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Strength and Beauty in His Sanctuary, July 7
Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in
his sanctuary.
Psalm 96:6
.
From the creation and fall of man to the present time, there has been
a continual unfolding of the plan of God for the redemption, through
Christ, of the fallen race. The tabernacle and temple of God on earth
were patterned after the original in heaven. Around the sanctuary and
its solemn services mystically gathered the grand truths which were to
be developed through succeeding generations.
There has been no time when God has granted greater evidences of
His grandeur and exalted majesty than while He was the acknowledged
governor of Israel. The manifestations of an invisible King were grand
and unspeakably awful. A scepter was swayed, but it was held by no
human hand. The sacred ark, covered by the mercy seat, and containing
the holy law of God, was symbolical of Jehovah Himself. It was the
power of the Israelites to conquer in battle. Before it idols were thrown
down, and for rashly looking into it thousands perished. Never in our
world has the Lord given such open manifestations of His supremacy as
when He alone was the acknowledged king of Israel.
The law of God, enshrined within the ark, was the great rule of
righteousness and judgment. That law pronounced death upon the trans-
gressor; but above the law was the mercy seat, upon which the presence
of God was revealed, and from which, by virtue of the atonement, par-
don was granted to the repentant sinner. Thus in the work of Christ
for our redemption, symbolized by the sanctuary service, “mercy and
truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
Psalm 85:10
.
While we rejoice today that our Saviour has come, that the sacrifices
of the former dispensation have given place to the perfect offering for
sin, we are not excusable in showing contempt for that period.
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