For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in allpoints tempted as we are,yet without sin. The New King James Version
Hebrews 4:15
Says the Apostle, “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
And again we are told, “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.”
“Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We (do) have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.”
That is, we have One who is abundantly qualified to sympathise with us in our afflictions, possessing an understanding that goes beyond mere words, deeply resonating with the weight of our burdens. In our darkest moments, when despair threatens to overwhelm us, we can find solace in the truth that to Him, we may look for aid and support in trials that test our resolve and challenge our spirits.
Such tenderness and pity, poured forth from the depths of divine compassion, has our Great High Priest, who walks alongside us through the valleys we encounter, ensuring that we never face our struggles alone, but rather are embraced by a love that knows our pains intimately.
“Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners. For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour’s life on earth, we see “God with us.”
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
JOHN 4:23
“Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
2 CORINTHIANS 3:6
“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
JEREMIAH 31:33-35 (Hebrews 10:15-17)
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
ROMANS 2:28-29
“For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
PHILIPPIANS 3:3
“…we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”
ROMANS 7:6
The letter of the law refers to strict adherence to legal wording, emphasizing a precise interpretation of statutory language without deviation. This approach prioritizes the specific terms used in legal texts and seeks to apply them as they are written, often leading to outcomes that might seem rigid or mechanical. On the other hand, the spirit of the law pertains to understanding the intent behind the law’s implementation, focusing on the broader principles and objectives that the lawmakers sought to achieve. This perspective allows for greater flexibility and consideration of context, encouraging individuals and authorities to uphold the law’s underlying purpose rather than just its literal phrasing.
According to Jeremiah, “the qualities of the new covenant expounded upon the old are: a) It will not be broken; b) Its law will be written in the heart, not merely on tablets of stone; c) The knowledge of God will deem it no longer necessary to put it into written words of instruction.”[5] According to Luke (Luke 22:20), and Paul, in the first epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:25), this prophecy was fulfilled only through the work of Jesus Christ,[5] who said “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”
Christ did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. His purpose was to encourage people to look beyond the “letter of the law” to the “spirit of the law,” inviting them to embrace a deeper understanding of faith and morality. By highlighting the principles behind the commandments and the law’s intention, He aimed to reveal the heart of God’s desires for humanity—love, compassion, and justice. He sought to guide them toward living their lives with integrity, emphasizing that adherence to the law should not be merely a matter of ritualistic compliance, but a genuine reflection of one’s character and an expression of true devotion to God.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
MATTHEW 6:17-18
Christ’s warning to us needs to be understood by all who profess to be His followers; He did not come to this world as our Saviour to destroy the Law of God, rather, He suffered and died because fallen humanity transgressed that Holy Law. This vital message reminds us that the Law is not merely a set of rules to follow, but a reflection of God’s character and His desire for our spiritual flourishing. Through Christ’s mission, we come to a deeper understanding of God’s divine purpose, realizing that His grace enables us to uphold the very principles that define righteousness. In embracing Christ’s teachings, we are called not only to acknowledge our shortcomings but also to strive for a life that resonates with the love and truth embodied in the Law. It is through this transformative journey that we can truly appreciate the depth of His sacrifice and the hope it offers for redemption and reconciliation with our Creator.
His grace is no excuse to continue in sin, transgressing the Commandments of God.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God desires to write His Law in our hearts, that is—He desires to recreate us into His Image.
Christ has suffered and died that this work can be done in us. He paid the redemption price and made atonement for our sin—shall we therefore continue in sin that grace may abound?
We are not saved by the Law, which was a belief held by the Jews of old, but by God’s grace through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary; now saved, we are expected to obey, just as a father does not permit his children to live in disobedience, and this applies even more to our Heavenly Father.
“The same law that was engraved upon the tables of stone is written by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. Instead of going about to establish our own righteousness we accept the righteousness of Christ. His blood atones for our sins. His obedience is accepted for us. Then the heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring forth “the fruits of the Spirit.” Through the grace of Christ we shall live in obedience to the law of God written upon our hearts. Having the Spirit of Christ, we shall walk even as He walked.”
