10_02 God’s Eternal and Temple Thrones

Document #10_02, God’s Eternal and Temple Thrones, starts a series that takes
a serious look at preconceptions used by Satan to confuse God’s remnant people.
You will meet and must be ready to answer this one.

God’s Eternal Throne
And
God’s Throne in the
Heavenly Sanctuary

The Judgment (blotting out of sins) began in the heavenly Sanctuary, in 1844, fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel 7, verses 9 and 10.

As should be expected, at the fulfillment of this prophecy, the First Angel’s Message was proclaimed: “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His Judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev.14:6,7, (a quote from the 4th Commandment).

Thus, the SANCTUARY and SABBATH truths were restored to their proper place since 1844-1846.

Because of a preconception (“An idea or opinion formed or conceived in advance of careful investigation.” – Dictionary definition) that God’s throne has always been in the Sanctuary, and that Christ, after ascending on high, sat there at the right hand of His Father, men have put forth every effort possible to prove that Christ entered “within the veil” immediately after He left His disciples, which would negate our whole belief in 1844! But all such efforts are not supported by the teaching of the example Sanctuary on earth. We must, therefore, diligently entreat
the Lord for the promised Comforter to lead us into all truth, and to save us from taking things for granted. “…prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Therefore we must seek His help to discern truth, for “Thus saith the Lord, ‘Cursed be the man who trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.'” Jeremiah 17:5. Beware of Commentaries, for they lead our mind, and we may misapprehend
foundational truths! Such a foundational truth is hidden behind their preconception, supported by some Commentaries. The Sanctuary is God’s temporary, not eternal, throne room. It is a “lower court” designed for dealing with sin. From it, while sin exists, the Lord carries on the work of removing sin and sinners from the universe. Not until after sin came into the universe could the Sanctuary have existed in Heaven.

Since earthly beings, themselves having never been in Heaven, are naturally strangers to Heaven’s realities (I Cor. 2:9, 10) then in order for God to make heavenly truth known to them, He must reveal it by means of earthly realities with which they are familiar. Hence, through the Sanctuary work on earth is seen the Sanctuary work in Heaven (See Heb. 9:1-9). Indeed, the Sanctuary above being the pattern of the one below, the services of the former are therefore definitely revealed in the services of the latter. And the fact that the earthly was appointed as a place for confession and for forgiveness of sins shows that the throne room in the heavenly Sanctuary is only temporary.
Now: let us consider John the revelator’s vision of the heavenly Sanctuary, about 96 A.D.:

“I looked,” he exclaimed, “and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: [entrance to the Sanctuary] and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said;
‘Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.'” Rev. 4:1. (Please here read Revelation 4:2-6; 5:6, 11).

These verses bring to view a twofold scene. On the one hand, before the throne are “seven lamps burning” and the “Lamb as it had been slain,” showing that the throne was “set” there to serve still in time of probation, in the 1st Apartment ministry. [The Sanctuary on earth had a vail between the human priest and the throne seen here, but there in heaven, no vail is needed. Therefore, the throne is seen in the “room” in the vision. The “furniture” and the Lamb seen, refer us to the 1st Apartment ministry]. The light from the seven lamps represents the light of truth in the Church while the blood of the Lamb is atoning for sinful beings. On the other hand, upon the throne sits the Ancient of days, the Judge, surrounded by the jury of twenty-four elders – great leaders from the unfallen worlds of God’s universe (crowned kings) who sing a new song of praise to Jesus, the Lamb who can open the seals of the great scroll in the hand of God the Father. That scroll
will outline the prophetic events leading up to the establishment of the kingdom of Jesus. We, and the elders, praise Jesus, Who is worthy of opening the scroll
“because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God…” (Rev. 5, v.9  NOTE – NIV Bible) “‘redeemed’… out of every kindred, and tongue, and
people, and nation.” KJV Bible.
Please NOTE WELL: The translators of the KJV mistranslated this verse because of their own belief, rather than be true to the text. Not aware that there could be other life in the universe, that has not fallen, (a preconception belief still held by many today, that man is a unique Creation never Created before) they made these kings (crowned)  some of those who are redeemed from the earth. See the descriptions of Divine Meetings in the book of Job; Meetings attended by the representatives of the worlds of the universe. Satan came among them, and God challenged Satan’s right to be there, as earth’s representative, because there are those on earth who are not Satan’s followers, but God’s followers. (Job as example.)
Therefore, replace verses 9 and 10 with those verses from the NIV Bible.

