I was trying to explain the Investigative Judgment and the cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary to someone when they replied that if God hid His face and forsook Jesus because of the sin laid upon Him, how could heaven be defiled and yet be the throne of God?
How would you answer this question?
Many thanks and God bless! J___
Hi, J___.
I’ve been think about your questions.
It seems this person is equating sanctuary and heaven as one and the same. I believe the sanctuary is IN heaven, not heaven itself. The sanctuary’s role is to deal with the sin problem.
For example – there are many texts that say the sanctuary or temple is IN heaven. (Rev. 11:19, 14:17, 15:5, )
When sin is completely eradicated we find there is no more need for a temple. (See Rev. 21:22)
So when we see the heavenly temple as the place where God deals with the sin problem, then we realize there is no problem with our sins needing to be dealt with in that sanctuary.
Now I realize many think sin was dealt with at the cross and there is no further need for anything more.
Yes, the sacrifice for sin was all sufficient to cover every sin ever committed, yet not everyone will be saved. Even of those sitting weekly in the church pews, not everyone will be saved. Why not?
Because there is an investigation.
1 Chronicles 29:17 “I know also my God, that You search (investigate) the heart and have pleasure in uprightness.
Psalm 7:9 “O righteous God, who searches (investigates) minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure”
Psalms 11:4,5 “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men: his eyes examines (investigates) them. The Lord examines (investigates) the righteous.”
This investigation is an open investigation -- Jesus says: Rev. 3:5 He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Now why did God turn away from Christ on the cross? Because Christ was experiencing the agony of the second death. Having taken upon Himself the sins of all mankind, He wasn’t just dying a death with hope of resurrection. True, He knew the plan was that He would rise again, but as those sins were crushing Him and as His Father’s presence was being removed, it seemed the separation would be permanent. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” He cried, the pain of that separation was so great it literally broke His heart and crushed Him. Christ tasted the agonies of the second death – the death we don’t have to die if we accept Christ our Savior and Redeemer!
Now Satan knows that he must suffer the second death and he wants all of us to suffer it with him. So he accuses the saints day and night. (see Rev. 12:10) He knows all the sins he has led us to commit and he points to them saying we are worthy of the final everlasting death just as surely as he is. And for some, who have spurned the redeeming grace of Christ, it will be true.
But for others, Jesus turns to the heavenly court and raising His pierced hand says, “They have come to Me, repented and confessed their sins and claimed my pardon and righteousness. Their sins are covered by My blood. See – here is the proof in the “books” of record. They have been trusting in Me and overcoming in My name and with My blood. (See Rev. 12:11) Their names remain in the Book of Life, they are redeemed for eternity! (See Rev 3:5)
