sanctuary

The Door into the Holiest

by

I needed to get to a business in a downtown area but got caught in rush-hour traffic. An accident had stopped the traffic, which resulted in my getting there five minutes past closing hours. The door was shut and the gate was padlocked. Most people have experienced something similar.

Isaiah 22:22 talks about the key to the house of David and a door that was open and no man can shut and a door that was shut that no man can open.

Revelation 3:7 says, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.’ ”

It was the third hour of the day, 9:00 o’clock in the morning, when Jesus was crucified (Mark 15:25). For three hours He was mocked and derided by the chief priests and elders of the people, but at the sixth hour something happened that startled the mockers. Suddenly everything blacked out with a supernatural darkness that lasted for the next three hours.

Notice what it says in verses 33 and 34: “Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ ”

His words struck terror into the heart of the disciples who felt that if God had forsaken Jesus, then what hope was there for anyone else? The Bible says, “Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, ‘Look, He is calling for Elijah!’ Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, ‘Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down’ ” (verses 35, 36).

“And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (verses 37, 38).

This veil was not like a house curtain but more like a rug or carpet made of a thick, heavy material. No human being could tear it apart. A supernatural power tore the veil of the temple from the top to the bottom, exposing the Most Holy Place.

Nobody had ever looked into the Most Holy Place, which was covered by the veil, except the high priest, who would enter there only once per year on the Day of Atonement. This differed from the Holy Place which could be seen by a person who was in the courtyard when the door of the tabernacle was partially opened.

However, when the veil was ripped open, the Most Holy Place was visible to the common people standing in the courtyard. This was so disturbing for many, even of priests, that they lost faith in the Jewish religion, for this was the place where God manifested His presence.

In Acts 6:7 it says, “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

These priests were the ones who had been there and had seen the veil of the temple ripped in two. They knew it was a supernatural act and that the God of heaven was making a statement.

“When Christ’s life ended, the veil of the Temple was rent in twain. This veil was very significant to the Jewish nation. It was of most costly material, of purple and gold, and was of great length and breadth. At the moment that Christ breathed His last, there were witnesses in the Temple who beheld that strong, heavy material rent in two by unseen hands, from top to bottom. He who had hitherto dwelt in the Temple made with hands, had gone forth never again to grace it with His presence.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 386.

Jesus said to the Jews the last time He walked out from the temple: “Your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:38 KJV).

The last high priest was called Caiaphas, although he lacked the true qualifications of the position. He may have worn the priestly garments, but he had no vital connection with God. He was not circumcised in heart. Notice how the chief priest responded at the trial. John 19:15 says, “They cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ ”

God had been their King. They had been ruled by a theocracy. Theos is the Greek word for God. A theocracy is a government that is ruled, controlled, or directed by God. But now the priests claimed to have no king except Caesar. When they said that, they un-churched themselves. Will people do that again? Ellen White, writing about this said, “It is righteousness that exalts a nation. A disregard for the law of God will be the ruin of the religious world in the last days of this earth’s history.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 388.

There had been some members of the council that had protested and didn’t want Jesus to be crucified, but the great majority sided with Caiaphas when he said “nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:50). Expedient is tending to promote some proposed or desired object; proper under the circumstances.

So, it was expedient in their minds for Jesus to be sacrificed for the nation. However, the effect of their decision would bring the Aaronic priesthood to an end forever. A study of the last events in the life of Christ shows that the results of what people did were actually the opposite of what was intended. When Caiaphas said it was expedient for Jesus to die that the whole nation not perish, his death actually ensured that the nation would perish.

Three times Pilate said he could find no guilt in Jesus, but he was afraid the mob would get him in trouble with the Romans. So He was willing to sacrifice an innocent man in order to keep his job. However, a few years later, he was dismissed from his position. Depressed after that weekend knowing what he had done was wrong, he finally committed suicide. What he thought would be accomplished by his decision turned out to be the opposite.

We often do not comprehend how totally the events in our world are actually under the control of unseen agencies. It was not by chance that Caiaphas was the high priest at that time.

Ellen White describes it this way: “Caiaphas was the one that was to be in office when types and shadows [antitypes] were to meet the reality, when the true High Priest was to come into office. Each actor in history stands in his lot and place.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 390.

So Caiaphas said that it is expedient to get rid of this man in order to save the nation. By getting rid of Him they unchurched themselves and divorced themselves from the Lord because they said in John 19:15, “We have no king but Caesar!”

Too late they realized what they had done. “When Christ cried out, ‘It is finished,’ the Holy Watcher that was an unseen guest at Belshazzar’s feast pronounced the Jewish nation to be a nation unchurched. The same hand that traced on the wall the characters that recorded Belshazzar’s doom and the end of the Babylonian kingdom, rent the veil of the Temple from top to bottom, opening a new and living way for all, high and low, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile. From henceforth people might come to God without priest or ruler.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 392.

When the veil of the temple was rent in two, the Most Holy Place was open to the common people. This is what Paul is talking about in Hebrews 10:19–22: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, 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.”

A new and living way was opened so that every human being could come directly to God through the merits of Jesus as High Priest, with no need to depend on a ruler or a priest. The human priesthood, the Aaronic priesthood, was only a part of the old covenant.

One of the main reasons the people did not recognize Jesus was that His divinity was completely veiled in humanity. You could not tell unless the Holy Spirit was working on your mind that He was anything other than a common man. They killed Him thinking He was just a common man claiming to be the Son of God. His humanity completely veiled the glory of His divinity. This was so true that Ellen White said even His disciples had trouble believing on Him.

The people were horrified when Jesus said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30) and they took up stones to stone Him. It was the reason Jesus was mocked while on the cross. “Those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross’ ” (Mark 15:29, 30)!

Most do not understand that this was one of the devil’s final efforts to break up the plan of salvation. At any moment while on the cross, Christ could have decided to come down and destroy all of those people. This should make you shudder when you think about that. He could have similarly manifested His divinity in Gethsemane. Ellen White says He could have wiped the blood sweat from His brow and ascended to His Father (see The Great Controversy, 348). He could have come down from the cross. Some said, taunting Him, that if He came down, they would believe in Him.

Had Jesus come down from the cross, the devil would have won the great controversy and the world would have been in his hands. Because He remained, we have hope of salvation. It was not only human beings that were watching the agony of the cross. Angels of heaven who fully knew who He was also watched.

Ellen White wrote, “It was a marvel to the angelic beings that He did not seal the lips of the scoffers and paralyze the hand that smote Him. It was a mystery to them that He did not flash forth His righteous indignation upon the hardened and corrupt soldiers.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 394.

It is a mystery that Jesus was not compelled to do any of these things to save fallen man. He was not compelled to live a life of poverty or to go to the cross. No obligation was laid upon Him. Everything about the life of Christ, including His death, was a voluntary sacrifice. He was equal with God the Father, He was infinite and omnipotent, but He chose voluntarily to leave God’s right hand and come to this world as a human being, live the life of a poor man and offer His life as a sacrifice to save fallen humanity.

In the closing events in the life of Christ, the result of what people thought they were doing was the opposite of what they intended. It was that way with Judas and Caiaphas. It was even that way with the devil. After Adam and Eve had sinned, the devil exulted that now he had control of this world; but the Lord told him, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heal” (Genesis 3:15).

Christ’s heels were literally bruised when they drove through the nails and the cross was slammed into the ground, fulfilling this prophecy. It appeared the devil might be able to win the great controversy if he could in some way get Christ to be impatient, lose His temper, or choose to destroy the cruel people, or simply entice Him to come down from the cross and not go through with the crucifixion. Satan exulted at the cross that he had destroyed God’s Son, but what appeared to be his triumph was actually his defeat.

By Christ’s death on the cross, “The emancipation papers of our race were signed by the blood of the Son of God, and a way was opened for the message of hope and mercy to be carried to the ends of the earth. Now, whoever will may reach forth and take hold of God’s hand, and make peace with Him.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 399.

By His suffering and death, He opened the door. When Christ opens the door, nobody can shut it and when He shuts it, nobody can open it. When Caiaphas rent his robe, he actually brought himself under the penalty of the death sentence because the high priest was never, ever, to tear his garments. Jesus did not tear His garments; His flesh was torn or rent. But the rending of His flesh, the rending of the veil of the temple, is symbolic of opening a door into the Most Holy Place where every human being who is willing may enter. If you are to benefit from that open door, you must open the door of your heart to Him. Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:20, 21).

What does it mean to open the door of your heart to the Divine Knocker?

Many ministers and people who have been Christians for a long time have somehow overlooked this. If you want to go in through the door, you have to have your sins forgiven. Sin cannot exist in the presence of God. All sin and sinners will eventually get destroyed.

Ellen White said she was terrified because there were so many people in the church in her day with only a superficial conversion. A superficial conversion is that of a person who is not really sorry for his or her sins, but only for the consequences. Repentance is something that only the Holy Spirit can produce in the human being. True repentance, which is sorrow for sin and turning away from it, occurs when that person confesses their sins, not only to God, but to whomever they have injured. Any sin covered up instead of being repented of and confessed will prevent that person from entering through the door.

“As they [the angels] looked upon their loved Commander, and heard His cry [‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me’], they asked with intense emotion, ‘Will not the Lord Jehovah save Him?’ ” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 407.

Why did God not save Jesus from the agony and humiliation?

Before this world was created, the Father and the Son had made an agreement, sometimes called the everlasting covenant or the new covenant. Either is correct. God’s Son, the One we call Jesus Christ today, said that if the people they were about to create fall because of Satan’s sophistry, He would pay the price of their sin to give them another chance at everlasting life.

John 19:30 records the last words of Jesus on the cross: “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ and bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was addressing His Father in heaven. He knew that He had completely fulfilled the agreement He and His Father had made before the world was created. When He ascended to heaven He took with Him those whom He had resurrected, the first fruits of those who are dead. He said to the Father that if His sacrifice was accepted, to accept also those who belong to Him, those who have chosen to follow Him and the Father said, “Let all the angels of God worship Him” (Hebrews 1:6). And when the Father said that, the representatives from the unfallen worlds and the angels of heaven, with excitement and joy, prostrated themselves before Him because He had won the victory.

When Christ said on the cross, “It is finished,” He knew at that moment He had won the victory, that the battle was over and that He had won the war.

“The darkness rolled away from the Saviour and from the cross. Christ bowed His head and died. In His incarnation He had reached the prescribed limit as a sacrifice, but not as a Redeemer. The controversy in regard to the rebellion was answered. The human race has an open door set before them.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 409.

The door was opened by Christ’s death on the cross. “These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth” (Revelation 3:7). Ibid.

“When Christ cried, ‘It is finished,’ God’s unseen hand rent the strong fabric composing the veil of the Temple from top to bottom. The way into the Holiest of all was made manifest. God bowed His head satisfied. Now His justice and mercy could blend. He could be just, and yet the justifier of all who should believe on Christ. He [God the Father] looked upon the victim expiring on the cross, and said, ‘It is finished. The human race shall have another trial.’ The redemption price was paid, and Satan fell like lightning from heaven.” Ibid.

Satan had fallen from heaven at the beginning, but now he fell from heaven again. Christ looked forward to this before His death. Notice what He says in Luke 10:18: “He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’ ”

Jesus knew Satan’s ultimate fall from heaven would occur when He had finished His work, but what does that mean?

