Chapter 23:
What is the Sanctuary
“Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” Psalm 77:13
Introduction
The 2300 Day Prophecy found in Daniel 8 revealed an element that would change the destiny of the God'speople. They discovered God's way and the blueprint for his mercy. The redemption of mankind could now be understood by God's people. The truth of the Sanctuary message is the message that would prove to be divisive for the people God but divisive in what way?
What are the elements of this chapter?
Concept: 2300 DAY PROPHECY
2300 Day Prophecy reveals the cleansing of the sanctuary. (Ezekiel 4:6; Daniel 8:14)
2300 days is equal to 2300 prophetic years which stretched from 457 BC and ended in 1844 AD.
The cleansing of the sanctuary begins at the end of the 2300 years.
What is the cleansing of the Sanctuary?
Concept: THE SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary is a dwelling place for God, the solution for sin, and a covenant between God and His people. (Exodus 25:8, Psalms 77:13)
THE SANCTUARY SERVICE
The tabernacle in the desert was made after a pattern of the one that is in heaven. (Hebrews 9:1-5; Exodus 25:8-9, 40; Hebrews 8:4-5, 9:24)
The Outer Court
The Altar of Sacrifice
Where animals were sacrificed to atone for sin.
The Laver
Where the priests washed after sacrificing before they went into the Sanctuary.
The Holy Place
The Table of Shewbread
12 loaves of bread on a table on the north side of the holy place. It was called the bread of the presence.
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
Made of pure gold with seven lamps giving light day and night on the south side of the holy place. Filled with oil daily.
The Altar of Incense
A golden altar where incense was burned that stood before the veil that led into the most holy place. Incense was burned daily.
The Most Holy Place
The Ark of the Covenant
The golden chest that contained the Ten Commandments, bowl of manna, and Aaron’s budded rod. It had a covering with two cherubim facing each other on either side and a mercy seat in the middle where the divine presence was manifested.
Atonement
The blood of sacrificed animals were sprinkled on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant to complete the work of atonement.
Solomon’s Temple
The Temple of Solomon was built as a permanent replacement of the tabernacle where the sacred objects of the sanctuary service were kept.
Zerubbabel’s Temple
Zerubbabel's temple was a later permanent building constructed after the Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem from Persia.
Herod’s Temple
Herod's temple was built by Herod the Great as a refurbishment to Zerubbabel’s and was twice the splendor of Solomon’s temple.
The Sanctuary Service Illustrated
The Life and Ministry of Christ
The Sanctuary service illustrates the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. His death is foreshadowed at the altar of sacrifice. His anointing at His baptism is illustrated by the laver. His imparting of God’s word and His teachings are shown by the table of shewbread and the golden candlestick. His connection to His Father through prayer is illustrated by the altar of incense. The ark of the covenant and it’s contents are the foundation of His doctrine.
The Christian Life
The Sanctuary service illustrates the life the individual Christian must lead to follow Jesus Christ. It describes step by step how the experience should be lived, portraying the process of sanctification – Christ perfecting a person’s character.
The Sanctuary Service in History
Israel’s Journey
It illustrates the journey of the children of Israel out of Egypt to the promised land in Canaan.
Christianity’s Journey
It illustrates the progression of the remnant church as the truth is restored to its proper place in the heart.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
There is a sanctuary/temple in heaven where Jesus is ministering as high priest, presenting His own blood as the atoning sacrifice. (Hebrews 9:23-24; Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 8:1-2; 1 John 2:1; Revelation 11:19)(GC 422.2)
The Scapegoat
At the day of atonement, when the cleansing of the sanctuary takes place, a scapegoat is selected and the sins of the people who confessed their sins before God are placed on the scapegoat. The scapegoat is then led away from the camp by a strong man into the wilderness and abandoned there. (Leviticus 16:7-10)
Satan is typified as the scapegoat.
What does this have to do with me today?
How can I apply the Sanctuary service to my life?
What is it that God is asking me to sacrifice? Are there things in my life that I'm holding on to?
What does the Sanctuary service tell me about God’s way in contrast to Satan’s way?