Ministration in the Holy Place: The Daily Sanctuary Service

The ministration in the holy place was the first major division of the sanctuary service and consisted of daily priestly activities designed to transfer the sins of the people to the sanctuary and facilitate their constant approach to GodSTTHD 202.1+2. This service was performed by the Levitical priesthood throughout the entire year in the first apartment of the tabernacle Hebrews 9:6STTHD 202.1+1.

The Daily Service 🕯️

The priests were appointed to perform a continual course of ministry within the first apartment, which was called the holy place Hebrews 9:2BIAD 160.1+1. This department contained the golden candlestick, the table of showbread, and the golden altar of incense Hebrews 9:2-4S23D 50.2+1.

• Morning and Evening Offerings: Every day, the priests offered regular burnt offerings of two lambs on the altar—one in the morning and one at evening Exodus 29:38-39STTHD 202.1+1.

• The Golden Altar: The high priest burned sweet incense on the golden altar every morning when he dressed the lamps and every evening when he lighted them Exodus 30:7-8STTHD 202.1+1. This incense represented the prayers of Israel ascending to God Psalms 141:2GC 420.3.

• Sabbaths and Feasts: In addition to the daily work, there were special services appointed for the Sabbaths of the Lord, new moons, and annual feasts (Numbers 28-29)STTHD 202.1+1.

The Transfer of Sin 🐑

The most vital aspect of the daily ministration involved the work for individual repentant sinnersPP 354.2+1. Through this process, the sanctuary became the repository for the confessed sins of the nationARSH March 28, 1854, page 77.16+1.

• Confession and Sacrifice: A repentant person brought their offering to the door of the tabernacle and placed their hand upon the animal's head, confessing their sins Leviticus 1:4, 4:29PP 354.2+1.

• Substitution: This act symbolized the transfer of the person's sin and guilt to the innocent victim, which was then slain Leviticus 4:33PP 354.2+1.

• Blood Ministration: The priest took the blood, which represented the forfeited life of the sinner, and carried it into the holy place to be sprinkled before the veil Leviticus 4:5-6, 17:11PP 354.2+1.

• Symbolic Record: Through this ceremony, the sin was transferred in figure from the penitent to the sanctuary itselfPP 354.2+1. In cases where the blood was not taken into the holy place, the priest ate the flesh of the offering to "bear the iniquity of the congregation" Leviticus 10:17PP 354.2+1.

Purpose and Shadow ✨

This earthly service was never intended to be an end in itself, but rather a "shadow" and "pattern" of the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary Hebrews 8:5Hvn 19.3+1.

• A Teaching Tool: The daily ritual taught the people the great truths regarding Christ as their Redeemer and High PriestHvn 19.3+1.

• Antitypical Fulfillment: The ministration in the first apartment represents the work Christ began at His ascension, where He pleads His blood and presents the prayers of believers before the Father Hebrews 9:11-12, 24GC 421.2+1.

• The Heavenly Original: Just as the earthly priests served in the holy place for the majority of the year, Christ performed His first division of ministry in the heavenly holy place from His ascension until the end of the 2300 days in 1844ARSH March 20, 1856, page 196.12+2.