Lesson 8.Light from the Sanctuary
Light and Redemption from the Sanctuary: Jesus’ Intercession and Perfection

In Lesson 8, we delve deeper into the understanding of the sanctuary, a central theme in biblical theology. The sanctuary served as a place of God’s presence and as the center for divine service and worship. It reveals important aspects of the divine character and His plan of redemption for humanity.

In this lesson, we will particularly focus on the significance of Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. We will examine how His sacrifice on the cross and His intercession in the heavenly sanctuary are connected and why this is crucial for our faith. Furthermore, we will consider the role of judgment in the plan of redemption and how our daily lives and faith are connected to this sublime concept.

Let us delve into the rich teaching of the sanctuary and discover how it helps us experience and reflect God’s love, mercy, and justice in our lives.

8.1 The Heavenly Sanctuary
Assurance of Redemption through Christ

Read Exodus 25:8–9, 40 and Hebrews 8:1–6. What two sanctuaries are described in these verses?

The distinction between the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries is crucial as it forms the foundation of Christian faith and Adventist doctrine concerning end-time events. The Holy Scriptures describe the earthly sanctuary, built by Moses according to God’s instructions, as a pattern or foreshadowing of the heavenly sanctuary. This earthly sanctuary and its ceremonies prophetically pointed to redemption through Jesus Christ, who offered the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

The fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 in 1844 marks a crucial turning point in prophetic chronology and points to the heavenly sanctuary as the place of end-time cleansing and heavenly judgment. Jesus Christ is portrayed as our High Priest who ministers in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf, securing our redemption and protection from the power of sin.

The assurance of redemption through Christ and liberation from the bondage of sin are cornerstones of the Christian faith. Through His sacrifice on the cross and His ongoing intercession in the heavenly sanctuary, Jesus offers us the opportunity to be free from guilt and condemnation and to live in communion with God. These truths encourage us to hold fast to faith and embrace the hope of the perfect work of redemption realized in Christ.

What does it mean for you to know that Jesus ministers for you in heaven, that is, that He intercedes for you there? Why do you need a mediator? Why is this truth good news?

The certainty that Jesus ministers for us in heaven is a source of hope and comfort. It means that we are not alone, that we have a mighty advocate who intercedes for us and represents our concerns before God. This is particularly significant because as humans, we often fail, make mistakes, and succumb to temptation. In such moments, we need someone to advocate for us, someone who knows our weaknesses and stands up for our salvation.

The need for a mediator stems from our imperfection and sinfulness. As sinners, we cannot stand directly before a holy God. Our sins separate us from Him. A mediator, like Jesus Christ, who was without sin, stands in our place to bridge this gap. Through His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, He bore the penalty for our sins and enables us to be justified before God.

This truth is good news because it gives us hope. It means that our past does not determine our destiny. Through Jesus, we have the opportunity to be reconciled with God and lead a new life. We can confess our sins, repent, and through faith in Christ, receive forgiveness and healing. It is an encouragement to know that our relationship with God is not based on our own merits but on His grace and love expressed through Jesus Christ.

The truth about Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and His role as our mediator has direct implications for our daily lives and our faith.

Firstly, it gives us hope and comfort in difficult times. When faced with challenges, temptations, or feelings of guilt, we can remember that Jesus intercedes for us and represents our concerns before God. We do not have to struggle alone or feel alone but can rely on Jesus being with us and supporting us through His intercession.

Secondly, this truth reminds us that we can confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. Since Jesus intercedes for us, we have the opportunity to approach God with a clean heart and receive His forgiveness. We do not have to be burdened by guilt and condemnation but can experience the freedom and healing offered through forgiveness in Christ.

Thirdly, this truth strengthens our faith and our assurance of redemption. By understanding that Jesus ministers for us in the heavenly sanctuary, we recognize the depth of His love and dedication to us. This strengthens our faith in His ability to save us and keep us in His grace, giving us the assurance that we are loved and accepted, regardless of our circumstances or mistakes.

Overall, the knowledge of Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary encourages us to strengthen our faith, confess our sins, and rely on His infinite grace and love as we journey through life.

The certainty that Jesus ministers for us in heaven gives us hope in our weaknesses and comfort in our trials.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-8-light-from-the-sanctuary-8-1-the-heavenly-sanctuary/

Series THE GREAT CONTROVERSY with Pastor Mark Finley  |

Lesson 8.Light from the Sanctuary  |
Light and Redemption from the Sanctuary: Jesus’ Intercession and Perfection |

In Lesson 8, we delve deep into the significance of the heavenly sanctuary, a central theme of the Christian faith. We explore the role of Jesus as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, his intercession for us before God, and the significance of his sacrifice on the cross for our redemption. This lesson illuminates the inseparable connection between God’s law and the Gospel, as well as Jesus’ invitation to follow him on the path of redemption and perfection. Let us immerse ourselves in the light emanating from the sanctuary, granting us hope, forgiveness, and strength.

