FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 14
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 24)
The Service in the Earthly Sanctuary a Shadow of the Heavenly:
Apostle Paul instructs the true believer: “Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: we have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. A Minister of the sanctuary, and of the TRUE tabernacle, which the LORD PITCHED, and not man.
For every [earthly] high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this MAN [Christ the High Priest in heaven] have somewhat also to offer, for if HE WERE ON EARTH, HE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIEST [why?] seeing that there are [earthly] priests that offer gifts according to the law [i.e., the ceremonial, Mosaic law]; who served unto the EXAMPLE AND SHADOW OF HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the [first] tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou maketh all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN shown to thee on the mount.” Heb. 8: 1-5, KJV. See Exodus ch 25-27.
“Important truths concerning the ATONEMENT are taught by the TYPICAL services. 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 [forgiveness or justification] 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 piriest, having taken an offering from the congregation, went into the MOST HOLY PLACE with the BLOOD of this 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 SCAPEGOAT, he confessed over him all their 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.” -E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., p. 420.
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.