The Lord is Our Judge and Defense Attorney - 257-272

257.  Does God make it very clear that only those who do His will, His word, and His law will be saved?

• Matthew 7:21 Not every one 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.
• 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.
• Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
• James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
• 1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Kind Father in Heaven, Your Word speaks plainly to my heart-in order to enter Your kingdom, I must do Your will, not just hear it and agree with it and want to do it, but actually do it. That is Your clear requirement. I am so thankful that You reveal in Your Word how I can receive the power to do Your will, through a continual connection with You. Holy Spirit, dwell in me, take over completely that Your will may be done in my life.

258.  If I accept God's mercy, will He deal with me according to my works, either good or bad?

• Psalm 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
• John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
• Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
• 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
• Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Dearest Lord, it is clear that my salvation is not based on my behavior, either good or bad. You took the initiative to provide salvation while I was incapable of any goodness. You offer salvation as a free gift to all who accept it, no matter how much they have sinned. You have elected us to be saved. My part is to acknowledge my need and accept the gift. That acceptance gives You permission to begin Your transforming work. All the glory goes to You. I am totally dependant on Your mercy.

259.  While I cannot be saved by my works, does the Bible say that I will be judged according to my works?

• Psalm 62:12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
• Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
• Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
• 2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
• Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

My God, Teach me to understand these precious truths! While I am not saved by my works, my works will plainly reveal if I have been saved. My works determine my reward, while my faith determines my salvation. This is a beautiful truth which helps us to leave the consequences of human choices up to You. You will settle all accounts in the end. Your faithful followers who have suffered greatly and been persecuted and martyred will receive a glorious reward in Heaven, and the unrepentant who have caused untold suffering and cruel torture will be punished accordingly. You will be totally just in Your judgment, and we can trust You completely!

260.  Is there an investigative phase of judgment that must take place before the second coming, to determine whose names are retained in the Book of Life?

• Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
• Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
• 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
• Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
• Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Dear Father, Your Word talks about a time of judgment, a time of determining the destiny of humanity. It paints a picture of going over the records, as the books are opened. Your prophetic Word reveals that those who have professed to be Your people will be judged first, and defines an hour of judgment. Teach me, Lord, to study prophecy to understand the time of judgment, especially when You begin to judge those who are yet alive. Because, when this occurs, the final destiny is determined and probation is forever closed. Help me to be ready for that day, dear Lord!

261.  Does the Bible teach that there is a day of judgment, and that we must give account to God?

• Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
• 1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
• Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
• 1 Peter 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
• Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Father in Heaven, How very important it is that I remain hidden in Christ, covered by His righteousness. I know that of myself, I have no righteousness, and could never stand justified before You in judgment. The truth about the judgment convicts me of my total dependence upon the sacrifice of Jesus, and my need for a continual connection with Him, so that Jesus will be my advocate in the judgment day.

262.  Are the wicked going to face a final judgment before they are punished for their sins?

• Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
• 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
• 2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
• Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
• Jude 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Dearest Lord, There is a day of judgment where each must give account before You of all their deeds. For those who are hiding in Christ, there will be confidence in the day of judgment, because Christ's life stands in place of their life. But for those outside of Christ, each sinful act will be acknowledged and punished accordingly. While there is much we do not understand, we do know that there is a day of reckoning coming. Enable me to abide in Christ so that I may have confidence in that day.

263.  What was the purpose of the earthly sanctuary?

• Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
• Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
• Psalm 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
• Psalm 102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
• Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Dear Father in Heaven, What a beautiful thought it is to realize how close You want to be to us. The earthly sanctuary fulfilled Your desire to dwell among Your people. You gave specific instructions to Moses so he could prepare an earthly tabernacle patterned after Your Heavenly sanctuary. Your beautiful plan of salvation is depicted in the earthly sanctuary. What a wealth of spiritual truth I can receive from the deep study of the sanctuary. All of it represents my Savior, the Lamb of God. Thank You, Lord.

264.  What special location in the sanctuary is God's presence manifested?

• Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
• Exodus 30:6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
• Number 7:89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
• Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
• Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Father in Heaven, The sacred mercy seat, the place of atonement, is over the ark of the covenant. In the earthly sanctuary, the mercy seat was where You communed with Moses and the high priest. Today, You commune with Your children from Your holy throne of grace, which is over the original ark of the testament in Heaven. Through faith, our spiritual eyes see You above the mercy seat as we bow before Your glorious throne. Keep this scene ever in my view, dear Lord.

