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and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John xiv. 1–3.)

Mark, this was an entirely new revelation. What a contrast to all the terrestrial promises which had been given to Abraham, and to his seed; whether in Moses, the Psalms, or the prophets. Yes, it was the night of Thy dark betrayal, when Thou, blessed Lord, didst reveal to us this celestial destiny and glory. Now is there anything in these precious words like judgment in flaming fire? He does not say, I will send the angels for you. No, I will come myself; I will come again, and receive you unto myself. Amazing grace to such hell-deserving sinners, now made one with Himself, the objects of his affections, of His love, of His delight. Oh how He felt the parting. But such is His delight in His saints, He must have them with Himself. What would heaven even be to Jesus without His redeemed ones? And can we not say, what would heaven be to us without Him, who loved us and gave Himself for us? Every word in these precious promises is so new, so full, and so certain. It is not the Judge speaking of coming in judgment; but the bridegroom breathing into the ears of the bride, the promise of His return in love.

But perhaps you may ask, Did not the Lord refer to death, when He thus spoke of His coming for us? We will enquire.

SHORT PAPERS ON THE OFFERINGS.

THE

CONSECRATION OF THE SONS OF

AARON.

THAT there is much precious teaching, real food for the soul, in the typical teaching of the offerings, no Christian can doubt, yet in no part of scripture do we need more humble dependence on the Holy Ghost. Serious mistakes may be made by pressing one aspect of their teaching; mistakes that may tend to destroy the very characteristics of Christianity, instead of helping us to understand the varied perfections of Christ, and our peculiar identification with Him. Now whilst the atonement of Christ is the alone ground of reconciliation to God, whether of Israel or the Church; yet it would be a grave mistake to seek to deduce from this, or any other type, that the standing of an Israelite before the death and resurrection of Christ, and the standing of a Christian since, is the same?

We shall understand the teaching of the lessons of the day of atonement better, if we first meditate on the consecration of "Aaron and his sons." (Ex. xxix.) If we read Hebrews ii. 10-13, we need have no question that Aaron and his sons then, typify Christ and his brethren now. We see Him crowned with glory, and bringing many sons to glory. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified, are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them

brethren," &c. This was the substance of the glad tidings sent by Mary to His disciples, on the very morn of His resurrection. Now with the New Testament certainty, that we are brought by His resurrection into the same standing and relationship to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us now seek to drink in the teaching of the type of consecration.

Now notice at the end of Exodus xxviii. 40, that garments for glory and beauty, were to be made for both Aaron and his sons. In verse 41 they were to be put on both Aaron and his sons: "And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother . . . . and his sons WITH HIM." Now, as we shall find throughout the types, Aaron and his sons typify Christ and His brethren, or the church. And the people typify the nation of Israel, whether before the church or after. Is there not wonderful grace shewn to the church? May our hearts bow in worship. Is this how God sees us one with His Son, clothed in the same glory and beauty? to Aaron and his sons. not put upon the people. them." Thus we are anointed with Christ. The same Holy Spirit that was upon Him, the holy One, is now on us as one with Him. "All of one.” Thus these sons were consecrated and sanctified with Aaron, and thus are we consecrated with Christ.

Mark, this is peculiar These garments were "And thou shalt anoint

They were brought into the same standing as Aaron; we are brought into the same standing as Christ. Oh, how precious the lessons of the offerings. Never do we find the people brought into the same standing. What distinct pictures of the Christian's peculiar privileges. Not one of the people share these privileges. No doubt many things are common to both Christians and to Israel. In each case there must be the new birth, there must be the same one offering of Christ fulfilling all the types of the law. Still there is throughout this chapter (xxix.) identification between Aaron and his sons. In verse 4 Aaron and his sons are brought to the door of the tabernacle. "And shalt wash them with water." It is a wonderful thing for us to be, as to the new nature, pure and holy. To have a nature that delights in God, and to do His will, even as Christ the holy One, delighted to do His will. "Which thing is true in him and in you." (1 John ii. 8.) This is wonderful association with Christ. Aaron is then to be clothed first. (Vers. 5, 6.) Then he is anointed. And afterwards his sons were to be clothed and consecrated. It was not until Christ arose from the dead that the disciples could be in the new creation, and the Holy Ghost descend on them, consequent on His ascension and glory. Gladly our hearts soar to Thee, Thou pre-eminent, blessed Lord. But oh, let us not doubt the place of glory into which we

are brought, one with our Aaron, the risen Christ.

"Thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons." And thus Christ and we are consecrated worshiping priests. Oh, wondrous grace, one with our Aaron passed into the heavens.

By what means then are we brought into this identification with Christ one with Him, clothed with glory and beauty? The offerings will help as to that all important question.

First, the sin-offering of verses 10-14. "And Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock." No doubt it is the same sin-offering that will be the ground or means by which Israel will be brought into their standing. (Isa. liii., liv.) The same sinoffering by which we are brought to God, in our standing. But this is far from saying the standing of Israel and the church is the same. The solemn lesson here is this, that as Aaron and his sons were perfectly identified by the laying on of hands, so the holy One had to become perfectly identified with us, made sin for us. He must on the cross become one with us, bearing our sin, in order that we might be one with Him in all the sweet savour of His Person and offering to God. Mark well now in this lesson of consecration, the identification is complete in both, in all the cases. The hands of Aaron and his sons were laid on the bullock, the sin-offering. And Aaron and

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