As I have taught children for most of the years I have been in the church, this form of teaching is very appealing to me. I realize, though, that there is so much more to understand. As we are now living in what is surely very close to the time when the Sanctuary service, as we know it, will be closed, because there will be no more need for it, we are told many times how important is the part we are to play in these closing issues. But, if I don't know and understand my part how can I do it?

In Psalm 77:13, we read, "Thy way, O God is in the Sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

In Jn.14:1-3 Jesus has just told His disciples where He is going, and that he wants them (and us) with Him so much that He is going to prepare a place. Then, in v.4, He tells them that they "know the way." Thomas asks, "how can we know the way?"

And in v.6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

It seems so often this very important subject is presented in such a complicated way that we as "God's children," have great difficulty in our understanding it. By looking at it as the "sandbox illustration" which was given to the literal Children of Israel, and to us as spiritual Israel, I wonder if it can be made more clear?

[ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: Dora ]

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Originally posted by Dora:

It seems so often this very important subject is presented in such a complicated way that we as "God's children," have great difficulty in our understanding it. By looking at it as the "sandbox illustration" which was given to the literal Children of Israel, and to us as spiritual Israel, I wonder if it can be made more clear?

[ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: Dora ]

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Dora what you wrote above is so right. It has been presented in such a complicated way sometimes that it is hard for some of us to understand. We are studying Daniel and Revelation every Sabbath afternoon at church. We are on Chapter 8 in Daniel and the last two weeks the person giving the class has been using the felts from Kindergarten to go through the sanctuary service. We have all been blessed by this study. I am looking forward to your study here about this most important subject. Thank you for starting it.

What does it mean, for Christ to be "our High Priest?" "The entire earthly service of the sinner bringing a lamb as a sin offering was again a great kindergarden lesson, making the way of salvation so simple that none could fail to comprehend it. when we remember that we have sinned, we remember our "lamb," confess our sins, and in His name they are forgiven; THEN He offociates as High Priest in our behalf before the Father.......Even the infinite love of the Father for His Son was increased by that act, (of laying down His life for us.)" From the Cross and its Shadow, Stephen Haskell

How humbling to think that jesus was MY forerunner! YOUR forerunner! we are told that when He entered heaven, a mighty Conqueror over death and the grave, before the entire heavenly host and representatives of other worlds, He entered a forerunner for US! He presented the "wave sheaf," those brought forth from their graves at the time of His resurrection, as a SAMPLE of the race He had died to redeem. And, Jesus directed the attention of all the hosts of heaven and other worlds down the road from where He had come...to watch ---for Royalty!! YES, royalty made so by His precious blood. Rev.1:6, 5:10 Poor, frail mortals, stumbling and often falling by the way; but when we reach the heavenly gate, we will enter as "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ"Rom.8:17

When we are tempted by Satan to doubt God's love and care, remember that because of the great sacrifice made, you are so dear to the Father that "he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye." Zech.2:8 Heaven and earth are closely united since Christ entered within the veil as our Forerunner. The attention of every angel in glory is centered upon those striving to follow in Christ's footsteps.1Pet.2:21

Absolutely amazing!! The heavenly host are watching for US to come over the same road that our Forerunner passed as a mighty conquerer over death and the grave!!

But, we cannot follow in His footsteps in our own strength, and for this reason, "in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God,to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."Heb.2:17,18; 3:1

While I appreciate that spiritual things are spiritually discerned, I don't believe God gave us these symbols with optional meanings. And some of what I've read here and elsewhere gives me an exceedingly uncomfortable feeling, because it isn't backed up with scripture.

You asked: "What does it mean for Jesus to be our High Priest?"

I would be interested to hear from participants in this topic, what, if anything, the following Scripture might have to do with this question, or in general, with the topic of the sanctuary we are discussing here:

1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I wonder if this is speaking of US as priests, called to minister to others, and for others.

You mentioned 1Cor.3:16,17. "We are the temple of
God..If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy." that brings to mind the story in Lev.10:1- of Nadab and Abihu. They were
priests, they defiled the temple of God, and they were destroyed. If the Holy Spirit is really living in us, THAT is what makes us His temple. These young men were openly rebellious, doubtless this wasn't the first time, God already knew that their MINDS were settled to do their own way, disregarding God. The "Shekinah glory" had left their temple, because they had rejected Him.
Does that make any sense to you?

I'm not sure but that many things in the Bible have more than one meaning, but, yes, we do need scripture to cause it to be seen to fit in. (Not US fitting it in, but, the Holy Spirit.) I probably have not made a bit of sense to you on this, forgive me. It isn't easy! How I wish we could sit down together, open the Bible and talk!
But, at noon, I was able to share all this with FT, and, he said, "yes, he understood what we have studied so far." and, he wanted to know more!! I thought that was wonderful, for it is the most he has ever tried to understand the sanctuary! And, you were a help, because of your questions! Isn't that great??

Each element has a specific identification in the Bible. But once you get through the baseline information the process portion takes over. The sanctuary system covers every aspect of the plan of salvation and it goes into more detail than we can grasp on earth. For eternity we can study the sanctuary service, and like the Bible it will eternally give us more and more understanding of God and His love for us.

So as questions are asked then we can go as deep as we need to understand the things of God.

I guess I'm giving you some honest feedback. If you can't demonstrate to me - a pseudo Adventist -the truths, how do you tell someone who is not in sympathy with Adventists? I'm not intentionally being difficult here. I've heard all the sermons, too. But if I see one thing, and you see something contrary - and I mean contrary - isn't there a problem? I've heard some things used to support opposing opinions on this forum. Surely if there is substance, then, like the sacrificial lamb representing Jesus, there will be irrefutable relationships that are clearly understood, and have scriptural support.

I understand that I should study this out for myself.