Did you know?
The sanctuary was not merely an ancient place of worship. It was God’s illustrated plan of redemption.

Scripture calls the earthly sanctuary a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). Its services were symbolic, pointing beyond themselves to the saving work of Christ.

Every part taught something.

The sacrifices revealed that sin brings death and that forgiveness requires the shedding of blood.
The priesthood revealed the need for a mediator between God and man.
The daily ministry showed how confessed sin was dealt with through the blood of the sacrifice.
The Day of Atonement revealed a final work of cleansing, judgment, and the ultimate removal of sin.

Even the yearly feasts followed the same redemptive pattern.

Passover pointed to Christ our sacrifice.
Unleavened Bread pointed to His sinless life and burial.
Firstfruits pointed to His resurrection.
Pentecost pointed to the inauguration of the heavenly sanctuary and outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Trumpets announced the approaching judgment.
The Day of Atonement pointed to the final judgement ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary.
Tabernacles pointed forward to the final gathering and dwelling of God with His redeemed people.

This is why the sanctuary matters.

The cross cannot be separated from the priesthood.
The sacrifice cannot be separated from the ministry of the blood.
And the daily service cannot be separated from the final cleansing on the Day of Atonement.

Together, the sanctuary, its sacrifices, its priesthood, and its feasts form one connected prophetic picture of the entire work of redemption—from the death of Christ to the final removal of sin.

“Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary.” — Psalm 77:13

Hebrews 8:5 • Hebrews 9:9, 23–24 • Colossians 2:16–17

Daily devotion for August 21st
The Need For A Sacrifice
We assume the responsibility. For the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.

Nehemiah 10:32-33
The people recognized the need for offerings and sacrifices. The history of Israel clearly reveals that this nation emphasized shedding the blood of animals and offering up their crops and grain to God. By so doing they were never allowed to forget the cost of redemption. Blood shed means a death has occurred. God is teaching His people that their problem with sin within is of such a serious nature it cannot be solved by merely instructing the mind. Only death can cure it.

These bloody offerings prepared the way for the death of Jesus and even our remembrance of that death at the Lord's table. We ought to meditate on this every day. We should never allow ourselves to forget the cost of our redemption. It took all that God had to open a door that we might return to Him. As Peter put it, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Very closely related to the blood offerings was the promise of these people to bring the firstfruits of their crops, herds, flocks, and even their sons to God. What they were doing was recognizing the ownership and rights of God in their lives. A corresponding truth for us today is, You are not your own; you were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a). God owns us. We do not own ourselves. The world says, You are your own. If you are pregnant and you do not want the baby, you can kill it, because you have a right to do what you please with your own body. But the Bible says, No, you are not your own. You do not have a right to do anything you like with the body God gave you.

This is true in other aspects of life as well. We are not our own. We have no right to determine what we are going to do with our lives or even whom we are going to marry, apart from God's limitations. We have certain choices granted to us, but not all choices. One of the important aspects of becoming a Christian is to recognize the rights of God and to live our lives within the limits He establishes. This is what this great passage is teaching. It is the way by which Israel recognized frequently and continually that their lives were not their own. They too were bought with a price. They belonged to God. He has the right to direct their affairs and make many choices for them.

Thank You, Lord, for this reminder that I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. I surrender my life to You, knowing that You have redeemed me with the precious blood of Christ.

SERMON TO LIVING ONES IN THIS LAST AGE — COLOR RED IN NO.7 VISION = SACRIFICE OF JESUS — OF HIS DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION = SIGN OF PROPHET JONAS — AS ONLY SIGN IN ENDTIMES

Expand with scriptural support — Eph 5:26-27 — Call to prepare now

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TEXT: VISION

Color Red in No.7 Vision = sacrifice of Jesus, of His death, burial, resurrection = sign of prophet Jonas. As only sign in endtimes. No more die for our sins but return to pick church of Him with no wrinkle or spot. Thus it's a call to prepare now living ones in this last age. By using grace of His death burial resurrection like those dead to sin to believe & put sinfulness dead with His death & have newness in Christ through His resurrection. And those fallen that make spiritual revival using His sacrificial death, to wash themselves from and be pure before God.

