Understanding the Sanctuary Service and the Plan of Redemption

The sanctuary service is a beautiful and comprehensive system designed to illustrate the plan of redemption and the work of Christ in removing sin from the human heartGC 414.2+1. It consists of two major phases: the daily ministration in the holy place and the yearly cleansing of the sanctuary in the most holy place4SP 262.1+1.

The Earthly Sanctuary as a Pattern

The earthly sanctuary, built by Moses according to a divine pattern, served as a shadow and figure of the true tabernacle in heaven where Jesus now ministers Hebrews 8:1-5GC 417.1+1.

• The Structure: It contained two apartments: the holy place, featuring the candlestick, table of showbread, and altar of incense; and the most holy place, containing the ark of the testament with the Ten Commandments Hebrews 9:1-5LTJMB2 169.2+1.

• The Priesthood: Chosen from the tribe of Levi, priests were appointed to facilitate the service, with Aaron and his descendants serving in the specific office of high priest Exodus 28:1GSAM 45.1+1.

• The Symbolism: Every detail, from the symbolic robes of the high priest to the specific furniture, was intended to point to the character and ministry of ChristCG 413.2+1.

The Daily Service: Confession and Transfer of Sin

Throughout the year, a continual service took place that facilitated the forgiveness of individual repentant sinnersCWCP 63.2+1.

• Individual Confession: When a person sinned, they brought an innocent animal to the door of the tabernacle, laid their hands on its head, and confessed their sins, symbolically transferring their guilt to the sacrifice Leviticus 4:1-4CWCP 63.2+1.

• The Blood: The animal was slain, and its blood—representing the forfeited life—was taken by the priest into the holy place or placed upon the altar, thereby transferring the sin from the individual to the sanctuary itself Leviticus 17:11LUJ 90.1+1.

• Forgiveness: Through this mediation, the sinner was forgiven, yet the record of that sin remained within the sanctuary, necessitating a final work of removalCWCP 63.2+1.

The Yearly Service: The Day of Atonement

On the tenth day of the seventh month, the high priest performed a special work known as the cleansing of the sanctuary or the Day of Atonement Leviticus 23:27CWCP 63.2+1.

• The Most Holy Place: This was the only day the high priest entered the second apartment to appear before the mercy seat with the blood of a sin offering to make atonement for the holy sanctuary and the people Leviticus 16:2, 15-174SP 262.1+1.

• Cleansing the People: This service was the finishing of the annual round; while the high priest officiated, the people were required to afflict their souls and confess their sins to be completely cleansed Leviticus 16:29-311SM 125.1+1.

• The Scapegoat: After the sanctuary was cleansed, the high priest placed all the accumulated sins upon the head of the scapegoat (representing Satan), which was then led away into a desolate wilderness to perish Leviticus 16:20-22GC88 657.3+1.

The Heavenly Antitype

The earthly services were finished at the death of Christ, as evidenced by the rending of the temple veil, shifting the focus to the heavenly sanctuary Matthew 27:51EW 253.1+1.

• Christ’s Ministry: Upon His ascension in A.D. 31, Christ began His ministry in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuaryAERS 220.2+1.

• The Investigative Judgment: At the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days in 1844, Jesus entered the most holy place to begin the antitypical Day of Atonement, which involves an investigative judgment of the records of sin Daniel 8:144SP 262.1+1.

• The Final Blotting Out: This final phase of His ministry is for the purpose of blotting out the sins of His people and cleansing the heavenly sanctuary once for all before He returns as King Acts 3:19FP1889 147.3+1.

This sacred service demonstrates that God is not only willing to forgive our sins but is also actively working to remove the very presence and record of sin from the universe foreverSITI September 16, 1886, page 567.6+1.