PATRIARCHS & PROPHETS pg. 372
Friends, may God continue to reveal His light before your path, guiding you through the complexities of life, that you may grow in grace and gain a deeper understanding of the Everlasting Gospel and its profound relation to The Law of God, —The Two Are Inseparable. As you journey forth, remember to seek wisdom in His Word, for it is through diligent study and heartfelt prayer that you will unravel the mysteries of faith. Be not deceived, for there are many false teachers in the world, deceiving and being deceived, preying on the unsuspecting hearts of those who seek truth. Stand firm in your faith and remain vigilant, allowing the teachings of Christ to illuminate your mind and spirit, ensuring you are anchored in the truth amidst a sea of confusion.
Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary”… But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day…. And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”
So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way.
Thus Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:27-34
Esau despised the birthright— the privilege to be the heir of the covenant that God made with Abraham to, ultimately, be the progenitor of the Messiah—Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul further says, “Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright“, Hebrews 12:16.
Spiritual things were of no value to Esau. In other words, Esau’s craving was so great that he sold what had eternal value in order to gain temporal satisfaction. Esau, driven by hunger and impulse, chose to prioritize immediate gratification over the profound and lasting blessings that come from spiritual fulfillment.
This same Esau, who despised the birthright, had a son called Eliphaz, Genesis 36:10, who in turn had a son called Amalek, through his concubine, Timna, verse 12.
The Amalekites—the descendants of Amelek, the grandson of Esau— were Israel’s first and a constant enemy after they left Egypt. About them it is said, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt… he did not fear God.”Deuteronomy 25:17-18
The Amalekites, Moses tells us, “did not fear God”, in other words, they did not reverence God, they did not honour God as God.
Just as Esau despised his birthright, not giving it proper value or respect, so his grandson, Amalek, did not respect God.
“Like father, like son”…. even grandson.
However, the story of Esau and his grandson Amalek reminds us of an even greater spiritual truth. Like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal, the flesh cannot wait. It demands that its cravings be satisfied immediately, not later, but now! This impulsiveness leads to regrettable choices that can have long-lasting consequences. Like Amalek, the flesh knows no respect or reverence for God—or for the things of God. It pursues its desires relentlessly, often trampling upon higher moral principles and spiritual commitments. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to our base instincts, urging us instead to cultivate patience and self-discipline in the face of temptation.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21
All of these things belong to Esau and his children, not to the redeemed child of God, who has been set free from bondage to sin. For, says Jesus—”whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin” but “if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:34,36
Knowing this, that our old man (old nature, the flesh) is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:6-7
Friends, a perpetual warfare is raging in our bodies; the greatest battle ever fought is the battle against self. “The flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and these two are contrary one to another so that you cannot do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:17
We must not be like Esau or like Amalek, who yielded to the fleshly, carnal nature, and despised the eternal reward, rather, we must constantly be on the alert, ever cognisant of the divine promise that if we walk in the Spirt, we “will not carry out the desires of the flesh”, verse 16, see also Matthew 26:41.
The flesh must daily be put to death, we must, as Paul says, “die daily”, and in the words of Christ Himself, “if any man follows after Me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me.” The cross was an instrument of death—Jesus Himself showed us this by dying upon one. Therefore, if we desire to follow Jesus, we must daily die to the flesh and the carnal desires and walk as the Spirit leads.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God.” Romans 8:14
Therefore Reader, in closing, I leave you with the below quotation taken from the book “Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing“, page 141. May you be blessed.
The Christian life is a battle and a march. But the victory to be gained is not won by human power. The field of conflict is the domain of the heart. The battle which we have to fight—the greatest battle that was ever fought by man—is the surrender of self to the will of God, the yielding of the heart to the sovereignty of love. The old nature, born of blood and of the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up.
Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses gathered the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
Exodus 19:16-18
Notice the words of Christ as you have just read the words spoken by Moses:
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven… And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24:30-31
Add to this the words of the Psalmist David as prophesies under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
“Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
Psalm 50:5
As Moses gathered all Israel to bring them into God’s presence at the sound of the trumpet so shall the angels be sent forth to gather Spiritual Israel at the sound of the great trumpet at the last day.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught (gathered) up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
When the Lord descended the first time and Moses gathered the people, they remained at the foot of the mount, see: Exodus 19:17 But when the Lord descends again, we shall be “caught up to meet Him in the air“, no longer to remain at the foot of the Mt.Zion but taken up to the summit into God’s very presence, to stand with Christ upon the summit.
