Vol. 37, No. 3 March, 2013

THE UNIQUENESS OF CHRIST
By Dr. George Mills

“For God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
God gave His “ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.” Only Begotten means ONE OF A KIND. It means “UNIQUE.” There has never been another one like Him, and there will never be another. ONE OF A KIND.” The incarnate Christ was not like Adam before Adam sinned. Christ was not like Adam after Adam sinned. Christ was not like any other man. He was not like an angel, or an archangel. He was ONE OF A KIND. He was unique.

This message was born a few years ago because of an article written by a man who believed that the blood of Jesus Christ was just human blood and not Divine. Of course I do not believe that, no, not for a moment. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he,hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28). He (God) purchased with His, (God’s) own blood. As I read the above mentioned article I said to myself, “This is the teaching of a popular radio preacher in California. That particular preacher believes and teaches that there is no efficacy in the Blood of Jesus, that it was Christ’s death, and NOT His blood that saves. He says that “blood” is symbolic of his dying. The writer went on to state that he was a fundamentalist. Of course, he is not!. A fundamentalist does not have to refer to some “Greek” or “Hebrew” we take the Bible literally. We believe that the Bible is the Infallible, Inerrant, preserved, Word of God. If anybody’s Bible is faulty, then you have a problem. I certainly do not know of any of the ‘ORIGINALS’ that men are referring to today. Many of the old fundamental schools of the faith have taken this route. If you search enough you will find a Doctor, or Professor who will agree with anything you are searching for. The writer of the mentioned article seemed to be trying to make the following points.

(A). The Blood of Christ was human and not Divine,

(B). When Jesus died on the cross, nothing further is essential for salvation

(C Jesus did not ascend into Heaven with His blood.

Now, let me share with you some of the UNIQUENESS OF CHRIST, and while doing so, answer some of these things mentioned.

1. HIS BEGINNING WAS UNIQUE. There has never been another like Him and there never will be another.
There are two “beginnings” in the Bible (KJB) in reference to Christ.

(A).“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1) According to John
1:1-3, v10, and Heb. 1:1-3, that Great Creator was Christ. The “beginning” in these texts might
have the slightest possibility of being dated. I know not how, but there might be, within the realm of possibilities, some way to put a date on Genesis 1;1. You see, there was a time when when this earth was not here. God came here and with His wisdom and power created this world by His spoken word. When, or how long ago, I cannot guess, nor can anyone, but still, within the realm of possibility, Genesis 1:1 may be dated.
I know of another “Beginning” that is not within the realm of possibility of ever being dated…

(B) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the word was God.” The writers of the New World translation had to write their new bible just to insert the letter “a” between ‘was’ and ‘god’ , (was A god), in order to get around the eternality of Christ. All of the computers of all the world working 24 hours a day, tabulating hours, days,weeks, and years until time is no more, cannot come up with a date of this beginning. That’s the UNIQUENESS OF CHRIST. He always was, always has been, and always will be. UNIQUE IN HIS BEGINNING.

2. HIS BIRTH WAS UNIQUE.
Infidelity has attacked His birth since the night the Heavenly Choir sang, “Glory to God in the Highest. As I have stated, He did not have His beginning in the manger some 2,000 years ago. The Bible (KJB) says; Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign, behold a VIRGIN shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name immanuel.” “God with us.” The Great God of the Eternal ages came down to a Virgin’s womb, to be born among men. “But thou, Bethlehem-Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2). His birth caused the heavens to be out of order. His Birth brought Heavenly visitors. His Birth upset kingdoms.. His Birth upset the forces of the darkness of this world. His BIRTH…UNIQUE…ONE OF A KIND!

3. HIS BODY WAS UNIQUE. One of a kind. His Body housed the Perfect God. His Body housed the Perfect man. Both in one person. There never was, there never will be another like it. “Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith, sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not BUT A BODY THOU HAST PREPARED ME.” (Heb. 10:5) “By the which we are sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10).

