11. What had to happen to the old system before the new priesthood could come into operation? Hebrews 9:8.
NOTE: ‘The way into the holy places of the heavenly sanctuary was not laid open while the ministration in the earthly tabernacle continued but, when that ministration was abolished, the way of the heavenly holy places was laid open, and we have boldness to enter by faith, where our High Priest is ministering for us.’ J.N. Andrews, The Sanctuary and the 2300 Days, page 86.
12. What marked the end of the old system? John 1:29; Hebrews 9:28; Matthew 27:50-51.
NOTE: ‘As referring to the temple at Jerusalem, the Saviour’s words, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” had a deeper meaning than the hearers perceived. Christ was the foundation and life of the temple. Its services were typical of the sacrifice of the Son of God. The priesthood was established to represent the mediatorial character and work of Christ. The entire plan of sacrificial worship was a foreshadowing of the Saviour’s death to redeem the world. There would be no efficacy in these offerings when the great event toward which they had pointed for ages was consummated. Since the whole ritual economy [the ceremonial system] was symbolical of Christ, it had no value apart from Him. When the Jews sealed their rejection of Christ by delivering Him to death, they rejected all that gave significance to the temple and its services. Its sacredness had departed. It was doomed to destruction. From that day, sacrificial offerings and the service connected with them were meaningless. Like the offering of Cain, they did not express faith in the Saviour. In putting Christ to death, the Jews virtually destroyed their temple. When Christ was crucified, the inner veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, signifying that the great final sacrifice had been made, and that the system of sacrificial offerings was forever at an end.’ Desire of Ages, page 165.
13. What do we know of Jesus’ ministry now as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 6:18-20.
NOTE: ‘The ministration of the priest in the first apartment, “within the veil” which separated the holy place from the outer court, represents the work on which Christ entered at His ascension. The priest in the daily ministration presented before God the blood of the sin offering, also the incense which ascended with the prayers of Israel. So did Christ plead His blood before the Father on behalf of sinners and present before Him, with the fragrance of His own righteousness, the prayers of penitent believers. Such was the ministry in the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven. Thither the faith of Christ’s disciples followed Him as He ascended. Here their hopes centred, “which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus.’ From Here to Forever, page 301.
LESSON INSIGHT: Much of our understanding of the sanctuary in heaven is given us by Paul. How did he know of these things? In his writings, Paul himself tells us very clearly of the source of his knowledge and insight. “The Holy Ghost this signifying …” Hebrews 9:8, and, in Galatians 1:9 writing to Gentiles, he says, “But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which is preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”