When we study Daniel and Revelation, we find some important references to the sanctuary or temple of God.  And people are telling me that there is so much they don’t understand or even know  about the sanctuary. Don’t be discouraged. Remember the sanctuary is a model of the plan of salvation, and this is something we will be studying and looking into for all eternity.

 You may study that love for ages; yet you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal it. Yet as we study the Bible and meditate upon the life of Christ and the plan of redemption, these great themes will open to our understanding more and more. –Ellen White, The Faith I Live By, Page 43.

I have to admit, I grew up Adventist and never really understood a lot of the themes of the sanctuary or “cleansing of the sanctuary. ” Instead of my teachers teaching it to me, they just told me I knew it. Interesting teaching method there! So, in my early twenties I still had lots of questions but did not dare ask because I was already supposed to know it all. When I realized I was not going to learn any younger, I started asking questions anyway and reading and studying the sanctuary and the plan of redemption. I would like to share some books that have really helped me. Just click on the title  to purchase the book online.

1844 Made Simple

Click on image to buy at Amazon.com

Clifford Goldstein, a converted Jew and current editor of the Adult Bible Study Guide, once came close to leaving the Seventh-day Adventist Church because of the Investigative Judgment teaching. However, he spent the time to study it out for himself. In his book 1844 Made Simple, he does a remarkable job of making the judgement and cleansing of the sanctuary so….well…simple! He also makes it very clear that, although this teaching is unique to  Seventh-day Adventists, it is very biblical. 

The Cross and Its Shadow

In The Cross and Its Shadow, Stephen N. Haskell, an early Seventh-day Adventist pioneer and a contemporary of Ellen White, brings alive all of the imagery of the sanctuary and brings understanding to their applications. His approach is devotional.

He clearly explains the feast days as well. While some wonder why many Seventh-day Adventists do not celebrate the feast days, Elder Haskell helps us see that we are observing the literal feast days. For example, ever since 1844 we have been in the literal day of atonement.

The Sanctuary Service

Click on image to buy book on Amazon.com

In The Sanctuary Service, M.L. Andreasen, who was a young man in Ellen White’s old age, illustrates how the sanctuary service illuminates Christ as our High Priest, Sacrifice and Intercessor. 

This is probably the best source for a detailed summary of all the sanctuary offerings and various services. 

Then Shall the Sanctuary be Cleansed 

When I was in my early 20′s and began studying the sanctuary, Then Shall the Sanctuary Be Cleansed by Donald Short, brought many things to life for me. It also helped me understand the work our High Priest is doing in the sanctuary of my heart. The original version I read is no longer available, but you can now buy an updated version of Then Shall the Sanctuary Be Cleansed. 

Happy studying!

Print/PDF/Email