Andrews University

From the SelectedWorks of P. Gerard Damsteegt

October, 1994

The aS nctuary and Adventist Experience P. Gerard Damsteegt, Andrews University

Available at: https://works.bepress.com/p_gerard_damsteegt/35/ The sanctuary and Adventist experience

hat is the foundation of your expositor Josiah Litch, believed as P. Gerard Damsteegt faith?" If asked that ques- early as 1841 that the judgment of W tion, a Seventh-day Ad- Daniel 7 was commencing prior to the ventist today might respond, "Jesus Second Coming. They called this judg- Christ, of course!" or "The Bible," or ment the "trial" and said it was sepa- even "Our special lifestyle." But our rating the righteous from the wicked earliest pioneers would no doubt de- and determining who would be resur- clare, "The sanctuary and the 2300 rected at the "execution" of the judg- days!" ment at the Second Coming.' Looking at a vital Thus, Ellen G. White said in 1906, Although the Millerite Adventists pillar of faith "The correct understanding of the min- knew that Jesus was currently in the istration in the heavenly sanctuary is heavenly sanctuary, they did not un- the foundation of our faith." 1 Years derstand that the heavenly sanctuary before she had called the heavenly would be "cleansed" in fulfillment of sanctuary "the very center of Christ's Daniel 8:14. They interpreted the work in behalf of men" and had warned sanctuary of Daniel 8 as the church on that an understanding of Christ's sanc- earth and also as the earth itself, and tuary ministry is so vital that those said that both would be cleansed at who fail to obtain it will be unable "to the Second Coming. The cleansing of exercise the faith which is essential at the church, according to William this time, or to occupy the position Miller and most of his followers, was which God designs them to fill." 2 a cleansing from all sin and apostasy. Why is that so? And what is the That the margin in Miller's Bible of- "correct understanding" of the heav- fered "justified" as a synonym for enly sanctuary? "cleansed" confirmed Miller in his anticipation of this spiritual cleans- Millerite Adventist understanding ing. As for the earth, it would be Before the cleansed by fire. of October 22, 1844, the Millerite Adventist understanding of Christ's Post-disappointment understanding ministry in the heavenly sanctuary Failure of the October 22, 1844, included the belief, held by many expectation led to intensive reexami- other Christians, that Jesus our high nation of the Bible and with it the P. Gerard Damsteegt, Ph.D., is a professor priest began His antitypical day of discovery of additional insights so of church history at atonement ministry in the Most Holy pertinent that instead of being the end Andrews University. place upon His ascension to heaven. of , 1844 became viewed Unlike other Christians, they believed as a landmark in salvation history and that He would complete His day of a most prominent sign of the certainty atonement ministry and leave the and nearness of Christ's second ad- heavenly sanctuary at the end of the vent. Leaders in this early investiga- 2300 days, in or around 1844. And tion were , , some of them, led by the Methodist and James and Ellen White, who be-

