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THE SANCTUARY MESSAGE 9FULFILLING
THE EVERLASTING COVENANT "Christ
was not alone in making this great sacrifice. It was the fulfillment of
the covenant made between the Father and the Son before the foundation
of the earth was laid." Manuscript 11, 1897; 5 Bible Commentary,
p. 1149. "The
ten commandments were the basis of the covenant made between God and
Israel."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 348. "He
[Satan] endeavored to make a special contract with Christ, to make over
to Him at once the whole of his claim, if He would worship
him."—Redemption: or The First Advent of Christ, pp. 50, 51; 5
Bible Commentary, p. 1119. "The
covenant of mercy was made before the foundation of the world. It
existed from all eternity, and is called the everlasting covenant. So
surely as there never was a time when God was not, so surely there never
was a moment when it was not the delight of the eternal mind to manifest
His grace to humanity."—Signs of the Times, June 12, 1901. "Every
soul who fastens himself to the divine, everlasting covenant, made and
presented to us as a sign and mark of God's government, fastens himself
to the golden chain of obedience, every link of which is a promise. He
shows that he regards God's Word as above the word of man, God's love as
preferable to the love of man. And those who repent of transgression,
and return to their loyalty by accepting God's mark, show themselves to
be true subjects, ready to do His will, to obey His commandments. True
observance of the Sabbath is the sign of loyalty to
God."—Manuscript 63, 1899; 7 Bible Commentary, p. 981. "To
have them with Him is according to covenant promise and agreement with
His Father."—Review and Herald, October 17, 1893; 5 Bible
Commentary, p. 1148. "But
God is behind the promises He makes. He is ever mindful of His covenant,
and His truth endureth to all generations."—Manuscript 23,
1899; 7 Bible Commentary, p. 943. "All
who enter into a covenant with Jesus Christ become by adoption the
children of God. They are cleansed by the regenerating power of the
Word, and angels are commissioned to minister unto them.—Manuscript
57, 1907; 7 Bible Commentary, p. 922. "Our
sanctification is the work of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
It is the fulfillment of the covenant God has made with those who bind
themselves up with Him, to stand with Him, His Son, and His Spirit in
holy fellowship." Manuscript 11, 1901; 7 Bible Commentary, p.
908. "The
atoning sacrifice is full and sufficient. It is the new covenant sealed
with His blood, which was shed for many for the remission of
sins."—Letter 108, 1899; 5 Bible Commentary, p. 1102. "The
'true tabernacle' in heaven is the Sanctuary of the new
covenant."—Great Controversy, p. 417. "This covenant, made
from eternity, was given to Abraham nineteen hundred years before Christ
came."—Manuscript 9, 1896; 6 Bible Commentary, p. 1114. "There
is hope for us only as we come under the Abrahamic covenant, which is
the covenant of grace by faith in Christ Jesus. The gospel preached to
Abraham, through which we have hope. Abraham looked unto Jesus, who is
also the Author and the Finisher of our faith."—Youth's
Instructor, September 22,1892; 6 Bible Commentary, p. 1077. "If
it were not possible for human beings under the Abrahamic covenant to
keep the commandments of God, every soul of us is lost. The Abrahamic
covenant is the covenant of grace. 'By grace ye are saved: [John 1
:11, 12 quoted] Disobedient
children? No, obedient to all His commandments. If it were not possible
for us to be commandment-keepers, then why does He make the obedience to
His commandments proof that we love Him?"—Letter 16, 1892; 1
Bible Commentary. p. 1092. "Under
the new covenant, the conditions by which eternal life may be gained are
the same as under the old; perfect obedience.—Letter 276, 1904; 7
Bible Commentary, p.931. "This
covenant is of just as much force today as it was when the Lord made it
with ancient Israel."—The Southern Watchman, March 1, 1904; 1
Bible Commentary, p. 1103. "I
ask you to study the fourth to the eighth chapters of Deuteronomy, that
you may understand what God required of His ancient people that they
might be a holy people unto Himself. We are nearing the day of God's
great final review, when the people of this world must stand before the
Judge of all the earth to answer for their deeds. We are now in the time
of investigation. Before the day of God's review, every character will
have been investigated, every case decided for eternity. Let the words
of God's servant recorded in these chapters be read with profit."
Letter 112, 1909; 1 Bible Commentary, p. 1118. "It
will take the whole of eternity for man to understand the plan of
redemption. It will open to him line upon line; here a little and there
a little.—Manuscript 21, 1895; 6 Bible Commentary, p. 1115. THE
FAITH OF OUR FOREFATHERS In
this lengthy study, "The Sanctuary Message," we have found a
most thrilling message of hope, courage, and victory over sin in our
lives today—through the moment-by-moment intercession of Christ our
High Priest in the Sanctuary above. And we have seen that this message
is to be clearly found within the pages of the Spirit of Prophecy. But
this message was given by other faithful believers in the Advent
Message as well. In this present section, we shall view most comforting
assurances of what Jesus can and will do for us within the Most Holy of
the heavenly Sanctuary. Recognizing
that Satan lives only to pester and annoy, we may rejoice, for Christ
ever liveth to empower us to overcome through His precious merits.
Satan's time is nearly over; but eternity with Christ stretches before
us. Oh, how happy we may be with each passing day! Always one step
closer to Jesus; continually walking the Narrow Way. The
future is bright—for both the present and the future are full of
Jesus. Vance
Ferrell M.C.