For says the Apostle John, speaking of this great and glorious Day:
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
Revelation 14:1
—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:52
When the trumpet is again sounded, we shall all be gathered unto Christ— incorruptible, immortal— and in that moment, we shall all be changed into beings of light! The echoes of that celestial sound will resonate through the heavens, signaling the dawn of a new era and a profound transformation.
Where will you be when the Trumpet sounds, Reader?
Will you be ascending up, embracing the divine call with open arms? or will you find yourself “remaining at the foot of the mountain,” hesitating, missing the glorious ascension?
It is a question that beckons reflection, demanding that we evaluate our spiritual journey and our readiness for the eternal promise that awaits us. Now is the time to prepare our hearts and souls, to ensure that when that trumpet “sounds long and waxes louder and louder”, that we are among those who soar towards the divine light, leaving behind the shadows of doubt and fear.
Think upon these things dear one—Jesus is Coming soon!
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
Matthew 11:12
When Jesus spoke these words, He was revealing a truth about the Kingdom that shocks the complacent. The Kingdom of God does not advance by passive belief or casual attendance; it is not simply about attending services or agreeing with doctrines from a distance. Instead, it demands active engagement, fervent commitment, and a heart set ablaze with passion for the truth.
The advancement of the Kingdom occurs through holy desperation— a deep, yearning desire for transformation that goes beyond surface-level faith. It is characterized by an urgency to seek God’s presence, to pursue His will, and to intercede for the world. This kind of desperation compels individuals to step out of their COMFORT ZONES, to reach out to those who are lost, broken, or hurting, and to be instruments of God’s love and grace in a world that desperately needs it.
This Kingdom is alive, and its growth is fueled by those who are willing to cry out for change, to hunger for righteousness— Matthew 5:6, and to labor for His glory. Such an approach challenges the status quo, pushing back against apathy and indifference and inviting us to live with intention and fervor. In doing so, we become active participants in the unfolding story of God’s redemptive work, joining Him in the mission to restore all things through the power of His love.
“Co-labourers together with Christ“
The Apostle Paul
From the days of John the Baptist, men and women pressed into the Kingdom with a spiritual determination that refused to be denied.
John stood in the wilderness preaching repentance and the multitudes came. They left their homes, walked into the desert, and confessed their sins publicly.
They were not half-hearted and complacent. Instead, they approached their endeavors with fervor and unwavering determination, driven by a passionate commitment to their cause that propelled them forward even in the face of adversity. Their resilience and focus were evident in every action, as they refused to succumb to lethargy or complacency. Each step they took was purposeful, as they sought to achieve their goals with a fierce dedication that inspired those around them to rise to the occasion alongside them.
“Woe to you who are at ease in Zion!”
The Prophet Amos
They pressed in. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus when the crowd was too thick. The woman with the issue of blood pushed through the throng to touch His garment. Blind Bartimaeus cried out louder when the crowd told him to be silent. The Demoniac in the city of the Gadarenes, ran with all might to Jesus, desiring to be set free.
These were not polite seekers. They were violent in faith. They refused to let anything stop them from receiving what heaven had promised.
The Kingdom is not handed to the indifferent. It is seized by those who burn with passion and fervor, driven by an insatiable desire for truth and justice. Fleshly strength will not secure it, but a soul ignited with faith—a faith that is resolute, deeply rooted in Jesus, and unwavering—will take hold of the treasures of God that lie in wait for those who earnestly seek them. Heaven opens to those who press through opposition, tirelessly facing the storms of doubt and disbelief; who navigate through delay, with patience that is a testament to their convictions; and who combat resistance, armed with holy determination that fuels their every action.
Passive faith shall never inherit the Kingdom, for it is the bold, the brave, and the tireless seekers of God’s glory who will claim their rightful place in His eternal realm through Jesus Christ.
The promises of God are not for the casual. They are for the desperate. Press in with prayer. Press in with fasting. Press in with obedience.
