The Holy’s Dwelling Place

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Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Psalm 99:1  NKJV

“He dwells between the cherubim;”

1.      The cherubims. These were figures, or representations of angels, inclining their faces one towards the other, and touching one another with their wings. Ex 25:18. The use of these was to cover or overshadow the mercyseat with their wings, Ex 25:20, and from this seat God used to speak unto Moses, Ex 25:22; Nu 7:8-9. Which may be applied unto Christ, whose mediation was signified by the mercyseat; whence it is said, that he is a propitiation or covering mercyseat, Ro 3:25 1Jo 2:2 4:10, because by his obedience all our unrighteousness is covered. Thomas Wilson(-1621), in "A Complete Christian Dictionary, "1678.

2.      The Lord's people do not worship an unknown God, they know who he is, and where to find him; to wit, in his ordinances, on the throne of grace, reconciling himself to the world in Christ: He sitteth between the cherubims. David Dickson.

The Treasury of David, Vol. IV, C.H. Spurgeon, page 390

The Christian’s activity in worship is determined by his understanding of God.  His worship will always be about what he understands as primary.  If the holy Triune God is first, then He will be the sole object of worship.  If the one who worships seeks to satisfy himself the result will be some kind of personal experience.  There is a defining distinction.  One comes to worship to “get” or to “give”.  The true worshiper comes to “give”.

Exodus 25:18-22 describes the cherubim and their place in the holy place of worship.  Exodus 25:20 is the statement of the perpetual contemplation of the cherubim.  They are set before us that we understand, throughout all ages, the mercy seat is the supreme object of their concern.

Isaiah, in chapter six, tells of their activity, their concern, and their message.  Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God almighty.  The whole earth is filled with His glory.  It is enough for us to know this information. 

We are further informed in John 12:41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.  We know the mercy seat is the single object of the cherubim’s interest.  We know the occupant of the mercy seat is the pre-incarnate Christ.

We can now say our worship of the Holy Triune God is directed, as was the cherubim in Isaiah, to Christ.  He who is the “image of the invisible God” is to be the object of our worship because in Him “all the fullness of the God-head dwells”.

There is a further bit of information on this matter in I Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.  These inquiring angels, it seems, have either a great mystery to interest them, or a truly wondrous subject to study.  We do well to appreciate the depth of the wonder that is their study, the preached gospel.

Worshipers are those who have heard and believed “the glorious gospel of Christ”.  They alone are alive to all the wonders of the mercy and grace of God revealed in the mercy seat where the Son of God dwells.

No worship will truly satisfy God or the worshiper but that which finds completion in the object of worship.  The subject is of consequence only as he finds himself among the myriads of saints and angels described in Rev. 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

To be continued…

TRUE WORSHIP

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Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Psalm 99  NKJV

¹The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
² The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
³ Let them praise Your great and awesome name—
He is holy.

The beauty, equity, mercy, and love of God is so revealed in the Psalms with the human experience as the ground for the exercise of these Divine qualities that they, the Psalms, have been for all the ages since they were written the great consolation and encouragement for believers.  There can hardly be any new information given on them.

Luther, Calvin, Matthew Henry, and Spurgeon are only a few of the giants who have written on the Psalms.  But for the believer, of all places, the Psalms need the least comment.

Not only are the Psalms deeply devotional they are as important theologically.  To my knowledge, there is no Biblical doctrine that is not found in the Psalms.  And in Psalm 99 is found the beauty of God, His holiness, praised with some of the characteristics of it explained.

There is really no way to appreciate or understand the Psalms as you should unless the basic premise of Psalm One is realized.  Simply put, the “blessed” in Psalm One is the person to whom the Psalms are written, the one who will understand.  And he is the only one who will benefit from them.  The uncaring, ignorant, and wicked are not blessed and will not benefit from the message they communicate.  The description of the “blessed” is required to benefit in this Holy poetry.

The first stanza, 99:1-3, is a sovereign corrective to the light and silly exercise that is called worship in the present day church.  This Psalm in its entirety, describes the true worshiper.  The only worshiper of any account is the one who worships “in truth”.

The beginning of worship is a commitment to the sovereignty of God – “The Lord reigns”.  Or, He is King.  The truth of this is the understanding of what the King and His reign mean.  He was absolute.  His will was supreme.  He had the right to life and death.