WILCOX "Our
names are now written in the 'book of life.' We infer this from the fact
that those thus forgiven have their names written before their
characters are proved. See Luke 10:20; Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69: 28;
Philemon 4:3, and others. We are now candidates for eternal life,
placed on a new probation. The sins passed over are not future sins, but
'sins that are past: or 'previously committed.' These sins are not
forever 'forgotten' or 'blotted out: but are 'passed over' on the
condition that we remain faithful. We have been freed, or liberated; it
is now our duty to walk in liberty. If the pardon of Christ is still
efficacious when we turn again to wickedness, it makes Christ the
minister of sin; and pardon, license to do wickedly. Galatians 2:17, 18.
But Ezekiel 33:1416 teaches otherwise; the Lord pardons, not to excuse
sin, but to make men better. He saves, not in sin, but from sin. Matthew
1 :21; Titus 2:14. "Now
for the proof that we are pardoned on condition; that once forgiven or
justified we are not forever saved. [Ezekiel 33:13 quoted] .. "Past
sinfulness forgiven, may cause a sense of humiliation, yet at the same
time one of rejoicing to know that it is covered by the blood of Christ.
And if the Christian continues faithful in the work of repenting, and
washing in the blood of Christ, his character will at last stand
perfect, and his sins, which have been passed over because of his
faithfulness, will, at the judgment, be blotted out. Acts 3: 19. "This
blotting out of sin constitutes the atonement. Then will sins be removed
from the faithful 'as far as the east is from the west.' Psalm 103:
12. Then they will be remembered no more. Isaiah 43:25. Those who have
not proven faithful to God will have their names blotted out of the book
of life. Revelation 3:5. The names of those only who are saved will be
retained therein. Daniel 12: 1; Isaiah 4:3. "Forgiveness,
how precious it is to the sin-laden soul! Lifted from the miry clay
and horrible pit of sin to a foundation upon the Rock, Christ Jesus! It
puts a new song in the mouth of the pardoned sinner, even praise to God.
No longer is he accounted an alien and rebel; no longer does the sword
of justice hang suspended o'er his head; no longer does he despair under
the black shadow of a righteous wrath; he is free. The Substitute has
been accepted: peace has been spoken to his soul; he is reconciled to
God. All the power in the kingdom of God is pledged to rescue and help
him in all times of need. He goes forth weak and trembling in himself,
but strong in God, the mighty Saviour. Forgiveness—reconciliation, how
precious art thou between God and man, but how much more precious
between the sinner and his God! "But
if forgiveness is precious, what will the atonement be? Atonement! How
much it comprehends! At-one-ment—at one with God. The pardoned, atoned
sinner, now a saint, looks back o'er all the past. In his new joy he
counts not the trials and conflicts and temptations and tribulations.
His joy lies not so much in their being past, as in the liberty from
sin. He is saved from sin—forever saved. Being saved from sin, he is
saved from all its consequences. No more to meet the assaults of a wily
foe; no more to fall from the selfishness of a sinful heart, he is
forgiven, washed, cleansed, saved forevermore. The old name will not do,
he has a new name. The old song, though happy and holy, cannot express
his overfilled heart, so he joins in 'the new song' that only immortals
can sing. He is atone with his Redeemer, atone with the eternal
Father. His life compasses not a span; it measures with the ceaseless
cycles of a glorified, sinless eternity." M.C. Wilcox, in an
article entitled, 'Forgiveness, Atonement.' in the Review and Herald,
September 25, 1883. URIAH
SMITH "As
the firmament is studded with glittering stars, so the Word of God is
resplendent with glorious promises. And there are places where these
promises seem to cluster in profuse abundance, and form galaxies of
surpassing glory. Such an instance is Acts 3: 1921: "
'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; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto
you; whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all
things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since
the world began.' . . "
'Repent ye therefore.' We may now do this. We are not absolutely fixed
in the galling habits of sin; we may break from them. 'And be
converted.' This is still our privilege. Our hearts may be changed; our
affections may be unloosed from earthly and unworthy objects, and made
to twine with a living grasp around heavenly things. And sins may be
blotted out. Yes, the wrinkles in our garments, the stains upon our
raiment, the eating—leprosy upon our hands, and the hidden canker of
our hearts, which we have no power to remove, and in ourselves no hope
of redemption from,—this may all be removed. . .
"And after the blotting out of sin, come the times of refreshing. Our
version of the Bible reads, 'When the times of refreshing shall come.'
The sense is not materially changed either way. It shows that it is
subsequent to the blotting out of sins, that the refreshing comes from
the presence of the Lord upon H is people. And it is just before the
coming of Christ; for immediately after, Christ is sent for His waiting ones. This
refreshing is thus definitely located. It is between the blotting out of
sins and the coming of Christ. The blotting out of sins is the
conclusion of the work of our Lord in His priestly office as Mediator
for man. Between that and the coming of the Lord, a little period
intervenes; and at that time His people are refreshed from His heavenly
presence. "What
is the nature of this refreshing? It is something that can. not come
till sins are blotted out. . . The heat and struggle of sin's conflict
are then over. Their record is clear for an entrance to the heavenly
land. They are accepted candidates for immortal glory. And as they thus
stand upon the threshold of the celestial world, they are given to feel
a little earnest of their approaching inheritance, a foretaste of the
coming joy. Once God came unto His people as the former rain, and the
glorious manifestations of the day of Pentecost were the outward record
of the inward work. Again He is coming to His people as both the former
and the latter rain together, and they will receive a refreshing adapted
to their position as they are about to enter the immortal kingdom. Then
God sends Jesus Christ for them. . . "Then
the restitution. Glorious promise, consoling hope! We travel back in
imagination to the world in its innocence and purity, as it came from
the satisfied hand of its Creator. "The
accomplishment of all this is in the hands of our faithful God. The
refreshing is His to bestow. The return of the Lord is one of the
counsels of His will. The glorious restitution is one of His unalterable
purposes. What belongs to us? Repent and be converted. Repent and be
converted. This is our part. This is our duty. Have we done it? Are we
doing it? May the words ring in our ears till every heart is fully
aroused. "And when all have repented, and all who will receive the
gracious provisions made for the penitent are converted, and when all
sins are blotted out and put away from the righteous forever, then the
refreshing will descend upon the waiting ones. Would you share it? Then
remember, it will not come upon the sleepy, the careless, the proud, the
worldly, the unrepentant, and the unconverted. And lo! These times of
refreshing with their unalterable decisions are just upon us. What are
we doing to prepare for them?" Uriah Smith, in an article
entitled, "Times of Refreshing." in The Review and Herald,
April 19, 1870. S. N.
