New Name

We included the text yesterday which referred to Christ as our Father and our Potter.

It was a prophecy, that Christ, the Messiah, would be called Son; the Son of God:

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Psalm 2:7

Before He, God, came down Incarnate to us, Gabriel proclaimed to Mary what was going to happen and we can see all of the shall/t s, including a new Name for the LORD:

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:31-35

Each time Father is mentioned in the Old Testament, it was referring to the One Who was always wanting to dwell with us, in order to save us from our sins, Christ. e.g. Everlasting Father; Thou art our Father…and Thou our Potter. Christ immediately stepped in and came to a fatherless family to be the Everlasting Father to them, the second Adam, He willingly subordinated Himself and gave all of Himself for the salvation of humanity from their sins. The emphasis on the first born son in any family of the patriarchs and of God’s chosen people was all part of this foreshadowing of the coming One who would save the race from eternal ruin, by providing the opportunity of eternal life - the Son of God, the Son of man.

When Christ came in Person to present the everlasting gospel of the Kingdom on earth He introduced a new Name to humanity:

Father; which He continually used until His ascension - 

In order to strengthen our confidence in God, Christ teaches us to address Him by a new name, a name entwined with the dearest associations of the human heart. He gives us the privilege of calling the infinite God our Father. This name, spoken to Him and of Him, is a sign of our love and trust toward Him, and a pledge of His regard and relationship to us. Spoken when asking His favor or blessing, it is as music in His ears. That we might not think it presumption to call Him by this name, He has repeated it again and again. He desires us to become familiar with the appellation. COL 141   

So we see that these new Names clarified the new roles of Both of Those Who were involved in the “counsel of peace”; the incredible, selfless plan that our Saviour proposed to save us all from our sins and to bring us back into harmony with the Godhead. This was one of the changes that occurred in order for His perfect plan to be totally successful. They would Both be forever entwined with our race, Christ had also become the Father of our race, because Adam “the son of God” fell into sin, and following the Incarnation, Christ will retain His humanity for eternity; and because of this role change He has sometimes been referred to as the Eternal Son of God.

What can we say to all of this?

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelation 5:12,13

The Mold

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Conformed Gr. to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern (figuratively): — conform to, fashion self according to. Strong. 

While we only ever endorse the King James Version of the Bible here, some of us will remember the launch of the J.B.Phillips’ translation, and may even still have a copy in our personal library. 

The most quoted verse ever from this version was our key text, which he had translated as -

Don’t let the world squeeze you into it’s mold…

It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord's appearing. The world is in darkness. “But ye, brethren,” says Paul, “are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” It is ever God's purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul. 

What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth—these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. 

Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour. 5T 216

Another angle to consider, is this text regarding Christ, our Potter:

But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our Potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

There was also the old hymn…

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay,

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

With our minds transformed we willingly leave all earthly, mundane and worldly attachments and allow Christ to mold or fashion us according to His will; ready to receive the seal of God. Then the four winds of strife will be released (Revelation 7:1-4)  and we will be going Home!   

Citizenship?

We have been watching carefully as the news has unfolded concerning citizens of various countries who are stranded in foreign countries as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. This situation in our world brings to mind the subject of the Christian’s true home and citizenship.

For our conversation (Gr. citizenship - Strong) is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Philippians 3:20

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city…whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:16,10

Heaven is our home. Our citizenship is above, and our lives must not be devoted to a world that is soon to be destroyed. CT 455

As believers in the truth we are to be distinct in practice from sin and sinners. Our citizenship is in heaven. FE 481

So the people of God—the true Israel—though scattered throughout all nations, are on earth but sojourners, whose citizenship is in heaven. PP 447

We are pilgrims and strangers; our citizenship is above...We are…looking for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. TM 131

He who has become a partaker of the divine nature knows that his citizenship is above.  ML 277

Let us remember that our citizenship is in heaven. RH May 16, 1899

How do we become citizens of heaven?

In the natural world we become citizens of a country by one of two methods; by birth or by naturalisation. So it is when we become citizens of Heaven. 

By birth:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again (from above-margin), he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

The Christian birth is the new birth; it is the being "born again," which is being "born from above." And this "above," the place from which the Christian is born, is Heaven. 

By Naturalisation:

Naturalisation is that procedure through which persons born in another country – aliens, foreigners – become citizens of a certain country of their choice. 

Is there, then, anything in Christian experience that corresponds to naturalisation? Is there such a thing as Christian naturalisation? 

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:11

Aliens become citizens of a government by naturalisation. And when in the act of being naturalised they take the oath of allegiance to the new government, the new sovereign. What is involved with this? Below are the specifications –

"This is to certify, etc., that  (name of individual)   on being admitted to citizenship by this court, took the oath to support the Constitution of the (new country of citizenship) and that he then did absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to (his previous country)” etc., etc. 

