Sanctuary – Part 1 [Timeline]

Eden – The SABBATH was made for man.

The SABBATH commandment is placed in the very BOSOM OF THE DECALOGUE, amid the unchangeable precepts of JEHOVAH. And yet from many pulpits of our land a contemptuous cry is raised against the SABBATH instituted by the LORD GOD of heaven, and it is stigmatized as “THE OLD JEWISH SABBATH.” Let all who are seeking for truth remember that the SABBATH was instituted in Eden before there was a Jew in existence, and that the SAVIOUR said, “The SABBATH was made for man.”

It was under the trees of Eden that the first dwellers on earth had chosen their SANCTUARY. There CHRIST had communed with the father of mankind. When banished from Paradise, our first parents still worshiped in the fields and groves, and there CHRIST met them with the gospel of His grace.

Moses and the First Tabernacle [Sanctuary]

1446BC – Preparations for the Tabernacle [Exodus 25 – 31].

1445BC – The Tabernacle is erected and filled [Exodus 40].

1445BC – Tabernacle dedication [Numbers 7 – 10].

The whole SANCTUARY service was designed to impress the people with the fact that the things which GOD has set apart for Himself are HOLY. They were ever to observe the distinction between the sacred and the common. HOLY THINGS MUST BE KEPT HOLY.

The sacrificial system, committed to Adam, was also perverted by his descendants. Superstition, idolatry, cruelty, and licentiousness corrupted the simple and significant service that GOD had appointed. Through long intercourse with idolaters the people of Israel had mingled many heathen customs with their worship; therefore the LORD gave them at Sinai definite instruction concerning the sacrificial service. After the completion of the TABERNACLE He communicated with Moses from the cloud of glory above the MERCY SEAT, and gave him full directions concerning the system of offerings and the forms of worship to be maintained in the SANCTUARY. The ceremonial law was thus given to Moses, and by him written in a book. But the LAW OF TEN COMMANDMENTS spoken from Sinai had been written by GOD Himself on the TABLES OF STONE, and was sacredly preserved in the ARK.

The COMMANDMENTS OF GOD will be trampled underfoot as they were trampled upon by Satan in heaven.

The SANCTUARY was not designed to honor man, but the GOD of heaven.

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.

The FATHER and the SON spoke to Moses from the rocks. GOD made the rocks his SANCTUARY. His temple was the everlasting hills. The DIVINE LEGISLATOR descended upon the rocky mountain to speak HIS LAW in the hearing of all the people, that they might be impressed by the grand and awful exhibition of his power and glory, and fear to transgress his commandments. GOD spoke HIS LAW amid thunders and lightnings and the thick cloud upon the top of the mountain, and his voice was as the voice of a trumpet exceeding loud. The LAW OF JEHOVAH was unchangeable, and the tablets upon which he wrote that law were solid rock, signifying the immutability of its precepts. Rocky Horeb became a sacred place to all who loved and revered the LAW OF GOD.

He [GOD] presented before Moses a miniature model of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern showed him in the mount.

When the SANCTUARY was to be built, the LORD directed Moses, saying, “Look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.” Moses was full of zeal to do GOD’S work. The most talented, skillful men were at his command to carry out his suggestions; and yet it was not given to him to make a bell, a pomegranate, a tassel, a fringe, a CURTAIN, or any vessel of the SANCTUARY, except according to the pattern shown him as GOD’S ideal. GOD called him into the mount, and revealed to him the heavenly things. The LORD covered him in order that he might see GOD and live, and behold the things that GOD would have made according to the pattern. Forty days he was in direct communication with GOD; and when he descended the mount, his face shone with glory, and he was ready to give directions as to how the SANCTUARY should be made according to the pattern shown him in the mount.

When Moses was about to erect the SANCTUARY in the wilderness, he was cautioned, “See that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.” In HIS LAW GOD has given us a pattern. Our character building is to be “after the pattern showed to thee in the mount.” The LAW is the great standard of righteousness. It represents the character of GOD, and is the test of our loyalty to his government. And it is revealed to us, in all its beauty and excellence, in the life of CHRIST. The LAW is the detector of sin.

The LORD required the people to bring a freewill offering to make him a SANCTUARY that he might dwell among them.

The TABERNACLE built by Moses was made after a pattern. The LORD directed him, “According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the TABERNACLE, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” [Exodus 25:9, 40.] And again the charge was given, “Look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.” [Exodus 25:9, 40.] And Paul says, that the FIRST TABERNACLE “was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices;” that its HOLY PLACES were “patterns of things in the heavens;” that the priests who offered gifts according to the law, served, “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things”.

The TABERNACLE was made according to the COMMANDMENT OF GOD. The LORD raised up men, and qualified them with more than natural abilities to perform the most ingenious work. Neither those workmen nor Moses were left to plan the form, and workmanship of the building. GOD himself devised the plan, and gave it to Moses, with particular directions as to its size and form, and the materials to be used, and specified every article of FURNITURE which was to be in it. He presented before Moses a miniature model of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern showed him in the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book, and read them to the most influential of the people.

In Exodus twenty-five the FURNITURE of the SANCTUARY was described. An ARK was made to contain the LAW OF GOD which had been written by His finger on two TABLES OF STONE. GOD commanded, “In the ARK thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the MERCY SEAT, from between the TWO CHERUBIMS which are upon the ARK of the testimony, of all things which I shall give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. This chapter should be read and studied.

All the FURNITURE of the TABERNACLE was made of solid gold, or plated with gold. The CURTAINS of the TABERNACLE were of a variety of colors, most beautifully arranged, and in these CURTAINS were wrought, with threads of gold and silver, CHERUBIMS, which were to represent the angelic host, who are connected with the work of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, and who are ministering angels to the saints upon the earth.

Their example in preparing material for the TABERNACLE so cheerfully, is an example for all who truly love the WORSHIP OF GOD.

In the ARK were placed the TABLES OF STONE upon which GOD HAD ENGRAVED WITH HIS OWN FINGER THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. It was made expressly for this purpose, and hence was called the ARK OF THE COVENANT, and the ARK OF THE TESTAMENT, since the TEN COMMANDMENTS were GOD’S COVENANT, and the basis of the covenant made between GOD and Israel.

In the INNER APARTMENT was the ARK, which was the most sacred object connected with that system of worship. It was a chest of precious wood, overlaid within and without with pure gold, and having a crown of gold about the top. In the ARK were placed the TABLES OF STONE upon which GOD HAD ENGRAVED WITH HIS OWN FINGER THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. It was made expressly for this purpose, and hence was called the ARK OF THE COVENANT, and the ARK OF THE TESTAMENT, since the TEN COMMANDMENTS were GOD’S COVENANT, and the basis of the covenant made between GOD and Israel.

The cover of this SACRED CHEST was called the MERCY SEAT. This was a costly and magnificent piece of workmanship. It was beaten out of one solid piece of gold, and TWO CHERUBIM were made, one standing on each end, beaten out of the same piece of gold. Their faces were turned toward each other, and were looking reverently downward toward the MERCY SEAT, which represents all the heavenly angels looking with interest and reverence to the LAW OF GOD deposited in the ARK in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. One wing of each angel was stretched forth on high, while the other covered their forms. The ARK of the earthly SANCTUARY was the pattern of the true ARK in Heaven. There, beside the heavenly ARK, stand living angels, each with one wing overshadowing the MERCY SEAT, and stretching forth on high, while the other wings are folded over their forms in token of reverence and humility.

The VEIL of the SANCTUARY did not reach to the top of the building. The GLORY OF GOD, which was manifested above the MERCY SEAT, was partially visible from the FIRST APARTMENT. Directly before the ARK, but separated by the CURTAIN, was the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE. The fire upon this ALTAR was kindled by the LORD himself, and was sacredly cherished by feeding it with holy INCENSE, which filled the SANCTUARY with its fragrant cloud, day and night. Its fragrance extended far around the TABERNACLE. When the priest offered the INCENSE before the LORD, he looked toward the MERCY SEAT. Although he could not see it, he knew it was there; and as the INCENSE arose like a cloud, the glory of the LORD descended upon the MERCY SEAT, and filled the MOST HOLY PLACE, and often so filled BOTH APARTMENTS that the priest was unable to officiate. As the priest in the HOLY PLACE, directed his prayer by faith to the MERCY SEAT, which he could not see, so the people of GOD direct their prayers to CHRIST before the MERCY SEAT in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. They cannot behold their MEDIATOR with the natural eye, but with the eye of faith they see CHRIST before the MERCY SEAT, and direct their prayers to him, and with assurance claim the benefits of his mediation.

Above the MERCY SEAT was the SHEKINAH, the manifestation of the divine Presence; and from between the CHERUBIM, GOD made known His will. Divine messages were sometimes communicated to the high priest by a VOICE FROM THE CLOUD. Sometimes a light fell upon the angel at the right, to signify approval or acceptance, or a shadow or cloud rested upon the one at the left to reveal disapproval or rejection.

The GLORY OF GOD, which was above the MERCY SEAT, could be seen from BOTH APARTMENTS, but in a much less degree from the FIRST APARTMENT. Directly before the ARK, but separated by the CURTAIN, was the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE. The fire upon this ALTAR was kindled by the LORD himself, and was sacredly cherished by feeding it with holy INCENSE, which filled the SANCTUARY with its fragrant cloud, day and night. Its fragrance extended for miles around the TABERNACLE. When the priest offered the INCENSE before the LORD, he looked to the MERCY SEAT. Although he could not see it, he knew it was there, and as the INCENSE arose like a cloud, the glory of the LORD descended upon the MERCY SEAT, and filled the MOST HOLY PLACE, and was visible in the HOLY PLACE, and the glory often so filled BOTH APARTMENTS that the priest was unable to officiate, and was obliged to stand at the door of the TABERNACLE. The priest in the HOLY PLACE, directing his prayer by faith to the MERCY SEAT, which he could not see, represents the people of GOD directing their prayers to CHRIST before the MERCY SEAT in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. They cannot behold their Mediator with the natural eye, but with the eye of faith they see CHRIST before the MERCY SEAT, and direct their prayers to him, and with assurance claim the benefits of his mediation.