Besides the Father God, and these 24 “Jurists,” at this important meeting, there are the four “beasts”, (better – “living creatures”) plus the angelic witnesses numbering “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,” with the Lamb, our Advocate, in the midst. Rev.5:6 All this shows the combined mediatorial-Judicial work of the Sanctuary first apartment.

This point bears review. We have seen that when John in vision beheld the door-the word “door” here refers to the “hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation” (see Exodus 26:36, Numbers 3:25; 4:25)-as it therefore opened to the first apartment of the heavenly Sanctuary, he was permitted to look within, and that the things which he saw were to take place “hereafter” from his time, showing thereby that at the time of his vision (about 96 A.D.) the Most Holy apartment was still closed. It is not opened until the Seventh Seal is opened, in Rev. 8, verses 1 and 2, when Jesus, the High Priest with the golden censer, is doing the Day of Atonement work in the Most Holy Place.
(The Judgment throne is set there on the Day of Atonement, 1844). Daniel 7:9,10,26.

In addition to this, we shall now see from Daniel’s prophecy that the Judgment throne was set in place in the Most Holy apartment ministry of the heavenly
Sanctuary after the “little horn” of Daniel 7 came up:
“I considered the horns and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, [put in place] and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame and His wheels as burning fire.” [Why do you think His throne has wheels, hm]?

“A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the Judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
Both John’s and Daniel’s visions reveal that the final Judgment throne (in the Most Holy place) was not there in this vision, that, indeed, it was not “set up” until somewhere in the days of ecclesiastical Rome (Dan. 7:21,22,26). Hence, elsewhere than in the Sanctuary is God’s eternal throne room.
Because the Judgment throne in the Most Holy place was not yet in existence therein in the days of the early Christian Church, therefore the throne upon which Stephen saw Christ at the “right hand of God” (Acts 7:56) could not have been the Judgment throne which is in the Most Holy place but rather had to be the throne which is in Paradise, whence flows “the river of water of life,” and on either side of which is “the tree of life.” Rev. 22:1,2. Very obviously, therefore, the throne which Stephen saw is “the throne of God and of the Lamb,” the throne permanent and
eternal. Round about this glory seat are no beasts, no witnesses, no jury, and before it is “no candle,” and no blood to be offered. In short, it stands, not in the sin-laden Sanctuary, but in Paradise. It is the sovereign administrative throne from which the Infinite eternally governs His universe of immortal sinless beings!

To this throne, then, which is from everlasting to everlasting, Christ ascended and thereat sat down at the right hand of His Father (at the same time often ministering in the Holy Place ministry) until the time came when, in fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy and of John’s Revelation, Jesus moved from the Holy Place to the Most Holy. There, Jesus does not sit as the King at the right hand of God, but rather is brought before God as a High Priest Intercessor, pleading for us sinful human beings in the Judgment.

Hence, when, after His ascension, His mediatorial work commenced, it was in the Holy Place, and it did not move into the Most Holy until at the commencement of the antitypical Day of Atonement; – the “cleansing of the Sanctuary” at the end of the 2300 day prophecy.
Just as in the earthly Sanctuary the high priest (typifying Christ) officiated first, as we know, in the Holy apartment throughout the year, then upon the Day of Atonement, the day of cleansing the Sanctuary and Judging the people, he officiated in the Most Holy, the earthly services disallow Christ’s entering the Most Holy apartment of the heavenly Sanctuary immediately after His ascension.

