FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE #10THE CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY

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HIRAM EDSON

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“After breakfast I said to one of my brethren, ‘Let us go and see and encourage some of our brn.’ We started, and while passing through a large field I was stopped about midway of the field. Heaven seemed open to my view,

and I saw distinctly and clearly that instead of our High Priest coming out of the Most Holy of the heavenly

sanctuary to come to this earth on the tenth day of the seventh month, at the end of the 2300 days, that He for the first time entered on that day the Second Apartment of that sanctuary; and that He had a work to perform in

the Most Holy before coming to this earth.” (Hiram Edson, MS, Experience in the Advent Movement, p. 9)

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“In studying this part of the atonement [the final or second phase], we are entering a field that is distinctly Adventist, and in

which we differ from all other denominations. This is our unique

contribution to religion and theology, that which ‘has made us a separate people, and

has given character and power to our work.’ Counsels to Editors and Writers, p. 54” (M. L.

Andreasen, Letters to the Churches, p. 62).

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That the sanctuary of the new covenant is the

tabernacle of God in Heaven, of which Paul speaks in

Hebrews 8, and onward, of which our Lord as great High

Priest, is minister;

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that this sanctuary is the antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle,

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and that the priestly work of our Lord,

connected therewith is the antitype of the work of the Jewish priests of

the former dispensation. Hebrews 8:1–5, &c.;

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that this is the sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days, what is termed its cleansing being in this case, as in the

type, simply the entrance of the high priest into the most holy place, to finish

the round of service connected therewith, by blotting out and removing from the

sanctuary the sins which had been transferred to it by means of the

ministration in the first apartment, Hebrews 9:22, 23;

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and that this work, in the antitype, commencing in 1844, occupies a brief but

indefinite space, at the conclusion of which the work of mercy for the

world is finished.

FIVE “THATS”

• The sanctuary is in heaven.

• It is the antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle.

• Christ’s priestly work is antitype of the Jewish priests.

• This is the sanctuary to be cleansed, and the cleansing is the blotting out and the removal of sin.

• This cleansing commenced in 1844 and at the conclusion of this work, mercy for the world is finished.

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• The Advent believers first determined there is an earthly sanctuary and a heavenly sanctuary. (Hebrews 9:1—first covenant; Hebrews 8:1–6—new [better] covenant)

• They then determined the sanctuary of Daniel 8:14 is the one in heaven because its treading down and cleansing occurs after the crucifixion. The year/day principle for the 2300 days places the cleansing well into the Christian era (Crosier); also Hebrews 8:1–5.

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FIVE “THATS”

• The sanctuary is in heaven.

• It is the antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle.

• Christ’s priestly work is antitype of the Jewish priests.

• This is the sanctuary to be cleansed, and the cleansing is the blotting out and the removal of sin.

• This cleansing commenced in 1844, and at the conclusion of this work mercy for the world is finished.

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•The sanctuary is the antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle—Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:24.

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FIVE “THATS”

• The sanctuary is in heaven.

• It is the antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle.

• Christ’s priestly work is antitype of the Jewish priests.

• This is the sanctuary to be cleansed, and the cleansing is the blotting out and the removal of sin.

• This cleansing commenced in 1844, and at the conclusion of this work mercy for the world is finished.

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• Christ’s priestly work is antitype of Jewish priests—Hebrews 2:17; 8:2.

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FIVE “THATS”

• The sanctuary is in heaven.

• It is the antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle.

• Christ’s priestly work is antitype of the Jewish priests.

• This is the sanctuary to be cleansed, and the cleansing is the blotting out and the removal of sin.

• This cleansing commenced in 1844, and at the conclusion of this work mercy for the world is finished.

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• Cleansing is blotting out and removing from the sanctuary the sins which had been transferred to it—Lev. 16:21; Hebrews 9:22, 23.

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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. (PP 357.6)

• This work of cleansing commenced in 1844 and at its conclusion, the work of mercy for the world is finished.—Daniel 8:14; Rev. 22:12

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1. There is a sanctuary in heaven, where Christ ministers and makes available the benefits of his atoning sacrifice.

2. At his ascension he began his intercessory ministry.

3. In 1844 he entered the second and last phase of his atoning ministry, the work of the investigative judgment.

4. The completion of this work marks the close of probation.

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• Sanctuary is in heaven

• Antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle

• Christ’s priestly work is antitype of Jewish priests.

• Cleansing is blotting out and removing from the sanctuary the sins which had been transferred to it.

• This work of cleansing commenced in 1844 and at its conclusion, the work of mercy for the world is finished.

1872 2015• There is a sanctuary in

heaven, where Christ ministers and makes available the benefits of his atoning sacrifice.

• At his ascension he began his intercessory ministry.

• In 1844 he entered the second and last phase of his atoning ministry, the work of the investigative judgment.

• The completion of this work marks the close of probation.