HASKELL "I
n the last days, under the Third Angel's Message, a peculiar people will
be developed, whose characteristics will be righteousness and holiness,
such a people, indeed, as have never been since the world
began."—S. N. Haskell, Australian Union Conference Record, July
10, 1899. "The
professed people of God in the present day are in the same condition as
were the Jews before the destruction of Jerusalem. They rejected Christ,
and because of their rejection of Christ, they were destroyed. The Lord
said, 'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou
hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.' Hosea 4:6. The
knowledge which they lacked was the spiritual application of the
sanctuary question, which centered in Christ. The sanctuary question was
to reveal Christ, His work in the heavenly courts, and as it would be
carried on in the hearts of H is disciples. It is thus apparent that the
work in the hearts of the people must correspond with that of Christ
in heaven. "There
are three temples brought to view in the Bible, and all should be
blended into one study. The first one was a typical sanctuary built
Moses in the wilderness, afterward rebuilt by Solomon, again rebuilt by
Zerubbabel. This temple and its services shadowed forth the work of
Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. The work of Christ in heaven is also
to go forward in the living temple of His people on the earth; so while
there was a sanctuary on the earth, and still one in heaven, the most
important of the three is H is people; for the object of the earthly
sanctuary was to teach man how to know and believe the actual work done
for him in the heavenly sanctuary. 'Know ye not that ye are the temple
of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?'1 Corinthians
3: 16. All the work revealed by the typical temple shadowing the real
work of Christ in heaven is for the purification of H is church on the
earth, and consequently a neglect of a knowledge of these truths will
leave men unprepared for the impending judgments of God, as really as
the Jews were unprepared for the destruction that came upon them."
S. N. Haskell, in an article entitled, "The Sanctuary Question
From the Standpoint of the Book of Hebrews," published by The
Review and Herald, August 13, 1901. "Thus
was carried on the type of that heavenly work which is to decide—the
eternal destiny of every soul that has ever lived upon the earth. In
type and shadow the confessed sins of Israel had been transferred to
the sanctuary during all the year; the cleansing of the sanctuary was
the removing of those sins. 'It was therefore necessary that the
patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these [the
blood of animals] ; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices
than these.' Hebrews 9:23. "Every
sin is marked before the Lord in heaven. (Jeremiah 2:22,) When sins are
confessed and forgiven, they are covered. (Psalm 32:1.) This was
typified by their being transferred to the sanctuary, where no human
eyes except those of the priest ever beheld the stains of the blood of
the sin-offering upon the horns of the golden altar before the veil. "It
could not be possible that the books of heaven will always hold the
records of sin, or that Christ will always bear the sins of the world.
As the typical work was performed at the close of the year, so the
cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary will take place near the end of
Christ's priestly work. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary
necessitates an examination of the records—an investigative judgment.
. . "The
Bible was written in an oriental country, and the custom there is to
'cast down' seats for guests. The Revised Version of the Bible renders
it, 'I beheld till the thrones were placed.' The position of the
Father's throne was changed. Daniel beheld the thrones cast down, or
placed, their position being changed; then the Ancient of days, the
Father, took His seat upon the throne. In other words, Daniel beheld the
Father's throne changed from the first apartment of the heavenly
sanctuary to the second. His attention was attracted by the great wheels
which looked like burning fire as they moved beneath the glorious throne
of the infinite God. (Ezekiel 10:122.) Myriads of the heavenly host
were gathered to witness the grand scene. Thousand thousands ministered
unto Jehovah as He took His seat upon the throne to judge the world. "No
mirror ever portrayed the features of the face as accurately as the
books of heaven have portrayed the life record of each individual. All
are 'judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works.' Revelation 20: 12. . . "God's
throne is a movable structure. As in the type of His visible presence
was manifested in the outer apartment of the earthly sanctuary, so in
heaven the throne of God was in the first apartment when Christ ascended
and sat at the right hand of His Father. But Daniel saw not only the
Father and Christ change their position, but the position' of the
thrones also was changed, when the 'judgment was set, and the books were
opened.' Type had met antitype. The High Priest in the heavenly
sanctuary entered the most holy place, and as in the type God promised
to meet the high priest in the most holy, so the Father passed into the
holy of holies before the High Priest, and was there when the angels
bore Christ triumphantly in before Him. . . "While
Jesus pleads as our High Priest, there is hope for every repentant
sinner; but when He at last comes forth from the sanctuary, mercy's door
will be forever closed. There will be no intercessor then. (Isaiah 59:
16,) . . Every case is decided for eternity. Probation is forever
ended. All who wait until that time, hoping to be saved, will find no
one to plead their case before the Father; they will be eternally lost.
