Perspective Digest

Volume 15 Issue 3 Summer Article 7

2010

Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry

Roy Gane Andrews University, [email protected]

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd

Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons

Recommended Citation Gane, Roy (2010) "Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry," Perspective Digest: Vol. 15 : Iss. 3 , Article 7. Available at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol15/iss3/7

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Adventist Theological Society at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Perspective Digest by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Gane: Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry BY ROY E. GANE* CHRIST’S HEAVENLY SANCTUARY MINISTRY ART 5

The Adventist understanding of the heavenly sanctuary pertains to the church’s one unique contribution to theology.

he fifth core belief affirmed by historicist interpretive approach, the Adventist Theological So- including recog nition of the year- ciety (ATS) as a teaching of day principle, which makes it possi- T Scripture and of the Seventh- ble to identify 1844 A.D. as the date day Adventist Church is as when the pre-advent judgment follows: “I affirm a real sanctuary in began. heaven and the pre-advent judg- ment of believers beginning in 1844, based upon the historicist *Roy Gane, Ph.D., is Professor of He- view of prophecy and the year-day brew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern principle as taught in Scripture.” Languages, and Director of the Ph.D. This briefly summarizes Seventh- in Religion and Th.D. Programs at the day Adventist Fundamental Belief Seventh-day Adventist Theological 24 and adds explicit reference to the Seminary, Berrien Springs, Michigan.

