Dear Reader, I pray this first issue of my monthly article, finds you well.
2024 has gone into the history books and 2025 has started like any other year (except perhaps the pandemic year or any other previously difficult year). At this time early in the New Year it is customary for people to make resolutions. Resolution is a word which comes from ‘resolve’ where a person or group of people decide to embark on an idea or pursue a new goal or vision. Some common resolutions people embrace include:
- Becoming more active in church
- Growing closer to God
- Doing a new course of study
- Launching a new business idea
- Buying a house or car
- Going travelling to a new country or continent
- Embracing a new look or lifestyle
As a rule, there is nothing wrong with these ideas if that is God’s will for your life. As Proverbs 14:12 reminds us: "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death." Be sure that you are walking in God’s will as you pursue these goals.
Introduction
Going forward these articles will have a monthly theme. The articles will mostly be theological in nature, because we think theologically whether we realise it or not. Thinking theologically means directing our thoughts toward God (from the Greek word Theo). This introduction serves as a preface to my perspective and the direction I intend to take with these articles. (For further reading, consider Thinking Theologically, edited by Eric D. Barreto)
This month’s theme is ‘God’s Church'. This is a vast topic, but I will narrow it down specifically to the Seventh-day Adventist Church (hereafter referred to as ‘our church’ or ‘the church’), exploring its teachings, doctrines and lifestyle.
Our church faces challenges and attacks from both within and outside its walls. While opposition from outside is to be expected, attacks from within by members are an entirely different ball game. To clarify, this is not a game, so my choice of words may be less than ideal. Perhaps one could say, "for lack of a better expression."
Our church teaches that there is a Sanctuary in Heaven. Unfortunately, many do not believe or accept this teaching. Therefore, I will address it right from the beginning.
Exodus 25:8 reads
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
God spoke to Moses in this dialogue in Exodus 25:40
And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
So, God showed Moses a blueprint/drawing of what the Sanctuary on earth should look like. However, it could be argued that it’s a leap of logic to think or assume the pattern shown to Moses in the mount is a drawing of the heavenly Sanctuary.
However, Hebrews 9 gives some clarity on the subject. Verses 1- 6 reads
1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
These verses clearly give a description of the earthly sanctuary. Then verses 22-26 reads
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:23 clearly points to the earthly sanctuary as a pattern of the heavenly Sanctuary, affirming the idea of its existence. Verse 24 further clarifies this by stating that Christ has entered Heaven itself to now appear in the presence of God on our behalf. When we read Exodus 25:8 and 40 and Hebrews 9:23-24 together in context it is abundantly clear there is a heavenly Sanctuary.
Hosea 4:6 reads,
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
God’s people have been given His counsel we should the we should therefore study them diligently and know God’s Word for ourselves.
God bless you as you search the scriptures.
Pastor Michael Salmon