. . "God
expected His ancient people to serve Him faithfully every day in the
year, and He accepted their services; but when the day of atonement
came, there were special requirements enjoined upon them during that
day, which, if they failed to observe, they were cut off from the people
of Israel. "God
has accepted the service of His people down through the ages; but when
the antitypical day of atonement arrived, and the investigative judgment
opened in the heavenly sanctuary, God expects the antitypical
congregation on earth to fulfill their part of the antitype just as
faithfully as Christ, our High Priest, fulfills His part in the heavens. "Anciently
the congregation was not accepted as a whole; but it was an individual
work (Leviticus 23:29, 30). So today each one answers for himself before
God. We must not content ourselves by doing just as our fathers did, who
passed away before the judgment opened in the courts of heaven. God
requires special service of His people now. They are to live while their
cases are being decided in heaven, and Satan brings to bear upon the
last generation, which are weaker physically than any previous
generation, all the wisdom he has gained in a six thousand year's
warfare. Those who, in the investigative judgment, are accounted worthy,
will live for a time without a Mediator. Their experience will be
different from that of any other company that has ever lived upon the
earth. There are many reasons why God in His infinite mercy has enjoined
special duties upon the last generation, that they might be more
strongly fortified against the attacks of the enemy, and not be
overthrown by his devices. "In
the ancient service, if an individual failed to keep the day of
atonement as God directed, his sins were not confessed over the
scapegoat by the high priest; but he was cut off from among the people
of God (Leviticus 23:2830). The individual who, during the
antitypical day of atonement, or the investigative judgment, thinks that
Christ will plead his case while he himself ignores the work God has
enjoined upon the antitypical congregation, will find at last that his
name is blotted out from the book of life. We are saved by faith in our
High Priest, but faith without works is dead (James 2:17). If we have a
living faith, we shall gladly do as the Lord directs. . . As
of old, on Aaron's breastplate Israel's names in beauty shone, So
upon His priestly bosom Jesus ever bears His own. Names
unworthy, yet in mercy all are graven on His heart, Bound
by heavenly ties unto Him, never, nevermore to part; Precious
and elect each jewel, special treasure in His sight. Every
name a gem that sparkles 'neath the soft and golden light. Borne,
besides, upon His shoulders; strong to save and keep is He; Set
within the golden ouches of His glorious Diety; Wreathen,
golden chains so perfect, bonds of strong eternal love, Clasp
us now to Him forever-joined by God to Him above. Blest
memorials of the ransomed, ever borne before our God, Tokens of loving atonement by the Saviours precious blood. "The
individual who realizes that the judgment is going on in the heavenly
sanctuary, and that his name will surely be presented before that great
tribunal, will search his heart and pray earnestly that God will accept
him. We need often to meditate upon the work of our High Priest in the
heavenly sanctuary, lest by having the mind filled with earthly
thoughts, we, like the foolish virgins, will find when too late that the
bridegroom has come, the door is shut; that the work is finished, and we
have no part in it." S. N. Haskell, in, "The Cross and its
Shadow," published by The Bible Training School, 1914, pp. 211-223. ROY
F. COTTRELL "We
have found that the sanctuary of the first covenant was a type, or
representation, of the true Sanctuary, the temple of God in heaven, the
place where our High Priest now ministers. . . "But
transferring the sin to the victim, and thence in the shed blood to the
sanctuary, was not the end of the matter. They were remembered again in
the day of atonement at the end of the year. 'But in those sacrifices
there is a remembrance again made of sins every year: Hebrews 10:3.
On the great day of atonement, the time appointed for closing up the
round of service in the sanctuary, there must be an offering of
atonement made for all Israel. The high priest must enter the most holy
place, where is the ark of the covenant containing the sacred law of
God, the transgression of which is sin; and he must enter with the blood
of a sin-offering for all the people to make an atonement for them to
cleanse them from all their sins, and to bear out of the sanctuary the
sins that had been confessed and lodged there during the year. And every
individual must afflict his soul in that day, though he had made his
offerings for every know sin previously during the whole year. This day
of atonement, when the sanctuary was cleansed, and also the people from
all their sins before the Lord, was the most solemn day to Israel of all
the year, as it was considered by them a day of judgment. It was a type
of the final judgment in which the sins of all the saved will be blotted
out. Roy
F. Cottrell, in an article entitled "The Cleansing of the
Sanctuary", in the Review and Herald, March 25,1884. F.
C. GILBERT "The
condition of the sanctuary and the character of the people are thus
described by the Scripture: " 'He shall make an atonement for the
holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the
congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the
priests, and for all the people of the congregation: '0 n that day shall
the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be
clean from all your sins before the Lord. Leviticus 16:33,30. "Nothing
could be clearer than that the sanctuary of the congregation of the
people of Israel, including the priests, were cleansed during the time
that the high priest ministered in the most holy place of the sanctuary
on the day of atonement. "What
would be the fate of those who did not conform to the commands of God
upon the day of atonement? Leviticus 23:28-30. "For
those who did not accept the provision of God's mercy on this 'sabbath
of sabbaths: on this tenth day of the seventh month, on this day of
atonement, there was no further probation. Mercy was no longer extended
to them. They had had their day of opportunity, and when they failed to
improve the final hour of mercy, they were cut off from among their
people. "So
when the day of atonement was finished, the congregation of Israel were
cleansed, the sanctuary was cleansed, and the sins were carried away, in
type, by Azazel into an uninhabited place in the wilderness. The
obedient were sealed; the disobedient were cut off from the congregation
of the Lord. . . "When
our heavenly High Priest completes His work for sinners in the most holy
place of the heavenly Sanctuary, at the close of the antitypical day of
atonement, the record of every individual whose sins have gone before
him to judgment will have been investigated, and all sin will have been
blotted out. 1 Timothy 5:24. The people of God have accepted the final
proffers of mercy; and in every land and among all peoples the obedient
have been accepted and have been sealed. "The
disobedient and unregenerate have stilled the appeals of mercy. Our Lord
will soon leave the most holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary, with the
sins of those who have confessed and whose sins have been blotted out. .
