Jim: "Vance, I'm not sure whether I believe the SoP anymore. I've been listening to these tapes by Desmond Ford and I am encouraged by his presentations of the Cross. But there are other things that seem nice that don't agree with the books, and I am just not so sure of them anymore."

Vance: "The heart of the matter is the Sanctuary, isn't it, Jim?"

Jim: Yes, it really is."

Vance: "Jim what do you think of the Sanctuary service?"

Jim: "Well, I believe now that Jesus went into the Second Apartment in 31 AD. and laid down the blood of the atonement right then - 2000 years ago - and finished the atonement. - And that's all there is to the Sanctuary service."

Vance: Why do you believe that, Jim?"

Jim: "I believe it because of what Dr. Ford says on his tapes - it sounds good. Hebrews Nine proves that Jesus went into the second apartment at that time, just as Dr. Ford says.

Vance: Do you have a Bible here? Perhaps we could look at it together for a few minutes."

Jim: "Sure, I'll get it."

Vance: "An important matter here are the words that Paul used here for sanctuary, `first apartment,' and `second apartment,' - and especially a Greek phrase that Desmond Ford never quite faces in his taped lectures and sermons. This phrase is only used nine times in the New Testament - and all nine are to be found in the book of Hebrews alone. This is the phrase ta hagia. It means in English, `the holy places.' This is Paul's way of describing the sanctuary in the book of Hebrews."

Jim: "What is that word again?"

Vance: "Ta hagia. It is a plural word. Generally, when Paul uses it in Hebrews, he is saying, `two-apartmented sanctuary.' - for that is exactly what it means - `the sanctuary of holy places.'

Probably the best place to start is with Hebrews 9:1. Let's look at it together:"

"Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." - Hebrews 9:1.

"Paul, the one who we consider to be the author of Hebrews, here mentions that there was an earthly sanctuary. And the word he uses for sanctuary is one of those nine places where ta hagia is found. You see, Paul is far from denying that there are two apartments to the sanctuary, or the work that is done within them - he is actually making a point of it.

"Now, in the next verse, he tells us what is in the First Apartment of that sanctuary:

"For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary." - Hebrews 9:2.

"The word here for `tabernacle' is skene, or `tent.' This is the other Greek word that Paul uses in Hebrews as a name for the sanctuary. After describing, in verse 2, what is in it, - he calls this first apartment ta hagia. (This is the word written as `sanctuary' by the King James translators.) So we have found from verse 1 that ta hagia can stand for the complete two-apartment sanctuary. And now we know from verse 2 that Paul can use it (in its declinated form) to mean the first apartment of that sanctuary.

One important question remains: Can `ta hagia' ever stand for the second apartment - called in the Old Testament Hebrew language, the `Holy of Holies?' -- In other words, what Greek word or phrase does Paul use in the book of Hebrews when he wants to say `Most Holy Place?' This is very important in order to understand the meaning of Hebrews Nine.

"The answer is found in verse 3:

"And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all." - Hebrews 9:3.

Paul is clearly speaking about the Most Holy Place or Second Apartment here. Now, what is the Greek word that he uses to tell it to us? The significant thing is that it is not ta hagia. It is a completely different phrase - hagia hagion, which means `the holy of holies,' one of the Old Testament names for the second apartment [Exodus 26:34, etc.].

Jim: "Alright, I think I can see that, - but what about down here in 9:8. It shows us that Jesus went into the `holiest of all' - the second apartment - of the heavenly sanctuary in 31 A.D., doesn't it? - Doesn't it show that Jesus never went into the first apartment at all?"

Vance: "Jim, let's see what verses 1 to 7 tell us and then we will better understand verse 8. Let's summarize what we are told here in the first few verses of the chapter: Verses 1-5 tell us what is in the Sanctuary - its two apartments and furniture. Verses 6&7 tell us about the daily and yearly service that is carried on in these two apartments.

