April 14, 2023

“And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men” . . . “all too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” Mark 7:7-9

We have been taking a journey through God’s plan of salvation as laid out in the sanctuary. Upon entering the courtyard, we came to the altar of sacrifice, bringing to mind the life of our Savior freely given on the cross to destroy sin and to pay the penalty for breaking God’s law. From there we came to the laver of washing which points to baptism as death and burial to the old, sinful (lawbreaking) ways and new life as a child of God. It signifies spiritual cleansing and divine resurrection power over death! In order to live eternally in heaven, we must have victory over both sin and death, for they are inextricably intertwined. By faith, we are invited to make His victory over sin and death our own. But did you know that Jesus assumes the responsibility of guiding us to grow in faith until His return to take us to heaven? How does He do it? There are answers to be found in the Holy Place, the first room of the tabernacle proper.

Stepping beyond the laver, we enter the Holy Place. To the right we behold the gilded table of showbread. Jesus told us that He is the bread of life (John 6:48). He is also the Word of God (1:1). This bread—the Word—is given to us in written form that we may eat of it and not die (6:50).

Satan’s attack on this aspect of the sanctuary replaces God’s written word with church tradition. The damaged message that the Old Testament religious leaders had been conditioned to believe is evident by the words of Jesus above. In essence, it was taught that traditions supersede the written word of God. The fallen New Testament church told the laity that it was a sin to possess a copy of the Bible because only the priests could understand it. This became official church doctrine in 1229AD though it had been practiced for centuries prior. To possess a Bible was punishable by death.

“Canon 14. We prohibit also that the laity should not be permitted to have the books of the Old or New Testaments; we most strictly forbid their having any translation of these books.” The Church Council of Toulouse 1229AD

Jesus successfully defended Himself against every temptation through knowledge of the Scriptures. “It is written….” He said (Matthew 4:4,7,10). But today many churches, while professing to live by God’s word, betray their allegiance to an authority other than Yahweh. Man-made traditions are held in higher esteem than the written word of God.

And… they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:27-29

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16

…the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15