His Human Nature Was Unique. He was Perfect Man. His nature was perfect. He could not have sinned. There was nothing in Him, or no place in Him for sin to enter. Satan tried everything he had, (Mt. 4:1-11) and found no weakness. This in no way dehumanizes Christ. He was perfect man, with all human senses. He could see, hear, taste, speak,and feel, but he could NOT sin. He had no fallen nature. Check the Scriptures. Can you find another body like the body in Hebrews 10:5; “A body hast thou prepared me.” Has there ever been another body transfigured like the body of Christ? (Mt. 17:1-8). Some in the “Word Of Faith” movement say that since you are saved you are as much “God” as Christ was God. This is NOT so! Christ alone possessed the completeness, the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

His Divine Nature was unique. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” “Great is the mystery of Godliness, God was manifest in the flesh..” UNIQUE…ONE OF A KIND.

CHRIST’S BODY WAS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS THE ONLY BODY TO HOUSE THE FULLNESS, THE COMPLETENESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.” (Isa 11:1-2). There you have the seven-fold fullness of the Spirit of God housed in the Body of Christ. UNIQUE!, “It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.” (Col. 1:19).

4. HIS BLOOD WAS UNIQUE.
There never has been, there never will be blood like His blood! He was conceived of the Holy Ghost. Everything He needed for the God-Man was in that seed of conception. Now, don’t run for your “Greek” or “Hebrew” text when I quote this verse. The Bible is either true, or it is not. It cannot be both.. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock of God over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he, (God) hath purchased with His (God’s) own blood.” (Acts 20:28). His Blood is PRECIOUS BLOOD. “Forasmuch as ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. But with the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1Pet. 1:18-19). Silver and gold will perish. But the BLOOD OF CHRIST is incorruptible. Long after silver and gold have perished and vanished into nothing, the BLOOD OF CHRIST will still be incorruptible.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS BECAUSE OF WHOSE IT IS.
It is God’s own Blood! “But, but, but, God doesn’t have a body, He is a Spirit.” But for a while He did! “But God doesn’t have Blood.” But for awhile He did! “But God can’t die.” But one day He did! But because of who He is, He arose from the dead. His is HOLY BLOOD “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall be though worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an UNHOLY THING, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace.” (Heb. 10:29). An Unholy thing? A common thing? Don’t count the Blood of Christ as “common.” It was not.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS BECAUSE OF WHERE IT IS.
His Blood was not left on the street for man to walk through. His blood was not left for worms to eat. Please read all of Hebrews, Ch. 9. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves but BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE entered ONCE into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb. 9:12). Notice that He did NOT say, “By WAY of His Blood.” He said, “BY HIS BLOOD” He entered the Holy Place. In the earthly tabernacle, God was not satisfied until the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat. That Old Testament Mercy Seat was but a SHADOW of the real one in Heaven. Between his death and resurrection, Christ entered the Heavenly Holy of Holies with HIS OWN BLOOD, and there applied His Blood upon the Heavenly Mercy Seat , and God was satisfied and our Eternal Redemption was complete. Christ was raised from the dead to become our Eternal High Priest!

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS BECAUSE OF WHAT IT DOES.
One writer said of the Blood of Christ; “Apart from Jesus’ death, the shed blood has no power.”
NO POWER?…

In His Blood we have REDEMPTON. The Bible (KJB) says, “In whom we have REDEMPTION through His Blood, the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace.” (Col. 1:14). Of course, the new ‘versions in pulpits today leave out “THROUGH HIS BLOOD”(N.A.S.V.) My how the devil hates the Blood of Christ.

In His Blood we have PROPITIATION. “God hath set forth to be a PROPITIATION through faith in His Blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are passed..” (Ro. 3:25)(1John 2:2). PROPITIATION meaning that the wrath of God against sin has been satisfied in the finished work of Christ.

In His Blood we have JUSTIFICATION. “Much more then being justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Ro. 5:9).
Justification meaning “to be declared “Just.” Just as if I’d never sinned.

In His Blood we have REMISSION. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Heb 9:22). Remission meaning, pardon, forgiveness.