38 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews39 University, 2010 1 Perspective Digest, Vol. 15 [2010], Iss. 3, Art. 7 Importance of Pre-Advent empowerment from the Holy Spirit Biblical Support for Pre-Advent tion (Lev. 4:31; 5:1, 6) and “experien- Judgment (Joel 2; Acts 2) to proclaim the last Judgment and Historicism tial” by giving repentant sinners the Outside the Seventh-day Adventist gospel invitation during the time of There is solid biblical support for experience of receiving God’s trans- movement, some Christians accept the Creator’s judgment (Rev. 14:6- the interdependent concepts in the forming grace (Lev. 4:27-29). the reality of the heavenly sanctuary, 12). The Spirit’s power shows itself ATS statement regarding the pre-ad- Judgment of Believers. There is a priestly mediation of Christ there, in lives transformed by love poured vent judgment and historicism. phase of judgment concerning those and a judgment of believers. How- into hearts (Rom. 5:5), lives charac- A Real Heavenly Sanctuary. God who have had a connection with ever, the biblical teaching of a judg- terized by “love, joy, peace, . . .” (Gal. has a real sanctuary/temple center of God through at least nominal belief ment that serves as a second, final 5:22, 23, NIV) that bring healing to divine administration that has been in Him (Heb. 10:30). At the Old Tes- phase of atonement through Christ’s broken relationships (Mal. 4:5, 6). in heaven since at least Old Testa- tament sanctuary, a second and final mediation in the most holy place of Just as the apostles received the ment times (Ps. 11:4). In this and stage of atonement on the Day of the heavenly sanctuary before His Spirit at Pentecost when they looked other passages, “sanctuary” is not Atonement involved judgment be- second coming, beginning in 1844 by faith to Christ in heaven at the simply a symbol; nor does it refer to tween loyal and disloyal Israelites. and continuing through to the pre- time of His priestly inauguration, all of heaven. The sanctuary on earth Ritual purification of the sanctuary sent, is unique to Seventh-day Ad- end-time Christians are to receive was patterned according to the pre- reaffirmed those who were loyal to ventist understanding. In fact, this the Spirit from Him where He is existing heavenly temple (Ex. 25:9). God (16:29-31), but the disloyal re- combination of Great Controversy now in the heavenly holy of holies. When Christ ascended to heaven ceived no benefit and were con- and sanctuary themes comprises the Locating ourselves in salvation after His resurrection, He was inau- demned (Lev. 23:29, 30). only unique contribution of Seventh- history as living during the end-time gurated as Priest to continue His Cleansing of the sanctuary, God’s day Adventists to biblical theology. judgment defines Adventist identity work of atonement by distributing place of administration, represented Many wish Adventists would and the urgency of our intercon- the benefits of His sacrificial death to His justification/vindication as Judge. aban don their distinctive pre-advent nected teachings, such as the Second those who believe (Heb. 4:14-16). This was necessary because He con- judgment view and be absorbed into Coming of Christ (soon!), the sev- This mediation is an essential part of demned the disloyal but had forgiven the evangelical mainstream. But the enth-day Sabbath (end-time pledge Christ’s atonement, just as ritual ac- guilty people when they accepted sac- im portance of this sanctuary teaching of allegiance to the Creator), and the tivities performed by an Israelite rificial atonement throughout the goes far beyond the historical fact non-immortality of the “soul”/life priest following slaughter of an ani- year (Leviticus 4, 5), which a just that it began the Adventist movement (needing resurrection and/or trans- mal victim were an integral part of judge normally should not do (Deut. when some disappointed followers of formation at the Second Coming). the sacrificial process (Leviticus 1, 4). 25:1; 1 Kings 8:32). Vindicating the William Miller realized the connec- Our end-time context depends upon Christ’s sacrifice on earth and Judge for having saved loyal people tion between Daniel 8:14 and the bib- the historicist approach to biblical ap - priestly mediation in the heavenly showed that He was right in having lical teaching of a heavenly temple ocalyptic prophecies, which prevailed sanctuary, illuminated by the dy- forgiven them. For the loyal, whose (Hebrews 8–9; Revelation 4–5, etc.). among Christians for many centuries. namic model of the ancient Israelite forgiveness and unhindered connec- Understanding what Jesus is doing for Historicism refers to an interpretive ritual system, show us how God saves tion with God was reaffirmed, the us now during the final stage of atone - approach that sees how the apocalyp- people by extending mercy without judgment was good news. ment helps us to realize the immi- tic (meaning “revelatory”) prophecies compromising His justice, the other Similarly, the end-time judgment nence of His coming, to get in touch of Daniel present continuous side of love (Ex. 34:6, 7). The biblical in Daniel 7:9-14 benefits God’s with Him, and to cooperate with His overviews of history from the time of sanctuary services teach us a balanced faithful people. In the overlapping end-time mission for the world. the prophet to the second coming of view of atonement, which is both parallel prophecy of Daniel 8, the From Christ we receive the gift of Christ (chapters 2, 7, 8, 11, 12). “legal” by removing our condemna- same event is the ultimate, end-time