These SACRED APARTMENTS had no windows to give light. The candlestick was made of purest gold, and was kept burning night and day, and gave light to BOTH APARTMENTS. The light of the lamps upon the CANDLESTICK reflected upon the boards plated with gold, at the sides of the building, and upon the sacred FURNITURE, and upon the CURTAINS of beautiful colors with CHERUBIMS wrought with threads of gold and silver, which appearance was glorious beyond description. No language can describe the beauty and loveliness, and sacred glory, which these APARTMENTS presented. The gold in the SANCTUARY reflected the colors of the CURTAINS, which appeared like the different colors of the rainbow.

The garments of the high priest were of costly material and beautiful workmanship, befitting his exalted station. In addition to the linen dress of the common priest, he wore a robe of blue, also woven in one piece. Around the skirt it was ornamented with golden bells, and pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet. Outside of this was the ephod, a shorter garment of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and white. It was confined by a girdle of the same colors, beautifully wrought. The ephod was sleeveless, and on its gold-embroidered shoulder pieces were set two onyx stones, bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Over the ephod was the BRESTPLATE, the most sacred of the priestly vestments. This was of the same material as the ephod. It was in the form of a square, measuring a span, and was suspended from the shoulders by a cord of blue from golden rings. The border was formed of a variety of precious stones, the same that form the twelve foundations of the CITY OF GOD. Within the border were twelve stones set in gold, arranged in rows of four, and, like those in the shoulder pieces, engraved with the names of the tribes. The LORD’S direction was, “Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.” Exodus 28:29. So CHRIST, the great High Priest, pleading His blood before the FATHER in the sinner’s behalf, bears upon His heart the name of every repentant, believing soul. Says the psalmist, “I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me.” Psalm 40:17.

At the right and left of the BRESTPLATE were two large stones of great brilliancy. These were known as the URIM AND THUMMIM. By them the will of GOD was made known through the high priest. When questions were brought for decision before the LORD, a halo of light encircling the precious stone at the right was a token of the divine consent or approval, while a cloud shadowing the stone at the left was an evidence of denial or disapprobation.

The miter of the high priest consisted of the white linen turban, having attached to it by a lace of blue, a gold plate bearing the inscription, “HOLINESS TO JEHOVAH.” Everything connected with the apparel and deportment of the priests was to be such as to impress the beholder with a sense of the holiness of GOD, the sacredness of His worship, and the purity required of those who came into His presence.

Everything worn by the priest was to be whole and without blemish. By those beautiful official garments was represented the character of the great antitype, JESUS CHRIST. Nothing but perfection, in dress and attitude, in word and spirit, could be acceptable to GOD. He is Holy, and His glory and perfection must be represented by the earthly service. Nothing but perfection could properly represent the sacredness of the heavenly service.

The priests were divided into twenty-four courses, and a full and accurate record was made regarding this division. Each course was thoroughly organized under its chief, and each was to come to Jerusalem twice a year, to attend for one week to the ministry of the SANCTUARY.

The Levites, whose duty it was to assist in the SANCTUARY service, were organized and allotted their part with similar precision.

In addition to the TABLES OF TESTIMONY which were given to Moses in the mount, he there received the ritual or ceremonial law, and full instructions in regard to the building of the TABERNACLE. When this TABERNACLE was finally completed, the unsurpassed glory of the LORD so rested down upon it that Moses was unable at first to enter. But an audible voice from the divine glory above the MERCY SEAT spake to him, and bade him come nigh. And there the LORD gave him still further directions in regard to the forms of worship to be carried on in the SANCTUARY.

Certain men were appointed to perform certain parts of the HOLY service. Moses and Aaron and his sons were most closely connected with the SANCTUARY service. They were to minister before the TABERNACLE of witness.

The priests, who ministered in sacred things, were commanded to wash their feet and their hands before entering the TABERNACLE in the presence of GOD to importune for Israel, that they might not desecrate the SANCTUARY. If the priests had entered the SANCTUARY with their mouths polluted with tobacco, they would have shared the fate of Nadab and Abihu.

The GLORY OF GOD hallowed the SANCTUARY, and for this reason the priests never entered the place sanctified by GOD’S presence with shoes upon their feet. Particles of dust might cleave to their shoes, which would desecrate the SANCTUARY. Therefore, the priests were required to leave their shoes in the court, before entering the SANCTUARY. In the court, beside the door of the TABERNACLE, stood the BRAZEN LAVER, wherein the priests washed their hands and their feet before entering the TABERNACLE, that all impurity might be removed, “that they die not.” All who officiated in the SANCTUARY were required of GOD to make special preparations before entering where GOD’S glory was revealed.

Removing the shoes from the feet when entering the HOUSE OF WORSHIP is not a duty required of us. Anciently those who ministered in sacred office were required, upon entering the SANCTUARY of GOD, to remove their sandals, and wash their feet, on which dust had accumulated. But there is not the least occasion for this to be done now.

The daily service consisted of the morning and evening burnt offering, the offering of sweet INCENSE on the GOLDEN ALTAR, and the special offerings for individual sins. And there were also offerings for SABBATHS, new moons, and special feasts.

In the offering of INCENSE the priest was brought more directly into the presence of GOD than in any other act of the daily ministration. As the INNER VEIL of the SANCTUARY did not extend to the top of the building, the GLORY OF GOD, which was manifested above the MERCY SEAT, was partially visible from the FIRST APARTMENT. When the priest offered INCENSE before the LORD, he looked toward the ARK; and as the cloud of INCENSE arose, the divine glory descended upon the MERCY SEAT and filled the MOST HOLY PLACE, and often so filled BOTH APARTMENTS that the priest was obliged to retire to the door of the TABERNACLE. As in that typical service the priest looked by faith to the MERCY SEAT which he could not see, so the people of GOD are now to direct their prayers to CHRIST, their great HIGH PRIEST, who, unseen by human vision, is pleading in their behalf in the SANCTUARY above.

The INCENSE, ascending with the prayers of Israel, represents the merits and intercession of CHRIST, His perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to His people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to GOD. Before the VEIL of the MOST HOLY PLACE was an ALTAR of perpetual intercession, before the HOLY, an ALTAR of continual ATONEMENT. By blood and by INCENSE GOD was to be approached–symbols pointing to the great MEDIATOR, through whom sinners may approach JEHOVAH, and through whom alone mercy and salvation can be granted to the repentant, believing soul.

The SHEWBREAD was kept ever before the LORD as a perpetual offering. Thus it was a part of the daily sacrifice. It was called SHEWBREAD, or “bread of the presence,” because it was ever before the face of the LORD. It was an acknowledgment of man’s dependence upon GOD for both temporal and SPIRITUAL food, and that it is received only through the MEDIATION of CHRIST. GOD had fed Israel in the wilderness with bread from heaven, and they were still dependent upon His bounty, both for temporal food and SPIRITUAL blessings. Both the MANNA and the SHEWBREAD pointed to CHRIST, the living Bread, who is ever in the presence of GOD for us. He Himself said, “I am the living Bread which came down from heaven.” John 6:48-51. Frankincense was placed upon the loaves. When the bread was removed every SABBATH, to be replaced by fresh loaves, the Frankincense was burned upon the ALTAR as a memorial before GOD.

The most important part of the daily ministration was the service performed in behalf of individuals. The repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the TABERNACLE, and, placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. By his own hand the animal was then slain, and the blood was carried by the priest into the HOLY PLACE and sprinkled before the VEIL, behind which was the ARK containing the law that the sinner had transgressed. By this ceremony the sin was, through the blood, transferred in figure to the SANCTUARY. In some cases the blood was not taken into the HOLY PLACE; but the flesh was then to be eaten by the priest, as Moses directed the sons of Aaron, saying, “GOD hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation.”

By the act of bringing the offering to the SANCTUARY, the individual confessed himself a sinner, deserving the WRATH OF GOD, and signified his repentance and faith in JESUS CHRIST, whose blood would remove the guilt of the transgressor. By placing his hands upon the head of the victim the sin of the individual was transferred to the victim, and his suffering the sinner saw CHRIST typified, when he should give himself as a sacrifice for our sins. The LORD signified his acceptance of the offering by causing it to be consumed upon the ALTAR.

The blood of the SON OF GOD was symbolized by the blood of the slain victim, and GOD would have clear and definite ideas preserved between the sacred and the common. Blood was sacred, inasmuch as through the shedding of the blood of the SON OF GOD alone could there be ATONEMENT FOR SIN. Blood was also used to CLEANSE the SANCTUARY from the sins of the people, thus typifying the BLOOD OF CHRIST which alone can CLEANSE from sin. The fat was to be used in sacrificial offerings with the beasts, but in no case was it a suitable article of food. If used, disease would be the sure result.

The BLOOD OF CHRIST, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would stand on record in the SANCTUARY until the FINAL ATONEMENT; so in the type the blood of the sin offering removed the sin from the penitent, but it rested in the SANCTUARY until the DAY OF ATONEMENT.

Only once a year could the high priest enter into the MOST HOLY PLACE, after the most careful and solemn preparation. No mortal eye but that of the high priest could look upon the sacred grandeur of that APARTMENT, because it was the especial dwelling-place of GOD’S visible glory. The high priest always entered it with trembling, while the people waited his return with solemn silence. Their earnest desires were to GOD for his blessing. Before the MERCY SEAT GOD conversed with the high priest. If he remained an unusual time in the MOST HOLY, the people were often terrified, fearing that because of their sins, or some sin of the priest, the glory of the LORD had slain him. But when the sound of the tinkling of the bells upon his garments was heard, they were greatly relieved. He then came forth and blessed the people.

Once a year, on the GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT, the priest entered the MOST HOLY PLACE for the CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY. The work there performed completed the yearly round of ministration. On the DAY OF ATONEMENT, two kids of the goats were brought to the door of the TABERNACLE, and lots were cast upon them, “one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scape-goat.” [Leviticus 16:8, 21, 22.] The goat upon which fell the lot for the LORD was to be slain as a sin-offering for the people. And the priest was to bring his blood within the VEIL, and sprinkle it upon the MERCY SEAT, and before the MERCY SEAT. The blood was also to be sprinkled upon the ALTAR OF INCENSE, that was before the VEIL.

I was pointed back to the children of Israel anciently, and saw how pure and holy ministers of the SANCTUARY had to be because they were brought by their work into a close connection with GOD. They that minister must be holy, pure, and without blemish, or GOD would destroy them.

