The Heavenly Sanctuary
 
        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
 
    Thus those who were studying the subject found indisputable proof of the existence of a sanctuary in heaven.  Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him.  Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven.  And John testifies that he saw it in heaven.
 
    In the temple in heaven, the dwelling place of God, His throne is established in righteousness and judgment.  In the most holy place is His law, the great rule of right by which all mankind are tested.  The ark that enshrines the tables of the law is covered with the mercy seat, before which Christ pleads His blood in the sinner's behalf.  Thus is represented the union of justice and mercy in the plan of human redemption.  This union infinite wisdom alone could devise and infinite power accomplish; it is a union that fills all heaven with wonder and adoration.  The cherubim of the earthly sanctuary, looking reverently down upon the mercy seat, represent the interest with which the heavenly host contemplate the work of redemption.  This is the mystery of mercy into which angels desire to look--that God can be just while He justifies the repenting sinner and renews His intercourse with the fallen race." (The Great Controversy, 415)
 
Reflection:  The work in the earthly sanctuary was vitally important to mankind.  God's work in behalf of you and me and all humanity is taking place by Christ Himself in the sanctuary in heaven.  The work is almost done.  Are you ready?

Christ Present Through the Spirit
 
        Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  Hebrews 7:25
 
    Though the ministration was to be removed from the earthly to the heavenly temple; though the sanctuary and our great high priest would be invisible to human sight, yet the disciples were to suffer no loss thereby.  They would realize no break in their communion, and no diminution of power because of the Saviour's absence.  While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth.  He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).  While He delegates His power to inferior ministers, His energizing presence is still with His church.
 
    Seeing then that we have a great high priest,...Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). (The Desire of Ages, 166)
 
Reflection:  All through this devotional we have learned that God has spared nothing to save you and me!  Even as sinners we can come boldly to the throne of Grace through our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Today's thought is "No excuses."

Wounding Christ Again
 
        If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of god afresh, and put him to an open shame.  Hebrews 6:6
 
    We often sorrow because our evil deeds bring unpleasant consequences to ourselves; but this is not repentance.  Real sorrow for sin is the result of the working of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit reveals the ingratitude of the heart that has slighted and grieved the Saviour, and brings us in contrition to the foot of the cross.  By every sin Jesus is wounded afresh; and as we look upon Him whom we have pierced, we mourn for the sins that have brought anguish upon Him.  Such mourning will lead to the renunciation of sin.
 
    The worldling may pronounce this sorrow a weakness; but it is the strength which binds the penitent to the Infinite One with links that cannot be broken.  It shows that the angels of God are bringing back to the soul the graces that we lost through hardness of heart and transgression.  The tears of the penitent are only the raindrops that precede the sunshine of holiness. (The Desire of Ages, 300)
 
Reflection:  As we pray for more understanding about the sin issue, and ask the Lord to give us the heart we need, it will become clearer that committing sin is like wounding our Savior afresh.  Let's see sin as so terrible that we no longer want any part of it.

Our Great High Priest
 
        Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  Hebrews 4:14
 
    The sacrificial service that has pointed to Christ passed away; but the eyes of men were turned to the true sacrifice for the sins of the world.  The earthly priesthood ceased; but we look to Jesus, the minister of the new covenant, and "to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things then that of Abel."  "The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:...but Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands,...by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 12:24; 9:8-12).
 
    "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).  Though the ministration was to be removed from the earthly to the heavenly temple; though the sanctuary and our great high priest would be invisible to human sight, yet the disciples were to suffer no loss thereby.  They would realize no break in their communion, and no diminution of power because of the Saviour's absence.  While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth. (The Desire of Ages, 166)
 
Reflection:  Christ intercedes for us, not as a mere petitioner, but as a conqueror over sin.  And He is able to deliver us from every temptation!

The Word Is Quick And Powerful
 
        For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12
 
    The Bible has little to say in praise of men.  Little space is given to recounting the virtues of even the best men who have ever lived.  This silence is not without purpose; it is not without a lesson.  All the good qualities that men possess are the gift of God; their good deeds are performed by the grace of God through Christ.  Since they owe all to God the glory of whatever they are or do belongs to Him alone; they are but instruments in His hands.  More than this--as all the lessons of Bible history teach--it is a perilous thing to praise or exalt men; for if one comes to lose sight of his entire dependence of God, and to trust to his own strength, he is sure to fall.  Man is contending with foes who are stronger than he.  "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).  It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict; and whatever diverts the mind from God, whatever leads to self-exaltation or to self-dependence, is surely preparing the way for our overthrow.  The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 717)
 
Reflection:  The truths of the Bible, treasured in the heart and mind and obeyed in the life, transforms the character.  The Word is to be searched diligently with a teachable spirit.

