16:27Leviticus 16:27

On the yearly day of atonement for cleansing the sanctuary, the bodies of the sin offerings whose blood had been brought into the holy place to make atonement were to be carried outside the camp and wholly burned.GC88 683.4–684.5+3 That earthly ministration in the holy of holies containing the ark served as example and shadow of heavenly things.GC88 433.1 Its fulfillment is Christ's work in the antitypical Day of Atonement in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, opened in 1844, where as High Priest by virtue of His own blood He blots out and cleanses the sins of His faithful people.Ms 81, 1886, par. 9+3 It is now going on above in this great day of preparation before the judgment, calling every person to confess sin, put it away, and be cleansed by the blood of Jesus so as to stand in the judgment.5T 420.3+3

Leviticus 16 sets forth the process for cleansing the sanctuary, the dwelling-place of God's glory upon the earth.GC88 683.4–684.5+1 That sanctuary was first erected as the movable sanctuary in the desert of Sinai.GC88 683.4–684.5 It was afterward continued in Solomon's temple with its holy and most holy place, to which the vessels of the tabernacle were transferred.GC88 683.4–684.5

On the yearly great day of atonement for the cleansing of the sanctuary, the second apartment, the holy of holies containing the ark of God's testament, was opened and the high priest entered the Most Holy Place after careful preparation.ST Mar 4, 1903+1 Before the mercy seat God spoke with him, while the people waited in prayer outside.ST Mar 4, 1903 If he stayed long they feared he had been slain by the Lord's glory because of sin, and the bells on his garments reassured them when they heard him return, after which he came out and blessed the people.ST Mar 4, 1903 That earthly ministration served unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.GC88 433.1

The carrying of the sin-offering bodies without the camp belongs to the Day of Atonement ritual that points to Christ's work in the antitypical Day of Atonement.Ms 81, 1886, par. 9+2 That antitypical work takes place in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ serves as High Priest and by virtue of His own blood blots out and cleanses the sins of His faithful people.Ms 81, 1886, par. 9+2 The opening of the earthly holy of holies on that day therefore points to the opening of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844, when Christ entered there upon the great antitypical day of atonement to perform the closing work of the atonement.GC88 433.1+1 There He officiates before the ark of God and pleads His blood in behalf of sinners.GC88 433.1

The sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the prophetic days is not the earth to be purified by fire at Christ's second coming to punish the inhabitants for iniquity, but the sanctuary in heaven.Ms 6, 1876, par. 5–6 Those who by faith follow their great High Priest behold this heavenly ministration and understand it through study of the sanctuary and of His change of ministration in 1844.GC88 433.1

The high priest's ministry on the day of atonement in behalf of the children of Israel was a type of the actual ministry of Jesus Christ in heaven for His people, and in that earthly service Satan pointed to the defilement of God's people and triumphed in their discomfiture.Ms 124, 1901, par. 18–19 Christ is the One to whom all the types point, the Sin-bearer and Substitute for the offender who takes away the sin of the repentant, believing transgressor.17MR 242.1–2+1 Unlike sinful Joshua He cannot be accused as a transgressor or sinner.17MR 242.1–2+1

The antitypical day of atonement is now going on in the sanctuary above in this great day of preparation.5T 420.3+1 It is the final day of confession before the books are opened and every person is judged by the record of their deeds.Ms 52, 1905, par. 10 It is a solemn time calling for special preparation, in which each person is to consider how his case will stand in the judgment.Ms 81, 1886, par. 9+1

In this time people are to confess their sins so that those sins may go beforehand to judgment, to put sin away and not hide their wrongs, to draw near to God for pardon, to be cleansed from defilement by the blood of Jesus, to seek Christ's forgiveness, and to live in a way that can stand in the judgment.Ms 81, 1886, par. 9+2 Christ is able to cleanse them from all unrighteousness.Ms 81, 1886, par. 9 This service provides the pattern calling for the purification of the church through repentance, humility, and deep heart-searching.Lt 55, 1886, par. 9–10

The verse concerns every individual and sets forth the solemn scenes of the judgment and the perils that attend every soul.5T 420.3 It should be kept constantly before the mind and urged upon the conscience with earnestness and power, giving correct views of the importance of the work for this time.5T 420.3 Business cares must not absorb the mind so that this heavenly work is lightly regarded.5T 420.3 A proper appreciation of it leads to greater energy and zeal for success in the work, guards against becoming careless and blinded to the wants of the cause, and makes each one a channel of light.5T 420.3