The government of Israel was characterized by the most thorough organization, wonderful alike for its completeness and its simplicity. The order so strikingly displayed in the perfection and arrangement of all GOD’S created works was manifest in the Hebrew economy. GOD was the center of authority and government, the sovereign of Israel. Moses stood as their visible leader, by GOD’S appointment, to administer the laws in His name. From the elders of the tribes a council of seventy was afterward chosen to assist Moses in the general affairs of the nation. Next came the priests, who consulted the LORD in the SANCTUARY. Chiefs, or princes, ruled over the tribes. Under these were “captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens,” and, lastly, officers who might be employed for special duties. Deuteronomy 1:15.

In the time of ancient Israel the priests critically examined every offering that was brought as a sacrifice. If any defect was discovered in the animal presented for the service of the SANCTUARY, it was refused, for the LORD had commanded that the offering should be “without blemish.” We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to GOD; and should we not seek to make the offering as perfect as possible? GOD has given us every instruction necessary for our physical, mental, and moral well-being, and it is the duty of every one of us to bring our habits of life into conformity with the divine standard, in every particular. Will the LORD be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer?

The sons of Aaron did not take the sacred fire from the ALTAR, which the LORD himself had kindled, and which he commanded the priests to use when they offered INCENSE before him. They took common fire and put in their CENSERS, and put INCENSE thereon. This was a transgression of GOD’S express command, and his judgment speedily followed. Aaron’s sons, who officiated in holy things, would not have thus transgressed if they had not indulged freely in the use of wine, and were partially intoxicated. They gratified the appetite, which debased their faculties, and disqualified them for their sacred office. Their intellects were beclouded, so that they did not have a realizing sense of the difference between the sacredness of the fire which GOD let fall from Heaven, and was kept burning continually upon the ALTAR, and the common fire, which he had said they should not use. If they had had the full and clear use of their reasoning faculties they would have recoiled with horror at the presumptuous transgression of GOD’S positive commands.

And if any man from curiosity, or from lack of order forgot his position, and touched any part of the SANCTUARY, or FURNITURE, or even came nigh any of the workmen, they were punished with death. GOD did not leave his HOLY TABERNACLE to be borne, and erected, and taken down, indiscriminately, by any tribe who might desire to do it. Persons were chosen to the office who could appreciate the sacredness of the work in which they were engaged. And these men appointed of GOD were directed to impress upon the people the especial sacredness of the ARK and all that appertained thereunto, lest they should look upon these things without realizing their holiness, and by making sacred things common should be cut off from Israel. Everything pertaining to the MOST HOLY was to be regarded with reverence and holy awe.

The LORD signified that he accepted the TABERNACLE built for his presence; and ever after this manifestation, when the children of Israel encamped, directly over the TABERNACLE rested the pillar of cloud by day, and the bright glory in the pillar of fire by night. When the cloud ascended they knew this was the signal for them to resume their march onward. When it continued to rest over the TABERNACLE they were to rest from their journeying. When the LORD signified his acceptance of their work in the manifestation of his glory, the hearts of the people were inspired with awe, and with gratitude. There was no noisy demonstrations of joy but with softened hearts, and flowing tears they murmured low, yet earnest words of thankfulness that GOD had approved the work of their hands, and had condescended to dwell more directly with them than ever before.

The LORD designated a special family of the tribe of Levi to bear the ARK; and others of the Levites were specially appointed of GOD to bear the TABERNACLE and all its FURNITURE, and to perform the work of setting up and taking down the TABERNACLE.

When Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the SANCTUARY, and all the vessels of the SANCTUARY, as the camp is to set forward; after that the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the TABERNACLE of the congregation.” Korah, with Dathan and Abiram, had been honored and placed in positions of trust. But they were not contented. They wanted to be commanders. They forgot that GOD and not Moses had placed them where they were, and they charged Moses with taking too much upon himself.

After the LORD had given Moses directions in regard to the SANCTUARY, He again gave him special instructions in regard to HIS SABBATH. And then he handed down from the cloud with his own divine hands the TABLES OF STONE to Moses, whereon he had engraven with his own finger the TEN COMMANDMENTS.

The LORD pronounced, by the mouth of Moses, blessings upon the obedient, and curses upon the disobedient. “Ye shall make you no idols,” was the command of GOD. “Ye shall keep my SABBATHS, and reverence my SANCTUARY. I am the LORD. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”

After sending this judgment upon Egypt, the LORD said to Moses, “Sanctify unto Me all the first-born, . . . both of man and of beast: it is Mine;” “for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast: Mine shall they be: I am the LORD.” Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:13. After the TABERNACLE service was established, the LORD chose the tribe of Levi in the place of the first-born of all Israel to minister in the SANCTUARY. But the first-born were still to be regarded as the LORD’S, and were to be bought back by a ransom.

Furthermore, the first-born of both man and beast were to be the LORD’S, to be bought back only by a ransom, in acknowledgment that when the first-born in Egypt perished, that of Israel, though graciously preserved, had been justly exposed to the same doom but for the atoning sacrifice. “All the first-born are Mine,” the LORD declared; “for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast: Mine they shall be,” Numbers 3:13. After the institution of the TABERNACLE service the LORD chose unto Himself the tribe of Levi for the work of the SANCTUARY, instead of the first-born of the people. “They are wholly given unto Me from among the children of Israel,” He said. “Instead of the first-born of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto Me.” Numbers 8:16. All the people were, however, still required, in acknowledgment of GOD’S mercy, to pay a redemption price for the FIRST-BORN SON. Numbers 18:15, 16.

In both the school and the home much of the teaching was oral; but the youth also learned to read the Hebrew writings, and the parchment rolls of the OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES were open to their study. The chief subjects of study in these schools were the LAW OF GOD, with the instruction given to Moses, sacred history, sacred music, and poetry.

Joshua – Samuel and the ARK at Shiloh

1399BC – Tabernacle set up at Shiloh from 1399 BC – 1094 BC [305 years].

1111BC – Eli, age 58, becomes a judge & priest for 40 years [1 Samuel 4:18]. Eli was a Jewish priest living in the days of the judges and serving GOD at the tabernacle in Shiloh, a city near the hill country of Ephraim [1 Samuel 1:1 – 3].

While the minds of Joshua and other leaders were still oppressed with anxious forebodings, strange tidings reached them. Beside the Jordan, near the place of Israel’s miraculous passage of the river, the two and a half tribes had erected a great altar, similar to the ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING at Shiloh. The LAW OF GOD prohibited, on pain of death, the establishment of another worship than that at the SANCTUARY. If such was the object of this altar, it would, if permitted to remain, lead the people away from the true faith.

Stones have frequently been used as memorials of GOD’S dealing with His people. Joshua, knowing that the time of his service as the visible leader of the children of Israel was about to end, gathered the people together, and caused them to renew their covenant with their MAKER. Then he “wrote these words in the BOOK of the LAW OF GOD, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak that was by the SANCTUARY of the LORD. “Behold,” he said, “this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD, which He spake unto us. It shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your GOD.”

There was a very great slaughter in Israel. Eli was sitting by the wayside, watching with a trembling heart to receive news from the army. He was afraid that the ARK of GOD might be taken, and polluted by the Philistine host. A messenger from the army ran to Shiloh and informed Eli that his two sons had been slain. He could bear this with a degree of calmness, for he had reason to expect it. But when the messenger added, “And the ARK of GOD is taken,” Eli wavered in anguish upon his seat, and fell backward and died. He shared the wrath of GOD which came upon his sons. He was guilty in a great measure of their transgressions, because he had criminally neglected to restrain them. The capture of the ARK of GOD by the Philistines was considered the greatest calamity which could befall Israel. The wife of Phinehas, as she was about to die, named her child Ichabod, saying, “The glory is departed from Israel, for the ARK of GOD is taken.”

GOD permitted his ARK to be taken by their enemies to show Israel how vain it was to trust in the ark, the symbol of his presence, while they were profaning the commandments contained in the ark. GOD would humble them by removing from them that sacred ark, their boasted strength and confidence.

The Lord commanded Jeremiah to say to the people: “Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to Me, to walk in My law, which I have set before you, to hearken to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.” They understood this reference to Shiloh and the time when the Philistines overcame Israel and the ARK of GOD was taken.

The sin of Eli was in passing lightly over the iniquity of his sons, who were occupying sacred offices. The neglect of the father to reprove and restrain his sons brought upon Israel a fearful calamity. The sons of Eli were slain, Eli himself lost his life, the ARK of GOD was taken from Israel, and thirty thousand of the people were slain. All this was because sin was lightly regarded and allowed to remain among them. What a lesson is this to men holding responsible positions in the church of GOD! It adjures them faithfully to remove the wrongs that dishonor the cause of truth.

In the days of Samuel, Israel thought that the presence of the ARK containing the commandments of GOD would gain them the victory over the Philistines, whether or not they repented of their wicked works. Just so, in Jeremiah’s time, the Jews believed that the strict observance of the divinely appointed services of the temple would preserve them from the just punishment of their evil course.

The ARK remained at Shiloh for three hundred years, until, because of the sins of Eli’s house, it fell into the hands of the Philistines, and Shiloh was ruined. The ARK was never returned to the TABERNACLE here, the SANCTUARY service was finally transferred to the temple at Jerusalem, and Shiloh fell into insignificance. There are only ruins to mark the spot where it once stood. Long afterward its fate was made use of as a warning to Jerusalem.

David and Solomon and Solomon’s Temple

1003BC – David starts Temple preparation [2 Samuel 7].

1000BC – The ARK is returned to Jerusalem to a tent [2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 15]. The tabernacle remains in Gibeon [1 Chronicles 16]. David desires to build a temple to house the ARK [2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17]. GOD sends Nathan to David with the Davidic Covenant instead, promising a perpetual throne via his offspring [2 Samuel 7:12 – 29 & Psalms 96, 105].

979BC – Preparation for building the Temple [1 Chronicles 22].

977BC – David charges Solomon and the princes with constructing the temple [1 Chronicles 22:6 – 19].

972BC – David offers sacrifices on the threshing floor which GOD accepts with an angel’s fiery sword. David fears approaching GOD in the tabernacle, because it now sits on the high place at Gibeon [1 Chronicles 21:26 – 30].