. "No
longer will there be a record of sin remaining in the books of heaven
against those who have accepted the merits of a Saviour's blood. The
names of God's loyal, faithful people will be retained in the Lamb's
book of life. Daniel 12: 1; Luke 10:20; Revelation 21 :26. They are
God's precious chosen ones. Malachi 3: 16, 17. The Sanctuary in heaven
will have been cleansed. Daniel 8:14. Intercession for man will be at an
end. The dead line will have been reached. The church of God will have
been sanctified, made clean. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Upon Satan, the
originator of sin, will be rolled the sins which he caused the children
of God to commit while they in their heart loved and followed their
Lord. . . "What
has become of the records of those who have lived righteous lives?
Jeremiah 31 :33,34; 50:20. "The
righteous will enjoy to the full the promise of the new covenant: 'They
shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them,
saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember
their sin no more: Jeremiah 31 :34. "
'I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a
cloud, thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy
sins." Isaiah 43:25. "
'Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the seas: Micah
7:19. "In
that day the sins of Israel cannot be found. Should any want to uncover
or remember them, they cannot be found, for they will have been blotted
out. The church of our Lord will have been made ready and prepared to
meet her Lord. F
.C. Gilbert, in "Messiah and His Sanctuary," published by
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1937, pp. 204-206. F. C.
GILBERT "As
has already been mentioned, the next solemn day given to the Israelites,
was the day of atonement (Leviticus 23:2628). This was the most
solemn of all days of the year. Whatever the condition of the people
during the year, if they would only come up to this day, and seek the
Lord while the priest was ministering in the sanctuary, there was hope,
pardon, salvation for them. (Leviticus 16:30.) If they did not come up
to the day of atonement they were to be cut off from among the people
(Leviticus 23:29, 3D), The original command for this day is given as
follows: "[Leviticus
23:26.32 quoted.] " "While
this was being done by the high priest, the people without were fasting,
praying, and earnestly seeking the Lord for the pardon and obliteration
of all their sins. This service was conducted in behalf of all the
people (Leviticus 16: 17). When the high priest finished this work on
this day, then the whole camp of Israel was clean, for the man who did
not comply with the command of God by fasting, praying, and affliction
of soul on this day was to be cut off (Leviticus 23: 2830; Numbers
29:7). The day of atonement of Israel, therefore, involved these things: "The
blotting out of sins: When the high priest sprinkled the blood on the
mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat on the day of atonement it was
to represent that all the people of Israel had transgressed the law of
God, which was under the mercy-seat in the most holy place of the
sanctuary, and that all were desirous of having these sins entirely
removed. The law demanded the sinners life (1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23;
Ezekiel 18:4); but the blood would cleanse and blot out the sins (1 John
1 :7; Hebrews 9:22); for it was through the blood that pardon was
secured. The people having now received the atonement for their transgressions,
and the glory of God having filled the house, which indicated that God
had accepted the offering, the priest came out from the inner sanctuary
with the sins of the people which had been accumulating all the year, as
well as those which had been forgiven that day. Thus all the sins of all
the people were removed that day; and the sinful record of the year was
all cleansed. The blood was also sprinkled upon the vessels of the
sanctuary to cleanse them (Leviticus 16; 16, 18, 19). In other words,
the blood of this day cleansed all sins. It also removed all uncleanness
from everything connected with the sanctuary service, which had a part
in the ministry for sin during the entire year. "When
this work in the sanctuary was finished, the priest came to the door of
the tabernacle, and called for the other goat, the Azazel (Leviticus
16:20). The priest then laid his hands upon the head of this live goat,
and confessed upon it all the sins (Leviticus 16:21) which had been
accumulating in the sanctuary all through the year, and which the priest
had brought out with him. All these sins were then transferred to the
head of this animal, which was to bear them instead of the people. Then
he was led by a proper man into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:22), where
he was to remain till his death. Jewish writers say the animal was
thrown over a precipice, and so died. "When
this day's service was accomplished, the people not only were forgiven
of their sins, but in figure, or type, had them all blotted out. So that
from the evening of that day they began as it were a new year's
experience with the Lord. Their record was now a clean one; the
atonement was completed. They were purged and cleansed from all sin, and
so also was the sanctuary. "The
cleansing of the sanctuary: As has already been mentioned the sanctuary
was also cleansed this day with the shed blood of the Lord's goat
(Leviticus 16:16, 18). The reason for this was that during the year the
animals which had been slain for the sins of the people had their blood
brought into the holy place, by which act the records of the sins were
kept. Of course this was merely typical and figurative; nevertheless
these vessels and furnishings were affected by the blood which was
sprinkled upon them during the year. Since the blood of the animal slain
represented the sins of the sinner, as well as the life of the innocent
one, these vessels shared in the work of the sins of the people.
Therefore on this day of atonement, when the work of blotting out of sin
for the people was completed, the sanctuary also must be cleansed from
sin and its effects. So when the high priest left the sanctuary that
day, in type, there would be no more remembrance or thought of sin. "The
day of atonement was also a day of judgment to the people. We found that
the Lord commanded that the person who did not observe this day must be
cut off from among his people. By his not obeying the command of God
this day, and seeking the cleansing from his sins through the blood
which was shed for him, he showed himself unworthy of life, and
practically sealed his destiny and closed his probation. Whereas the
man, though he had sinned during the year, though he had disobeyed and
even forsaken the Lord, if he only heeded the command of God and
observed this day, and sought pardon through the blood, was forgiven,
accepted, and was recognized as one of God's own. This day's actions
practically decided the life or death of the man. It was, in other
words, a day of judgment. And to this day, the Jews recognize this fact;
for many a time in their worship on this day they speak of it as the,
Youmhadin, the day of judgment. . . "According
to the word of God this antitypical work is now transpiring (Daniel
8:14); we are now living in the time when the Saviour has entered into
the most holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary (Revelation 3:7,8.): He
will blot out the sins (Acts 3:19.) of those who are seeking Him with
all their heart, and who wish to know the fulness of His will, even as
the people did anciently on the day of atonement. He is to cleanse the
heavenly Sanctuary (Daniel 8:14.), as the Scriptures declare. the holy
places in heaven will be cleansed (Hebrews 9:8, 23.). The call is
sounding to the world, and is now going forth to every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people, announcing that the hour of His judgment is come.
