THE great thought and purpose of the true sanctuary, its priesthood, and ministry, is that God shall dwell in the hearts of the people. What now is the great thought and purpose of His dwelling in the hearts of the people? The answer is, Perfection; the moral and spiritual perfection of the worshiper.
Let us consider this: At the close of the fifth chapter of Hebrews, immediately following the statement that Christ, "being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchisedec," it is written: "Therefore," that is, because of this, for this reason, "leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection." Hebrews 6:1
Next it is shown that perfection is attained only through the Melchisedec priesthood. And it is shown that this was always so, and that the Levitical priesthood was only temporary, and typical of the Melchisedec priesthood. Following this, in discussing the Levitical priesthood, it is written: "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, . . . what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" Hebrews 7:11.
And again, in the same connection, "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did [or "but it was the bringing in of a better hope," margin]; by the which we draw nigh unto God." Verse 19
By these scriptures it is perfectly plain that the perfection of the worshiper is that which is offered and which is attained in the priesthood and ministry of Christ.
Nor yet are these all the words on this thought. For, as already quoted in the description of the sanctuary and its service, it is said that it "was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience." That none of this could make him that did the service perfect is its great lack. Therefore that the priesthood and ministry of Christ in the true sanctuary can and does make perfect him, who enters by faith into the service, is the great thought and the goal of all.