Satan had physically fallen from heaven when he was forced out by Christ and the loyal angels, but there was a void left in heaven on his departure. There were still unfallen beings that felt sorry for him. But when Christ said, “It is finished,” the angels who had been watching and the representatives of unfallen worlds who were watching, all knew who was really behind this atrocity. Human beings did not understand but angels knew who was behind the crucifixion of Christ. Satan was the one who inspired the chief priests, Pilate, Herod, and the soldiers in their evil deeds. He was the one directing them to say all of the loathsome epithets and mocking cruelties.

Unfallen beings in heaven witnessed it all, and when Christ died on the cross every feeling of sympathy for Satan was wrenched from their hearts. Satan fell like lightning from heaven at that time. Ellen White wrote, “All heaven saw the cruel work done to Christ. In the dreadful scenes transacted in the judgment hall, God showed to the heavenly universe the spirit that would be manifested by those that are unwilling to yield obedience to His law. God then presented the once-hidden principles of Satan’s power. All heaven saw them as they were. The sympathies of the heavenly angels were with Christ, and Satan was uprooted.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 412.

It was Satan who inspired the mob to choose Barabbas and crucify Jesus. They knew Barabbas was a rebel and that he was a thief and a murderer. In Satan’s government, the innocent are crucified and the guilty are set free.

My friends, this is going to happen again. Ellen White describes it this way: “The scenes of persecution enacted during Christ’s life will be enacted by false religionists till the close of time. Men think that they have a right to take into their charge the consciences of men, and work out their theories of apostasy and transgression. History will be repeated. Christ declared that prior to His second coming the world would be as it was in the days of Noah, when men reached such a pass in following their own sinful imagination that God destroyed them by a flood.

“Every power that has been exercised since the betrayal of Christ to force the consciences of men, every court that has taken upon itself to decide man’s destiny by its measurement of what constitutes religion, has revealed satanic attributes. Men have betrayed and persecuted God’s chosen ones. They have taken the life that God alone can give.” Ibid., 413.

When the Lord comes, He will ask those who have done these things, “Who gave you the authority to do this?” “Who required this from your hand?” “Who authorized you to imprison and kill God’s children?”

In Jesus’ day the people thought they were dealing with just a man, but they were dealing with God Himself because Christ had not ceased to be God when He assumed humanity. By His death on the cross, He opened the door into the Most Holy Place with no veil in between.

“The Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world, is dead. The way into the Holiest of all is laid open. A new and living way, which has no veil between, is offered to all.” Ibid., 417.

It is up to each individual to go through the door while it is still open. The time is coming when the door that is open will finally be shut. Then, the prophecy, “He who is holy, He who is true, … He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” (Revelation 3:7) will be fulfilled.

Before the flood destroyed the earth there was an open door in the ark for all to go through and be saved. But the time came when the door was shut and it was too late to enter. By His sufferings, Jesus has opened the door into the throne room of God. All those who enter there the Bible says, “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4).

Right now, that door is still open for all, even for the most awful sinner to go through the door of salvation into the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary.

Enoch had to go into the Most Holy Place as did Elijah and Moses. If you cannot go into the Most Holy Place because you are not willing to forsake your sins, you cannot be taken to heaven.

There were many people who, when the veil of the temple was ripped in two, never again participated in the paschal rites involved in the slaying of animals. They understood that the whole system was now invalid.

Three people watching at the cross that day understood what was really happening. One was Mary Magdalene. She saw Christ dying on the cross and knew He was there because of her sins. She was the first one to whom Christ appeared after His resurrection.

The second person who understood was a man not considered a believer, but a criminal. He was a thief on the cross. Ellen White said the Holy Spirit helped him piece together the events of that day. He believed Christ’s claim to be the Son of God. He knew this One dying beside him had done nothing wrong and decided to commit his life to Him. So, he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). He knew that if Jesus didn’t answer his prayer, he would be lost.

Jesus is the only One who can save you. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in paradise” (verse 43). When Jesus spoke that word, immediately his guilt was gone, and he died a believer. Those who are saved will meet him some day.

There was a third person there that day watching it all. He had been in a high position and an instructor in the church and figured out for the first time that what he thought was the church really wasn’t the true church. He understood as never before the evil of the religious leaders. As Nicodemus watched, he remembered what Jesus had said to him on a mountain three years before. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). He saw Him lifted up and he understood that Jesus is the only way of salvation.

There is only one way you can be saved and one Person who can save you. That is only possible if you commit your life to Him. Remember the thief on the cross called Jesus, Lord. He didn’t call Him sir, but Lord. Do you want Him to be the Lord of your life? When Jesus went back to heaven, the unfallen universe prostrated themselves, exceedingly joyful to be able to worship Him and obey Him.

My dear friend, in heaven today no one questions Jesus’ absolute authority anymore. If you are planning on going there you must allow Him to be the Lord of your life.

If you want to be saved, you have to commit yourself to the only Person that can save you—the One whose death made it possible for the veil to be ripped in two so that the door was opened into the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Bible Study Guides – “Ye Shall Afflict Your Souls”

by

February 27- March 4, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14.

STUDY HELP: Great Controversy, 423–431.

INTRODUCTION: “Says the prophet: ‘Who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.’ Malachi 3:2, 3. Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless; their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing.” Great Controversy, 425.

“The Wonderful Numberer”

1 What prophecy explained the time of the beginning of Christ’s closing work as our High Priest? Daniel 8:13, 14.

NOTE: “Who were these heavenly conversationalists? ‘A certain holy one,’ the questioner was identified as Gabriel. [verse 16] The Other, designated ‘one holy Palmoni’ [see margin] ordered, ‘Gabriel, make Daniel understand.’ The Person was called Palmoni—‘Wonderful’ or ‘Numberer of Secrets.’ This name is formed from two words, pele and mene. Pele indicates things that are extraordinary or miraculous, including God’s wonderful dealings with His people. It is a name of God. Isaiah 9:6. Mene means to tally. Daniel 5: 26.…The meticulous accuracy of the ‘seventy sevens of years’ and the ‘cleansing of the Sanctuary 2300’ and other time lines in Daniel display the precision of the Divine Chronologer. He is the Scorekeeper, Judge and Timekeeper of eternity.” Leslie Hardinge, Jesus is My Judge, 173.
(See also The Faith I Live By, 208.)

2 What work took place when the sanctuary was cleansed? Leviticus 16. (See especially verses 19, 30.)

NOTE: “In the typical system, which was a shadow of the sacrifice and priesthood of Christ, the cleansing of the sanctuary was the last service performed by the high priest in the yearly round of ministration. It was the closing work of the atonement—a removal or putting away of sin from Israel. It prefigured the closing work in the ministration of our High Priest in heaven, in the removal or blotting out of the sins of His people, which are registered in the heavenly records. This service involves a work of investigation, a work of judgment; and it immediately precedes the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; for when He comes, every case has been decided.” Great Controversy, 352.

“The Lord Shall Suddenly Come to His Temple”

3 What distinction does Paul make between the continual ministry of the priests and the Day of Atonement ministry of the high priest? Hebrews 9:6, 7.

NOTE: “The coming of Christ as our High Priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary, brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days, as presented in Daniel 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the Bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25. The cleansing of the sanctuary…involves a work of investigation—a work of judgment. This work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ to redeem His people; for when He comes, His reward is with Him to give to every man according to his works.’” The Faith I Live By, 207. (See also Patriarchs & Prophets, 426.)

4 How does Malachi picture the work of our great High Priest? Malachi 3:1–6.

NOTE: “The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross.…Through defects in the character, Satan works to gain control of the whole mind, and he knows that if these defects are cherished, he will succeed. Therefore he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome. But Jesus pleads in their behalf His wounded hands, His bruised body; and He declares
to all who would follow Him: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9.…Let none, then, regard their defects as incurable. God will give faith and grace to overcome them.” God’s Amazing Grace, 69.

“Ye Shall Afflict Your Souls”

5 In the earthly sanctuary, what part did the people play in the work of atonement? Leviticus 16:29–31; Leviticus 23:27, 32.

NOTE: “We are now living in the great Day of Atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the Book of Life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart.” Great Controversy, 489, 490.

6 What choice is placed before all those who live in the time of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary? Leviticus 23:27–29, Revelation 3:5.

NOTE: “As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the Book of Life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the Book of God’s Remembrance. All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven. As they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.” The Faith I Live By, 212. (See also Faith and Works, 75.)

“Five of Them Were Wise and Five Were Foolish”

7 What two groups were found among those who await the coming of Christ? Matthew 25:1–3.

NOTE: See Christ’s Object Lessons, 406–411.

8 How does the Bible describe the two groups within the church? Matthew 13:24–30.

NOTE: “Before the throne was the Advent people, the church, and the world. I saw a company bowed down before the throne, deeply interested while most of them stood up disinterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus, then He would look to His Father and appeared to be pleading with Him.…Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it. Others were careless and did not cherish the light and it moved off from them. Some cherished it and went and bowed down before the throne with the little praying company. This company all received the light, and rejoiced in it as their countenances shone with its glory. Then I saw the Father rise from the throne and in a flaming chariot go into the Holy of Holies within the veil, and did sit.…Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and most of those who were bowed down rose up with Him. And I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He rose up, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who rose up when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne.…We heard His lovely voice saying, wait ye, 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 I beheld Jesus as He was before the Father a great High Priest.…And I saw those who rose up with Jesus send up their faith to Jesus in the Holiest, and praying, ‘Father give us Thy spirit.’ Then Jesus would breathe on them the Holy Ghost. In the breath was light, power and much love, joy and peace. Then I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne. They did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne and pray, ‘My Father give us Thy spirit. “Then Satan would breathe on them an unholy influence. In it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children. I saw one after another leave the company who were praying to Jesus in the Holiest, go and join those before the throne and they at once received the unholy influence of Satan.” Day Star, March 14, 1846.

9 What response will the Lord make to the foolish virgins? Matthew 25:11, 12. (See also Matthew 7:21–27.)

NOTE: “These may profess to be followers of Christ, but they have lost sight of their Leader. They may say, ‘Lord, Lord’; they may point to the sick who are healed through them, and to other marvelous works, and claim that they have more of the Spirit and power of God than is manifested by those who keep His law. But their works are done under the supervision of the enemy of righteousness, whose aim it is to deceive souls, and are designed to lead away from obedience, truth, and duty. In the near future there will be still more marked manifestations of this miracle-working power; for it is said of him, ‘And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.’ We are surprised to see so many ready to accept these great pretensions as the genuine work of the Spirit of God; but those who look to wonderful works merely, and are guided by impulse and impressions, will be deceived.” A New Life, 56.

“Who Shall be Able to Stand?”

10 What searching question will be asked of mankind at the last day? Revelation 6:17.

NOTE: “A terrible doom awaits the sinner, and therefore it is necessary that we know what sin is, in order that we may escape from its power. John says, ‘Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law’ 1 John 3:4. Here we have the true definition of sin; it is ‘the transgression of the law.’ How often the sinner is urged to leave his sins, and come to Jesus; but has the messenger who would lead him to Christ clearly pointed out the way? Has he clearly pointed out the fact that ‘sin is the transgression of the law,’ and that he must repent and forsake the breaking of God’s Commandments? God could not alter one jot or tittle of His holy law to meet man in his fallen condition; for this would reflect discredit upon the wisdom of God in making a law by which to govern heaven and earth. But God could give His only-begotten Son to become man’s Substitute and Surety, to suffer the penalty that was merited by the transgressor, and to impart to the repentant soul His perfect righteousness. Christ became the sinless sacrifice for a guilty race, making men prisoners of hope, so that through repentance toward God because they had broken His holy law, and through faith in Christ as their Substitute, Surety, and righteousness, they might be brought back to loyalty to God and to obedience to His holy law.” Faith and Works, 117.

