Sabbath, Sanctuary, and the Second Coming: Unpacking the Distinctive Doctrines of Seventh-day Adventism

This article examines the interrelationship between the Sabbath, the Sanctuary, and the Second Coming within Seventh-day Adventist theology, arguing that these doctrines function as an integrated theological system rather than isolated beliefs. While each doctrine has received substantial scholarly attention independently, their functional interdependence has remained underexplored. Employing a qualitative document-based methodology, the study analyzes biblical texts, early Adventist writings, and contemporary theological scholarship through thematic analysis. The findings demonstrate that the sanctuary doctrine provides the theological mechanism for judgment and atonement, the Sabbath functions as a creation-based sign of divine authority and eschatological allegiance, and the Second Coming represents the culmination of the redemptive process. These doctrines are unified by the Great Controversy framework, which situates them within a cosmic narrative addressing questions of justice, authority, and restoration. By presenting these teachings as a coherent theological trilogy, the article contributes to Adventist studies and broader Christian theology by clarifying the internal logic, eschatological structure, and missiological implications of Seventh-day Adventist belief.