HEBREWS 8:1-13

Victory through Judgment: the Holy Place (Part 1)

Purpose of the Sanctuary

Exo 25:8 "And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.“

There had been and is a separation between God and His people because of sins. Isa 59:2

God will not rest until He finds a dwelling place with us, this is the heart of a Loving God to His wayward children…"O Love that will not let me go" Psa 132:13-16

Physical Sanctuary God's design to restore the experience He had with Adam and Eve

in the garden. "Thy way O God is in the Sanctuary" Psa 77:13; Psa 16:11 ; Rev 21:2-7

Spiritual Sanctuary a medium to deepen the spiritual impression in the heart of

humanity of God's desire to dwell in man. Eph 2:21-22; 1 Cor 3:16-17, 1 Cor 6:19-20

Purpose of the Sanctuary

A Temple is heaven Rev 11:19

The Ministry/ Service of Jesus Heb 7:24, 25 Heb 9:24 Heb 10:19-22

“…And thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins”

Purpose of the Santuary

“The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ's work in 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 every one that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them.” GC 488, 489

Purpose of the Sanctuary

“God's people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where the final ministration of our great High Priest in the work of the judgment is going forward,--where He is interceding for His people.”--Review and Herald, Nov. 27, 1883

Hebrews 12:2 Our eyes fixed upon Jesus “Turn your eyes upon

Jesus”

Purpose of the Sanctuary

“The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work of these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others. All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful. By study, contemplation, and prayer God's people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people. Their faith will go with Him into the sanctuary, and the worshipers on earth will be carefully reviewing their lives and comparing their characters with the great standard of righteousness. They will see their own defects; they will also see that they must have the aid of the Spirit of God if they would become qualified for the great and solemn work for this time which is laid upon God's ambassadors.” 5T 575.1

How may we enter the Sanctuary

With Praise and Thanksgiving Psa 100:4-5 Psa 95:1-6

“The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. God is worshiped with song and music in the courts above, and as we express our gratitude we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth" God. Psalm 50:23. Let us with reverent joy come before our Creator, with "thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." Isaiah 51:3.” SC 104.1

“Even in the night of affliction how can we refuse to lift heart and voice in grateful praise, when we remember the love to us expressed by the cross of Calvary?” 5T 315

How may we enter the Sanctuary

With Boldness Hebrews 4:15,16 Hebrews 10:19-22

With a Sacrifice Leviticus 4—a sacrifice without blemish or spot Isaiah 53; Rev 5:6—the Lamb of God Romans 12:1-2 –Our lives, our wills a living sacrifice 1Peter 1:18-19—the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb

without blemish and without spot “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the

eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Heb 9:14

The Courtyard

The Altar of Burnt Offering

Exodus 27:1-8 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and

kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it is a sin offering. And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.” The of Christ’s death– “And he bearing his cross went forth

into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him…” John 19:17 -18

Our place of death with Christ—Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 4:10

The Altar of Burnt Offering

Personal Application

The Altar of Sacrifice represents the place of death, the place where the sin offering died--It is the place where God reveals His glory in the death of His Son Jesus Christ and so it also reveals His glory when we are crucified with Christ.

This is the place where the carnal nature of man is crucified and it must be a daily, moment by moment experience. Paul said, “I protest, I die daily.” The sinful nature of man dies here.

Christ was the Lamb slain for yours and mine sin without spot or blemish 1 Peter 1:19; John 1:29; 2Cor5:21

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal 5:

" At the altar of self-sacrifice--the appointed place of meeting between God and the soul--we receive from the hand of God the celestial torch which searches the heart, revealing its great need of an abiding Christ".--Manuscript 9, 1899

 

The Laver –Greek “a bath; washing”

“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar…” Exo 30:18 Water and its meaning…

Symbol of the Holy Spirit and His work Tit 3:5,6 John 3:5 Psa 119:9,11 Eph 5:26—Jesus cleanses His church by His word Rev 1:5– Jesus washes us from sin in His word

The daily baptism of the Holy Spirit as we die daily and renew our walk with the Lord

The Laver

Personal application“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?

Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully.” Psa 24:3-4

“In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.”

