Doctrine of the Sanctuary Exam (Short Answers)
How are transfers of sins into and out of the heavenly sanctuary accomplished?
"The fact that the Israelite sanctuary was defiled and cleansed as a whole, by the "part for all" principle, implies that similar dynamics apply to God's sanctuary in heaven. But the transfers of evil into and out of the heavenly sanctuary are accomplished by spiritual transactions, without the limitations of an earthly ritual system." Also the blood would touch the horns of the altar(it is important to note that the altar was a part of the sanctuary even though it is in the outer court) (that is the part for all principle)
Is the purpose of the judgment to determine who has sinned or who is forgiven?
"The judgment is not about who has sinned. All have sinned (Rom 3:23), so distinctions between people cannot be made on this basis. The judgment is about who is forgiven. For those who are forgiven, it is to reaffirm their assurance, not to take it away. The judgment is for God's holy ones (Dan 7:22)."
Why must God's judgment use records of works as evidence for faith?
"The key here is the fact that God is just when He justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Compare Ephesians 2:8‹we are saved by grace through faith. God cannot save a person who does not have faith or who abandons faith after receiving forgiveness (see Col 1:21-23). Because of Christ's sacrifice, God is just when He forgives us and continues to regard us as forgiven, provided that we continue to have faith through which we are reconciled to Him (compare Rom 5:1). It appears that the judgment in Daniel 7-8 should identify God's true people on the basis of their faith. But since God alone can read thoughts (see Ps 139:23; Lk 7:39-40), the judgment must use evidence for faith that can be witnessed by created beings if they are to be assured that God is just. So the judgment considers records (Dan 7:10) of works (Eccl 12:14) that show whether or not true faith exists (Jas 2:26; Gal 5:6). The point is not the works themselves, but whether or not a person has accepted and continues to accept a forgiven and loyal relationship to God."
What is a ritual?
"The meaning of a ritual is such that its actions are interpreted as interacting with someone or something of the unseen realm" -System of activity that consists of groups of activities that are united by a goal -consists of smaller systems that make up bigger systems -Special kind of activity system in which the activities included and the order in which they are performed are fixed. -reach their goal because a kind of meaning attached to its actions -Can do things that ordinary words can not do
Why should Satan bear blame for human sins and why should he receive punishment that God's people would receive if they were not vindicated in the judgment?
"The penalty that he [azazel/Satan] will receive as a malicious witness is the penalty that God's true people would have received if they had been proven in the judgment to be unforgiven. But the responsibility is his as a false witness; it is not their actual responsibility at all"
In what ways did a burnt offering point forward to Christ and His love?
It indicated that Christ would take all sin upon Himself(hand laid on lamb during confession) and that Christ would be totally consumed in His mission to rescue us from sin. It also meant that Jesus would give His life as a ransom for our sins. The cutting up of the animal shows relation with Abraham when Abraham prepared a food gift ■A burnt offering sent smoke ascending to God for His acceptance (Lev 1:9). Similarly, Christ ascended (John 20:17) to heaven to receive acceptance from His Father. (p. 79)
In what sense does Christ's atonement continue?
It is continued because people receive the benefit of the Cross today. Atonement is a process until humanity is reunited with God. The resurrected Christ is living in heaven standing if the presence of God on our behalf applying the benefits of His death. (jb 124)
What kinds of confidence can you have during the judgment?
1. Confidence that God is fair 2. Confidence of our access to God 3. Confidence that we are in a covenant relationship with God 4. Confidence in the imminence of Christ's Second Coming 5. Confidence in deliverance from oppression
What were the major stages of atonement in the Israelite ritual system?
1. Forgiveness through individual sacrifice during the year 2. Cleansing through the cleansing of the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement
What differences are there between the Israelite rituals and God's salvation operation, due to the fact that the rituals belonged to an earthly system carried out by human beings?