How much did he have to renounce? — “All allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever." And what in particular? — “And particularly to (his previous country)" 

And how fully? and for how long? — “Absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity." Thus he is to turn his back "absolutely" upon all his former "allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever." That is in general. And in particular, to the one to whom he was particularly subject. 

That is the way foreigners are naturalised in earthly governments. 

Now how is it with us, who "were aliens”? — “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner- stone." Ephesians 2:19, 20.

In becoming a citizen of the commonwealth of Heaven, a fellow-citizen with the saints, did you "absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the "one to which you were formerly subject”, as every alien must do to become a citizen of an earthly government? 

If citizenship in the commonwealth of Heaven, if fellow-citizenship with the saints, if to be of the household of God, is indeed as valuable as is citizenship in an earthly government, then in order to be truly a citizen of the commonwealth of Heaven, just as certainly as to be a citizen of an earthly government, it is required that every such one shall "absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the one to whom, when an alien, he is subject, which is "the prince of this world.”(Satan)

And if this is not done, what then? Then there is certainly attempted a divided allegiance. 

Will a divided allegiance be accepted? Will any earthly government accept a divided allegiance? If any alien asking to become a citizen of an earthly government should refuse to make that renunciation, full and complete as it is; if he should ask to have the renunciation divided, that he might retain and show some fidelity, only a little, to some foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereign; would he be accepted? Everybody knows that he would not. How, then, can it be supposed that such reserved, such divided, allegiance could be accepted in any one asking to be a citizen of the commonwealth of Heaven? 

It is not enough, however, to inquire whether a divided allegiance will be accepted. The true question is, Can there really be any such thing as a divided allegiance? And the true answer is, No; for it is written, "No man can serve two masters." 

It is therefore certain that no alien, seeking to be a citizen of the commonwealth of Heaven, can ever expect to carry with him there any shadow of allegiance to anything in this world or of this world. It is written: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15. Princes, potentates, States, and sovereignties are only of this world. To retain allegiance or fidelity to any of these, is to retain allegiance and fidelity to the things that are only of this world, and, so, to the world itself. 

Christian citizenship is citizenship in heaven; for "our citizenship is in Heaven." Philippians  3:20. 

Christian citizenship is citizenship in the commonwealth of Heaven; for we are no more "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel," "no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Ephesians 2:12,13,18,19

True citizenship is the absolute and everlasting renunciation and abjuration of all allegiance and fidelity to every other prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever. 

As Christians, is citizenship in any country of this world of any real value to us?

Christians have become naturalised into the commonwealth of Heaven, the kingdom of God.

Are you a true citizen of Heaven?

If so, you may today “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:6.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Ephesians 3:1,2

Immortal Mortals

Hidden away below the surface of the Good Samaritan parable is the deeper subject of the Dual Atonement. For 175.5 years we have been living in The Great Antitypical Day of Atonement. It was designed that we should now be living in the same way as depicted in the original, annual day of atonement, and also with similar principles to the weekly Sabbath. In the annual day of atonement, God’s people were to fast, cease their work and afflict their souls, putting away all sin out of their lives. This would be occurring whilst the high priest completed the cleansing of the Sanctuary — removing all the sins that had accumulated over the year.

Very soon, Christ, our Great High Priest will complete the Great Antitypical High Priest’s work, bringing to a close the great cleansing from sin of the Heavenly Sanctuary.

When a convicted person comes to Christ, confessing and repenting of the sins in their life, they are granted by Him a full pardon, and are declared to be free of all sin. Because of His perfect life and ultimate death on the cross for all sin, He has the authority to do so. To those of us who are lawyers, or who love the study of law, you will know this as an interlocutory judgement. In this legal procedure a declaration is received immediately, and at a later date, after a period of probation, the final irrevocable judgement is given, when it is seen whether or not the person still wants what was granted in the declaration. 

Christ is “coming without sin unto salvation”, so all, who He is coming to take home to Himself forever, will have been declared perfect before this time. Usually a person closes their probation by death. However, when He comes, there will be a group of people that will have been alive from the Great Close of Probation through until He comes. These are Immortal mortals; they were declared righteous when they accepted Christ and received the interlocutory judgement of eternal life, they now have been declared holy, can be trusted, and are going to be alive on this earth at the most difficult time in history when a Mediator is no longer in the Sanctuary. 