Memory Text: hebrew 8:1.2 – “We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.”

Content:
8.1 The Heavenly Sanctuary
Assurance of Redemption through Christ

The two sanctuaries described in the mentioned Bible passages are the earthly sanctuary built by Moses and the heavenly sanctuary. The earthly sanctuary served as a model or “type” for the heavenly sanctuary to which it pointed. With Christ’s sacrifice, the earthly sanctuary lost its significance, and the heavenly sanctuary of the new covenant came into focus.

The earthly sanctuary and the worship services therein were precursors to the divine plan of redemption, with each sacrifice pointing to Golgotha. Jesus Christ is depicted as the sacrificial lamb and eternal High Priest who lives for us and intercedes for us forever.

Through Christ, we are freed from the guilt and power of sin. His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary works for us by freeing our lives from sin and granting us assurance of redemption when we hold fast to faith in him.

8.2 In the Holy of Holies
The Day of Atonement: Repentance, Cleansing, and Christ’s Representation

The Day of Atonement was of crucial importance for ancient Israel, as it represented a time of repentance and cleansing where the people confessed their sins before God and humbled themselves. On this day, the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place with a blood sacrifice before God to cleanse the sanctuary and the people from sin. The scapegoat symbolized God’s assumption of sins as it was removed from the camp. These actions illustrated the cleansing of the people and the sanctuary from sin and guilt.

In the heavenly sanctuary, Christ serves as our representative, justifying us through his sacrifice and representing us before God. Our participation in his righteousness means turning away from sin and leading a life of holiness by humbling ourselves and growing in grace. Thus, we endure divine judgment through Jesus and have assurance of our redemption.

8.3 The Judgment Has Come
The Inevitable Judgment: Prepared through Christ

The Bible clearly speaks of the impending judgment, mentioned in Daniel 7:9–10 and Revelation 14:6–7, among other passages. It is an inevitable event where God reveals all the works of humanity and demands accountability. Jesus emphasized the importance and inevitability of this judgment. When Christ returns, the final destiny of each person is determined, and there is no second chance. The different treatment of believers in Matthew 25:1–13 underscores the importance of personal faith and readiness to follow Christ. Ultimately, we need not fear judgment, for through Christ, we have forgiveness, freedom from guilt, and ultimate victory.

8.4 The Good News from the Most Holy Place
Redemption in the Most Holy Place: Invitation to Forgiveness and Obedience

The verses in Hebrews 4:14–16 and 10:19–22 convey powerful assurance and divine invitation. We are encouraged to come boldly to our great High Priest Jesus, who has saved us and now meets us with compassion and grace. The blood of Jesus paves the way for our reconciliation with God, and his mercy surpasses his justice. The vision in Revelation 11:19 emphasizes the importance of the heavenly sanctuary in the Great Controversy and demonstrates the inseparable connection between God’s law and the Gospel. In the sanctuary, we find forgiveness for our sins and the power to lead an obedient life, as Jesus writes the law in our hearts and saves us completely.

8.5 Jesus, Our Advocate in the Judgment
The Immeasurable Grace: Jesus’ Intercession and Perfection

Hebrews 10:9–14 highlights the crucial difference between the priest’s service in the earthly sanctuary and Jesus’ service in the heavenly sanctuary. While the sacrifices of earthly priests were temporary and could not completely remove sin, Christ, with his unique sacrifice on the cross, brought eternal redemption and then entered as our advocate in the heavenly sanctuary. His invitation to follow him is a call to participate in his perfect sacrifice and mediation for us before God. Through Jesus, we can understand the true meaning of redemption and receive the power of his intercession in the heavenly sanctuary to withstand the Great Controversy against evil.

8.6 Summary
The Sanctuary: Center of Redemption and Intercession

In Lesson 8, “Light from the Sanctuary,” important aspects of the heavenly sanctuary and its significance for Christian redemption are illuminated. Through passages like Hebrews 4:14–16 and 10:9–14, it is shown that Christ serves as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary and offers us redemption and intercession before God. His unique sacrifice on the cross allowed for the removal of sin and opened the way to forgiveness and perfection. The inseparable connection between God’s law and the Gospel is also emphasized, and Jesus invites us to follow him in the midst of the Great Controversy, accepting his path of redemption and intercession.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-lesson-8-light-from-the-sanctuary-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/