9. Why is an understanding of the sanctuary important? Revelation 14:6-7; Psalm 77:13; Psalm 73:12-13, 17.
COMPILER’S NOTE: Jesus is our central focus. His ministry in the heavenly Sanctuary, should be the spiritual focus of the last messages, the Three Angel’s Messages and that of the Fourth Angel, which we share with the world. What Jesus is doing there is the centre of Seventh-day Adventist teaching and doctrine, the centre of our faith. Without this understanding, we would be like a ship without rudder, or anchor, drifting among the churches of Christendom with no specific purpose for existence.
Let us look in the Most Holy Place to see and understand and work alongside Jesus, our Saviour, in His work. Simply put, Jesus is drawing up the names of those who will go through to the earth made new after sin is eradicated. In the investigative judgement going on now in heaven, He is finalising the citizen list of those who will be safe to populate a clean new world. He is listing those who are ‘accounted worthy’ for ‘that world’. Luke 21:36, Luke 20:35, first part. That is His part. Our task is to tell the world what is happening in heaven and to prepare a people to face Jesus. It is the closing up of the Gospel work of long ages and we can be part of it.
NOTE: ‘The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith.’ Evangelism, page 221.
‘As a people, we should be earnest students of prophecy; we should not rest until we become intelligent in regard to the subject of the sanctuary, which is brought out in the visions of Daniel and John. This subject sheds great light on our present position and work, and gives us unmistakable proof that God has led us in our past experience. It explains our disappointment in 1844, showing us that the sanctuary to be cleansed was not the earth, as we had supposed, but that Christ then entered into the most holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and is there performing the closing work of His priestly office, in fulfilment of the words of the angel to the prophet Daniel, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”’ Evangelism, page 222.
‘The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God’s hand had directed the great advent movement, and
revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people.’ Evangelism, page 222.
‘All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has committed to them. The sanctuary in heaven is the very centre of Christ’s work on behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time, and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects, and be able to give an answer to everyone that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them.’ Evangelism, page 222.
‘In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith.’ Evangelism, page 224.
10. The verdicts in the Investigative Judgement have not yet been proclaimed, but time is short. How should we respond and co-operate with Christ in making known His last appeals of mercy? Revelation 18:1-2; Revelation 18:4.
NOTE: ‘In this closing work of the gospel, there is a vast field to be occupied; and, more than ever before, the work is to enlist helpers from the common people. Both the youth and those older in years will be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to give His message. Many of these have had little opportunity for education; but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to fulfil His purpose.’ A Call to Stand Apart, page 66.