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1. THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY

a. The sanctuary in heaven—mentioned by Paul (Hebrews, chapters 8, 9, 10) and John (Revelation)—was spoken of by the prophets. By what names did they call it?

• David in Psalm 11:4.

• Isaiah 6:1.

• Jeremiah 25:30.

• Habakkuk 2:20.

• Zechariah 2:13.

b. When Aaron was anointed high priest, what did he have to do? Leviticus 8:12; 9:2, 7; Hebrews 5:1–3. What did Christ have to offer before starting to minister as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 7:26–28; 8:3.

“As in the typical service the high priest laid aside his pontifical robes and officiated in the white linen dress of an ordinary priest; so Christ laid aside His royal robes and garbed Himself with humanity and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 33.

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2. THE COURT

a. What comparison does Paul make between the sacrifices under the old covenant and the Great Sacrifice under the new covenant? Hebrews 13:11, 12.

“Our great High Priest completed the sacrificial offering of Himself when He suffered without the gate. Then a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the people.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 913.

“Christ suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, for Calvary was outside the city walls. This was to show that He died, not for the Hebrews alone, but for all mankind.”—Ibid., p. 934.

b. Under the old covenant, where did the people stand at the hour of incense (Exodus 30:7, 8)? Luke 1:10. How important is the hour of incense for us today?

“If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now; and yet in this time of fearful peril, some who profess to be Christians have no family altar. I know of nothing that causes me so great sadness as a prayerless home. The children show the result of this neglect, for the fear of God is not before them. Parents should make a hedge about their children by prayer; they should pray with full faith that God will abide with them, and that holy angels will guard themselves and their children from Satan’s cruel power.

“There are homes where these principles are carried out—homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes, morning and evening, prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the evening dew.

“God has promised to give wisdom to those who ask in faith, and He will do just as He said He would. . . . And if Christian parents seek Him earnestly, He will fill their mouths with arguments, and for His name’s sake, will work mightily in their behalf in the conversion of their children.”—The Home Missionary, June 1, 1889.

c. Under the new covenant, what is our work in the “outer court” while awaiting the blessed promise? Matthew 24:44; Luke 12:35–38; 21:36.

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3. THE ALTAR

a. While we are in “the outer court,” what “living sacrifices” are we required to offer on the “altar”? Hebrews 13:10, 15, 16; Romans 12:1, 2.

“In the time of ancient Israel every offering brought as a sacrifice to God was carefully examined. If any defect was discovered in the animal presented, it was refused; for God had commanded that the offering be ‘without blemish’ (Exodus 12:5). So Christians are bidden to present their bodies, ‘a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God’ (Romans 12:1). In order to do this, all their powers must be preserved in the best possible condition. Every practice that weakens physical or mental strength unfits man for the service of his Creator.”—The Great Controversy, p. 473.

b. How did Christ compare the “cross” to the “altar” in the experience of His followers? Matthew 16:24–26; John 16:33; Acts 14:22.

“Christ has given us no assurance that to attain to perfection of character is an easy matter. It is a conflict, a battle and a march, day by day. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of heaven. In order to share with Christ in His glory we must share in His suffering. . . . He has overcome for us. Shall we, then, be timid and cowardly because of the trials that we meet as we advance?”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 198.

c. What did our forefathers in the faith (millions of them) offer on the “altar” during the Inquisition? Revelation 6:9–11. In what sense is their blood crying for justice? See examples: Genesis 4:10; Habakkuk 2:11.

“In their secret councils Satan and his angels controlled the minds of evil men, while unseen in the midst stood an angel of God, taking the fearful record of their iniquitous decrees and writing the history of deeds too horrible to appear to human eyes. ‘Babylon the great’ was ‘drunken with the blood of the saints’ (Revelation 17:5, 6). The mangled forms of millions of martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate power.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 59, 60.

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4. THE BLESSING

a. What did Aaron do at the end of the ceremony of his inauguration as high priest? Leviticus 9:23, 24.

b. What did Christ do when He set on the throne? How did He bless His people? Acts 1:8, 9; 2:1–4, 16, 17.

“When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 38, 39.

c. What promise did Jesus fulfill by sending the Comforter, the Holy Spirit? John 14:l6–l8; 16:7. Describe how this blessing comes to us. Acts 5:32.

“What is the Holy Spirit? It is the representative of Jesus Christ, it is our Advocate that stands by our side and places our petitions before the Father all fragrant with His merits. There He accepts the petition of the humblest saint. He doesn’t ask you how much money you have, or how heavy you are loaded with property, but the very humblest saint that brings his petition to God, and [his] thank offering is made fragrant with the riches of His grace, and the Father accepts it as your offering, and the blessing comes to you, grace for grace.”—Reflecting Christ, p. 285.

“[The Comforter] is by our side wherever we may be—a watcher and a witness to all that is said and done—standing ready to protect us from the assaults of the enemy if we will but place ourselves under His protection. But we must act our part, and then God will act His part. When we are brought into trial and affliction for His sake, the Comforter will stand by our side, bringing to our remembrance the words and teachings of Christ.”—The Youth’s Instructor, August 20, 1896.

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5. THE NEEDED PREPARATION

a. What preparation was required of the disciples for the receiving of the promised blessing? Acts 1:13, 14.

“The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship. They drew nearer and nearer to God. . . .

“These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 37.

b. How will history be repeated with reference to the coming of the Holy Spirit in fullness? Zechariah 10:1; Acts 3:19.

“Let Christians put away all dissension and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 21.

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PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. By what names did some of the prophets call the heavenly sanctuary?

2. In ancient Israel, the people of Jerusalem were praying outside, in the outer court, at the time of offering incense. What should we be doing at this time?

3. What did Aaron do at the ceremony of his inauguration? What did Christ do when He ascended to heaven?

4. What did the disciples need to do before receiving the promised blessing?

5. When, and on what condition, will the promised blessing be poured out again?