34 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 came founders of the Seventh-day discovered that just as the second Instead, the cleansing pertained to the Adventist Church. Others such as phase of the Old Testament sanctuary heavenly sanctuary and the church. O.R.L. Crosier chose not to stay with services—the yearly, or Day of Atone- This new understanding was fully in the group that later became Seventh- ment—took place in the earthly most harmony with the Day of Atonement day Adventists. holy place, so the antitype of this services, when the people were re- service would be fulfilled by Christ's quired to "afflict themselves," to en- A real heavenly sanctuary cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven's gage in soul-searching, or be judged Helpful insights came in studying Most Holy Place just before the Sec- and cut off (see Lev. 16; 23). The biblical typology, analyzing Christ's ond Advent. This involved the aston- realization that Christ has begun His New Testament priesthood as anti- ishing discovery that the heavenly final ministry on the antitypical Day typical of two orders of Old Testa- sanctuary itself would need cleans- of Atonement had a profound impact ment priesthood. Christ's ordination ing—a truth plainly taught in He- on the believers. under the Melchizedek priesthood brews 9:23. This cleansing would not In the Day-Star for April 18, 1846, authorized Him to function legally as be by the blood of animals, like the two months after the famous sanctu- a heavenly high priest (Heb. 7), while earthly sanctuary, or by fire, like the ary article appeared in the Day-Star the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood re- earth, but by the blood of Christ Him- Extra of February 7, O.L.R. Crosier vealed the pattern of His heavenly self. referred to a perfect harmony between priesthood (Heb. 8-10). These new insights, derived from activities currently going on in heaven From these typologies our pioneers Exodus, Leviticus, Daniel, Malachi, and on earth. "There is," he wrote, "a discovered further that as the Old and Hebrews, led the Adventist pio- literal and a spiritual temple—the lit- Testament Aaronic priests ministered neers to the conclusion that the end of eral being the sanctuary in New Jerusa- within a sanctuary (a tabernacle or a the 2300 years in 1844 was not the lem (literal city), and the spiritual the temple), so Christ, the high priest of second coming of their Saviour, but church the literal occupied by Jesus the new covenant, ministers in a Christ, our King and Priest true heavenly sanctuary, one that (John 14:2, Heb. 8:2; 9:11); the "God pitched and not man," the The realization that spiritual by the Holy Ghost (1 sanctuary of which the Levitical Cor. 3:17; 6:19, Eph. 2:20-22). sanctuary on earth was a copy Christ has begun His Between these two there is a (see Ex. 25:8, 9, 40; Heb. 8:2, 5; perfect concert of action, as 9:24). final ministry had a Christ prepares the place the To their surprise they saw profound impact on Spirit does the people. When that, contrary to their previous He came to is temple, the sanc- notions and to general Christian the believers. tuary, to cleanse it; the Spirit opinion, the Book of Hebrews commenced the special cleans- does not teach that Christ en- ing of the people (Mal. 3:1-3)." tered the Most Holy Place at the time the beginning of the most significant This special work of personal pu- of His ascension. Hebrews says liter- new era in the plan of salvation: the rification was to prepare the believer ally that when Christ went to heaven entering of Christ into His second and to pass successfully the investigative He entered the "holy places," mean- final phase of high priestly ministry, judgment before the Second Advent. ing simply "the heavenly sanctuary." the cleansing of the heavenly sanctu- This insight was fully endorsed by the The Greek text of Hebrews clearly ary on the antitypical Day of Atone- Sabbatarian Adventist pioneers like gives the plural, "holy places," fully ment. At this time Christ "came to the Joseph Bates, James and Ellen White, supporting the presence of a two-apart- Ancient of days" (Dan. 7:13) to com- J. N. Andrews, Hiram Edson, and ment sanctuary in heaven. Thus, the mence a judgment, investigative in . New Testament was seen to affirm nature—the first phase of the final The need for a purification of God's that like the earthly sanctuary, which judgment. people received strong endorsement had a holy place and a Most Holy from the understanding of the second Place, so the heavenly sanctuary also Cleansing the sanctuary on two angel's message that Adventists had has two apartments.' levels developed in 1843, when they began The pioneers concluded, in har- As noted, the Millerite Adventists to experience persecution. The mes- mony with biblical typology, that as saw the Daniel 8:14 cleansing of the sage forcefully announced the fall of the first phase of the earthly priestly sanctuary as meeting fulfillment on Babylon, implying that God's true ministry—the daily—transpired in the two levels: cleansing the church from people must separate themselves from holy place, so the first phase of Christ's sin, and cleansing the earth by fire. its apostate influence. heavenly ministry was performed in After 1844, faithful Adventists con- the holy place of the heavenly sanctu- tinued to maintain the concept of a Reforms in beliefs and behavior ary, not in the Most Holy Place as dual cleansing, but now it no longer The quest for Bible-based doctrines they had formerly believed. They also included the cleansing of the earth. led Seventh-day Adventist pioneers

