The Sabbath: Twentieth-century developments

Abstract

The sanctuary is at the heart of Adventist theology, especially regarding atonement and judgment. The hermeneutical key to the sanctuary doctrine is typology. The sacrifices find their fulfillment in Christ's substitutionary death. The two phases of atonement at the Hebrew sanctuary, the daily service and the yearly Day of Atonement ritual, prefigure two phases of Christ's priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, both of which are grounded in his sacrifice. The first phase is his intercessory ministry granting forgiveness. The additional second phase is the eschatological Day of Atonement, consisting of four phases of judgment, beginning with the pre-Advent judgment. According to the apocalyptic prophecies in Daniel 7 and 8 and Revelation 14, the pre-Advent judgment starts in AD 1844. It will vindicate the believers, condemn the wicked, and vindicate God as being just. The sanctuary doctrine has theological and experiential significance for today's life.