265.  What was in the ark of the covenant that was under the mercy seat?

• Exodus 25:21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
• Exodus 26:34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
• Exodus 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
• 2 Chronicles 5:10 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
• Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Dearest Lord, A very special and sacred object was placed inside the ark, under the mercy seat, which was the 2 tables of the covenant, the testimony, which contained the 10 commandments written with You own finger. What a beautiful blending of mercy and justice, law and love, is combined in the ark. It all translates into the gift of Jesus, the ultimate lawgiver, sacrificial Redeemer and high priest combined into one. It's all about Him, and it tells me just what He wants to do in my heart, so that Your law can abide there. Enable me to understand all of this in my own personal experience, so that I may rejoice in Your mercy and love toward me.

266.  Where is the throne and dwelling place of God?

• Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
• Psalm 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
• Psalm 102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
• Micah 1:2 Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
• Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Father in Heaven, according to Your Word, Your hands have established a holy temple in Heaven, a sanctuary for You to dwell in, where Your throne is. From this vantage point, You are able to see each person, as well as to read their thoughts. You know everything about us. Teach me, Lord, to acknowledge and worship You in Your holy sanctuary, to silence my heart before You in worship and adoration for Your majesty.

267.  Is God's throne moveable, so that it could move from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary?

• Psalm 68:33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
• Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
• Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
• Ezekiel 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
• Ezekiel 10:1, 2 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.

Dearest Father, Your Word is so full of precious truths, truths that are very important to our understanding of prophecy and how You operate. The fact that Your throne has moveable wheels is significant because of the prophetic symbolism that is uncovered as one studies the unfolding of the plan of salvation. The earthly sanctuary services model this plan, and there is much to be gained from a deeper study of these lessons. Teach me these deep truths. Teach me to dig deep and be a faithful student of Your Word.

268.  Where is Jesus now?

• Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
• Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
• Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
• Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
• Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dear Lord Jesus, what a blessed privilege it is to know You personally, to know right where You are. By faith I can see You at the right hand of the Father. To that holy location is where I direct my prayers, and I have confidence that You receive them. Thank You, Jesus, for being the author and finisher of my faith, for always being there for me.

269.  Did the prophets know where Jesus went after His resurrection?

• Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
• Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
• Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
• Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
• Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Precious Jesus, You clearly revealed to Your earthly followers where You were going when You ascended from this earth. They saw You ascend in human form, with a glorified human body, and they knew where You were going. Some of them, like the martyr Stephen, were privileged to see You in Heaven beside Your Father, standing there to provide strength and hope to him as he gave up his life for You. And the apostle John also saw You in the holy place of the Heavenly sanctuary. You have extended an amazing invitation to all who overcome, that we may sit with You in Your throne someday. Oh, Lord Jesus, I must be there! Empower me to overcome in Your strength!

270.  What is Jesus doing now?

• Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
• John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
• Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
• Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
• 1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Jesus Christ my Lord, You have all power in Heaven and earth. Help me to grasp that reality, and rest in Your power. You are preparing a place for me in Heaven. You are a prince and Savior, drawing Your people to repentance, and forgiving us from our sins. You are making intercession for us. All created beings are subject to You. Oh, Lord Jesus, keep my eyes fixed on You, recognizing Your power and might. Motivate me to come into total submission to You, that I may rejoice in Your salvation.

271.  Is Jesus my High Priest?

• Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
• Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
• Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
• Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
• Hebrews 8:1, 2 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

My Beloved High Priest, Jesus Christ, Open my understanding to the significance of this deep revelation. The role of high priest can only be understood in the light of the ancient sacrificial system in the Old Testament. The high priest has a vital role in the work of redemption. Guide me to look deeper into these things, to recognize You as my High Priest because of my need for Your intercession. Focus my eyes on Your work as my High Priest that I may daily confess my sins and accept the forgiving merits of Your sacrifice.

272.  What special work is Jesus doing, as our Intercessor?

• 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
• Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
• Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
• Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
• Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Precious Jesus, my Mediator and Intercessor, You are able to save me completely, because Your entire attention is riveted on making intercession for Your children. Thank You, Jesus, for the better promises, founded on Your work, not on man's work. Thank You for the new covenant, where You have written Your laws in our hearts. And Thank You for Your sacrificial death that enables me to receive an eternal inheritance with You!

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