The
second aspect of the reformation not only brought about the real sweet-smelling
which satisfies the will of the Father but it also brought about a reformation
in those on whose behalf the offering for a sweet-smelling aroma is offered.
Before
the reformation humanity was regarded as, “having their understanding darkened,
being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them,
because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18).
But
since the reformation, we have received the consolation which states; “For it
pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to
reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in
heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.’
“And
you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now
He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy,
and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:19-22).
So
through the reformation the will of the Father is once and for all fulfilled
but did not annul or made redundant the specific times ordained to present to
the Lord the food for His offerings for this is what the Lord spoke to Moses
saying:
“Command
the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings
made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at
their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).
The
reformation here involves what now constitutes the sweet aroma and the
relationship between the Father and those on whose behalf the offering is made.
It has in no way affected the appointed times and the rationale for which the offering
is made.
And
so, instead of a burnt offering comprising of the fat and blood of bulls and
goats as a sweet smelling aroma we now have with the reformation Jesus Christ
who loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).
Now
the rationale for offering the Lord the food for His offerings, His
sweet-smelling aroma remains the same but no longer under strict command but
rather voluntarily and out of love.
For
this is what the apostle Paul wrote saying; “Who are you to judge another's
servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to
stand, for God is able to make him stand.’
“One
person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each
be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the
Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it”
(Romans 14:4-6).
We
are all responsible to God and will have to give an account of ourselves to
Him: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one
may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether
good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
My
duty is only to clarify the appointed time and the rationale for offering the
Lord the food for His offerings.
And
so the appointed time and the rationale for offering the Lord the food for His
offerings are as follows:
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