11 What principles will God employ in the judgment? Matthew 7:1–5, Romans 14:10, Matthew 6:14, 15.

NOTE: “We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, ‘With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.’” Matthew 7:2. Christ’s Object Lessons, 251. (See also Christ’s Object Lessons, 247.)

12 Who are the ones who may have boldness in the day of judgment? 1 John 4:15–21.

NOTE: “We have the Judgment in view. Men and women will want strength that is greater than any human aid to lean upon. They must lean upon the mighty arm of Jehovah. We have in view that day when the works of men are to be tried, and tested; and we want you to get ready. We make appeals to you, in the name of our Master, to get ready. We make appeals to you to rid yourselves of the pride of the world, the pride, and vanity, and folly of life. Jesus loves you. Jesus pities you. The angelic host He sends to minister unto you. And now, while all Heaven is interested for you, will you be interested for yourselves? Will you begin to seek God earnestly for your own salvation? Will you work it out with fear and trembling? Will you be careful how you step before God? Will you have the approbation of Him whose arm moves the universe? Give me the smiles of God, and the approving glance of my Redeemer, and I will give you the whole world besides. Let me have one word of approbation from Jesus, and it is enough. I love Him, for in Him my hopes of everlasting life are centered. I love His word and His requirements. I love to do His will. And only let me know what my duty is, and I am ready to perform. It is my meat and drink.” Review and Herald, August 17, 1869.

“We have reason ever to thank God that He knows all the storms, disappointments, and trials that come upon His people. He follows them through every experience, with tender, pitying love, and expresses His desire to heal our wounds, and restore unto us the joy of His salvation. Jesus has said, ‘He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ There is but one channel of light, but that is always accessible to us, and through that channel flow streams of forgiveness and love. The streams of God’s mercy can cleanse the darkest stain, bring peace to the greatest sinner.” Signs of the Times, August 28, 1893.

The Final Atonement, Part II

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The Father’s throne was in the holy place, or first apartment, of the heavenly sanctuary until 1844, at which time the Father moved into the most holy place, or second apartment, of the heavenly sanctuary and was seated. (See Daniel 7:9,10.) This concept was Biblical and was confirmed by the Spirit of Prophecy. (See Early Writings, 54, 55.)

Some theologians of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have propagated erroneous concepts regarding the place and the work of God, the Father, and of Jesus, our Mediator.

Elmer Ellsworth Andross

E.E. Andross was the first Seventh-day Adventist to publish the erroneous concept that God’s throne has always been located in the most holy place, and that “at His ascension” Christ entered the most holy place to appear before the Father to be confirmed. Then He returned to the holy place, or first apartment, of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the “first phase” of His heavenly ministry. (See E. E. Andross, A More Excellent Ministry, Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, CA., 1912.)

The concept that Christ entered the most holy place and then returned to the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary was never taught by early Adventists, nor was it ever confirmed by the Spirit of Prophecy. Where in the world did E. E. Andross get the idea for such an erroneous concept?

Andross Influenced By Ballenger

E.E. Andross was associated in England with A. F. Ballenger, an Adventist minister who taught erroneous concepts on the sanctuary doctrine. Ellen White opposed all the erroneous concepts presented by Ballenger. Arthur White wrote, “Associated with him [Elder A. F. Ballenger] in the work in Britain were such men as Elder E. W. Farnsworth and E. E. Andross.” Arthur White, EGW: The Early Elmshaven Years, vol. 5, 1900-1905, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1981, 405, 406.

“In his 1911 talks at the Oakland Camp meeting, Elder Andross carefully traces through various texts and were employed by Ballenger in support of his views…” Arthur White wrote. Ibid.

Ellen White did not confirm the erroneous concept that Christ entered the most holy, or second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, at the time of His ascension to appear before the Father to be confirmed. Nor did she confirm that He then returned to the holy, or first apartment, to perform the first phase of His heavenly ministry. (See Ibid.) Although this erroneous concept cannot be found in the Bible, or the Spirit of Prophecy, it is promoted by some contemporary Seventh-day Adventist theologians.

Roy Adams Praises Ballenger’s Erroneous Concept

Roy Adams, current assistant editor of the Adventist Review, supports this erroneous concept. “Ballenger’s stress on…Christ’s entry into the most holy place at His ascension may be retained,” Roy Adams stated, “and shown to be compatible with the notion of an anti-typical day of atonement commencing in 1844.” Roy Adams, The Sanctuary Doctrine, “Andrews University Doctrinal Dissertation Series,” Berrien Springs, MI., 255.

Ballenger’s erroneous concept of Christ’s entry into the most holy place at His ascension “may be retained,” according to Roy Adams. Moreover, Roy Adams believes that Ballenger’s erroneous concept can be “shown to be compatible with the notion of an anti-typical day of atonement commencing in 1844.” Ibid. This is liberal “new theology” Adventism in its most subtle and deceptive form. This is what prompted Ellen White to warn, “Omega would follow in a little while. I tremble for our people.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 341.

The Work Of Jesus In the Most Holy Of the Heavenly Sanctuary

At the end of the 2,300 days [years], Jesus came before the Father to serve as our High Priest. Daniel saw this great event in vision.

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man [Jesus] came with the clouds of heaven,” Daniel wrote, “and came to the Ancient of days [the Father], and they brought him near before him.” Daniel 7:13.

It was at that time that Jesus was given His kingdom. This event was the marriage of the Lamb. Pioneer Adventists’ saw the fulfillment of this prophecy in the parable of the ten virgins (See Matthew 25:1-13) and the “midnight cry” given in the summer of 1844. “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” Matthew 25:6.

“And there was given him [Jesus] dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him,” Daniel wrote, “his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:14.

At this time “the judgement was set, and the books were opened.” Daniel 7:10. “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:18.

Pioneer Adventists saw that the work of Jesus, our High Priest, in the heavenly sanctuary consisted not only of judgement but in the blotting out of sins. In the blotting out of sins, Jesus is making the final atonement.

Pioneer Adventist Writers On the Final Atonement

What about other pioneer Adventists? Was O. R. L. Crosier the only one who believed the final atonement is finished in heaven by our High Priest? No, indeed! Notice carefully a few statements from the most acknowledged pioneer Adventists.

“The Final Atonement” and “The Blotting Out Of Sins”

“By many, the idea of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary will be treated with scorn, ‘because’ say they, ‘there is nothing in Heaven to be cleansed,’” Andrews began. “Such overlook the fact that the holy of holies, where God manifested His glory, and which no one but the High Priest could enter, was, according to the law, to be cleansed, because the sins of the people were borne into it by the blood of sinoffering.” Leviticus 16. James N. Andrews, The Sanctuary and Twenty-Three Hundred Days, Steam Press of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, Battle Creek, MI., 1872, 90.

“And they overlook the fact that Paul plainly testifies that the heavenly sanctuary must be cleansed for the same reason. Hebrews 9:23, 24. (See also Colossians 1:20.) Andrews continued. “It was unclean in this sense only: the sins of men had been borne into it through the blood of sin offering, and they must be removed.” Then Andrews added, “This fact can be grasped by every mind.” Ibid., 91.

“The work of cleansing the sanctuary changes the ministration from the holy place to the holiest of all. Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9:6, 7; Revelation 11:19,” Andrews continued. “As the ministration in the holy place of the temple in heaven began immediately after the end of the typical system, at the close of the sixty-nine and a half weeks (See Daniel 9:27), so the ministration in the holiest of all, in the heavenly sanctuary, begins with the termination of the 2300 days.” Ibid., 91.

“Then our High Priest enters the holiest to cleanse the sanctuary,” Andrews concluded. “The termination of this great period marks the commencement of the ministration of the Lord Jesus in the holiest of all.” Ibid.

“This work, as presented in the type, we have already seen was for a two-fold purpose, viz.: [1] the forgiveness of iniquity, [2] and the cleansing of the sanctuary,” Andrews stated. “And this great work our Lord accomplishes with His own blood; whether by the actual presentation of it, or by virtue of its merits, we need not stop to inquire.” Ibid.

“No one can fail to perceive that this event, the cleansing of the sanctuary, is one of infinite importance,” Andrews wrote. “This accomplishes the great work of the Messiah in the tabernacle in heaven, and renders it complete.” Ibid.

Notice, that Andrews concedes that the work of final atonement and cleansing of our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary “renders it complete.” This is done in heaven, not at the cross.

“The work of cleansing the sanctuary is succeeded by the act of placing the sins, thus removed, upon the head of the scape-goat, to be borne away forever from the sanctuary,” Andrews concludes. “The work of our High Priest for the sins of the world will then be completed, and He will be ready to appear `without sin unto salvation.’” Ibid., 92.

Notice that Andrews states that, “The work of our High Priest for the sins of the world will then be completed.” Ibid. Is this statement in harmony with Crosier?

Yes, indeed. “In the heavenly Sanctuary, our High Priest, with His own blood, makes the atonement and we are for-given,” Crosier stated. Day-Star, Extra, February 7, 1846.

Is this statement by Andrews in harmony with Ellen White? Yes, again.

“His [Christ’s] work as high priest completes the divine plan of redemption by making the final atonement for sin.” Manuscript 69, 1912, 13.

Contemporary SDA Opposing Position

Are these statements by Andrews, Crosier, and Ellen White in harmony with contemporary Seventh-day Adventist doctrine? No, they are not! “When, therefore, one hears an Adventist say, or reads in Adventist literature—even in the writings of Ellen G. White—that Christ is making atonement now, it should be understood that we mean simply that Christ is now making application of the benefits of the sacrificial atonement He made on the cross.” Representative Group of Seventh-day Adventists, Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1957, 354.

Satan’s conspiracy against the Advent truth is so subtle, so deceptive, that, without constant study by the Christian, detection is almost impossible. Did not Jesus warn that “if it were possible it should deceive the very elect?” Matthew 24:24. Notice very, very, carefully the two opposing statements below, the truth as stated by Ellen White, followed by the error as stated by the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church:

Ellen White’s Statement

“When Christ, the Mediator, burst the bands of the tomb, and ascended on high to minister for man, [1] He first entered the holy place, where, by virtue of His own sacrifice, He made an offering for the sins of men. With intercession and pleading He presented before God the prayers and repentance and faith of His people, purified by the incense of His own merits. [2] He next entered the Most Holy Place [in 1844], to make an atonement for the sins of the people, and cleanse the sanctuary. His work as high priest completes the divine plan of redemption by making the final atonement for sin.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 54.

Erroneous Contemporary Adventist Church Statement

“This becomes all the more meaningful when we realize that Jesus, our surety, entered the “holy places” and appeared in the presence of God for us. But it was not with the hope of obtaining something for us at that time, or at some future time. No! He had already obtained it for us on the cross. [emphasis theirs]And now, as our High Priest, He ministers the virtues of His atoning sacrifice.” Representative Group of Seventh-day Adventists, Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1957, 381.

Notice, Ellen White states that Jesus “entered the holy place, where…He made an offering for the sins of men.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 54. The contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church says, “No.” They admit that Jesus did enter the “holy places” and appeared in the presence of God for us. “But it was not with the hope of obtaining something for us at that time, or at some future time.” Representative Group of the Seventh-day Adventists, Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1957, 381.