https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol15/iss3/740 2 41 Gane: Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry Importance of Pre-Advent empowerment from the Holy Spirit Biblical Support for Pre-Advent tion (Lev. 4:31; 5:1, 6) and “experien- Judgment (Joel 2; Acts 2) to proclaim the last Judgment and Historicism tial” by giving repentant sinners the Outside the Seventh-day Adventist gospel invitation during the time of There is solid biblical support for experience of receiving God’s trans- movement, some Christians accept the Creator’s judgment (Rev. 14:6- the interdependent concepts in the forming grace (Lev. 4:27-29). the reality of the heavenly sanctuary, 12). The Spirit’s power shows itself ATS statement regarding the pre-ad- Judgment of Believers. There is a priestly mediation of Christ there, in lives transformed by love poured vent judgment and historicism. phase of judgment concerning those and a judgment of believers. How- into hearts (Rom. 5:5), lives charac- A Real Heavenly Sanctuary. God who have had a connection with ever, the biblical teaching of a judg- terized by “love, joy, peace, . . .” (Gal. has a real sanctuary/temple center of God through at least nominal belief ment that serves as a second, final 5:22, 23, NIV) that bring healing to divine administration that has been in Him (Heb. 10:30). At the Old Tes- phase of atonement through Christ’s broken relationships (Mal. 4:5, 6). in heaven since at least Old Testa- tament sanctuary, a second and final mediation in the most holy place of Just as the apostles received the ment times (Ps. 11:4). In this and stage of atonement on the Day of the heavenly sanctuary before His Spirit at Pentecost when they looked other passages, “sanctuary” is not Atonement involved judgment be- second coming, beginning in 1844 by faith to Christ in heaven at the simply a symbol; nor does it refer to tween loyal and disloyal Israelites. and continuing through to the pre- time of His priestly inauguration, all of heaven. The sanctuary on earth Ritual purification of the sanctuary sent, is unique to Seventh-day Ad- end-time Christians are to receive was patterned according to the pre- reaffirmed those who were loyal to ventist understanding. In fact, this the Spirit from Him where He is existing heavenly temple (Ex. 25:9). God (16:29-31), but the disloyal re- combination of Great Controversy now in the heavenly holy of holies. When Christ ascended to heaven ceived no benefit and were con- and sanctuary themes comprises the Locating ourselves in salvation after His resurrection, He was inau- demned (Lev. 23:29, 30). only unique contribution of Seventh- history as living during the end-time gurated as Priest to continue His Cleansing of the sanctuary, God’s day Adventists to biblical theology. judgment defines Adventist identity work of atonement by distributing place of administration, represented Many wish Adventists would and the urgency of our intercon- the benefits of His sacrificial death to His justification/vindication as Judge. aban don their distinctive pre-advent nected teachings, such as the Second those who believe (Heb. 4:14-16). This was necessary because He con- judgment view and be absorbed into Coming of Christ (soon!), the sev- This mediation is an essential part of demned the disloyal but had forgiven the evangelical mainstream. But the enth-day Sabbath (end-time pledge Christ’s atonement, just as ritual ac- guilty people when they accepted sac- im portance of this sanctuary teaching of allegiance to the Creator), and the tivities performed by an Israelite rificial atonement throughout the goes far beyond the historical fact non-immortality of the “soul”/life priest following slaughter of an ani- year (Leviticus 4, 5), which a just that it began the Adventist movement (needing resurrection and/or trans- mal victim were an integral part of judge normally should not do (Deut. when some disappointed followers of formation at the Second Coming). the sacrificial process (Leviticus 1, 4). 25:1; 1 Kings 8:32). Vindicating the William Miller realized the connec- Our end-time context depends upon Christ’s sacrifice on earth and Judge for having saved loyal people tion between Daniel 8:14 and the bib- the historicist approach to biblical ap - priestly mediation in the heavenly showed that He was right in having lical teaching of a heavenly temple ocalyptic prophecies, which prevailed sanctuary, illuminated by the dy- forgiven them. For the loyal, whose (Hebrews 8–9; Revelation 4–5, etc.). among Christians for many centuries. namic model of the ancient Israelite forgiveness and unhindered connec- Understanding what Jesus is doing for Historicism refers to an interpretive ritual system, show us how God saves tion with God was reaffirmed, the us now during the final stage of atone - approach that sees how the apocalyp- people by extending mercy without judgment was good news. ment helps us to realize the immi- tic (meaning “revelatory”) prophecies compromising His justice, the other Similarly, the end-time judgment nence of His coming, to get in touch of Daniel present continuous side of love (Ex. 34:6, 7). The biblical in Daniel 7:9-14 benefits God’s with Him, and to cooperate with His overviews of history from the time of sanctuary services teach us a balanced faithful people. In the overlapping end-time mission for the world. the prophet to the second coming of view of atonement, which is both parallel prophecy of Daniel 8, the From Christ we receive the gift of Christ (chapters 2, 7, 8, 11, 12). “legal” by removing our condemna- same event is the ultimate, end-time