Enter His Rest
 
        Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.  Hebrews 4:1
 
    A life in Christ is a life of restfulness.  There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust.  Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ.  Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might.  So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ.  Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character.  Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love--this is the subject for the soul's contemplation.  It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.
 
    Jesus says, "Abide in Me."  These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence.  Again He invites, "Come unto Me,...and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).  The words of the psalmist express the same thought: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."  And Isaiah gives the assurance, "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15).  This rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour's invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: "Take My yoke upon you:...and ye shall find rest" (Matthew 11:29).  The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him. (Steps to Christ, 71)
 
Reflection:  When we are focused on self we have no rest.  It is when we think and talk of Jesus and abide in Him that we have peace and rest.

Delay Not God's Plan
 
        So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.  Hebrews 3:19
 
    It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and establish them there, a holy, happy people.  But "they could not enter in because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:19).  Because of their backsliding and apostasy they perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the Promised Land.  In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow.  But unbelief separated them from God.  As they refused to do the work which He had appointed them, others were raised to proclaim the message.  In mercy to the world, Jesus delays His coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out. (The Great Controversy, 458)
 
Reflection:  God wants so much to come again.  The delay is not His fault, but ours.  We can hasten that day, and are actually responsible to do this.  Let's go forward today instead of backsliding.

 Steadfast Unto the End
 
        For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.  Hebrews 3:14
 
    Many of he greatest scholars and statesmen, the world's most eminent men, will in these last days turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God.  Yet God's servants are to improve every opportunity to communicate the truth to these men.  Some will acknowledge their ignorance of the things of God and will take their place as humble learners at the feet of Jesus, the Master Teacher.
 
    In every effort to reach the higher classes, the worker for God needs strong faith.  Appearances may seem forbidding, but in the darkest hour there is light above.  The strength of those who love and serve God will be renewed day by day.  The understanding of the Infinite is placed at their service, that in carrying out His purposes they may not err.  Let these workers hold the beginning of their confidences firm unto the end, remembering that the light of God's truth is to shine amid the darkness that enshrouds our world.  The faith of the consecrated worker is to stand every test brought to bear upon it.  God is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the strength they need and to give them the wisdom that their varied necessities demand.  He will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him. (The Acts of the Apostles, 241, 243)
 
Reflection:  We stand by going forward.  We are to increase in strength that we may remain faithful unto Him.  He is able and willing to give us the Holy Spirit, but we must have firmness and decision, maintaining under all circumstances a living faith in Jesus.

Trust the Lord
 
        Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  Hebrews 3:12
 
    Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful?  Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God.  We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials.  No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly things.  It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care.  But our Lord does not propose to take His people out of the world of sin and evil, but He points us to a never-failing refuge.  He invites the weary and care-laden, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."  Lay off the yoke of anxiety and worldly care that you have placed on your own neck, and "take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:28, 29).  We may find rest and peace in God, casting all our care upon Him; for He careth for us. (See 1 Peter 5:7.) (Patriarchs and Prophets, 294)
 
Reflection:  If we would remember all that the Lord has done for us, our faith would be strong.  But too often we forget the goodness of the Lord, and instead remember the evil others have done to us.

 Let the Sun Shine into Your Heart
 
        Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness).  Hebrews 3:7, 8
 
    It is not God that blinds the eyes of man or hardens their hearts.  He sends them light to correct their errors, and to lead them in safe paths; it is by the rejection of this light that the eyes are blinded and the heart hardened.  Often the process is gradual, and almost imperceptible.  Light comes to the soul through God's word, through His servants, or by the direct agency of the Holy Spirit; but when one ray of light is disregarded, there is a partial benumbing of the spiritual perceptions, and the second revealing of light is less clearly discerned.  So the darkness increases, until it is night in the soul.  Thus it had been with these Jewish leaders.  They were convinced that a divine power attended Christ, but in order to resist the truth, they attributed the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan.  In doing this they deliberately chose deception; they yielded themselves to Satan, and henceforth they were controlled by his power. (The Desire of Ages, 322)
 
Reflection:  If we saw ourselves as servants of God we would be more attentive in making the best choices in this conflict between good and evil.  It is often our sinful independence from God that makes us so careless.  Conscience is the voice of God, and when resisted, it grieves the Holy Spirit.  Many wait for more light while rejecting present light.  They wait for better opportunities and neglect present duties.  If we are not careful, the light we have will be withdrawn, and we will be left in darkness.