Which statement describes the first phase of the cleansing of the sanctuary?

Which statement describes the first phase of the cleansing of the sanctuary?

• A. The blotting out of sin
• B. The forgiveness of sins
• C. The cleansing of the sanctuary
• D. The coming of Christ

Answer: (B)

In this two-stage view of the heavenly sanctuary’s cleansing, the first step is the forgiveness of sins. This is the moment when Christ’s atonement is applied to the believer, removing guilt and restoring the relationship with God. Once sins are forgiven, the process continues toward the sanctuary’s cleansing in the heavenly records, which is described as blotting out sins in the second phase. The coming of Christ isn’t described as a phase of the cleansing itself, and the later stage of blotting out sin fits the second step rather than the beginning.

In this two-stage view of the heavenly sanctuary’s cleansing, the first step is the forgiveness of sins. This is the moment when Christ’s atonement is applied to the believer, removing guilt and restoring the relationship with God. Once sins are forgiven, the process continues toward the sanctuary’s cleansing in the heavenly records, which is described as blotting out sins in the second phase. The coming of Christ isn’t described as a phase of the cleansing itself, and the later stage of blotting out sin fits the second step rather than the beginning.