April 11: THE END OF SIN
Your way, O God is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. Psalm 77:13-14
Most of us are visual learners, and the way of salvation is beautifully illustrated in the elements of the sanctuary. Its divine design represents salvation’s completeness: God’s work of destroying sin while saving sinners. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
The word of God was kept hidden from the masses during the Dark Ages by the fallen church. And though there was a faithful remnant (Revelation 12:6,14) who hid from the church and carefully copied the Bible, sharing pages wherever possible, God was also at work within the wayward church. The divine call of the Reformers was for a rediscovery of precious truths about God’s way. As yet, the Reformation is not finished; we are still in rediscovery mode. But God’s plan to disentangle us from all sin will soon come to its prophesied end. This world will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10), ultimately re-created (Revelation 21:5) and inhabited by His re-created people (v.7).
The total eradication of sin from the universe is the long-standing agenda of the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9-10). This plan allows people the opportunity to come into perfect agreement with the KING OF KINGS, as is fitting for loyal citizens of Heaven’s royal kingdom.
The use of sanctuary language throughout Scripture, and especially in the book of Revelation, shines a brighter light on the Lord’s plan to justify, sanctify, and ultimately glorify His people. Without it, we would be fairly clueless regarding the Lord’s work to separate us from our sin. His present work as High Priest in the true tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2) of heaven includes His own fervent prayers for us. He collects the prayers of His people also (Revelation 5:8; 8:3,4).
Jesus is the ultimate Reformer. He came to shine light upon His original, long-standing plan to restore His precepts and save sinners. Corruption had come in among His people, and He came to set the record straight. The reformers who stepped forward during the Dark Ages each had a calling to fulfill. Their work of reclaiming souls for the Lord ushered in much damage to Satan’s kingdom on the earth. Their faithfulness is still blessing us today. But there is also a curse as the enemy steps in to do “damage control”: followers of the various reformers have placed them on a pedestal—unwittingly idolizing a mere man who discovered and shared a profound Biblical truth. There are now more than 33,000 Christian denominations, as the enemy exploits fallen man’s tendency to exalt created things above the Creator (see Romans 1:25). Satan is working more feverishly than ever to counteract the Reformation’s progress toward complete Biblical practices.
None of this is a surprise to God. In addition, He has never lost sight of the magnificent potential for each individual who wholeheartedly seeks to follow His way. God’s vision will become the reality in the end. With the blight of sin forever removed and its discord totally vanquished, the God of love will gaze upon the redeemed and finally see His own reflection.
When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Psalm 73:16-17