972BC – David begins the preparations to construct the temple around the altar, gathering all the materials according to the pattern GOD shows him [1 Chronicles 22; 28 & Psalm 30].

970BC – David calls for a National Assembly, and passes to Solomon his pattern for the temple [1 Chronicles 28].

967BC – Solomon’s preparations for the Temple [1 Kings 5]. This became known as Solomon’s Temple and it replaced the Tabernacle constructed in the Sinai Desert under the auspices of Moses, as well as local sanctuaries, and altars in the hills.

966BC – In Jerusalem, construction begins on the building of SOLOMON’S TEMPLE in Solomon’s 4th year of reign [1 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 2]. And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. [1 Kings 6:1].

966BC – Temple furnishings [2 Chronicles 4].

959BC – Solomon’s Temple is finished. So was he seven years in building it [1 Kings 6:38].

959BC – The Temple dedication. Solomon holds a feast for all of Israel [1 Kings 8:1 – 2].

959BC – The ARK is brought into the Temple [1 Kings 8:3 – 9, 2 Chronicles 5].

959BC – GOD’s Glory fills the Temple [1 Kings 8:10 – 13, 2 Chronicles 7].

812BC – Joash orders Temple repairs [2 Kings 12:6].

740BC – Azariah [Uzziah] – king of Judah [Southern Kingdom] end [good] Azariah [Uzziah] dies; Isaiah’s vision [Isaiah 6:1], [2 Chronicles 26]. And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several [separate] house. [2 Kings 15:5].

626BC – Jeremiah’s message at the Temple gate [Jeremiah 7 – 10].

622BC – Text of Deuteronomy found in the Temple in Jerusalem.

621BC – Josiah prepares for Temple repair [2 Kings 22:3].

After the settlement of the Hebrews in Canaan, the TABERNACLE was replaced by the temple of Solomon, which, though a permanent structure and upon a larger scale, observed the same proportions, and was similarly furnished.

This is the only SANCTUARY that ever existed on the earth, of which the BIBLE gives any information. This was declared by Paul to be the SANCTUARY of the FIRST COVENANT.

The SANCTUARY existed—except while it lay in ruins in Daniel’s time—until its destruction by the Romans, A. D. 70.

The time when David was to be gathered to his fathers had almost come; but before his career closed, he turned his attention to the SANCTUARY to be erected for the LORD. David was not the one chosen of the LORD to build the temple; but he had no jealousy in his heart on this account, and manifested none the less zeal and earnestness in its behalf. He had prepared in abundance the most costly material,–gold, silver, onyx stones, and stones of divers colors, marble, and the most precious woods. And now all this valuable treasure that he had collected must be committed to others; for other hands must build the house for the ARK, the symbol of GOD’S PRESENCE.

The psalmist David had this experience. When he looked upon the flourishing condition of the wicked he was envious of their success, and said, “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have CLEANSED my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued.” But when he went into the SANCTUARY, and communed with the LORD, he no longer desired the portion of the wicked; for then he understood their end. He saw that their way led to destruction at last, and their pleasure was but for a season. Envy had no more a place in his heart. His rebellious spirit bowed in humble submission to his GOD, and he declared, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” He saw that the guidance of the LORD was of infinitely more value than all the temporal prosperity of the world; for the way of the LORD kept the feet in the paths of righteousness that lead to eternal glory.

Earth is the quarry and the work-shop where men are to be fitted and refined for the courts of Heaven. As the stones composing Solomon’s temple came together in the wall a perfect fit, without the touch of ax or hammer or any other instrument, so will the resurrected saints, and those who are alive at the time of his coming be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, each one fitted for the great change and taking his proper place in the temple of GOD’S LOVE.

Like the earthly SANCTUARY built by Moses according to the pattern shown him in the mount, Solomon’s temple, with all its services, was “a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices;” its TWO HOLY PLACES were “patterns of things in the heavens;” CHRIST, our great HIGH PRIEST, is “a minister of the SANCTUARY, and of the true TABERNACLE, which the LORD pitched, and not man.” 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.” 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.” 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,” 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.

In the ministration of the earthly TABERNACLE, which served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,” the HOLY OF HOLIES was opened only upon the GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT, the typical day of judgment, set apart for the CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY. Therefore the announcement, “The TEMPLE OF GOD was opened in heaven, and there was seen in HIS TEMPLE the ARK OF HIS TESTAMENT,” points to the opening of the MOST HOLY PLACE of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, at the end of the twenty-three hundred days,–in 1844,–as CHRIST entered there to perform the closing work of the ATONEMENT. Those who by faith followed their great HIGH PRIEST, as he entered upon his ministry in the MOST HOLY PLACE, beheld the ARK OF THE TESTAMENT.

In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah was permitted in vision to look into the HOLY PLACE, and into the HOLY OF HOLIES in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. The CURTAINS of the INNERMOST SANCTUARY were drawn aside, and a THRONE high and lifted up, towering as it were to the very heavens, was revealed to his gaze. An indescribable glory emanated from a personage on the THRONE, and his train filled the temple, as his glory will finally fill the earth. CHERUBIM were on either side of the MERCY SEAT, as guards round the great king, and they glowed with the glory that enshrouded them from the presence of GOD. As their songs of praise resounded in deep, earnest notes of adoration, the pillars of the gate trembled, as if shaken by an earthquake. These holy beings sang forth the praise and GLORY OF GOD with lips unpolluted with sin.

Temple destruction by Nebuchadnezzar and rebuild

592BC – Ezekiel’s 1st Temple vision [Ezekiel 8 – 19].

586BC August 25 – Nebuzaradan arrives at Jerusalem from Riblah in Hamath and begins consultation with commanders in the field regarding the pillaging of Jerusalem [2 Kings 25:8]. Nebuzaradan was the commander of Nebuchadnezzar’s guard who was in charge of the destruction of the Temple and the deportation of the people of Judah.

586BC – Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem. The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the 1st Temple. The destruction of the temple starts on the 9th of Ab [Hebrew month] and completes on the 10th. [The 9th of Ab will also be the day Jerusalem’s second temple [Herod’s temple] will be completely destroyed in 70AD].

586BC August 28 – The fall of Jerusalem [2 Kings 25; Jeremiah 52]. Nebuzaradan leads forces into Jerusalem to pillage, destroy, and burn the city and its temple [2 Kings 25:9-19; 2 Chronicles 36:18-19; Jeremiah 52:12-25].

573BC – Ezekiel’s 2nd Temple vision [Ezekiel 40 – 48].

538BC – Zerubbabel [the grandson of Jeconiah] and Joshua [who was appointed as high priest] lead a small party of Jewish repatriates back to Palestine. Return of some Jews from Babylonian exile who later in 520 BC – 516 BC build the Second Temple [about 70 years after the destruction of the First Temple]. The Jews return to the land of Israel from the Babylonian exile following the decree by the Persian emperor Cyrus the Great [the conqueror of the Babylonian empire in 539 BC].

537?BC – The proclamation of Cyrus [Ezra 1]. 1st decree by Cyrus to rebuild the temple [Ezra 1:1 – 4].

536BC – Temple building in Jerusalem begins [Ezra 2 & 3]. Samaritan offer for help rejected.

534BC – Adversaries hinder Temple work [Ezra 4].

534BC – Artaxerxes orders Temple work to stop [Ezra 4:17-23]. Then ceased the work of the house of GOD which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia [Ezra 4:24].

522BC – Jewish setback for over a year as temple building is stopped. The Samaritans tried to hinder this work. By their false reports they aroused suspicion in minds easily stirred up to suspect; and because of this discouragement, the Jews became unbelieving and indifferent in regard to the work that the Lord had signified He would have done. They were opposed by Smerdis the usurper. “Then ceased the work of the house of GOD which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” When Darius came to the throne, he set aside the work and prohibition of the usurper. But even then the people that should have been the most interested continued to be indifferent. They misapplied the prophecy given by Inspiration. They misinterpreted the Word of GOD, and declared that the time to build had not yet come, and that until the days were fully accomplished, they would not undertake the work. But while they left the building of the house of the Lord, the temple in which they could worship GOD, until the end of the time specified as the captivity of the Jews had fully come, they built mansions for themselves [Manuscript 116, 1897]. [4 Bible Commentary 1175.8].

520BC September 21 – Zerubbabel starts rebuilding the temple [Ezra 5:2[. And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their GOD, In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. [Haggai 1:14-15].

520BC – Construction of the Jerusalem Temple resumed by Darius’ decree [Ezra 6]. 2nd decree by Darius I – Tatnai given powers of authorisation by Darius I to finance the building [Ezra 6:1-12].

515BC March 12 – Construction is completed on the Temple in Jerusalem after 21 years. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king [Ezra 6:15]. 515BC March 12 – Rebuilding and dedication of the Temple after approx. 4.5 years. 5 centuries earlier the previous Temple had taken 7 years [1 Kings 6:37-38].

After the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, it was rebuilt about five hundred years before the BIRTH OF CHRIST, by a people who from a lifelong captivity had returned to a wasted and almost deserted country. There were then among them aged men who had seen the glory of SOLOMON’S TEMPLE, and who wept at the foundation of the new building, that it must be so inferior to the former. The feeling that prevailed is forcibly described by the prophet: “Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” [Haggai 2:3.] Then was given the promise that the glory of this latter house should be greater than of the former.

But the SECOND TEMPLE had not equaled the first in magnificence; nor was it hallowed by those visible tokens of the DIVINE PRESENCE which pertained to the FIRST TEMPLE. There was no manifestation of supernatural power to mark its dedication. No CLOUD OF GLORY was seen to fill the newly erected SANCTUARY. No fire from HEAVEN descended to consume the sacrifice upon its altar. The SHEKINAH no longer abode between the CHERUBIM in the MOST HOLY PLACE; the ARK, the MERCY SEAT, and the TABLES of the TESTIMONY were not to be found therein. No VOICE sounded from HEAVEN to make known to the inquiring priest the WILL OF JEHOVAH.

But mingled with the music and the shouts of praise ascending on that glad day, was a discordant note of sorrow and dissatisfaction. “Many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice.” Among the aged men who had seen the glory of SOLOMON’S TEMPLE, there were some who lamented and wept over the inferiority of the building that was now to be erected.