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 35 to adopt several reforms in belief and the past, the present, and the future." 5 urable, self-sacrificial love and of His practice in contrast to the established Foundation of our faith. "The cor- ongoing grace and power to help us churches. These reforms included, rect understanding of the ministration sacrifice ourselves in the service of most notably, worship on the sev- in the heavenly sanctuary is the foun- others. How are we to explain this enth-day Sabbath instead of Sunday. dation of our faith." 6 neglect? Attention to Christ's Day of Atone- Essential to true faith. "The sub- There also was a decline from the ment ministry led to an awareness of ject of the sanctuary and the investi- historic stand of the pioneers to make Revelation 11:19: "The temple of God gative judgment should be clearly the Bible the norm of both faith and was opened in heaven, and the ark of understood by the people of God. All practice. Members were inclined to his covenant was seen" (NKJV), and need a knowledge for themselves of follow church leaders rather than this in turn directed their attention to the position and work of their great shape their convictions by personal the Sabbath commandment. They saw High Priest. Otherwise it will be im- Bible study. Jesus now in the Most Holy Place, possible for them to exercise the faith Additionally, church leaders of the spotlighting the Sabbath as being still which is essential at this time or to 1880s generally failed to understand the sign of God's everlasting cov- occupy the position which God de- the practical implications of Christ's enant. The new light on the sanctuary signs them to The sanctuary in death and His day of atonement min- suddenly made Sabbath reform rel- heaven is the very center of Christ's istry. Sensing only slightly the need evant! This quest for Bible-based doc- work in behalf of men."' for "afflicting their souls," and seek- trines led to other reforms, such as Endorsed by the Holy Spirit. "As ing the experiential "blotting out of (1) baptism by immersion; (2) tithes the great pillars of our faith have been sin," believers did not experience as and offerings; (3) living healthfully presented, the Holy Spirit has borne they should the impartation of His to prepare believers physically, men- witness to them, and especially is this righteousness. tally, and spiritually for the Beyond that, attempts to cor- Second Advent (1 Thess. 5:23); rect the condition of the church (4) following a Christlike met strong opposition. The ma- lifestyle characterized by sim- "The sanctuary in jority of the leaders did not wel- plicity, without jewelry and cos- come and in fact disregarded metics (1 Peter 3:3, 4); (5) be- heaven is the very the testimony of Jesus through lieving that only through the the ministry of Ellen White. faith of Jesus (Rev. 14:12) can center of Christ's work Neglecting the earthly dimen- believers be fully partakers of in behalf of men." sion of the antitypical day of His righteousness, receiving atonement profoundly affected forgiveness of sins, power to the spiritual condition of the live a victorious life, and the church, the lifestyle of believ- full assurance of salvation. so regarding the truths of the sanctu- ers, and the impact of their witness on ary question. Over and over again the nonmembers. Emphasis on Christless The significance of the sanctuary Holy Spirit has in a marked manner doctrines led to the publication of These Bible-based discoveries endorsed the preaching of this doc- doctrinal differences, fueling a cli- transformed a seemingly defeated trine."' mate of disunity and party spirit. Dis- group of enthusiasts into an irresist- trust and envy pervaded the church ible army of evangelists propelled by Neglecting the earthly dimension and was manifested in loveless and a most glorious mission mandate: the Throughout the history of Seventh- inhuman behavior, character assassi- proclamation of the last message of day Adventists various views have nation, and abundant gossip. mercy that was to enlighten the whole been advocated that have distorted Instead of following God's coun- world with the light of Christ in prepa- the biblical view of the sanctuary. sels to complete the mission He had ration for the Second Advent (see Some advocates of distorted ideas assigned to the remnant, leadership Rev. 18:1). failed to accept the cleansing of the adopted human strategies that coupled Key to the disappointment. "The church as integral to the sanctuary with Christless emphasis on the law, subject of the sanctuary was the key doctrine (the "earthly dimension"). created an unfavorable impression of which unlocked the mystery of the Leaders in the 1880s, for instance, legalism on nonmembers. disappointment of 1844. It opened to were able to give thorough Bible stud- view a complete system of truth, con- ies on the intricacies of the investiga- Neglecting the heavenly dimension nected and harmonious, showing that tive judgment. They developed skills During the early 1900s Dr. J. H. God's hand had directed the great in debating as a form of evangelism, Kellogg's pantheism "spiritualized" advent movement and revealing making them successful in winning away the existence of a real heavenly present duty as it brought to light the doctrinal arguments. But they said sanctuary. His view that God's pres- position and work of His people. . . . too little about the cross as the su- ence permeates everything made Light from the sanctuary illumined preme revelation of Christ's unmeas- Christ's ministry in a particular place