•Makes available the benefits of his atoning sacrifice—QOD

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• “When, therefore, one hears an Adventist say, or reads in Adventist literature—even in the writings of Ellen G. White—that Christ is making atonement now, it should be understood that we mean simply that Christ is now making application of the benefits of the sacrificial atonement He made on the cross; that He is making it efficacious for us individually, according to our needs and requests. Mrs. White herself, as far back as 1857, clearly explained what she means when she writes of Christ’s making atonement for us in His ministry:

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• The great Sacrifice had been offered and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit which descended on the day of Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly, where Jesus had entered by His own blood, to shed upon His disciples the benefits of His atonement. (EW 260)

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Atonement of forgiveness (Leviticus 4:20)

Atonement of cleansing (Leviticus 16:30)

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Perfect, complete atonement on the cross—forgiveness, justification (Leviticus 4:20)

The final atonement—the blotting out or cleansing of the record of our sins, and the cleansing of our lives from sin (Leviticus 16:30; Revelation 20:12; Daniel 7:9, 10; Revelation 14:7)

HOLY PLACE

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• The great Sacrifice had been offered and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit which descended on the day of Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly, where Jesus had entered by His own blood, to shed upon His disciples the benefits of His atonement. (EW 260)

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When Christ, the Mediator, burst the bands of the tomb, and ascended on high to

minister for man, He first entered the holy place where, by virtue of His own sacrifice,

He made an offering for the sins of men. With intercession and pleadings He

presented before God the prayers and repentance and faith of His people, purified

by the incense of His own merits. (10MR 157)

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A daily and yearly typical atonement is no longer to be made, but the atoning

sacrifice through a mediator is essential because of the constant commission of sin. Jesus is officiating in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood, as it had been a lamb slain. Jesus presents the oblation

offered for every offense and every shortcoming of the sinner. (1SM 343)

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He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this

censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness.

Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ’s propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned. (1SM 344)

MOST HOLY PLACE

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In harmony with the typical service, he began his ministration in the holy place, and at the termination of the

prophetic days in 1844, as foretold by Daniel the prophet, he entered the most holy to perform the last division of his

solemn work,—to cleanse the sanctuary. (4SP 265.2)

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“The serious student of the atonement is likely to be perplexed when he consults the Spirit of

Prophecy to find two sets of apparently contradictory statements in regard to the atonement.

He will find that when Christ ‘offered Himself on the cross, a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the people.’ Signs of the Times, June 28, 1899. He will find that the Father bowed before the cross ‘in

recognition of its perfection. “It is enough,” He said, “the atonement is complete.”’ Review and Herald,

September 24, 1901.” (Andreasen, Ibid., p. 58)

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“The first set of statements says that the atonement was made on the cross; the other says that the final atonement was made 1800 years later. I have found

seven statements that the atonement was on the cross; I have twenty-two statements that the final

atonement was made in heaven. Both of these figures are doubtless incomplete; for there may be

others that have escaped my attention. It is evident, however, that I may not accept one set of statements

and reject the other if I wish to arrive at truth.” (Ibid.)

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But in Great Controversy he will find this: ‘At the conclusion of the 2300 days, in 1844, Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, to perform

the closing work of the atonement.’ p. 422. In Patriarchs and Prophets p. 357, I read that sins will

‘stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement.’ (in 1844) Page 358 states that in ‘the final

atonement the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted from the records of heaven.’ Early Writings, p.

253, says that ‘Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8, to

make the final atonement.’” (Ibid.)

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That is the tremendous scope of the sacrificial act of the cross a complete, perfect, and final

atonement for man’s sin. (LeRoy Froom, “The Priestly Application of

the Atoning Act,” Ministry, February 1957

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“This was in distinct contradiction to Mrs. White’s pronouncement that the final atonement began in 1844. I thought that this might be a misprint, and

wrote to Washington calling attention to the matter, but found it was not a misprint but an

official and approved statement. If we still hold the Spirit of Prophecy as of authority, we therefore have two contradictory beliefs: the final atonement was made at the cross; the final atonement began

in 1844.” (Andreasen, Ibid., p. 58)

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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. (PP 357)

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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. (PP 357)

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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. (PP 358)

DANIEL 8:14

Finishing of the work of atonement—Daniel 7: 9, 10; Revelation 14:7—a cleansing of the records AND

The preparation of a people to abide in the day of his coming—a cleansing of sin from the person

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Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. (GC 623; first published 1851)

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Ephesians 5:25, 26—Christ died for our sanctification and our cleansing

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Now Christ is in the heavenly sanctuary. And what is He doing? Making atonement for us, cleansing the sanctuary from the sins of the people. Then we must enter by faith into the sanctuary with Him, we must commence the work in the sanctuary of our souls. We are to

cleanse ourselves from all defilement. We must “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the

fear of God.” (1888 Materials 127)

MINISTRY IN THE HOLY PLACE

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A daily and yearly typical atonement is no longer to be made, but the atoning

sacrifice through a mediator is essential because of the constant commission of sin. Jesus is officiating in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood, as it had been a lamb slain. Jesus presents the oblation

offered for every offense and every shortcoming of the sinner. (1SM 343)

MINISTRY IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE

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He next entered the Most Holy Place, to make an atonement for the sins of

the people, and to cleanse the sanctuary. His work as high priest

completes the divine plan of redemption by making the final atonement for sin. (10MR 157)

• Ellen White speaks of the sacrifice of the cross, the sacrifice of Christ, the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the offering on Calvary’s cross, the offering of Christ, and of the atonement on the cross.

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On the cross of Christ the Saviour made an atonement for the fallen race. Holiness is the fruit of this sacrifice. It is because He has died for us that we

are promised this great gift. And Christ longs to bestow this gift on us. He longs to make us partakers of His

nature.—The Signs of the Times, December 17, 1902. (YRP 96)

• Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. (GC 613)

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