Where did Christ entered upon His Ascension to Heaven?

Here is a clear, organized, and Biblically–SOP-based explanation to reconcile the two truths:
Christ ascended to heaven and immediately began His mediatorial work as our High Priest (Hebrews 8–9)
and at the same time, Christ entered the Most Holy Place only in 1844 for the final phase of His work (Dan. 8:14; Heb. 9; GC).

These are not contradictions — but two different stages of the same redemptive work of our Lord.

✅ I. BEFORE CHRIST ENTERED THE MOST HOLY PLACE (1844), HE FIRST ENTERED THE HOLY PLACE (AD 31) — HEBREWS 9

1. The teaching of Hebrews 8–9 is clear:
   
   

A. Christ “sat at the right hand of the throne” — it does NOT say He entered the Most Holy Place.

Hebrews 8:1

“He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.”

This refers to the thronos, the Father’s throne, which in the Old Testament corresponds to the Holy Place side—not yet the Most Holy Place.

B. He entered the “tabernacle” and the “holy place,” not the “holy of holies.”

Hebrews 9:12

“NOT by the blood of goats… but by His own blood He ENTERED once for all into the holy place (Gr. ta hagia).”

Important Note:
“Ta hagia” = plural, meaning “the holy places,” referring to the sanctuary in general, not specifically the Most Holy.

‼️ The term “hagia hagion” (Most Holy Place) is NOT used here.

Thus:

AD 31 = Entrance into the Holy Place, not the Most Holy Place.

✅ II. SOP: WHAT DID CHRIST DO WHEN HE ASCENDED?

Ellen White teaches:

1. Christ entered the Holy Place and began His mediatorial work there.

Early Writings, p. 251:

“Jesus entered the holy place… and there performed the work of a priest.”

Great Controversy, p. 420:

“For more than eighteen centuries our Intercessor ministered in the HOLY PLACE of the sanctuary above.”

This is the period from AD 31 to 1844.

2. Christ did NOT enter the Most Holy Place immediately.

Early Writings, p. 42:

“Our High Priest did not enter the Most Holy Place until 1844…”

Great Controversy, p. 426:

“When the time came… Christ entered the Most Holy Place to perform the closing work of His ministry.”

This is the Investigative Judgment.

✅ III. WHY DID HE NOT ENTER THE MOST HOLY PLACE IMMEDIATELY AT HIS ASCENSION?

A. Pattern of the Earthly Sanctuary

The earthly sanctuary is the shadow of the heavenly (Heb. 8:5).

On earth:

• Daily service → Holy Place

• Yearly service (Day of Atonement) → Most Holy Place

Christ, the fulfillment:

• AD 31 → “Daily phase” (intercession, forgiveness)

• 1844 → “Day of Atonement phase” (cleansing of the sanctuary)

This is perfectly consistent.

✅THE EVENT IN REVELATION 12:7–9 IS NOT THE MOMENT OF THE ASCENSION

Revelation 12:7–9 does not describe the literal moment Christ ascended.

It is a symbolic, prophetic overview of:

• the cosmic war

• the fall of Satan’s access to heaven

• the triumph of Christ after the cross (John 12:31)

But it does not indicate that Christ entered the Most Holy Place at His ascension.

✅ HOW DO WE RECONCILE “SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” WITH “NOT YET IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE UNTIL 1844”?

1. The Father’s Throne Is Mobile (Ezekiel 1; Daniel 7)

The throne can be in the Holy Place or the Most Holy Place depending on the phase of ministry.

Daniel 7:9–10
describes the throne being moved into place for the judgment.

2. Sitting at the right hand = position of authority, not location.

Meaning:

• Christ is King and Priest

• He received authority

• But the judgment phase (Most Holy Place ministry) had not yet begun

Thus, no contradiction.

✅ 1844 IS ROOTED IN DANIEL 8:14 + DANIEL 9 (THE 2300 DAYS)

Daniel 8:14 — Cleansing of the Sanctuary = Day of Atonement typology
Daniel 9 — 70-week portion of the 2300 years

Timeline:

Event

Date

Prophetic Meaning

Baptism

AD 27

Messiah anointed

Cross

AD 31

Sacrifice offered

Gospel to Gentiles

AD 34

End of 70 weeks

Cleansing of Sanctuary

1844

Entrance to the Most Holy

This is the only structure consistent with both the Bible and SOP.

✅ CLEAR ARRANGEMENT:

AD 31 → HOLY PLACE MINISTRY

• Intercession
  
  

• Forgiveness of daily sins
  
  

• Righteousness by faith
  
  

• Seven lamps / Bread of Life / Altar of incense
  
  

1844 → MOST HOLY PLACE MINISTRY

• Investigative Judgment
  
  

• Cleansing of the sanctuary
  
  

• Blotting out of sins
  
  

• Final sealing
  
  

This is affirmed by the Bible (Heb. 8–9; Lev. 16; Dan. 7–8) and SOP (GC 420–430).

📌 Short Answer:

There is no contradiction.

Paul (Hebrews) teaches that Jesus began His mediatorial work in the Holy Place at His ascension.
Daniel + Revelation + SOP teach that the final phase of that work in the Most Holy Place began in 1844.

These are two phases of the same ministry — not conflicting doctrines.