1. Israelite priests were sinful and needed sacrifices on their own behalf; Christ however is a sinless high priest who needs no sacrifices for Himself 2. Ancient sacrifices were performed over and over again and some everyday of the year-representing Christ's one-time sacrifice; whereas Christ died only once. 3. Rituals performed with animals, grain and materials could not suffice for salvation; while Christ is the first fruit 4. Scope: Ancient Ritual system was for Israel; but Christ died for the world 5. Sacrificial system did not provide forgiveness in all cases of sin even in repentance; however, Christ is able to forgive all no matter what they have done 6. Israelite priest bore the guilt or punishment of people who brought sacrifices for sin to the sanctuary; whereas Christ bears the punishment and died as a sacrifice for humanity 7. Due to the Israelite priest, a sinful being, he was shielded from God's presence by a veil when performing rituals; but Christ is sinless and does not need to be shielded from God 8. Sacrifice covered all sins except pesha. Christ sacrifice covers all sins ■Rituals could not illustrate all details of salvation (41) ■O.T. system did not provide forgiveness in all cases (42) ■Priest sinful needed shield of veil & smoke; Christ not sinful needs no veil
What principles revealed by guilt offerings can you apply in your life?
1. Responsible to God in our treatment of Holy things. 2. We have a responsibility to our fellow human beings. 3. We can give our guilt feelings to Christ (102-103)
How can you best learn about the sanctuary services from the book of Leviticus?
1. The Sanctuary was the stage for divine-human interaction 2. Not all details must have distinct spiritual meaning 3. The bible is our primary source of information 4. Meanings of Rituals are found in the ritual texts themselves 5. A method of study must fit that which is studied Brian, pgs 45-49
In what ways did the Israelite sanctuary represent aspects or roles of Christ?
Animal sacrifices represented Christ as well as the priests Gods covenant based on love & God is love The bread of Christ in the sanctuary represented the life giving power of Christ (who is the Bread of Life.) Golden lampstands in the sanctuary represented Jesus who is the "Light of the World" Basin/laver contained water in the sanctuary for purification and the water flowed from Christ's body to purify us. ■altar = cross of Christ (39) ■incense = prayers for mercy offered by Christ (38) (Ricardo - add red section)
Why is it important for God to transform us into harmony with His character of love?
Because real, unselfish love is the only basis on which intelligent beings with free choice can live in harmony and not destroy each other. Love is as essential to the long-term survival of the human race as food and water are to our short-term survival. Ultimately we cannot live without love. (p. 88) (Ricardo)
Why was a guilt offering required in addition to literal payment?
Because sin creates debt that must be paid by Christ's sacrificial blood ransom even when we take care of our earthly responsibility to make wrongs right as best we can. We can never come up with enough to pay back what we owe. Our restitution is important, but they are puny and insignificant in comparison with Christ's infinite sacrifice! We must cooperate with God by fixing what we have broken to the limited extent of our ability, but it is Christ's sacrifice that provides forgiveness and salvation.
How did the blood of a sin offering function as a "carrier" agent to transfer sin or ritual impurity?
Blood always purify/ never defile In our body, blood carry oxygen and it also carries out waste The blood itself was not impure, but a means to transfer sin away from the sinner to the altar. (207) (The blood carried impurity, it does not become impurity)
Why was blood emphasized in a sin offering?
Blood emphasizes ransom for life.The more prominent the blood, the more powerful the atonement.
Why would forgiven sins affect God in His sanctuary so that this effect would need to be removed on the Day of Atonement?
Crucial concept : judicial responsibility (as a judge). Just as clearing the White House means clearing the President from something that has affected or could affect his reputation, cleansing the sanctuary would seek to involve clearing God in some way. (231)
When did the "seventy weeks" of Daniel 9 begin?
Cryus allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple in Ezra 1:2-4. (pp.288)
What is the relationship between the vision in Daniel 8 and the information in Daniel 9:24-27?
Daniel was concerned in chapter 9 because he had just received the vision of chapter 8 which showed the persecution of God's people and thought that it was going to be a long time until God's people were freed. Daniel was reading Jeremiah 25:11 where it talked about 70 weeks until the temple would be rebuilt. (pp 287)
In Daniel 7 and 8, why would God's sanctuary need to be justified through an end-time judgment?
