The covering of the brazen altar was a purple cloth, the royal color. If we suffer, we shall reign. There is a connection between the cross and the crown, upon the earth and in heaven. Thus it was with Christ, the King of the Jews, according to the superscription written on the cross, and the very throne of God was the answer to His sufferings, inasmuch as He was the burnt offering. From this point of view, the comparison of Psalm 19; 20, 21 and 23 is most interesting. Psalm 19 contains testimonies of the creation and the law. Psalm 20 presents Messiah suffering, but externally, so that man can take an interest in Him. Psalm 21 shows Messiah exalted and, as a consequence, vengeance striking at His enemies who had rejected Him. Psalm 22 presents His sufferings as forsaken by God Himself. This is the expression of Christ alone. In Psalm 20 and 21 the Jewish remnant were speaking of His outward sufferings. There is no vengeance in connection with those sufferings (Psalm 22) consequent on His being forsaken of God, for it was expiation. There is nothing but blessing which the mouth of the Savior announces, and to which He Himself responded by praising in the midst of His saints. This blessing will extend to the ends of the earth during the Millennium.