FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 5
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 17)
Christ’s Priesthood in Type and Antitype: Earthly Priests taken from among the People:
“For the law [concerning the priesthood] maketh men high priests which have infirmity [frailties of mortals], but the word of OATH, which was since the law, maketh the Son [Jesus] who is consecrated for evermore.” Heb. 7: 28, KJV.
“For every high priest taken from AMONG MEN is ordained for men in THINGS PERTAINING TO GOD, that he might offer both gifts and sacrifices FOR SINS.” Heb. 5: 1.
Our High Priest, Christ Jesus, Taken from Humanity: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest , that is PASSED INTO THE HEAVENS, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession [faith]. . . . Let us therefore come boldly INTO THE THRONE OF GRACE, that we may obtain MERCY, and find GRACE to help IN TIME OF NEED.” Heb. 4: 14, 16.
When did Christ, the Lamb of God, transition into our High Priest? “When the loud cry, ‘It is finished,’ came from the lips of Christ [at Calvary], the [earthly] priests were officiating in the [Jerusalem] Temple. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice [our 3 PM].
The lamb REPRESENTING Christ had been brought in to be slain. Clothed in his significant and beautiful dress, the priest stood with lifted knife, as did Abraham when he was about to slay his [only] son [Isaac]. With intense interest the PEOPLE were looking on.
But the EARTH TREMBLES AND QUAKES; for the Lord Himself [the Father] draws near. With a rending noise the INNER VEIL of the temple is TORN from top to bottom by an UNSEEN HAND, THROWING OPEN to the gaze of the multitude a place ONCE FILLED WITH THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
In this [most holy] place the SHEKINAH had dwelt. Here God had manifested HIS GLORY ABOVE THE MERCY SEAT. No one but the [earthly] HIGH PRIEST ever lifted the veil separating this apartment from the rest of the temple. He entered in ONCE A YEAR TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT [on the Day of Atonement, on the 10th day of the 7th month of the Jewish religious calendar] for the sins of the people.
But lo, THIS [second] VEIL IS RENT IN TWAIN. THE MOST HOLY PLACE OF THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY IS NO LONGER SACRED [or holy]!
“All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim; but the KNIFE DROPS from his nerveless hand, AND THE LAMB ESCAPES.” Why?
TYPE HAS MET ANTITYPE IN THE DEATH OF GOD’S SON. The great sacrifice has been made. THE WAY INTO THE HOLIEST [in the heavenly sanctuary] IS LAID OPEN. A ‘New and living way’ is prepared for all.
“No longer need sinful, sorrowing humanity await the coming of the HIGH PRIEST [out of the earthly temple after the day of atonement service]. HENCEFORTH THE SAVIOR WAS TO OFFiCIATE AS PRIEST AND ADVOCATE IN THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS.
It was as if a living voice had spoken to the worshippers: THERE IS NOW AN END TO ALL SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS FOR SIN. [it is the ceremonial LAW governing the types that was ‘nailed to the cross,’ for type had met Antitype in Christ!]. The Son of God is come according to His word, ‘Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,), to do Thy will, O God,’ ‘By His own blood,’ He entereth in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us [The blood obtained by His death is the purchase price for our redemption from Satan].” Heb. 10:7; 9:12.” – E.G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 756, 757.
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.