....unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.
Hebrews 8:5
"The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgement should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest.
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
Important truths concerning the atonement may be learned from the typical service.
As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary.
A substitute was accepted in the sinner's stead;
but the sin was not cancelled by the blood of the victim.
A means was thus provided by which it was transferred to the sanctuary.
By the offering of blood,
*the sinner acknowledged the authority of the law,
*confessed his guilt in transgression,
*and expressed his desire for pardon through faith in a Redeemer to come;
but he was not yet entirely released from the condemnation of the law.
On the day of atonement the high priest, having taken an offering from the congregation, went into the most holy place with the blood of this general offering, and sprinkled it upon the mercy-seat, directly over the law, to make satisfaction for its claims.
----Then, in his character of mediator, he took the sins upon himself, and bore them from the sanctuary.
----Placing his hands upon the head of the scape-goat, he confessed over him all these sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the goat. The goat then bore them away, and they were regarded as forever separated from the people.
This work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ to redeem His people; for when He comes, His reward is with Him to give to every man according to his works.
But such subjects as the sanctuary,
in connection with the 2300 days,
the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,
are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future.
The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith."
The Sanctuary E.G.W.