In His Blood we have RECONCILIATION. “And having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, by Him to RECONCILE all things unto himself by Him I say, whether they be things in earth or things in Heaven.” (Col. 1:20) because of the fall of man all things between God and man were lost. Christ, through His work of redemption bought all things back, and restored all things. A restoration between God and man because of the Shed Blood of Christ.

In His Blood we have SANCTIFICATION. “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own Blood, suffered without the gate.” (Heb 13:12). Sanctify meaning to purify, to cleanse. To make holy. Did I hear someone say that the shed blood has no power? How ridiculous!

In His Blood we have COMMUNION. “But now in Christ ye who were sometimes afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:13).
Before we met Christ we were “afar off,” and away from God. In Christ we have perfect Communion with the Father in Heaven. Christ’s Blood brought us to God.

“Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own Blood. (Rev. 1:5).

In every passage I have mentioned, and so many more, the Blood is literal, and NOT figurative..

5. HIS BRIDE IS UNIQUE.
His Bride believed a unique MESSAGE. That message is about the sinless life of Christ, His atoning work on the Cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection from the dead, all in full payment for sin. (1Cor 15:1-5).

His Bride was saved by a unique METHOD. That method is By Grace, through Faith alone. “For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of yourselves, it is the Gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9).
His Bride is secure by a unique MANDATE. A “formal order” that “His Bride is kept by the Power of God, and Ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Pet. 1:5).

Before I close this I must mention just a couple of other things.
Concerning the Blood of Christ one writer stated that “when Jesus died on the the cross, nothing further is essential for our salvation. Would that writer be so gullible as to overlook the Glorious Resurrection of Christ? If Christ is not risen from the dead, then all of the pain of Calvary, all of his shed Blood is in vain. But, Hallelujah! He Lives!

Do I plead the Blood? You bet I do! Every day of my life I run to that refuge, “If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from all sin.”(1Jn. 1:9).

Do not dishonor the Blood of Christ! It is Holy, and not common. (Heb. 10:29). It is incorruptible, (1Pet. 1:18-19. The Blood of Christ is on the Heavenly Mercy Seat, far beyond the reach of man or satanic forces. There for our eternal Redemption.

And you, my dear friend, have you, by Faith alone, trusted in the finished work of Christ? He lived for you, he died for you, He lives for you now, and He loves you! You must receive Him into your heart and life. He will never come in unbidden by you. He will come into your life and make life worth living. You can begin TODAY to Live FOREVER! “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His Name.” (Jn 1:12).

Oh how I praise God for the Uniqueness, the one of a kind Saviour, our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.

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FROM MY HEART
By Mildred Mills
IS IT REALLY THE FLU?

We are right in the middle of Flu season and what a terrible illness to have. Seems like folks never get over it and have severe complications from this dreaded sickness. I would like to share with you the following article that was printed 60 years ago in the Baptist Bible Tribune. And is just as up to date and true today as it was back then…
Flu and the Sundayitis
“We have noticed that in some cases this flu has been lapsing into the dreaded disease called Sundayitis. Sundayitis is a disease that affects mainly the spiritually undernourished Christian. It’s symptoms are much the same in each case. The first attack almost always comes on Sunday mornings when a person thinks about getting up and going to Bible School, at this time. Sundayitis strikes it’s dreaded blow, and the thought comes, “I’ve worked so hard all week and besides that I’ve had a touch of the flu and beside that Sunday is the only day that I can rest and I need the rest.” At this point the said afflicted person usually makes one healthy turn in bed and back to sleep they go, while at the Church a faithful few struggle to keep the Church doors open, make it grow a little, pay the bills, so the Church will still be there for the afflicted persons to enjoy after they recover (if they do) from Sundayitis. About nine or ten o’clock when it’s too late to get ready for Bible School or Church, Sundayitis usually recedes and the afflicted person eats a hearty breakfast, goes to Aunt Susie’s for dinner, a drive in the country in the afternoon, or some other sport. Then about seven in the evening just before Church, another attack will most surely come to the afflicted person, the only known self-prescribed remedy is a quiet evening at home or at the neighbors. After Church the patient can enjoy a restful night and will not suffer any more attacks until the following Sunday.”
(copied)
We might get the Flu, but Sundayitis is one complication we will not have if our hearts are right with God. “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psa. 122:1). To be in God’s House with those that love Him and to sing praises to Him and hear His Word being preached should bring joy, sweet peace, and happiness to us if we are truly His Children.
See You Sunday!