(Revelation 14:6,7.) Truly, "We
are living, we are dwelling, In a grand and awful time; I n an age on
ages telling To be living is sublime." "Soon
the great High Priest will rise up from the seat of mercy (Luke 13:25.);
soon He will have finished His work in the heavenly Sanctuary
(Revelation 22: 11; 16: 17.), and have blotted out the sins of the
people. Soon all His devoted children will have received the seal of the
living God (Revelation 7:3; 14: 1-4.), will have wonderfully appreciated
the precious meaning of the mercy-seat in the heavenly Sanctuary
(Zechariah 6: 13; Hebrews 4: 15.), beneath which is found the great and
original copy of God's eternal law (Revelation 11: 19.). . . "[Speaking
of Jews today during the day of atonement] As the day draws to its
close, the earnestness and intensity increases. It is generally believed
that the close of this day is regarded in heaven as a 'sealing time.' If
the people have done sufficient repenting, they will receive a 'good
seal: which means that they have stood the test in heaven. If not, then
they fear they are lost, and may die at any time. Hence in their closing
prayers of the day, instead of saying, 'Our Father, our King, write our
name in the book of life;' 'Our Father, our King, write our name in the
book of remembrance: etc., they say, 'Our Father, our King, seal our
name in the book of remembrance.' 'Our Father, our King, seal our name
in the book of life.' And when the service is ended, they greet each
other with the salutation, 'I hope you have received a good seal.'
" F. C.
Gilbert in, "Practical Lessons from the Experience of Israel.
published by South Lancaster Printing Company, 1902. M. L.
ANDREASEN "This
study leads us to the conclusion that there were two distinct purposes
in the cleansing accomplished on the day of atonement: one, the
cleansing of things—such as the two holy places and the altar; the
other, the cleansing of priests and people. Uncleanness is removed from
things, and uncleanness is removed from the people. Both are cleansed
(verses 16, 19, 30). Also, atonement is made for things, and atonement
IS made for the people (verses 11, 16, 18, 30, 33, 34). These two
purposes are closely connected; one is dependent on the other, and yet
they must be kept separate in our thinking as they are in the record. "The
holy places were cleansed, not because of any inherent sin or evil in
the sanctuary or altar, but 'because of the uncleanness of the children
of Israel, and because of the transgression in all their sins' (verse
16). This is true of the altar also. The priest is to 'cleanse it, and
hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel' (verse 19). "These
statements make it clear that it was the sins of Israel that defiled the
sanctuary and the altar. This defilement had taken place throughout the
year in the daily ministration. Each morning and evening a Iamb had been
slain and its blood sprinkled upon the altar 'round about.' This had
defiled the altar. Offenders had brought their sin offerings, and the
blood had been sprinkled in the holy place and put on the horns of the
altars. Other offerings had been brought, and the blood had been
sprinkled on the altar 'round about.' Through these means the sanctuary
as well as the altars had been defiled. The services of the day of
atonement were to dispose of all these sins and to cleanse both the
sanctuary and the priesthood as well as the people. "The
question may well be raised, Why did the people need cleansing? Had they
not brought their sacrifices from time to time throughout the year,
confessed their sins, and gone away forgiven? Why would they need to be
forgiven twice? Why should 'a remembrance' be 'made of sins every
year'? . . "God
keeps an account with each man. Whenever a prayer for forgiveness
ascends to God from a true heart, God forgives. But after men have been
forgiven they at times change their minds. They repent of their
repentance. They show by their lives that their repentance is not
permanent. And so God, instead of forgiving absolutely and finally,
marks forgiveness against men's names and waits with final blotting out
of sins until they have had time to think the matter through. If at the
end of their lives they are still of the same mind, abhorring their sins
in sincere repentance. God counts them faithful, and in the day of judgment
their record is finally cleared. "So
in Israel of old. When the day of atonement rolled around, each offender
had an opportunity to show that he was still of the same mind. If he
was, the sin was blotted out, and he was completely cleansed. "The
day of atonement was the day of judgment to Israel, as evidenced by the
quotations at the beginning of this chapter. Day by day during the year
the transgressors had appeared at the temple and received forgiveness.
On the day of atonement these sins came in review before God, or as
Hebrews puts it, there was 'a remembrance again made of sins.' Hebrews
10:3. On that day every true Israelite renewed his consecration to God
and confirmed his repentance. As a result, he was not only forgiven but
cleansed. 'On that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to
cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the
Lord.' Leviticus 16:30. It must have been with happiness in their
hearts that Israel went home in the evening of that day. 'Clean from all
your sins.' Wonderful assurance! The same promise is given in the New
Testament: 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' John 1
:9. Not only forgiven, but cleansed! Cleansed from 'all unrighteousness:
from 'all your sins'!