"Now Hebrews Nine is a panoramic comparison of the heavenly Sanctuary with the earthly one. And this comparison begins in verse 8, and continues on through the rest of the chapter.

"The holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." - Hebrews 9:8.

"The word `holiest of all' here in verse 8 is another of those nine times in which ta hagia is used by Paul. And we have seen that it can mean `sanctuary' or `first apartment' - but not `second apartment' Do you follow me. Jim?"

Jim: "Yes, so far."

Vance: "In the first seven verses Paul has been very careful to explain what is in each of the two apartments (verses 1-5), and then what goes on in each of those two apartments (verses 6-7). He is not playing down the work that must take place in each of these two apartments - he is emphasizing it. Isn't that right?"

Jim: "Yes, it is."

Vance: "Then in verse 8, Paul contrasts the earthly sanctuary with the heavenly Sanctuary."

Jim: "But doesn't verse 8 tell us that Jesus went directly into the Most Holy Place - skipping the first apartment work entirely?"

Vance: "No, Jim. This would go against the theme of Hebrews 9:1-7, and the rest of the chapter. And it would go against all of the OT types as well. Everything the priest did within the two apartments of the earthly sanctuary was a type of what Christ would later do in the heavenly Sanctuary. We have here two views of Hebrews 9:8. One of the views - Dr. Ford's - is based on the erroneous King James translation of 9:8, `holiest of all', and it wipes out completely the antitype fulfillment of the first apartment work of Christ. The other view - our historic belief, and also given in the SoP, is a more mature Biblical understanding of the matter. It is based on the true meaning of Hebr. 9:8, - ta hagia - `holy places,' not `second apartment or most holy place - and it allows the antitypes of Christ's Sanctuary work to be fulfilled.

"We have here two views of Hebrews 9:8. Shall we accept the one that is the less Biblical - the one that does not fill the real meaning of the verse, and that would blot out a major OT type - the First Apartment Mediation of Christ?"

Jim: "I see what you mean. No, we don't want to do that."

Vance: "Paul is here contrasting the work in the Earthly and the Heavenly Sanctuaries. This has been the theme he has been building upon for several chapters now - the Heavenly Priesthood and Sanctuary of Christ, as being greater than the earthly priesthood and sanctuary, that no longer had meaning in the sight of God. And the contrast is now continued here in this chapter.

"To say it once more: In verses 1-5, Paul explains the contents of the two apartments. In verses 6 and 7, he explains the work in those two apartments. Now in verse 8 he tells us that the pathway into the holy places of the heavenly Sanctuary was not to be opened while the earthly mediation had significance in the eyes of God.

"Verse 8 is the transition verse in this chapter. Most of that which comes after, repeats its essential thought - Jesus has entered the Heavenly Sanctuary on our behalf and we need no longer look to the earthly sanctuary as our doorway to God's forgiveness and help."

Jim: "Then ta hagia, `holy places,' in verse 8 means `sanctuary' and not `second apartment?'"

Vance: "That is correct. We have learned from verse 2 that it could mean `first apartment.' And we know from verse 3 that it could not mean `second apartment' - or Paul would have used the phrase hagia hagion. And this would fit the types, wouldn't it? The priest after sacrificing a lamb, would minister in the first apartment for a length of time before entering upon his work within the second apartment.

"Some folk think that Hebr. 9:8 is speaking about the way into the `first apartment,' and others think that it refers to the way into the `heavenly sanctuary.' Either is correct Biblically for both agree with the wording of the verse in the original, and with the fulfillment of the types. I would personally prefer to think it means `sanctuary,' for that is the theme of the rest of the chapter - the contrast between the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary.

"This is the `time of reformation' spoken of in verse 10 - the time when the work of Christ within the heavenly Sanctuary should begin. This is the theme of verse 11 and verse 12."

