The Sanctuary Parallels
“They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one…” (Heb 8:5).
There’s a temple, a sanctuary, a heavenly sanctuary,
One with two compartments, one termed “Holy,” and the other “Most Holy.”
This literal sanctuary in Heaven, our Lord ascended to,
That is, after His crucifixion, for He still had some things to do.
And there He is ministering now, in the room that's termed “Most Holy,”
For at some stage our Lord moved from the other room very purposely.
And there in the “Most Holy” room of God's heavenly sanctuary
Sits the Ark Of The Covenant that contains His Law, and visibly
Well, there was also a sanctuary in ancient Israel, you know,
Just like the one in Heaven, a copy that God established below.
Once a year the high priest of Israel entered the room termed “Most Holy,"
For it was a time of judgment, a very solemn ceremony.
And in there, the high priest pleaded on behalf of all the Israelites,
Before the Ark Of The Covenant with its mercy seat, Scripture cites.
Obviously this prefigured what our high priest — Jesus Christ — would do;
That is, before His return, a judgment time where justice He’d pursue.
You see, Christ is our judge as well, we’re told, not just our mediator,
However, He’ll save the repentant, for He is their liberator.
And when our Lord returns to earth, it will be then that He will reward,
As beforehand, over each one’s heavenly record He will have poured.
You see, throughout the Holy Bible many references are made
To such a time of judgment where records are scanned and where lives are weighed.
Yes, a courtroom's depicted in Scripture where the Father and His Son
Their just and careful scrutiny have very earnestly thus begun.
Repentance is a daily affair — yes, for faithful we all must be,
For only via such a response will Christ our genuineness thus see.
Although He continues to mediate there, there comes a time for all
When “saved” or “unsaved” (via a thorough inspection), our Lord has to call.
After all, we can walk away from God, a very foolish mistake,
Or we might in fact accept His grace, but then willingly His Law break.
And hence why Heaven keeps a record that is forgotten under grace,
But remembered whenever we rebel, or let Satan take first place.
Yes, Heaven keeps a record, but a record that we don't need to fear,
That is, if we are faithful to Christ, and to His will and Word adhere.
For when He carefully investigates, He will mark “saved” by our name;
And sadly so, He’ll mark “unsaved” by the ones who His Holy name shame.
Thus, humanity is on probation, for earth is about to end,
Which means the end of Christ’s investigation is just around the bend.
And when He cries, “It is finished!” He will then return with His reward,
His judgment thereby vindicated, a God the universe will laud.
By Lance Landall
“
‘Because He has fixed a day [time] on which He will have the world [us]
judged in righteousness by a Man [Christ] whom He [God] has
appointed, and of this He has given assurance to all by raising
him from the dead [Christ’s crucifixion]’ ” (Acts 17:31).
“...The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened” (Dan 7:10).
Note Rev 14:7; 20:12; 22:12; 2 Cor 5:10; James 4:12.
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty”
(James 2:12, NASB).
“And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? I die every day!..” (1 Cor 15:30,31).
“Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple...” (Rev 11:19, NKJV).
“For
if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the
truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying
expectation of judgment...” (Heb 10:26,27, NASB).
Read Leviticus chapter 16 and 23:27-32.
Sources available.