From the foregoing facts, the only admissible conclusion is that Christ, immediately after His ascension, rather than entering within the vail in the Sanctuary, sat down at the right hand of His Father, conjointly with His Father on the eternal Sovereign Throne (“the Throne of God and the Lamb”) and from there, They rule the sinless universe. From there, also, because of their ministry for men on earth, both of them, with a moveable Sanctuary Throne (wheels on it) often went and worked in the Holy apartment of the Sanctuary, until They entered the Most Holy Place ministry, in 1844.
Hebrews chapter 8, verses 1 and 2: “…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.”

“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Indeed, “…now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And, as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the Judgment, so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them without sin [after the cleansing of the Sanctuary] that look for Him shall He appear the second time unto salvation.” (Heb. 9: 24, 26-28).

To the Jewish Christian writer of Hebrews (probably the apostle Paul) “…in the end of the world” was, in his understanding, the end of the 70 weeks (490 years allotted to the Jews before their Judgment hour began – Daniel 9:24, and their city was destroyed, in 70 A.D.). After that, the church was waiting for Jesus to return.

Concerning the commencement of the final work of Judging and cleansing, the angel said unto Daniel, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Dan.8:14. Since, accordingly, the cleansing takes place at the termination of the twenty-three hundred days, and since it is, as we have seen, the Judgment, which the writer of the book of Hebrews knew takes place in “the end of the world” (Heb. 9:26), consequently the termination of the twenty-three
hundred days (years), and the beginning of the mediatorial-Judicial work of Christ are, upon the authority of Inspiration Itself, timed to the end of the world.

Now, armed with the truth about the two thrones and the proper timing of the activities there, let us tackle Hebrews chapter 9, KJV, where the critics are so certain that Christ entered into His Day of Atonement ministry in the Most Holy, upon His ascension. Verses 24 to 26 are used to uphold their theory. “For Christ is [entered into the heavenly Sanctuary] …now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others [blood for others’ sins]: For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
First, let us notice some of the defining verses in the chapter so that we don’t look to the chapters of Leviticus for their definition, when the definitions are right here in this chapter. At the end of verse 2, the writer defines the first apartment of the Sanctuary as simply “the Sanctuary.” Note well: “hagia” – no article – holy place – singular. Next, verse 3, he defines the apartment after the second veil as the tabernacle (tent) which is called “the Holiest of all.” – double worded – Holy [singular]- (hagia – no article) of Holies [plural] – hagiown.

Because of these definitions, when we read “holy place” we should think first apartment, and when we read “holiest of all” only then may we think second apartment, where the Judgment throne for the Day of Atonement ministry is placed.

The writer then speaks of the earthly Sanctuary, saying, vs. 6-8:
“Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone, once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing” [yet having standing or effect – first apartment ministry is still in effect].
Notice v. 8. The formula “holiest of all” is used for the second time: definitely meaning after the second veil [but only using the second word, “hagiown” of the formula.] Compare Heb. 10:19, 20.

Also, the formula “first tabernacle” Hebrews 9:8, is used for the second time, so
that is referring to the first apartment. In it, the writer continues, both gifts (No gifts are used in the Day of Atonement ritual) and sacrifices were offered, “which stood only in meats and drinks…and carnal ordinances (first apartment offerings) imposed on them until the time of reformation” [when Christ would begin His work as High Priest].

Verse 11 comes forward in history to that point, when Christ became High Priest.
“But Christ being come an High Priest…by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Notice above, the term is; “holy place.”(KJV) The Greek here, however, is definitely plural, “holy places,” (ta hagia – with the article) but the translators chose to name it singular, because the “redemption” is a first apartment requirement.
We will see, however, that both heavenly holy places is here correct, when we compare “line with line” verses 12 and 24 (ta hagia).