JESUS, the Romans and “Herod’s” Temple

168BC – The Romans interfere in Antiochus’s war with Egypt and prevent his capturing Alexandria. Antiochus IV Epiphanes pollutes the Temple in Jerusalem and suspends the sacrifices of the Jews.

165BC – The Jerusalem Temple repaired and cleansed.

20BC – Herod begins to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple.

70AD – Jerusalem’s second temple [Herod’s temple] completely destroyed

The SHEKINAH had departed from the SANCTUARY, but in the Child of Bethlehem was veiled the glory before which angels bow. This unconscious babe was the PROMISED SEED, to whom the first ALTAR at the gate of Eden pointed. This was Shiloh, the peace giver. It was He who declared Himself to Moses as the I AM. It was He who in the pillar of cloud and of fire had been the guide of Israel. This was He whom seers had long foretold. He was the DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS, the ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID, and the BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR. The name of that helpless little babe, inscribed in the roll of Israel, declaring Him our brother, was the hope of fallen humanity. The child for whom the redemption money had been paid was He who was to pay the ransom for the sins of the whole world. He was the true “high priest over the HOUSE OF GOD,” the head of “an unchangeable priesthood,” the INTERCESSOR at “the right hand of the MAJESTY ON HIGH.” Hebrews 10:21; 7:24; 1:3.

At the crucifixion, as JESUS died on Calvary, he cried, It is finished, and the VEIL of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. This was to show that the services of the earthly SANCTUARY were forever finished

With a rending noise the INNER VEIL of the temple is torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand, throwing open to the gaze of the multitude a place once filled with the presence of GOD. In this place the SHEKINAH had dwelt. Here GOD had manifested His glory above the MERCY SEAT. No one but the high priest ever lifted the VEIL separating this APARTMENT from the rest of the temple. He entered in once a year to make an ATONEMENT for the sins of the people. But lo, this VEIL is rent in twain. The MOST HOLY PLACE of the earthly SANCTUARY is no longer sacred.

The rending of the VEIL of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received.

He [Jesus] died to exalt the LAW OF GOD and make it honorable, and shall we dare to manipulate it to suit our own convenience? Shall we dare to spend for ourselves the hours of HIS HOLY SABBATH? Our standard is GOD’S HOLY LAW.

Thus far every specification of the prophecy is strikingly fulfilled, and the beginning of the seventy weeks is fixed beyond question at B. C. 457, and their expiration in A. D. 34. From this data there is no difficulty in finding the termination of the 2300 days. The seventy weeks—490 days—having been cut off from the 2300, there were 1810 days remaining. After the end of 490 days, the 1810 days were still to be fulfilled. From A. D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. Consequently the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 terminate in 1844. At the expiration of this great prophetic period, upon the testimony of the angel of GOD, “the SANCTUARY shall be CLEANSED.” Thus the time of the CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY —which was almost universally believed to take place at the second advent—was definitely pointed out.

The Work of Ministration [Mediation] in the Holy Place – the First Apartment of the SANCTUARY

This was the period between the Ascension of JESUS to Tuesday October 22nd, 1844AD.

The Ascension of JESUS CHRIST into heaven took place on the 40th day after his Resurrection.

JESUS died on Friday April 27th, 31AD at 3 pm [Nisan 14] Jerusalem time.

The Resurrection of JESUS occurred on Sunday April 29th, 31AD.

The Ascension of JESUS CHRIST into heaven took place on Friday 8th June 31AD.

From and including: Friday, 8th June 31AD (Julian calendar) to, but not including Tuesday, October 22nd, 1844 (Gregorian calendar) is 662,323 days.

662,323 days is a Prime Number. GOD often uses in Prime Numbers*.

Also, 6x6x2x3x2x3 = 1296 = 36×36 = 6x6x6x6, which is one 6 more than the number of the beast.

36, in gematria, also means Fully Man – 100% Carnality – Exalted Man – Enemy – The Devil – Satan.

So 36×36 implies that Man is being raised to a higher level.

* Example: From 11th September 3BC [birth of Jesus] to the Ascension is 11,939 days [inclusive reckoning, which was done in those days, e.g. died on Friday and rose on Sunday was 3 days]. 11,939 is a prime number.

In the FIRST APARTMENT, or HOLY PLACE, were the TABLE OF SHEWBREAD, the CANDLESTICK, or LAMPSTAND, and the ALTAR OF INCENSE. The TABLE OF SHEWBREAD stood on the north. With its ornamental crown, it was overlaid with pure gold. On this table the priests were each SABBATH to place twelve cakes, arranged in two piles, and sprinkled with frankincense. The loaves that were removed, being accounted holy, were to be eaten by the priests. On the south was the SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLESTICK, with its SEVEN LAMPS. Its branches were ornamented with exquisitely wrought flowers, resembling lilies, and the whole was made from one solid piece of gold.

From the two olive-trees, the golden oil was emptied through golden pipes into the bowl of the CANDLESTICK, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the SANCTUARY. So from the holy ones that stand in GOD’S PRESENCE, HIS SPIRIT is imparted to human instrumentalities that are consecrated to his service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to GOD’S people. It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in GOD’S PRESENCE.

In the HOLY PLACE was the CANDLESTICK, on the south, with its SEVEN LAMPS giving light to the SANCTUARY both by day and by night; on the north stood the TABLE OF SHEWBREAD; and before the VEIL separating the HOLY from the MOST HOLY was the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, from which the cloud of fragrance, with the prayers of Israel, was daily ascending before GOD.

The MINISTRATION of the priest throughout the year in the FIRST APARTMENT of the SANCTUARY, “within the VEIL” which formed the DOOR and separated the HOLY PLACE from the OUTER COURT, represents the WORK OF MINISTRATION upon which CHRIST entered at HIS ASCENSION. It was the work of the priest in the daily ministration to present before GOD the blood of the sin-offering, also the incense which ascended with the prayers of Israel. So did CHRIST plead HIS BLOOD before the FATHER in behalf of sinners, and present before HIM also, with the precious fragrance of HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, the prayers of penitent believers. Such was the work of ministration in the FIRST APARTMENT of the SANCTUARY in HEAVEN.

For eighteen centuries this work of MINISTRATION continued in the FIRST APARTMENT of the SANCTUARY. The BLOOD OF CHRIST, pleaded in behalf of penitent believers, secured their pardon and acceptance with the FATHER, yet their sins still remained upon the books of record. As in the typical service there was a work of ATONEMENT at the close of the year, so before CHRIST’S work for the redemption of men is completed, there is a work of ATONEMENT for the removal of sin from the SANCTUARY. This is the service which began when the 2300 days ended. At that time, as foretold by Daniel the prophet, our HIGH PRIEST entered the MOST HOLY, to perform the last division of his solemn work,—to CLEANSE THE SANCTUARY.

The BLOOD OF JESUS was then shed, which was to be ministered by himself in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. As the priests in the earthly SANCTUARY entered the MOST HOLY once a year to CLEANSE the SANCTUARY, JESUS entered the MOST HOLY of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Dan, viii, in 1844, to make a FINAL ATONEMENT for all who could be benefited by his mediation, and to CLEANSE the SANCTUARY.

The Investigative Judgment

Prophetic time closed on Tuesday October 22nd, 1844 when the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT began; it will end at the CLOSE OF PROBATION.

The SANCTUARY, to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days, is the NEW JERUSALEM TEMPLE, of which CHRIST is a minister.

The DOOR to the MOST HOLY PLACE was not opened, until the MEDIATION OF JESUS was finished in the HOLY PLACE of the SANCTUARY in 1844.

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 which is essential at this time, or to occupy the position which GOD designs them to fill.

All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which GOD has committed to them. 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 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 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.

I have been shown that our disappointment in 1844 was not because of failure in the reckoning of prophetic periods, but in the events to take place. The earth was believed to be the SANCTUARY. But the SANCTUARY which was to be CLEANSED at the end of the prophetic periods was the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY and not the earth as we all supposed. The SAVIOUR did enter the MOST HOLY PLACE in 1844 to CLEANSE the SANCTUARY, and the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT had commenced for the dead.

The priests ministered in BOTH APARTMENTS of the earthly. In the FIRST APARTMENT he ministered every day in the year, and entered the MOST HOLY but once in a year, to CLEANSE it from the sins which had been conveyed there. I saw that JESUS ministered in BOTH APARTMENTS of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. He entered into the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY by the offering of HIS OWN BLOOD. The earthly priests were removed by death, therefore they could not continue long; but JESUS, I saw, was a PRIEST FOREVER.

In the MOST HOLY PLACE stood the ARK, a chest of precious wood overlaid with gold, the depository of the two TABLES OF STONE upon which GOD had inscribed the law of TEN COMMANDMENTS. Above the ARK, and forming the cover to the SACRED CHEST, was the MERCY SEAT, a magnificent piece of workmanship, surmounted by TWO CHERUBIM, one at each end, and all wrought of solid gold. In this APARTMENT the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory between the CHERUBIM.

The LORD has shown me in vision, that JESUS ROSE UP, AND SHUT THE DOOR, AND ENTERED THE HOLY OF HOLIES, AT THE 7TH MONTH 1844; but Michael’s standing up (Daniel 12:1) to deliver his people, is in the future.

In like manner, the types which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service. Under the Mosaic system, the CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY, or the GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT, occurred on the tenth day of the seventh Jewish month, [Leviticus 16:29-34.] when the high priest, having made an ATONEMENT for all Israel, and thus removed their sins from the SANCTUARY, came forth and blessed the people. So it was believed that CHRIST, our great HIGH PRIEST, would appear to purify the earth by the destruction of sin and sinners, and to bless his waiting people with immortality. The TENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH, the GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT, the time of the CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY, WHICH IN THE YEAR 1844 FELL UPON THE 22D OF OCTOBER, was regarded as the time of the LORD’S coming. This was in harmony with the proofs already presented that the 2300 days would terminate in the autumn, and the conclusion seemed irresistible.

JESUS rose up, and SHUT THE DOOR, and entered the HOLY OF HOLIES, at the 7TH MONTH 1844.

JESUS rose up and SHUT THE DOOR IN THE OUTER APARTMENT and OPENED THE DOOR IN THE INNER APARTMENT and passed into the MOST HOLY PLACE, and the faith of Israel now reaches within the SECOND VEIL where JESUS now stands by the ARK.

