Telling All of God’s Story OR (Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary)

Introduction

To my amazement, as I was reading a book written by a respected Christian author of another faith, I heard him say that many Christians today are telling only half of God’s story.  They assert that we have all sinned and that Jesus died on the cross for us. Then he said it again, “Many Christians today are only telling half the story.  They are leaving off the “bookends” of God’s story!” What could he possibly mean?

By bookends he meant that many do not include as part of the salvation story, the Creation account nor do they tell of the restoration of Creation at the end.  Is that possible?  Is there more to the story than sin and the cross?  Ever since its inception, Seventh-day Adventists have said there is more to the story. We don’t deny sin and the forgiveness of sin nor do we discount the wonder of the cross. But we do say there is more to the story!

The question before us today is this, “What part of the story is missing and why is it important for the every-day-Christian as he or she face temptations and challenges.”  This is our study for today.  There are three biblical themes that we need to consider:

1.     Jesus, Our Self-Sacrificing Saviour

2.     Jesus, Doesn’t Let Go

3.     Jesus, Makes Our Eternity with Him Secure

 

I.          Jesus, Our Self-Sacrificing Saviour

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29, NIV)

The “Lamb of God” is a clear reference to the Passover lamb found in Ex. 12:13,14.  This is when the angel of death passed over the Israelite homes where the blood of a lamb was placed on the door posts of the home.  This led to the exodus – the freedom from bondage and slavery.  This term becomes a metaphor in the book of Revelation – you know, that book that talks about all those beasts! It is the most frequently used symbol in the book of Revelation.  You get the idea, then, that freedom from every kind of bondage is an important theme of the last book of the Bible.  The lamb is vulnerable to its predators and Jesus chose to become vulnerable to the penalty of our sins – not His!  Note Isa. 53:7

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 its shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.  

II.        Jesus, Doesn’t Let Go

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb. 7:23-25)

As strange as it may seem, Jesus isn’t only portrayed as the lamb that was slain, He is also seen as the “priest” who killed or sacrificed the lamb!  Now that is strange, and no doubt is meant to raise our curiosity! What’s going on here?

The role of the priest in the sanctuary that went with the Israelites in the desert, was to present the sacrifice that was slain on behalf of the sinner. But the priest then acted as an intermediary. The verse we read explains that Jesus, now in heaven, has a permanent priesthood. Not only is this verse telling us that Jesus does not die, it is also telling us we have direct access to God 24/7! He is our intercessor. No sacrifice stands between us and God.  Jesus is both the sacrifice and the priest.  It’s all about Jesus never letting go—as long as we allow him to be our Priest-Intercessor.  We do have a choice!   But it is also about Jesus preparing the kingdom of God.  Forgiveness is possible only through the sacrifice made by Jesus but it part  the ultimate restoration of  Creation that has been distorted by sin throughout history.

III.       Jesus, Makes Our Eternity with Him Secure

Judgement sometimes sounds like a negative word but if it is in your favor, it is a cherished word! It brings with it a sense of security.  It can actually bring a sense of relief.  In the Sanctuary service, the Day of Atonement was such a time. It was a solemn event as any time of judgment is. It only makes sense that after a sacrifice has been made that a review is made to see if the liberation provided has been accepted. This kind of judgment, of course, takes place before Jesus comes. It would make no sense for this judgement to take place after everyone has already been taken to heaven.  This is why we refer to this judgment as the Pre-Advent Judgment or the judgement that is determined at the time just before Jesus comes—Daniel refers to this as the “culmination of the ages.”

“But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Heb. 8:26b-28)

Note Dan. 9:24 in this context:

“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.”

This judgment/Day of Atonement is critical. It is a solemn and critical time for each person.  It is critical for the future of the universe.  The decisions made impact the whole universe of God.

Through a careful study Daniel 8 and Dan. 9, Seventh-day Adventists believe that the Day of Atonement, this phase of Christ’s ministry, began in 1844. It is one of the clearest signs that Jesus is about to come. Using the sanctuary service motif, Daniel pointes to the assurance of what Christ has done for us in the Holy Place or Part of the sanctuary.  He is now serving as our priest to the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary. Indeed, the final phase of the restoration of the Creation talked about earlier is now underway! The first angel’s message of Revelation 14 is clearly a call to action:

“He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Rev. 14:7)

In Summary

The news is good!  The same Jesus that sacrificed Himself for us, that intercedes for us is now making provision, so nothing will ever break-up our relationship with Him again. Security comes at a cost – for Jesus, He gave Himself as the “Lamb of God.”  For us, it means surrender of self and aligning ourselves with the principles of God kingdom. 

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev. 21:2-5)

So, there we have it, the full story of God in brief, bookends and all!

1.     Earth and people restored to the purpose of Creation

2.     The sin problem judged and called for what it is.

3.     The character of God is upheld in the sacrifice that Jesus made.

4.     God’s people have willingly, against all odds, surrendered themselves to be remade into His image.

And the universe exclaims,

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.” – EG White, The Great Controversy, pp. 299-300.