16--THE SANCTUARY

"Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." Hebrews 8:1-5

Note: The sanctuary on earth was a shadow of the one in heaven. When we study about the sanctuary God had the Israelites build on this earth, we find a lot of symbolism in the parts of the sanctuary, including the furniture. Plus, we find it in the ceremonies and feasts connected with it. These types and symbols are all found in the plan for our salvation. They are found in the life, death, resurrection, and heavenly sanctuary work of our Saviour and High Priest.

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." – Hebrews 4:14-16

Note: Jesus was the Lamb of God dying on the cross of Calvary here on earth. In heaven, He applies this blood as our High Priest. Because of this we can “boldly” approach the heavenly throne with our prayers. Revelation tells us our prayers rise with the incense of Christ’s righteousness, just as the incense rose from the altar of incense in the earthly sanctuary. Everything we read in the Bible about the sanctuary can be applied to the heavenly sanctuary and Christ’s work there.

"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us]. 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? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." – Hebrews 9:11-15


Note:It would pay for you to study the old testament Scriptures on this subject, as well as all the new you can find. A good concordance is a blessing to anyone who wants to truly understand the Bible and what truths God has for us. We plan to go deeper into the subject of the sanctuary at a later time.

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And [having] an 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." --Hebrews 10:19-22

Note: As you can see, the book of Hebrews sheds a lot of light on the meaning of the sanctuary. Remember, the one on earth was made after the pattern in heaven. Those lambs sacrificed were to help the Israelites to look forward to Christ’s coming to earth and becoming the sacrifice for our sins. As Christians, we have a heavenly Priest offering His own blood for our sins. Because He is there, divine power is available to us. His blood washes away our past sins and His grace also gives us victories as we walk in the Spirit. We have a new and living way prepared for us.

"Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" – Hebrews 1:3


Note: Our Saviour prepared a way for us when He gave Himself for our sins. He who is equal with the Father loves us, as the Father loves us when He sent His Son. Together they work on the plan for our salvation.

"For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." – Hebrews 2:16, 17

Note: Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh, yet He did not sin, even though He was tempted. Since He knows what it is to suffer on this earth, He is a faith High Priest for us in heaven. He can understand what we are going through. Thus, we can be reconciled and made one with God.

Read Daniel 7:9-27


Note: Daniel was given a vision of heavenly things. He saw Christ as our High Priest. He saw the judgment and many other things. Yet, He didn’t understand it all. Much of the book of Daniel was sealed until a certain time. When the book of Revelation started to be intensely studied and the news of Christ’s second coming began to be preached in the 1800s, the book of Daniel was opened to the eyes of God’s children. These two books complemented each other. We can understand the book of Daniel by the study of the book of Revelation.

"Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice], and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." – Daniel 8:13, 14


Note: This prophecy has wonderful news hidden in it for God’s children. We will not study all of it in this series of studies. When you start studying specifically on the prophecies of the Bible, it will be covered to a greater extent.

Read Daniel 9:24-27


Note: These seventy weeks are the first part of the 2300 days. Near the end of this time period the Messiah is mentioned. It tells of the time of the cutting off the Messiah (His death on the cross). After Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit, the ministry of Christ was for 31/2 years. Then He was crucified. The nation of Israel was given 3 1/2 years more, until about the time they stoned Stephen. As a nation their probation ended, but as individuals they still have access to salvation.

"After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, [even] forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise." – Numbers 14:34


Note: This is one of two major texts which tell us when we are dealing with time prophecy a day equals a year. Thus, the prophecies we read in Daniel are years, not days.

"And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year." – Ezekiel 4:6

Note: Here again– a day equals a year in prophecy.

Read Leviticus 16


Note: This chapter is talking about the day of atonement. The Jews celebrate this day once a year, yet they lost the significance of its real meaning. As we learn from the Bible, the ceremonial laws, feast days, etc. were done away with when Christ died on the cross. Why? Because our Saviour is the true Lamb, the heavenly High Priest. All those ceremonies pointed to Him. When He ascended to heaven, He began His work as our High Priest, first ministering in the Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuary. On the antitypical day of atonement (which was typified as being once a year here) He went into the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary. Through careful study we find out what Christ’s work is there. In the earthly Sanctuary, the people of Israel gathered around the sanctuary on the day of atonement. They had sent their daily sacrifices for sin into the sanctuary during the year, and now the sanctuary was to be cleansed from these sins on this special day. While the High Priest carried on this work, the people were to afflict their souls, repent of all sin, put all sin away in their lives. So, during the antitypical day of atonement, God’s people are to do the same. This is a much longer period of time than one day. It is at the end of the complete time prophecy, which is part of the first seventy weeks, that Christ enters into the Most Holy Place. What is He doing there? He is investigating the cases of first the dead who profess Christ and then the living. He is both our Judge and our Advocate (lawyer). He understands us more than any human ever could. When this work is through probation will close for all mankind, and Christ will come in the clouds of heaven. As our High Priest He can offer His own blood for atonement for sin. The word atonement can be broken down to mean at-one-ment. He wants us to be one with the Godhead and with each other as He prayed in John 17. What is our part while He is doing this work? We are to “afflict our souls” with fasting and prayer. We are to submit our lives to Him completely, that His work will be finished in us.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:6, 7


Note: The message of this angel in Revelation includes a judgment hour message. We are living in that time. We will understand more about this as we study further into the prophecies later. We are to give glory to our Creator and Redeemer by our lives and our testimony.

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." – Revelation 20:12


Note: We are judged by the heavenly books. The one is the book of life, where the names of God’s professed children will be. We are also judged by our works. Our works are proof of our faith in Him. Our faith is not real unless it is exercised by works. The Bible has much to say about this in places. As we will learn more later, there actually two judgments, but the first one only concerns those who are saved. The other concerns the wicked and their final destruction.

"Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." – Revelation 14:12


Note: Those living near the end of time, will need much patience and all the other fruit of the Spirit operating in their lives. They are those who recognize the importance of keeping all ten of God’s commandments in thought, word, and deed. And, they will have the faith of Jesus. They will recognize that all they have, all they are, and all they hope to become is from God. They will depend on Him through every trial and temptation of this life. Thus, they will be enabled to go through a time of trouble, such as never was. Yet that time will be shortened for their sake. They will be indeed ready for Jesus’ return to take them home.

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." – Revelation 22:12


Note: We can cling to this promise. It won’t be long now.

CONCLUSION:

Are you ready for Jesus to come? We all need to search our hearts and minds and put away anything that stands between us and the Lord. Our High Priest is waiting for a people who depend on Him so much and who long for their heavenly home. They are witnessing for Him in every way they possibly can. Then He will come and take them home.