Correspondence

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 7
5. W. G, Castle Eden. The rapid increase of exhibitions, flower shows, bazaars, sports, and amusements, at which crowds of professing christians are found, is certainly one of the signs of the last days. The warning of the apostle is quite clear, as to the path of the true Christian. “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (Read 2 Tim. 3:1-51This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1‑5).) A Christian, if a manufacturer, may show his samples at an exhibition, as he might show patterns to a shopkeeper. I would, however, much commend the path of faith, rather than mixing with the worlds show. Your question has, however, to do with pleasure seekers—“Lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God.”
The great probability is that many of those calling themselves Christians, who seek their pleasure in such places, are empty lamps without oil: and will soon be forever shut out of His presence so little valued now. How terrible it will be to hear those words, “I never knew you.” Is it not written, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him,” &c. (1 John 2:1515Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15).) What will it avail to such to say, “Lord, Lord, open unto us, we were in fellowship with those gone in.” Then will they see that their formal fellowship was all a delusion, a lie. May the feet of the true saints of God be kept from these paths of the world.
You also ask what are the heavenly things of Heb. 9:2323It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23). These are heavenly realities, ill contrast with the earthly shadows of the law. There was the worldly sanctuary with its service and many sacrifices, which made nothing perfect, and never opened the way into the presence, of God. “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle,” &c. (Read carefully vers. 11, 12.) Now Christ has come, everything is in contrast with the first tabernacle-earthly shadows of heavenly realities, not the very image of the things. Mark, what characterized the coming of Christ was the infinite value of His one offering—His own blood, its value before God. Yes, God’s estimate of His blood characterized His coming. “Christ being come..... neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” In another place the Spirit beareth witness. “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ.” (1 John 5:66This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1 John 5:6).)
The whole work of purification and atonement was founded, or accomplished, when Christ offered Himself on the cross. The results of that one offering have not fully come; but there shall be “a new heaven and a new earth;” and the holy city shall descend out of heaven from God. Even now we have boldness to enter the holiest.