Therefore, “the peoples tremble”.  Until our worship is entered under this standard, it is specious twaddle.

To be continued.

SIN AND THE VOTING BOOTH 

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I John 3:4 KJV

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 

The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Question 14 asks “What is sin?”  This is a most profound question.  On the answer to this depends the moral responsibility of man.  The answer is as simple and as all-encompassing as the question.  “Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.”  The Scripture reference is I John 3:4. 

The reason for concern that sin be defined is a recent article I read in a news magazine I receive.  The author, in concern for the coming national election, wrote, “I’m stunned at the number of my fellow Christians who aren’t even registered to vote, that’s a sin.” 

I am registered to vote and I have been for 48 years.  I have voted in every presidential election since 1964.  It is a cherished privilege given us who live in this beloved nation.  Out of this privilege comes the Christian responsibility to vote for that candidate who most represents righteousness as the Scriptures define it.  If he or she fails in their promises they will answer to God.  I am responsible as a Christian to vote for righteousness and not my pocketbook. 

This brings us to the issue at hand.  “Sin is the transgression of the Law.”  Whenever anything is determined to be a sin there is to be a single reason.  It is a transgression of the law.  Voting, for a Christian citizen, is a privilege and without a doubt, a moral responsibility to consider the candidate.

There is in the Scriptures no example of what we call a democratic form of government.  What we do see is monarchical government where there is no popular choice.  Providence has placed the citizens of this nation in a great and free republic.  The wisdom afforded Christians from the Scriptures, the righteousness which should always be the Christian’s choice, and the orderliness of society demand a choice that is consistent with these values. 

Great care is demanded about what is called sin.  Nothing should be called sin but that which can be traced directly to the Ten Commandments.  When anything else enters, the standard of righteousness is expanded and in most instances lowered.  For man to determine what is sin gives him the right to determine what is righteousness.  We can be sure our standard will never reach God’s standard.  If it is a sin not to vote, it is righteousness to register and of course righteous to vote. 

Pilate’s vote or refusal to vote on the dismissal of Jesus was sin.  It is a Christian’s right to refuse his citizenship.  If he can refuse that, he can refuse to vote.  He can think it is his responsibility not to make a choice when he does not know what choice to make.  Who can say his choice not to vote was not a responsible choice.  He has only his present light on this subject.  He does not have a “thus says the Lord”. 

My conclusion after years of consideration is that you can only say it is a sin not to vote when you think your choice of candidates is the only right choice. 

When I voted for Nixon I was persuaded he lacked a moral base and that he had a monarchical complex.  I voted for him as a bad choice against the other candidate.  I would not do that now.  I would not vote.

SOME MORE HABAKKUK 

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Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV

¹⁷ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

¹⁸ Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

¹⁹ The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. 

Habakkuk has asked the question that troubles him in 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?   The only answer he gets is in 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.   But how does Habakkuk respond to God’s answer.  His response is found in the following:

1. His confession is in 2:20 NKJ “But the Lord is in His holy temple.
   Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”  A discerning look at this confession will find it to be the ultimate in faith.  “The Lord is”.  The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 11:6 states this as the single access to God.  “For whoever comes to God must believe that He is”.  This is the “I am” of Moses and the “I am the Alpha and Omega” of John the Revelator.  Habakkuk has stepped away from his whining into the faith of heroes.
2. His prayer is stated in 3:2 NKJ  O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
   O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!  In the midst of the years make it known;  In wrath remember mercy.  Habakkuk has two requests.
1. “Lord I trust you and only ask that you do your will.  I submit to that”.  Habakkuk has accepted the work of his day as God’s will.  That is enough.
2. “Lord, reveal what you’re doing so your people can know your intent for you glory is for their good”.  The availability and clarity of God’s revelation is one of the treasures of the church.  What should our reply to that be?  To read it, obey it, and be thankful for it.
3.  “Lord, no matter how terrifying the day of the Lord is I am committed to believe that your justice in this day will prevail.  Those who think they have the victory over your church will fail and face your unswerving justice”  3:16 NKJ.  There is no victory over the church.  As the grave could not hold Jesus, nothing can prevail against the church.  We are our own worst enemy.  When once again that is realized, reformation will come.  Quietly wait, watch, and pray.  There is trouble appointed for those who trouble the church. 