'Oh,
the bliss of the glorious thought My sin, not in part, but the whole.' "
. . When at last the atonement had been effected and the reconciliation
was complete, the sound of the bells as the high priest resumed his high
priestly garments was the sign that God had accepted the substitute. As
he stepped outside and the sound was clearly heard by all, their joy and
thankfulness were profound. God had once more accepted them in the
person of the high priest. . . "Thus
the work of the day of atonement was finished, as far as all confessed
sins were concerned. Everyone who had confessed his sins and repented of
them had the assurance of sins blotted out. He had heard the bells as
the high priest resumed his high priestly garment, telling of the
completed work. He was not only a pardoned sinner; he was not only
forgiven; he was cleansed. 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.' 1 John 1 :9. The forgiveness had been accomplished
in the daily service; the cleansing on the day of atonement. Even the
record of sin was blotted out. Israel was clean." M. L.
Andreasen, in "The Sanctuary Service," published by, Review
and Herald Publishing Association, 1947, pp. 175187. "But will
any ever reach that stage [of absolute perfection]? We believe so. Read
the description of the 144,000 in Revelation 14:4,5: 'These are they
which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they
which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from
among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their
mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne
of God.' "Note
that these are 'without fault before the throne of God.' They will be
among those of whom it is said, 'He that is holy, let him be holy
still.' Revelation 22: 11. This, as will be noted from verse 12,
refers to those who are living before the Lord comes and who have
attained to a state of holiness may confidently be said to be destitute
of it. The nearer a sinful man comes to God, the more aware he is of his
own shortcomings. Only when a man loses sight of God does he claim
holiness. "This
is not written to discourage anyone from attaining perfection, but
from making claims to having reached it. There is, indeed, a definite
call for men to give themselves wholly to the power of God for the
attainment of holiness. Before the end comes God will have a people
behind in no good thing. They will reflect the image of God fully. "When
Paul, in Hebrews 10:19,20, speaks of entering into the holy places by
(margin, 'in') the blood of Jesus, he has particular reference to the
144,000, those who 'follow the lamb whithersoever He goeth.' Revelation
14;4. Only the high priest was permitted to enter the most holy place.
Ordinary priests could not do so. When the 144,000, therefore, are said
to follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and when we know that He as high
priest goes into the most holy, then we know that the 144,000 are high
priests, if they are to go with Him into the holiest of all. As God's
people are kings and priests, so this special company are kings and high
priest, following Him wherever He leads." M. L. Andreasen in,
"The Book of Hebrews," published by Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1948, pp. 467,468. "The
final demonstration of what the gospel can do in and for humanity is
still in the future. Christ showed the way. He took a human body, and in
that body demonstrated the power of God. Men are to follow His example
and prove that what God did in Christ, He can do in every human being
who submits to Him. The world is awaiting this demonstration. (Rom 8:
19.) When it has been accomplished, the end will come. God will have
fulfilled His plan. . "It
[sanctification] begins the moment a person is converted, and continues
through life. Every victory hastens the process. There are few
Christians who have not gained the mastery of some sin that formerly
greatly annoyed them and overcame them. Many a man who has been a slave
to the tobacco habit has gained the victory over the habit and rejoices
in his victory. Tobacco has ceased to be a temptation. It attracts him
no more. He has the victory. On that point he is sanctified. As he has
been victorious over one besetment, so he is to become victorious over
every sin. When the work is completed, when he has gained the victory
over pride, ambition, love of the world—over all evil—he is ready
for translation. He has been tried in all points. The evil one has come
to him and found nothing. Satan has no more temptations for him. He
has overcome them all. He stands without fault before the throne of God.
Christ places His seal upon him. He is safe, and
he is sound. God has finished His work in him. The demonstration of what
God can do with humanity is complete. "Thus
it shall be with the last generation of men living on the earth. Through
them God's final demonstration of what He can do with humanity will be
given. He will take the weakest of the weak, those bearing the
[hereditary effects of the] sins of their forefathers, and in them show
the power of God. They will be subjected to every temptation, but they
will not yield. They will demonstrate that it is possible to live
without sin—the very demonstration for which the world has been
looking and for which God has been preparing. It will become evident to
all that the gospel really can save to the uttermost. God is found true
in His sayings. "The
last year of the conflict brings the final test; but this only proves to
angels and to the world that nothing that the evil one can do will shake
God's chosen ones. The plagues fall, destruction is on every hand, death
stares them in the face, but like Job they hold fast their integrity.
Nothing can make them sin. They 'keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus.' Revelation 14: 12. . "It
is in the last generation of men living on the earth that God's power
unto sanctification will stand fully revealed. The demonstration of that
power is God's vindication. It clears Him of any and all charges which
Satan has placed against Him. . "Satan.
. had failed in his conflict with Christ, but he might yet succeed with
men. So he went to 'make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.'
Revelation 12:17. If he could overcome them he might not be defeated. "The
demonstration which God intends to make with the last generation on
earth means much, both to the people and to God. Can God's Law really be
kept? . . Vet, to produce a people that will keep the Law is the task
which God has set Himself and which He expects to accomplish. When the
statement and challenge are issued by Satan: 'No one can keep the Law.
It is impossible. If there be any that can do it or that have done it,
show them to me. Where are they that keep the commandments?' God will
quietly answer, Here they are. 'Here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus.' Revelation 14:12.. "The
picture, then, is that of a court scene. God's government is at stake.
Satan is the accuser; God Himself is the accused and is on trial. He has
been charged with injustice, with requiring His creatures to do that
which they cannot do, and yet punishing them for not doing it. The Law
is the specific point of attack, but the Law being merely a transcript
of God's character, it is God and His character that are the points at
issue. . "God
is ready for the challenge. He has bided His time. The supreme
exhibition has been reserved until the final contest. Out of the last
generation God will select His chosen ones. Not the strong or the
mighty, not the honored or the rich, not the wise or the learned,—but
common, ordinary people will God take, and by them make His demonstration.