First, God and His sanctuary need justification as a result of the openly defiant transgressions of the "little horn," which defame God and therefore defile His sanctuary, just as wanton disregard for God's ancient worship system defiled the Israelite sanctuary (Lev 20:3; Num 19:13, 20). The "little horn" is particularly guilty because it does not merely ignore part of God's sacrificial system (compare Num 19:13, 20) and participate in an alternate system (compare Lev 20:3). It removes part of God's system (regular/daily worship by God's people) and sets up an alternate system (Dan 8:11-13; 11:31; 12:11). Defilement of God's sanctuary/reputation by the "little horn" is illegitimate defilement. It "throws" sins at God rather than humbly laying them at His feet through legitimate sacrifice. Just as the cases of Israelites who committed wanton sins of illegitimate defilement were not under consideration for redemption by cleansing on the Day of Atonement, the "little horn" is already condemned before the judgment. It does not receive forgiveness in a first stage of atonement and therefore it is ineligible for the second stage. A second reason why God and His sanctuary would need justification is because God forgives guilty people, calls them "holy ones of the Most High," and gives them the dominion of this world (Dan 7-8). Compare 2 Samuel 14, where forgiveness of a guilty person would have affected David's reputation if the woman had not taken the blame herself. The sanctuary reflects God's reputation. God's reputation matters because it enables Him to govern the universe. If there is something wrong with God, we will have anarchy. God's reputation is staked on perfect love, which includes both perfect justice and perfect mercy. That is a high standard for Him to live up to, but if He does not, His government is a hypocritical "tour de farce" that is bound to fail. Is God for real or is He trying to delude us with smoke and mirrors? We must know the answer. By forgiving guilty people like us, God lays Himself open to a charge of injustice. But Christ's blood shows that God has already paid the penalty on our behalf. There is nothing more to pay."
What factors make you afraid of God's judgment?
First, it is true that we are judged by our works. Some say that if this is true, our salvation must be dependent upon our works. Salvation based on works is legalism, which contradicts the good news of salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). It is true that the forgiveness we have received can be undone if we are not found faithful in the judgment. Some find that this leads to discouraging uncertainty as to whether or not they are forgiven and saved
Does each detail of the sanctuary structure have a spiritual meaning?
No
Did a sin offering automatically provide atonement?
No! No . Because Lev 4: 26, 31, 35 the priest shall make atonement for him from removing his sin. He shall be forgiven not by the priest but the divine action of God himself / God will forgive him directly. A sin offering was not a token food gift; it was a token payment of an obligation or debt. But this does not mean that a sin offering bought atonement.
Did Christ die only to forgive acts of sin?
No. Christ also died to cleanse us of our sinful nature and an impure moral consciousness. He gives His Spirit to us that we may be partakers of the divine nature. By this, we receive power and victory to overcome sin and emulate God's character.
Can you be too bad for God to save?
No. However, if His attempts to bring salvation are constantly rejected, He will acknowledge one's choice to live without Him and give that person over to their own desire. (jb 149)
What should God's people do during the end-time judgment that corresponds to what the ancient Israelites were to do on the Day of Atonement?
The Israelites were to humble themselves and show repentance by practicing self-denial and abstaining from work during the entire Day of Atonement. This was only one day out of the year. Obviously we cannot fast and abstain from work during the entire period of the end-time judgment that began in 1844. God does not ask us to do this. What He does ask us to do is the end-time equivalent: to humble ourselves and to show repentance by keeping the commandments of God and holding fast to the faith of Jesus (Rev 14:12).
Is it difficult for you to forgive? Yes. Is it difficult for God to forgive? Yes. Why?
God is willing to forgive but the author says yes, sin causes God great pain because forgiveness comes with a high cost. It wasn't easy to sacrifice his Son.
What is the basis of your "new covenant" heart relationship with God?
God stated the basis of the new covenant experience: "for I will forgive their iniquity..." We do not begin our relationship with God with a clean slate as the Israelites thought they did when they promised, "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Exod 24:3). We start off "in the red," owing a debt we cannot pay. From the humble position of acknowledging our need for forgiveness, we are ready to accept all that God has to give.
