January 25th, 2012

The Pathway

If there was one place where heaven came down to earth it would be at the temple in Jerusalem. For it was there the offerings of sacrifice were made. It was there the priest cleansed themselves at the laver of cleansing before entering the Holy Place to trim the lamps, offer incense [Praise] on the golden altar eating the Holy Bread of God.

As the Priest looked on, there in front of Him was a constant reminder that beyond this veil was the Holy of Holies where the sacred ark resides.  There in former times God sat on the mercy seat with the winged Cherubims enthroned in the Shekinah glory while beneath Him was the Law of Moses, Aarons Rod and manna from Gods Heaven all enclosed in the Ark of the Covenant as God Himself sat up on the mercy seat judging equally for all mankind.

The place was called, Mount Moriah.  Jesus called it, “My Father’s house.”  If the Jews had only known who Jesus was and who His Father was, things could have turned out differently in History, but, the Jews were blind and unable to see when Jesus was there.  How they stood at the portals of His world, “The Kingdom of God.”

The world, and especially the Jews at large, understood not the strategic importance of the place where God puts His name and where He makes appointments to meet His people.  Indeed His own people may have neglected the place of prayer and disregarded its importance, but one thing we know, “The enemy knows of its importance” and will occupy that place whenever he can.

Though the temple supposedly was the ‘House of God and of prayer” it was occupied by men of the Sanhedrin who were by nature carnal but religious tools of Satan, lost souls entrenched liked tares among the wheat.

This was God’s house held formerly by the enemy’s of Christ, God’s Holy temple.

Jesus came to set the “captive free.”  He went about His father’s business ignoring, minimizing all efforts to harm and even to murder Him.  They gnashed their teeth with unconceivable rage, delegated their own militia to arrest Him, but to no avail.  For you see, twelve legions or angels were at His disposal.  They are His personal body guards sent from Heaven, no power on earth or in Hell could manipulate Him, for he was “God-incarnate.” He is the “Word” made flesh!

His hour was not yet come!

Imagine our Lord bringing direct attention to the fact He is the pathway to His world.  “I go my way” [John 8:21-22] pointing to the “Godly” direction that He must take in direct contact of all human beings. “All like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.”

Jesus indicated quite clearly, He did things Gods way.  “I do always those tings that please my Father.”  From manger to the cross His sole purpose in life was being marked by obedience to the Father of all life.

Only Jesus was qualified to speak these words, “Follow me.” For He was the only one who knows the way home; He was the Messiah sent from the creator to redeem humanity, besides… He is the way.

All must be aware who fiddle away the grace of God as insignificant and of little importance.

How unendurable must the end be of those raised in a society surrounded by Gospel preaching and Bible teaching knowing the truth of God yet rebelling against Heaven and resisting the wooing of His Holy Spirit,  they go away never to return no more.

Jesus responds in vs.21 by adding this statement of the desperate closing hours of life, “Ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins.”  What is it that they [humanity] will be seeking; Eternal life, salvation and redemption?

Jesus is insistent about the emphatic impossibility of anyone finding heaven after the rejection of Christ.

Once the portals of death are crossed, no change of status is possible.  The character of the dead is fixed as concrete.  “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he who is filthy, let him be filthy still.”  [Rev 22:11]

Eternity is unchangeable

Jesus qualifies Himself and His teaching by proclaiming and affirming His deity, “You are from beneath [earth] I am from above [Heaven].  You are of this world; I am not of this world.”

His statement concluded to the fact we are separate from Godly atmosphere and its restricted atmosphere indeed. Those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb love the atmosphere of Heaven, in contrast, the lost love the atmosphere of death and the company of the unsaved.

-Johnny