Adventist Sanctuary Message: Foundation of Faith, Judgment

The sanctuary message is a foundational doctrine in Adventism, essential for understanding the past, present, and future of God's work4MR 248.2+9. It reveals Christ's ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and illuminates the plan of salvation in its distinctive features1EGWLM 937.4+6.

The Earthly Sanctuary: A Pattern of Heavenly Things 🏡

The earthly sanctuary, whether the tabernacle built by Moses or Solomon's temple, was a divinely ordained structure, a "worldly sanctuary" with "ordinances of divine service" Hebrews 9:1STTHD 112.1. It was a "figure for the time then present" Hebrews 9:9BDOC 79.19+2 and a "shadow of good things to come" Hebrews 10:1SOTB 8.4+4.

This earthly sanctuary was carefully constructed according to a "pattern shewed to Moses in the mount" Exodus 25:9+24SP 260.1+5. It had two apartments:

• The Holy Place (first tabernacle): This contained the candlestick (lampstand), the table of showbread, and the altar of incense Exodus 40:22-27+1BDOC 79.19+6. Priests would go into this apartment daily to perform services Hebrews 9:6+2BDOC 79.19+4.

• The Most Holy Place (second veil, Holiest of all): This contained the ark of the covenant, which held the tables of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden pot of manna Exodus 26:34+1BDOC 79.19+4. The high priest entered this apartment only once a year on the Day of Atonement, with blood, to make atonement for himself and the errors of the people Hebrews 9:7+1BDOC 79.19+5.

The services performed in the earthly sanctuary could not truly take away sins but were designed to instruct people about Christ's future work Hebrews 10:4SOTB 8.4+2.

At the crucifixion of Jesus, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom Matthew 27:51+2ARSH February 18, 1858, page 117.11+1. This symbolized that the services of the earthly sanctuary were forever finished, as the great sacrifice for the world had been made on CalvaryARSH February 18, 1858, page 117.11+2. Jesus Himself declared, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" Matthew 23:38+1ARSH February 18, 1858, page 117.11+1.

The Heavenly Sanctuary: The True Tabernacle 🌌

The Bible teaches that Christ entered "into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" Hebrews 9:244SP 260.1+1. This is the "true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" Hebrews 8:2HF 256.4+17. It is also called "My Father's house" John 14:2TTHDS 14.1+1 and "the temple of God in heaven" Psalm 11:4+2TTHDS 14.1+5. This heavenly temple also has two holy places, just like its earthly pattern Hebrews 9:2+1BDOC 79.19+4.

Christ, our "great High Priest" Hebrews 8:1+14SP 260.1+12, began His ministry in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary after His ascension Revelation 1:12-13+9EVRR36+3.

The Cleansing of the Sanctuary: A Work of Judgment ⚖️

The prophecy of Daniel 8:14 states, "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." This period ended in 1844HF 256.4+16. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary is a work of judgmentEVRR333+11.

This cleansing is not from physical impurities, but from sinSTTHD 200.2. Just as the earthly sanctuary was cleansed with blood to purify it from the "uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins" Leviticus 16:16+1BP3 130.3+2, so the heavenly things themselves are purified "with better sacrifices" - the precious blood of Christ Hebrews 9:23+1ARSH February 18, 1858, page 117.11+6.

At the end of the 2300 days in 1844, Christ, our High Priest, entered the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to begin the final work of cleansing Daniel 8:14+2EVRR333+10. This investigative judgment determines who has accepted His mediation and become His peopleEVRR333+3. For those who participated in the services through repentance and confession, their sins are blotted out; for those who did not, their names are removed from the book of life Acts 3:19+2BDOC 79.30+3.

Significance and Importance 💖

The sanctuary truth is the "central pillar that sustains the structure of our position at the present time"4MR 244.2+1. It is the foundation of our faith as Seventh-day Adventists4MR 248.2+3. Over and over again, the Holy Spirit has markedly endorsed the preaching of this doctrineMR760 30.4+3.

The understanding of the sanctuary doctrine emerged from the disappointment of 1844, providing clarity and explaining the past prophetic fulfillmentsEVRR333+9. It clarifies Christ's position and work as High Priest, revealing the beautiful features of the plan of salvation10MR 157.3+6. This truth guards against erroneous theories and strengthens our belief in the past Advent movementIST 15.2+8.

The sanctuary message also emphasizes the need for a spiritual cleansing within the hearts of believers on earth, keeping pace with the cleansing of the sanctuary in heavenGCB/GCDB 43.5+3. It reminds us that our bodies are the "temple of the Holy Ghost" 1 Corinthians 6:19PC 418.3+4 and that God desires to dwell within us, leading us to moral and spiritual perfectionCWCP 76.1+3. This brings us to a "rest" found in Christ and His perfect work, not our own Hebrews 10:1-9+1ARSH June 6, 1899, page 360.16+1.

The opening of the heavenly temple signifies the commencement of the sounding of the seventh angel in Revelation, a period of "finishing the mystery of God" Revelation 10:7+2LUJ 234.3+2. This work is foundational to the third angel's message, the final message of mercy to a perishing world Revelation 14:6-7+1EducationalMessenger September 25, 1908, par. 2+16. It calls for obedience to God's commandments and faith in Jesus Revelation 14:12ARSH October 9, 1900, page 649.2+5.

The sanctuary message highlights the investigative judgment, which has been in progress for over sixty years, soon to transition to the cases of the livingGH August 1, 1910, par. 6+1. This underscores the urgency of preparing ourselves to "stand in the coming day"DAR 211.1.