Jim: "But what about the `blood of bulls and goats' mentioned there? Doesn't that mean that Jesus went directly into the Most Holy Place in 31 A.D. - for it speaks of bull and goat blood - and that was the kind of blood used in the Day of Atonement service?"

Vance: "That's a nice thought, Jim, I realize that Dr. Ford makes a special point of this - that the bull and goat blood was used in the yearly Day of Atonement rather than in the daily services, - but actually `bull and goat blood' was used in the daily service as well as in the yearly. And the truth of the fact greatly weakens the strength of his `bull and goat blood' argument.

[Bull and goat blood in the YEARLY SERVICE: Lev. 16:3-15. Bull and goat blood in the DAILY SERVICE: (1) Morning and evening continual burnt offerings (bullocks, sheep, goats, birds) - LEv. 1:2-3,5,10,14. (2) Peace offerings (rams, bullocks, oxen, he-goats, lambs) - Lev. 8:22; 9:4; Num. 7; Lev. 23:20; Num. 6:14. (3) Sin offerings (bullocks, kids of the goats, doves) - Lev. 4:3-35; 5:7; Num. 15:24. (4) Trespass offerings (goats, doves, rams, lambs) - Lev. 5:6-7; 6:6; 5:15; 19:20-22; 14:10,13; Num. 6:12. Thus bullock and goat blood was used in all of the five major types of offerings, with the sole exception of the only one in which no animals of any kind were sacrificed - the Meal (`meat' in the KJV) offering, which was a non-blood offering.]

Jim: "Well, but Dr. Ford says that no bull or goat sacrifices of the `common man' were brought into the Sanctuary in the daily services - so "blood of bulls and goats" can only refer to a second apartment cleansing of the Sanctuary.

(2) In the yearly service a ram for a burnt offering and two kids for a sin offering were offered (Lev. 16:3,5-6 and onward). In the daily service, "goat blood" was used for the sacrifices of the "common man" and the "common people." The most significant daily offerings were the burnt offering, the trespass offering, and the sin offering (Lev. 1:4-7). And in these, - "the daily offerings," - goat, kid or ram blood was the preferred or alternate offering for the people as a whole or for individuals. (Carefully read Lev. 1:2-3,10; 3:6-7,12; 4:2-3, 13-14, 22-23, 27-28; 5:6-7; 6:6; 8:2,14,18,22; 9:2-4). And it will be noticed that bull blood was also very frequently present. The best way Paul could summarize the offerings was as "the blood of bulls and goats" in the earthly sanctuary, in contrast with the blood of Christ taken into the heavenly. So "goat blood" in Hebrews Nine does not prove a second apartment entrance of Christ in 31 A.D.

(3) In the Yearly, Leviticus 16 specifically mentions a bull for a sin offering for the priest, and for the congregation a ram for a burnt offering and two goats for a sin offering (Lev. 16:3,5). In the Daily, for a burnt offering the individual could choose a bull or a goat for his offering (Lev. 1:2-3,5,10,14). For the daily sin offering, the sacrifice for the people as a whole was a bull and for individuals it was a kid of the goats (Lev. 4:13-14, 27-28).

(4) The principle of "transfer of sin" is clearly taught in Scripture but is ignored or ridiculed by Dr. Ford as not true. Not all the blood of sacrifices in the daily was taken directly into the sanctuary. To do this would have resulted in hurry and confusion, within those sacred precincts. Therefore, the priest was instructed to eat a representative portion of the sacrifice, and by this act the sin was transferred to himself, and then when he sacrificed a bull on his own account and carried of its blood into the sanctuary, - the sin of the people would be taken or transferred into the sanctuary. First the sin was transferred to the priest and then it was transferred into the sanctuary. (Carefully read Lev. 10:16-18.; GC pp. 417:2 - 419:1, 420:1 - 422:1 is an excellent explanation of this). Ford denies the reality of this truth for two reasons:

1. He wants to avoid the fact of "bull and goat" blood in the daily service, and

2. he wants to wipe out the truth of the "cleansing" or justifying of the Sanctuary beginning in 1844, when the sins of God's people which have been transferred to it are removed.