Habakkuk’s testimony in 3:17-19 is a high point in the Old Testament.  There is no Psalm or other statement that is more to faith and with pure emotion than here in Habakkuk.  As I read this I could no longer doubt the greatness of this prophet.  Somewhere, sometimes, and by someone this was dedicated to the Psalmody of Israel.  I wish I knew how to sing it.  Material prosperity cannot affect the joy of the believer’s salvation.  Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV ¹⁷ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

¹⁸ Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

THE SECRET TO KINGDOM UNDERSTANDING 

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Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  

The secret to kingdom understanding is there is no secret.  It is a matter of accepting Biblical description of radical depravity.  When radical depravity is accepted in the true sense of Scripture, man’s participation in his salvation at any level is nothing more than a fantasy. 

Paul writing to those who received this letter, and there is no certainty of its recipients, reminds them of their former state.  They were “dead in trespasses and sin.”  He conditions his statement by describing the deadness he intends.  It is “in trespasses and sin”. 

He then describes their life that was contemporaneous with the deadness in VSS 2-3.  This should alert any reader that he is concerned with man’s spiritual relationship with God.  It is either “in Him” which he stated plainly in chapter 1, or it is this deadness. 

Further Paul describes the deadness he means.  There are three primary undeniable characteristics given in verses that follow.

1.  VS 3  To be dead is to act according to the nature of mankind.  Mankind, as they are distinguished from believers, is under the wrath of God.  The Scriptures allow different habits, characters, personalities, and emotions.  But there are only two natures.  There is the nature mankind receives from Adam, which is under wrath, or it is the kingdom nature received at the new birth.  In VS 5 this is being made alive, “by grace you have been saved”. 

2.  There is again the extent of deadness.  It has only one cure.  That is grace, VS 9 ESV not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  The extent to which the writer goes to limit salvation to grace is plainly intentional and complete.  This grace is not left open to debate.  It is the grace which he began to praise in 1:3-10. ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 

This is grace that will brook no human involvement.  It is “not of works”.  The ESV has made it even clearer, “not of your own doing”.  It is the hardest of all Bible truths for man to accept.  He cannot do anything for God to win His acceptance. 

3.  The third fact of this deadness is that there is alienation between man and God that has no human cure.  The death of Christ is no mere miscarriage of justice or tragic misapplication of man’s ire and jealousy.  It is the centerpiece of the ages.  All time revolves around that complex of events covered in three short days in Jerusalem.  The God-man was crucified for sin and the third day He arose from the grave.  This will not be forgotten and it ever remains as the centerpiece of the Gospel.

Paul in VSS 11-16 states the single condition for acceptance with God, “you have been brought near by the blood of Christ”.

¹¹ Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵ by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.  This is the antithesis of “dead”.  It belongs to all and only those who have been “brought not of human endeavor”., because we are so prone to boast. 

You may ask “do you boast?”  Yes!  I am a boaster.  I am told in Jeremiah 9:24 I can boast.  “but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”  I have a great God in whom I can boast.  Paul in I Cor. 1:31 tells every saint in whom he may boast, the one who is made our “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption”.  It cannot be in the flesh for this cannot seek, accept, or find God.  He must find us.

THE ETERNAL GOSPEL 

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Habakkuk 1:13 ESV

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil
and cannot look at wrong,
why do you idly look at traitors
and remain silent when the wicked swallows up
the man more righteous than he?

2:4 

 Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
but the righteous shall live by his faith. 

I began reading Habukkuk and thought, “what a whiner.”  The other Old Testament heroes who whine are Jacob, David, and Elijah.  It is interesting that these three are of the most significant men of the Old Testament.  All three have special roles, are true heroes, and have some particular relationship to God. 

Habukkuk’s question in 1:13 is not quite that of theodicy for it is far more directed to the God of Bible faith.  “You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?”

It cannot be taken as anything less than accusation against God.  Habakkuk accuses God, though infinitely holy, of being so unconcerned with evil that He not only does nothing to control it but is silent when the righteous despair.

