Belief #24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

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Belief #24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment...

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Seventh-day Adventists view the ancient Biblical sanctuary and services as symbolic of Christ’s work for our salvation. After His death and resurrection, Jesus ascended to Heaven, to prepare a place for us, as mirrored by the earthly sanctuary model (Hebrews 8:1-5).

1. Significance of the Sanctuary: It served as the heart of Israelite worship, teaching them about God’s presence and Jesus’ sacrifice.
2. Earthly and Heavenly Sanctuary Relationship: The earthly sanctuary is seen as a copy of the heavenly sanctuary, reflecting Jesus's ministerial work there.
3. Day of Atonement: Annually, it cleansed the sanctuary of sins, prefiguring how Jesus cleanses heavenly records through His sacrifice.
4. Jesus' Ascension and Ministry: After His resurrection, He became our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, interceding for believers.
5. Cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary: Beginning in 1844, this represents an investigative judgment, deciding who has accepted salvation.
6. Judgment: Jesus, as our Advocate, reviews each case, offering His sacrifice as the basis for forgiveness.
7. Finality of Jesus' Ministry: Jesus’ ministry will conclude with His return to Earth, redeeming those who have chosen Him.

Through these beliefs, Adventists find reassurance in Jesus' ongoing intercessory role and the hope of eternal salvation.

Read more about this fundamental belief here.