God is Love.
There’s no greater equation in Eternity (1 Jn 4:8).
There’d be no Forgiveness, had He NOT been Love, because He is Light (Acts 5:31; 1 Jn 1:5,7).
Many stop there, thinking that that knowledge of God is sufficient to understand Him and His covenants.
But that’s where understanding of our God and His righteous requirements (Ps 15:1,2; 106:3; Lk 17:10; 1 Jn 3:7,10) and covenants of promise (Eph 2:12) BEGINS.
Because the second greatest equation in eternity is 1 Jn 5:3 – namely, that Love = Obedience
There is no greater demonstration of BOTH equations, than in the trial of the LORD’s Heart at Gethsemane, which through His THREE anguished pleas (“IF it be possible…”), in His intercession for Himself (see Matt 26:39-44) through which He finally became reconciled to His imminent Martyrdom (Matt 26:45,46), sealed His Sacrifice for humanity as Ransom for all, the next day (Matt 26:36-44; Lk 22:39-44).
Covenant obedience is designed to be actuated by faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26) and perfected under grace, by reverence and Godly Fear (Heb 12:28; 1 Peter 1:14-22; Rev 14:6,7,12).
All these elements are displayed in Y’shua’s Gethsemane ordeal.
Let’s be clear about this at the onset. It is hypocrisy to discuss a concept of love removed from its context within the call to glory and virtue through sanctification by obedience (Rom 15:16-18; Heb 5:9; 10:36; 2 Peter 1)
BECAUSE “entering in at the strait gate” (Lk 14:24-30) entails stepping DIRECTLY onto the ‘strait and narrow’ path which is the ONLY “path of life” upon which to “lay hold on eternal life” through “obedience to righteousness,” to fulfil our baptism promise to die to unrighteousness (i.e. cease voiding Torah – Rom 3:31) through “burial with Y’shua into death” (1 Peter 2:24), we JEOPARDIZE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING by following a different spirit on the “broad” path which will destroy “many” (Ps 15; Acts 10:35; Matt 7:14; Rom 6:1-22; 1 Tim 6:11-14).
Hence the centrality of the following three statements of covenant fact:
- Y’shua-Jesus is “the DOOR” (Jn 10) which is the grace to be freely entered into the SACRIFICIAL “race” to freedom as rule-takers (Matt 5:19; 10:34-39; 12:50; Lk 14:24-33), through purification of our souls by obedience to the precepts, to be “holy and without blame before Him in love” in order to enter the “Everlasting Kingdom” (Ps 119:45; Jn 8:31,32,36; 1 Cor 9:24-27; Eph 1:4; 4:11-14,23,24; 2 Tim 2:5; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 3:9-18; 1 Jn 3:3-10)
- the blessed and Holy Shabbat (the first mention of holiness in the Bible – Gen 2:23; Ex 20:8-11; 31:13-17; 34:27,28,32; Deut 5:6-22; Is 56:6; 58:13,14; 66:22-24; Matt 5:19; Heb 4:1-11) is the THRESHOLD of the Door (our first rash misstep, departing from the narrow Way, would therefore be DISHONOURING the holy SEVENTH day of the Fourth Commandment, so obviously singled out for our attention in Is 56:6, Matt 12:8 & Mk 2:27,28), and
- “remaining forever” inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life (1 Jn 2:17; Rev 3:1-6) entails magnifying Y’shua as “the Way” by magnifying “the Way of YHVH” which He Personifies (Gen 18:18,19; Ps 138:2; Is 42:21; Acts 24:14), by being sanctified by the Truth and the righteousness of the commandments (Jn 17:17,10; 1 Thess 4:1-3a; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13,14) by abiding (remaining) in Y’shua as the Vine (Jn 15:3-14) by “walking as HE walked” by being sure to “keep His commandments” in order for the love of God to be perfected in us (1 Jn 2:3-6; 4:17; 5:2&3)
All the LORD’s replies to those who tested Him with questions about access to eternal life (Matt 19:16-19; Lk 10:26-28; Mk 12:28-34) ARE APPLICABLE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT.
