Revelation and the Heavenly Sanctuary

John, the writer of Revelation, was Jewish and was very familiar with the earthly sanctuary.. We can better understand the meaning of this book if we understand sanctuary imagery in this book..

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Rev 1:10-20

This is an introduction to the messages to the seven Churches. The golden candlesticks (in vs.12) are also found in the Holy Place in the earthly sanctuary of the Old Testament. The garment of High Priest is referred to in vs.13. The Lamb slain in (vs.18) is an allusion to the cross and the Passover. The Passover has it origin when Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt, after the destroying angel passed over Gods people.  The slain lamb represented Christ. The Israelites went through their houses to remove all leaven on the first Passover. We see in these verses Christ walking thought out the Churches cleansing His people from sin. Christ is illustrated here as walk in the mist of his Church/ People bring to mind. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Mat 18:20.  Although John fell at his feet as though dead, these verses illustrate Christ's love for His people.

Christ was in the Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuary from his ascension into heaven until 1844 ministering in our behalf. After 1844 his ministry moved into the Most Holy Place. The fact he is seen here in the Holy Place would indicate that the prophetic meaning of the Messages to the seven churches began before 1844.

For an explanation of the Holy an Most Holy and the 1844 date see {Christ ongoing Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary}.

The Passover being the first feast would also indicates that the prophetic meaning of the seven Churches starts with the early Church.

2nd Sanctuary  Introduction

The second reference to the Sanctuary is seen in Revelation 4+5. It is a inauguration scene , Christ Coronation. The location is the Holy Place.

"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. "Rev 5:8

We here see seven lamps and golden vials full of odors (incense) which were in the Holy Place.

This is an introduction to Seals of Revelation 6. We can logically conclude Christ is in the Holy place during the beginning of the seals, i.e. before 1844.

In Chap. 4 God is in control. It is a Throne scene of God the Father.

In Chapter Chap. 5 It is a Inaugural scene of Christ the triumphant.

Pentecost is also of significance in the understanding of Chapter 5. Pentecost or the Festival of Wheat harvest is the second of the Jewish festivals. The "first fruits" were dedicated to God just as Christ and the saint he took with Him to heaven were the first fruits of the saved.

Ex. 19 and Ez.1 were traditional read at Pentecost. Ez:1 is like Rev 4 and 5 in that it is vision of the throne of God.

Pentecost means "50" The feast of Weeks was 7weeks =49 day and celebrated the day after on the 50th day.

Jesus was anointed 10 days after His accession to heaven, 50 days after Passover (40 days on earth after resurrection).

In Ps 133 we read "A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

On the 50th day after Jesus resurrection (40 day on earth and 10 days in heaven) Jesus was anointed our high priest and the oil (Holy Spirit) following from Christ descended, like the oil running down Aaron's beard, to the disciple as described in Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

This is elsewhere stated in the book Acts of the Apostles;

"Christ's ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even 39 with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven's communication that the Redeemer's inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people." AA 38+39

The significance of Ex 19 is that they arrived at Mount Sinai on first day of the third Jewish Month. There were three days of preparation, then on the 5th day God gave Moses the 10 Commandments.

The first Pentecost was a giving of the Law. The second Pentecost was giving of Holy Spirit that enabled them to keep the Law.

We find the description of the feast in Ex 23:14-16 we read; "Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field."

The third Sanctuary introduction is a introduction to the Trumpets in Rev 8:2-6.."And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."

We here see a clear references to the Holy Place indicting Christ is still in the Holy Place. We must conclude these event began prior to 1844. The altar golden censer and incense were all in the Holy Place.

Feast of Trumpets is also alluded to here. This festival was celebrated on 1st day of 7th month (see Lev. 23:24). The Passover month was the 1st month (Ex 12:2). A ceremonial Sabbath was celebrated by blowing of trumpet ( Lev. 23:24,25)

" The tradition of the Jews is that on New Year's Day (celebrated to this day as Rosh Hashanah) everyone is Judged for his deeds of the past year, but that one's doom is not settled until the 10th, on the Day of Atonement, apparently after 9 days of grace" Talmud, Rash Hashanah- SDA Bible Dictionary

  We then conclude that this introduction is announcing Warnings and judgments in a probationary time.

4th Sanctuary Introduction

The fourth Sanctuary introduction is found in Rev. 11:19. We read in Rev 11:19 "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."

We see here the ark of Testimony which is found in Most holy Place. We conclude that Christ has move into the Most Holy Place and the events introduce are after 1844.

In Rev 11:18 we see scenes of the Investigative Judgment of Dead "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."

Day of Atonement fit well with this introduction. It occurred on the 10th day of 7th month. It was the most solemn day of the year. In Act 27:9 "the fast" is the Day of Atonement. It is the Ceremony of Cleansing of the Sanctuary in Lev. 16. All who did not afflict their souls on that day were cut off from Israel (Lev. 23:29)

5th Sanctuary Introduction

Rev 15:5-8 reads. "And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled."

Introduction to 7 Plagues The temple of the "tabernacle of the testimony" is the Most Holy Place.

Num. 7:89 "And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him."

In vs. 8 no man able to enter indicating probation closed for mankind.

Day of Atonement had past.

6th Sanctuary  Introduction

In Rev 19:1-10 we read:

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

We see the 24 elders and throne (vs. 4).  They were last seen in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuary. The ark of testimony is not mentioned or alluded to. Their is no longer a need for the mercy seat or the applying of Christ atoning blood. The Furniture is absent. The 24 elders may represent the 12 patriarchs and 12 Apostles and be the antitype of the 24 orders of priest in Old testament. The great multitude are in heaven indicating it is after the Second coming of Christ.

7th sanctuary  Introduction

Rev 21:1-5 we read; "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.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."

We see (vs. 3) that the tabernacle of God is with men. The "Sanctuary", absent of the furniture, design to illustrate God atoning work for men, in now location on earth. It is the antitypical Feast of Tabernacles.

Feast of Tabernacles was a Joyous festival celebrating end of harvest on the 15th day of 7th month.