Bible Study Guides – “To Enter the Holy Place by the Blood of Jesus”

November 25, 2000 – December 1, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22.

STUDY HELP: Acts of the Apostles, 51, 52.

Introduction

“…through divine grace, supernatural power is imparted to the man, and works in mind and heart and character. It is through the impartation of the grace of Christ that sin is discerned in its hateful nature, and finally driven from the soul temple. It is through grace that we are brought into fellowship with Christ, to be associated with Him in the work of salvation.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 366.

“I Am the Door”

  1. What are we told about the ‘Way’ whereby sinful man can come into the presence of God? John 14:6. (Compare Hebrews 10:20; Exodus 26:36.)

NOTE: Remember the symbolism of the colors of the veils studied in Lesson 4.

“The humanity of the Son of God is everything to us. It is the golden chain that binds our souls to Christ, and through Christ to God. This is to be our study. Christ was a real man; He gave proof of His humility in becoming a man. Yet He was God in the flesh. When we approach this subject, we would do well to heed the words spoken by Christ to Moses at the burning bush, ‘Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground’ (Exodus 3:5). We should come to this study with the humility of a learner, with a contrite heart. And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 244.

  1. What experience is necessary in order to enter the Holy Place? Hebrews 10:22. (Compare Psalms 24:3–5.)

NOTE: “How few realize how solemn a thing it is to approach the throne of God. Angels bow before that throne with veiled faces, yet men who are stained by sin rush heedlessly into the divine presence. Let us remember that the holy angels approach the throne of God in reverence and holy fear. It is because men do not know God or Jesus Christ whom He has sent, that they take improper attitudes and utter improper words in their petitions. Instead of coming in contrition before God, men come without reverence in the family circle and in the congregation of the people. How many come to the season of prayer full of self-importance, and their prayers sound more as if they thought they must give the Lord information, than as if they expected to receive something from His hand. They do not approach God as humble suppliants, realizing that they are dependent upon Him for life and health, for food and clothing, and for every temporal and spiritual blessing. They misinterpret the apostle’s words when he tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace. Many come into the presence of God without reverence or humility, acting more like bold, forward children than like meek and lowly followers of Christ. This is not the manner of boldness that the Scriptures advocate. The boldness that is here pointed out, is that which is born of faith in the word of Christ when He says, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ It is the boldness that comes when you realize that you do not need to dwell upon your own unworthiness and walk in the shadow that Satan would cast between your soul and God. It is proper that you should feel your weakness and soul’s great need, and it is at this very time that you may come to God in full assurance of faith, claiming the promise that the weary and the heavy laden shall find rest unto their souls. The boldness is confidence in God, not self-confidence. But all rashness, all irreverence, is to be far from those who would offer acceptable prayer. Then we may heed the words of One who speaks for God, when He says, ‘And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.’” Review and Herald, May 28, 1895.

“Of Sin, of Righteousness and of Judgment”

  1. How did Jesus explain the work of the Holy Spirit in the three parts of the sanctuary? John 16:8.

NOTE: The guilt for the sins we have committed is dealt with in the courtyard of the sanctuary. In the Holy Place can be found God-appointed means for our righteousness, while it is in the Most Holy Place that the work of judgment takes place.

“It is the Holy Spirit that convinces of sin, and expels it from the soul by the consent of the human agent. The mind is then brought under a new law, and that law is the royal law of liberty. Jesus came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul, for sin can triumph only when the liberty of the soul is extinguished. Jesus reached to the very depth of human woe and misery, and His love attracts man to Himself. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit, He lifts the mind up from its degradation, and fastens it upon the eternal reality. Through the merits of Christ man may be able to exercise the noblest powers of his being, and expel sin from his soul.” This Day With God, 124.

“Through the agency of the Holy Spirit, the soul is enlightened, and the character is renewed, sanctified, and uplifted.” Review and Herald, January 30, 1894.

See also The Desire of Ages, 490.

  1. What is God’s will for His people? 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4.

NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, 559.

“Thy Word is Truth”

  1. What part is the Word of God to play in our sanctification? John 17:17; Psalm 119:105; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 4:4.

NOTE: “If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul, and spirit to His own image. Then God can use us to do His will. The power given us works from within outwardly, leading us to communicate to others the truth that has been communicated to us.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 100.

  1. How is the Word of God symbolized in the sanctuary? Leviticus 24:5–9. (Compare John 6:32–35.)

“Ye Shine as Lights in the World”

  1. What does the light symbolize in the Christian’s life? Matthew 5:16; Psalm 119:130. (Compare Job 29:2, 3; Psalm 18:28.)

NOTE: “When the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. ‘The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’ Proverbs 4:18, R.V., margin. By faith we may look to the hereafter and grasp the pledge of God for a growth of intellect, the human faculties uniting with the divine, and every power of the soul being brought into direct contact with the Source of light. We may rejoice that all which has perplexed us in the providences of God will then be made plain, things hard to be understood will then find an explanation; and where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. ‘Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.’1 Corinthians 13:12.” Steps to Christ, 112, 113.

  1. What blessings come to those who share God’s truth with others? Proverbs 11:24–26.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 142.

“The LORD Will Receive My Prayer”

  1. How is prayer symbolized in the sanctuary? Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3, 4.

NOTE: “…pray at home, in your family, night and morning; pray earnestly in your closet; and while engaged in your daily labor, lift up the soul to God in prayer. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. The silent, fervent prayer of the soul will rise like holy incense to the throne of grace and will be as acceptable to God as if offered in the sanctuary. To all who thus seek Him, Christ becomes a present help in time of need. They will be strong in the day of trial.” The Adventist Home, 213.

  1. What blessings come from prayer? Psalm 34:4, 6; 1 John 5:14, 15.

NOTE: “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.” Steps to Christ, 93.

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. ‘The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.’ James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.” Steps to Christ, 100.

He that Covereth His Sins

  1. What warning is given to the one who seeks to cover up his sins? Proverbs 28:13.

  2. Why is the sanctuary still important today? Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 4:14–16.

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 489.