Keeping the indivisible Ten Words of the marriage covenant (which we are to allow the Holy Spirit to etch into our hearts – Heb 8:8-12; 10:16) and the four Levitical preparatory table fellowship requirements (Acts 15:20), FOURTEEN IN ALL, are the ENTRY POINT into covenant- keeping, by the Spirit (Rom 2:6-13; 3:31; 8:4,14; James 1:22-25; 2:8-12).
To gain greater understanding of these dynamics of loyal, submitted sonship, let’s continue in this study, using the two propositions (images pictured above) (featuring Ps 130:4 & Jn 17:3), to obtain the clarity we need, to more proficiently identify the narrow path which LEADS to eternal life (Matt 7:13-27).
The pseudo fear of God which YHVH decries and deplores, because it has no power to move a life in the direction of perfection (Matt 5:48; Col 1:28; Eph 4:12-14; 2 Tim 3:17), is a form of fear of God “taught by the precept of MEN” ( Is 29:13; Mk 7:6,7,9,13).
A gospel that doesn’t inspire authentic Fear of God (Is 8:13,14,16,20), conceals the light of the vital truth of 1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29, namely, that the obedience of COVENANT- KEEPING in the Fear of God is the condition for KNOWING the Messiah, which is the PURPOSE of eternal life.
If, during the sliver of eternal life we are experiencing in this age, before “sleeping in Messiah,” we make insufficient effort to KNOW Y’shua-Jesus by studying the everlasting covenant to learn the righteousness of His ways, we don’t just show weak faith, but bad faith, and can’t expect to be amongst the jewels of holiness who will be established as His special treasure (Ex 19:5-8; Is 64:5; Mal 3:16-18; Rom 2:6-13; 3:31; 8:4,14; 1 Peter 1:2,13-18).
The “Glad Tidings” of unmerited justification (“…from all things from which you could not be justified by the law given through Moses” – Acts 13:38-41) by FAITH ALONE (as attested to by the Torah and the Prophets – Acts 24:14; Rom 3:20-28) through the redemption which is in the Blood of “the Messiah our Passover (Lamb of God)” (Is 52:13-15; 53; 1 Cor 5:7,8; Heb 8-10; 1 Peter 1:2b), is the grace for reconciliation to the Father (Avinu Malkeinu) and for MESSIANIC ADOPTION of both Jew and Gentile as the remnant House of Jacob (the true “Israel of God”) (Matt 21:38-44; Gal 6:16), to the eternal promise of “the Messiah in US” (“one new man”), AS the hope of Israel’s glory (Is 46:13; Lk 1:33; 2:32; Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:1-10; Col 1:27) by baptism (mikveh) of repentance for remission of sins (Is 43:25; 44:22; 45:17-25; Rom 6:1-6; Col 2:9-13), to recover original innocence (return to original Edenic integrity), to be conformed to the Image of God, “under grace” given as a circumcised heart, to “be perfect,” to be “AS our Master” (Matt 5:48; Lk 6:40; Jn 1:16; Col 2:11; Heb 12:14,28; 1 Jn 4:17).
Salvation entails so much more than is generally taught.
“Everlasting Salvation” through the vicarious Sacrifice of the Messiah (Is 45:17-25; 53; Phil 2:5-16) is the Jewish Gift of exculpatory evidence of Golgotha’s victory over sin, death and the grave, to make a way where none seemed to exist, for mankind to regain its lost innocence, for Creation to be restored to perfection, and Israel catapulted to shalom-shalom and to exaltation as exemplary chief of nations, in their homeland (Deut 26:16-19; 28:10-14; Ps 104:30; Jer 31:7,10,17,31-36).
This salvation (offering repentance and forgiveness, for “PLENTEOUS redemption”/”salvation to the UTTERMOST” – Ps 130; Acts 5:31; Heb 7:25) is God’s mercy replying to Persius’ fatalistic Latin lamentation: “Let them look upon virtue and pine, because they have lost her” (“Virtutem videant intabescantone relicta”).
This salvation is the redemption of the Universe from the loss of virtue, by restoring the Divine Nature to the sons of men.
Original innocence (before death entered the world through sin) and the Character of God (the flawless Divine Nature which reflects innocence) are imputed to us AS the righteousness of YHVH, during baptism into the Messiah’s death.
