive power to grow in the fruits of the Spirit and advance in this school of holiness. The pharisees thought they were advancing in the school of holiness. They had the textbooks, the rules, but denied the good example (Jesus) and the teacher. That's why they didn't advance in this school.

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God". How do you find this requirement for understanding Gods Word? Do you like it? Christianity has not always beleived in this principle. It has a long tradition for a totally different thinking. The Catholic church, in its early fase introduced platonic philosophy. Platons idea that the society should be divided into groups with the philosopher as the regent, has been adopted by the Church. According to its thinking, only those who have gone through the theological correct education "shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God". For long time it was even forbidden for laymen to study the Bible.

Further, we must never put something above the Bible, neither humans nor organisations. To understand the word of God is possible and free to all men, and God wants all to understand its teaching. The catholic view on the Bible is totally unbiblical. When asked about the position of the Bible, the answer is that the Word of God is true, because the Church is true. And it was the church that gave us the Bible. The church is thus the final authority in any question, not the Bible. This is an argumentation that we totally reject. Or do we?
It is the same situation we have faced from some high SDA-theologians. Some of them can not find it biblically true what we teach concerning eg. 1844. But they still beleive in the prophecy of the 2300 days. Why? Because Ellen White wrote about it and belived it. Then we do the same blunder as the catholic church does by placing something above the Bible. If catholisism is based on traditions and the teachings of popes, or the advent message comes from Ellen G. White, we must not accept it.

Paul in his first letter to the corinthians writes that "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

What Paul here says is that the two great methods of seaking knowledge in the world today, is not reliable when we want to know Gods plans for us. Neither empirism (experience, science) nor rationalism (philosophy, intellect) can alone bring us safely to a true understanding of God. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (v.10).

In order to understand Gods will it is important for us to be in connection with the Holy Spirit, by having the attitude that Jesus mentions in Joh 7:17.

Then we can claim this wonderful promise: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (Joh 7:38).

If you are interested in other texts which explains the principles for understanding the Bible, have a look at the following verses:
- Matt 22:29.37-40
- Joh 5:39.47
- Joh 10:35
- Joh 6:45
- Joh 8:43
- 1 Tess 2:13

Please share with us if you have found additional texts.

Allan F

[This message has been edited by Allan F (edited 10-12-2002).]

[Allan F]

"Jehovah is a gracious giver" - THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

In chapter 8 of the gospel of John, we begin more clearly to see another aspect of the heavenly gift to men, Jesus Christ. In the introduction to his gospel, John writes that "in him [Jesus] was life; and the life was the light of men" (Jn 1:4). It was thus Gods plan that the life of Jesus should serve as a example for all men who beleive in God. By His life Jesus revealed both how Gods character is, and how he wants our life to be.

In the previous chapters, we have mostly seen Jesus as the great healer and teacher, explaining the kingdom of God to groups and individuals (eg. Nicodemus, the samaritan woman etc.). But from now on the divine love, full of sympathy for the troubled mankind, is revealed in its fullness.

In ch. 8 we first meet the woman who was caught in adultery. Let us see how Jesus handles this difficult situation:

"Jesus looked for a moment upon the scene,--the trembling victim in her shame, the hard-faced dignitaries, devoid of even human pity. His spirit of stainless purity shrank from the spectacle. Well He knew for what purpose this case had been brought to Him. He read the heart, and knew the character and life history of everyone in His presence. These would-be guardians of justice had themselves led their victim into sin, that they might lay a snare for Jesus. Giving no sign that He had heard their question, He stooped, and fixing His eyes upon the ground, began to write in the dust."  {DA 461}

"Jesus arose, and looking at the woman said, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.""  {DA 461}

"Her heart was melted, and she cast herself at the feet of Jesus, sobbing out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessing her sins.
    This was to her the beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to the service of God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing love and devotion she repaid His forgiving mercy.
    In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect righteousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He seeks not to condemn, but to save. The world had for this erring woman only contempt and scorn; but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope. The Sinless One pities the weakness of the sinner, and reaches to her a helping hand. While the hypocritical Pharisees denounce, Jesus bids her, "Go, and sin no more."
    It is not Christ's follower that, with averted eyes, turns from the erring, leaving them unhindered to pursue their downward course. Those who are forward in accusing others, and zealous in bringing them to justice, are often in their own lives more guilty than they. Men hate the sinner, while they love the sin. Christ hates the sin, but loves the sinner. This will be the spirit of all who follow Him. Christian love is slow to censure, quick to discern penitence, ready to forgive, to encourage, to set the wanderer in the path of holiness, and to stay his feet therein." {DA 462}

Allan F

[Richard Myers]

Amen, Brother Allan.

Forgiveness is the heart of the sanctuary message. As the knife ends the life of the lamb, the repentant sinner's heart is melted by the thought that God would allow His innocent Son to suffer in our place on account of our sins. It is grace.

Richard

[Richard Myers]

Brother Allen has been at medical school. We miss his posts. We look forward to his participation in the future. He lives in Norway.

With the multitude of topics in the various forums this topic has been inadvertantly dropped for a few years. Let us continue in our study of the Hebrew Sanctuary. There is much to learn.

[Allan F]

"Jehovah is a gracious giver" - THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

"In the manifestation of God to His people, light had ever been a symbol of His presence. At the creative word in the beginning, light had shone out of darkness. Light had been enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, leading the vast armies of Israel. Light blazed with awful grandeur about the Lord on Mount Sinai. Light rested over the mercy seat in the tabernacle. Light filled the temple of Solomon at its dedication. Light shone on the hills of Bethlehem when the angels brought the message of redemption to the watching shepherds.
    God is light; and in the words, "I am the light of the world," Christ declared His oneness with God, and His relation to the whole human family. It was He who at the beginning had caused "the light to shine out of darkness." 2 Cor. 4:6. He is the light of sun and moon and star. He was the spiritual light that in symbol and type and prophecy had shone upon Israel. But not to the Jewish nation alone was the light given. As the sunbeams penetrate to the remotest corners of the earth, so does the light of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon every soul." {DA 464}

""I do nothing of Myself," He continued; "but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." He did not attempt to prove His Messianic claim, but showed His unity with God. If their minds had been open to God's love, they would have received Jesus."  {DA 465.3}

The life of Jesus was symbolized in the sanctuary by the candle stick. In accordance with this symbol, Jesus says that He does nothing of himself. His life is a life received from without. He was as dependent upon the Holy Spirit to live this life as are you and me. The candle stick clearly teaches us that light (a christlike life), requires oil (The Holy Spirit).
In the very same chapter, we see both rejection and acception of The Light of The World. What is surprising is that the religious, well educated people reject their foundation of their own religion, while the ordinary woman accepts Jesus.

"Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" sets us "free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8:2."  {DA 466}

"The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham. Jesus told them that this claim could be established only by doing the works of Abraham. The true children of Abraham would live, as he did, a life of obedience to God. They would not try to kill One who was speaking the truth that was given Him from God. In plotting against Christ, the rabbis were not doing the works of Abraham. A mere lineal descent from Abraham was of no value. Without a spiritual connection with him, which would be manifested in possessing the same spirit, and doing the same works, they were not his children."

"Again the priests and rabbis cried out against Jesus as a blasphemer. His claim to be one with God had before stirred them to take His life, and a few months later they plainly declared, "For a good work we stone Thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God." John 10:33. Because He was, and avowed Himself to be, the Son of God, they were bent on destroying Him. Now many of the people, siding with the priests and rabbis, took up stones to cast at Him. "But Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."  
    The Light was shining in darkness; but "the darkness apprehended it not."" John 1:5, R. V. {DA 470}