Eph 5:26-27 — That He might sanctify and cleanse her with washing of water by word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

1. COLOR RED IN NO.7 = BLOOD SACRIFICE — NOT ANGER — LOVE

Isa 53:5 — But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Lev 17:11 — For life of flesh is in blood, and I have given it to you upon altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is blood that makes atonement.

Red 7 seen in visions — Not Red of Satan shedding blood Prov 6:17 — hands that shed innocent blood — But Red of Christ shedding His own Blood — Acts 20:28 — Church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Heb 12:6 — For whom LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives — Red 7 judgement first to house 1 Pet 4:17 — is purification with love — to bring Gold pure Job 23:10.

2. SIGN OF PROPHET JONAS = DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION — ONLY SIGN IN ENDTIMES

Matt 12:39-40 — An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except sign of prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in belly of great fish, so will Son of Man be three days and three nights in heart of earth.

Luke 11:29-30 — This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except sign of Jonah prophet.

Jesus said endtimes wicked generation asks for signs — miracles, wonders, prophets — But only ONE sign remains valid: His Death, Burial, Resurrection.

1 Cor 15:3-4 — For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again third day according to Scriptures.

That is Red 7 — Death — Burial — Resurrection.

No more die for our sins — Heb 10:10 — We have been sanctified through offering of body of Jesus Christ once for all — Heb 9:28 — So Christ was offered once to bear sins of many.

His return now is not to die again — Heb 9:28 — To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear second time, apart from sin, for salvation — But to pick church with no wrinkle or spot — Eph 5:27.

Thus Son says: Stop looking for another sign — Stop looking for dead prophets — Sign of Jonas is enough — Believe it.

3. CALL TO PREPARE NOW LIVING ONES IN THIS LAST AGE — USING GRACE OF HIS DEATH BURIAL RESURRECTION

Rom 6:4 — Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from dead by glory of Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom 6:6-7 — Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.

Living ones — True Israel in last age — 1 John 3:9 — Whoever born of God does not practice sin — Hear call:

A. Use grace of His Death — Be dead to sin — Believe & put sinfulness dead

Rom 6:11 — Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gal 2:20 — I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
Col 3:5 — Therefore put to death your members which are on earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

By faith — 1 Cor 15:31 — I die daily — Use His death as your death — Your anger, fornication, lie, gossip, masturbation, drunkenness — Put it dead with His death — 1 Pet 2:24 — Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.

B. Use grace of His Burial — Bury old life — No return

Rom 6:4 — buried with Him — Col 2:12 — buried with Him in baptism — Bury world — Bury evil altars — Bury ancestor worship — 2 Cor 5:17 — Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

C. Use grace of His Resurrection — Have newness in Christ

Rom 6:4 — even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Eph 2:5-6 — Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ and raised us up together.
2 Cor 5:17 — If anyone is in Christ, he is new creation.

Resurrection power gives clean life — Phil 3:10 — That I may know Him and power of His resurrection.

This is how living ones prepare — Not by works — By grace of death burial resurrection — Eph 2:8 — For by grace you have been saved through faith.

4. THOSE FALLEN — MAKE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL USING HIS SACRIFICIAL DEATH — WASH YOURSELVES AND BE PURE BEFORE GOD

Some living ones have fallen — Fornication, adultery, theft, occult, alcohol — Son says: Make revival NOW — Using sacrificial death — Wash.

Eph 5:26-27 — That He might sanctify and cleanse her with washing of water by word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

1 John 1:7 — But if we walk in light as He is in light, we have fellowship with one another, and blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Rev 1:5 — To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Isa 1:16-18 — Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away evil of your doings... Come now, and let us reason together, says LORD, Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow.
Zech 13:1 — In that day a fountain shall be opened for house of David and for inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

Tit 3:5 — Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through washing of regeneration and renewing of Holy Spirit.