Heaven’s treasures are seized by holy force.
The Kingdom belongs to those who refuse to let go until they take hold; woe to those who are at ease and complacent in Zion!
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Mark 1:40
What Christ did for the Leper of old, is exactly what He desires to do for you and I today—Make us clean.
He desires to dwell with us, to be with us, but He cannot dwell in the presence of spiritual uncleanness and defilement; that defilement which we inherited from our first parents after the fall.
“For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp… therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.”
Deuteronomy 23:14
Truly Beloved, our sins have separated us from our Creator, Isaiah 59:2, and because of this Isaiah tells us the following:
…we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.
Isaiah 64:6
Again he laments:
… I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.
Isaiah 6:5
The Apostles tell us on frequent occasions that as believers in Christ, we are part of the priesthood of Believers, with Christ being our Great High Priest. See: 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6; Hebrews 4:14-16
Notice then what God spoke to Aaron, brother of Moses, and to his sons, who were the priests of the Old Covenant. Pay special attention to what was to be their condition before God:
Say to them: ‘Whoever of all your descendants throughout your generations, who goes near the holy things which the children of Israel dedicate to the Lord, while he has uncleanness upon him, that person shall be cut off from My presence: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 22:3
Notice that spiritual uncleanness found upon any of the ancient priest in the days of old covenant, would result in them being “cut off” from God’s Holy Presence, i.e., they would be struck down in death.
That may seem a bit harsh in our politically correctworld but the priests had a great and important work to accomplish. Not only were they to minister on behalf of Isreal before a Holy God, but also, the priests of the Old Covenant were a type and shadow of Christ, the Great High Priest. Their ceremonial cleanness was a foreshadowing of the perfect, sinless life that Christ lived on our behalf.
As a result, we who are likewise the priests of the New Covenant in Christ’s Blood, must not be found with any uncleanness upon us. Uncleanness and a Holy God cannot coexist, one must go, and it surely will not be the Eternal God—for He liveth and reigneth forever.
We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, therefore we are all unclean, there is no two ways about it. Recognizing the weight of our transgressions is not an easy task; it requires humility and an honest assessment of ourselves in the light of divine truth. Therefore, we should see our need and our true condition before God, understanding that we are imperfect beings, constantly in need of His grace and mercy. Just as David cried out in heartfelt desperation, we too should plead for forgiveness and healing, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking to restore our relationship with the Creator.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin…. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow….Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:2,7,10
“Do not listen to the enemy’s suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better; until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then, you will never come. When Satan points to your filthy garments, repeat the promise of Jesus, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Tell the enemy that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. Make the prayer of David your own (Psalm 51)…”
When we, like the leper in Christ’s day, cry out “if Thou be willing, Thou can make me clean”, Jesus will say like He said to that leper who saw his need, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Matthew 8:3
I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.
Jeremiah 33:8
Beloved, we have an Advocate in Heaven who is ready and willing to cleanse us from all our wretchedness, all our failures, all our weaknesses and all our sins— Only Christ—Our Great High Priest— can make us clean!
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
He stands now in the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary on high on this antitypical Day of Atonement, to make atonement for us.
For on that Day [of atonement] the Priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.
Leviticus 16:30
Friends, how can we neglect so great the gift of salvation? Woe unto us should we disregard this merciful gift! Woe unto us, should we not seek for cleansing from our iniquities and transgressions, that we may stand in the “Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord.”
Christ desires to remove our filthy garments, stained with sin and self righteousness, and to clothe us in the clean, fine linen garments of the Lamb—His own righteousness.
“Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with clean robes.”
Zechariah 3:4 (Revelation 19:7-8)
Without this cleansing and the putting on of these clean garments, no man can see the kingdom of heaven. For says the Lord:
Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you.
Isaiah 52:1 (Romans 2:28-29)
“And there shall in no wise enter into it, anything that defiles…”
Revelation 21:27
“Into the city of God there will enter nothing that defiles. All who are to be dwellers there will here have become pure in heart. In one who is learning of Jesus, there will be manifest a growing distaste for careless manners, unseemly language, and coarse thought. When Christ abides in the heart, there will be purity and refinement of thought and manner.”