JESUS must needs enter the MOST HOLY PLACE of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY to CLEANSE it; to make a SPECIAL ATONEMENT FOR ISRAEL, and to RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF HIS FATHER, and then RETURN TO EARTH and TAKE THEM TO DWELL WITH HIM FOREVER.

As the ministration of JESUS closed in the HOLY PLACE, and he passed into the HOLIEST, and stood before the ARK containing the LAW OF GOD, he sent another mighty angel to earth with the third message.

With what care should every one come to the study of the SCRIPTURES! With what a determination to know all that it is possible for him to know of the reasons of every point of the faith; especially the SANCTUARY question, and the FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD ANGELS’ MESSAGES, should he study.

JESUS had SHUT THE DOOR IN THE HOLY PLACE and no man can open it, and that He had OPENED THE DOOR IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE and no man can shut it; and that since JESUS had OPENED THE DOOR IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE the COMMANDMENTS have been shining out and GOD has been testing His people on the HOLY SABBATH.

The time for the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD to shine out to His people was when the DOOR WAS OPENED in the INNER APARTMENT of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY in 1844.

The COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, the TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, and the SHUT DOOR, cannot be separated.

They followed JESUS by faith into the MOST HOLY.

While JESUS was in the MOST HOLY PLACE he would be married to the NEW JERUSALEM.

The test on the SABBATH could not come until the mediation of JESUS was finished in the HOLY and He had passed within the SECOND VEIL; therefore Christians who died before the seventh month, 1844, and had not kept the true SABBATH, rest in hope, for there was no condemnation until the true light on the SABBATH came.

The time for the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD to shine out, with all their importance, and for GOD’S people to be tried on the SABBATH truth, was when the DOOR WAS OPENED in the MOST HOLY PLACE of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, where the ARK is, containing the TEN COMMANDMENTS

After JESUS opened the door of the MOST HOLY the light of the SABBATH was seen, and the people of GOD were to be tested and proved, as GOD proved the children of Israel anciently, to see if they would keep HIS LAW.

Since JESUS had OPENED THE DOOR IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE the commandments have been shining out and GOD has been testing His people on the HOLY SABBATH

In the autumn of 1846 we began to observe the BIBLE SABBATH, and to teach and defend it.

Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second, and were not benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with JESUS by faith into the MOST HOLY PLACE of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. And by rejecting the two former messages, they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the MOST HOLY PLACE.

GOD is weighing our characters, our conduct, and our motives, in the balances of the SANCTUARY.

Every case passes in review before CHRIST in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY before He ceases to plead for man. Every name is repeated by the recording angel. Their moral worth is estimated, their acts and deeds are weighed in an even balance and they are rewarded according to their works.

As the sins of the people were anciently transferred, in figure, to the earthly SANCTUARY by the blood of the sin-offering, so our sins are, in fact, transferred to the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY by the BLOOD OF CHRIST.

As the typical CLEANSING of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual CLEANSING of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. This necessitates an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in CHRIST, are entitled to the benefits of his ATONEMENT. The CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY therefore involves a work of INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT.

I was then bid to take notice of the TWO APARTMENTS of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. The CURTAIN, or DOOR, was opened, and I was permitted to enter. In the FIRST APARTMENT I saw the CANDLESTICK WITH SEVEN LAMPS, which looked rich and glorious; also the table on which was the SHEWBREAD, and the ALTAR OF INCENSE, and the CENSER. All the FURNITURE of this APARTMENT looked like purest gold, and reflected the image of the one who entered that place. The CURTAIN which separated these TWO APARTMENTS looked glorious. It was of different colors and material, with a beautiful border, with figures of gold wrought upon it, representing angels. The VEIL was lifted, and I looked into the SECOND APARTMENT. I saw there an ARK which had the appearance of being of the finest gold. As a border around the top of the ARK, was most beautiful work representing crowns. It was of fine gold. In the ARK were the TABLES OF STONE containing the TEN COMMANDMENTS. On each end of the ARK was a lovely CHERUB with their wings spread out over it. Their wings were raised on high, and touched each other above the head of JESUS, as he stood by the ARK. Their faces were turned towards each other, and they looked downwards to the ARK, representing all the angelic host looking with interest at the LAW OF GOD. Between the CHERUBIM was a GOLDEN CENSER.

We have only one channel of approach to GOD. Our prayers can come to him through one name only,–that of the LORD JESUS our ADVOCATE. HIS SPIRIT must inspire our petitions. No strange fire was to be used in the CENSERS that were waved before GOD in the SANCTUARY. So the LORD himself must kindle in our hearts the burning desire, if our prayers are acceptable to him. The HOLY SPIRIT within must make intercessions for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered. Personal communion with GOD is the only means by which holiness of character may be prompted. There is need that much time be spent in SECRET PRAYER, in close communion with GOD. Thus only can victories be won. Eternal vigilance is the price of safety.

Do not neglect prayer, SECRET PRAYER. Be instant in prayer; encourage a spirit of true devotion. SECRET PRAYER, which is TOO MUCH NEGLECTED, is the LIFE of the CHRISTIAN. How precious is SECRET PRAYER–the soul communing with God! SECRET PRAYER is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing GOD. No curious ear is to receive the burden of petitions. … He who in simple faith holds communion with GOD will gather to himself divine rays of light to strengthen and sustain him in the conflict with Satan. We should spend much time in SECRET PRAYER, in close communion with GOD. Thus only can we gain the victory.

By prayer man is braced for duty and prepared for trial. Morning and evening our earnest prayers should ascend to GOD for His blessing and guidance. True prayer takes hold upon OMNIPOTENCE, and gains the victory. Upon his knees the Christian obtains strength to resist temptation. And while engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. It was thus that Enoch walked with GOD. The silent, fervent prayer of the soul rises like holy INCENSE to the THRONE OF GRACE, and is as acceptable to GOD as if offered in the SANCTUARY. To all who thus seek Him, CHRIST is a present help in time of need. In the day of trial they will be brave and strong.

The house is the SANCTUARY for the family, and the closet or the grove the most retired place for individual worship; but the church is the SANCTUARY for the congregation. There should be rules in regard to the time, the place, and the manner of worshiping.

In the SANCTUARY of the home, JESUS received his education, not merely from his parents, but from HIS HEAVENLY FATHER. As he grew older, GOD opened to him more and more of the great work before him.

I saw that the nominal churches, as the Jews crucified JESUS, had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the move made in heaven, or of the way into the MOST HOLY, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of JESUS there. Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the APARTMENT which JESUS has left, and Satan, pleased with the deception of the professed followers of CHRIST, fastens them in his snare, and assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, and works with his power, his signs and lying wonders. Some he deceives in one way and some in another. He has different delusions prepared to affect different minds. Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily receive another. Satan deceives some with spiritualism. He also comes as an angel of light, and spreads his influence over the land. I saw false reformations every where. The churches were elated, and considered that GOD was marvelously working for them, when it was another spirit. It will die away and leave the world and the church in a worse condition than before.

I saw that since JESUS had left the HOLY PLACE of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, and had entered within the SECOND VEIL, the churches were left as were the Jews; and they have been filling up with every unclean and hateful bird. I saw great iniquity and vileness in the churches; yet they profess to be Christians. Their profession, their prayers and their exhortations, are an abomination in the sight of GOD. Said the angel, GOD will not smell in their assemblies. Selfishness, fraud and deceit are practiced by them without the reprovings of conscience. And over all these evil traits they throw the cloak of religion. I was shown the pride of the nominal churches. GOD was not in their thoughts; but their carnal minds dwell upon themselves. They decorate their poor mortal bodies, and then look upon themselves with satisfaction and pleasure.

The professed church of CHRIST has wandered from her privilege, her duty, and her GOD. Love for GOD, and faith in his word, have grown cold. The churches have grieved the SPIRIT of the LORD, and it has been in a great measure withdrawn. The majority of professed Christians are serving other gods besides the LORD. Pride and luxury are cherished, idols are set up in the SANCTUARY, and her HOLY PLACES are polluted.

Because of their neglect the LORD has looked with disfavor upon the church. A love of ease and selfish indulgence has been shown by many. Some who have had the privilege of knowing BIBLE TRUTH have not brought it into the INNER SANCTUARY of the soul. GOD holds all these accountable for the talents which they have not returned to Him in honest, faithful service in making every effort possible to seek and to save those who were lost. These slothful servants are represented as coming to the wedding supper without the wedding garment, the robe of the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST. They have nominally accepted the truth, but they do not practice it. Professedly circumcised, they are in reality among the uncircumcised.

I saw that the LORD yet has something to do with the laws of the land. While JESUS is in the SANCTUARY, GOD’S RESTRAINING SPIRIT is felt by rulers and people. But Satan controls to a great extent the great mass in the world, and were it not for the laws of the land, we should experience great suffering. It was shown me that it was no violation of GOD’S WORD, when it is actually necessary, for his children, when called upon to testify in a lawful manner, to solemnly take GOD to witness that what they say is the truth, and nothing but the truth.

I saw the INCENSE in the CENSER smoke as JESUS offered their confessions and prayers to HIS FATHER. And as it ascended, a bright light rested upon JESUS, and upon the MERCY SEAT.

THE ARK OF GOD COVERED WITH THE MERCY SEAT. TWO ANGELS STOOD, ONE AT EACH END OF THE ARK, WITH THEIR WINGS SPREAD OVER THE MERCY SEAT, AND THEIR FACES TURNED TOWARD IT.

It was represented to me that the remnant followed JESUS into the MOST HOLY PLACE, and beheld the ARK, and the MERCY SEAT, and were captivated with their glory.

JESUS raised the cover of the ARK, and I beheld the TABLES OF STONE on which the TEN COMMANDMENTS were written. I was amazed as I saw the FOURTH COMMANDMENT in the very center of the ten precepts, with a soft halo of light encircling it. Said the angel: “It is the only one of the ten which defines the LIVING GOD who created the heavens and the earth and all things that are therein. When the foundations of the earth were laid, then was laid the foundation of the SABBATH also.”

