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The last work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary
"Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord."
— Leviticus 23:27-29
In the biblical context, atonement (Kippur) means "to cover" or "to reconcile". It is the process by which sin is removed and the barrier between God and man is broken down. While the daily sacrifice broughtforgiveness, the Day of Atonement brought theblotting outdefinitive of sins.
The earthly sanctuary was a copy of the heavenly. What the high priest did once a year in the Most Holy Place, Jesus is doing now in Heaven: purifying the sanctuary of the records of our sins (Hebrews 9:23-24).
A time of self-examination and total surrender, seeking the purification that only Christ can offer.
Leviticus 23:27-29Jesus not only judges us, but also acts as our Advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1).
The judgment is in favor of the saints (Daniel 7:22), ensuring final justice and the end of evil.
According to the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 ("Unto 2300 evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed"), Jesus began in 1844 the final phase of His ministry: the Investigative Judgment. He examines the records to decide who is ready for His coming.
Represents Christ. His blood purifies the sanctuary and the believer.
Represents Satan. He does not pay for our sins, but receives back the responsibility for having tempted us, being led into the wilderness to die (the end of evil).
1 Peter 4:17
The judgment begins with those who profess to be the people of God. It is a solemn time of self-examination and total surrender.
| Action | Forgiveness (Daily) | Blotting Out (Atonement) |
|---|---|---|
| Moment | Whenever we confess | At the end of judgment |
| Sanctuary | Sin transferred to the Sanctuary | Sanctuary is purified |
| Records | Written with "forgiveness" beside them | Removed permanently |
The cross provided the sacrifice (the payment). Judgment is the application of that sacrifice. It is the moment when God shows before the universe who genuinely accepted the gift of salvation.
No, if Jesus is your Advocate. He has never lost a case! The judgment is "in favor of the saints" (Daniel 7:22). Our role is to keep a daily relationship of confession and friendship with Him.
It is the phase of judgment that occurs before the return of Jesus. Just as on the earthly Day of Atonement sins were reviewed, Jesus now analyzes the life of each believer to confirm who accepted His grace. It is not for God to know (He knows all things), but to demonstrate to the universe His justice.
Satan does not die for our sins (only Jesus does that). However, because he is the author of sin and the one who tempted us, he must receive back the final responsibility for all the evil he caused in the lives of the redeemed, being finally destroyed.
It means living in a spirit of contrition, self-examination and deep dependence on God. It is not sadness without hope, but a solemn recognition that we live in the time of judgment and need to be in total harmony with the will of God.
Daniel 7:9-10 - The books are opened and each name is examined
1 John 1:9 - Confession and repentance are examined
Revelation 3:5 - Confessed sins are blotted out of the books
Exodus 32:33 - Names remain or are blotted out of the book of life
Atonement, or the purification of sins, is the final work that Christ performs in the heavenly sanctuary before returning to Earth to take His faithful and obedient people.
📖 Read: Leviticus 23:27-29
On the day of atonement everyone afflicted their souls, so that they could receive the benefit of the sanctuary's purification work.
📖 Read: Leviticus 16:30, 32, 33
Every person on Earth has a corresponding record book in Heaven. There all acts, thoughts and motives are recorded.
📖 Read: Daniel 7:9, 10 | Malachi 3:16 | Revelation 21:27
During the investigation, if there was repentance and confession of sins, they are blotted out of the books.
📖 Read: 1 John 1:9 | Revelation 3:5
Just as on the ancient Day of Atonement the Israelites were toafflict their soulsin deep repentance and confession, today we live in the solemn time of the Investigative Judgment in heaven.
The Word of God is clear: on that day, whoever did not afflict his soul and have his sins forgiven wascut off from the congregation. For us, today, the neglect of this time means something even more serious: theloss of eternal life.
Do you want to cling to Christ by faith, confessing your sins, and remain watching and praying for your soul, obeying the commandments of God, thus being prepared to have your sins blotted out of your book and inherit eternal life?
"...here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
We will learn about the deception that Satan has used since the beginning, but especially in these last days, and how to avoid being ensnared.
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