A man sins and because of it he, himself, "bears his iniquity" (Lev. 5:17). He must come to the priest with the sacrifice and confess "that thing" (Lev. 5:5). The priest makes an atonement for the sinner (Lev. 4:30-31) as he transfers the sin to himself by eating of it (Lev. 6:26; 10:16-18). In doing this the priest is symbolic of Him who "bare the sin of many," upon whom the Lord laid "the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:12,6). "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows," for His soul has been made "an offering for sin," and by this He shall "justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities" (Isa. 53:4,10.11). This principle of transfer of sin is also taught in Leviticus 16:21.]

Remember that `something better' is the overall theme in the book of Hebrews:

a better One to worship (chapter 1)

a better humanity (chapter 2)

a better Sonship (chapter 3)

a better rest (chapter 4)

a better ordination (chapter 5)

a better oath and hope (chapter 6)

a better priesthood (chapter 7)

a better ministry and covenant (chapter 8)

a better Sanctuary and a better mediation within it, based on better blood and a better death.

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebr. 9:12.

"Again, the contrast is not between first and second apartment blood, but between the earthly and heavenly sanctuary blood - this is obvious, isn't it, Jim?"

Jim: "Yes, Vance, it is."

Vance: "And again, in verse 12 is another one of those nine places where ta hagia is used. Not by goat and calf blood, but by His own precious blood - Jesus has entered once into the heavenly Sanctuary - the holy places. The price of eternal redemption was obtained at Calvary. There the cost - the expensive cost - was paid down. And now, in the great Sanctuary above, if we are willing to receive it, He has ascended to plead His atoning blood on our behalf, and apply the atonement to us. The atonement was provided for a whole world at Calvary. But the whole world will not be saved. The atonement is mediated on our behalf and applied to us individually - if we are willing to accept it - as we came boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebr. 4:16.

Jim: "But it says `once' in verse 12. Doesn't that mean the He entered the Most Holy Place when He ascended? He didn't go into the Sanctuary twice did He?"

Vance: "That's right, Jim. He didn't go into the Sanctuary twice. He only entered it once, - and that is what Paul wants to tell us here. The earthly priests had an inferior priesthood in that they had to repeatedly enter their tabernacle with fresh blood from ever new sacrifices. But Christ enters the Sanctuary in heaven only once, following only one sacrifice, that He may there within its two apartments carry on the antitypical work of mediation on our behalf. He does not enter that building repeatedly. The contrast is again between the earthly sanctuary and the heavenly Sanctuary.

"Jim, can you see that the entire background here is a continual contrast between the earthly priesthood, sacrifice, blood and services, - and the far superior ones provided on our behalf by Christ? It is not a contrast between Christ's first and second apartment Mediation."

Jim: "Yes, I believe I can. It fits the picture of Hebrews Nine."

Vance: "`Better, better, better - through Christ.' This is the great theme of Hebrews. And we have more of it in the next few verses.

1. `better blood' in verses 13 and 14,

2. A `better covenant and a surer promise' in vs. 15-17,

3. And the `better blood as the basis of this covenant' continues on through verse 21.

4. `better cleansing' with this blood in vs. 22 and 23.[500]

5. and then we have the contrast between the earthly and the heavenly again in verse 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." Hebr. 9:24.

Vance: "More of the same contrast - what Christ has entered - the heavenly and not the earthly building. And again, no contrast between apartments, and which apartment Christ has entered. Such is not the message of Hebrews Nine.

"`Holy places' in verse 24 is another of the nine ta hagia passages. Now, some would say that 9:24 means that there is no sanctuary in heaven. But that obviously is in total disagreement with the other messages about the sanctuary in type and antitype that are given us in Scripture. And that is true, isn't it, Jim?"

