IMPORTANCE OF AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST'S WORK IN THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY.
By S. N. H.
We can not place too high an estimate upon an understanding of the work of our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The parables that refer to the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary make the salvation of souls depend on the relation sustained to Christ and his work during the investigative judgment. Matt. 22 : 11-14; 25 : 10-13; Luke 12 : 35-37. There are repeated warnings that have direct reference to this time. The day of atonement was the most important day of all the year for Israel, and those who did not afflict themselves on that day were cut off. The words of Moses to Israel were, “For 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. It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute forever.” Lev. 16 : 30, 31. “Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.” Lev. 23 : 27-30. “All business was to be laid aside, and the whole congregation of Israel were to spend the day in solemn humiliation before God, with prayer, fasting, and deep searching of heart.”—“Great Controversy,” page 420. They had complete control of their appetite, and all selfish interests were under control. The antitype of this day is referred to by Christ in Luke 21 : 34-36: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” We are also directed to the same time in the parables of the ten virgins and the talents, in Matthew 25. In most of the instruction given by Christ, both in his parables and in his direct teachings, the mind is carried to the time when the name of each person will come up in review before God. This is the time when they will be accounted worthy or unworthy of the resurrection from among the dead. It is the period of the investigative judgment, and the salvation of souls depends upon the relation that each individual sustains to the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. So important is this work that in the Spirit of Prophecy reference is frequently made to it. On pages 53 and 54 of ‘Early Writings’ we read as follows: “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 to 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.” Again: “The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work of these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others. All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful. By study, contemplation, and prayer, God's people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and his great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people. Their faith will go with him into the sanctuary, and the worshipers on earth will be carefully reviewing their lives, and comparing their characters with the great standard of righteousness. They will see their own defects; they will also see that they must have the aid of the Spirit of God if they would become qualified for the great and solemn work for this time which is laid upon God's ambassadors.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 573. From this quotation it will be seen that our success in spiritual things depends upon a thorough understanding of the work going on in the sanctuary above. “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.”—‘Early Writings,’ page 119. S. N. H.