Daily and Annual Rituals of the Hebrew Sanctuary

The sanctuary service was divided into two grand divisions: the daily ministration in the Holy Place and the annual service in the Most Holy Place, both of which were a shadow of the heavenly mediation of Jesus Christ Hebrews 8:5PARA 14.9.

The Daily Ministration

The daily service was a continual intercession that went forward throughout the entire year to address the constant commission of sin4SP 262.1+1.

• Morning and Evening Burnt Offerings: Every day, two lambs of the first year were offered as a continual burnt offering—one in the morning and one at even Exodus 29:38-39S23D 79.1. This service was accompanied by the burning of sweet incense on the golden altar and the dressing of the lamps Exodus 30:7-8S23D 79.1.

• Individual Offerings: When a person sinned, they brought a victim to the door of the tabernacle and placed their hand upon its head, signifying the transfer of their sin to the innocent sacrifice4SP 262.1+1. The animal was then slain, and its blood was either sprinkled in the Holy Place or put on the horns of the altar, thereby transferring the sin in figure to the sanctuary Leviticus 4:6-74SP 262.1.

• Purpose: These daily sacrifices and the ministry of the priest served to transfer the guilt of the penitent from themselves to the sanctuary, which became the receptacle of the sins of the congregation throughout the yearDAR1909 196.3+1.

The Annual Day of Atonement

The yearly service, also known as the cleansing of the sanctuary, took place on the tenth day of the seventh month and completed the annual round of ministration4SP 262.1+1.

• A Day of Humiliation: On this most solemn day, the high priest laid aside his usual splendid robes of dignity and wore simple, white linen garments of humiliation Leviticus 16:4JEO 73.3+1. The people were required to "afflict their souls" by fasting, prayer, and deep searching of heart; any soul that did not participate was cut off from the people Leviticus 23:29TDOC 149.5+1.

• The Two Goats: Two kids of the goats were presented at the door of the tabernacle, and lots were cast to determine which was for the Lord and which was for the scapegoat (Azazel) Leviticus 16:7-8ARSH March 28, 1854, page 78.2+1.

• Cleansing the Sanctuary: The high priest entered the Most Holy Place within the second veil—the only day he was permitted to do so—carrying the blood of the Lord’s goat to sprinkle it upon and before the mercy seat Leviticus 16:14-15PARA 14.9+1. This act made an atonement for the holy sanctuary, the tabernacle, and the altar, cleansing them from the uncleanness and transgressions of the children of Israel Leviticus 16:16-19PP 355.3.

• The Scapegoat: After finishing the reconciliation of the sanctuary, the high priest came out and laid both hands on the head of the live scapegoat, confessing over it all the iniquities of Israel Leviticus 16:20-21ARSH March 28, 1854, page 78.2+1. The goat then bore those sins away into an uninhabited wilderness, never to appear in the camp again Leviticus 16:22ARSH March 28, 1854, page 78.2+1.

• The Blessing: Once the work of atonement was finished and the sins were removed, the high priest came forth and pronounced a blessing upon the waiting peopleTDOC 149.5+1.

The Heavenly Fulfillment

These earthly shadows point to the ministry of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, in the true tabernacle in heavenHvn 20.1+1. His continual intercession in the Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary began at His ascension and continued until the autumn of 1844PARA 14.9+1. At the end of the 2300 prophetic days, Jesus entered the Most Holy Place to begin the antitypical Day of Atonement, which involves a work of investigative judgment and the final blotting out of the sins of His people Daniel 8:14GC88 433.1+1. We are now living in this great antitypical day, a time when we should humble our hearts and seek the Lord through true repentanceTDOC 149.5+1. 🕊️