Understanding Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

No, Jesus did not enter the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary immediately after His resurrection; rather, He entered the first apartment to begin His work as our High PriestCCh 347.6+1. His ministration consists of two great divisions, and at His ascension, He appeared in the presence of God to plead His blood in the holy place in behalf of penitent believersCIHS 55.3+1.

The Order of Christ's Ministry

• The First Apartment: Following His ascension, Jesus began His ministry in the first apartment of the sanctuary, which was typified by the daily service in the earthly tabernacleCCh 347.6+1. He presents the fragrance of His own righteousness and His precious blood before the Father in behalf of sinnersCIHS 145.2+1.

• The Most Holy Place: It was not until the end of the 2300 days, on the tenth day of the seventh month in 1844, that Christ entered the second apartment, or the Most Holy Place, for the first timeCIHS 7.3. He had a specific work to perform there before His return to the earthCIHS 7.3.

• The Sanctuary Truth: The sanctuary question is a pillar of faith, and the Holy Spirit has marked and endorsed the preaching of this doctrine, confirming that the heavenly sanctuary has two distinct departmentsCCh 347.6+1.

The Purpose of His Intercession

The intercession of Christ in the sanctuary above is just as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross7ABC 478.2+1. By His death He began the work, and after His resurrection and ascension, He went into heaven itself to complete it Hebrews 9:247ABC 478.2+1. He now stands before the Father as our Advocate and Friend at court, pleading His own merits to secure for us the gift of the Holy Spirit and the pardon of our sins8LtMs, Lt 63a, 1893, par. 56+2.

Preparation for His Return

Because Jesus is currently performing this solemn work of atonement, we must by faith enter within the veil where the light from the cross is reflected7ABC 478.2+1. There will be no chance to get ready after Jesus leaves the Most Holy Place; therefore, it is vital that we get right with God now while the door of mercy is still open16MR 33.3. We are encouraged to watch and pray, conforming our characters to the Bible standard while Christ continues His mediatorial work in our behalfYI January 28, 1897, par. 1+1.

Yes, Jesus anointed the heavenly sanctuary before beginning His priestly ministration in its first apartmentBHB 45.13+1. This sacred act was the antitype of the anointing of the earthly tabernacle by Moses, which prepared that structure for serviceJEO 85.4+1.

The Timing and Purpose of the Anointing

• Preparatory to Ministry: Just as the earthly sanctuary and all its vessels were anointed and hallowed before the Levitical service commenced, the heavenly sanctuary was anointed as an event preparatory to Christ’s officiating as our High Priest Exodus 40:9-11CIS 194.1+1.

• The Fulfillment of Prophecy: The prophecy of the seventy weeks points to the "anointing of the most Holy," which refers to the heavenly sanctuary—the Holy of Holies—rather than a person Daniel 9:24SOTB 13.2+1.

• A Change of Sanctuaries: This anointing occurred at the close of the seventy weeks, marking the point where the heavenly tabernacle took the place of the earthly sanctuary as the sanctuary of prophecyJEO 85.4+1.

Connecting Type and Antitype

• The Earthly Pattern: In the typical system, Moses took the anointing oil to sanctify the tabernacle and all that was therein to make it holy Leviticus 8:10-11BHB 45.13.

• The Heavenly Reality: When Christ ascended to the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, He entered the sanctuary by His own blood to fulfill the reality shadowed by these earthly patterns Hebrews 8:1-2LOM, page 40.11.

• Establishing the New Covenant: This anointing signaled that the ministration in the earthly sanctuary was finished and that the more excellent ministry of the new covenant was about to begin Hebrews 8:6SOTB 13.2.

Spiritual Significance for Believers

• Access to Grace: Because the heavenly sanctuary has been consecrated, we now have boldness to enter into the holy places by the blood of Jesus, a new and living way which He has consecrated for us Hebrews 10:19-20LUJ 131.2+1.

• A Living Ministry: The anointing confirms that Jesus is the "Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" Hebrews 8:2EVCO 313.4.

• The Foundation of Truth: Understanding this work helps us see the entire plan of salvation as it is unfolded in the service and ministration of the sanctuaryCIS 9.2+1.