"For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near." (Hebrews 10:1)
Up to the time of the appearing of Jesus, all history was in a, "shadow," even the prophets and angels. "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquires, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow-- things into which angels long to look." (1 Peter)
According to our text, the objective, "of the good things to come," is to, "make perfect those who draw near." You have heard, I'm sure, that the word translated, "perfect," means "complete;" but there is more to it. It means "to carry through, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end, to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full." This accomplishment, this finished work, this "to-render-a-thing-full-perfection is in, "the good things to come," which is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. "For the law," as well as the Psalms and the Prophets, "has only a shadow of the good things." But out of the, "shadow," appeared Jesus, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me...."
Jesus Christ, "the good things to come," came to live within you and me, to "carry through, accomplish, finish, bring to an end," viz., to complete the Divine Purpose in man. Now, as the hymn writer said, all humanity can be "dressed in His Righteousness alone, faultless to stand before His throne." Maybe today would be a good day for the Church to live in this reality, to really look at each other as, "ma[d]e perfect."
Father, in Jesus' Name, You are really, "the good things," Who came. Amen.
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* Two New, Very Timely Articles at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
* Baby Hazel has had good reports. Thanks so much for your praying
Up to the time of the appearing of Jesus, all history was in a, "shadow," even the prophets and angels. "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquires, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow-- things into which angels long to look." (1 Peter)
According to our text, the objective, "of the good things to come," is to, "make perfect those who draw near." You have heard, I'm sure, that the word translated, "perfect," means "complete;" but there is more to it. It means "to carry through, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end, to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full." This accomplishment, this finished work, this "to-render-a-thing-full-perfection is in, "the good things to come," which is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. "For the law," as well as the Psalms and the Prophets, "has only a shadow of the good things." But out of the, "shadow," appeared Jesus, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me...."
Jesus Christ, "the good things to come," came to live within you and me, to "carry through, accomplish, finish, bring to an end," viz., to complete the Divine Purpose in man. Now, as the hymn writer said, all humanity can be "dressed in His Righteousness alone, faultless to stand before His throne." Maybe today would be a good day for the Church to live in this reality, to really look at each other as, "ma[d]e perfect."
Father, in Jesus' Name, You are really, "the good things," Who came. Amen.
***********************
* Two New, Very Timely Articles at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
* Baby Hazel has had good reports. Thanks so much for your praying
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
