Arnold V. Wallenkampf In the mid-1970’s the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference decided to make a detailed study of the atonement.* Soon after initiating this project, the decision was made to study the atonement in connection with the ancient sanctuary service since SDAs view the Hebrew sanctuary service as a symbolic representation of how God deals with sin. Consequently, the study of the atonement expanded into a joint investigation of the sanctuary and the atonement.