February 23: YOUR HEART, HIS THRONE

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4

The circumstances that took John Calvin to Poitiers from Paris (and back again) were simply a backdrop that highlights a sincere willingness to be ready in season and out of season. Let us look back more closely at a chain of events in the background as the papists were regaining the “upper hand” across France. The stake had been set up again on the street corners of Paris. Suddenly, a group of friends hurried to John Calvin’s room to warn him that officers were enroute to arrest him. At that moment loud knocking was heard at the outer entrance. Some of the friends successfully detained the officers at the entrance while others helped Calvin out a window. He traveled on foot to the cabin of a believer just outside the city. From there, wearing his friend’s clothes and shouldering a hoe, Calvin headed south to a provincial area in the dominions of Princess Margaret. For a brief period he remained safe under the protection of powerful friends. But, having a heart for the evangelization of France, he moved to Poitiers. Public preaching was not allowed, but he drew listeners in private homes and even public gardens. As the numbers of listeners continued to grow, it was deemed safer to meet outside the city. A secluded cave was chosen, and they would travel to it in small companies, by various routes, so as not to attract attention. The Bible was read aloud and it was here in this cave that the Lord’s Supper was celebrated for the very first time by the Protestants of France.

When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel [Overcomers] before the Son of Man comes. Matthew 10:23

Scripture is replete with illustrations of the sanctuary as a dwelling place for God—ultimately with His people! The Most Holy Place is the resting place where He is seated, enthroned upon His perfect law. His new covenant meets its fulfillment when He has successfully written His law on the minds and hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:33), transforming every willing soul into a glorious resting place for Himself.

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31