The daily experience at the “door of the tabernacle” prepares us enter into the Holy Place that we may rightly partake of the bread of

The Table of Showbread

“And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before me always.” Exo25:30 Set to the North Isa 14:13 Leveticus 24:5-8

Personal Application “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word

was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psa 119:103

“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psa 19:10

The Candlestick

The Candlestick

Personal ApplicationMatthew 5:14, 16—”Ye are the light of the world…

Let your light so shine before men…” “…be filled with the Spirit.” Eph 5:18 “…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal 5:22-23 “We need and must have fresh supplies every day. And how

many souls we may help by communicating to them! All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be poured the holy oil, to be a joy and a blessing to others.” 6T 117

“…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal 5:16

John 1:9—Jesus is the light that lights every man that comes in the world

The Candlestick

“The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.” DA 805

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev 22:17

Victory Through Judgment: The Most Holy Place

“Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” Psa 77:13 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the

life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” Hab 2:20

“The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.” Psa 11:4

Victory through Judgment: the Most Holy Place

“Yet the race was not left without hope. By infinite love and mercy the plan of salvation had been devised, and a life of probation was granted. To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized--this was to be the work of redemption.” Ed 15

God’s purpose for you and me

What was the purpose of man’s creation? Gen 1:27-28; Rev 4:11 “…it was His (God’s) purpose that the longer man lived

the more fully he should reveal this image--the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator. All his faculties were capable of development; their capacity and vigor were continually to increase. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened to their research.” Ed 15 To reveal the glory of God is our only purpose of existence

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” 1 Cor 6:20

Victory through Judgment: the Most Holy Place

The work of judgment is the means through which God brings us to closely examine the intents of our hearts, mind and body. What are our motives “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my

thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psa 139:23-24

“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” Psa 26:2

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 1:18

The Altar of Incense

“And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it...and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about…” Exo 30:1-10 “And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense

before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle”. Exo 40:5

“ And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Lev 4:7

The Altar of Incense

The place where the blood from the sacrifice was also sprinkled daily on the four horns and on the day of atonement seven times ( Exo 30:10; Lev 4:6,7 & Lev 16:16) Daily the blood of Jesus is to be applied to the doorpost of

our hearts that His death on the cross may work a change in us. “ I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and

were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, "My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!" Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, "Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads." EW 38

The Altar of Incense

In connection with the four angels “holding the four winds of the earth” the prayers of the saints are essential. “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a

golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.” Rev 8:3-4 “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the

lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psa 141:2

The Altar of Incense

The place where incense was burned daily “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath

given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.” Eph 5:2 Personal Application

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish…” 2Cor 2:14-15• It is at the altar of incense where through prayer we are

transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we become fragrant like Jesus--the fruit of the Spirit is made manifest, the sacrifice of Christ becomes ours and now we are able to behold the glory of God!

• “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb 7:25

Personal Application—at the Altar of Incense

Examples of those who prayed Enoch Gen 5:21-22—Walked with God for 300 years, then

translated Jacob 32:22-30—transformed through his time in prayer Hannah 1Sam 1:10-15; 2:1-10 David Psa 51—forgiven; 1Chron 17:16-27 Jesus Mark 1:35—the Ultimate example of a Man who

communed with God Apostles Acts 2:1—Power of united prayer As the Fire on the Altar of Incense was kept burning

continuously, so only through the Holy Spirit can the spirit of prayer be kept alive in our hearts—Exo 30:7,8

The Fragrance of Christ’s Intercession

“Christ is the fragrance, the holy incense which makes our petitions acceptable.” 1 SM 333

“…your Mediator stands before the Father to present your prayers, mingled with His own merit and spotless righteousness, as fragrant incense.” CT 241 “Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as

ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.” SS 1:3 “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the

ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” Psa45:8

The sweet incense was to be kept burning at all times. It was before the veil, and the throne of God (Jesus

stands continually before God for us)

The Ministry of Christ—at the Altar of Incense

“ Christ offered up His broken body to purchase back God's heritage, to give man another trial. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25. By His spotless life, His obedience, His death on the cross of Calvary, Christ interceded for the lost race. And now, not as a mere petitioner does the Captain of our salvation intercede for us, but as a Conqueror claiming His victory. His offering is complete, and as our Intercessor He executes His self-appointed work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression…

The Ministry of Christ—at the Altar of Incense

“…Christ has pledged Himself to be our substitute and surety, and He neglects no one. He who could not see human beings exposed to eternal ruin without pouring out His soul unto death in their behalf, will look with pity and compassion upon every soul who realizes that he cannot save himself. He will look upon no trembling suppliant without raising him up. He who through His own atonement provided for man an infinite fund of moral power, will not fail to employ this power in our behalf. We may take our sins and sorrows to His feet; for He loves us. His every look and word invites our confidence. He will shape and mold our characters according to His own will. In the whole Satanic force there is not power to overcome one soul who in simple trust casts himself on Christ. "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29.