Jim: "Yes, there is a sanctuary up there. That's what Hebrews is telling us."

Vance: "Verse 24 is simply another contrast of the earthly and the heavenly again - with an emphasis that Christ has entered the heavenly, not the earthly.

"Then in verse 25 we have another repetition of verse 12. Christ has entered once into that Sanctuary in heaven. He didn't go into it several times. Now, to take that truth and twist it, as some do, to mean that Christ once having entered it, could not move within its apartments in order to carry on His appointed daily and yearly work, is in no way taught here."

Jim: "I understand what you mean, and I agree with it."

Vance: "Verses 25 and 26 give it to us again: It isn't a matter of repeated sacrifices and Calvaries, and repeated enterings into the sanctuary building with ever-new blood. But, thank God, - Jesus has once for all entered into the Sanctuary in heaven with His own most precious blood, - there to appear before the Ancient of Days in order to mediate for sin and put it away, because of the sacrifice He Himself completed on earth.

"And this putting away of sin through His mediatorial work will culminate in a work of judgment. We live our probationary life, and the records of that life must come up in judgment (verse 27 and 28). And then Jesus will appear the second time to this planet - to take His own unto Himself. he came the first time to bear our sin. He will come the second time, having put away our sin, to redeem us physically from this world and all the corruption we have had to witness in it."

"Hebrews Nine contrasts a message of great hope for the people of God."

Jim: "Well, listen, Vance, before we stop, would you mind going on part-way through chapter ten?"

Vance: "Well, as we look at it, the underlying theme continues.

1. ceremonial laws (the sacrificial laws) - the shadow laws that foreshadowed or pointed men to Calvary. Again, the contrast between the type and the antitype, vs.1;

2. the earthly sacrifices were imperfect and could not take away sin, though they were offered repeatedly. But when Christ offered up that perfect sacrifice with His own body. And in the offering up of that body, He took away the typical sacrifice and service and established the antitypical in its place (vs. 9). And through it, God can do in our lives what the earthly services could never do. And it is all based on this `one' sacrifice of Jesus. (`for all' is written in italics in Hebrews 10:10 - it is not in the original language of that passage.)

3. on earth there was an unceasing repetition of fresh sacrifices, but Jesus' one sacrifice was a sufficient basis whereby He could perfect all who would come to Him - and verses 15-18 deepen the thought and explain that this `sanctification' and `perfection' is more than merely a covering over of sin. - It is taking away of sin and an inwrought experience of obedience by faith to the Law of God. God's plan is to save us not in sin, but from sin."

"And before we leave these verses, we want to look again at verse 12. Scripture gives us two views of Christ in heaven. One is of Him mediating before the Father on our behalf. The other is of Him seated on the throne with His Father. They may appear not to agree, but in reality they probably show two different phases of Christ's work in heaven. He is our high priest ministering on our behalf, and He is also the co-ruler of the universe. And as we see this, the two pictures connect, for through them both we are able to obtain a more complete understanding of what Christ is doing in heaven, not only for us but for the entire universe as well. Our High Priest is set on the right hand of this throne in heaven (Hebr. 8:1), and He is set down at this throne (Hebr. 12:2). The important thing is that Jesus is our Mediator in this Sanctuary in heaven, not whether He is sitting or standing in the conducting of it. In Revelation 4:2, we are told that He sat upon the throne, and in 5:7 that He was in the midst of the throne, - and then in the next verse we are told that He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne (Hebr. 5:7). We are dealing here with something that we do not fully understand, nor shall we until we reach the other side and view the Lamb upon that throne ourselves."

Jim: "And what about verse 19, Vance?"

Vance: "Hebrews 10:19-25 is one of the most powerful passages in this letter to the Hebrews, and I personally consider it to be the high-point of the book. Paul has been building toward this in all that he has so far discussed. And in all that follows, we will encourage us to stand true to this wonderful concept that has here been revealed to us.