36 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 irrelevant. Social involvement in of the sanctuary with the restoration arrival of the judgment hour and to medical and humanitarian work of a of the sanctuary truth and the victori- the urgent need to participate with nondenominational nature replaced ous rise of God's remnant people. Christ in overcoming every sin. Re- the practice of spiritual self-examina- Saddest of all, perhaps, the spiri- gressing to the pre-1844 sanctuary tion, the affliction of soul to meet the tualization of the sanctuary deprives view that confined Christ's ministry coming Lord. It also preempted the people of harmoniously cooperating to only that of Intercessor is a serious need to proclaim the distinctive pro- on earth in the final work our Saviour neglect of present truth. It is a distor- phetic truths of the Seventh-day is currently performing during the tion of the gospel proclamation fore- Adventist Church. "hour of God's judgment." Often sanc- seen for our time in the three angels' The theological consequences of tuary discussions become arguments messages of Revelation 14:6-12. And this spiritualizing of the sanctuary when they should unite us like no it provides a false gospel of false doctrine led to denial of both Christ's other doctrine. assurance in that it fails to tell people work and of Downsizing the sanctuary doc- what will happen if they reject Christ's His special work of cleansing His trine. Other contemporary attempts final offer of overcoming grace. people. Inevitably came the conclu- to interpret the sanctuary can be char- Negative feelings toward the sanc- sion that nothing at all happened in acterized as downsizing the doctrine. tuary doctrine are not solved by 1844. Recently, for example, one minister downsizing it. Now, as never before, With these denials came a muting remarked that if you can make sense there is a need for a deep study of the of the sense of urgency. Prophetic out of the Seventh-day Adventist fun- Scriptures. Our pioneers arrived at preaching declined, and indifference damental belief statement on the sanc- their insights through thorough Bible marked our attitude toward our unique tuary doctrine, congratulations. To study, under the guidance of the Holy landmark doctrines. Present truth was him the sanctuary has little practical Spirit. Similarly, Seventh-day Ad- redefined in terms of preoccupation relevance. Its investigative judgment ventists today need deep Bible study, with the social and humanitarian di- aspect, he says, has been a stumbling observing correct principles of Bible mensions of the gospel at the expense block for many young Seventh-day interpretation and guided by the Spirit. of living in anticipation of Christ's Adventists, undermining the gospel It is true that this doctrine has been soon return. and promoting perfectionism, legal- misused, but is that a reason to dis- Ellen White called Kellogg's spiri- ism, guilt, and in relation to the time card it? Because some people overeat tualization of heavenly realities the of trouble, a religion of fear and arro- the healthiest food and develop seri- "alpha" of apostasy and warned that gance. Our presentation of Christ's ous diseases, shall we discard healthy an even worse "omega" was soon to sanctuary ministry, this minister in- foods? Because some people keep the follow. sists, should be limited to His role as Sabbath legalistically, shall we give Intercessor, a role that involves par- up all Sabbath observance? Misuse of Current distortions ticipation in human suffering, taking the sanctuary doctrine does not jus- A majority of Seventh-day Advent- on Himself our diseases (including tify stripping it of its splendid pro- ists continue to base their understand- AIDS). As Christ suffered with suf- gressive light. ing of the sanctuary on the Bible. ferers and intercedes for them, so In my own life it has brought joy They have concluded that the pioneer Seventh-day Adventists should also knowing that daily my Saviour inter- discoveries of the present truth have alleviate human suffering. cedes for me, my family, my church, shed great light on Christ's interces- In response, we can certainly agree and the world. It has also brought sory ministry in their behalf. on the importance of Christ's work as urgency, knowing that the final judg- In some parts of the world, how- Intercessor. Adventists, indeed, have ment is now in progress and that God ever, we see a continuation of the already incorporated its various di- is eager for me to "afflict my soul" earlier "spiritualizing" trend. A flood mensions into the fundamental be- and overcome all sin. In response to of new Bible translations aids this liefs dealing with Christ's role, work, His law as well as to His ongoing process, for most new translations do and ministry (see numbers 2, 9, and grace, I give myself daily in total not use "cleansed" in Daniel 8:14, but 10). Christ's identification with suf- dedication to sharing the good news prefer "restored to its rightful state" fering humanity may not have been of the cleansing of the sanctuary. Its or "emerge victorious," and so on. stressed everywhere as it should have proper and balanced understanding Because these terms do not readily been, but this does not mean that we brings no fear, but abiding assurance call to mind Day of Atonement imag- should downplay the progressive un- and strength. I believe that as I coop- ery, some people have downplayed or derstanding of the heavenly sanctu- erate with His power and grace in given up the idea that the passage ary discovered through Bible study in overcoming sin, my destiny is secure. refers to the cleansing of the heavenly the years following 1844. The work of my High Priest and Judge sanctuary. However, such is the rich- The insights gained in 1844 con- in the sanctuary has strengthened my ness of the Hebrew verb in Daniel stitute a part of present truth that confidence in Him as has nothing 8:14, that it is possible to see the continues to be relevant, seeing it else. intimate association of the cleansing calls the attention of the world to the "Pre-Advent" instead of "investi-