The Ministry of Christ—at the Altar of Incense

“As yet the disciples were unacquainted with the Saviour's unlimited resources and power. He said to them, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name." John 16:24. He explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name. He would be present before the Father to make request for them. The prayer of the humble suppliant He presents as His own desire in that soul's behalf. Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven. It may not be fluently expressed; but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers, and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection.” DA 667

Judgment—”The Holy of Holies”

“Christ is the connecting link between God and man…As we approach God through the virtue of the

Redeemer’s merits, Christ places us close by His side, encircling us with His human arm..” 8T 178.2“Christ, Emmanuel, stands between God and the believer, revealing the glory of God to His chosen

ones, and covering their defects and transgressions with the garments of His own spotless

righteousness. . . . If God’s people will sanctify themselves by obedience

to His precepts, the Lord will work in their midst. He will renew humble, contrite souls, making their characters pure and holy.”—Manuscript 128, 1897.

“The Holy of Holies”—Judgment

The Holy of Holies

“Since the fall, no immediate communication could exist between God and man, only through Christ, God committed to his Son, in a special sense, the case of the fallen race. Christ has undertaken the work of redemption. He purposes to maintain the

full honor of God’s law, notwithstanding the human family have transgressed it. He will redeem from its curse all the obedient who will embrace the offer of mercy by accepting the atonement so wonderfully

provided. Through his mediatorial work, Christ will fully vindicate the holiness and immutability of his

Father’s law.” RH, April 29, 1875

The Ark of the Covenant

“The Holy of Holies”—Ark of the Covenant

The work of judgment is to bring an end of our separation between God and us. Jeremiah 32:39-40

What is the Everlasting Covenant God proposes to make with humanity? “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them;

it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.” Eze 37:23,26; Heb 8:10-12• “ Under the terms of the everlasting covenant, God and the

believer each gives himself without reservation to the other” SDA BC Vol 1-322

Judgment—the Everlasting Covenant

God is Love 1John 4:8 The cross of Calvary testifies to the immutability of the law

of God. That law is a transcript of God’s character, the standard of character for all human intelligences. It could not be changed, not one precept of it could be altered, to meet man in his fallen condition. But our God, having committed Himself to the amazing work of our redemption, in giving His only begotten Son resolved that He would spare nothing, however costly, that was essential in saving the soul of the sinner. All the resources of heaven were given to accomplish this great work. He would not have it said by worlds unfallen, by the universe of heaven, by Satan’s kingdom, by an apostate world, that His gift could have a rival, or in any way have been greater. {BEcho, June 17, 1895}

The Holy of Holies

Strongest force in the universe is LOVE God is LOVE 1John 4:8

What is love? 1 Cor 13

Power outside ourselves Eph 3:14-16 Gal 5:14

Matt 22:37-40 As a result of the love of God implanted in our hearts and

minds we are unified, John 17 Christ’s prayer is answered!

 

Holy of Holies

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him

who created all flow life and light and gladness throughout the realms of illimitable

space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and

inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love” GC 678

The Holy of Holies

The work of Judgment creates an opportunity for God through His Spirit to make us over-comers. Without judgment there could be no over-comers! 2Cor

2:15-16

What is it that we are to overcome?...the Carnal Nature

Appetite—the Lust of the flesh Gal 5:17 Reason—Debate, Ability to think 2Cor 10:5; Gen 3—the fall

of man Will—Place where decisions are made Rom7:18

The Holy Spirit is the Agent through which we obtain constant victory, a life hid in Christ.

The Holy of Holies—God at Work

Isa 27:5Eph 2:13, 18-22Zech 9:16; 14:20-21Isa 44:22

“The sanctification of the soul by the operation of the Holy Spirit is the implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity.” 1SM 198

“It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself.” TM 456

The Holy of Holies

“From the Holy of Holies, there goes on the grand work of instruction. The angels of God are

communicating to men. Christ officiates in the sanctuary. We do not follow Him into the sanctuary as

we should. Christ and angels work in the hearts of the children of men. The church above united with the church below is warring the good warfare upon the earth. There must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth, in harmony with Christ's cleansing of

the sanctuary in heaven. God's people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary,

where . . . our great High Priest . . . is interceding for His people. {Mar 249.5}

Holy of Holies—God at Work

Rom 5:5 “The Holy Spirit implants a new nature, and molds

through the grace of Christ the human character until the image of Christ is perfected. This is true holiness.” Letter 70

Psa 74:12 Thus the Mystery of God is finished, “Christ in you the

hope of glory.”