This salvation provides the indwelling Spirit of Holiness to prepare mens’ souls for eternity by giving them the power (Jn 1:12,16; & chapters 12-16) to “say no to unrighteousness,” to “magnify God’s Instruction (command) above even His Name” (Deut 4:5-8; 30:610,11; Ps 138:2; Ezek 36:24-38; Matt 5:17-19; Rom 3:31; 8; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Jn vs 5&6).
This is Galatians’ profound declaration in Gal 3:27
“For as many of you have been baptized into Christ (the Messiah), HAVE PUT ON CHRIST”
That is when the process of MANIFESTING IMPUTED reality, begins in earnest.
Innocence (purity) is regained in a heartbeat, by imputation, on the strength of faith-confession and baptism (Jn 15:3), as the reflection of the inheritance of the righteousness of YHVH which is of faith, which we obtained by unmerited favour.
God Himself is innocent because He is righteous, because He is Light.
For us to RETAIN and MAINTAIN that innocence, is a life’s work of travail in the Spirit, to be sure to be “wholly sanctified spirit, soul and body,” to be brought to perfection, IN REALITY (Matt 5:48; Col 1:22,24,28,29; Rom 15:16-18; Eph 4:11-14; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13,14).
Hence Paul’s description of the goal of his ministry to the Gentiles:
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, UNTIL THE MESSIAH BE (FULLY) FORMED IN YOU)”
See Rom 15:16-18; Col 1:28,29; Gal 4:19
History proves that meeting and holding to that standard of blameless, holy, purity by faith, to be “chaste virgins” “accounted worthy” of resurrection amongst the “blessed and holy” whose labour for acceptance in the bride will be deemed satisfactory (Lk 20:35; Acts 10:35; 2 Cor 5:9-11; Rev 3:1-6; 14:6&7,12; 20:6), is virtually impossible without the HEALTHY IMPETUS of awesome reverence and Godly Fear of the Holy One Who sent Himself Incarnate “to give us repentance and forgiveness of sins,” to obey and not grieve His Spirit (Acts 5:31,32; 1 Cor 11:1,2; Eph 4:23,24,30; Phil 2:12;13; Jn 3:3,4; Heb 4; 5:9; 12:14,28).
Hence,
“…there is FORGIVENESS with Thee, that Thou mayest be FEARED (in order to be saved to the uttermost)”
Ps 130:4-7
Forgiveness that does NOT present as reverential Awe of YHVH, the distinguishing characteristic of full consecration, is more than likely INSINCERE, in no way a reflection of Phil 1:9-11
Even a cursory (perfunctory) survey of Scripture, as part of a quest to understand the REASON why the Fear of God should be our “treasure” (Ps 119:38; Is 33:6), shows how integral BOTH love AND AWE of God are, to doing “ALL the will of God” (Deut 4:10; 5:29; 6:4,5; 31:12; Mk 12:28-34; Acts 20:25-32; Col 4:12).
Note how Fear of God is interposed between the stages of HEARING & LEARNING (the ways of YHVH), and OBEDIENCE in the above excerpts from Deuteronomy.
When that chain is broken, it is extremely unlikely that an individual will be CLEAVING to God as in Deut 30:10,11,20; 2 Jn vs 5&6,9-11.
If not cleaving, there’ll inevitably be some form of apostasy.
Eternal Life which is both IN the Son (1 Jn 5:11) and IS manifestly the Son (1 Jn 1:1,2; 5:20), is the gift of God, freely given that we might KNOW Him.
Without knowing HIM, by knowing His WAYS, to know “the Way (of YHVH)” (Lk 20:21; Acts 24:14), we can’t be conformed to His Image (the “express image” of the Godhead), and logically, He cannot be “formed in us.”
Scripture is VERY SPECIFIC in its definition of loving and knowing Jesus
“He who HAS My commandments and KEEPS them, it is HE who LOVES Me. And he who loves Me (in this way) will be loved by My Father…” (Jn 14:21; 1 Jn 5:2&3; 2 Jn vs 5&6)
“Now by THIS we KNOW that we KNOW Him, if we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS” (1 Jn 2:3)
“Whomsoever KEEPS YHVH’s Word (of Instruction), in him truly is the love of God perfected: HEREBY KNOW we that we are IN HIM” (1 Jn 2:5).