Then, the writer turns to a new emphasis – Jesus is the mediator of the New Testament – verse 15. His death is the true redemption.

The writer’s next emphasis needs to be noted very carefully; for it is the context for what follows. Verse 18 begins this new emphasis. “Where-upon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.” The meaning of the whole rest of the chapter is dependent on this context.

When Moses dedicated the first Sanctuary, to prepare it for use, [it had to be sanctified – set apart for its Holy use] NOTE verse 21, he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. “Line upon line” compare verse 23: “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified (think dedicated) with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” So Jesus did the same to the heavenly Holy Places, to inaugurate them for their ministry.

The following verse, verse 25, if you compare KJV to NIV, is problematic to the context, except when you refer to the Greek. Rather than referring to the once a year entering of the high priest into the “Holiest of all,” it is referring to all of the work of the high priest throughout the year, including the yearly Day of Atonement. Remember the definition for the second apartment? It must be “the Holiest of all,”… right? The Greek word used here is instead the plural for “holies”
(ta hagia) that refers to both apartments, as we have seen. “Line upon line”
cements this as so. Compare Heb.7, verse 27 with Heb. 9:25, and we see that the high priest both daily and yearly dealt with sacrifices in the temple services.

Interestingly, Heb. 9:25 does not include the Day of Atonement blood “which he offered for himself” of verse 7, but only refers to the blood of others, for their sins. You can see that the emphasis is on the whole year work of the high priest, rather than on the Day of Atonement work only.
So, when Jesus ascended into heaven, the first work He had to do was to symbolically dedicate [inaugurate] with His own blood the Sanctuary and all of the
vessels of the ministry (Heb.9:18 and 21). That would include the Ark of the Covenant!

The writer’s point is that the blood of Jesus is applied only once, at the dedication of the New Testament Sanctuary, that would be dedicated [purified, anointed] in Hebrews 9:12 and 21!

Finally, I would like to do one more “line upon line” regarding the dedication of the Sanctuary by Jesus after His ascension. Dan. 9:24:
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression and to make reconciliation for iniquity…and to anoint the Most Holy.” This text makes most sense, when you see it as referring to the dedication of the Sanctuary in heaven!
You will find that the “Tabernacle, and all that is therein,” are “anointed” with oil (Exodus 40:9) to “sanctify” them (vs. 10-13) and that they were sprinkled with blood as well, at the dedication ceremony. (See Heb 9:21).
Dan.9:24 uses the whole formula for “Holy of Holies” (very similar to the Greek formula) to introduce the heavenly Sanctuary [the holier one in heaven] that would be anointed. Similarly, Hebrews 8:2, translated “minister of the Sanctuary”
introduces the heavenly Sanctuary using the abreviated formula (t’own hagiown) for Holy of Holies, [the holier one] which, according to the idea repeat phrase
“which the Lord pitched, and not man,” in both places, means the whole Sanctuary.

Now that we have let the text itself speak, allow me to back it up with the conclusions of the large number of Bible scholars who grappled with these questions back in the 1980’s and 1990’s. These are summarized from the number of volumes of Selected Studies of Prophetic Interpretation written by the Daniel and Revelation Committee appointed by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. They conclude, first, that Christ’s death, as the antitypical fulfillment of all of the Old Testament animal sacrificing system, includes all of the Old Testament sacrifices, even those of the Day of Atonement, because Psalm 40:6-8 teach that all of the sacrifices were to coalesce into the one Sacrifice.

Second, they conclude that when Christ ascended in 31 A.D. He inaugurated the entire heavenly sanctuary. The Greek word egkainizo “inaugurate,” [dedicate]
is employed both in Heb. 9:18 and 10:20! Further, the continuing first-century work of Christ is compared with the daily work of the earthly priest. Finally, they conclude that the Sanctuary scene of Rev. 4-5, focuses on the first apartment “daily” or “continual” work there.
Richard M. Davidson, Journal, Adventist Theological Society (1991)

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