Friends, Jesus is willing to make us clean; do you see your need, do I see my need? This is the question we must confront with humility and sincerity.
He wants to remove our filthy garments, the burdens of guilt and shame that weigh heavily on our hearts, and wash them in His Blood, which symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice and love. He desires to clothe us in the clean, fine linen garments of the Lamb, garments that signify our renewed identity and status before God.
Without these garments, no man can enter the Gates into the City of eternal life and fellowship with the Creator. It is time, therefore, that we repent of our sinful condition and seek the cleansing that Christ desires so earnestly to give us, understanding that this transformation is not just a one-time act, but a continuous journey of faith, where we strive to reflect His love and purity in our daily lives. Embracing this path requires courage and trust, as we allow Him to guide us toward a life marked by righteousness and hope.
Friends, the Word of God has spoken, let he that has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches…
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy (unclean), let him be filthy (unclean) still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” Behold, I come quickly and my reward is with Me…
Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary (sister of Martha), and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.
Then the chief priestsand the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
And one of them—Caiaphas—being high priest that year, said to them:
“You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews….And the Passover of the Jews was near…
The Gospel of John 11:45-55
So Caiaphas proposed by the sacrifice of Jesus to save the guilty nation, not from transgression, but IN TRANSGRESSION, that they might CONTINUE in sin...
At this council Christ’s enemies had been deeply convicted. The Holy Spirit had impressed their minds. But Satan strove to gain control of them. He urged upon their notice the grievances they had suffered on account of Christ. How little He had honoured THEIR righteousness. He presented a righteousness far greater, which all who would be children of God MUST possess.
Taking no notice of their forms and ceremonies, He had encouraged sinners to go directly to God as a merciful Father, and make known their wants.
Thus—in their opinion— He had set aside the priesthood. He had refused to acknowledge the theology of the rabbinical (or religious) schools. He had exposed the evil practices of the priests, and had irreparably hurt their influence. He had injured the effect of their MAXIMS and TRADITIONS…. All this Satan now brought to their minds.
Satan told them that in order to maintain their authority, they must put Jesus to death. This counsel they followed. The fact that they might lose the POWER they then exercised, was, they thought, sufficient reason for coming to some decision. With the exception of a few who dared not speak their minds, the Sanhedrin received the words of Caiaphas as the words of God.
They had come wholly under the sway of Satan…
Jesus had now given three years of public labor to the world. His example of self-denial and disinterested benevolence was before them. His life of purity, of suffering and devotion, was known to all.
Yet this short period of three years was as long as the world could endure the presence of its Redeemer.
The Desire Of Ages pg. 540-541
It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour each day reviewing the life of Christ—from the manger to Calvary. We should take it point by point and let the imagination vividly grasp each scene, especially the closing ones of His earthly life.
Volume 4Testimonies for the Churchpg. 374
Beloved, contemplate the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes of His earthly ministry, for “that which has been, is that which shall be — there is no new thing under the sun“— says Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:9.
Christ’s experience will be our experience in these latter days.
Because of His faithful ministry, He was hated by the apostate leaders in the Church of His day. He called sin by its right name; He was a Man of principle, not of policy—He called a spade, a spade. His words of truth broke down the forms and traditions that were set up by the apostate church leaders of the day. It was for this very reason that they sought to kill Him.
With this being said, must we not expect in these last days to be “hated by our own brethren” who continue to live in apostasy, especially those in positions of leadership—“The Pharisees and chief priests of today” ? To those who call out the apostasy of those living in sin, the ire of the dragon shall be against us, for the time will come when those who persecute and mistreat us will think that they are “doing God’s service.”
This phenomenon is not new Beloved; history is replete with illustrations of the faithful being maligned and persecuted by those who are entrenched in erroneous beliefs. The very ones who should be shepherding the flock often turn against those who shine light on sin and darkness, leading to an environment where truth is overshadowed by complacency and apostasy.
