Jesus's Ascension and the Heavenly Sanctuary Ministry

Jesus’s ascension marked the beginning of His intercessory work in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, a ministry that continued until 1844 when He transitioned into the most holy place to begin the investigative judgmentEVRR254+2. This movement from the holy to the most holy place occurs at the end of the 2300-day prophecy of Daniel 8:14 and corresponds with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, signaling the final phase of His redemptive work Daniel 8:14+1LIFIN 192.1+1.

The Meaning of the Ascension

The ascension was a triumphant event where Jesus, having conquered death and the grave, entered the heavenly courts as a representative of the human race 1 Corinthians 15:20CCh 358.3+1. It enabled Him to bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit upon His followers, providing them with divine guidance and power for the gospel ministry John 16:721MR 83.6+1.

• First Apartment Ministry: Upon His ascension, Jesus entered the holy place to present His own sacrifice and the prayers of His people, purified by the incense of His merits Revelation 8:3-410MR 157.3+1.

• Confirmation of Truth: His physical ascension was witnessed by the disciples and confirmed by angels to ensure they knew He was identifying with suffering humanity in heaven Acts 1:111SG 79.1+1.

• A Symbol of Triumph: The heavenly host welcomed Him with songs of praise, recognizing Him as the King of Glory who had triumphed over the prince of darkness3SP 253.1+1.

The Transition to the Most Holy Place

The transition of Jesus from the holy to the most holy place is a pivotal shift in the plan of salvation, moving from daily intercession to the final atonement and judgment10MR 157.3+2.

• The Investigative Judgment: In 1844, at the end of the 2300 days, Jesus entered the most holy place to begin the work of the investigative judgment, starting with the righteous dead10MR 269.1+2.

• The Open and Shut Door: When Jesus entered the inner apartment, He closed the door of the first apartment and opened the door to the most holy place, where the ark of His testament and the Ten Commandments are seen Revelation 3:7-8+15MR 94.2+1.

• Cleansing the Sanctuary: This final work is for the purpose of cleansing the sanctuary by removing and blotting out the sins of God's peopleCIS 212.3+2.

Relation to the Seven Trumpets

The seven trumpets outline the history of the world and the ruin of the Roman power, with the first six trumpets occurring before the transition in 1844EVRR254+1.

• The Seventh Trumpet: The sounding of the seventh trumpet marks the time when the "mystery of God" is finished and the temple in heaven is opened to reveal the ark of the covenant Revelation 10:7+1SC3 208.2+1.

• Timing of the Transition: The first six trumpets were fulfilled before 1844, while the high priest was still ministering in the first apartment of the sanctuaryEVRR254.

• Final Decision: Under the seventh trumpet, the work of human probation is closed, every case is decided for eternity, and the seven last plagues are prepared to be poured out upon the earth Revelation 22:111SG 198.1+2.

Through this transition, the faith of God's people is directed within the second veil, where they behold their compassionate High Priest and recognize the ongoing obligation of the holy Sabbath and the law of God5MR 94.2+2.

Revelation 5

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 4

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 6

1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The ascension of Jesus Christ was the grand inaugural event that launched the first period of the seven seals, representing the beginning of His intercessory ministry in the heavenly sanctuarySYNPT 202.1+1. This momentous occasion marked His enthronement at the right hand of the Father, where He took His position as our High Priest and King amidst the adoration of the entire heavenly host6Red 70.1+2.

** Revelation 4: The Heavenly Court Assembles** 👑

Revelation 4 presents a vision of the majesty of God’s throne in the heavenly temple, serving as the setting for Christ's work throughout this dispensation Revelation 4:1-11.

• The Open Door: John was shown a door opened in heaven, which represents the entrance into the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary where Christ began His ministry after His ascension Revelation 4:1OFH1 174.2+1.

• The Throne of God: The center of this vision is the throne, surrounded by twenty-four elders and four living creatures, signifying that the worship of the universe and the plan of redemption are centered in this place Revelation 4:2-6SSP 106.1+1.

• The Seven Lamps: The seven lamps of fire burning before the throne represent the Holy Spirit, which was sent to earth in rich currents as a signal that Christ’s inauguration in heaven was completed Revelation 4:5AA 38.3+1.

** Revelation 5: The Lamb and the Seven Seals** 📜

Revelation 5 depicts the specific point when Jesus, as the Lamb that was slain, takes the scroll from the Father to reveal the history of the church and the world Revelation 5:6-7SYNPT 202.1.

• The Only One Worthy: Christ is the only being in the universe worthy to open the seals because He redeemed humanity by His own blood out of every nation and tongue Revelation 5:9DAR1909 427.2.

• The Heavenly Choir: Millions of angels—ten thousand times ten thousand—surround the throne, singing that the Lamb is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, and strength Revelation 5:11-126Red 70.1+1.

• The Antitypical Elders: The twenty-four elders represent those redeemed from the earth who ascended with Christ as a multitude of captives; they serve as the heavenly antitype of the twenty-four courses of the Levitical priesthood Ephesians 4:8TBI 208.4+1.

** Revelation 6: The Opening of the Seals** 🐎

The opening of the seven seals brings to view the external history of the church and the great events of the world from the ascension of Christ until His second comingSYNPT 202.1.

• The First Seal (White Horse): This seal represents the apostolic age, beginning at the ascension when Christ commissioned His disciples to go forth with the pure gospelSBBS 494.7. The white color signifies the purity of the church in its first phase as it went forth conquering and to conquer Revelation 6:2GNT 11.2.

• The Second Seal (Red Horse): This signifies a falling away from the "first love," where the church began to lose its original purity and experienced internal corruption and strife Revelation 6:4GNT 11.2.

• The Third Seal (Black Horse): This represents a period of deep apostasy where the church compromised the truth and men began to exalt themselves as judges in the place of God Revelation 6:5SSP 114.1.

• The Fourth Seal (Pale Horse): This corresponds to a time of terrible slaughter of the saints, where death and hell followed the church as it used secular power to enforce its will Revelation 6:8GNT 170.1.

• The Fifth Seal (Souls Under the Altar): This brings to view the many martyrs who were slain for the word of God, crying out for judgment and vindication Revelation 6:9-10.

• The Sixth Seal (Signs of the End): Under this seal, the great signs of Christ's near approach are given, including a great earthquake and the darkening of the sun, leading to the sealing of God’s servants Revelation 6:12-17JEO 97.2+1.

The Significance of Christ’s Presence ✨

The presence of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary ensures that our prayers are heard and our sins can be pardonedCIS 63.1.

• Daily Intercession: Since His ascension, Christ has stood as our Advocate, presenting His blood and the fragrant incense of His righteousness to cover the mistakes of those who come to Him in faithEVRR334+2.

• Assurance of Victory: Because the hands that sway the scepter of creation are the same hands that were pierced for us on the cross, we can calmly meet all events of history revealed in the sealsTDOC 79.1.

• Preparation for Judgment: The work Christ began at His ascension leads directly to the investigative judgment, where every character must eventually be weighed in the golden balances of the sanctuary Hebrews 9:274SP 266.1+1.