40 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews41 University, 2010 3 Perspective Digest, Vol. 15 [2010], Iss. 3, Art. 7 Day of Atonement in that it justi- 7:10) indicates investigation or the period covers too much history: the “vision” of 2,300 evenings-morn- fies/vindicates God’s sanctuary (vs. demonstration of evidence before an- It reaches from the Persian decree in ings in chapter 8 by explaining its first 14). This event is good news for nouncement and execution of the 457 B.C. to restore Jerusalem to the segment (“cut off”/ “determined”; those who stay loyal to God. verdict. Final destruction of God’s Jews as their civil capital (Dan. 9:25) 9:24) regarding the near future of the The judgment is not to find out human archenemy (symbolized as the until the coming of the Messiah at Jewish people, which lasts “seventy who has sinned. God doesn’t need a “little horn” in Daniel 7–8), who op- the beginning of the 69th “week.” weeks.” These are weeks of years, so judgment for that. Neither is it for poses His rule and law, will come at Confirming that “weeks” are “years” the longer period of 2,300 to which for His own information because He Christ’s second coming (Dan. 8:25). and identifying Jesus as Messiah, He they belong must also consist of already knows everything. The pur- Therefore, the investiga tive/de m on s - began His public ministry in 27 A.D. years. Since the “seventy weeks” seg- pose of the judgment is to show the trative phase of judgment must pre- (Luke 3:1—15th year of Tiberius, ment began in 457 B.C., the 2,300 universe of God’s created beings that cede Christ’s second coming. following Jewish inclusive reckoning began at the same time and lasted His love (= justice + mercy) is not Judgment Beginning in 1844, and with no zero year between B.C. (with no zero year) until 1844 A.D.1 compromised when He saves the Shown by Historicist Year-Day Prin- and A.D.), 483 years after 457 B.C. We have found that interpreta- right people because Christ’s sacri- ciple. Timing the pre-advent judg- This accurate fulfillment in the tion of Daniel 8:14 in its context fice makes Him just when He justi- ment more precisely, it begins in Roman period, after even the time of yields 1844 as the beginning of the fies those who believe (Rom. 3:26). 1844 at the end of 2,300 years Antiochus IV Epiphanes when end-time justifying of the heavenly This means that they keep on believ- prophesied in Daniel 8:14. Histori- preterists say Daniel was written, sanctuary through the pre-advent ing, as shown by the fact that their cism recognizes that Daniel includes validates real predictive prophecy. judgment. Thus 1844 is not a self- faith works through love (Gal. 5:6). some predictions of long time peri- 4. In Daniel 8:14, the 2,300 standing doctrine based on a single Works are used in the judgment ods in which expressions for “days” evenings-mornings (= 2,300 evenings text; it is one important detail re- (Eccl. 12:14) as evidence of faith. represent years (8:14; 12:11-12). and 2,300 mornings) are “days” that garding an event that is well-attested Location of Judgment in Heavenly Though a year-day or day-year prin- must represent 2,300 years: They in Scripture. It is important for Sanctuary. The judgment of believ- ciple should not be applied indis- cover the period of Daniel’s “vision” God’s people to know when the ers takes place in God’s heavenly criminately, several factors support (Dan. 8:13), which begins by symbol- judgment begins so that they can co- sanctuary, where One like a human the possibility of “years” and require izing the Medo-Persian empire (vss. operate with Him (Rev. 14:6-12), being (Christ) comes to the divine this meaning in these contexts. The 1-4, 20), continues through the just as the ancient Israelites needed “Ancient of Days” to receive His following factors are most relevant Greek/Macedonian domination by to know when the Day of Atone- kingdom through a judgment that to Daniel 8:14: Alexander the Great and his succes- ment began so that they could par- determines who His subjects will be 1. The Hebrew word for “days” sors (vss. 5-8, 21), and keeps going ticipate (Lev. 16:29-31). (Dan. 7:9-14). Because the judgment can also mean “years” (1 Sam. 27:7). through the oppressive rule of a sub- is an end-time event, the sanctuary 2. Periods of years corresponding sequent “little horn” power (vss. 9-12, through which it is justified in to the same number of days appear 23-25). If the “days” were literal (= 6 Daniel 8:14 cannot be the earthly elsewhere in the Bible (Num. 14:34). and 1/3 literal years), Daniel would temple in Jerusalem, which was de- 3. In Daniel 9:24-27, “seventy not have been so upset when he real- 1 For more information on the meaning stroyed long ago (in 70 A.D.). weeks” (NKJV) must be weeks of ized that only for this long would the and timing of the pre-advent judgment, see Judgment Before Christ’s Second years, that is, 70 sabbatical year cy- 70-year domination of the Jews by Roy Gane, Who’s Afraid of the Judgment? The Good News About Christ’s Work in the Heav- Coming. The judgment of believers cles of seven years each (compare foreign power be prolonged. enly Sanctuary (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press occurs before Christ comes to earth Leviticus 25) = 490 years. They can- 5. In Daniel 9:22-27, the angel Publ. Assn., 2006) and other works cited again. Use of books/records (Dan. not be weeks of literal days because Gabriel answers Daniel’s distress over there. