STUDY THE SANCTUARY by S. N. H.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 9, 1900

STUDY THE SANCTUARY.

By S. N. H.

What is the cause of Satan’s special attack on the remnant? — “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17.

What is the “testimony of Jesus Christ”? — “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev. 19:10.

For whom was the spirit of prophecy given? — “Prophecying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” 1 Cor. 14:22.

Who will have to answer for the blood of all the prophets? — The church. See Matt. 23:34, 35. “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.”

Did any prophets ever perish outside of Jerusalem? — “It can not be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee.” Luke 13:33, 34.

Who will have to answer for all the persecution of God’s people? — “With violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down. . . . And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” Rev. 18:21, 24.

Where shall we find the most dangerous snares? — “Do not forget that the most dangerous snares which Satan has prepared for the church will come through its own members who do not love God supremely or their neighbor as themselves. Satan is continually striving to wedge himself in between brethren. . . . There are some who are deceived in themselves. While flattering themselves that they are doing God’s work, they are playing into the hands of the great deceiver, and rendering him effectual service. Beware of these deceptions.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 477. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock. . . . For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:28–30.

What will we soon find in the church? — “The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing.” — Vol. V, page 80.

What will be the bond of union of God’s people? — “All who take the word of God as their rule of life are brought into close relationship with one another. The Bible is their bond of union.” — Id., page 389.

What will those who think they have special light do? — “He is not a man who will entertain what he believes to be special light without imparting it to others; therefore it is not safe to give him influence that will enable him to unsettle other minds.” — Id., page 292.

Of what are we warned? — “It is opening a door through which Satan will rush in many errors to divert the mind from the importance of the truth for this time. Brethren, as an ambassador of Christ I warn you to beware of these side-issues, whose tendency is to divert the mind from the truth. Error is never harmless. It never sanctifies, but always brings confusion and dissension. It is always dangerous.” — Id.

What course should those pursue who think they have special light? — “The only safety for any of us is in receiving no new doctrine, no new interpretation of the Scriptures, without first submitting it to brethren of experience. Lay it before them in a humble, teachable spirit, with earnest prayer; and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for ‘in the multitude of counselors there is safety.’” — Id., page 293.

What subject should be given especial attention at the present time? — “But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the twenty-three hundred days, the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell.” — “Early Writings,” Experience and Views, pages 53, 54.

Can one escape the perils before us without this knowledge? — “The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise, it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time, or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill. . . . All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has committed to them. The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time, and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects, and be able to give an answer to every one that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them.” — “Great Controversy,” pages 488, 489.

How will the Third Angel’s Message close? — “The third angel closes his message thus: ‘Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ As he 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,” Spiritual Gifts, page 117.

If the study of the work in the heavenly sanctuary is neglected, in what condition may the worshipers be found? — “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, ‘Father, give us thy Spirit.’ Satan would then breathe upon 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.” — Id., Experience and Views, pages 46, 47. “Many who embraced the third message had not had an experience in the two former messages. Satan understood this, and his evil eye was upon them to overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the most holy place, and those who had had an experience in the past messages were pointing them the way to the heavenly sanctuary. Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels’ messages, and gladly received them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the people of God. Those

who understand and receive them will be kept from being swept away by the many delusions of Satan.” — Id., Spiritual Gifts, page 119.

The subject of the sanctuary should be kept before our people. We should study the special work of our High Priest as he intercedes before the ark of God in the heavenly sanctuary. It is not enough for our people simply to acknowledge the fact; but we should understand our relation to Christ’s work, and its relation to us. We may have a theory of this, and not be benefited by the work itself. When this is the case, it is the same as if we had no knowledge even of the theory. An understanding of this work of the atonement will prevent any extreme moves, or the making of the hearts of God’s people sad, whom “he has not made sad.”

S. N. H.