The following may help to explain this all more clearly:

Victory, in order to be victory, must be eternal. But the final victory over death is only the present victory over sin, which is the sting of death. The translation of these Immortal mortals, the 144,000, at the second coming is not due to the accident of their being on earth at this time, but to their life of perfect righteousness by faith. The ensuing sanctification is simply the natural working out of the life of Christ in them. It is just as easy for God to make a man perfectly whole now, and to keep him so, as it is to keep him alive at all, for it is the One Life that does all. Keep trusting and salvation will continue. The humblest and most insignificant person on earth, who trusts the Lord, is just as safe as will be the hosts of the redeemed in the New Jerusalem during the time of the final judgement; the “lake of fire”. Therefore all who put their trust in Him now are necessarily kept in perfect peace, as they are already living in “heavenly places”; citizens of Heaven. The peace and protection given them are not a reward for trusting but are the necessary consequence of that trust. 

“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the 144,000.” His Bride.

A parting note on this very important subject:

Every day during this current global crisis we have all seen things that people thought were so important in life to them swept away in an instant.

As Christians we have been given every instruction needed for any situation that can, and will, be inflicted upon humanity. These instructions are found in the Holy Scriptures and “the Testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of Prophecy”. 

Already it can be clearly seen that those who have faithfully heeded the advice in these books of loving counsel from our Saviour, have not been affected in any way by any of the many, many changes that have been inflicted so suddenly upon society.

Let us praise His glorious Name for ALL that He has blest us with in life. 

This is also how the Immortal Mortals will be living, “today, today, until He comes”!

The Incarnation

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus…The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:30-35

Nearly two thousand years ago, a voice of mysterious import was heard in heaven, from the throne of God, “Lo, I come.” “Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me.... Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God.” Hebrews 10:5-7. In these words is announced the fulfillment of the purpose that had been hidden from eternal ages. Christ was about to visit our world, and to become incarnate. He says, “A body hast Thou prepared Me.” Had He appeared with the glory that was His with the Father before the world was, we could not have endured the light of His presence. That we might behold it and not be destroyed, the manifestation of His glory was shrouded. His divinity was veiled with humanity,—the invisible glory in the visible human form. DA 23

From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple. DA 161

The humanity of the Son of God is everything to us. It is the golden chain that binds our souls to Christ, and through Christ to God. This is to be our study. Christ was a real man; He gave proof of His humility in becoming a man. Yet He was God in the flesh. When we approach this subject, we would do well to heed the words spoken by Christ to Moses at the burning bush, “Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). We should come to this study with the humility of a learner, with a contrite heart. And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth. 1SM 244

Those who commune with God walk in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. They do not dishonor their Redeemer by corrupting their way before God. Heavenly light shines upon them. They are of infinite worth in God's sight, for they are one with Christ. To them the word of God is of surpassing beauty and loveliness. They see its importance. Truth is unfolded to them. The doctrine of the incarnation is invested with a soft radiance. They see that the Scripture is the key which unlocks all mysteries and solves all difficulties. Those who have been unwilling to receive the light and walk in the light will not be able to understand the mystery of godliness, but those who have not hesitated to take up the cross and follow Jesus will see light in God's light. 21MR 407

God Himself, the Creator of all, came into the woman, where sin originally entered. He was born as a Baby, as a created human being to demonstrate to a world which no longer seemed to have any idea what His original intent was when He offered at the fall of man to save them from their sins, and to reconcile all of the world back to God and into one with the rest of the universe. 

During the preceding 4 millennia, the numbers of those who believed had at times been perilously few, so He would demonstrate Himself what was required of anyone who would like to accept His plan of salvation and live forever with Him. It was seen that a victory is not a victory unless it is eternal and nothing could ever be used as an excuse now; all was made perfectly clear as to what is required to live a perfect life of victory over sin. 

The Mystery of God can now be seen in all of it’s glory. To each of those who did overcome, in the various eras of the Christian church, was granted the most amazing rewards, until at last the Mystery of God would be finished in the 144,000 as a final manifestation to the world, and the universe alike, of the power of this One Life, this Name above every name. 

The Will Of God

I have found..., a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My will. 

Acts 13:22

The Path Of God's Will:

Hebrews 10:9 “Then He said,'Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.'”  Our reason for living.

John 4:34 “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.”  Our food to live on.  

Matthew 12:50 “For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.”  Our society of believers.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy will be done.”  Our common language – spoken in prayer and communication.

Psalms 119:54 “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.”  

Psalms 40:8 “I delight to do Thy will, O my God:  yea, Thy law is within my heart.”   “And knowest His will...being instructed out of the law”. Romans 2:18

The will of God is expressed in the precepts of His holy law, and the principles of this law are the principles of heaven. MB 109  Our praise overflows from a heart responding to His love as we meditate on the law of God. 

Psalms 143:10 “Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God.”  Our true education. 

1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”  Our requests will be heard.

1 John 2:17 “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”  Our future.

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone that saith unto Me, 'Lord,Lord', shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of My Father, which is in heaven.”  Our commitment to do His will.

