came a day of judgment to that people, the completion of a round of service, typical of Christ's entire priesthood.
14. When and where did Christ enter upon His work?
"For the law [the ceremonial law of priesthood] maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated forevermore." Heb. 7:28.
"Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places." Eph. 1:20.
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once ["for all," A.R.V.] into the holy place [literally, "holy places"], having obtained eternal redemption for us." Heb. 9:12.
NOTE.—All of Christ's ministry was ever with the ultimate view of putting away sin. When He began His ministry in the heavenly places, that sanctuary and priesthood were consecrated for the good of His creatures to that work, even as was the first sanctuary, the "figure of the true." This dedication included both places. Ex. 40:9-15; Dan. 9:24; Heb. 1:9. As the priest in the earthly sanctuary ministered ever in view of the day of atonement, the yearly judgment, so Christ has ministered in the holy place above in view of the work of judgment in the end of His ministry. He began in the sanctuary above, where are the seven lamps and the altar of incense (Rev. 4:5; 8:3); in the end of His ministry He will enter the most holy place before the ark for His last act of service in the judgment (Rev. 11:19).
17. What will be done in His closing work? and why?
"It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens [the earthly sanctuary] should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these." Heb. 9:23.
NOTE.—This purification, or cleansing, is not from physical defilement, but from the remembrance of sin. During the centuries since Jesus entered upon His priesthood, the sins of those who have professed His name have been recorded on high. In the end of His ministry, the time of the judgment, all cases will come before the throne for examination and judgment.
18. What will then take place for those who have been faithful?
"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." Acts 3:19, 20.
NOTE.—The blotting out of sin, the purification of the heavenly sanctuary, will occur during the time of the outpouring of the Spirit, just before Jesus shall come. Those sins will be blotted out of the life and affections and character here, and from the record on high.
19. What will take place concerning those who have been unfaithful?
Their names will evidently be blotted out of the Book of Life, and their sins retained, inasmuch as the Lord declares of the overcomer, "I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life." Rev. 3:5.
20. What sad statement will be made in heaven when Christ's work is finished for all who will receive Him?
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:11.
21. What is the next great event?
"And, behold, I [Jesus] come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Verse 12.
[The next reading will be on the TIME OF THE CLOSING WORK OF CHRIST AND THE JUDGMENT.]