Ellen White says, “He next entered the most holy place, to make an atonement for the sins of the people, and cleanse the sanctuary.” And, “His work as high priest completes the divine plan of redemption by making the final atonement for sin.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 54. The contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church says, “No! He had already obtained it for us on the cross.” Representative Group of the Seventh-day Adventists, Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1957, 381.

“The sins of those who have obtained pardon through the great sin-offering, are, at the close of our Lord’s work in the holy places, blotted out (Acts 3:19),” J. N. Andrews concluded, “and being then transferred to the scape-goat, are borne away from the sanctuary and host forever, and rest upon the head of their author, the devil.” J. N. Andrews.

James N. Andrews then endorsed the writings of O. R. L. Crosier: “The following valuable remarks on this important point are from the pen of O. R. L. Crosier, written in 1846.” Ibid. Bates

“First, then to be perfect in time it must begin on the 10th day of the 7th month, and no where else,” Bates stated. “Then please look back to the 10th of the 7th month, 1844, where all the virgins were out looking for the Bridegroom, or as in the type, waiting for Jesus our great High Priest, to finish the atonement for the sanctuary and ourselves, and bless us by his glorious appearing.” Joseph Bates, Eighth Way Mark, “Bridegroom Come,” 101.

“Then we say at the commencement of this second type, the symbol of our trial, was where the Bridegroom came, and commenced the cleansing of the sanctuary,” Bates concluded. “When God speaks and shakes earth and heaven, Joel says Jerusalem will be holy, the sanctuary will be complete, the atonement finished; for God will then be the hope of his people.” Ibid., 102.

Stephen N. Haskell

“In Acts 3:19 we read: ‘Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.’ Then your sins are blotted out when the times of refreshing come. We are, today, in the time of the blotting out of our sins. We are now looking for the times of refreshing, and the outpouring of the Spirit. The Lord teaches knowledge to those who are weaned, and those who study the Word have the refreshing. The refreshing is the outpouring of the Spirit of God in the time of the blotting out of sins, and that is where we are now.” Stephen N. Haskell, “Preparation For Reception Of the Holy Spirit,” 1909 General Conference Daily Bulletin, May 20, 1909, 106. [Address given at 9:15am Thursday, May 20, and Friday, May 21, 1909].

Alonzo Trevor Jones

“We are also in the time of the utter blotting out of all sins that have ever been against us,” A. T. Jones wrote. “And the blotting out of sins is exactly this thing of the cleansing of the sanctuary; it is the finishing of all transgression in our lives; it is the making an end of all sins in our character; it is the bringing in of the very righteousness of God, which is, by faith of Jesus Christ, to abide alone everlastingly.

Therefore now as never before we are to repent and be converted that our sins may be blotted out,” Jones concluded, “that an utter end shall be made of them forever in our lives and everlasting righteousness brought in.” A. T. Jones, “The Times of Refreshing,” The Consecrated Way To Christian
Perfection, 124.

J.N. Loughborough

Loughborough writes, “Still later Elder [J. H.] Waggoner wrote a third pamphlet of about the same size, entitled, The Atonement in the Light of Reason and Revelation. About the year 1884 this was revised and enlarged to a volume of some 400 pages. It is a clear and concise treatise upon the subject indicated by its title.” J. N. Loughborough, Great Second Advent Movement, 334. [Note: J. H. Waggoner was the father of E. J. Waggoner.]

E.J. Waggoner

“The blotting out of sin is the erasing of it from the nature, the being of man. . ., the erasing of sin is the blotting of it from our natures, so that we shall know it no more.” E. J. Waggoner, Review and Herald, September 30, 1902.

“`The worshipers once purged’—actually purged by the blood of Christ—have ‘no more conscience of sin,’ because the way of sin is gone from them…,” This is the work of Christ in the true sanctuary which the Lord pitched, and not man,—the sanctuary not made with hands, but brought into existence by the thought of God.” Ibid.

Joseph Harvey Waggoner

“And yet another question has been raised, on which some minds have been perplexed. If the blotting out of sins is done in the closing work of the priest, when the sanctuary is cleansed, that is to say, in the Judgment, then the sins of all the saints must stand on record till that time. Now it has been shown (See Chapter Three) that justification by faith and salvation are not identical; the former is a fact of experience at the present time, while the latter is contingent on ‘patient continuance in well-doing’ on the part of the justified one. As was remarked, ‘justification by faith is not a final procedure; it does not take the place of the Judgment, nor render the Judgment unnecessary. It looks to something beyond itself to be accomplished in the future.’” Joseph Harvey Waggoner, “The Judgement,” The Atonement, 226. James White

“How natural, then, the conclusion, that as the Jewish priests ministered daily in connection with the holy place of the sanctuary, and on the tenth day of the seventh month, at the close of their yearly round of service, the high priest entered the most holy place to make atonement for the cleansing of the sanctuary; so Christ ministered in connection with the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary from the time of His ascension to the ending of the 2300 days of Daniel 8, in 1844, when, on the tenth day of the seventh month of that year, he entered the most holy place of the heavenly tabernacle to make a special atonement for the blotting out of the sins of His people, or, which is the same thing, for the cleansing of the sanctuary. The typical sanctuary was cleansed from the sins of the people with the offering of blood. The nature of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary may be learned from the type. By virtue of His own blood, Christ entered the most holy to make a special atonement for the cleansing of the heavenly tabernacle. James White, “The Sanctuary,” Bible Adventism, 185, 186.

The doctrine of a “final atonement in heaven” is stated by James White in several places. Three other references are, Life Incidents, 192, 193; Life Sketches, 111; and Our Faith and Hope, 175, 176.

Pioneer Adventists taught the “final atonement” completed in heaven in perfect harmony with the Day-Star, Extra as written by O. R. L. Crosier. Many other examples could be presented. This position was one of the “foundation” truths that was endorsed by the Spirit of God at the beginning of the Advent movement.

“A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was plainly marked out before me,” Ellen White wrote, “and I gave my brethren and sisters the instruction that the Lord had given me.” “Establishing the Foundation of Our Faith,” Manuscript 135, 1903, 3.

Ellen White On the Final Atonement

The Spirit of Prophecy teaches that the “atonement” was not completed on the cross, as the fallen churches of Babylon and the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church now teach. Although there are many more examples, the following are seven clear statements by Ellen White that the “atonement” was not completed and finished on the cross, but is finalized in the heavenly Sanctuary.

Early Statement – 1852

“As Jesus died on Calvary, He cried, ‘It is finished,’ and the veil of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. This was to show that the services of the earthly sanctuary were forever finished, and that God would no more meet with the priests in their earthly temple, to accept their sacrifices. The blood of Jesus was then shed, which was to be offered by Himself in the heavenly sanctuary. As the priest entered the most holy once a year to cleanse the earthly sanctuary, so Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days (Daniel 8,) in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be benefited by His mediation, and thus to cleanse the sanctuary.” Early Writings, 253, 1852.

Later Statement, 1912

“When Christ, the Mediator, burst the bands of the tomb, and ascended on high to minister for man, He first entered the holy place, where, by virtue of His own sacrifice, He made an offering for the sins of men. With intercession and pleading He presented before God the prayers and repentance and faith of His people, purified by the incense of His own merits. He next entered the Most Holy Place [in 1844], to make an atonement for the sins of the people, and cleanse the sanctuary. His work as high priest completes the divine plan of redemption by making the final atonement for sin.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 54.

Notice the dates of these two statements, 1852 and 1912. After sixty years the Spirit of Prophecy was yet consistent with the original message of the “final atonement” completed in heaven.

“As in the final atonement, the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted from the records of heaven,” Ellen White wrote, “no more to be remembered or come into mind, so in the type they were borne away into the wilderness, forever separated from the congregation.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 358.

“As He [Christ] repeated these words He pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making His final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God. This atonement is made for the righteous dead as well as for the righteous living.” Early Writings, 254. “Jesus makes an atonement for those who died, not receiving the light upon God’s commandments, who sinned ignorantly.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, 162, 163.

“The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement,” Ellen White stated, “so in the type the blood of the sin offering removed the sin from the penitent, but it rested in the sanctuary until the Day of Atonement.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 357.

“In the typical service, only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. . ..” The Great Controversy, 480. (See also, The Faith I Live By, 210.)

“In the type, this great work of atonement, or blotting out of sins, was represented by the services of the Day of Atonement—the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary, which was accomplished by the removal, by virtue of the blood of the sin offering, of the sins by which it had been polluted.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 358.

This teaching of the final atonement in heaven, the blotting out of sins, was the true message of the First Angel, the “Present Truth” as taught and believed by pioneer Seventh-day Adventists and endorsed by the Spirit of Prophecy. Are these statements by Ellen White in harmony with the Day-Star, Extra article written by O. R. L. Crosier? Indeed they are!

To be Continued…

The Final Atonement – Conclusion

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In our previous articles we looked at Pioneer Adventist teaching on the Final Atonement. This final article considers Contemporary Adventist teaching.

Erroneous Contemporary Adventist Teaching On the Final Atonement

Satan knew that to ensure victory in his battle plan against the Seventh-day Adventist truth, he must influence the leaders and teachers of the Church to falsify historical documents and to even lie about doctrinal positions once held by the pioneers of the Advent movement. Again we ask, how can we know what is the real truth when historical teachings have been falsified by modern teachers, ministry and church leaders?

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history,” Ellen White replies in Life Sketches, 196. “…the value of the evidences of truth that we have received during the past half century, is above estimate.” Review and Herald, April 19, 1906.

In 1957, the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church published their position on the “final atonement” in Ministry magazine, official organ to the ministry of the church. In this editorial, Roy Allen Anderson, then editor of Ministry magazine and Ministerial Secretary of the General Conference, stated that “the sacrificial act of the cross (was) a perfect, complete, and final atonement.” Ministry, February, 1957.

Is this statement in harmony with the article written by Crosier, endorsed by the Spirit of God, and taught by pioneer Adventists for over 100 years? No, it is not. “…Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8, in 1844, to make a final atonement,” Ellen White replies. Spiritual Gifts, vol. I, 161, 162. In opposition to pioneer teaching, some leaders of the contemporary church say, “No, the sacrificial act of the cross was a perfect, complete, and final atonement.”

In the “official” book, “Seventh-day Adventists Answer, Questions on Doctrine, also published in 1957, can be found the following statement on the final atonement: “Adventists do not hold any theory of a duel atonement.” Representative Group of Seventh-day Adventists, Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington D.C., 390. (emphasis theirs.) This book was endorsed by the highest authority of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Is this statement, by the highest authority of the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist Church, in harmony with the position held by Crosier, Ellen White and the pioneer Adventists? Not at all!

“But again, they say the atonement is made and finished on Calvary, when the Lamb of God expired…so the churches and world believes; but it is none the more true or sacred on that account.” Crosier replies. Day-Star, Extra, February 7, 1846.

“When, therefore, one hears an Adventist say, or reads in Adventist literature—even in the writings of Ellen G. White—that Christ is making atonement now,” contemporary church leadership concludes, “it should be understood that we mean simply that Christ is now making application of the benefits of the sacrificial atonement He made on the cross.” Representative Group of Seventh-day Adventists, Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington D.C., 354. (emphasis theirs.)

This was the official position of the church in 1957. Is this position still held today by the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Yes, it is. Note carefully the following statement from the official Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual.

Current Heretical Statements

“In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness….The resurrection of Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, 1986, 25.

Is the “official” statement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual in harmony with the original statement written by Crosier? No, it is not. Is it in harmony with the writings of Ellen White? No, a thousand times no! “The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 357.

