THE PLACE OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY.
By C. H. Keslake
In studying Christ as our high priest, we shall fail fully to appreciate his work if the place of his ministry is not borne in mind. In fact, it is of the highest importance that this point be recognized. Christ’s ministry is for us; and that we might fully receive the blessing of his mediatorial work, the Holy Spirit has caused to be written all that was necessary for that purpose. And that being so, it must be clear that only so far as we study to comprehend every detail given relating to the priestly ministry of Christ shall we derive the fullness of the blessing that God has for us. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit has caused to be written that which pertains to the place of Christ’s ministry, it is important that this phase be studied. When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt to bring them into the land promised to Abraham and his seed, he said to Moses, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8. “For the building of the sanctuary,” a description of which is found in the book of Exodus, “great and expensive preparations were necessary; a large amount of the most precious and costly material was required.” Care was to be taken that it be made strictly according to a pattern that was shown Moses when he was communing with God in the mount. Verse 40. This sanctuary was a miniature representation of the sanctuary in heaven, in which Christ ministers for us as high priest. For thus we read, “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.” Heb. 8:1, 2. And then, to show further that the sanctuary built in the wilderness was a type, or shadow, of the one already referred to, speaking of the service of the priests, the apostle says, “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.” Verse 4. The object of this article, however, is not to speak at length of the sanctuary in heaven, but to call attention to another “house,” in which Christ ministers through the Holy Spirit. While in the plainest manner possible it is shown that the sanctuary built by man was a type of the sanctuary in heaven, which was built by God, it is no less true that it also represents another, which is referred to in the Scriptures in such a way as to make it impossible to separate it from the sanctuary in heaven; and that while the Lord is engaged in his priestly work in heaven, a similar work is being done in this other place, and so closely are they related that the work in both is practically one work. What this other “house” is, is told us in Heb. 3:6: “But Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” This is the house—the people of God, in whom and for whom Christ ministers. Before the establishment of the Levitical priesthood, “every man was the priest of his own household. In the days of Abraham, the priesthood was regarded as the birthright of the eldest son.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 350. This will make more clear the beautiful truth taught us in the scripture already quoted. Christ was faithful, as a Son, in God’s house, or family, “whose house are we, if”—In a former article we have shown that it was because of his perfect obedience and faithfulness in the flesh, that Christ was ordained high priest. But now we see further that it was his prerogative—his birthright, as the eldest Son in God’s family—to exercise the office of high priest. Christ is our own kin—related to us by the closest of blood ties. By the sacrifice of himself “hath he appeared to put away sin.” Heb. 9:26. There are few Seventh-day Adventists who do not realize that we are now living in the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary that is in heaven. But how many of us have sensed as we ought that the cleansing in heaven means a corresponding cleansing in us? If we are saved at all, the cleansing of the sanctuary within us must be accomplished before the sanctuary in heaven is cleansed. Moreover, the solemn truth has come to us by the testimony of God’s Spirit that the work in heaven is nearly completed. And that being so, it means that little time remains for the perfecting of God’s character in us. But thank God, short as the time is, it is abundantly sufficient for the work to be done. It took but an instant of time for God to create a world, and that is all that is needed to create a new heart.