Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 12.

“Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently.”

No. 509. Necessity of Christ’s Entering the “Most Holy” Place in 1844.

What was the necessity of Christ’s entering the “holy place” in 1844, as he entered in once for all when he ascended into heaven after his first advent? Heb. 9:12, 26. T. J. F.

We never heard of any one’s claiming that Christ entered the “holy place” in 1844. He entered the “most holy,” or second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary at that time. The earthly sanctuary was a pattern of the sanctuary in heaven, and its ministry was typical of the ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Heb. 8:1–6; 9:1–14. The priests ministered in the “holy place” throughout the year, and then came the day of atonement, called also the cleansing of the sanctuary, when the sins which had been confessed during the year were typically carried out of the sanctuary and laid on the head of the scapegoat, which was sent away into the wilderness and abandoned. See Leviticus 16. In the earthly sanctuary there was a very clear distinction between the “holy place” and the “most holy.” Verses 33, 34. These were also designated as the “first” and “second.” Heb. 9:6, 7. On the occasion of the cleansing of the sanctuary, and only on that occasion, the high priest went into the second apartment, or “most holy” place. When Christ ascended to heaven he entered into the “holy place,” and of course would minister there before entering the “most holy,” as we learn from the type. We learn from Daniel 8:14, that from a certain time there would be 2,300 days and then the sanctuary would be cleansed. This could not mean the earthly sanctuary, for when the temple or sanctuary service could be held at all, that feature of it was executed every year. It could not have meant 2,300 literal days for either the earthly or heavenly sanctuary; for (1) the earthly sanctuary service was not restored to the captive Jews for a considerable longer period from the time indicated; and (2) “the way into the ‘holiest of all’ [the heavenly sanctuary] was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing.” Heb. 9:8. In prophecy a day stands for a year. Eze. 4:4–6; Num. 14:34. Then the cleansing of the sanctuary as revealed to Daniel, was yet more than 2,300 years in the future, far beyond the limit of the earthly sanctuary and its service; therefore it must refer to the heavenly sanctuary, and to the time when our High Priest should go from the “holy place” to minister in the “most holy,” according to the type. From the ninth chapter of Daniel we learn that the time referred to began with the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, which was then in ruins. This decree went forth in B. C. 457, as we learn from Ezra 7; therefore 2,300 full years (a part of 457 having already expired) would extend into the year A. D. 1844. Then commenced the work in the heavenly sanctuary corresponding to the service in the “most holy place” of the earthly, known as the day of atonement, or cleansing of the sanctuary. This was in reality a day of judgment; for all who did not humble themselves (“afflict their souls”) and confess their sins on that day, were “cut off from among the people.” It was their last opportunity for mercy. For a full exposition of this subject see “The Sanctuary and 2,300 Days,” by Uriah Smith, price 30 cents; for sale by all Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses and book depositories.

No. 510. The God of the Living.

Matt. 22:32 is used by a minister to show that those who die are in heaven, or alive with God. Please explain. N. T. M.

Christ used this scripture, expressly to prove the resurrection of the dead, not to show that they are already alive. If they are now alive, of what benefit would a resurrection be to them? Luke expresses it in this way: “Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live unto him.” All live in his purpose, for it is his purpose to raise them from the dead. See John 5:28, 29. Without the plan of salvation, death would have ended all with sinful man. “The wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23. But the plan of salvation adds another feature to the destiny of the race. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:22. Then in order for God to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, there must be a resurrection of the dead. Christ says this is what “Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham,” etc. Those who teach that the dead are now alive, in heaven or anywhere else, logically teach that “the resurrection is past already.” Of Hymenæus and Philetus, who held this doctrine, Paul said that they erred concerning the truth. 2 Tim. 2:17, 18.

No. 511. The Coming of Christ.

Was the second coming of Christ preached as a special message in the tenth century, and by whom? F. C. R.

The tenth century was unparalleled for its ignorance, superstition, and general idolatry and licentiousness within the church. Mosheim speaks of it as “the deplorable ignorance of this barbarous age,” and that “the whole Christian world was covered at this time with a thick and gloomy veil of superstition.” “The most important doctrines of Christianity were disfigured and perverted in the most wretched manner.” It was in such a time in the Roman Catholic Church that many deluded souls believed that the judgment would take place. It was not a message from God, but was conceived in superstition and ignorance.

No. 512. Clean Meats.

Are geese and ducks clean fowls? Is there anything in the Bible that will tell us about it besides Deuteronomy 14 and Leviticus 11? C. G.

There are no other scripture passages where classification between clean and unclean meats are made, save the two chapters mentioned above. Geese and ducks are not mentioned among the forbidden fowls, nor indeed in the Bible.

No. 513. Cain’s Morality.

Doubtless you are right [in question 484] in saying that Cain married his sister. I have been met with this, What do you think of the morality of such an act? C.

Well, we think nothing about it. We have no defense to make of Cain’s morality, nor indeed of any other Bible character. That belongs to God. The question of all should be, “What will the Lord have me to do?”

No. 514. Faith and Belief.

Is not faith and belief the same? You seem to consider them differently in the Signs of February 4. J.

True living Bible belief is the same as faith; but in the common meaning attached to belief, it generally means mere assent to a fact. So the article states, “Belief may be no more than mere assent to a truth.” This belief the devils have. Dead faith is no faith. The only faith there is is living faith in the living Word.