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“Brethren, pray for us”

Every day this Ministry reaches into thousands of lives both here in our homeland and in foreign lands. We ask that everyone pray for us, that we may be faithful to our Lord and faithful to His Word. Thank you for your prayers and support…

WILDERNESS Monthly Publication.

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WILDERNESS Prisons Ministry.

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“Brethren, Pray for us.”

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THINK ABOUT IT…
Blood that can do all of the things and so much more, as stated in this edition, MUST be Unique, different, and unusual. INDEED IT IS!

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THINK ABOUT IT… “Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy Blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev. 5:9). Not plus or minus, but ONLY by His Blood.

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TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
By Ashley Stevens

PEACE FROM THE LORD

Are you struggling in your life right now? Are you searching for peace? Peace from the Lord is a treasure from Heaven. The Lord purchased this peace for you and I through the Blood He shed on Calvary. You are able to receive this gift by just simply trusting God as your Lord and Saviour. Then, through the midst of life’s storms, you will have peace beyond understanding and full of glory. Not the peace this world has to offer, but sweet peace of knowing that whatever trials and tribulations you experience, He will see you through. The Lord’s peace is like a bright and golden sunlight shining on you, regardless of the storms that rage around you. When you are blessed with days of continuous sunshine, the darkness of your surroundings will grow dimmer. However, on days that may be darker, the Lord’s peace stands out in your circumstances. We can see these days as opportunities for His light to shine in us. The Lord is teaching us each day to practice peace so that we are able to overpower darkness. Never grow weary and lose heart. Continue to thank God when things aren’t going your way because spiritual blessings can come wrapped up in trials and tribulations. Rejoice in the face of hardship, for the Lord has overcome the world. Don’t mistake God’s patience for His absence. His timing is perfect, and His presence is constant. He is always with you even through the storms.

Until next time, may God bless you each and every day.
Ashley Stevens

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MANNA
Your letters, e-mails and calls about the work of this Ministry, every offering we receive, every nice thing you have to say and do for this Work of Faith and Labor of Love mean more than you will ever know. I believe this Ministry is worthy of your prayers and support, THANK YOU!

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THE THREE MERCY SEATS
By Pastor George Mills

“Now Preacher.” you may say. “I know there is a Mercy Seat in the Old Testament. It was part of the Tabernacle Furnishings, but I am not aware of Three Mercy seats.”If you will follow me I believe that I can show you Three Mercy Seats. Take a few moments and read the Scriptures that I will refer to. We do not have room to print everything.

The Old Testament Mercy seat is in Exodus 25:17-22.

The New Testament Mercy Seat is in John 20:11-12.
The Eternal Mercy seat is in Hebrews 9:111-14.

1. THE OLD TESTAMENT MERCY SEAT.
Exodus 25:17-22. This section of the Scriptures is the giving of the Law of God. God is making a way of approach for sinful man. This was all of God and not the works of man. God gave the dimensions of the Tabernacle, the Brazen Alter, the Table of Shewbread,, the Golden candlestick, the Veil and the Ark. When opened, the lid of the Ark formed the Mercy seat. The Most Holy Place was behind the Veil at the Mercy Seat. The High Priest, once a year, on the day of Atonement took the blood of a sacrificial animal and went behind the Veil and there, on the Mercy seat, he sprinkled the blood. That blood did nothing to take away sin, it only covered sin until the next day of Atonement. God said, “And there will I meet with thee, and will commune with thee from above the Mercy Seat.” Let’s see a few things about the Old Testament Mercy Seat.

IT WAS MADE OF WOOD. Wood speaks of the Humanity of Christ. God became man and dwelt among us in Christ.