How to wash?

Confess — Prov 28:13 — He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Forsake — Isa 55:7 — Let wicked forsake his way.
Believe Blood — Heb 9:14 — How much more shall blood of Christ... cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve living God?
Live pure — 1 Tim 4:5 — Sanctified by Word of God and prayer — John 17:17 — Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

5. NO MORE DIE FOR SINS — BUT RETURN TO PICK CHURCH WITH NO WRINKLE OR SPOT — ARE YOU READY?

Heb 9:28 — To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Matt 24:44 — Therefore you also be ready, for Son of Man is coming at hour you do not expect.

Eph 5:27 — Glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle.

Spot = sin practised — 2 Pet 2:13 — spots and blemishes.
Wrinkle = old nature, age of flesh, not renewed — Rom 12:2 — Be transformed by renewing of your mind.

Son wants church bought by Blood Acts 20:28 — belongs to Christ — True Israel — Gold pure after Red 7 — Green 7 — 144,000 Rev 14:4-5 — without fault before throne — Living ones — Not dead in sin.

Rev 19:7-8 — Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for marriage of Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for fine linen is righteous acts of saints.

CALL NOW — LIVING ONES:

Use Red 7 — Sacrifice — Death, burial, resurrection — Sign of Jonas — Only sign in endtimes —

Die to sin with His death
Bury old man with His burial
Rise in newness with His resurrection
If fallen — Wash now — Revival now — Blood cleanses now — Before He returns to pick spotless church.

Rom 14:8 — For if we live, we live to Lord; and if we die, we die to Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are Lord's.

Prepare now — No wrinkle — No spot — Holy — Without blemish — Ready for catching up — 1 Thess 4:16-17 — Dead in Christ rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together in clouds to meet Lord in air.

Amen — Red 7 = Love — Not to destroy you — To make you Gold — To make you ready.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RAPTURE

WANTING TO BE TEACHERS, BUT NEED TO BE TAUGHT.

Hebrews 5 : 12-14

[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Many so-called preachers call themselves teachers, but have need of to be taught God's Word.They need the milk of the Gospel to understand God. Because they have not been taught God's Word to understand the Gospel from the perspective of God's Word.

[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Those so-called preachers can only give you The Gospel (Milk) because they do not know God's Word. They are unskilled in what God has said.You are listening to baby talk.

[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Strong meat is the whole counsel of God's Word and the ability to teach it!

Only those who have learned the whole counsel of God's Word have the skills to speak with certainty of what is right and what is wrong

When it comes to The Rapture this is the case. Those who are babes want to keep everyone in fear. Teaching that the Lord can come anytime and sound a trumpet.

This is not the truth of God's Word.

1 Thessalonians 4 : 15-17

[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

This is The Rapture, it is the day when The Lord Jesus Christ will come for His Church. It is a day that cannot happen any day. This day has a set time to occur. A set day already determined by God's Word.

This is the difference between milk and meat of God's Word.

On this day, it does not say trumpet sounding. It says, with The Trump of God, The Lord will descend with a shout. It will probably sound like thunder this shout. It does not say with a sound of a trumpet.

The Trump of God refers to a certain day.

Leviticus 23 : 23-24

[23] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

[24] Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

In God's Word this is the day of The Feast of Trumpets. A Holy Day God commanded The Israelites to keep every year.

In Leviticus 23, God lists His Feast Days. The word Feasts in Hebrew can also be translated as Set Times. The Lord's Set Times.

The Lord's Set Times are these: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.

Each of these Set Times was a certain day to be fulfilled by THE LORD HIMSELF.

The first four were fulfilled by THE LORD HIMSELF in one year, 33 AD on their specific day that year.

These Set days were types of what The Lord was to do in the redemption of mankind. Salvation is the work of THE LORD only.