“There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man,” contemporary SDA Church leadership states. “In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross.” Seventh-day Adventists Believe…27 Fundamental Doctrines, 1988, 312.

These statements, beyond question, confirm the erroneous idea that the atonement was finished and completed on the cross. The contemporary church leadership say “the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross.”

“No, brethren, that is not the truth,” Ellen White would reply if she were alive today. “This teaching is one of the errors of Babylon.” How do we know Ellen White would speak thus? Because her writings speak thus. Note the following statement:

“The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin, it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 357.

This “new theology” first began to be taught in 1957, after more than 100 years of the existence of the Advent truth as taught by Ellen White and pioneer Adventists! Where is the proof of this statement? In the year 1952 the truth of the final atonement finalized in the heavenly sanctuary was still being taught by the Editor-in-Chief of the Review and Herald.

“Of those who charge us with teaching strange doctrines because we believe that Christ’s work of atonement for sin was begun rather than completed on Calvary, we ask these questions: If complete and final atonement was made on the cross for all sins, then will not all be saved? for Paul says that He ‘died for all.’ Are we to understand you as being Universalists? ‘No,’ you say, ‘not all men will be saved.’ Well, then, are we to understand that you hold that Christ made complete atonement on the cross for only a limited few, and that His sacrifice was not world embracing, but only partial? That would be predestination in its worst form.” Francis D. Nichol, Answers to Objections, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1952 edition, 408.

Ballenger’s Heresy Now Accepted By the Contemporary SDA Church

Satan has been very clever in his last-day deceptions. However, he made a serious blunder in 1905 when he directed his first assault on the “final atonement” phase of the sanctuary truth. His great mistake was the timing—the messenger of the Lord was still alive!

“There was in their midst one through whom the Spirit of God was able to point out what was truth and what was error.” E. E. Andross wrote. E. E. Andross, Bible Study, No. II, July 13, 1911, 14.

What erroneous concepts did A. F. Ballenger teach on the sanctuary truth? We must know, because Satan has introduced the same erroneous concepts again into the Seventh-day Adventist Church and because we have been admonished that we should not “forget how the Lord has led us, and His teaching, in our past history.” Life Sketches, 196.

Elder E. W. Farnsworth, who was also working in England with Ballenger and Andross at the time, reported on Ballenger’s erroneous teachings in a letter addressed “to the General Conference president, who in turn conveyed
the information to W. C. White on
March 16, 1905.” Arthur L. White, EGW: The Early Elmshaven Years, vol. 5, 407:

“There was another feature of the meeting which was really sad to me. Brother Ballenger has got into a condition of mind which would seem to me to unfit him entirely to preach the message. He has been studying the subject of the sanctuary a good deal lately, and he comes to the conclusion that the atonement was made when Christ was crucified and that when He ascended He went immediately into the Most Holy Place and that His ministry has been carried on there ever since.” Ibid.

Notice the three heretical concepts of Ballenger’s teaching.

  1. The atonement was made when Christ was crucified,
  2. and that when He ascended He went immediately into the Most Holy Place,
  3. and that His ministry has been carried on there ever since.

Astounding! This is exactly the teaching of the “new” theology currently devastating the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This erroneous concept is entirely at odds with the historic teaching of pioneer Adventists. Moreover, this teaching is in opposition to the Spirit of Prophecy.

“He [Ballenger] sees clearly that his view cannot be made to harmonize with the testimonies,” Farnsworth wrote in his letter, “at least he admits freely that he is totally unable to do so.” Ibid.

Farnsworth stated further that, in his own mind, Ballenger felt that “there is an irreconcilable difference” between his theories and Ellen White. “This, of course, involves the authenticity of the Testimonies and practically upsets them,” Farnsworth concluded. Ibid.

“Farnsworth reported that a number of Adventist ministers in Great Britain were taking up these new views on the sanctuary, and confusion was coming in,” Arthur White observed. He stated further that, “Early in the 1905 session Ballenger laid before the leading brethren what he felt was new light, but they were unable to accept his reasoning and pointed out the errors in his application of Scripture.” Ibid.

Ellen White’s Reply To Ballenger’s Teaching

What did Ellen White think of this “new theology” presented by A. F. Ballenger? What did she think of the erroneous concept that “the atonement was made when Christ was crucified and that when He ascended He went immediately into the most holy place and that His ministry has been carried on there ever since?” Did she have any light from heaven on the subject? What would she say if this erroneous concept was taught today?

“It will be one of the great evils that will come to our people to have the Scriptures taken out of their true place and so interpreted as to substantiate error that contradicts the light and the Testimonies that God has been giving us for the past half century,” Ellen White replied to Ballenger. “I declare in the name of the Lord that the most dangerous heresies are seeking to find entrance among us as a people, and Elder Ballenger is making spoil of his own soul.” Manuscript Release, S 59, 1905. (For further EGW statements on the teachings of A. F. Ballenger, see Christ In His Sanctuary, 3-18).

“There is not truth in the explanations of Scripture that Elder Ballenger and those associated with him are presenting,” Ellen White cautioned. “I am instructed to say to Elder Ballenger, your theories, which have multitudes of fine threads, and need so many explanations, are not truth, and are not to be brought to the flock of God.” Ibid.

The attack of Satan on the sanctuary truth at that time came to naught because the Messenger of the Lord was alive and confronted the false doctrine. However, today Ellen White is no longer with the Church. As Israel of old, we only have the writings of the prophet. Has the Seventh-day Adventist Church fallen for the old erroneous concepts of Ballenger? Although Ellen White had warned that these dangerous concepts “are not to be brought to the flock of God,” that is exactly what has been promoted by the “new” theology.

Contemporary Scholars Endorse Ballenger’s Theories

In 1981 Roy Adams, currently assistant editor of the Adventist Review, wrote his Doctoral Dissertation at Andrews University. Adams wrote on the sanctuary doctrinal positions held by Uriah Smith, M. L. Andreason, and A. F. Ballenger. Notice carefully the following conclusion by Roy Adams on the position held by A. F. Ballenger:

“Ballenger’s treatment of Hebrews 6:19,20 is so strong, exegetically, that it has to be regarded as a significant movement towards a closer affinity to the biblical testimony in regard to the meaning of the phrase ‘within the veil.’ His argumentation, based as it was on solid scriptural indications, far surpassed the value of [Uriah] Smith’s on the same point. And inasmuch as the two positions were diametrically opposed to each other, Ballenger’s is to be preferred. Roy Adams, The Sanctuary Doctrine, “Three Approaches in the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” Andrews University Seminary Doctoral Dissertation Series, Andrews University Press, 1981, 245.

Notice that Roy Adams, speaking for contemporary Seventh-day Adventist theologians, states that Ballenger’s treatment of Scripture “is so strong,” and “that it has to be regarded as a significant movement towards a closer affinity to the biblical testimony.” On this point Adams concluded that Ballenger’s argumentations are “based as it was on solid scriptural indications.” Amazing! This man is currently the assistant editor of the Adventist Review, and will probably be the next Chief Editor.

“None of the figures [Smith, Andreason, Ballenger] appreciated the full implications of Hebrews 6:19,20,” Roy Adams concluded, “but it was Ballenger who came closest to recognizing it.” Ibid., 246.

“Now again our Brother Ballenger is presenting theories that cannot be substantiated by the Word of God,” Ellen White replies to Roy Adams’ statement. “It will be one of the great evils that will come to our people to have the Scriptures taken out of their true place and so interpreted as to substantiate error that contradicts the light and the Testimonies that God has been giving us for the past half century.” Manuscript Release, 59s, 1905, 409.

“Ballenger’s stress on the atonement at the cross and on Christ’s entry into the most holy place at His ascension,” Adams stated, “may be retained and shown to be compatible with the notion of an antipical day of atonement commencing in 1844.…” Ibid., 255.

In a biography of M. L. Andreason, is a publishers note which erroneously states, “While denominational literature has adopted the phrase `the benefits of His atonement,’ every effort is put forth to make clear to the world that Seventh-day Adventists believe that an important part of the atonement is taking place in the heavenly sanctuary.” Virginia Steinweg, Without Fear or Favor, 1979, Review and Herald Publishing Company, 183. This statement is just not true.

Seventh-day Adventist Church literature does not make “every effort. . .to make clear to the world that Seventh-day Adventists believe that an important part of the atonement is taking place in the heavenly sanctuary.” The heresy has been advanced in the new 27 Statements of Fundamental Beliefs.

Uriah Smith Again the Scapegoat

Once more we have come full circle. Notice how Roy Adams, in his effort to present Ballenger’s theories as truth, downgrades Uriah Smith: “His [Ballenger’s] argumentation, based as it was on solid scriptural indications, far surpassed the value of Smith’s on the same point.”

Roy Adams admits that Ballenger and Smith were at opposite ends of theology on the sanctuary doctrine, “And inasmuch as the two positions were diametrically opposed to each other…” The truth is that Ballenger was “diametrically opposed” to all pioneer Adventists. Indeed, E. E. Andross, who had worked with Ballenger in England, stated that, “He [Ballenger] sees clearly that his view cannot be made to harmonize with the Testimonies, at least he admits freely that he is totally unable to do so.” Even Ballenger himself had stated that “there is an irreconcilable difference” between his theories and Ellen White. E. E. Andross, Bible Study, No. II, July 13, 1911, 13.

Then Roy Adams, completely disregarding Spirit of Prophecy counsel, states that “Ballenger’s [position] is to be preferred,” to that of Uriah Smith. Adams could have chosen any other pioneer Adventist instead of Uriah Smith as an example of pioneer Adventist teaching on the sanctuary, because Uriah Smith’s writings on the subject are in perfect harmony with O. R. L. Crosier, James White, J. N. Andrews and others.

Notice that not one statement by Uriah Smith was quoted in our presentation of pioneer Adventist teachings on the sanctuary. Many of Smith’s statements could have been used to verify his unanimity with other pioneer Adventists. This was not necessary. Any serious research of Adventist history can plainly establish that Smith’s writings on the sanctuary are in perfect unanimity with those of his peers. Indeed, Roy Adams, in his conclusion, admits that there is little difference between Uriah Smith, M. L. Andreason, J. N. Andrews, and other pioneer Adventists. He champions the fact that there was a “radical departure in the area of the sanctuary” from pioneer writers such as Smith, Andrews, White, and Andreason.

“Ballenger’s radical departure in the area of the sanctuary was of immense significance to the purpose of this study,” Adams admits. The Sanctuary Doctrine, 256.

“But while it would be impossible to synthesize the sanctuary theology of these three figures [Uriah Smith, A. F. Ballenger, M. L. Andreason] into a unified whole, it is feasible to build a contemporary Adventist theology of the sanctuary, using their insights, however diverse they are in some points,” Adams reasons. “Such an eclectic approach would need to discard or modify some features while retaining others with profit.” Ibid., 255.

This is the real problem with contemporary Adventist scholarship. They wish to teach truth mixed with error. Why? Because Adventist leadership aspires to join the great Ecumenical movement sweeping the world. They wish to be considered “Christian brethren” by the fallen churches of Babylon!

Roy Adams’ Erroneous Conclusion

“Clearly, this does not mean that Adventism may not learn a great deal from the issues Ballenger raised and championed,” Adams concluded. “His many positive contributions to the theology of the sanctuary have already been noted.” Ibid., 256.

