Sanctuary Message Calls Adventists to Renew Their Focus on Jesus

The second day of the Week of Prayer placed the sanctuary at the center of Adventist identity, inviting participants to find assurance in Christ’s continuing ministry and renew their daily communion with God.

The weeklong series, themed “Identity of the Remnant,” explores five teachings associated with the Seventh-day Adventist faith: the Second Coming, sanctuary, Sabbath, state of the dead and Spirit of Prophecy.

Following Pastor Lowell Domocmat’s opening presentation on the Second Coming, Pastor Allan Pasuhuk, who works in the Theological-Historical Studies Department of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), delivered the Day 2 message, “The Sanctuary.”

Drawing from Exodus 25:8-9, Pasuhuk emphasized God’s instruction to Israel: “Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”

“The doctrine of the sanctuary reveals that our transcendent God chose to be near to His creatures, to dwell among them,” Pasuhuk said.

He explained that the earthly sanctuary was a place where Israel encountered God, received forgiveness and learned about the plan of salvation. Its sacrifices and services pointed forward to Jesus Christ, whom Pasuhuk described as humanity’s High Priest, sacrifice, Savior, mediator and Judge.

According to Pasuhuk, the sanctuary teaching presents Christ’s ministry as a complete journey encompassing His incarnation, earthly ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and eventual return.

Pasuhuk also connected the sanctuary’s daily and weekly services with personal and family worship.

Pasuhuk recalled visiting his grandfather’s community in Indonesia as a child and hearing families worship and sing in their homes early each morning. During his later pastoral visits, however, he observed that fewer families appeared to maintain regular morning and evening worship.

Citing church statistics, Pasuhuk said only 37% of Adventist members regularly practice daily family worship. He encouraged the congregation to support the Back to the Altar initiative, which seeks to restore personal and family devotion.

“The family that prays together stays together,” he said.

Pasuhuk also reviewed the development of the Adventist understanding of the heavenly sanctuary following the Great Disappointment of 1844. He recognized Hiram Edson, O. R. L. Crosier and Franklin B. Hahn, whose Bible study helped early Adventists understand Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.

Turning to the Seventh-day Adventist Church Fundamental Belief No. 24, “Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary,” Pasuhuk explained that Adventists understand Christ’s atoning work to include both His sacrifice on the cross and His continuing intercession as humanity’s High Priest.

He said the sanctuary teaching connects several Adventist beliefs, including salvation, Sabbath, judgment, the great controversy and the Second Coming. More importantly, it assures believers that Jesus continues to minister on their behalf.

“Looking at the sanctuary means looking to Jesus, who is there interceding for us now,” Pasuhuk said.

He concluded by encouraging participants to abide in Christ and depend on Him as their Priest, sacrifice, mediator, Redeemer and Savior.

The Week of Prayer series will continue with messages examining the remaining teachings and their significance for Adventist identity, faith and mission.