Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a servant of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

The writer of Hebrews calls this "the main point." Jesus is High Priest now in a sanctuary God Himself set up.

But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.

The greater tabernacle is "not of this creation." A real place, in heaven, where Christ ministers with His own blood.

For Christ hasn't entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

Now. Appearing in God's presence FOR US. The intercession is current and continuous.

Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

He saves "to the uttermost" because He intercedes continually. The salvation is not a one-time transaction in the past — it is sustained by His ongoing priestly work.

Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let's hold tightly to our confession. For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.

Our High Priest knows what it is like to be us. The throne is a throne of grace, not a desk of inspection.

He said to me, "To two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be cleansed."

The cornerstone Adventist prophecy. Using the day-for-year principle (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6), 2300 prophetic days = 2300 literal years. Starting from 457 BC (Artaxerxes' decree per Daniel 9:25), this brings us to 1844 — the moment Christ entered the second phase of His sanctuary ministry.

Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times.

Daniel 9 is the key that unlocks Daniel 8 — the seventy weeks (490 years) are "cut off" from the 2300, and start from the same decree. The math works out to Christ's baptism (AD 27), His crucifixion (AD 31), and the end of probation for Israel (AD 34).

for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins you shall be clean before Yahweh.

Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement — was the day the earthly sanctuary was cleansed. Daniel's prophecy of 2300 days "until the sanctuary is cleansed" points to the same kind of work, in the real sanctuary in heaven.

I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

A courtroom scene in heaven. The books are opened. This is the "investigative judgment" that began in 1844 — the public review of who has trusted Christ and whose names remain in the book of life.

He said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!"

The first angel's message announces that the hour of judgment "has come" — present tense at the time of writing. The judgment is now in session.

My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.

We have a Counselor — an advocate. The investigative judgment is not a hostile inquiry; it is the public vindication of God's mercy toward His people.

Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over the house of God, let's draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water,

The believer is invited INTO the sanctuary by faith. We do not stand at a distance. By Christ's blood we enter boldly.