Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
Overview
Doctrine of Restoration (End Times)
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross.
At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary.
In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary.
It is a work of investigative judgment, which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus.
The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection.
It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom.
This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.
Requirements
1. Know God’s command to Moses to build the earthly sanctuary and identify the pattern to be followed. (Exodus 25:8-9, 40; Hebrews 9:24)
2. Understand Jesus’s ministry in Heaven after His death and resurrection. (Hebrews 8:1-2)
3. Know how Jesus was identified during His ministry on earth. (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:4-7)
4. Relate the work of the priest in the earthly sanctuary to Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. (Leviticus 16:9, 15; Hebrews 9:1-28)
5. Explain the order of the major events of Christ’s ministry for the salvation of human beings. (1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 6:9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 25:31-32; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:12-15)
6. Memorize and recite 1 Timothy 2:5.
7. Share with a friend what Jesus is doing in Heaven today and how it relates to our salvation and future. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Answer key & resources
Master awards
This honor counts toward:
- Biblical Teachings Master Award (South American Division)
Adapted from AY Honors/24 - Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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