What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Can one say that the temple courtyard was given to the Gentiles? Is this the first step to experience forgiveness?"
Answer
In prophetic terms and with respect to the ancient temple, the outer courtyard was indeed assigned or given to the Gentiles. The courtyard was the place where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered and the sinner confessed his guilt, serving as an earthly starting point for obtaining forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice. However, the handing over of the courtyard to the Gentiles in prophecy primarily refers to the earthly sphere and times of Gentile oppression.
The Outer Courtyard and the Gentiles in Temple Service
»In the ancient temple in Jerusalem the outer courtyard was dedicated to the Gentiles; they were permitted to enter it and bring their sacrifice to the priest. Likewise, in the Christian temple there are those who, although they are professing members of the body of Christ, are ultimately no longer more than Gentiles or worshippers of the outer courtyard.«
The Courtyard as a Symbol of the Earth and the Sacrifice
»“But set aside the courtyard that is outside the temple.” This means that the congregation’s attention is now directed toward the inner sanctuary and the service there. Matters concerning the courtyard are now of lesser importance. It has been given to the Gentiles. That the courtyard refers to this earth is demonstrated by this: the courtyard is the place where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered, whose blood was to be offered in the sanctuary. The antitypic sacrifice had to die in the antitypic courtyard; and He died on Golgotha in Judea.«
The Slaughter of the Sacrifice in the Courtyard and Forgiveness
»All work performed in the courtyard was exemplary of the work done on earth, while the work performed in the first and second compartments of the sanctuary was exemplary of the work done in heaven. No sacrifice was ever slaughtered in the sanctuary; the offerings were instead slaughtered in the courtyard, and the blood and flesh were carried by the priest into the sanctuary. Christ, the great antitypic sacrifice, was slaughtered in the antitypic courtyard, this earth, and then entered the antitypic sanctuary in the heavens with His own blood.«
The Confession of Sin and the Reception of Forgiveness
»Day after day the sinners brought their sin‑offering at the door of the first compartment, confessed their sins … The sinner could not look into the sanctuary, but in faith he knew that the priest was faithful to present his sin‑offering before the Lord, and he left the sanctuary rejoicing over the forgiven sins. In the antitype of this service we confess our sins, and although we cannot see the work in the heavenly sanctuary, we know that Christ offers His blood and His wounded flesh before the Father on our behalf, and we rejoice over the forgiveness of sins.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
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