The Church is in dire need of revival and reformation in these final stages of earth’s history. Many unbiblical practices are finding their ways into the Church because the watchmen have become “dumb dogs”, and the devil likes it so. They have fallen asleep, lulled into a false sense of security by the whispers of a culture that prioritises acceptance over truth. But friends, Christ has called us to cry aloud, to lift up our voices like trumpets, and to call sin by its right name. Therefore, let us not rest on our laurels but arise; whether they hear or whether they forbear, we have a duty to proclaim sound doctrine and to gently restore those who have wandered from the truth.
It is imperative that we understand the significance of our mission during these turbulent times. The moral decay we witness around us serves as a reminder that the Church must stand firm against the tide of APOSTASY. Each one of us has a role in this divine mandate, whether it involves teaching, evangelism, or simple acts of righteousness. Let our resolve be unwavering, and may we remain steadfast, emboldened by the hope of His return. For it is written that His words shall not return void; they will accomplish what He has purposed. Thus, we hold fast to our commission, knowing that even in adversity, our labor is not in vain.
Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.
“Hear now, O Joshua the high priest…. behold, I will bring My Servant the BRANCH.”
Zechariah 3:8 ESV
Plain and specific prophecies had been given regarding the appearance of the Promised One, offering hope and guidance to the faithful throughout all generations. To Adam was given an assurance of the coming of the Redeemer, a crucial moment that reverberated through time, instilling a profound anticipation in the hearts of those who longed for salvation. The sentence pronounced on Satan, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” Genesis 3:15, served not merely as a declaration of conflict but as a divine promise to our first parents. This promise stood as a beacon of light in the darkness of sin and despair, representing the redemption to be wrought out through Christ, who would ultimately triumph over evil, restore the fractured relationship between humanity and God, and usher in an era of hope, grace, and reconciliation for all believers.
However, not only was the Promised Redeemer foreshadowed as the Seed. Among many other names found throughout the word of God, He was also given the name of the BRANCH, the One that would spring forth from the line of Jesse, the father of King David, the Promised Priest-King. See: Isaiah 11:1
And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch: for He shall branch out from His place, and He shall build the Temple of the Lord. It is He who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honour, and shall sit and rule on His throne. And there shall be a Priest on His throne.”
Zechariah 6:2-13 ESV
In all normal circumstances, a priest does not sit on a throne. A priest resides in a Temple, and a king rules from a throne. But what we see here is that the Promised Redeemer, the Branch, would be a Priest in the Temple of God ruling upon His Throne.
What is the Temple but the Christian Church today?
Says Paul:
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
1 Corinthians 3:16
Again he says:
“…for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” — 2 Corinthians 6:16
God’s Temple, is His People; all those in Christ, for He is the Way, Truth and Life.
Again we are told that we are being built up a Spiritual House built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ being the very cornerstone. See Ephesians 2:19-22
It was the Promised Redeemer, the Great High Priest who would also reign as a King.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for (king) David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as King and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land… this is the name by which he will be called: The Lordour Righteousness.”
Jeremiah 5-6
“For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man (a king) to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.”
Jeremiah 33:17-18
Who is this Promised Priest-King? No it isn’t the Roman Catholic Church State system led by the Pope, the professed priest of Roman Catholicism and King of the Vatican, that system of apostasy that sets itself up in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God. See: 1 Thessalonionas 2:3-4
There is One among the sons of men who is worthy of this Blessed Title. Who can it be but Jesus Christ Himself. The Branch of Jesse, the Root and Off Spring of David?
Note the Scriptures:
“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For because he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:17-18
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:14-15
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest…”
Hebrews 5:9
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood…. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.”
Hebrews 7:24,26
None of these principles in any shape or form apply to the Pope of Rome or any earthly prelate for that matter, for none of them are free from sin. For “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23, this includes all popes, priests, cardinals, bishops and the like.
A sinful man cannot intercede on behalf of sinful humanity. Only Christ, who alone is separate from sin, who alone is holy and righteous in all His ways, can stand before a Holy God as man’s representative. “For there is one God and One Mediator between God and man, the Man, Christ Jesus.”
Not only is Christ the Promised Priest, but also the Promised King:
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-10
Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13 (John 1:29)
Then to Him (Christ) was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:14
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Luke 1:32-33
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16
Note the Scriptures friends, they are very clear. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Christ is the Righteous Branch, He is the Promised Priest-King. Throughout history, countless teachings have emerged that distort the truth, leading many astray. Today, billions of people look to a figure in Rome, convinced that this individual and his organization serve as intermediaries for them before God. However, this belief is nothing but a lie from the depths of hell, designed to divert attention away from the true source of salvation, and to place a mere man in the place of Christ—AntiChrist.
