Chapter 2—Ministry Applies and Completes
Transaction of Cross
The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above
is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the
cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection
He ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within
the veil, “whither the forerunner is for us entered.”
Hebrews 6:20
.
There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may
gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption.—
The Great
Controversy, 489
.
Christ’s words on the mountainside were the announcement that
His sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The conditions
of the atonement had been fulfilled; the work for which He came to
this world had been accomplished. He had won the kingdom. He had
wrested it from Satan, and had become heir of all things. He was on
His way to the throne of God, to be honored by angels, principalities,
and powers. He had entered upon His mediatorial work. Clothed
with boundless authority, He gave His commission to the disciples,
“Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”—
Manuscript 138,
1897
.
Thank God that He who spilled His blood for us, lives to plead
it, lives to make intercession for every soul who receives Him. “If
we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The blood of Jesus Christ
cleanses us from all sin. It speaketh better things than the blood of
[479]
Abel, for Christ ever liveth to make intercession for us. We need to
keep ever before us the efficacy of the blood of Jesus.—
Letter 87, 1894
.
Jesus stands before the Father, continually offering a sacrifice for
the sins of the world. He is the minister of the true tabernacle, which
the Lord pitched, and not man. The typical offerings of the Jewish
69