What is the significance of God's willingness to reveal Himself to human beings?
God's willingness to reveal Himself is an indicator that He is ready to forgive our sins. God's revelation of Himself presents us with an opportunity to take a step toward repentance.
How can God's judgment affect your attitudes and the way you live?
It causes us to have an attitude of Grattituded It causes one to endure in obedience and trust in God through the hard times("keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus" (Rev 14:12). Obeying by participating in the gospel commission.
If a ritual is only symbolic, why is it important?
ritual is important insofar as it expresses our spiritual interactions with God. A ceremony or ritual is symbolic, but the symbolism is real and important, expressing a change in relationship that is highly significant even though it is intangible. Symbolism explains our real relationship with Christ's atonement
Who/what was represented by the goat for Azazel ("scapegoat") that was sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of the Israelites?
"Azazel's goat, carrying the sins of the Israelites, represents Satan bearing responsibility with regard to human sins that is his own responsibility"
What is the path of humility to which Christ calls you?
...But Jesus has shown us a path of humility that includes much more: outgoing love expressed in service for others. Rather than becoming melancholy hermits, we can have the joy of helping people. Rather than trying to be holy by staying in a hole, we can answer Jesus' call to an active life: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" (Matt 28:19-20; NASB). By helping others, we keep the commandments of God, hold fast to the faith of Jesus, and participate with our heavenly high priest as He draws people to Himself during His judgment. Best of all, we encounter Jesus everywhere we go.
In what year does/did the end-time judgment begin?
1844 (pp.294)
How can you present your body to God "as a living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1)?
By consecrating your entire life to Him, your time, energy, resources, etc.
How can Christ be your "bread of life" (Jn 6:48)
By feeding on His words regularly and thus take His character into our hearts, which shows in our actions.
How can Christ stop His work of forgiving sins so that He can come to earth to announce and carry out the verdicts of the judgment?
By his spirit, God can speed up the spiritual growth of his people so that they outgrow sin. By cleansing his people and presenting them to himself without blemish, Christ works himself out of the job of forgiving sins. He does not walk off the job, he is laid off because there are no more forgivable sins to forgive.
How can a person interact with God through a ritual?
By understanding how rituals work
How does Christ's approach to our free choice differ from that of sin and Satan?
Christ honors our freedom of choice. He does not pressure us into receiving His will. Satan does not respect it. (jb 148)
In what kinds of ways did the Israelite sanctuary and its services correspond to God's sanctuary in heaven and to Christ's work for human beings?
Earthly sanctuary was "copy" or shadow of the Heavenly Earthly sanctuary was a prototype of Christ's later ministry in God's heavenly sanctuary Earthly services showed what God's heavenly sanctuary looked like and what would happen in the future
How has God let you know that He is with you?
He's given us promises in the Bible, demonstrated His presence in history (especially through the sanctuary), but most of all, He's given us Jesus.
What is the relationship between God's sanctuary and His character, authority, and reputation?
His name was in the sanctuary and his name involves His reputation
In what sense was Christ's atonement for us completed at the cross?
His sacrificial death made complete provision for the salvation of anyone who accepts Him.
How can you stop sinning?
I must humble myself and follow the lamb wherever he goes. By faith I can do anything.
How does your loyalty or disloyalty to God affect your relationship to Him?
Loyalty is the bottom line of our relationship with God and if we have it we will can be forgiven our sin but if we are not loyal, we are condemned already.
What is the relationship between the "seventy weeks" of Daniel 9 and the "2,300 evenings and mornings" of Daniel 8?
Seventy weeks represented 490 years until Christs time on earth (70x7 a week*) applying the same principle 2,300 evenings and mornings would be 2,300 years. (pp. 293)
What stands between you and eternal death?
The blood of Christ. He died the second death of separation from the Father and resurrected to eternal life to abolish death. Therefore, all who abide in Him will not see eternal death (jb 147).