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994 37

gative." Although "pre-Advent judg- healthy view of the sanctuary doc- between God's plan of salvation as ment" is justifiable, use of it as an trine for the church today bring the portrayed in both the Old and New intentional replacement for "investi- full participation of believers into the Testaments, a harmony that fell into gative judgment" is motivated by a final compassionate outreach that will disregard as a result of the apostasy of desire to downplay the nature of the enlighten the whole world and usher the "man of lawlessness." As such, judgment. In many cases it implies a in the coming of the Lord. the role of the remnant, brought into rejection of the special cleansing of The greatest threat. The greatest existence in 1844 to make this procla- the soul temple, preferring to empha- danger to the sanctuary doctrine is mation, becomes significant. size instead the legal, or forensic, indifference resulting from failure to A balanced understanding of the aspect of judgment without integrat- see its relevance and practicality. The sanctuary doctrine involves coopera- ing the personal experience of believ- first step toward reaching a balanced tion with Christ's mission to the world. ers, the essential "affliction of soul" interpretation of the sanctuary doc- Failure of believers to be service- of every believer (Lev. 23:29). Some- trine is to study the whole scriptural oriented results mainly from viewing times pre-Advent is used to distance counsel, studying every relevant pas- the doctrine incorrectly and neglect- the judgment from 1844, implying sage in its context. The true interpre- ing its import in daily experience. that there will be a judgment before tation will be centered on Christ. Ev- What is needed, therefore, is not a the second Coming, but no one knows ery sanctuary-related passage should downsizing of the doctrine, but a fuller when. be studied from the viewpoint of what and more balanced view of Christ and Often associated with the prefer- it teaches about the preciousness of His sanctuary ministry through a deep ence for pre-advent is the view that Jesus and what He has done and is study of the Word, under the guid- the judgment is unqualified good doing for us. Otherwise, the doctrine ance of the Spirit. This will lead to news. Admittedly, in the past some will not be able to exert its proper following the Lamb wherever He Adventists have worried unduly about inspiring and transforming influence, leads. the investigative judgment, their rendering it "irrelevant." The essence of the sanctuary doc- cases pending before the judgment The true interpretation will retain trine is its unique revelation of Christ's bar. Today many feel that any worry the two-dimensional, or two-level, ministry of reconciliation for and in is unhealthy, inhibiting the joy of understanding of Christ's day of atone- us, enabling us to experience His love, believers. The judgment, they say, is ment ministry on earth today as well which we can share with others in nothing but good news. as in heaven. It will see His work as unselfish and sacrificial service so But doesn't the truth lie some- associated intimately with grace, for- they see a genuine revelation of Jesus where between these extremes? It may giveness, and the blotting out of sins as the only hope for humanity. It be helpful to remember that this judg- in the heavenly sanctuary. Proper embraces our mental, spiritual, and ment is not good news for the little emphasis on this ministration of the physical attributes, and is designed to horn of Daniel 7, an entity made up of Lamb's blood in heaven will lead transform sinners into victorious professed Christians who claim to love sinners to repentance. God provides people who are patiently yet actively and follow Jesus. Their sincere con- the abundant grace to lead sinners to awaiting the coming of their Saviour. victions are no excuse for their un- repentance and believers to a daily "Here is the patience of the saints; Christlike persecuting behavior. The deepening work of repentance and here are those who keep the com- investigative judgment portrayed in commitment. Thus the believer expe- mandments of God and the faith of Daniel 7 reveals to the universe who riences both justification and sancti- Jesus" (Rev. 14:12, NKJV). ■ the true heirs of the kingdom are (see fication. especially verses 21, 22). This process involves (1) belief in Preoccupation with cleansing Jesus and His saving work as our ' Ellen G. White, Evangelism (Washing- without faith. An emphasis on cleans- personal intercessor in the heavenly ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), p. 221. ing the soul temple without the faith sanctuary, and (2) reconciliation to 2 , The Great Controversy (Moun- of Jesus is as unhealthy as preoccupa- God, which means entering into a tain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., tion with unwarranted assurance. dynamic covenant relationship with 1911), p. 488. ' See Josiah Litch, An Address to the Public Those who are preoccupied with the Christ our high priest. It means a work (Boston, 1841), p. 37; The Prophetic Exposi- quest for a perfectly sinless lifestyle of confession, repentance, consecra- tions (Boston, 1842), 1:50-54; A. Hale, Herald in preparation for the Second Advent tion, and restitution. Those who are of Bridegroom! (Boston, 1843), pp. 22-24; without an awareness that from a hu- truly reconciled to God will respond Midnight Cry, Oct. 13, 1844. 4 See O.R.L. Crosier, "The Law of Moses," man perspective such a goal is impos- by making things right with those Day-Star Extra Feb. 7, 1846. sible are engaged in an exercise of they have offended and by loving 5 , The Great Controversy, p. 423. futility. A major lesson of 1888 was their enemies. 6 , Evangelism, p. 221. 7 that it is only through the imparted , The Great Controversy, p. 488. , Evangelism, p. 224. faith of Jesus as a result of total sur- Restoring the sanctuary truth 9 Steve Daily, Adventism for a New Gen- render that a Christlike life can be Proclamation of the sanctuary truth eration (Portland, Oreg.: Better Living Pub- realized. The practical results of a fully restores the biblical harmony lishers, 1993), pp. 160-167.

38 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1994