Our Redemption involves the Father AND the Son!

Thankyou to Adrian for submitting the article'The gift of the Cross-What's the attraction?'

This week's Sabbath School lesson is the 1st. under the lovely name'Garments of Grace' This lesson refers to  Christ's  sacrifice and now sitting at the right hand of God. So, Adrian's article came just at the right time, as I have to take the lesson! This is a wonderful opportunity to let folk consider the pain of separation between the Father and His only begotten Son.

I checked out the word redemption in the index of the book Desire of Ages....and found on pages 833-834 (mine is an old book) this incredible description of Christ's return to His Heavenly Home and to His Father. As you read this, you need to play  the  anthem," Lift up Your Heads--Who is this King of Glory' from Handel's oratorio,  The Messiah.

The first scene shows the escorting angels singing, as they draw near to the city of God. "Who is this King of Glory?"

The second band of angels answer,"The Lord strong and mighty

The Lord mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads oh ye gates:

Even lift them up ye everlasting doors:

And the King of Glory shall come in"

Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.

There is the throne, and around is the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of angel hosts, and the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds are assembled.--------all  are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.

But He waves them back. Not yet:------He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet: He lifts His hands, bearing the print of the nails.He points to the tokens of His triumph:------------He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents---Before the foundations of the earth were laid:the Father and Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race----------------

The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied.Satan is vanquished. Christ's toiling ones on earth are 'accepted in the Beloved.'The Father's arms encircle the Son, and the word is given,"Let all the angels of God worship Him"

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom and strength and honour, and glory and blessing"-----there comes back to us on earth the echo of Christ's own wonderful words,

"I ascend to my Father and your Father: and to My God , and your God."

The family of Heaven and the family of earth are one.--"Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He  EVER liveth to make intercession for them"

PS. Don't forget to play that music while you are reading this heh.