“There is not truth in the explanations of Scripture that Elder Ballenger and those associated with him [Roy Adams] are presenting,” Ellen White cautioned. “I am instructed to say to Elder Ballenger [and Roy Adams], ‘Your theories, which have multitudes of fine threads, and need so many explanations, are not truth, and are not to be brought to the flock of God.’” Manuscript Release, 59s, 1905.

“Within the Veil”

In his statement, Roy Adams concluded that, “Ballenger’s treatment of Hebrews 6:19,20 is so strong, exegetically, that it has to be regarded as a significant movement towards a closer affinity to the biblical testimony in regard to the meaning of the phrase `within the veil.’” The Sanctuary Doctrine, 245. As seen before, Ballenger believed that, at His ascension, and not in 1844, Christ entered directly into the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary to perform the second phase of His priestly ministry. Pioneer Adventists believed and taught that Christ did not go into the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary until October 22, 1844, at the end of the 2,300 days of Daniel 8:14. Contrary to pioneer Adventists, contemporary Seventh-day Adventists teach that all of heaven is a sanctuary, and that “there is no veil at all in heaven— and all of heaven is a Most Holy Place!” (Garry F. Williams, in a sermon at a major Seventh-day Adventist Church). If you ask a contemporary Seventh-day Adventist minister or theologian he will tell you there is no veil in heaven, no two compartments in the heavenly sanctuary. Some may deny that this is what they believe, but they do believe this to be true. They really do not believe in a literal heavenly Sanctuary, but that “all of heaven is a sanctuary and a Most Holy Place.” Ibid. Indeed, contemporary Adventist literature (and the official 27 Statements of Fundamental Beliefs), since the Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56, state that Christ is now ministering “the benefits of His atonement which He made on the cross.”

“I declare in the name of the Lord that the most dangerous heresies are seeking to find entrance among us as a people, and Elder Ballenger is making spoil of his own soul,” Ellen White warned. “Your theories…are not truth, and are not to be brought to the flock of God.” Manuscript Release, 59s, 1905.

“It will be one of the great evils that will come to our people,” Ellen White predicted, “to have the Scriptures taken out of their true place and so interpreted as to substantiate error that contradicts the light and the Testimonies that God has been giving us for the past half century.” Ibid.

“Let us all cling to the established truth of the sanctuary,” Ellen White concluded. Ibid. In 1905 this “truth of the sanctuary” would be the “established truth” presented by Crosier, James White, and other pioneer Adventists.

The contemporary Church is now teaching the false doctrines on the sanctuary that were first introduced by A. F. Ballenger. On the First Angel’s Message, the sanctuary truth, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is now in apostasy. How the Lord will choose to deal with the Church and this apostasy is a frightening possibility. Is it any wonder that Ellen White, commenting on this “Omega of Apostasy” stated that, “I tremble for our people.” Sermons and Talks, 341.

(All emphasis supplied by the author.)

Bible Study Guides – “I Am the Door”

by

October 22-28, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9.

STUDY HELP: Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 430, 431.

INTRODUCTION: “Christ is the door to the fold of God. Through this door all His children, from the earliest times, have found entrance. In Jesus, as shown in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelation of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples, and in the miracles wrought for the sons of men, they have beheld ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29), and through Him they are brought within the fold of His grace.” Desire of Ages. 477.

“None Other Name”

1 How is the entrance to the sanctuary courtyard described? Exodus 27:16.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 347.

2 How many entrances were there to the courtyard? Exodus 38:9–18.

NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 477, 478.

3 How are the two veils described which provide entrance to the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place? Exodus 26:36, 31.

NOTE: These colors, the blue, the purple the scarlet, together with the white of the fine twined linen, were used repeatedly in the sanctuary and in the vestments for the high priest. See also Exodus 26:1, 28:6–15.

“The door to the outer court, the door to the Holy Place and the door to the Most Holy Place were all in the same colors: blue, scarlet and purple. Jesus was the Door to all three phases of the sanctuary services. Jesus was the Door that led into the courtyard where the sacrifices took place. Jesus was the Door that led into the intercessory chamber, and Jesus was the Door that led into the Most Holy Place, which was also the judgment room. Jesus is the only Door to salvation.” Robert Taylor, The Censer Still Burns, 27.

“A Ribband of Blue”

4 What significance was the color blue to have for God’s people and how were they constantly to be reminded of its meaning? Numbers 15:37–40.

NOTE: “Note that a blue border was to be worn on the garments of every person. It was around the sleeve. Each opening or edge had a fringe of blue. And the blue, according to Numbers 15:39, was to remind them of the eternal law of the great God of Israel. Thus as they walked and looked to where their feet were going, they were reminded, by the blue, to walk in the straight and narrow path. Whenever they stretched forth the hand, the blue hem was a reminder to only take or touch or handle what was in accordance with the law. The keeping of the law was a hedge to them that protected them from many evils and temptations. The blue border on their garment reminded them of their obligation to the law of God.” Robert Taylor, The Censer Still Burns, 21.

N.B. The blue border would also have been about their necks, reminding them that their lips, their eyes, their ears, their minds were also to remember the law of God.

5 What was God’s purpose in giving His people the law? Deuteronomy 5:29, 33; 6:24, 25.

NOTE: “Christ came to the world with the accumulated love of eternity. Sweeping away the exactions which had encumbered the law of God, He showed that the law is a law of love, an expression of the Divine Goodness. He showed that in obedience to its principles is involved the happiness of mankind, and with it the stability, the very foundation and framework, of human society. So far from making arbitrary requirements, God’s law is given to men as a hedge, a shield. Whoever accepts its principles is preserved from evil. Fidelity to God involves fidelity to man. Thus the law guards the rights, the individuality, of every human being. It restrains the superior from oppression, and the subordinate from disobedience. It ensures man’s well being, both for this world and for the world to come. To the obedient it is the pledge of eternal life, for it expresses the principles that endure forever.” Education, 76, 77.

“Though Your Sins be as Scarlet”

6 Of what does the color scarlet remind us? Isaiah 1:18.

NOTE: “When we see that there are defects in our characters, we must be zealous and repent and reform; for if we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Scripture declares that God will not hear us. Christ has given us an invitation full of mercy. He says, ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ There is nothing worse than a scarlet sin except the sin that can have no forgiveness in this life or in the life to come.” Signs of the Times, March 10, 1890.

7 What other significance does the color red have for us? 1 John 1:7. (Compare 2 Corinthians 5:21.)

NOTE: “I am so grateful today that we have a living Saviour. There are many who go about as mournfully as though Christ were still in Joseph’s tomb with a great stone rolled before the door. Our hearts should be full of hope and joy, and we should be able to say with grateful tongues, ‘Christ is risen, and is at the right hand of God to make intercession for us. He has carried His blood into the sanctuary, and will cleanse us from every sin.’” Signs of the Times, August 29, 1892.

“And They Clothed Him with Purple”

8 What was the significance of the color purple? Mark 15:17-18. (Compare Judges 8:26; Esther 8:15; Luke 16:19.)

NOTE: “At the suggestion of Herod, a crown was now plaited from a vine bearing sharp thorns, and this was placed upon the sacred brow of Jesus; and an old tattered purple robe, once the garment of a king, was placed upon His noble form, while Herod and the Jewish priests encouraged the insults and cruelty of the mob. Jesus was then placed upon a large block, which was derisively called a throne, an old reed was placed in His hand as a scepter, and, amid satanic laughter, curses, and jeers, the rude throng bowed to Him mockingly as to a king. Occasionally some murderous hand snatched the reed that had been placed in His hand, and struck Him on the head with it, forcing the thorns into His temples, and causing the blood to flow down His face and beard.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, 138.

Purple is produced by combining red and blue. So Christ is fitted to be our King since He is not only the Law-giver but shed His precious blood that we might be reconciled to God.

9 When will Christ be given His kingdom and dominion? Daniel 7:13, 14.

NOTE: “The blue is the standard or the law of the great God of Israel. The red, or the scarlet, symbolizes the life and the death of Jesus in our behalf. Because Jesus upheld the law, because He lived and died in our behalf, the kingdom of the redeemed is given into His hands. He becomes our King throughout eternity. He wears purple.…The door represents Jesus and His standard. What a lesson, what a wonderful revelation it was when Jesus said, ‘I am the door.’ John 10:9.” Robert Taylor, The Censer Still Burns, 27.

“Fine Twined Linen”

10 Of what material were the high priest’s vestments made? Exodus 28:39–42.

NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, page 33.

11 What is the symbolism of white linen? Revelation 19:7, 8. Compare Revelation 3:18.

NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, 523, 524.

“Arrayed in Purple and Scarlet”

12 By contrast with the colors of sanctuary, what color is missing in the description of the Woman of Revelation 17? Revelation 17:4.

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 51, 52, 65.

13 When men teach others to disregard the Law of God, what is it time for the Lord to do? Psalm 119:126. Compare Romans 3:31.

NOTE: “It is ever the purpose of Satan to make void the law of God and to pervert the true meaning of the plan of salvation. Therefore he has originated the falsehood that the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary’s cross was for the purpose of freeing men from the obligation of keeping the commandments of God. He has foisted upon the world the deception that God has abolished His constitution, thrown away His moral standard, and made void His holy and perfect law. Had He done this, at what terrible expense would it have been to Heaven! Instead of proclaiming the abolition of the law, Calvary’s cross proclaims in thunder tones its immutable and eternal character. Could the law have been abolished, and the government of heaven and earth and the unnumbered worlds of God maintained, Christ need not have died. The death of Christ was to forever settle the question of the validity of the law of Jehovah…. Christ came to magnify the law and to make it honorable.” Faith and Works, 118.

Bible Study Guides – “The Solemn Feasts of the LORD Our God”

by

October 15-21, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8.

STUDY HELP: Patriarchs and Prophets, 537–542.

INTRODUCTION: “Anciently God commanded His people to assemble three times a year, and from every city from Dan to Beersheba the people came to these annual feasts. The one at the commencement of the season was to entreat God’s blessing upon their families, their lands, their flocks, and their herds. The one at the close of harvest was the crowning festal gathering, to bring their offerings to God.…Joy and rejoicing were there combined with the solemnities of a holy and sacred convocation.…Many sacrifices were made at these feasts; and this profusion of blood shed in connection with the harvest of thanksgiving was significant to them of the fact that even the bounties of the earth could come to them only through the cross of Calvary. By thus assembling and bringing their tithes into the treasury, they ever acknowledged the Lord to be the giver of all their blessings.” Review and Herald, July 10, 1879.

“Christ Our Passover is Sacrificed for Us”

1 What was the opening feast of the year? Leviticus 23:5, 6.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 277.

2 How did Paul explain the significance of the Passover? 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 278.

“The First Fruits of Them that Sleep”

3 What service followed the Passover Sabbath? Leviticus 23:10,11.

NOTE: “Christ was the first fruits of them that slept. This very scene, the resurrection of Christ from the dead, was observed in type by the Jews at one of their sacred feasts.…They came up to the Temple when the first fruits had been gathered in, and held a feast of thanksgiving. The first fruits of the harvest crop were sacredly dedicated to the Lord. That crop was not to be appropriated for the benefit of man. The first ripe fruit was dedicated as a thank offering to God. He was acknowledged as the Lord of the harvest. When the first heads of grain ripened in the field, they were carefully gathered, and when the people went up to Jerusalem, they were presented to the Lord, waving the ripened sheaf before Him as a thank offering. After this ceremony the sickle could be put to the wheat, and it could be gathered into sheaves.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1092.

