after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven . We must by faith enter within the veil , " whither the forerunner is for us entered ." Hebrews 6:20 . There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected . There we may gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption . The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven ; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God . Jesus has opened the way to the Father ' s throne , and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God .
" He that covereth his sins shall not prosper : but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy ." Proverbs 28:13 . If those who hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them , how he taunts Christ and holy angels with their course , they would make haste to confess their sins and to put them away . Through defects in the character , Satan works to gain control of the whole mind , and he knows that if these defects are cherished , he will succeed . Therefore he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome . But Jesus pleads in their behalf His wounded hands , His bruised body ; and He declares to all who would follow Him : " My grace is sufficient for thee ." 2 Corinthians 12:9 . " Take My yoke upon you , and learn of Me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls . For My yoke is easy , and My burden is light ." Matthew 11:29 , 30 . Let none , then , regard their defects as incurable . God will give faith and grace to overcome them .
We are now living in the great day of atonement . In the typical service , while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel , all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord , lest they be cut off from among the people . In like manner , all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now , in the few remaining days of their probation , afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance . There must be deep , faithful searching of heart . The light , frivolous spirit indulged by so many professed Christians must be put away . There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery . The work of preparation is an individual work . We are not saved in groups . The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another . Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God , yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth . Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing .
Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement . Momentous are the interests involved therein . The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above . For
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