Most Christians—whether Evangelical or Catholic—believe that the cleansing of the Sanctuary found in Daniel 8:14 refers to the desecrated Jewish temple during the Maccabean era. However, in this article, we will reveal to you that the Bible points to something greater: the cleansing of the sanctuary in Daniel 8:14 actually refers to the cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary, of which the earthly tabernacle was only a model.
This doctrine is central to the Seventh-day Adventist faith, not just because it explains the sacrifice of the Messiah on the cross of Calvary, but it also explains the continuation of Christ's work as our High Priest in heaven.
The Sanctuary Pattern
In Exodus 25:8–9, God commanded Moses, saying, “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle… even so shall ye make it.”
What we should understand from this text is that the earthly sanctuary was built after a heavenly pattern. Hebrews 9:24 confirms this: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself…”
John also saw this reality in vision:
- “The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.” (Revelation 11:19)
- “After that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” (Revelation 15:5)
Think of the earthly sanctuary like a scale model of a larger reality. An example of this can be seen with the ancient generals who often built miniature models of the cities they were planning to attack so they could visualize the battle strategy. Similarly, the Israelite sanctuary was a small-scale model showing how God would deal with sin on a cosmic level. Ladies and Gentlemen, the conclusion is unavoidable: there is a heavenly sanctuary, and the earthly one was merely its shadow.
The Function of the Heavenly Sanctuary
Now, let's go a little deeper. Did the earthly sanctuary have priests? Obviously, that answer is yet. Now, did those priests have a function within the sanctuary? Of course. Their function was to facilitate the offerings and sacrifices for sin. Now, was this facilitation a model of what would occur in the heavenly sanctuary? Yes, Hebrews 8:5 tells us that the earthly priests served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” In this manner, we can see that the work of the Levitical priesthood in the earthly sanctuary foreshadowed Christ’s work in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Now, it should begin to make sense why Hebrews 8:1 says, “We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” This is because Jesus is doing for us what the earthly high priest did for Israel.
Why the Sanctuary Must Be Cleansed
Hebrews 9:22–23 says: “Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” According to the author of the Book of Hebrews, the earthly sanctuary was purified with the blood of animals. However, he then reveals to us that the heavenly sanctuary is also purified, but it could not be purified with the blood of animals; it could only be purified with the blood of Jesus.
Why would heaven itself need cleansing? Because, just as the sins of Israel were symbolically transferred into the earthly sanctuary through the blood of sacrifices, so our sins are transferred to the heavenly sanctuary through Christ’s priestly ministry.
The Transfer of Sin
The Old Testament ritual unfolded in steps:
- The sinner confessed sins onto the sacrificial animal.
- The animal was slain, bearing the penalty of sin.
- The priest carried its blood into the sanctuary, symbolically transferring sin there.
- On the Day of Atonement, those sins are removed from the earthly sanctuary.
In the heavenly reality:
- Our sins were placed upon Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:29).
- Christ was slain for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3).
- After His resurrection, He entered heaven “by his own blood” (Hebrews 9:12), carrying the record of sin into the heavenly sanctuary.
- During the real Day of Atonement, our sins are removed from the Heavenly Sanctuary.
The Role of the Scapegoat (Azazel)
Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, when the high priest placed the people’s sins on a scapegoat (Azazel) and sent it into the wilderness. Many Christians assume the scapegoat represents Christ, but Adventists should understand it represents Satan—the true instigator of sin.
At the end of time, Christ will place the forgiven sins of His people upon Satan, who will bear final responsibility. Revelation 20:1-3 portrays this when Satan is bound in the abyss, carrying the guilt of sin away from God’s people forever.
Where We Stand in History
The sanctuary services help us trace the plan of salvation:
- The sacrifice of the lamb pointed to Christ’s death.
- The priestly ministry pointed to Christ’s intercession.
- The cleansing of the sanctuary points to the final judgment and removal of sin.
Thus, we should understand that we are living near the close of that heavenly sanctuary service. The final phase remains: when Christ leaves the heavenly sanctuary, places sin upon Satan, and returns in glory.
Conclusion
The cleansing of the sanctuary in Daniel 8:14 does not refer to an earthly temple but to Christ’s ongoing ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. This truth reveals both the seriousness of sin and the completeness of God’s plan of salvation.
The sanctuary teaches us that forgiveness is more than pardon—it is part of a larger process where sin is not only forgiven but removed forever. And we are living in the final stage of that divine plan.
“The earthly sanctuary was a shadow; the heavenly sanctuary is the reality. And just as the earthly was cleansed, so too the heavenly must be cleansed—by the blood of Jesus Christ.”
