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Commentary on "The Blessings of the Prophetic Gift"
Day 6: Thursday, March 19, 2009
Today's lesson focuses on God's use of prophets to protect his people from theological error. It then makes the claim that Ellen White had the same role and makes passing reference to the "Kellogg Crisis", the "semi-Arian" doctrine and A. F. Ballenger's challenge to the "sanctuary teaching". Finally, the topics relating to the Creation week and the Sabbath are introduced.
Problems
Since the Sanctuary Doctrine is central to Adventist theology, that is where we will place our focus in today's commentary.
Point #1, When was the veil torn away?
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matt. 27:50,51)
The temple veil, separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn away at the death of Jesus on the cross. This means that, because Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins, there is no separation of the Holy compartment from the Holy of Holies. Christians have had direct access to God the Father for the better part of two thousand years.
Point #2, When did Jesus sit down at the right hand of the Father?
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1,2)
Shortly after his resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven and has been at the 'right hand' of God the Father ever since. Because the veil had long since been torn apart, there is no Inner Compartment for Jesus to move into and he has always been at the right hand of the Father since he ascended into heaven. Nothing happen in 1844 other than many people were exposed as fools.
Point #3, Who is our Scapegoat?
Adventist teach that the word, scapegoat comes from the word; azazel, which carries the idea of being 'evil' or 'cursed', therefore it must be Satan. The only agreed understanding of the meaning of this obscure word is that it means; to go to "a place unknown". As for there being a curse involved, note that the cross is a shame, a curse and it is Jesus who hung on it.
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. (Deut. 21:23)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. (Gal. 3:13)
Scripture mentions nothing about Satan bearing our sins at any time or having any involvement in the redemption of our souls. Jesus became a curse for us and he carried our sins into the grave, "a place unknown". To teach that Satan has any part in our salvation is to promote heresy.
Point #4 Jesus is fully God.
In the early Adventist history, the semi-Arian belief that Jesus was not God or fully God, was taught instead of the orthodox Trinity Doctrine. While Ellen White took a public stand against this view and Adventist theologians now publically claim to hold with the orthodox Trinity Doctrine, The Sanctuary Doctrine exposes them to the charge that their roots are still Arian. That is, if you limit Jesus' access to the Father, then you are saying he is not fully God.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. (John 10:29-30)
The Jews understood what Jesus was saying. Do You? The doctrine of the Trinity and the unique Adventist Sanctuary Doctrine are incompatible.
Summary
It is agreed that true, Biblically based theology, is critical to the life of each person who claims to be a Christian. Especially where our salvation is involved. Through prayer and Holy Spirit led search of Scriptures, each person who claims Jesus as their Savior, is encouraged to have a clear understanding of the foundation of their faith. When you conclude that the Sanctuary Doctrine is false you will realize that it has no part in the gospel?
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