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The Reformation Herald Online Edition

Introducing the Sanctuary

The Importance of the Sanctuary Doctrine
The Importance of the Sanctuary Doctrine

After the great disappointment on October 22, 1844, more than 50,000 people were scattered around the world. Even the very small remnant made up of less than 12 people didn’t know what to do. Then Hiram Edson, walking through a cornfield, had a vision of the heavenly sanctuary as a starting point to clarify their painful yet sincere doubts.

The understanding of the heavenly sanctuary doctrine became the key to explain the past and present experience of the Advent believers. Even the future was much clearer to them from then on.

The work of Christ in the sanctuary above, where our Lord is interceding for His people after His death on the cross of Calvary, is the center of our hope.

We are told that when we have a clear understanding of the work of our High Priest in the most holy place, we will have a great revival in our midst. Also it is written that the intercession of Christ in our behalf is as important as His death on the cross.

Actually, we should concentrate our attention on Christ and His work for us as an Advocate and High Priest—otherwise we cannot be benefited by His intercession.

One time I entered a lawyer’s office and saw a sign saying: “To the lawyer and to the priest you must tell all the truth.” I never forgot that saying.

Christ is our Advocate and High Priest. We should confess all our spiritual needs and sins to Him. He is totally able to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

In the next two issues of The Reformation Herald, we are considering the important and distinctive doctrine of the sanctuary. This current issue is focusing primarily on the first apartment, the Holy Place and the furnishings therein. In the next issue, we will look into the second apartment, the Most Holy Place.

Among all the professed Christians throughout the world, it is only Sabbathkeeping Advent believers that accept this doctrine as it is revealed in the Bible, especially in Leviticus and Hebrews. For us this is a major doctrine, and we should give very special attention to it. Our final destiny will be decided in the divine Court.

We invite you to read carefully the message that is presented in this issue.

May the Lord give us a clear understanding of the intercession of Christ in our behalf!!!

“We all need to keep the subject of the sanctuary in mind. God forbid that the clatter of words coming from human lips should lessen the belief of our people in the truth that there is a sanctuary in heaven, and that a pattern of this sanctuary was once built on this earth. God desires His people to become familiar with this pattern, keeping ever before their minds the heavenly sanctuary, where God is all and in all.”1

“Now Christ is in the heavenly sanctuary. And what is He doing? Making atonement for us, cleansing the sanctuary from the sins of the people. Then we must enter by faith into the sanctuary with Him, we must commence the work in the sanctuary of our souls. We are to cleanse ourselves from all defilement. We must ‘cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God’ (2 Corinthians 7:1). Satan will come and tempt you and you will give way to his temptations. What then? Why, come and humble your hearts in confession, and by faith grasp the arm of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Believe that Christ will take your confession and hold up His hands before the Father—hands that have been bruised and wounded in our behalf—and He will make an atonement for all who will come with confession.”2

References
1 Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, p. 186.
2 Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 127.