Christ as High Priest — 1

Ellen writes two solemn paragraphs on page 488 of The Great Controversy, in an already solemn chapter entitled “Facing Life’s Record”

Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds, that they may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted. The archdeceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful mediator. He knows that with him everything depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth.

Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour’s mediation should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God. The precious hours, instead of being given to pleasure, to display, or to gain seeking, should be devoted to an earnest, prayerful study of the word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill. Every individual has a soul to save or to lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face. How important, then, that every mind contemplate often the solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, when, with Daniel, every individual must stand in his lot, at the end of the days.

My ADD makes distraction a constant issue in my life and for a long time I have avoided “the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted”. I have a reasonable grasp of the “atoning sacrifice” but like most people, I think, only a passing acquaintance with “an all-powerful mediator.”

This changed recently when I was challenged to read three chapters on The Great Controversy that specifically dwell on Christ as our present mediator. The other two chapters on the topic are “What is the Sanctuary?” and “In the Holy of Holies”.

Re-reading these chapters and for the first time actually going into them in depth reminded me again of the great solace and power we find with a living Mediator before God’s throne. I came to the conclusion that there are really only two things we need to do during this final Yom (Yom Kippur — the day of atonement) and they are,

• Repent, and
• Believe.

Those two words, often rephrased, are repeated again and again in these three chapters.

But, paragraphs like the second one quoted above, ending like it does, seem to frighten many people still. And others are even completely turned-off the whole book by the thought of God’s judgement. Even so, I’d be happy to love the topic of judgement as much as the Psalmist in the 98th Psalm.

The warning in that second paragraph revolves around faith and penitence. Without knowledge and understanding, we will not possess appropriate faith or be in the position God wants for us (which I take to mean our character is lacking, we have not repented and thus still attached to sin).

So does Ellen have anything to add to our knowledge in the Ministry of Healing? And does it help with my research?

Stay tuned for the next post.

Index to “The Ministry of Healing” readings.

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