Look to Jesus and to Jesus alone. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Only through Christ can we find true peace, guidance, and purpose in our lives.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look to Christ, not to sinful man. While human leaders may falter, Jesus remains steadfast and true. It is He who lives forever to make intercession for us as our representative in the Heavens. His role as our High Priest is to advocate on our behalf, offering His sacrifice as the ultimate atonement for our sins. And not only does He intercede, but He reigns and rules forevermore in majesty and power upon His mighty throne as King.
Imagine the depths of His love and commitment to us! He reigns not as a distant ruler but as a compassionate Saviour who understands our struggles and stands with us in our trials. He invites us into a relationship with Him, where we can find refuge and strength.
Is He reigning supreme in your life, Reader? Are you allowing His presence to guide your decisions and illuminate your path? Let us turn our hearts back to Christ, inviting Him to take His rightful place at the center of our lives—upon the throne of our hearts. In doing so, we can experience the fullness of His grace and the transformative power of His love.
Forever and always, let us seek Him above all else.
Do not cast away your confidence, which has great recompense of reward, for you have need of patience, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and that which God has promised unto you beloved, shall come and will not tarry.
Says the Most High God, “the just shall live by faith, but if any man draws back, My soul takes no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of them who draw back, therefore, let us walk by faith and not by sight, “for God is not a man that He should lie”, “nothing is too difficult for Him.” So be fully persuaded Reader, that what He has promised, He is able to perform! Let not unbelief be not once mentioned among you!
Stagger not at the promises of God through unbelief!
Though the fulfilment of His promises may seem to be long delayed— “for a day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day”— do not, at any time, give place to doubt or evil unbelief.
For we need no outward evidence of the blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we may go about our work assured, that what God has promised, He is able to perform, and the gift, which we already possess—by faith— will be realised, when we need it most.
So hold fast Beloved, stand still. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might; His promises to you shall be fulfilled! For it is written:
“I Jehovah, shall bring it to pass at the appointed time.”
And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was.... Elijah heard it.
1 Kings 19:12
Not in mighty manifestations of divine power, but by “a still small voice,” did God choose to reveal Himself to His servant…. While Elijah waited for the revelation of the Lord, a tempest rolled, the lightnings flashed, and a devouring fire swept by; but God was not in all this….
Then there came a still, small voice…
He now knew that a quiet trust, a firm reliance on God, would ever find for him a present help in time of need.
Patriarchs & Prophets pg. 168
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart.When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God.
Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace.
Desire of Ages pg. 363
In amusement, in moneymaking, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body and mind and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking.
He bids us come apart and commune with Him. “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in TOO GREAT HASTE.
With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel.
They have NO TIME to remain with the divine Teacher.
These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life.
Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him—this is our need.
Education pg. 260-261
Friends, are you by your constant “busyness,” crowding out the voice of God? He desires to speak “great and mighty words” to you. Even now, He is knocking upon the door of your heart, urging you to pause, to be still and hear the profound messages that can guide your life, through His Word.
In a world filled with distractions, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the daily grind. Work commitments, social obligations, and personal ambitions often drown out the still, small voice that seeks to provide direction and comfort. Yet, amidst the chaos, we must remember to be still; for God is speaking, waiting patiently for us to create space in our hearts and minds to listen.
Take a moment to step away from the noise. Find a quiet place where you can reflect and meditate upon His Word. Allow your thoughts to settle, and open your heart to receive what He has to say. If you listen carefully, you shall indeed hear Him.
His words may come in whispers of encouragement, nudges towards the right path, or even in the gentle reminders of His love and grace.
When we intentionally quiet the busyness, we position ourselves to tune into His frequency. It is in these sacred moments that we can find clarity, peace, and the instructions we need to navigate our lives more effectively. So, dear friends, let us cultivate a habit of stillness and attentiveness, welcoming the divine wisdom that awaits us.
Loud Cry Compendium 