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol15/iss3/742 4 43 Gane: Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry Day of Atonement in that it justi- 7:10) indicates investigation or the period covers too much history: the “vision” of 2,300 evenings-morn- fies/vindicates God’s sanctuary (vs. demonstration of evidence before an- It reaches from the Persian decree in ings in chapter 8 by explaining its first 14). This event is good news for nouncement and execution of the 457 B.C. to restore Jerusalem to the segment (“cut off”/ “determined”; those who stay loyal to God. verdict. Final destruction of God’s Jews as their civil capital (Dan. 9:25) 9:24) regarding the near future of the The judgment is not to find out human archenemy (symbolized as the until the coming of the Messiah at Jewish people, which lasts “seventy who has sinned. God doesn’t need a “little horn” in Daniel 7–8), who op- the beginning of the 69th “week.” weeks.” These are weeks of years, so judgment for that. Neither is it for poses His rule and law, will come at Confirming that “weeks” are “years” the longer period of 2,300 to which for His own information because He Christ’s second coming (Dan. 8:25). and identifying Jesus as Messiah, He they belong must also consist of already knows everything. The pur- Therefore, the investiga tive/de m on s - began His public ministry in 27 A.D. years. Since the “seventy weeks” seg- pose of the judgment is to show the trative phase of judgment must pre- (Luke 3:1—15th year of Tiberius, ment began in 457 B.C., the 2,300 universe of God’s created beings that cede Christ’s second coming. following Jewish inclusive reckoning began at the same time and lasted His love (= justice + mercy) is not Judgment Beginning in 1844, and with no zero year between B.C. (with no zero year) until 1844 A.D.1 compromised when He saves the Shown by Historicist Year-Day Prin- and A.D.), 483 years after 457 B.C. We have found that interpreta- right people because Christ’s sacri- ciple. Timing the pre-advent judg- This accurate fulfillment in the tion of Daniel 8:14 in its context fice makes Him just when He justi- ment more precisely, it begins in Roman period, after even the time of yields 1844 as the beginning of the fies those who believe (Rom. 3:26). 1844 at the end of 2,300 years Antiochus IV Epiphanes when end-time justifying of the heavenly This means that they keep on believ- prophesied in Daniel 8:14. Histori- preterists say Daniel was written, sanctuary through the pre-advent ing, as shown by the fact that their cism recognizes that Daniel includes validates real predictive prophecy. judgment. Thus 1844 is not a self- faith works through love (Gal. 5:6). some predictions of long time peri- 4. In Daniel 8:14, the 2,300 standing doctrine based on a single Works are used in the judgment ods in which expressions for “days” evenings-mornings (= 2,300 evenings text; it is one important detail re- (Eccl. 12:14) as evidence of faith. represent years (8:14; 12:11-12). and 2,300 mornings) are “days” that garding an event that is well-attested Location of Judgment in Heavenly Though a year-day or day-year prin- must represent 2,300 years: They in Scripture. It is important for Sanctuary. The judgment of believ- ciple should not be applied indis- cover the period of Daniel’s “vision” God’s people to know when the ers takes place in God’s heavenly criminately, several factors support (Dan. 8:13), which begins by symbol- judgment begins so that they can co- sanctuary, where One like a human the possibility of “years” and require izing the Medo-Persian empire (vss. operate with Him (Rev. 14:6-12), being (Christ) comes to the divine this meaning in these contexts. The 1-4, 20), continues through the just as the ancient Israelites needed “Ancient of Days” to receive His following factors are most relevant Greek/Macedonian domination by to know when the Day of Atone- kingdom through a judgment that to Daniel 8:14: Alexander the Great and his succes- ment began so that they could par- determines who His subjects will be 1. The Hebrew word for “days” sors (vss. 5-8, 21), and keeps going ticipate (Lev. 16:29-31). (Dan. 7:9-14). Because the judgment can also mean “years” (1 Sam. 27:7). through the oppressive rule of a sub- is an end-time event, the sanctuary 2. Periods of years corresponding sequent “little horn” power (vss. 9-12, through which it is justified in to the same number of days appear 23-25). If the “days” were literal (= 6 Daniel 8:14 cannot be the earthly elsewhere in the Bible (Num. 14:34). and 1/3 literal years), Daniel would temple in Jerusalem, which was de- 3. In Daniel 9:24-27, “seventy not have been so upset when he real- 1 For more information on the meaning stroyed long ago (in 70 A.D.). weeks” (NKJV) must be weeks of ized that only for this long would the and timing of the pre-advent judgment, see Judgment Before Christ’s Second years, that is, 70 sabbatical year cy- 70-year domination of the Jews by Roy Gane, Who’s Afraid of the Judgment? The Good News About Christ’s Work in the Heav- Coming. The judgment of believers cles of seven years each (compare foreign power be prolonged. enly Sanctuary (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press occurs before Christ comes to earth Leviticus 25) = 490 years. They can- 5. In Daniel 9:22-27, the angel Publ. Assn., 2006) and other works cited again. Use of books/records (Dan. not be weeks of literal days because Gabriel answers Daniel’s distress over there.

42 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews43 University, 2010 5