When an offerer ate part of his own sacrifice, what did this represent?
The eating of the sacrifice symbolized that he or she was accepting Christ's life-giving power into his/her life in order to be spiritually transformed. It was also a symbol of fellowship with God, since the person symbolically ate the sacrifice with God.
What was the purpose of laws in the Bible that regulated physical ritual impurity?
The purpose of the laws that regulated ritual impurity was given to safeguard the holy from contamination by impure people or things. The Israelites were cleansed so that they can encounter holiness.
How did ancient Israelite purification rituals point to life through Christ and His sacrifice?
The ritual bathing by immersion cleansed a person of impurity. In the NT going down in the water represents purification from a morally evil life by burying the old life of sin and rising to a new life in Christ. The death of Christ provides forgiveness and atonement of for impurity. (p.118)
Comparing Leviticus 4 and 16, what kind of ritual reversal confirms the major stages of atonement?
The sin entering the sanctuary and the sins exiting the sanctuary
How can you settle into your decision for God so that you become a righteous person who remains righteous (Rev 22:11)
There is no limit to what God can do with us as long as we keep on accepting His Spirit. He isn't finished with us yet. Through the Spirit, God can help us to settle into our decisions for Him so that we become righteous people who still do right and holy people who remain holy (Rev 22:11).
Why can't God simply forgive, without a sacrifice? (He must show justice and mercy)
The wages of sin is death. Since God is just something must die for sin. However, because He is merciful, He made provision for a sacrifice to die in our place. The sacrifices represent Christ who died in our place. Both justice and mercy is demonstrated in God's love
How are your words of commitment tested?
They are tested by Christ whether or not you do the will of the Father in Heaven.
How can you be more realistic about the judgment?
Through Bible study... fears of the judgment have been answered by a more realistic view of the factors that are involved. First, we are judged by our works, but works are only evidence of the faith through which we are saved. There is no room for legalism here because it is God who empowers our works through faith"
How were the Israelite people cleansed on the Day of Atonement?
Through the cleansing of the sanctuary, the people were also cleansed.In addition, the individual had to show loyalty to God by practicing self-denial, including fasting, and by resting from work
How was the Day of Atonement a day of judgment?
We can see that the Day of Atonement was a day of judgment, when God separated disloyal Israelites from those who were loyal. Some people had been condemned already, before the Day of Atonement, because they had not received forgiveness through sacrifice. But the Day of Atonement judged between those who had been forgiven. Some held on to their forgiveness and some threw it away.
What do you do when someone or Someone is doing something for you that is a matter of life and death?
We show serious support by fasting and praying for them.
Is the justifying of God's sanctuary, referred to in Daniel 8:14, an end-time equivalent of the ancient Day of Atonement
YES, "Christ's movement parallels the movement of the Israelite high priest when he approached God in the most holy place on the Day of Atonement, Israel's judgment day (Lev 16). Daniel 7 depicts the great end-time Day of Atonement, the same event as the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary in Daniel 8:14"
Could a sacrifice be associated with joy?
Yes. Hope for eternal life through Christ's sacrifice brings joy and thankfulness. Similarly, ancient sacrifices could be associated with thanksgiving and joy. (Ricardo)
Is it fair that you are judged by your works (Eccl 12:13-14) even though you are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9)
Yes. "Since God alone can read thoughts, the judgement must use evidence for faith that can be witnessed by created beings if they are to be assured that God is just. So the judgement considers records of works that show whether or not true faith exists". (226, 245)
When you have sinned, do you have assurance of salvation before you ask God for forgiveness?
Yes. The morning and evening sacrifice was offered for the atonement for the whole community every day. This sacrifice points to Christ who died for the whole world. Nevertheless, just like the Israelites still had the individual responsibility to offer a sacrifice and ask for forgiveness, believers today must turn and ask forgiveness as well but that sin is covered too. (jb 142)
Can you have assurance that you are saved through Jesus Christ?
Yes. Through belief in Jesus Christ we can have assurance, enough to boldly approach God to make request that He answers which provides assurance as well. (jb 141)
