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?
Introductory Reflections
It happened when I was serving as a conference president. I had read it many times but this time the real impact of the powerful request of Moses registered with me. God had told Moses to “Lead these people.” Feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility resting on his shoulders, Moses entered into an insightful dialogue with the One who had commissioned him to do what seemed impossible. Moses felt he needed more help—a lot more help, and then . . .
14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." (Ex 33:14-17--NIV)
A few chapters before God had instructed Moses how to build a sanctuary so that He might dwell among His people. (Ex 25:8) God’s presence was the all consuming plea by one of the greatest leaders recorded in the Bible. From the sanctuary service Moses grasped anew the overwhelming desire of God to be near to His people, to comfort them in their distress, to protect them from the evil that surrounded them and that wished to do them harm. The message of the sanctuary brought the immanence of God to the reality of daily life. The way was not easy. Life doesn’t always treat us nicely but Moses learned that he did not have to face it alone. He was reminded by the services of the sanctuary that God was with them. Despite the challenges from without and from within, God had not abandoned the people He had called. The carefully crafted services of the sanctuary were not meant to be remembered as rituals but as insights into the will and plans of a God who cares and who is deeply involved with His people at every level of their lives. Are we joyful?—the sanctuary reinforces our joy; are we distressed?—the sanctuary message comforts; are we fearful—the sanctuary provides protection. (Ps 20:1,2) Wherever we turn the sanctuary of God teaches us that He has anticipated our needs—physical, emotional and spiritual. We can have confidence and assurance when faced by any circumstance because we have a Savior who understands (Heb 4:15) and who is seated “at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.” (Heb 8:1) As one author put, “God is more interested in changing our thinking than in changing our circumstances.”(Mark Buchanan in The Sabbath Rest) Circumstances too will be changed. That is part of the plan coming to us from the sanctuary. But for now, it is our thinking, our perspectives about God and life,that need fixin’. For me that is a primary, if not “the” message coming to us from the sanctuary.
Reflective Study
1. The sanctuary service teaches just how complicated the plan of salvation really is. [Heb 8:1; Dan 12:1; Mt 24:3,21] False
It is meant to simplify. The sanctuary service is a gold mine of insights into God’s plans for us and what is necessary for all of this to come about. While it is rich in details and insights it is meant to make salvation understandable and simple. The “good news” is that Jesus is now seated on His throne in heaven. His intercession is for all—including the spiritually rebellious. He didn’t just die for the “righteous” but for everyone (Jn 3:16; Rom 5:6) so He is interceding for all. He has sent the Holy Spirit to work upon the hearts of all. However, the time will come, the Bible says, when He will no longer be seated, “he will arise.”
Dan 12:1-2
12:1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. (NIV)
“When judgment is pronounced, Christ’s mediation ceases and God’s Spirit is withdrawn from men, then all the pent-up powers of darkness descend with indescribable fury upon the world.” SDA BC vol.4, p.878
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] False
The message of the sanctuary is that God has an overwhelming desire to save His people. Judgment is certainly there but it is in the context of saving all who are willing to be saved. The sanctuary clearly teaches that no one will be excluded from salvation except by their own choosing. God has demonstrated He is on our side. The accusations against us are not being initiated by Him. (Job 1:6-11) but efforts to save us are. (Heb 9:11-14)
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
Jesus was the fulfillment of the sanctuary services so it would be expected that He would link Himself to the sanctuary. He does with images used in the sanctuary. Consider the following:
Ex 25:30
30 Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times. (NIV)
John 6:46-51
47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (NIV)
Ex 25:37
37 "Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. (NIV)
AND
John 8:12
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)
Well known to the Jews listening to John’s introduction of Jesus was the sacrificial system. Beginning with Abraham God provided the sacrifice. Later families brought a lamb as a sin offering but that lamb represented the ultimate sacrifice God would provide—His own son. Jesus was presented as the Suffering Servant although rightfully He should have been given a welcome designed for royalty. Isaiah reminds us that Jesus came on a very specific mission.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (NIV)
Heb 2:17-18
17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)
. . . because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (NIV)
Because Jesus “is an everlasting priest, and has offered the only available sacrifice, he is able to save, from the power, guilt, nature, and punishment of sin, to the uttermost,. . . ” (Adam Clark’s Commentary – Heb 7:25) We must never forget that as important as forgiving our individual sins are concerned, unless the overall problem of sin is dealt with there is no security in our personal forgiveness.
6. Regardless of our past we can approach God’s throne with confidence. [Heb 4:14-16; 4:9-11; Titus 3:3-8] True
Sin is a terrible thing. It separates us from God. (Isa 59:2). It robs us of our identity. It overwhelms us with guilt.(Rom. 7:14-20 ) It renders us hopeless, helpless and ultimately homeless. This does not take God by surprise. He speaks to us with the full assurance because Jesus is the high priest in the sanctuary in Heaven.
Heb 4:15-16
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)
7. The subject of the sanctuary was more relevant during the time of Moses than now. [Heb 10:19-25] False
Absolutely not! The rich symbolism of the sanctuary has found its fulfillment in Jesus. His intercession is active. We are desperately in need and the resources for our salvation are not only promised; they are being fulfilled.
Heb 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)
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. The Presence of God which Moses sought to have 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:
For our Lord God Almighty reigns!
7 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.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (NIV)
Comments