The ways to know and to follow “the will of God” - 

Scriptures are the authoritative and infallible...

Converted soul will know…

Christ binds mans will to...

Yoke is the law which is…

Expressed in His law...

No excuse for not knowing or understanding...

Firm determination to do…at all times and in all places

Great law of love binds man's heart to...

Ignorance of…displeases Him

Imparted to the soul by communication with Him...

A life of usefulness follows those who do…

Must be paramount...

Perfect conformity to…to be our highest aim.

Search continually to know and do...

Wait and be submissive to...

Yielding of self to…requires a struggle.

Man's will must die and become...

Revealed in-

His providential workings

The Spirit's appeals

The Word

Prayer

Meditation

Christ in you will do…

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. James 4:13-16

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God. Hebrews 10:7

Christ has come and has set the example for us. As we allow Him to live His life in us moment by moment we will do the will of God.

Needed!?

Genesis 1:26,27

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 2:7

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Isaiah 43:7

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Isaiah 44:2

Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee.

Isaiah 44:24

Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb.

Isaiah 46:3,4

Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by Me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 49:1

The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath He made mention of my name.

Isaiah 49:5

And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be His servant,

Isaiah 49:15,16; Zechariah 13:6

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands. And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.

Psalms 139:14,15

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Deuteronomy 32:18

Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

Isaiah 42:6

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isaiah 43:1

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Most Christians have no difficulty believing that Jesus wants them as part of His family. We may not understand why this would be the case, but we are aware that He paid the supreme price of His own sinless life to make this possible. But, how many have ever stopped to consider that, “We were brought into existence because we were needed”? Needed!? Now that is a novel thought! How could it possibly be that the God of the universe, the Creator of everything, Jesus Christ our Saviour, could need anything or anyone, especially the degraded citizens of the one planet that rebelled against His loving rulership? 

If we are saved, it will be through Christ and Him alone. “What, know ye not that...ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] Think of the price that was paid for us! The world has received the gift of God’s only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We gain perfection by coming to Christ, who is as the tree of life to us. We were brought into existence because we were needed. God’s vast design in the mediatorial economy shows that He has embraced all humanity in His plan. He calls upon men and women to show themselves Christians, that they may fill their appointment as agents chosen to carry out His purposes. Ms 124, 1898

Christ enlists in His service all who will consent to stand under His authority, all who will wear His yoke and accept the conditions which unite the human with the divine. Those who do this are molded by the influence that through the grace of Christ unites heart to heart, mind to mind, in one complete whole. We were brought into existence because we were needed. And it is a sad thought that if we stand on the wrong side in the ranks of the enemy, we are lost to the design of our creation. We are disappointing our Redeemer. The powers He designs for His service are used to oppose His grace and matchless love. This thought should be sufficient to keep us ever humble. Ms 139, 1898

In a close and personal relationship each one needs the other. We should have no trouble knowing how much we need Jesus. It is an uplifting thought to realise that He needs us too. There is a place in His great heart of love that is just for you, which no-one else can fill but you. If, by the choices you make today, you choose not to spend eternity with Him then He will always miss you. 

Is it not a marvel that Christ came to this world, that He, being the Creator, has a special interest for the human race, and that His matchless love yearns for us and He invites us to come unto Him and gain happiness and rest? 3MR 82

We are twice owned by Christ:

By creation

By redemption

Let pure gratitude and love flow from every fibre of our being for such a Creator and Redeemer as our Beloved Husband.

The Two Jehovahs

The LORD our God is one LORD. Deuteronomy 6:4

There is much more to this verse which is so loved by so many, of so many faiths and denominations around the world.

The true and correct reading of this text is:

Jehovah our Gods is one Jehovah.

Jehovah our Gods (Heb. elohiym - plural) is one Jehovah.

There are two Jehovahs; “I and My Father are One”. To distinguish between the Two, Christ, as God Himself, is called Jehovah Immanuel/Emmanuel; God with us.

Jehovah Emmanuel—He in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. OFC 114

The Lord appeared of old time to Abraham and said, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Genesis 15:1 This is the reward of all who follow Christ. Jehovah Immanuel — He “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” in whom dwells “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” Colossians 2:3,9 — to be brought into sympathy with Him, to know Him, to possess Him, as the heart opens more and more to receive His attributes; to know His love and power, to possess the unsearchable riches of Christ, to comprehend more and more “what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” Ephesians 3:18,19 — “this is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17. MB 34

We are never to be afraid when the LORD speaks. He speaks peace, even if a voice of thunder. The more majestic the voice, the greater the peace He gives. He speaks victory over every sin.

May the peace of the LORD rest upon you as you contemplate ALL that He has done, out of pure love, for you!