The Efficacy of His Priestly Ministry . . . OR . . . How to Have Hope When You Feel Hopeless

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope
June 21, 2008
Larry R Evans

Quiz for Reflection

[To get the most from the quiz read the passages in brackets and look for a thread of thought which may give more depth and understanding to the question being asked.]

1. The sanctuary service teaches just how complicated the plan of salvation really is. [Heb 8:1; Dan 12:1; Mt 24:3,21] True or False?

2. When it comes to the biblical meaning of the sanctuary it is clear that the emphasis is on judgment. [Ex 25:8; Matt 1:22,23; Lk 4:17-19; Heb 9:11-15] True or False?

3. Jesus connected His own ministry to the sanctuary service. [Ex 25:30; Jn 6:47, 48; Mt 26:26; Ex 25:37; Rev 1:20; Jn 8:12] True or False?

4. When John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God he did so to describe the kingly power of the Anointed One. [Jn 1:29; Isa 53:7; Rev 12:10-12] True or False?

5. Christ’s intercession in Heaven can be summarized in one word: “Forgiveness.” [Heb 2:17, 18; 7:25; 8:3-10; 10:11-13] True or False?

6. Regardless of our past we can approach God’s throne with confidence. [Heb 4:14-165; 4:9-11; Titus 3:3-8] True or False?

7. The subject of the sanctuary was more relevant during the time of Moses than now. [Heb 10:19-25] True or False?

Reflective Review

The sanctuary message is filled with hope and encouragement. When understood it brings new meaning to such passages as Psalm 20:1,2

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. (NIV)

The psalmist understood the sanctuary as the place of protection, a place from which help is sent to those in need. Is it any wonder that when Daniel faced trials he not only prayed three times a day? He also opened his windows and prayed towards Jerusalem (Zion) where the sanctuary was located! (Dan. 6:10) The ministry represented by the sanctuary in old Jerusalem corresponds with the activities of the risen Christ. No matter who we are or where we’ve been spiritually there is hope for us. Jesus came as the sacrificial Lamb of God. The good news now is that the ancient sanctuary services are fulfilled in the present interceding ministry of Jesus. Instead of ritualistic formulas we now have God’s character inscribed on our hearts. Understanding the sanctuary service from a Christian perspective brings with it gratitude to God and from gratitude flow loyalty and faithfulness to the One who set us free! We now can live within the presence of God. What Moses sought to go before him we now have access made possible through the intercession of Jesus. “Now” is the pivotal word because it underscores the transition from symbolic representation to the high priestly ministry of Jesus in our behalf. It signifies in much better ways than any signs of “wars and rumors of war” the grand climax of salvation history. Jesus in the sanctuary is the greatest assurance and sign that the end of sin and its effects will soon no longer plague the world. Certainly we can rejoice because the sanctuary message underscores the nearness of Christ’s coming for us! Listen carefully . . . in anticipation can you hear the singing?

Rev 19:6-8

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:


"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (NIV)

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