And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people’ ”(Leviticus 23:26–30).
“Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.” Early Writings, 55.
What does it mean to “keep” something? Is it possible to keep something if it is not in your possession in the first place? No, in order to keep it, it must be in your possession. So, what does this sentence mean, “keep your garments spotless?” To answer that we need to put the phrase into context. This phrase is taken from a vision Ellen White was given sometime before 1851, when it was first published.
“Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, ‘Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.’ Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, ‘My Father, give us Thy Spirit.’ Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.” Early Writings, 55.
This phrase, “keep your garments spotless” was spoken by Jesus to His faithful ones as He moved from the Holy to the Most Holy Place. That took place in 1844. Let’s turn to an historical account of His true people at that time.
“Those who sincerely love Jesus can appreciate the feelings of those who watched with the most intense longing for the coming of their Saviour. The point of expectation was nearing. The time when we hoped to meet Him was close at hand. We approached this hour with a calm solemnity. The true believers rested in a sweet communion with God—an earnest of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter. None who experienced this hope and trust can ever forget those precious hours of waiting.
“Worldly business was for the most part laid aside for a few weeks. We carefully examined every thought and emotion of our hearts, as if upon our deathbeds, and in a few hours to close our eyes forever upon earthly scenes. There was no making of ‘ascension robes’ for the great event; we felt the need of internal evidence that we were prepared to meet Christ, and our white robes were purity of soul, character cleansed from sin by the atoning blood of our Saviour.” Life Sketches, 56, 57.
Here is the key to that phrase “keep your garments spotless.” That work of purification, of cleansing, had been done prior to when Jesus moved from the Holy to the Most Holy Place! “Through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts” they had become conquerors in the battle with sin. Then Jesus says to them as He moves from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place, “Keep your garments spotless.”
That is still His instruction to us today. This is the unique, compelling, singular message of the Most Holy Place. Is this possible? The answer is a resounding, glad, and triumphant Yes. If it were not, God would never require it of us, and is it required? Again, the answer is a resounding Yes.
Long ago God said, “Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 216.
Also, from Leviticus 23:26–30, in studying the “shadow” that was to teach us of the realities of the “true tabernacle” in heaven we read the following:
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people.’ ”
It is so clear here that during the typical Day of Atonement, God required His people to humble themselves, to afflict their souls through deep soul searching. This was so important that those who did not do this were “cut off.” God said “that person I will destroy from among his people.” Here is revealed the destiny of those who do not “keep their garments spotless.” That is serious my friends. This is the true Most Holy Place message. This is present truth.
“Many seem to think that it is impossible not to fall under temptation, that they have no power to overcome, and they sin against God with their lips, talking discouragement and doubt, instead of faith and courage. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. He said, ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me’ (John 14:30). What does this mean? It means that the prince of evil could find no vantage ground in Christ for his temptation; and so it may be with us.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 192.
“If you would be a saint in heaven, you must first be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will come up from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in your home and in society. Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny.” The Adventist Home, 16.
Does God ever lie? No, God cannot lie. He has laid out before us His expectation. He has outlined explicitly how this is to be accomplished. The real question is, Is heaven truly where your heart is?
“The true Christian’s joys and consolation must and will be in heaven. The longing souls of those who have tasted of the powers of the world to come and have feasted on heavenly joys, will not be satisfied with things of earth. Such will find enough to do in their leisure moments. Their souls will be drawn out after God. Where the treasure is, there will the heart be, holding sweet communion with the God they love and worship. Their amusement will be in contemplating their treasure—the Holy City, the earth made new, their eternal home. And while they dwell upon those things which are lofty, pure, and holy, heaven will be brought near, and they will feel the power of the Holy Spirit, and this will tend to wean them more and more from the world and cause their consolation and chief joy to be in the things of heaven, their sweet home. The power of attraction to God and heaven will then be so great that nothing can draw their minds from the great object of securing the soul’s salvation and honoring and glorifying God.” Early Writings, 112, 113.
Friends, have you studied, have you infused into your heart, the true Most Holy Place message? Is your character clean? Are your garments spotless? Are you keeping them that way? God is calling us to be a pure and holy people that we may be ready to stand?
Is your laundry done?
Brenda Douay is a staff member at Steps to Life. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.