4 How does Paul explain the fulfillment of the Feast of the First Fruits? 1 Corinthians 15:20.

NOTE: “Christ arose from the dead as the first fruits of those that slept. He was the antitype of the wave sheaf, and His resurrection took place on the very day when the wave sheaf was to be presented before the Lord. For more than a thousand years this symbolic ceremony had been performed. From the harvest fields the first heads of ripened grain were gathered, and when the people went up to Jerusalem to the Passover, the sheaf of first fruits was waved as a thank offering before the Lord. Not until this was presented could the sickle be put to the grain, and it be gathered into sheaves. The sheaf dedicated to God represented the harvest. So Christ the first fruits represented the great spiritual harvest to be gathered for the kingdom of God. His resurrection is the type and pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead.” The Faith I Live By, 180.

“Feast of Weeks”

5 What feast followed fifty days later to celebrate the end of the spring harvest? Deuteronomy 16:9, 10.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 540.

6 In what wonderful way did the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, reach its fulfillment? Acts 2:1–4, 41–47.

NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, 44, 45.

“The seed had been sown by the greatest Teacher the world had ever known. For three and a half years the Son of God had sojourned in the land of Judea, proclaiming the message of the gospel of truth and working with mighty signs and wonders. The seed had been sown, and after His ascension the great ingathering took place. More were converted by one sermon on the day of Pentecost than were converted during all the years of Christ’s ministry. So mightily will God work when men give themselves to the control of the Spirit.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1055.

“Blowing of Trumpets”

7 What ceremony marked the beginning of the autumn feasts? Leviticus 23:24.

NOTE: “To prepare the camp of Israel for [the Day of Atonement], ten days prior to this special occasion a solemn service was conducted when the trumpet was blown and a warning sounded. The preceding service, observed on the first day of the seventh month, was a holy convocation. It was to be regarded as a sabbath. The people were prohibited from performing secular labor on the first day of the seventh month. An offering must be presented to the Lord. Till the present day the orthodox Jew, in all parts of the world, calls the ten days prior to the Day of Atonement, from the first day to the tenth day of this same month ‘the ten days of repentance.’ These are preparatory days to the solemn Day of Atonement.” F. C. Gilbert, Messiah in His Sanctuary, 60, 61.

8 How does the prophet Joel convey the message of the Feast of Trumpets? Joel 2:1, 12–18, Compare Amos 4:12.

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 311.

“Then Shall the Sanctuary be Cleansed”

9 What was the purpose of the Day of Atonement? Leviticus 16:30, 31.

NOTE: “In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life, should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart.…There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another.…Every one must be tested, and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. The Lord declares, . . . ‘I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.’ Isaiah 43:25.” Maranatha, 93.

10 What decision is made concerning those who refuse to afflict their souls? Leviticus 23:29.

NOTE: “Sins that are not confessed will never be forgiven; the name of him who thus rejects the grace of God will be blotted out of the book of life. The time is at hand when every secret thing shall be brought into judgement, and then there will be many confessions made that will astonish the world. The secrets of all hearts will be revealed. The confession of sin will be most public. The sad part of it is that confession then made will be too late to benefit the wrongdoer or to save others from deception. It only testifies that his condemnation is just.…You may now close the book of your remembrance in order to escape confessing your sins, but when the judgement shall sit and the books shall be opened, you cannot close them. The recording angel has testified that which is true. All that you have tried to conceal and forget is registered, and will be read to you when it is too late for wrongs to be righted.…Unless your sins are cancelled, they will testify against you at that day.” Review and Herald, December 16, 1890.

See also Testimonies vol. 5, 331.

“To Keep the Feast of Tabernacles”

11 What feast closed the annual round? Deuteronomy 16:13–15.

NOTE: “The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated to commemorate the time when the Hebrews dwelt in tents during their sojourn in the wilderness. While this great festival lasted, the people were required to leave their houses and live in booths made of green branches of pine or myrtle. These leafy structures were sometimes erected on the tops of the houses, and in the streets, but oftener outside the walls of the city, in the valleys and along the hillsides. Scattered about in every direction, these green camps presented a very picturesque appearance. The feast lasted one week, and during all that time the temple was a festal scene of great rejoicing. There was the pomp of the sacrificial ceremonies; and the sound of music, mingled with hosannas, made the place jubilant.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 344.

12 To what great harvest does the Feast of Tabernacles look forward? Revelation 14:14–20. Compare Matthew 13:37–43; Joel 3:13 and Jeremiah 8:20.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 541.

Bible Study Guides – “Let Them Make Me a Sanctuary”

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October 8-14, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” Psalm 77:13.

STUDY HELP: Patriarchs and Prophets, 343–358.

INTRODUCTION: “God sought to impress Israel with the holiness of His character and requirements, and the exceeding guilt of transgression. But the people were slow to learn the lesson. Accustomed as they had been in Egypt to material representations of the Deity, and these of the most degrading nature, it was difficult for them to conceive of the existence or the character of the Unseen One. In pity for their weakness, God gave them a symbol of His presence. ‘Let them make Me a sanctuary,’ He said; ‘that I may dwell among them.’ Exodus 25:8. ” Education, 35.

“When I see the Blood, I Will Pass Over You”

1 What was the first sacred service introduced among the Israelites? Exodus 12:14–20.

NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 77.

2 Which homes were assured of deliverance from death? Exodus 12:7, 13.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 277.

“It is the Blood That Maketh an Atonement for the Soul”

3 What strict prohibition did God make regarding blood? Leviticus 17:10–14.

NOTE: “From the earliest times, man was prohibited from eating blood. When permission was given for man to eat flesh, the command was imperative that blood should not be eaten. ‘Flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.’ Genesis 9:4. Repeatedly Israel was forbidden the eating of blood. ‘Ye shall not eat anything with the blood.’ Leviticus 19:26. ‘Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.’ The eating of blood was so great a sin that the record states: ‘Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.’ Leviticus 7:27.…To this day the orthodox Jew refuses to eat any flesh with the blood.…The instruction to refrain from the eating of blood is carried over into the New Testament. The first general council convened by the apostles in Jerusalem commanded all the Christian churches to abstain from eating blood. Acts 15:20. This command was reinforced by the Holy Ghost. Verse 28. The precious blood of the Son of God, which was spilled in Gethsemane and shed on Calvary, made atonement for the soul of man. The blood of God’s son cleanseth from all sin. God desired that man should recognize the purpose of the blood.”
F. C. Gilbert, Messiah in His Sanctuary, 17, 18.

4 What is necessary for the remission of sins? Hebrews 9:22.

NOTE: “This has a special meaning for us. If it was necessary in ancient times for the unclean to be purified by the blood of sprinkling, how essential for those living in the perils of the last days, and exposed to the temptations of Satan, to have the blood of Christ applied to their hearts daily. ‘For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?’” Testimonies, vol. 4, 123.

“After the Pattern”

5 What was Moses shown while he was on Mount Sinai with God? Exodus 25:8, 9, 40; 26:30; 27:8; Numbers 8:4.

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 413.

6 How much of the design for the sanctuary was shown to Moses by God? Exodus 36:1; Hebrews 8:5.

NOTE: “It was Christ who planned the arrangement for the first earthly tabernacle. He gave every specification in regard to the building of Solomon’s temple. The One who in His earthly life worked as a carpenter in the village of Nazareth was the heavenly architect who marked out the plan for the sacred building where His name was to be honored.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 349.

“The Lord demands uprightness in the smallest as well as the largest matters. Those who are accepted at last as members of the heavenly court will be men and women who here on earth have sought to carry out the Lord’s will in every particular, who have sought to put the impress of heaven upon their earthly labors. In order that the earthly tabernacle might represent the heavenly, it must be perfect in all its parts, and it must be in the smallest detail like the pattern in the heavens. So it is with the characters of those who are finally accepted in the sight of Heaven.” In Heavenly Places, 154.

“Thy Way, O Lord, is in the Sanctuary”

7 What was the purpose of the sanctuary and its symbols? Hebrews 4:2.

NOTE: “The gospel of Christ reflects glory upon the Jewish age. It sheds light upon the whole Jewish economy, and gives significance to the ceremonial law. The tabernacle, or temple, of God on earth was a pattern of the original in Heaven. All the ceremonies of the Jewish law were prophetic, typical of mysteries in the plan of redemption. The rites and ceremonies of the law were given by Christ Himself, who, enshrouded in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, was the leader of the hosts of Israel; and this law should be treated with great respect, for it is sacred. Even after it was no longer to be observed, Paul presented it before the Jews in its true position and value, showing its place in the plan of redemption and its relation to the work of Christ; and the great apostle pronounces this law glorious, worthy of its divine Originator.” Signs of the Times, July 29, 1886.

8 How does Paul show that the sanctuary prefigures even the saving work of Christ in heaven? Hebrews 9:21–24.

NOTE: “I was also shown a sanctuary upon the earth containing two apartments. It resembled the one in heaven, and I was told that it was a figure of the heavenly. The furniture of the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary was like that in the first apartment of the heavenly. The veil was lifted, and I looked into the Holy of Holies and saw that the furniture was the same as in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. The priest ministered in both apartments of the earthly. He went daily into the first apartment, but entered the most holy only once a year, to cleanse it from the sins which had been conveyed there. I saw that Jesus ministered in both apartments of the heavenly sanctuary. The priests entered into the earthly with the blood of an animal as an offering for sin. Christ entered into the heavenly sanctuary by the offering of His own blood. The earthly priests were removed by death; therefore they could not continue long; but Jesus was a priest forever. Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the earthly sanctuary, the children of Israel were to lay hold of the merits of a Saviour to come. And in the wisdom of God the particulars of this work were given us that we might, by looking to them, understand the work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary.” Early Writings, page 252, 253.

“Perfected Forever”

9 What could the sacrifices of the earthly sanctuary never achieve? Hebrews 10:1, 11.

NOTE: “Before Christ came, a ceremonial holiness could be obtained by offering the blood of bulls and of goats; but these sacrifices could not cleanse the conscience. They were but a representation of Christ, the great sacrifice. The substance of all the sacrifices and offerings, He came to this world to do God’s will by offering Himself. He came as the world’s Redeemer, to stand at the head of humanity. The Holy Spirit comes to man through Christ. We are given a decided testimony regarding the value of Christ’s offering. God’s word declares, ‘By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.’ It was a whole and entire sacrifice that was made for us.” Review and Herald, July 25, 1899.

10 By contrast, what work does the sacrifice of Christ do for those who are sanctified? Hebrews 10:14.

NOTE: “How vastly different was the true High Priest from the false and corrupted Caiaphas. In comparison with Caiaphas, Christ stands out pure and undefiled, without a taint of sin. ‘By one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified’ [Hebrews 10:14]. This enabled Him to proclaim on the cross with a clear and triumphant voice, ‘It is finished.’ Christ entered in once into the holy place, ‘having obtained eternal redemption for us’ [Hebrews 9:12]. ‘Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them’ [Hebrews 7:25]. Christ glorified not Himself in being made High Priest. God gave Him His appointment to the priesthood. He was to be an example to all the human family. He qualified Himself to be, not only the representative of the race, but their Advocate, so that every soul if he will may say, I have a Friend at court. He is a High Priest that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.” Manuscript Release, vol. 12, 392, 393.

