Infographic
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Christ's final work in the heavenly sanctuary
"Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord."
— Leviticus 23:27-29
In the biblical context, atonement (Kippur) means "to cover" or "to reconcile." It is the process by which sin is removed and the barrier between God and man is undone. While the daily sacrifice brought forgiveness, the Day of Atonement brought the definitive blotting out of sins.
The earthly sanctuary was a copy of the heavenly. What the high priest did once a year in the Most Holy Place, Jesus is doing now in Heaven: purifying the sanctuary from the records of our sins (Hebrews 9:23-24).
A time of self-examination and total surrender, seeking the purification that only Christ can offer.
Jesus does not only judge us, but acts as our Advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1).
The judgment is in favor of the saints (Daniel 7:22), ensuring final justice and the end of evil.
According to the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 ("Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed"), Jesus began in 1844 the final phase of His ministry: the Investigative Judgment. He examines the records to decide who is ready for His coming.
Represents Christ. His blood purifies the sanctuary and the believer.
Represents Satan. He does not pay for our sins, but receives back the responsibility for having tempted us, being led into the wilderness to die (the end of evil).
1 Peter 4:17
Judgment begins with those who profess to be God's people. It is a solemn time of self-examination and total surrender.
| Action | Forgiveness (Daily) | Blotting Out (Atonement) |
|---|---|---|
| Moment | Whenever we confess | At the end of judgment |
| Sanctuary | Sin transferred to the Sanctuary | Sanctuary is cleansed |
| Records | Written with "forgiveness" next to them | Definitively removed |
The cross provided the sacrifice (the payment). The judgment is the application of that sacrifice. It is the moment when God demonstrates before the universe who has genuinely accepted the gift of salvation.
Not if Jesus is your Advocate. He has never lost a case! The judgment is "in favor of the saints" (Daniel 7:22). Our role is to maintain a daily relationship of confession and friendship with Him.
It is the phase of judgment that occurs before Jesus returns. Just as on the earthly Day of Atonement sins were reviewed, Jesus now analyzes the life of each believer to confirm who has accepted His grace. It is not for God to know (He knows everything), but to demonstrate His justice to the universe.
Satan does not die for our sins (only Jesus does). However, as he is the author of sin and the one who tempted us, he must receive back the final responsibility for all the evil he caused in the lives of the redeemed, being finally destroyed.
It means living in a spirit of contrition, self-examination, and deep dependence on God. It is not hopeless sadness, but a solemn recognition that we live in the time of judgment and need to be in total harmony with God's will.
Daniel 7:9-10 - The books are opened and each name is examined
1 John 1:9 - Confession and repentance are examined
Revelation 3:5 - Confessed sins are blotted out from the books
Exodus 32:33 - Names remain or are blotted out of the book of life
Summary: Holy convocation; afflicting the soul on the Day of Atonement.
Summary: The priest makes atonement, purifying the sanctuary and the people.
Summary: Scenes from the heavenly tribunal; the books are opened.
Summary: A book of remembrance is written before God.
Summary: Confessing sins; God forgives and purifies.
Summary: Name will not be blotted out from the book of life for the faithful.
Summary: Encompasses both those who believe and those who reject; God's standards of judgment.
Summary: Solemn decree at the end of the investigative judgment; reward according to works.
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# Study 8 - The Atonement
- Objective
- Understand the final work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary
- The Essence of Atonement
- Leviticus 23:27-29 — Day of Atonement; holy convocation
- Leviticus 16:30, 32-33 — Purification of the sanctuary and the people
- Records and Judgment
- Daniel 7:9-10 — Scenes from the tribunal; books opened
- Malachi 3:16 — Book of remembrance written
- Condition for Purification
- 1 John 1:9 — Confession and purification
- Revelation 3:5 — Name maintained in the Book of Life
- Consequences of Impenitence
- Exodus 32:33 — Blotted out of the book for sinning
- Psalm 69:28 — Blotted out of the book of the living
- Preparation for the End
- 1 Peter 4:17 — Judgment begins with the house of God
- Revelation 22:11-12 — Decree of closure and reward according to works
- The End of the Controversy
- Leviticus 16:21-22 — The Scapegoat (removal of sin from the camp)
- Revelation 20:10 — Final destruction of the author of sin
Knowing that Jesus is acting as your Advocate in the Heavenly Sanctuary, do you wish to maintain a daily life of confession and communion with Him?
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