Could we then have understood the subject of the heavenly sanctuary, our disappointment would have been avoided. Our evidence did not prove that our High Priest would descend from the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, in flaming fire to burn the earth, at the end of the 2300 days; but so far from this, it did prove that he must, at that time, enter within the second vail, to minister for us before the ark of God's testament, and to cleanse the sanctuary. Dan. viii, 14; Heb. ix, 23, 24. Such has been the position of our High Priest since the end of the days, and this is the reason that we did not behold our King in 1844. He had then ministered in only one of the holy places, and the termination of the 2300 days marked the commencement of his ministration in the other. For believing in a literal sanctuary in heaven, consisting of two real holy places, and that our High Priest, while at the Father's right hand, is a minister of both these holy places, we are ranked as spiritualizers, by our enemies. From this unjust charge we appeal to the Judge of all the earth, who will do right.
When John, who saw the door of the first apartment of the heavenly tabernacle opened at the commencement of Christ's ministry, was carried in vision down the stream of time to "the days of the voice of the seventh angel," he saw the most holy place of God's temple opened. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." Rev. xi, 19. Here, by the ark of God's testament, is where our High Priest ministers, since the close of the 2300 days. To this open door in the heavenly sanctuary, [Rev. iii, 7, 8; Isa. xxii, 22-25,] we invite those to come for pardon and salvation, who have not sinned away the day of grace. Our High Priest stands by the MERCY-SEAT (the top of the ark) and here he offers his blood, not merely for the cleansing of the sanctuary, but also for the pardon of iniquity and transgression. But while we call men to this open door, and point them to the blood of Christ, offered for us at the mercy-seat, we would remind them of the LAW OF GOD beneath that mercy-seat, which made the death of God's beloved Son necessary in order that guilty man might be pardoned. That ark contains God's commandments, and he that would receive the blessing of God, at the hand of our High Priest, must keep the commandments contained in the ark, before which he ministers. Many affirm that God has abolished his law; but this is so far from the truth, that that law occupies the choicest place in heaven. It is that "justice and judgment," which are the habitation of God's throne. Ps. lxxxix, 14; xcvii, 2; Rev. xi, 19.
Two of the three messages of Rev. xiv, had been given prior to the end of the days in 1844, as nearly all Advent believers once admitted. The third angel, with the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, gives this last message of mercy, while our High Priest ministers for us before the ark containing the commandments. While he is thus ministering, the host, or church, are waiting the completion of the great work, the putting away of their sins. They are "in the last end of the indignation," which occupies a space of time, as is evident from Dan. viii, 19.
The close of the third angel’s message is marked by the Son of man taking his position upon the white cloud. Rev. xiv, 9–14. The last message of mercy will then have closed, and there will be no intercessor between an offended God and guilty, offending man. The angels with the vials of God’s wrath, who are now stayed by the ministration of our great High Priest, will then come out of the temple of God, and pour out the vials of unmixed wrath upon the heads of all the wicked.—The plagues, the earthquake, and the great hail, “every stone about the weight of a talent,” will follow; the enemies of God will be destroyed, and the little horn will be broken without hand. Rev. xv; xvi; xi, 19; Dan. xii, 1; viii, 25. The sanctuary and the host will then be vindicated, and all opposing power overwhelmed in irretrievable ruin.
Beyond this time of trouble, such as never was, the scenes of the earth made new, rise before us.—In the midst of that Paradise of God, where his saints will ever remain, we behold his glorious sanctuary; [Eze. xxxvii; Rev. xxi, 1–4;] and here we leave it, content, if we may be of the number who shall serve God in that temple, for ever and ever.—Rev. vii, 13–15. The prophetic views of Moses, and of Nathan, respecting God’s sanctuary, will then be fully realized; the Lord will reign for ever and ever, and Israel will be planted to be removed no more. Ex. xv; 2 Sam. vii.
Reader, would you escape the things that are coming on the earth? The warning voice of the third angel points out the way. Know for yourself that you have a personal interest in that work which our High Priest is consummating before the ark of God’s testament, and when he shall come again, it will be without sin unto your salvation. We entreat you, heed not the voice of those who break the commandments, and teach men so, for they will soon receive their reward; but rather unite with those who teach and keep them, and you will have life eternal, and free admittance through the gates into the Holy City.