Chapter 24:
In The Holy of Holies
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5
Introduction
The scene opens in Heaven, where Jesus is continuing His ministry. God’s professed people seldom contemplate where Jesus is and what He is doing. For those who are hungry for the truth, the Word of God reveals the ministry of Jesus in Heaven. These truths show believers their need for preparation and the condition of their faith. The distinction between sincere believers and false ones will be very evident at the end of time. This message is like a cleaver separating two camps of people.
What are the elements of this chapter?
The Judgment Begins
Jesus enters the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary to begin the work of atonement/judgment for His people.
The First Angel's Message declares that the hour of his judgment is come.
(Revelation 14:6, Daniel 8:14; Hebrews 8:1-2, Hebrews 4:15-16)
Concept: INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT
The judgment is investigative in nature because records are being reviewed, in particular, the book of life.
(Daniel 7:9-10; Revelation 20:12)
The Unworthy Guest
The parable of the Wedding Banquet illustrates an investigation conducted on the guests of a wedding banquet.
Invited guests that refused to come to the banquet were destroyed and the king invited others.
The new guests are in turn investigated to determine who was prepared for the wedding. The one who wasn’t was thrown out. (Matthew 22)
Concept: ATONEMENT
The saving of the souls of humanity from eternal death, which is the result of sin.
Jesus as high priest is completing the work of salvation in the heavenly sanctuary by making an atonement for our sins with his own blood. (Romans 5: 10-11, Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 8:1-3)
"Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."
Afflicting the Soul
God’s people who are afflicting their souls and desiring to become one with Him again, confess their sins and repent. (Psalm 51:1-3)
The sins of the people are blotted out from the record in heaven and are reconciled to God, being at one with Him. (Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 44:21-23, Acts 3:19, Revelation 3:5)
Unprepared!
God’s people are unprepared for the judgment. They lack primitive godliness due to lack of knowledge of the truth in its entirety and are not warning the world about the judgment hour. (Jude 1:14-15; Matthew 3:2,6; Acts 2:38; Revelation 7:14)
Prepare!
A work of preparation is needed. God’s people must have spotless robes which means they have to have characters that are purified from sin by Jesus’ blood.
They must be afflicting their souls by asking themselves “Is there any sin remaining in me?”
They must overcome sin through God’s grace.
The Ten Virgins
The parable of the Ten Virgins shows us the condition of the church at the announcement of the coming of the Lord.
They all fell asleep but five of them were prepared with oil to receive the bridegroom and were able to go into the wedding feast signifying that they had accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and united with Him in faith. (Matthew 25)
Five of the virgins were unprepared. The door was shut to them.
Open and shut door
The door was opened to the heavenly sanctuary with Jesus as High Priest.
It was shut to the earthly sanctuary service with priests no longer needed.
Concept: REMNANT
A pure woman stands for the pure church (Ephesians 5:25-27, Luke 12:36) (GC 427.1-428.3)
God's pure church on earth will be ready for His coming.
Two Classes of Believers During Christ’s First Advent
Jesus' disciples: Accepted His ministry.
Jewish leaders: Rejected His ministry and continued their religion.
Two Classes of Believers in the Early Adventist Movement
Faithful: Retained faith in Jesus' ministry of the Heavenly Sanctuary.
Unfaithful: Rejected the Sanctuary message and continued in their sins.
Two Classes of Believers in Christianity Today
True: Afflicting their souls before God.
False: Profess faith in Jesus, but are careless and willingly ignorant.
What does this have to do with me today?
What causes a church to resemble a foolish virgin?
How do I know if I have enough oil for my lamp?
What is required of us during this stage of Jesus’ ministry?
Does God’s grace allow me to continue sinning?
Do I believe that I can have victory over sin?