Satan has claimed that those who in the past have served God have done
so from mercenary motives, that God has pampered them, and that he,
Satan, has not had free access to them. If he were given full permission
to press his case, they also would be won over. But he charges that God
is afraid to let him do this. [The Job experience, again.] 'Give me a
fair chance: Satan says, 'and I will win out.' "And
so, to silence forever Satan's charges; to make it evident that H is
people are serving Him from motives of loyalty and right without
reference to reward; to clear H is own name and character of the charges
of injustice and arbitrariness; and to show to angels and men that H is
Law can be kept by the weakest of men under the most discouraging and
most untoward circumstances, God permits Satan in the last generation to
try H is people to the uttermost. They will be threatened, tortured,
persecuted. They will stand face to face with death in the issuance of
the decree to worship the beast and his image (Revelation 13: 15.) But
they will not yield. They are willing to die rather than to sin. "God
removes His Spirit from the earth. Satan will have a greater measure
of control than he has ever had before. True, he may not kill God's
people, but that seems to be the only limitation. And he uses every
permission he has. He knows what is at stake. It is now or never.
"God, to make the demonstration complete, does one more thing, He
hides Himself. The Sanctuary in heaven is closed. The saints cry to God
day and night for deliverance, but He appears not to hear. God's chosen
ones are passing through Gethsemane. They are having a little taste of
Christ's experience those three hours on the cross. Seemingly they
must fight their battles alone. They must live in the sight of a holy
God without an intercessor. "But
though Christ has finished H is intercession, the saints are still the
object of God's love and care. Holy angels watch over them. God
provides them shelter from their enemies; He provides them with food,
shields them from destruction, and supplies grace and power for holy
living. (See Psalm 91.) Vet they are still in the world, still tempted,
afflicted, tormented. "Will
they stand the test? To human eyes it seems impossible. If only God
would come to their rescue, all would be well. They are determined to
resist the evil one. If need be they will die, but they will not sin.
Satan has no power—and never has had—to make any man sin. He can
tempt, he can seduce, he can threaten; but he cannot compel. And now God
demonstrates through the weakest of the weak that there is no excuse,
and never has been any, for sinning. If men in the last generation can
successfully repel Satan's attack; if they can do this with all the odds
against them and the Sanctuary closed, what excuse is there for men's
ever sinning [in earlier ages]? "In
the last generation God gives the final demonstration that men can keep
the Law of God and that they can live without sinning. God leaves
nothing undone to make the demonstration complete. The only limitation
put upon Satan is that [as with the temptation of Job] he may not kill
the saints of God. He may tempt them, he may harass and threaten them;
and he does his best. But he fails. He cannot make them sin. They stand
the test, and God puts His seal upon them. "Through
the last generation of saints God stands finally vindicated. Through
them He defeats Satan and wins His case. They form a vital part of the
plan of God. They go through terrific struggles; they battle with unseen
powers in high places. But they have put their trust in the Most High,
and they will not be ashamed. . "They
'follow the Lamb whithersoever He "goeth.' Revelation 14:4. When at
last the doors of the temple shall swing open, a voice will sound forth:
'Only the 144,000 enter this place.' (Early Writings, 19.) By faith they
have followed the Lamb here [on earth]. They have gone with Him into the
holy place; they have followed Him into the most holy. And in the
hereafter only those who have thus followed Him here will follow Him
there. They will be kings and priests. They will follow Him into the
most holy, where only the High Priest can ever enter. . "The
matter of greatest importance in the universe is not the salvation of
men, important as that may seem. The most important thing is the
clearing of God's name from the false accusations made by Satan. The
controversy is drawing to a close. God is preparing His people for the
last great conflict. Satan is also getting ready. The issue is before us
and will be decided in the lives of God's people. God is depending upon
us as He did upon Job. Is His confidence well placed? . "May
the church of God appreciate the exalted privilege given her! 'Ye are My
witnesses, saith the Lord.' Isaiah 43: 10. There must be 'no strange god
among you: therefore ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am
God.' Verse 12. May we be witnesses indeed, testifying what God has done
for us! "All
this is closely connected with the work of the Day of Atonement. On that
day the people of Israel, having confessed their sins, were completely
cleansed. They had already been forgiven; now sin was separated from
them. They were holy and without blame. The camp of Israel was clean. "We
are now living in the great antitypical day of the cleansing of the
Sanctuary. Every sin must be confessed and by faith be sent beforehand
to judgment. As the high priest enters into the most holy, so God's
people now are to stand face to face with God. They must know that every
sin is confessed, that no stain of evil remains. "The
cleansing of the Sanctuary in heaven is dependent upon the cleansing of
God's people on earth. How important, then, that God's people be holy
and without blame! In them every sin must be burned out, so that they
will be able to stand in the sight of a holy God and live with the
devouring fire. 'Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye
that are near, acknowledge My might. The sinners in Zion are afraid;
fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with
the devouring fire? . . he shall dwell on high: his place of defence
shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters
shall be sure.' Isaiah 33: 13-16." M. L. Andreasen, The Sanctuary
Service, pages 299-321. This
concludes an eighteen-part series on "The Sanctuary Message"
[I C-101-118], containing every basic issue dealing with this topic to
be found in the Spirit of Prophecy (with the exception of parts of
"Great Controversy, chapters 23, 24 and 28, which were not
included here. Carefully read those chapters also [pages 409-432,
479-491] .) God
bless and keep you. There is only a little time left; learn the
Sanctuary Message, put it into your own life, impart it to others. We
are nearing home. Vance Ferrell |