God have mercy on those who continue distorting Rom 8:1 to suggest a DIFFERENT definition of being “in Christ,” when that verse (which should NEVER be read separately from Rom 7:22,25), is sounding the alarm for those who are walking after the FLESH, that THEY are not in Christ but are under condemnation for refusing the sanctifying work of the Spirit, through the commandments (Rom 8:4-14).
Which is why the Book of John and the summary in 1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29 which describes the walk (and its obligations) in full, are critically important for our education in ALL the counsel of YHVH.
So, according to 1 Jn 2:29 & 5:18, “IF you KNOW that He is righteous, you know that everyone who PRACTISES RIGHTEOUSNESS is born of Him (Acts 10:35; 1 Jn 3:2:28,29; 3:7,10). We know that whoever is born of God does not (continue to) sin (knowing, in the Holy Fear of God, that if they do, “worse things will befall them” – Jn 5:14; 1 Peter 1:13-17), but he who has been born of God KEEPS HIMSELF (in Y’shua’s love, on the narrow Way, by keeping God’s Instruction – Matt 7:13-27; 8:51,52; 12:50; Jn 15:3-14; Rom 3:31; Heb 8:8-12; 10:16, for his “obedience to righteousness” to make him holy – Rom 6:19-22; 1 Peter 1:2,13-17), and the wicked one (defeated by a pure witness, and therefore having nothing unrighteous in him to accuse) DOES NOT TOUCH HIM” (Jn 14:30; 1 Jn 3:29; 5:18; Jude vs 21-26)
LACKING wisdom, by lacking knowledge of God as Father, AND God as the Messiah, which shows that the Fear of God is NOT our “treasure,” WEAKENS our salvation (resurrection to life being for the FAITHFUL who are without spot and blameless – Is 33:6; Jn 5:25,28,29; Rom 2:6-13; 6:12-22; 1 Tim 6:11-14; Heb 5:9; Rev 17:14), by our flesh (carnal reasoning) WEAKENING the righteousness of God we are called to be, IN PRACTICE (Rom 8:3,4,6,7; Gal 5:13), because by making us UNSTABLE (which raises questions about whether we are actually IN Christ – 1 Jn 2:5), GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE of “the doctrine according to Godliness” entice us into “walking after the flesh” and defiling ourselves (Is 33:6; 1 Jn 2:3-6).
Only if we observe these covenant principles as the rule of faith, to be found FAITHFUL TO THE FAITH (Rom 1:5; 15:16-18; 16:26; Jude vs 3), “looking (being occupied with being righteous) for the mercy of our LORD Y’shua-Jesus the Messiah to bring us to eternal life” (1 Peter 1:13-15; Jude vs 21 – through necessary trials of the heart, for the sanctification of our souls through purification by obedience – Phil 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:2-9,22), can the promise of Jude vs 24 be fulfilled.
Our ongoing REPENTANCE, for newly discovered error and unbelief (found as the veil of ignorance is drawn further back by diligently searching the covenant, by the Spirit – Prov 25:2; Rom 3:20; 2 Cor 3:16-18; 1 Tim 1:8-11; 2 Peter 3:9-18); and our active co-operation with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (Prov 7:1-3; Acts 26:18,20; Phil 2:12,13; Heb 10:16; 1 Jn 1-3), is a PREREQUISITE, to be “accounted worthy” of inheritance of the world and age to come, as co-heirs in the House of Jacob to whom the future has been entrusted (Lk 1:33; 20:35; Rom 4:13,16; Rev 21:12)
The KNOWLEDGE of God is a paramount requirement for the selection of the bride.
Appreciation of the gift of eternal life which is both IN Jesus, and IS Jesus as “the Word of (eternal) Life” made flesh (1 Jn 1:1-3; 5:11), is measured by conscientiousness to “learn of Me,” to KNOW Him as HE EXPECTS TO BE KNOWN, through the yoke of His commandments (Matt 11:29,30; 1 Cor 7:19; 1 Jn 2:3-6)
The yoke of the commandments (Matt 5:19,48; 6:9,10), rendered “easy” through the Presence and power of the ministry of righteousness of the Spirit (Jn 1:12; 1 Jn 5:3), always brings rest and refreshing (Is 28:9-13). The Spirit of Holiness uses a feather light touch to draw any defect in our covenant-keeping to our attention, when we choose to submit to His Instruction on Y’shua’s behalf, for us to be purified as vessels of honour (Rom 8:6,7,14; Heb 12).