When God answers He does not justify His conduct but calls Habakkuk and all who read to realize the only responses God expects from them.  2:4 Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.  The faith of the righteous must withstand both time and circumstances.  2:3 “ For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.  If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

The importance of the requirements laid down in the statement, “The righteous shall live by faith”, cannot be over emphasized.  It is quoted three times in the New Testament. Each time with a slightly different nuance.

First it is quoted in Galatians 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith”.  The purpose of use Paul has for it here is to define the cause and content of righteousness before God.  He lays down the principle that “a man is justified by faith and not by the works of the law.”   And then quotes Habakkuk 2:4 as his proof text.  The intent of Paul is his gospel as he states it in Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Again Paul in Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith” .  His statement here is that there is only one relationship man can have with God.  That is by faith.  The righteousness of God which the gospel reveals is directed to faith and is received by faith.  Whether it be conversion or the Christian life of sanctification it does not matter there is no other way to know and do the righteousness of God but through faith in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:37-38 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
³⁸ but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him”, sum these two emphasis up in a look at faith both as the means of conversion and the strength of perseverance.  Here the fact of faith and preservation are united.  When the story is completed and the end is known it will be said that Christ Jesus did it all.  He redeemed us and carried us through the wilderness.  What was required of us?  Nothing more or less than faith in Him.

JESUS PAID IT ALL

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone

 For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And when before the throne,

I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall repeat.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

DISCERNING DARKNESS 

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Micah 3:5-6, 9-11  ESV

⁵ Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray,
who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat,
but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.
⁶ Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination.
The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; 

⁹ Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel,
who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight,
¹⁰ who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.
¹¹ Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price;
its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the Lord and say,
“Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.” 

I recently celebrated my 76^th birthday.  Many thanks for the cards and kind thoughts.  I have had to realize I am one of the old men.  It is usual for one who is old to think that during his life experience all that matters has happened.  But that is not so. 

I remember sitting with my grandfather when I was six years old as he talked with the old men of that time.  This was 1942.  The depression was over and the Great War was on the horizon.  Texas was still primitive and naïve.  But these men, for the most part Christian, prized honesty.  They spoke the truth.  They expected to hear it.  The preaching of that day was different from that which prevails in 2012.  The transition from 1942 to 2012 has given me a perspective by which to understand our time.

Micah in the text for today is a headline for our preachers and politicians.  And in the midst of it Micah says, “⁶ Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination.  The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them;”.  How shall we know we are in this darkness?  Micah gives us two sure signs. 

1.  The message and character of the prophets are a sure indication of darkness.  The ministry is a profession.  In VS 9, their message is determined by their reward.  If they are well fed they “cry peace”.  And when they are not paid well there is disaster declared. 

Woe be to the church in which the ministry is only a profession.  The result of this will always be a message tuned to earn the highest reward.  We have huge churches, national radio and television ministries, and of course the never ending production of “how to” books.  The mega-churches are supposed to be the standard of success.  The radio and television stars continue with a newer demand for money.  Then there are the authors of books and study guides and sequels.  You see my point.  Follow the money trail. 

There is nothing sacred in being poor.  The laborer is worthy of his pay.  Preachers deserve adequate support as much as anyone.  The old saying “Lord you keep him humble, we’ll keep him poor” has no virtue.  But the gospel ministry is never to be a profession. 

2.  In VSS 9-10 the second cause of darkness is described.  Political offices are for sale.  In my present day experience I know of no one who expects honesty from any politician without regard to party.  They are all for sale.  It is just some are more expensive.

This is an election year.  Should conservatives gain both house of congress and the presidency will we see our “social” agenda get any attention?  I doubt it.  What has burdened the conservative constituency?  What has drawn the greatest interest and given any probability of the sweep mentioned?  The financial crisis has done it.  I must say the word “crisis” is not an exaggeration.  But any historical perspective must admit President Obama did not get us here without a herculean effort by former President Bush.

As a conclusion in VS 11, Micah looks to the trough at which politician, priest, and prophet are lined up for their dole.  His conclusion is that the dark day of judgment is a certain result of their greed and sell-out.

It would be wrong to leave this significant passage on this note.  Look at the light in this darkness, VS 8  But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord,
and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

God will not leave this His church without a true witness.  Again look at the message that marks this witness, “to declare transgression and sin”.  The church is never hurt by the Biblical preaching of sin, repentance, and faith.