"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on 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 pitched, and not man."
— Hebrews 8:1, 2
Jesus was consecrated as High Priest after ascending to heaven to minister on our behalf
His ministry consists of intercession, obtaining forgiveness and power for obedience to the Ten Commandments
It was prefigured by the ordinances of the Hebrew sanctuary given by God to Moses
In the earthly sanctuary there was a daily transfer of sins through sacrifices
Christ presents our faith, obtaining forgiveness and power for obedience
The final work will be the atonement of the heavenly sanctuary before the Second Coming
Summary: Christ is our High Priest in the true tabernacle.
Summary: Christ was constituted by God as an eternal Priest.
Summary: The Spirit helps and Christ intercedes for us.
Summary: Confession brings forgiveness and cleansing.
Summary: Only one Mediator between God and men: Christ.
Summary: Everything in the name of Jesus.
Summary: The earthly sanctuary as a figure of the heavenly one.
Summary: Daily services and structure of the sanctuary.
Summary: Daily transfer of sins.
Summary: Day of Atonement and cleansing of the sanctuary.
# Study 6 - The Work of Jesus Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary
- Objective
- Understand Christ's current ministry in the heavenly sanctuary
- Christ's Ministry
- High Priest
- Hebrews 8:1-2 — Christ ministers in the true tabernacle
- Hebrews 5:5-10 — Constituted priest by God
- Intercession and Forgiveness
- Romans 8:26, 34 — Help from the Spirit and intercession of Christ
- 1 John 1:9 — Forgiveness and cleansing through confession
- 1 Timothy 2:5 — One Mediator
- Colossians 3:17 — Everything in the name of Jesus
- Sanctuary (type and antitype)
- Hebrews 8:5 — Figure of the heavenly
- Hebrews 9:1-6 — Daily services
- Leviticus 4:13-17, 20 — Daily transfer of sins
- Final Atonement
- Leviticus 16:29, 30, 32-34 — Cleansing of the sanctuary
- Appeal
- Trust only in Jesus as Intercessor and obey through faith
- Hook for next study
- When did the final work begin? Has it already started?
Ark of the Covenant
Presence of God
Christ constantly intercedes for us, presenting our faith to the Father
Obtains forgiveness and empowers us for obedience to the commandments
Final work, complete purification before the Second Coming
Jesus came to this Earth to teach us how to live righteously, obeying the Father's Ten Commandments, and to die to pay the debt for our sins. Then, He rose again and went to heaven to continue working for the salvation of our souls. He was consecrated by God as High Priest to minister on our behalf.
📖 Read: Hebrews 8:1, 2; Hebrews 5:5-10
His ministry consists of the work of intercession for us and in us. He intercedes in our hearts, inviting us to repentance. Then, when we confess our sins, He intercedes with God and obtains for us forgiveness and purification. Purification involves giving us power to obey and not repeat the same error.
📖 Read: Romans 8:26, 34; 1 John 1:9
The work of Christ's ministry as Priest in the heavenly sanctuary was prefigured by the ordinances of the sanctuary given by God to Moses. Therefore, we can understand the work of Christ as Priest in greater depth from the study of the Hebrew sanctuary.
📖 Read: Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:1-5
Jesus Christ is the only intercessor consecrated by God to act on our behalf. The only one through whom we obtain any blessing from heaven. This work of intercession continued every day, accumulating the record of sins that needed to be purified.
📖 Read: 1 Timothy 2:5; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 9:6
Just as in the earthly sanctuary there was a special day of purification (Day of Atonement), Christ's final work before returning to Earth will be to perform the atonement - the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. Once completed, He will return to Earth to seek His faithful and obedient people.
📖 Read: Leviticus 16:29, 30, 32-34
Knowing that Jesus Christ is today interceding for our souls in heaven, and is the only one consecrated by God for this, do you wish to trust only in Him, and no other, as your intercessor before God?
Click to express your decision
When did the final work begin? Has it already started? Discover in the next study.
Proceed to Study 7