Our spirits, the seat of conscience, bolstered and fine-tuned by the indwelling Holy Spirit, by “abiding” (continuing in and remaining in the Word – Jn 8:31,32,36; Rom 2:6-13), is the candle of YHVH searching our hearts for any trace of “departure from our heritage,” to help keep us centered in Messiah on the narrow path, to avoid the destruction decreed for all deceived by the broad path, by hearts NOT inscribed with heaven’s precepts (Jer 17:1-4; Heb 10:16).
We can’t be a ‘seal’ of apostleship (product and proof, living evidence authenticating and confirming that the Apostles and the message THEY taught are God’s workmanship in the LORD) (1 Cor 9:1-3; 2 Cor 3:1-3), if our baptismal heart circumcision (done specifically to enable us to reject and overcome Torahlessness, by the Spirit), has not VOLUNTARILY put fleshy hearts into Messiah’s yoke of willing and loving obedience, for us to “stand perfect and complete in ALL the will of God” (Col 4:12) “to be MANIFESTLY declared to be epistles (letters) of Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, and ministered by the Apostles” (2 Cor 3:2,3).
Anything LESS than that would manifestly declare us to be letters of the spirit of ANTICHRIST whose mission is to void Torah (Rom 3:31).
THIS is the scale of attention to detail and conscientiousness, required to be the fully consecrated saints described in Ps 50:5,23 & Mal 3:16-18, two root passages for Matt 22:11-14; Lk 20:35 & Rom 12:1,2; 2 Cor 7:1; Phil 1:9-11 and many others.
Conscientiousness to KNOW Him requires willingness and obedience to submit to and to glory in the fellowship of His sufferings, for our hearts to be tried (as to whether, like Jesus, we’ll learn obedience to the covenant by the things appointed for us to suffer for righteousness – Heb 2:10,11; 5:7-9; 1 Peter 4:1-3) to know the power of His resurrection at work through His faith in us sustaining our endurance and bringing deliverance in due time (Job 23:10; Rom 5:3-5; 2 Cor 1; 12; Phil 3:10-17; 1 Peter 1:2-9; 5:6-12).
The chief fruit of Forgiveness must be the Fear of God (Ps 130:4), which is the BEGINNING of the knowledge of wisdom, or Restoration of original innocence will hang in the balance because we’ll be wavering between the Way of Holiness (Is 35:8), and the broadway to destruction.
So “Let us hear the CONCLUSION of the WHOLE matter,” the matter of who exactly will be most secure on the Day of Jesus (Eccl 12:13; 1 Jn 2:28,29; 3:3,4,7,10).
It will be those who’ll have “SANCTIFIED THEMSELVES” by taking the wisdom of Ecclesiastes’ emphatic final word to heart:
“FEAR God and KEEP His commandments, for THIS is the WHOLE DUTY of man” (Eccl 12:13; Ps 103:17,18).
That is rephrased in Rev 14:6,7,12 as Fear and give glory to Him by worshipping Him [in Spirit AND in truth by keeping the comnandments]
Great effort is spent by the Holy Spirit through John to impress upon us the importance of wholeheartedly yielding to the Spirit, Who is well able to help us meet that otherwise impossible STANDARD OF PURITY (Phil 2:12,13; 1 Jn 3:3,4).
Perhaps the most profound explanation of this holy requirement is found in Jn 6:40 & 1 Jn 3:6
Here, the point that it is impossible to KNOW the Messiah, to LOVE Him, without HAVING and KEEPING His commandments as proof of reverence and Godly Fear, is summed up by the Holy Spirit equating BREAKING THE COVENANT (sin being transgression of God’s Instruction – Rom 3:31) with having NOT SEEN HIM, neither KNOWN HIM” (1 Jn 3:6).