When THE LORD JESUS CHRIST comes for His Church it will be on this day, the day of The Feast of Trumpets. To fulfill the type in the Old Testament. This is why Paul says, with The Trump of God. He is coming on this day some year to fulfill this type or shadow that He said back in the Old Testament just like the ones He fulfilled in 33 AD

The Feast of Trumpets is the next on the list to be fulfilled. Whatever day that is this year look for Him then. If He does not come, then we have a whole year to wait for Him to come and fulfill that day next year.

Do not let these so-called preachers and teachers keep you in fear that The Lord can come at any time, they just want to keep you in fear and their control.

Who The Son sets free is free indeed.

Live your life and watch for The Lord's return because we that are awake and are not walking in darkness know the time of His Coming.

This is the meat of God's Word concerning The Rapture.

By the way, the Feast of Trumpets is September 11, 2026, also known as Rosh Hashanah.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2026

TOPIC: REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD, PART 1

MEMORIZE:
"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." Hebrews 12:24 (KJV)

BIBLE READING: LEVITICUS 17:11, MATTHEW 26:27-29

LEVITICUS 17:11
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

MATTHEW 26:27-29
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

MESSAGE:
God created man such that he would constantly need refuelling. That is why He made sure that every day would be followed by a night so that, if you have worked very hard during the day, you can sleep and refuel your energy at night. Also, after you have eaten breakfast and worked for some time, you are expected to take a break for lunch to refuel. The Almighty God created hunger to remind you that you are running low on energy, so you can go ahead and recharge by eating. In the same way batteries must be recharged from time to time so they can remain effective, you must constantly recharge yourself spiritually so that you will not become spiritually ineffective.

Whenever you begin to run low on spiritual energy, there will be a hunger in your spirit, and you will feel the need to refill. When that hunger comes, please don't ignore it. Start fasting and praying immediately to recharge your spiritual energy. If you allow the hunger to persist, you will become weak, and this may cause you to faint in the day of adversity (Proverbs 24:10).

God, in His infinite mercy, has also provided the Holy Communion as a very effective way for Christians to refuel spiritually. The wine of the Holy Communion represents the blood of Jesus, and since the life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11), then the life of Jesus is in His blood. You cannot drink the blood of Jesus worthily and remain weak. People who belong to occult groups understand the power of blood. When members of the occult want to receive more power, they are asked to make sacrifices that involve blood. The greater the power they seek, the greater the sacrifices required. In most cases, those who rise to the highest levels of such groups are asked to drink the blood of their victims for quicker and greater empowerment. As children of God, when we partake of the Holy Communion, we partake of the blood of our risen Lord. Today's memory verse tells us that the blood of Jesus speaks better things than that of Abel. When you are weak, the blood of Jesus will speak strength and might into you.

Beloved, never wait until you are completely drained of your spiritual strength. Whenever you find yourself getting weak spiritually, partake of the Holy Communion to recharge yourself, and you will receive fresh energy from the endless life of Christ.

KEY POINT:
Partaking of the Holy Communion will refuel your spiritual energy.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
EZEKIEL 13 - 15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMNAL 8 - I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
1. I need thee every hour most gracious Lord; no tender voice like thine can peace afford.

CHORUS:
I need thee, oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee! Oh, bless me now my saviour; I come to thee!

2. I need thee every hour, stay thou near by; temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

CHORUS:

3. I need thee every hour in joy or pain; come quickly and abide or life is vain.

CHORUS:

4. I need Thee every hour
Teach me Thy will; And Thy rich promises In me fulfill.

CHORUS:

5. I need Thee every hour,
Most Holy one; Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son!

CHORUS:



‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL
THURSDAY, 27TH AUGUST, 2026
REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD I

Prayer Point
‎
1.Father, thank You for giving us the day, to work, and the night, for rest. Thank You for providing food and water to satisfy our hunger and thirst.

2.Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our weakness, and to fill us when we feel empty.

3.Father, please help me to constantly recharge myself spiritually, so I won't become spiritually ineffective, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, please help me never to ignore the need to refill when I'm running low on spiritual energy, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please help me constantly recharge my spiritual batteries through regular fasting and prayers, in Jesus' name.