“Our Great High Priest”

11 What important qualification did Christ need in order to be our High Priest? Hebrews 2:17, 18; Hebrews 5:1, 2.

NOTE: “Adam was in the perfection of manhood, the noblest of the Creator’s works. He was in the image of God, but a little lower than the angels. What a contrast the second Adam presented as He entered the gloomy wilderness to cope with Satan single-handed. Since the fall, the race had been decreasing in size and physical strength, and sinking lower in the scale of moral worth, up to the period of Christ’s advent to the earth. In order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him where he was. He took human nature, and bore the infirmities and degeneracy of the race. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He humiliated Himself to the lowest depths of human woe, that He might be qualified to reach man and bring him up from the degradation in which sin had plunged him. ‘For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.’” Confrontation, 32, 33.

12 How does the knowledge of having such a High Priest affect our relationship to God? Hebrews 4:15, 16; Hebrews 10:19, 22.

NOTE: “The throne of grace is itself the highest attraction because occupied by One who permits us to call Him Father. But God did not deem the principle of salvation complete while invested only with His own love. By His appointment He has placed at His altar an Advocate clothed with our nature. As our Intercessor, His office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and daughters. Christ intercedes in behalf of those who have received Him. To them He gives power, by virtue of His own merits, to become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. And the Father demonstrates His infinite love for Christ, who paid our ransom with His blood, by receiving and welcoming Christ’s friends as His friends. He is satisfied with the atonement made. He is glorified by the incarnation, the life, death, and mediation of His Son.” God’s Amazing Grace, 68.

Bible Study Guides – “The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son Cleanseth Us from all Sin.”

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October 1-7, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28.

STUDY HELP: Patriarchs and Prophets, 63–70.

INTRODUCTION: “As the high priest laid aside his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of the common priest, so Christ took the form of a servant, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.’ Isaiah 53:5. Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His.” Desire of Ages, 25.

“If a Soul Sin”

1 What is the Bible’s only definition of sin? 1 John 3:4. Compare Romans 4:15.

NOTE: “The apostle gives us the true definition of sin. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’ The largest class of Christ’s professed ambassadors are blind guides. They lead the people away from the path of safety by representing the requirements and prohibitions of the ancient law of Jehovah as arbitrary and severe. They give the sinner license to overstep the limits of God’s law. In this they are like the great adversary of souls, opening before them a life of freedom in violation of God’s commandments. With this lawless freedom the basis of moral responsibility is gone.” Confrontation, 75.

2 What law did Adam and Eve break? Genesis 2:16, 17. Compare Genesis 3:1–6.

NOTE: “What reason have men for thinking that God is not particular whether they obey Him implicitly or take their own course? Adam and Eve lost Eden for one transgression of His command; and how dare we trifle with the law of the Most High, and frame deceitful apologies to our souls? We do this at a terrible peril. We must keep all the law, every jot and tittle; for he that offendeth in one point is guilty of all. Every ray of light must be received and cherished, or we shall become bodies of darkness.” Reflecting Christ, 54.

“The Wages of Sin”

3 What is the penalty for man’s sins? Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Romans 6:23; James 1:15.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 539, 540, 544.

4 Does God hold all men guilty for Adam’s sin? Romans 5:12. Compare Deuteronomy 24:16, Ezekiel 18:19, 20.

NOTE: “There are many who in their hearts murmur against God. They say, ‘We inherit the fallen nature of Adam, and are not responsible for our natural imperfections.’ They find fault with God’s requirements, and complain that He demands what they have no power to give. Satan made the same complaint in heaven, but such thoughts dishonor God.” Signs of the Times, August 29, 1892.

See also Patriarchs and Prophets, 306.

“God so Loved the World”

5 What remedy for man’s sins did God devise? Genesis 3:15.

NOTE: “The news of man’s fall spread through heaven, every harp was hushed. The angels cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow. All heaven was in agitation. A council was held to decide what must be done with the guilty pair. The anxiety of the angels seemed to be intense while Jesus was communing with His Father…Jesus told them that He would…leave all His glory in heaven, appear upon earth as a man, humble Himself as a man,…and that finally, after His mission as a teacher would be accomplished, He would be delivered into the hands of men, and endure almost every cruelty and suffering that Satan and his angels could inspire men to inflict; that He would die the cruelest of deaths, hung up between the heavens and the earth as a guilty sinner; that He should suffer dreadful hours of agony, which even angels could not look upon, but would veil their faces from the sight.…The angels prostrated themselves before Him. They offered their lives. Jesus said to them that He would, by His death, save many; that the life of an angel could not pay the debt. His life alone could be accepted of the Father as a ransom for man.” The Truth about Angels, 60.

6 How did God convey to the guilty pair the truth that only Christ’s blood could atone for their sin? Genesis 3:21.

NOTE: “Fig leaves sewed together have been employed since the days of Adam, yet the nakedness of the soul of the sinner is not covered. All the arguments pieced together by all who have interested themselves in this flimsy robe will come to naught. Sin is the transgression of the law. Christ was manifest in our world to take away transgression and sin, and to substitute for the covering of fig leaves the pure robes of His righteousness. The law of God stands vindicated by the suffering and death of the only begotten Son of the infinite God.” The Upward Look, 378.

“By Faith, Abel….”

7 How did Abel express his faith in the blood of Jesus Christ as the only remedy for his sin? Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4.

NOTE: “Cain and Abel were representatives of the two great classes. Abel, as priest, in solemn faith offered his sacrifice. Cain was willing to offer the fruit of his ground, but refused to connect with his offering the blood of beasts. His heart refused to show his repentance for sin, and his faith in a Saviour, by offering the blood of beasts. He refused to acknowledge his need of a Redeemer. This, to his proud heart, was dependence and humiliation. But Abel, by faith in a future Redeemer, offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. His offering the blood of beasts signified that he was a sinner and had sins to put away, and that he was penitent and believed in the efficacy of the blood of the future great offering.” Confrontation, 22–23.

8 What evidence do we have that this truth was known to other patriarchs? Genesis 8:20; 12:7, 8; 26:25; 31:54.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 128.

9 In what special way did God help Abraham to understand what the sacrifice of His Son meant? Genesis 22:1–14.

NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 469.

“Let Them Make Me a Sanctuary”

10 Why was the first sanctuary built? Exodus 25:8. Compare Hebrews 9:8, 9.

NOTE: The phrase translated “holiest of all” in the King James Bible (Hebrews 9:8) is “ta hagia” in the Greek and should be rendered “the sanctuary”, meaning literally “the holy places.” It is so translated in Hebrews 8:2, and 9:1,2. The failure to translate Paul’s terms consis-tently in these chapters had led to great confusion. Similar inconsistency is found in the New King James Version and other recent versions.

“The question, “What is the sanctuary?” is clearly answered in the Scriptures. The term ‘sanctuary,’ as used in the Bible, refers, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant. The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven….Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him. Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven. And John testifies that he saw it in heaven. The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth.” The Faith I Live By, 202.

11 What sacrifice is required for Christ to minister as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 9:23–26.

NOTE: See Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, 160 and See also Patriarchs and Prophets, 343.

“Ye do Show the Lord’s Death”

12 In what way does Jesus help us to understand the importance of His sacrifice? 1 Corinthians 11:26.

NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 660, 661.

13 What work of preparation is necessary before we can avail ourselves of the emblems of His sacrifice? 1 Corinthians 11:27, 28.

NOTE: “Let every believer closely examine himself to ascertain what are his weak points. Let him cherish a spirit of humility and plead with the Lord for grace and wisdom and for the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Let him cast away all self-confidence.…Self-confidence leads to a lack of watchfulness.…Those who walk humbly before God, distrustful of their own wisdom, will realize their danger and will know the power of God’s keeping care.” In Heavenly Places, 97.

Bible Study Guides – “Then Shall the Sanctuary be Cleansed”

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December 2, 2000 – December 8, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “And He said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel 8:14.

STUDY HELP: Great Controversy, 423–431.

Introduction

“…the beginning of the seventy weeks is fixed beyond question at 457 B.C., and their expiration in A.D. 34. From this data there is no difficulty in finding the termination of the 2300 days. The seventy weeks—490 days—having been cut off from the 2300, there were 1810 days remaining. After the end of 490 days, the 1810 days were still to be fulfilled. From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. Consequently the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 terminate in 1844. At the expiration of this great prophetic period, upon the testimony of the angel of God, ‘the sanctuary shall be cleansed.’” The Great Controversy, 328.

“How Long?”

  1. What question marks the culmination of the prophecy of Daniel 8? Daniel 8:13.

NOTE: The early part of the prophecy covers familiar ground. As in the prophecies of Daniel 2 and of Daniel 7, world powers are pictured in conflict. In this late stage of its history, further information about Babylon is not necessary. Medo-Persia and Greece are described and the emergence of the fourth power, Rome, described in its imperial and papal phases. Then comes the question: How long will the sanctuary and the host be trodden underfoot?

  1. Who was the one who answered this question? Daniel 8:13, margin.

  2. What answer was given? Daniel 8:14.

  3. What Bible examples may be given to demonstrate the principle of a day in prophecy representing a year? Ezekiel 4:4–6; Numbers 14:33, 34.

NOTE: “A day in prophecy stands for a year. See Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6. The seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety days, represent four hundred and ninety years.” Prophets and Kings, 698.

“At the Time of the End”

  1. How was Daniel shown that the fulfillment of this vision would take place in the distant future? Daniel 8:17.

  2. What event was to take place at the end of the 2300 days? Daniel 8:14.

NOTE: Some have suggested that nitsdak, rendered cleansed, should be translated ‘be justified,’ ‘vindicated,’ or ‘restored to its rightful state.’ But a building cannot be justified or vindicated or declared righteous. Only a person can.

“Purged With Blood”

  1. What misunderstanding did Daniel have about the sanctuary to be cleansed? Daniel 9:17.

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 417.

  1. How is this cleansing to be done? Hebrews 9:22.

NOTE: “What is the cleansing of the sanctuary? That there was such a service in connection with the earthly sanctuary, is stated in the Old Testament Scriptures. But can there be anything in heaven to be cleansed? In Hebrews 9 the cleansing of both the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary is plainly taught…. The cleansing, both in the typical and in the real service, must be accomplished with blood: in the former, with the blood of animals; in the latter, with the blood of Christ. The cleansing was not a removal of physical impurities, for it was to be accomplished with blood, and therefore must be a cleansing from sin. But how could there be sin connected with the sanctuary, either in heaven or upon the earth? As the sins of the people were anciently transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary by the blood of the sin offering, so our sins are, in fact, transferred to the heavenly sanctuary by the blood of Christ. And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. This necessitates an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement. Then [in the great day of final award] by virtue of the atoning blood of Christ, the sins of all the truly penitent will be blotted from the books of heaven. He [Christ] asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne.” The Faith I Live By, 206.

“Consider the Vision”

  1. Why was Gabriel unable to complete his task of explaining the vision to Daniel? Daniel 8:16, 27.

  2. When Gabriel returned, how did he explain the purpose of his visit? Daniel 9:22-23.

NOTE: “The angel had been sent to Daniel for the express purpose of explaining to him the point which he had failed to understand in the vision of the eighth chapter, the statement relative to time—‘unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’ After bidding Daniel ‘understand the matter, and consider the vision,’ the very first words of the angel are: ‘Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy Holy City.’” The Great Controversy, 326.

“Seventy Weeks are Determined”

  1. What event was to begin the time period covered by this vision? Daniel 9:24, 25, first part.

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 326.

  1. In what year does the Bible place this commandment? Ezra 7:8. (The commandment is given in verses 11–26. See also Ezra 6:14.)

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 326, 327.

  1. What events would take place during the first 70 weeks of the prophecy? Daniel 9:25–27.

NOTE: See The Great Controversy, 327.

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

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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.