In other words, because it follows that KNOWING Him requires that we closely OBSERVE His life, to know His ways, to ABIDE IN HIM (Jn 15:3-14), 1 Jn 3:6 is an indictment against anyone who spends far too little time in fellowship with the Spirit Who is given to lead us in the Word (which is where we “see” Him acting out Torah to perfection, as our Rôle Model)
Hence,
“And THIS is the will of Him Who sent Me, that everyone who (hears My Word and) SEES the Son, AND believes on Him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise HIM up at the last day” (Jn 5:24; 6:40).
Just as we are to SEE the righteousness of Messiah in order to know Him and act uprightly like Him, our destiny depends upon what He SEES us doing during the full course of our probation (Heb 12)
“Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you with all your household, for you [alone] I have SEEN as righteous DOING what is right) before Me in this generation’:
Like Moses, to whom pre-incarnate Y’shua Who “followed him,” was his “spiritual Rock from which he drank,” we too can “see Him Who is INVISIBLE,” by visualizing His manner of life from the Word, to walk after the Spirit, in the Word, allowing the righteousness of the law to be fulfilled in us, to keep ourselves in Y’shua’s love (Is 63:11-14; Rom 7:22,25 – 8:14; 1 Cor 10:1-4; Heb 11:26,27).
In this way, as Peter puts it, though having not PHYSICALLY seen Him, we can believe, know and love Him with joy unspeakable and full of glory, having met the test of Jn 14:21 & 1 Jn 2:3-6,28,29, to attain the goal of our faith, which is the perfection of our souls (Lk 6:40; 1 Peter 1:8,9)
As we read in Lk 24:44-47, Jesus was still explaining the finer points of “the promise of life” which is in Him as the fulfilment of the promise to the fathers (Acts 13:32-39; 2 Tim 1:1), AFTER His Glorification and return to earth to manifest Himself to those chosen as witnesses, to be sure they knew that to know the “Glad Tidings” of this new life in the Spirit, we shouldn’t hesitate to seek VERIFICATION of revelation knowledge by consulting the Torah, the Psalms and the Prophets.
Peter and Paul knew to do that, as did the “more noble” Bereans in Acts 17:11
Acts 11:14 “Who shall TELL THEE WORDS whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved”
We might be surprised by the combination of Words (from the ‘Old’ and New Covenants) which were probably used by Peter on that occasion.
He would have been acutely aware that the salvation which is of the Jews (Jn 4:22) is prophetically defined as “the sure mercies of David,” connecting it with YHVH’s salt covenant promise to David, of continuity, in perpetuity, of his dynastic monarchy (2 Sam 7:18-29; 2 Chr 13:5; Is 55:1-5; Mk 11:10; Acts 1:6,7 13:32-39).
Paradoxically, the ‘Old’s’ ultimate purpose is to corroborate the New Covenant which is concealed within it (Matt 13:52; Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 3:14-17)
When we’re examined and evaluated for inclusion in the bride, two related criteria will decide the outcome.
Both are based on honouring the ‘terms of separation’ (holy precepts as in Ps 119:45; Lk 16:9,10; Rom 3:31; 1 Cor 7:19; 11:1,2) that distinguish YHVH’s eternal House of Jacob (the dynasty of Abraham and David amongst whom we are grafted in as seed of Abraham – Lk 1:32,33; Rom 11; Gal 3:29) and His Holy covenants, from every human organization and form of manmade legislation (Deut 4:5-8; Rom 3:31):
- Works of righteousness (being righteous at all times – Ps 106:3) worthy of repentance (Acts 10:35; 26:18,20)
- Fruit of righteousness unto holiness, to lay hold on eternal life (Rom 6:12-22)
As a wise commentator, a Rabbi Jacob (wise to New Covenant truth in the Hebrew Scriptures), noted long ago:
“This world is like an antechamber before the World to come. Prepare yourself in the antechamber, so that you may enter the Banqueting Hall”
The best prepared, to be acknowledged as wise virgins (Matt 25:10-12; 2 Cor 5:9-11; Rev 19:7-9), will be those whose gratefulness for the FORGIVENESS of their history of Ungodliness (Rom 3:25) has instilled a mature love for God refined by the Fear of God which makes Him a true Sanctuary in all the seasons of life, and His Spirit, most welcome to sanctify them through the righteousness of the commandments (Ps 130:4; Is 8:13,14,16,20; 28:9-13; Jn 17:17,19; 2 Thess 2:13,14)
