Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists
Belief #23
Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
Statement: 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. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His
intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of
the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase
of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment which is
part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the
ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service
the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the
heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus.
The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among
the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to
have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the
living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the
faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His
everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in
saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have
remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this
ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the
Second Advent.
Feedback Center: Do you have questions or comments? We invite you to write. Your e-mails will be read and answered by
Pastor Stefan Radu, our pastor at Kingman Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Back to
Kingman Seventh-day Adventist Church