Treasures for the Soul

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Spirits of the Righteous Made Perfect.” 

Hebrews 12 mentions about the spirits of the righteous made perfect in the heavenly Jerusalem. They are the ones who believed and trusted in God in the Old Testament time. Since the Lord had not yet come to die on the cross at that time, they were not yet perfected. But when the Lord came and offered the sacrifice for all time, they could then be made perfect. When the Lord came, He also brought them to heaven together with Him. This made it even more perfect. As for us, as soon as we believe in the Lord, we are perfected for all time. Even if we were to depart from this earth, we would be with the Lord, which is far better. What’s most important is that we need to draw near to God again and again, as mentioned repeatedly in the Book of Hebrews .

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Heavenly Jerusalem is paradise (2).” 

2 Corinthians 12 mentions that paradise is in the third heaven. And Revelation chapters 2 and 22 tell us that in paradise, there are trees of life and their fruit. The word “paradise” is another description for New Jerusalem. It’s so precious that this paradise, New Jerusalem, is a “garden city”, far more beautiful than the garden of Eden. New Jerusalem is also personally managed and built by God, being full of His considerations and design. This is our better home.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Heavenly Jerusalem is paradise (1).” 

In Luke chapter 23, the Lord said to the criminal, “...today you will be with me in paradise.” This is the first mention of “paradise” in the Bible. It’s very fitting this was spoken by the Lord. People in the Old Testament time believed the Lord would come and redeem them from their sins; therefore, they offered sacrifices in order to be saved. It’s so precious that the Lord became a Man and died for us. Hebrews 9 says that He redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. The Lord also personally went to Hades, which was turned into “paradise” by His presence being there. What’s even more precious is that He has taken all the Old Testament saints up to heaven, greatly lifting them up.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “Live out the life of a priest.” Priestly service is not only outward work. Romans chapter 12 talks about spiritual worship (or rational service), which also includes presenting our ourselves. In Acts chapter 13, ministering to the Lord and fasting are related to prayers. Hebrews chapter 13 writes about offering up a sacrifice of praise to God, and to do good as sacrifices pleasing to God. First, it is to be close to God and to know Him. In Hosea chapter 4, priests were destroyed if they lacked knowledge. Therefore, we need to read God’s word diligently, listen to messages often, and help brothers and sisters to know God deeply. The Lord is coming soon. I hope that all of us live out the life of the firstborn in this generation, including drawing close to God and leading the life of a priest.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Precedents of Priests in the Bible (2).” 

Revelation chapter 1 tells us that the Lord loves us and made us priests. In addition to chapter 1, chapters 5 and 20 also talk about our priesthood. Not only are we priests today, we will also be priests in the Millennium and in eternity. We will be kings with the Lord. 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 9 calls us a royal priesthood, similar to the Lord who is a king and a priest at the same time. It’s very precious. We were once sinners far away from God. Now He has greatly elevated us. He made us priests that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Precedents of Priests in the Bible (1).” 

The scriptures cover the lives of priests and their duties in great detail. For example, Exodus and Leviticus talk about tabernacle, offerings and festivals. These are all related to the priests. Before the laws were decreed, the head of a household, some famous examples being Job, Abel, Noah and Abraham, would make offerings to God. All these remind us to set God as our centre. Revelation 1:5-6 states that because of His love for us, the Lord made us priests to God, being closest to Him and deeply enjoying Him.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “Priesthood: One of the Blessings of the Firstborn.” 

Exodus 19:1-6 tells us that God’s original plan was to call the people of Israel to become a kingdom of priests. Because of their sins however, only the Levites were given the opportunity to become priests. Priesthood is one of the blessings of the firstborn. In this current age, all of us have become priests. God’s purpose is for us to draw near to Him, enjoy Him, experience Him, worship Him and be closest to Him. Therefore, we should be people who draw near to Him, and help others to do the same.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Father made the Lord the high priest.” 

What God gives us shows His love. What happened among the Trinity God was truly amazing! Psalm 110 says that the Father has sworn and will not change His mind to make the Lord our high priest forever. On one hand, it shows the Father’s determination to send the Lord to be a man and die for us. On the other hand, it shows the Lord’s eagerness to be our high priest. In the Gospel according to John, many times the Lord Jesus declared that He was sent by the Father, and without reluctance, He came. This action shows how great the Lord’s desire is towards us! We should really come to Him with confidence.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Heavenly Jerusalem, destination of our spirits and eternity (2).”

New Jerusalem is the destination of our life journey, the eternal resting place of God, and our sweet home. New Jerusalem is also the destination of our spirits because it has the presence of the Father, the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It’s the most precious and the best. So precious that the Lord will surely come to receive us, and we shall meet Him in the clouds. It shows how He longs to see us! In eternity, we will deeply enjoy Him and love Him even more.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “The Heavenly Jerusalem, destination of our spirits and eternity (1).”

It is so precious that God’s will is the meaning of our lives. We can also cowork with the Lord. The last two chapters of Revelation talks about New Jerusalem. New Jerusalem is our destination. But there is no end to her glory. Through eternity, it will even continue to increase in glory. We’ll be brought to heaven. We will partake in the wedding feast of the Lamb, enter the Millennial Kingdom and then usher in the eternal stage of the new heaven and new earth. Our Father’s business will grow unceasingly. In His plan, we are the most blessed one.