The ARK was made to contain the TABLES OF STONE, on which GOD ENGRAVED, WITH HIS OWN FINGER, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. It was in form like a chest, and was overlaid and inlaid with pure gold. It was ornamented with crowns of gold round about the top. The cover of this SACRED CHEST was the MERCY SEAT made of solid gold. On each end of the MERCY SEAT was fixed a cherub of pure solid gold. Their faces were turned toward each other, and were looking reverentially downward toward the MERCY SEAT, which represents all the heavenly angels looking with interest and reverence to the LAW OF GOD deposited in the ARK in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY. These cherubs had wings. One wing of each angel was stretched forth on high, while the other wing of each angel covered their forms. The ARK of the earthly SANCTUARY was the pattern of the true ARK in Heaven. There, beside the heavenly ARK, stand living angels, at either end of the ARK, with each, one wing overshadowing the MERCY SEAT, and stretching forth on high, while the other wings are folded over their forms in token of reverence and humility.

The HOLY LAW which had been written by the FINGER OF GOD.

The first commandment in the DECALOGUE, to which a PROMISE is annexed, is the fifth. It reads thus: “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the LAND which the LORD THY GOD giveth thee.” The LAND here referred to is the new earth when purified from sin and the marks of the curse, which is to be given to the saints of the MOST HIGH, and they shall possess it forever and forever. Children and youth who devote time and means to make themselves objects of attraction by outward display, and affected manners, are not working in the right direction. They need to cultivate true, Christian politeness, and nobility of soul, by acts of true goodness, being obedient, gentle, meek, and like their REDEEMER.

In the earthly ARK Moses was required to place the TABLES OF STONE. These were called the TABLES OF THE TESTIMONY, and the ARK was called the ARK OF THE TESTIMONY, because they contained GOD’S TESTIMONY in the TEN COMMANDMENTS. The TABERNACLE was composed of TWO APARTMENTS, separated by a CURTAIN, or VEIL.

Within the SECOND VEIL was placed the ARK of the testimony, and the beautiful and rich CURTAIN was drawn before the SACRED ARK. This CURTAIN did not reach to the top of the building. The GLORY OF GOD, which was above the MERCY SEAT, could be seen from BOTH APARTMENTS, but in a much less degree from the FIRST APARTMENT.

The MOST HOLY PLACE, where I saw JESUS still interceding for Israel. ON THE BOTTOM OF HIS GARMENT WAS A BELL AND A POMEGRANATE, A BELL AND A POMEGRANATE. Then I saw that JESUS would not leave the MOST HOLY PLACE until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction.

He had suspended from his shoulders a breastplate of curious work. And as he moved, it glittered like diamonds, magnifying letters which looked like names written, or engraven upon the breastplate.

We must work while the day lasts, for when the dark night of trouble and anguish comes, it will be too late to work for GOD. JESUS is still in his HOLY TEMPLE, and will now accept our sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and sins, and will now pardon all the transgressions of Israel, that they may be blotted out before he leaves the SANCTUARY.

Those who are saved must yield their will, their way, and be controlled by the SPIRIT OF GOD. They must die daily all the way along; die, die to self, and be purified by the truth.

When the STRAIGHT TESTIMONY comes and reproof and rebuke are given, there is a rising up against the STRAIGHT TESTIMONY. It does not agree with the carnal mind, their carnal security is disturbed, they resist the work of GOD, and some will fall off.

The salvation of the soul, through FAITH IN CHRIST, is the ground and pillar of the truth. Those who exercise TRUE FAITH IN CHRIST make it manifest by HOLINESS OF CHARACTER, by obedience to the LAW OF GOD. They realize that the truth as it is in JESUS reaches heaven, and compasses eternity. They understand that the Christian’s character should represent the CHARACTER OF CHRIST, and be full of grace and truth. To them is imparted the OIL OF GRACE, which sustains a never-failing light. The HOLY SPIRIT in the heart of the believer, makes him complete in CHRIST.

The names of those who will be purified, made white, and tried are borne into the SANCTUARY and mentioned by JESUS to HIS FATHER, and they are brought before the special notice of GOD.

JESUS’ work in the SANCTUARY was almost finished, almost finished, and after His work there is finished He will come to the DOOR of the TABERNACLE, or DOOR of the FIRST APARTMENT, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head of the scape goat. Then He will put on the garments of vengeance.

The commencement of the TIME OF TROUBLE, … does not refer to the time when the PLAGUES shall begin to be poured out; but to a short period just before they are poured out, while CHRIST is in the SANCTUARY. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, the nations will be angry, yet held in check, So as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from the presence of the LORD, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last PLAGUES shall be poured out.

The wrath of GOD could not come until JESUS had finished his work in the MOST HOLY PLACE–laid off his priestly attire and clothed himself with the garments of vengeance.

Michael had not stood up, and that the TIME OF TROUBLE, such as never was, had not yet commenced.

In the great day of final award, the dead are to be “judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Revelation 20:12. Then by virtue of the ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST, the sins of all the truly penitent will be blotted from the books of heaven. Thus the SANCTUARY will be freed, or CLEANSED, from the record of sin. In the type, this great work of ATONEMENT, or blotting out of sins, was represented by the services of the DAY OF ATONEMENT–the CLEANSING of the earthly SANCTUARY, which was accomplished by the removal, by virtue of the blood of the sin offering, of the sins by which it had been polluted.

As in the FINAL ATONEMENT the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted from the records of heaven, no more to be remembered or come into mind, so in the type they were borne away into the wilderness, forever separated from the congregation.

Since Satan is the originator of sin, the direct instigator of all the sins that caused the death of the SON OF GOD, justice demands that Satan shall suffer the final punishment. CHRIST’S work for the redemption of men and the purification of the universe from sin will be closed by the removal of sin from the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY and the placing of these sins upon Satan, who will bear the final penalty. So in the typical service, the yearly round of ministration closed with the purification of the SANCTUARY, and the confessing of the sins on the head of the scapegoat.

The Close of Probation, The Time of Trouble and the Seven Last Plagues

When JESUS ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are decided forever. This is the time of reckoning with his servants. Those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness, fitting them to be waiting ones to welcome their LORD, their sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. PROBATION CLOSES. CHRIST’S intercessions cease in Heaven, and it is finally sudden upon all.

When he leaves the SANCTUARY, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a HOLY GOD without an INTERCESSOR. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. The power attending the last warning has enraged them, and their anger is kindled against all who have received the message. The people of GOD are then plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress described by the prophet as the TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE.

While their interest was buried up in their worldly gains, the work closed in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, and they were unprepared. If they had only known that the work of CHRIST in the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY would close so soon, how differently would they have conducted themselves, how earnestly would they have watched! The Master, anticipating all this, gives them timely warning in the command to watch. He distinctly states the suddenness of His coming. He does not measure the time, lest we shall neglect a momentary preparation, and in our indolence look ahead to the time when we think He will come, and defer the preparation. “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not.” Yet this foretold uncertainty, and suddenness at last, fails to rouse us from stupidity to earnest wakefulness, and to quicken our watchfulness for our expected Master. Those not found waiting and watching are finally surprised in their unfaithfulness. The Master comes, and instead of their being ready to open unto Him immediately, they are locked in worldly slumber, and are lost at last.

GOD designs his people shall fix their eyes heavenward looking for the glorious appearing of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. While the attention of worldlings is turned to the various enterprises, ours should be to the Heavens, our faith reaching farther and farther into the glorious mysteries of heavenly treasures, drawing the precious, divine rays of light from the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, to shine in our hearts, as it shineth in the face of JESUS CHRIST.

When CHRIST ceases his intercession in the SANCTUARY, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark, [Revelation 14:9, 10.] will be poured out. The PLAGUES upon Egypt when GOD was about to deliver Israel, were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of GOD’S people.

The MARK OF THE BEAST will be urged upon us. Subject … to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD and the commandments of men. The gold will be separated from the dross in the church. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy, will then go out in darkness.

BUT THOSE WHO STAND FIRM TO THE TRUTH will answer those who demand their surrender to the traditions of men and their compliance with the custom of the majority, that they owe allegiance to a higher authority than that of the State. They WILL DECLARE THAT THEY CANNOT SET ASIDE THE SABBATH OF THE GREAT CREATOR for a man-made institution. They will declare that as partakers of the divine nature, they are placed in a position where the ordinances of men, when conflicting with the commands of GOD, are of no force nor value. … Every conceivable device that men and demons can invent will be brought to bear against them to overcome them; but those who have learned how to cling to GOD will not abate one jot or tittle of truth.

The vision of Isaiah represents the position of GOD’S people in the last days, when they are privileged to see by faith the work going on in the SANCTUARY above. JESUS is seated with His FATHER on the THRONE, high and lifted up, and all who come to GOD through Him will find access into the INNER SANCTUARY. The view of the GLORY OF GOD in His excellent majesty prepares the heart to humility; and the very work done for Isaiah will be done for all who humble themselves and acknowledge their sins; for the bow of promise is above the THRONE.

Looking unto JESUS, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith.

Many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the LORD, WITHOUT A HIGH PRIEST in the SANCTUARY, through the TIME OF TROUBLE

The TIME OF TROUBLE begins at the CLOSE OF PROBATION and ends at the SECOND COMING OF JESUS.

Those who receive the SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD, and are protected in the TIME OF TROUBLE, must reflect the image of JESUS fully.

JESUS LAYS OFF HIS PRIESTLY ATTIRE, AND PUTS ON HIS MOST KINGLY ROBES, AND CROWN, TO RIDE FORTH ON THE CLOUDY CHARIOT, TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE

JESUS clothes Himself with the garments of vengeance and takes His place upon the great white cloud BEFORE the PLAGUES are poured out. The GREAT WHITE CLOUD, I saw, was not in the HOLY PLACE but entirely separate from the HOLY and MOST HOLY, entirely separate from the SANCTUARY.

Then the PLAGUES come upon the wicked, and they do not come until JESUS puts on the garments of vengeance and takes His seat upon the GREAT WHITE CLOUD.

Then JESUS will have the SHARP SICKLE in HIS HAND, and then THE SAINTS WILL CRY DAY AND NIGHT TO JESUS ON THE CLOUD, to thrust in his sharp sickle and reap.

JESUS passed through the HOLY PLACE or FIRST APARTMENT, to the door to confess the sins of Israel on the scape goat, an angel said, This APARTMENT is called the SANCTUARY.

