Hebrews 8:1-2 “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.”

ABSTRACT

Christ’s heavenly ministry centers on readying the community for collective eternal life, not merely individual salvation. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. As Hebrews 13:14 reminds us, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Christ’s intercession transforms our characters to fit us for the new heaven and earth. “Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.’ [John 14:30]. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father’s commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble” (The Great Controversy, 623.1, 1888). “It is in this life that we are to separate sin from us, through faith in the atoning blood of Christ. Our precious Saviour invites us to join ourselves to Him, to unite our weakness to His strength, our ignorance to His wisdom, our unworthiness to His merits. God’s providence is the school in which we are to learn the meekness and lowliness of Jesus. The Lord is ever setting before us, not the way we would choose, which seems easier and pleasanter to us, but the true aims of life. It rests with us to co-operate with the agencies which Heaven employs in the work of conforming our characters to the divine model. None can neglect or defer this work but at the most fearful peril to their souls” (The Great Controversy, 623.2, 1888). 2 Peter 3:13 declares, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Revelation 21:1 states, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Ellen G. White explains that through His holiness, Christ mingles our prayers of repentance and faith, bringing us closer to God (Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1896, p. 9). This connection does not depend on proximity to sacred sites but on a spiritual relationship with Christ. As Jesus stated to the Samaritan woman, true worshipers worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Our community reflects spiritual readiness through heartfelt worship rather than attachment to earthly locations, but what happens when distractions shift focus away from this vital preparation?

JERUSALEM DISTRACTION DANGER!

Belief in visiting old Jerusalem as necessary before Christ’s return creates a significant error. Sr. White warns that such ideas distract from the critical work of preparing for Jesus’ return, shifting focus and resources from helping others in the present (The Present Truth, p. 13). “The Jews had forged their own fetters; they had filled for themselves the cup of vengeance. In the utter destruction that befell them as a nation, and in all the woes that followed them in their dispersion, they were but reaping the harvest which their own hands had sown. Says the prophet: ‘O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself;’ ‘for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.’ [Hosea 13:9; 14:1]. Their sufferings are often represented as a punishment visited upon them by the direct decree of God. It is thus that the great deceiver seeks to conceal his own work. By stubborn rejection of divine love and mercy, the Jews had caused the protection of God to be withdrawn from them, and Satan was permitted to rule them according to his will” (The Great Controversy, p. 35.3, 1888). “The Saviour’s prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow. In the fate of the chosen city we may behold the doom of a world that has rejected God’s mercy and trampled upon His law” (The Great Controversy, p. 36.2, 1888). Galatians 4:25-26 affirms, “For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Hebrews 12:22 adds, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.” Jerusalem’s sacredness was marred by its rejection of Christ, and it will not be restored until the end of time when Christ purifies it with heavenly fire (Review and Herald, 1901, p. 2). Sr. White emphasizes that faith is not strengthened by walking the soil of old Jerusalem but by following Christ’s example—ministering to the suffering and living out His teachings (Review and Herald, 1896, p. 4). We pursue the true path to Christ through spiritual service, not physical pilgrimages, but how does Christ’s intercession foster this essential readiness?

READINESS RENEWAL RUSH!

Christ’s intercession in the heavenly sanctuary prepares us to inherit eternal life. As Hebrews 3:19 explains, unbelief kept the Israelites from entering the promised land, highlighting the necessity of spiritual readiness. “We should now consider that our life is swiftly passing away, that we are not safe one moment unless our life is hid with Christ in God. Our duty is not to be looking forward to some special time for some special work to be done for us, but to go forward in our work of warning the world; for we are to be witnesses of Christ to the uttermost parts of the world” (Selected Messages Book 1, 189.3, 1958). “Today you are to give yourselves to God, that He may make of you vessels unto honor, and meet for His service. Today you are to give yourself to God, that you may be emptied of self, emptied of envy, jealousy, evil surmising, strife, everything that shall be dishonoring to God. Today you are to have your vessel purified that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement” (Selected Messages Book 1, 190.3, 1958). 1 Peter 1:3-4 proclaims, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” Colossians 1:5 echoes, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Sr. White notes that God seeks a holy people to inherit the new heaven and earth, not merely to replace one sinful group with another (Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1896, p. 9). This transformation appears in Isaiah 60:21, which declares, “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever.” Christ’s heavenly work cleanses our community, as Ephesians 5:25-27 describes, equipping us to dwell where righteousness prevails, but why must we prioritize Christ above all earthly attachments?

CHRIST FOCUS FERVOR!

Christian faith centers not on restoring ancient Jerusalem’s significance but on Christ’s ongoing ministry. Hebrews 12:2 directs us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” “There was virtue in the symbolic service only as it directed the worshipers to Christ as their personal Saviour” (The Desire of Ages, p. 82, 1898). “If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross” (The Desire of Ages, p. 83, 1898). Philippians 3:20 affirms, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 3:2 urges, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Sr. White emphasizes that spiritual nourishment comes from a relationship with Christ, not venerating historical sites (Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1896, p. 9). This living connection changes us into God’s children and readies us for eternal life. Abraham’s delayed possession of the promised land, due to the Amorites’ iniquity (Genesis 15:16), and Israel’s unbelief (Hebrews 3:19) show that God’s promises require spiritual readiness. We focus on Christ’s heavenly work, allowing His grace to transform us into a holy people, fit to inherit the new creation, but how does this emphasis shape our ultimate victory?

TRANSFORMATION TRIUMPH!

Emphasis of Christian faith lies in Christ’s intercession and the transformation He brings, not in physical locations or pilgrimages. Through His ministry, we draw closer to God and prepare for eternal life. “Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his Maker. His heart must be renewed by divine grace; he must have a new life from above. This change is the new birth, without which, says Jesus, ‘he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (The Great Controversy, 467.2, 1888). “This work can be accomplished only through faith in Christ, by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. Paul admonishes believers: ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure’” (The Great Controversy, 469.3, 1888). Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Titus 3:5 adds, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” The experiences of Israel and the patriarchs remind us that spiritual readiness is essential for receiving God’s promises. As Sr. White reminds us, our focus should be on Christ, who intercedes for us in the heavenly sanctuary, rather than on historical sites (Review and Herald, 1896, p. 9). Through this focus, we prepare for the heavenly inheritance that awaits the righteous.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into Christ’s heavenly ministry, allowing it to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about focusing on physical Jerusalem in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s intercession and God’s ultimate victory over evil?