Basic HTML Version
208
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
in the fear of God. The hours heretofore given to pleasure, to display,
or to gain-seeking, should now be devoted to an earnest, prayerful
[313]
study of the word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the
investigative Judgment should be clearly understood by the people
of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and
work of their great High Priest. Otherwise, it will be impossible
for them to exercise the faith essential at this time, or to occupy the
position which God designs them to fill.
We are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has
committed to us. The sanctuary in Heaven is the very center of
Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon
the earth. It opens to our view the plan of redemption, bringing us
down to the very close of time, and revealing the triumphant issue
of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost
importance that all who have received the light, both old and young,
should thoroughly investigate these subjects, and be able to give an
answer to every one that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in
them.
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 vail, “whither the forerunner is for us entered.” There the light
from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain a clearer
insight into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is
accomplished at an infinite expense to Heaven; the sacrifice made is
equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has
opened the way to the Father’s throne, and through his mediation
[314]
the sincere desire of all who come to him in faith may be presented
before God.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth
and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” [
Proverbs 28:13
.] If those who
hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them
how he taunts Christ and holy angels with them, they would make
haste to confess their sins and to put them away. Satan is continually
seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry
that their defective traits of character render it impossible for them
to overcome. But Jesus pleads in their behalf his wounded hands,