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebr. 10:19-25.

Vers 19 is the only place after chapter one of the last of the nine occurrences of the phrase ta hagia in Scripture. "In view of all that we have learned, brethren, we have boldness to enter into the holy places through - by means of - the blood of Jesus."

Jim: "Then is it talking about the first apartment or the second apartment?"

Vance: "We are counseled to come into the `holy places.' It is speaking about both apartments. For 1800 years men could come to Jesus within the first apartment - they could come to Him right where He was. Hebrews 10:19 was written for them. And then in 1844, Jesus began His work within the second apartment, as predicted in Daniel 8:14, clarified in Daniel 9:25-27, and explained in Daniel 7. Following that time we may read this verse and come to Him right where He is today - within the Most Holy Place. Hebr. 10:19 is written for us also who live at the close of time. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul here wrote the phrase that would apply to all mankind following Christ's ascension down to the close of human probation - `holy places' - a refuge for men to flee to for 18 centuries, and a haven where they may find Him today.

"By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh." Hebr. 10:20.

Jim: "What is that about `the veil'? Ford says it means second apartment."

Vance: "In the earthly sanctuary, which is a copy of the heavenly, there were two veils or coverings. One was at the entrance to the first apartment [Ex. 26:36; 36:37], and the other at the entering in to the second. [Ex. 26:31-33, 35; 36:35]. In the OT these two veils were given different names. The first apartment veil was called `the hanging,' and the second apartment veil was translated as `veil.' Then in the NT, `veil' is used in every instance. For 18 centuries men pressed by faith through the veil into the first apartment where Jesus was ministering for them, and now they may come through the veil into the second where He is concluding the final atonement.

Paul recognized - and pointed out - the fact that there were two veils in the sanctuary (although Desmond Ford says there is only one). When the priest passed through the first veil he went `within it' into the first apartment. By faith we are to follow our High Priest within the veil as He carries on His work on our behalf. The word used in Hebr. 6:19 and 10:20 was purposely selected by the Holy Spirit that we might obtain as deep an experience from those verses as have Christians in past centuries. The first Christians followed their High Priest within the veil into the first apartment, and we today may follow Him all the way into the Holy of Holies. `Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus.' - Hebr. 7:19-20.

Both the inner and outer veils were for the purpose of covering that which was within them. The Hebrew word for the first apartment veil was masak (`the veil of covering', Ex. 35:12; 39:34; 40:21; Num. 4:5). They provided a covering for the holy things within them and the holy work that was carried on within those sacred chambers.

Vance: "Through the veil, that is to say His flesh.' It is through Christ that we come into the Sanctuary. It is through Christ that we do all things. He is our goal and our destiny. Our strength and our purpose for living. He is the Author and the Finisher - and all that is in between."

Jim: "Is this experience really for us today? I have been thinking lately that Calvary was all we were to have."

Vance: "It is progressive. Calvary leads us into the Sanctuary. Wherever Christ has gone we are to go; wherever He leads the way we are to follow. "And they followed the Lamb whithersoever He went" (Rev. 4:4). We have been promised "boldness to enter" (Hebr. 10:19) - and all the way in to where Jesus is mediating for each ine who by faith will accept it. Uzziah was smitten when he tried to enter in the pride of his own heart (2 Chr. 26:16-23), but in contrast, the year that he died, Isaiah by faith clearly saw into those sacred chambers (Isa. 6). And now, by faith, we are invited to personally enter within not the earthly but the heavenly tabernacle where God Himself awaits us.

"But one can not enter for another. Each must for himself make his own decision. `I will go in unto the king' (Esth. 4:16). And we may come - in `boldness.' Most folk do realize the true meaning of this word. It does not merely indicate boldness or courage in moving from one place to another. The Greek word is parrhesia, and from it we derive our English word, rhetoric (public speaking ability). It specifically means boldness in speech. We are invited - we are encouraged - to enter the great throne room of the King of Kings, and the promise is given that we will be strengthened with a holy boldness in speaking that we may present our needs to our High Priest."