IT WAS COVERED WITH GOLD. Gold speaks of the Deity of Christ, reminding us that Christ was both Human and Divine.

THERE WAS LIMITED ACCESS THERE. Only the High Priest dare to enter there, once a year. The common people had to go to God through the priesthood.

INSIDE THE ARK THERE WERE TABLES OF THE LAW, the Pot of Manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded. The Law pointed to Christ, the Living Word, The Manna pictures Christ, the living Bread, and the Rod pictured Christ, the resurrected, Living Lord.

ON THE LID OF THE ARK THERE WERE TWO CHERIBIM. They were made of gold. They were positioned facing each other. Their wings stretched over them and the tips of their wings touched over the center of the Mercy Seat.
I see this scene repeated at the New testament Mercy seat.

THE MERCY SEAT WAS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE GOD WOULD MEET WITH MAN. Man has to come to God on God’s terms. “And there will I meet with thee.” This Mercy Seat was Temporal. It pointed to a Greater Mercy Seat.

2. THE NEW TESTAMENT MERCY SEAT.

The scene changes. No longer do we view the Tabernacle. Here before us now is an empty tomb. (John 20:11-12) “But Mary stood without the sepulcher weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the sepulcher. And seeing TWO ANGELS in white sitting, one at the head, and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain.”

THE TOMB WAS OPEN. Just as the Ark in the old testament was open.

TWO ANGELS WERE THERE. Just as with the Old testament Mercy seat, two Angels were positioned in the same manner. Now, unlike the Old testament Mercy seat, this Tomb is empty. There are no tables of Law For Christ is the Living Word. There was no Pot of Manna, for Christ is the Living Bread. There is no Rod that budded, for Christ is the Living Lord.

This Tomb, This Mercy Seat is the ONLY PLACE where God will meet with man. Man has his own thoughts and ideas about how and when he will meet with God, but God has appointed that meeting place. “There will I meet with you.” “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD thou shalt be saved.(Ro. 10:9). God will meet you there, at the empty tomb. You may believe all there is about Christ, His Eternality, His Incarnation, Virgin Birth, Sinless Life, His death on the Cross, but you MUST believe the message of the Empty tomb. That’s God’s Mercy Seat. The only place where you can meet Him. This Mercy seat is for sinners to find Eternal Life in the One who died, paid the sin debt, and lives to set men free.

3. THE ETERNAL MERCY SEAT. Hebrews 9:11-13. Especially verse 12. “By His own Blood He entered once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us. Christ entered the Holy Place in Heaven with His own Blood. He literally placed His own Blood on that Heavenly Mercy seat, far beyond the reach of any mortal. Today you will find Him faithfully at the Eternal Mercy Seat. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need. This Mercy Seat is for the Saints of God, there for us to find the help we need as we take our petitions to Him, “who ever liveth to make intercession for us.”
The Old was Temporal, the New is Eternal. The Old was limited. The New is limited only by our lack of Faith and trust in Him who has been our help in all generations.

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian. The best friend you have may let you down, or disappoint you. But you can find that unfailing Friend, there, AT THE MERCY SEAT.

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THINK ABOUT IT…God said it, I believed it. It was settled whether I believed it or not.

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THE MERCY SEAT
By Pastor George mills
“Let us therefore come boldly before the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16).

There is a place where we can meet,

Beyond all worldly care,
A place that’s called the Mercy seat,
We meet our Saviour there.

I cannot work and win my way,
And then the Saviour meet,
But freely meet Him day by day,
There at the Mercy Seat.

I cannot give my worldly fare,
And buy the Saviour’s meet,
But by His Grace, I meet him there,
There at the Mercy seat.

Upon the Mercy Seat above,
The Blood was sprinkled there,
Salvation sealed by God’s great love,
There, in Heaven fair,

To boldly come before His Throne,
For Grace to help in my need,
To share my desire with Him alone,
As He listens to my heart’s plead.

Beyond the powers of the air,
There, our Saviour we meet,
Secure because the Blood is there,
There on the Mercy Seat.