Then while the PLAGUES are falling the scape goat is being led away. He makes a mighty struggle to escape, but he is held fast by the hand that bears him away. If he should effect his escape Israel would be destroyed (or slain). I saw that it would take time to bear him away into the land of forgetfulness after the sins were put upon his head.

WHEN OUR HIGH PRIEST HAS FINISHED HIS WORK IN THE SANCTUARY, he will stand up, PUT ON THE GARMENTS OF VENGEANCE, and THEN THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES WILL BE POURED OUT.

THE FOUR ANGELS WOULD HOLD THE FOUR WINDS UNTIL JESUS WORK WAS DONE IN THE SANCTUARY, and THEN WILL COME THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES.

These PLAGUES enraged the wicked against the righteous, and they thought that we had brought them down upon them, and if they could rid the earth of us, then the PLAGUES would be stayed.

When JESUS leaves the SANCTUARY, then he that is holy and righteous, will be holy and righteous still; for all their sins will then be blotted out, and they will be sealed with the SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD. But those that are unjust and filthy, will be unjust and filthy still; for then there will be NO PRIEST in the SANCTUARY to offer their sacrifices, their confessions, and their prayers before the FATHER’S THRONE.

When CHRIST shall cease His work as MEDIATOR in man’s behalf, then this TIME OF TROUBLE will begin.

JESUS tarried a moment in the OUTER APARTMENT of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, and the sins which had been confessed while he was in the MOST HOLY PLACE, he placed back upon the originator of sin, the Devil. He must suffer the punishment of these sins.

As JESUS moved out of the MOST HOLY PLACE, I heard the tinkling of the bells upon his garment, and as he left, a cloud of darkness covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty man, and an offended GOD.

While JESUS had been standing between GOD and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but when JESUS stepped out from between man and the FATHER, the restraint was removed, and Satan had the control of man.

Then JESUS will step out from between the FATHER and man, and GOD will keep silent no longer; but pour out his wrath on those who have rejected his truth.

The ANGER OF THE NATIONS, the WRATH OF GOD, and the TIME TO JUDGE THE DEAD, were SEPARATE EVENTS, ONE FOLLOWING THE OTHER.

It is the WRATH OF GOD and the LAMB that causes the destruction or death of the wicked.

The remnant in the TIME OF TROUBLE will cry, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME?”

A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE.

Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the VOICE OF GOD.

Then the 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the GLORY OF GOD.

The Millennium

Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters–thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting. I asked who this company were. The angel said,”these are they who have once kept the SABBATH and have given it up.” I heard them cry with a loud voice–“we have believed in thy coming, and taught it with energy.” And while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments and see the writing, and then they would wail aloud. I saw they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet–trodden the SABBATH underfoot, and that is why they were weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Then my attending angel directed me to the city again, where I saw four angels winging their way to the gate of the city, and were just presenting the golden card to the angel at the gate.

Then I saw another angel swiftly flying from the direction of the most excellent glory, and crying with a loud voice to the other angels, and waving something up and down in his hand. I asked my attending angel for an explanation of what I saw. He told me that I could see no more then, but he would shortly show me what those things that I then saw meant.

The marriage of the LAMB was finished. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to JESUS, and the heirs of salvation, and JESUS was to reign as KING OF KINGS, and LORD OF LORDS.

At the VOICE OF GOD the saints will be mighty and terrible as an army with banners; but they will not then execute the judgment written. The execution of the judgment will be at the close of the 1000 years.

The destruction of sinners and new earth

With a holy sadness JESUS comforted and cheered the angels, and informed them that hereafter those whom he should redeem would be with him, and ever dwell with him; and that by his death he should ransom many, and destroy him who had the power of death. And HIS FATHER WOULD GIVE HIM THE KINGDOM, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, and he should possess it forever and ever. Satan and sinners should be destroyed, never more to disturb heaven, or the purified, new earth. JESUS bid the heavenly host be reconciled to the plan that his FATHER accepted, and rejoice that fallen man could be exalted again through his death, to obtain favor with GOD and enjoy heaven.

Then joy, inexpressible joy, filled heaven. And the heavenly host sung a song of praise and adoration. They touched their harps and sung a note higher than they had done before, for the great mercy and condescension of GOD in yielding up his dearly Beloved to die for a race of rebels. Praise and adoration were poured forth for the self-denial and sacrifice of JESUS; that he would consent to leave the bosom of his FATHER, and choose a life of suffering and anguish, and die an ignominious death to give life to others.

CHRIST came to restore to its original loveliness, a world ruined by sin. The work of the fall will be undone. All that was lost in Adam’s transgression will be regained through the sufferings and death of CHRIST. In the new earth there will be no sin nor disease. All blemishes and deformity will be left in the grave, and the body will be restored to its original perfection. We shall wear the spotless image of our Lord, for “he shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.”

After the saints are changed to immortality and caught up together with JESUS, after they receive their harps, their robes, and their crowns, and enter the city, JESUS and the saints sit in judgment. The books are opened–the BOOK OF LIFE and the book of death. The BOOK OF LIFE contains the good deeds of the saints; and the book of death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These books are compared with the STATUTE BOOK, the BIBLE, and according to that men are judged. The saints, in unison with JESUS, pass their judgment upon the wicked dead. “Behold ye,” said the angel, “the saints, in unison with JESUS, sit in judgment, and mete out to the wicked according to the deeds done in the body, and that which they must receive at the execution of the judgment is set off against their names.” This, I saw, was the work of the saints with JESUS through the one thousand years in the HOLY CITY before it descends to the earth. Then at the close of the one thousand years, JESUS, with the angels and all the saints, leaves the HOLY CITY, and while He is descending to the earth with them, the wicked dead are raised, and then the very men that “pierced Him,” being raised, will see Him afar off in all His glory, the angels and saints with Him, and will wail because of Him. They will see the prints of the nails in His hands and in His feet, and where they thrust the spear into His side. The prints of the nails and the spear will then be His glory. It is at the close of the one thousand years that JESUS stands upon the Mount of Olives, and the mount parts asunder and becomes a mighty plain. Those who flee at that time are the wicked, who have just been raised. Then the HOLY CITY comes down and settles on the plain. Satan then imbues the wicked with his spirit. He flatters them that the army in the city is small, and that his army is large, and that they can overcome the saints and take the city.

The saints will have crowns of glory upon their heads, and harps of gold in their hands. They will play upon the golden harp, and sing redeeming love, and make melody unto GOD. Their former trials and suffering in this world will be forgotten and lost amid the glories of the New Earth. And they will ever have the approving smiles of JESUS upon them, and their happiness will be complete. There will be glory, glory all around.

I also agree with you, that the new heavens, and the new earth, (Revelation 21:1. Isaiah 65:17. 2 Peter 3:13.) will not appear, till after the wicked dead are raised, and destroyed, at the end of the 1000 years. I saw that Satan was “loosed out of his prison,” at the end of the 1000 years, just at the time the wicked dead were raised; and that Satan deceived them by making them believe that they could take the holy city from the saints. The wicked all marched up around the “camp of the saints,” with Satan at their head; and when they were ready to make an effort to take the city, the ALMIGHTY breathed from HIS HIGH THRONE, on the city, a breath of devouring fire, which came down on them, and burnt them up, “root and branch.”

I then saw the holy city, and that we should rest in the city, through the 1000 years, and reign as kings and priests unto GOD. Then JESUS will descend upon the Mount of Olives, and the mount will part asunder and become a mighty plain for the PARADISE OF GOD to rest upon. The rest of the earth will not be cleansed until the wicked dead are raised and come up around the city at the end of the 1000 years [ and gather up around the city; for the feet of the wicked will never desecrate the earth made new]. Then fire will come down from GOD out of heaven and devour them, burn them up root and branch. Satan is the root, and his children are the branches. Then the same fire that will devour the wicked will purify the earth. I saw that the feet of the wicked would never desecrate the earth made new. All the immortality we now have is by faith in hope of immortality at the appearing of CHRIST.

Said the angel, Satan is the root, his children are the branches. They are now consumed root and branch. They have died an everlasting death. They will never have a resurrection, and GOD will have a clean universe. I then looked, and saw the fire which had consumed the wicked, burning up the rubbish and purifying the earth. Again I looked and saw the earth purified. There was not a single sign of the curse. The broken up, and uneven surface of the earth now looked like a level, extensive plain. GOD’S entire universe was clean, and the great controversy was forever ended. Every where we looked, every thing the eye rested upon, was beautiful and holy. And all the redeemed host, old and young, great and small, cast their glittering crowns at the feet of their REDEEMER, and prostrated themselves in adoration before him, and worshiped him that liveth forever and ever. The beautiful New Earth, with all its glory, was the eternal inheritance of the saints. The kingdom, and dominion, and greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was then given to the saints of the MOST HIGH who were to possess it forever, even forever and ever.

In the typical service the high priest, having made the atonement for Israel, came forth and blessed the congregation. So CHRIST, at the close of his work as a mediator, will appear, “without sin unto salvation,” [Hebrews 9:28.] to bless his waiting people with eternal life. As the priest, in removing the sins from the sanctuary, confessed them upon the head of the scapegoat, so CHRIST will place all these sins upon Satan, the originator and instigator of sin. The scape goat, bearing the sins of Israel, was sent away “unto a land not inhabited;” [Leviticus 16:22.] so Satan, bearing the guilt of all the sins which he has caused GOD’s people to commit, will be for a thousand years confined to the earth, which will then be desolate, without inhabitant, and he will at last suffer the full penalty of sin, in the fires that shall destroy all the wicked. Thus the great plan of redemption will reach its accomplishment in the final eradication of sin, and the deliverance of all who have been willing to renounce evil.

JESUS was the light of His people–the Light of the world–before He came to earth in the form of humanity. The first gleam of light that pierced the gloom in which sin had wrapped the world, came from CHRIST. And from Him has come every ray of heaven’s brightness that has fallen upon the inhabitants of the earth. In the PLAN OF REDEMPTION CHRIST is the ALPHA AND THE OMEGA–the FIRST AND THE LAST.

“And I saw A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” [Revelation 21:1.] The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin. One reminder alone remains: OUR REDEEMER WILL EVER BEAR THE MARKS OF HIS CRUCIFIXION. Upon his wounded head, his hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought.

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Sanctuary – Part 1 [Timeline]