There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross at His ascension. His priestly work includes the application of the merits of His sacrifice, forgiveness of sin, and restoration of fellowship with God.
The heavenly sanctuary was foreshadowed by the earthly sanctuary of the Old Testament. The ministry of Jesus as High Priest fulfills what the earthly services pointed toward. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, Christ entered the most holy place to begin a work of investigative judgment, preceding His second coming.
The sanctuary message assures believers that Christ is actively working for their salvation in heaven. It reveals the seriousness of God's judgment and the completeness of His plan to deal with sin. Through faith in our High Priest, we may approach God with confidence, knowing that He intercedes for us and prepares a people to meet Him at His return.
