Your Past is Settled—Look Steadily Towards Your Bright Future!
“Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over God’s house, let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:19-25 WEB)
Under the Law, entering the Holy of Holies was an old and dying way because the High Priest could drop dead if he made a mistake like accidentally touching the Ark of the Covenant.
Hence, he would enter with fear and trepidation every year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), desperately hoping to come out alive with a blessing for the people.
However under Grace, entering God’s presence through prayer is a new and living way.
Every time we go to Him in prayer, we receive a fresh impartation of life—dead parts of our lives are restored back to life.
In Christ, what was once fatal to man became life-giving for man.
When we pray, we can do so without unbelief or expectation of punishment for sins because the price has been paid and God is for us, not against us.
Remember that when you enter your Abba Father’s presence through prayer, Jesus your great High Priest is also seated at His right hand, representing you there.
Abba Father doesn’t look at your works to judge your worthiness to be in His presence—He looks at Jesus your High Priest.
To have an evil conscience is to think that your sins are still not forgiven, even after Jesus has already paid the price for them.
What is the solution? Sprinkle your conscience—show it Scriptures that the blood of Jesus has been shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
The pure water is the water of God’s word. When you receive and believe God’s word, it washes your body—cleansing it from sickness, disease, aging and weakness—all the manifestations of Death.
The author was addressing the Jews who professed to have faith in Jesus, encouraging them not to go back to the Law out of fear of persecution.
Even if we suffer persecution for our faith, it is worth it because in Christ we have eternal life with God.
Now that the question of your past—your sins that Jesus carries at the cross—is settled, you can focus on looking towards your bright future in Christ.
We love and do good works not to be forgiven, but because there are rewards to look forward to in the Millennium.
We can’t run this race alone—the body of Christ needs to encourage one another to look to the glorious future ahead and add more members to itself.
In low seasons, when you don’t have the faith to look steadily into the future, fellow children of God at your local church community can help to encourage you with God’s word, pray for you and strengthen you with love.
The Day of Jesus’ return for us (the Rapture) is nearing with each passing day.
Let’s live in anticipation of that Day, which marks the finish line of our race in this mortal lifetime.
It may not happen in our lifetime, but let’s expect it as if it is so that we have an urgency towards the things of God!
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Many believers now understand the purpose of the first coming of Christ but are unaware of what good things await them at His return.
At this link you can read more Christ-centered Bible Studies, devotionals, sermon notes, get my book “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever” which is about the eternal rewards for believers, and also find ways to partner with our ministry to help us reach even more people with the Gospel ===> https://smart.bio/miltongohblog
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Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year. They observe this day with both fasting and a special prayer that has significance of this ... ... <看更多>