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The Very Center of His Work, July 15
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have
such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of
the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the
true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Hebrews 8:1, 2
.
The question, What is the sanctuary? is clearly answered in the
Scriptures. The term “sanctuary,” as used in the Bible, refers, first, to the
tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly,
to the “true tabernacle” in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed.
At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The “true tabernacle”
in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant.
The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the
two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John
was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there
“seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.”
Revelation 4:5
. He saw
an angel “having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much
incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the
golden altar which was before the throne.”
Revelation 8:3
. Here the
prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary
in heaven; and he saw there the “seven lamps of fire” and the “golden
altar,” represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense
in the sanctuary on earth. Again, “the temple of God was opened”
(
Revelation 11:19
), and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy
of holies. Here he beheld “the ark of his testament,” represented by the
sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God....
Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown
him. Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in
heaven. And John testifies that he saw it in heaven.
The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf
of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth.
When Christ ascended to heaven, He ascended as our Advocate. We
always have a Friend at court.
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