Jim: "That is encouraging."

Vance: "This is the same meaning of `boldness' that we find in Eph. 3:12; 1.Tim 3:13; 1.Jh. 4:17 and Hebr. 4:16. A wondrous depth of meaning is added to each of these verses as we understand this new insight. (1Thess. 2:2; Acts 4:13,29,31; 13:46; Jh. 7:26; Eph. 6:19 show how earnest such `rhetoric' may be as we come before our great King.) And this same word is translated `confidence' in those companion verses, Hebr. 3:6 and 10:35, (and also in 1Jh. 2:28; 3:21 and 5:14.) There are other truths in this passage - Hebr. 10:19-25 - that we would not have time to discuss."

Jim: "I see it and I like it and I want it. We need the heavenly ministry of Jesus just as much as we need His earthly sacrifice. The two go together. What you have been giving me are the pioneer views of our church - and I see they are clearly Biblical. In fact more so than these cassette ideas I have been listening to for months now."

Vance: "And it is all in the SoP - the clearest and most accurate explanation of the Word of God given to mankind today. We can be very thankful that we have it - and we are in serious danger if we reject it."

Jim: "I believe it. I intend to set these cassettes aside and read anew what the SoP has to say about these things. I want a deeper experience in the things of God - this is why I started listening to those tapes. But I see now I was looking in the wrong place. I need the Bible and the SoP, not cassette sermons, for they are only the words of men as needy as myself."

Vance: "We can be thankful that we have been given such a solid foundation on the Word of God. And that foundation was laid well. Our early pioneers studied carefully into these matters through divine revelations given through God's messenger, they were shown the right path when they would start to veer off on a tangent (read 1SM 206-208 and TM 24-26). The foundation was well laid, because the hand of God laid it. We who are living today - on the edge of the greatest crisis in history - dare not step off this firm platform of truth in order to wander in the trackless wastes of men's speculations. Too much is at stake, - in our own lives and in the lives of those who we influence. How shall we answer our Lamb and our Priest in the day of judgment if we have been leading others away from Him?"

Jim: "Vance, I want to study more deeply into this truth. Is the Sanctuary message scattered all through the SoP or is it found mainly in just a few places?"

Vance: "I began collecting together passages dealing with our inspired Sanctuary message over 25 years ago, and I have yet to exhaust the source of supply. But it all is clearly summarized in GC, chapters 23, 24 and 28. Carefully read this material for its obvious meanings, and you will find a wealth of understanding as to the position you are to maintain before God today. Then go on through and read the rest. It is a book that we must continually reread as we near the crisis that it predicts.

"May God bless you as you study His Word. And remember, the Bible and SoP are all we need, they are all we have."[700]

Notes & References

[500] The blood was shed on Calvary. Perfect blood, - flawless. And this blood is applied for you and for me in the Sanctuary above.

[700] Based on a conversation that brought encouragement from the Word of God to a visiting friend. Set in type the following day. His name was not Jim.
Here are the nine places where ta hagia is found in the NT:

1. Hebrews 8:2

2. Hebrews 9:1

3. Hebrews 9:2

4. Hebrews 9:8

5. Hebrews 9:12

6. Hebrews 9:24

7. Hebrews 9:25

8. Hebrews 10:19

9. Hebrews 13:11

And here is the one place where hagia hagion (`holy of holies') is found: Hebrews 9:3.
It is of interest that the OT Hebrew word for "sanctuary" is basically the same word that is used for sanctify. The word (qadesh) means "set apart for a holy use, and is first used in Genesis 2:3, "God blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it." The Sabbath is as a sanctuary for us from this evil world. Thank God every day for the historic Adventist message given us by our pioneers and the SoP. Solidly Biblical - it is just what our world needs today.