Messiah In His Sanctuary A series of bible studies on the sanctuary and its services, in both type and antitype, with particular application to the church following the advent movement of the years 1834-1844 By F. C. Gilbert Author of "Practical Lessons From the Experience of Israel;" "From Judaism to Christianity," "Divine Predictions," and other works. Messiah in His Sanctuary – F.C Gilbert Introduction THERE is no literary production in all history comparable to the Sacred Scripture. Translated into almost a thousand languages, in part or as a whole, it is still in greater demand than any other literature. The themes recorded in the Bible deal with the past, with the present, and with the future. They clarify creation, redemption, the restoration of this world, and the future of the human race. The Bible foretells the tomorrow of the nations, ages, and generations. It deals with events taking place in heaven, and it also describes existing conditions on earth: In this Holy Book the Creator has revealed His plans in regard to the reward of the righteous and the final disposition of evildoers. The divine Lord is not responsible for unhallowed practices. Sin was not included in God's program for this earth. This world was made to be inhabited by righteous, not by wicked, men. Satan, the originator of lawlessness, is an innovator. He has no right to inject into this earth disobedience to God's commands. If misery and death were to be perpetuated eternally, there might be ground for believing that God is responsible for the existence of evil. But the Most High has assured us in His word that the root and branches of sin shall be consumed into smoke and into ashes. Evil shall not rise the second time. Through the ages, as noted in sacred history, the Lord has repeatedly revealed by seer and by messenger, in type and in object lesson, the means He will use through the mighty power of the divine Saviour to bring to an end this reign of wrong and death. These types and object lessons are found in the services and ceremonies of the ancient sanctuary. The fullness of light of this heavenly teaching has been committed to the present generation. Nearly twenty-five centuries ago, through the prophet Daniel, the angel Gabriel foretold the time when Christ would transfer His ministry from the holy place to the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. preparatory to the time when the divine intercession for man's salvation would be finished. To this prophet, by this same heavenly messenger, was revealed the sequence of events leading to the time when sin and sinners shall cease. The subject of the heavenly sanctuary and its ministry, illustrated by the tabernacle in the wilderness, and later by the temple in Jerusalem, with the priesthood, sacrifices, and other ritual services, was to diffuse bright beams of heavenly light upon all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples at the close of the longest prophetic period mentioned in the Bible, namely, the two thousand three hundred days of Daniel 8:14. In "the time of the end," when this twenty-three- century prophecy would meet its fulfillment, the sealed book of Daniel would be unlocked, and the wise would understand. The first mention of the sanctuary is found in the second book of the Bible; the last time the temple ministry is spoken of is in the closing book of the Scriptures. Between these two books of the Sacred Volume is revealed one of the most fascinating and inspiring themes that can occupy the human mind. The sanctuary and its cleansing may properly engage the heartiest interest of the one who desires to understand the purposes of the Creator in the salvation of the righteous and the final disposition of evil. The sanctuary and its ministry are considered and explained in this series of Bible studies. Each study contains a series of questions. At the close of each question, Bible texts are cited and 2 Messiah in His Sanctuary – F.C Gilbert notes or quotations presented which deal with the question. Every Bible lesson, with its explanations, is complete in itself. In this way the reader has before him all necessary information on each study. The four final studies are devoted to a consideration of the atonement. The author commits these studies to the reader with the hope and prayer that they may render helpful service to those who accept God's message for these last days. May these lessons afford confirmation and stabilization of God's precious truth to those who have accepted the faith once delivered to the saints. 3 Messiah in His Sanctuary – F.C Gilbert Quotations From The Spirit Of Prophecy Upon The Subject Of The Sanctuary "THERE are many precious truths contained in the word of God, but it is 'present truth' that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers' running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause. "But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the twenty-three hundred days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past advent movement, and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell." – "Early Writings," p. 63. "In His word, God has revealed saving truths. As a people we should be earnest students of prophecy; we should not rest until we become intelligent in regard to the subject of the sanctuary, which is brought out in the visions of Daniel and John. This subject sheds great light on our present position and work, and gives us unmistakable proof that God has led us in our past experience. It explains our disappointment in 1844, showing us that the sanctuary to be cleansed was not the earth, as we had supposed, but that Christ then entered into the most holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and is there performing the closing work of His priestly office, in fulfillment of the words of the angel to the prophet Daniel, 'Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.' Dan. 8:14. "Our faith in reference to the messages of the first, second, and third angels was correct. The great waymarks we have passed are immovable. Although the hosts of hell may try to tear them from their foundation, and triumph in the thought that they have succeeded, yet they do not succeed. These pillars of truth stand firm as the eternal hills, unmoved by all the efforts of men combined with those of Satan and his host. We can learn much, and should be constantly searching the Scriptures to see if these things are so. God's people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where the final ministration of our great High Priest in the work of the judgment is going forward, – where He is interceding for His people." – "Life Sketches," p. 278, 1915 edition. "We are to be established in the faith, in the light of the truth given us in our early experience. At that time one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures, and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error. "As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays. 4 Messiah in His Sanctuary – F.C Gilbert "I know that the sanctuary question stands in righteousness and truth, just as we have held it for so many years. It is the enemy that leads minds off on sidetracks. He is pleased when those who know the truth become engrossed in collecting scriptures to pile around erroneous theories, which have no foundation in truth. "The scriptures thus used are misapplied; they were not given to substantiate error, but to strengthen truth." – "Gospel Workers," pp. 302, 303. 5 Messiah in His Sanctuary – F.C Gilbert 1. Origin And Definition Of The Sanctuary 1. Where in the Bible do we first meet the term "sanctuary"? Ex. 15:17. "Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established." (Exodus 15:17) To no peoples prior to the deluge, nor following the antediluvian era until we reach the times of the seed of Abraham, was there given a knowledge of this most interesting and profound Bible theme. There is no account of the sanctuary and its ministry anywhere recorded during the first twenty-five centuries of human history.