6.Holy Spirit, refuel my spiritual tank, and satisfy my hunger and thirst so I won't become weak and faint in the day of adversity, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, thank You for the power in the Holy Communion to refuel us spiritually; thank You for the life transforming power in the blood of Jesus, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, please help me to constantly drink the blood of Jesus worthily, so I won't remain weak, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, by the reason of the blood of Jesus which is the greatest sacrifice, I receive power to rise to the very highest level of greater spiritual empowerment and exploit, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, as I partake of the Holy Communion, let the blood of Jesus speak strength and might into me, in Jesus'name.

11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
‎
Please grant him grace to remain spiritually refueled, recharged and reloaded for Your use, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name
‎
‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name.
‎
‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.
‎
‎14.Your personal petitions.
‎(Philippians 4:6)
‎
‎15.In Jesus name I pray.
‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

#GodBlessOurNation

These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

Romans 5:

"1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

28 Beleifs # 24
CHRIST'S MINISTRY IN THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY

There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.

Daily devotion for August 21st
The Need For A Sacrifice
We assume the responsibility. For the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.

Nehemiah 10:32-33
The people recognized the need for offerings and sacrifices. The history of Israel clearly reveals that this nation emphasized shedding the blood of animals and offering up their crops and grain to God. By so doing they were never allowed to forget the cost of redemption. Blood shed means a death has occurred. God is teaching His people that their problem with sin within is of such a serious nature it cannot be solved by merely instructing the mind. Only death can cure it.

These bloody offerings prepared the way for the death of Jesus and even our remembrance of that death at the Lord's table. We ought to meditate on this every day. We should never allow ourselves to forget the cost of our redemption. It took all that God had to open a door that we might return to Him. As Peter put it, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Very closely related to the blood offerings was the promise of these people to bring the firstfruits of their crops, herds, flocks, and even their sons to God. What they were doing was recognizing the ownership and rights of God in their lives. A corresponding truth for us today is, You are not your own; you were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a). God owns us. We do not own ourselves. The world says, You are your own. If you are pregnant and you do not want the baby, you can kill it, because you have a right to do what you please with your own body. But the Bible says, No, you are not your own. You do not have a right to do anything you like with the body God gave you.

This is true in other aspects of life as well. We are not our own. We have no right to determine what we are going to do with our lives or even whom we are going to marry, apart from God's limitations. We have certain choices granted to us, but not all choices. One of the important aspects of becoming a Christian is to recognize the rights of God and to live our lives within the limits He establishes. This is what this great passage is teaching. It is the way by which Israel recognized frequently and continually that their lives were not their own. They too were bought with a price. They belonged to God. He has the right to direct their affairs and make many choices for them.

Thank You, Lord, for this reminder that I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. I surrender my life to You, knowing that You have redeemed me with the precious blood of Christ

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 16)

1. The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the spirits.

3. Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.

4. The LORD has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

5. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Though they join forces,fn none will go unpunished.

6. In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

7. When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8. Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.

9. A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.

10. Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

11. Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s;
All the weights in the bag are His work.

12. It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness.

13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.

14. As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will appease it.

15. In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

16. How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18. Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.

19. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20. He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

21. The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.

23. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.

24. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25. There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

26. The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives him on.

27. An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

28. A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

29. A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.

30. He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He purses his lips and brings about evil.

31. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.

32. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33. The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 16)

1. The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the spirits.

3. Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.

4. The LORD has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

5. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Though they join forces,fn none will go unpunished.

6. In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

7. When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8. Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.

9. A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.

10. Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

11. Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s;
All the weights in the bag are His work.

12. It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness.

13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.

14. As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will appease it.

15. In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

16. How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18. Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.

19. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20. He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

21. The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.

23. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.

24. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25. There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

26. The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives him on.

27. An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

28. A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

29. A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.

30. He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He purses his lips and brings about evil.

31. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.

32. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33. The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.