"In the cleansing of the temple, Jesus was announcing His mission as the Messiah, and entering upon His work. That temple, erected for the abode of the divine Presence, was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world." DA 161
What was the lesson to be learned from studying the 'object' which was the temple? Reading further on the same page.
"From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator..." DA 161
Who was the Creator?
So every one was to be filled with the presence of God, 'The Creator' as the tabernacle of Moses was filled with God. Was this 'indwelling' part of the object lesson? Was it a full body union where He lives and moves within us and we think His thoughts after Him?
"if we consent He will so identify with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds in accordance with His will that when obeying Him we are but carrying out our own impulses." DA 668
This seems rather clear that there is a full marriage union between God and man. The two must become one.
"Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled." DA 161
I use to think that this "incarnation", was referring to Jesus appearance in Bethlehem. I believe that the 'incarnation of the Son' was the same as what was written above "should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator."
The Son was the Creator this we have learned from childhood. Is the 'incarnation' the same as the 'indwelling' as written above?
Let us read on: "God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple." DA 161
The Son dwells in humanity!
The words 'humanity' and 'the heart of man' seem to imply all humanity, not just Jesus.
Let us read on: "God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness (OBJECT LESSON?) to the high destiny open to every soul.
What is this 'high destiny'? "Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne."GC88 483
I have read something to the effect that humanity will be raised to a higher estate than had they never fallen. Note that the incarnation is open to every soul.
There's more: "But the Jews had not understood the significance of the building they regarded with so much pride." The SDA's have not understood the real significance of the sanctuary study. They are in to physical objects and feast days. When it is pointed out that the incarnation of the Son of God is the goal of heaven in the plan of redemption as revealed in a study of the sanctuary. "They did not yield themselves as holy temples for the Divine Spirit."DA 161
Some will automatically assume that the "Divine Spirit" is the Holy Spirit. However she writes above of the incarnation of the Son of God, who is a Divine Spirit. And He is the Creator.
"The courts of the temple at Jerusalem, filled with the tumult of unholy traffic, represented all too truly the temple of the heart, defiled by the presence of sensual passion and unholy thoughts. In cleansing the temple from the world's buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin,—from the earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul." DA 161
Note that she writes of the cleansing of the heart. The temple on earth and the temple in heaven are object lessons of the temple of the heart. As one studies the investigative judgement they can begin to see that very work going on within their own soul right now. The High Priest who dwells in our temple pages through the books of our memories and places His finger upon something He wants us to look at. It is not known sin, but something not seen heretofore or has not been recognized as something that could diminish a holy life. It is something that is earthly and prevents the fullness of the stature of the Son of God from shining through them.
Those who walk in the light as He is in the light, will have the blood (divine life and nature) Of the Son, cleansing them of all unrighteousness. As they see what He has directed them to look at, they begin to view it as He does. It is then brought into judgement. As we work in cooperation with the High Priest (the Son incarnate), we will confess, or come into agreement with Him, as to why it is something that cannot enter the gates of heaven and needs to go. The "Light of the knowledge of the Son of God open our understanding and it is a purifying fire that burns up these little foxes that spoil the vine, which is this blotting out process. Those who are not walking in the light as He is in the light, (still yielding to temptation on occasion) will not be able to experience this purifying process. Willful disobedience is not part of the life of one who is working in cooperation with the High Priest.
“The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers’ soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” Malachi 3:1-3. DA 161.
This coming is not the time of the resurrection and translation of the saints. This coming to His temple is His cleansing work in the investigation and judgement for the people of God. There will be no purifying work in the second coming. This work must be happening now. I think the nominal Christian is happy to think of Jesus way off and far away in heaven, shuffling papers in a beautiful building. But when it is brought home to where the rubber meets the road in their own life that is something that they find too uncomfortable difficult to accept.
Now from the bottom of the page, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit (Son) of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. No man can of himself cast out the evil throng that have taken possession of the heart. Only Christ can cleanse the soul temple. But He will not force an entrance. He comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” Revelation 3:20. He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; ... and they shall be My people.” “He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and “an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21, 22. DA 161
What was the lesson to be learned from studying the 'object' which was the temple? Reading further on the same page.
"From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator..." DA 161
Who was the Creator?
So every one was to be filled with the presence of God, 'The Creator' as the tabernacle of Moses was filled with God. Was this 'indwelling' part of the object lesson? Was it a full body union where He lives and moves within us and we think His thoughts after Him?
"if we consent He will so identify with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds in accordance with His will that when obeying Him we are but carrying out our own impulses." DA 668
This seems rather clear that there is a full marriage union between God and man. The two must become one.
"Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled." DA 161
I use to think that this "incarnation", was referring to Jesus appearance in Bethlehem. I believe that the 'incarnation of the Son' was the same as what was written above "should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator."
The Son was the Creator this we have learned from childhood. Is the 'incarnation' the same as the 'indwelling' as written above?
Let us read on: "God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple." DA 161
The Son dwells in humanity!
The words 'humanity' and 'the heart of man' seem to imply all humanity, not just Jesus.
Let us read on: "God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness (OBJECT LESSON?) to the high destiny open to every soul.
What is this 'high destiny'? "Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne."GC88 483
I have read something to the effect that humanity will be raised to a higher estate than had they never fallen. Note that the incarnation is open to every soul.
There's more: "But the Jews had not understood the significance of the building they regarded with so much pride." The SDA's have not understood the real significance of the sanctuary study. They are in to physical objects and feast days. When it is pointed out that the incarnation of the Son of God is the goal of heaven in the plan of redemption as revealed in a study of the sanctuary. "They did not yield themselves as holy temples for the Divine Spirit."DA 161
Some will automatically assume that the "Divine Spirit" is the Holy Spirit. However she writes above of the incarnation of the Son of God, who is a Divine Spirit. And He is the Creator.
"The courts of the temple at Jerusalem, filled with the tumult of unholy traffic, represented all too truly the temple of the heart, defiled by the presence of sensual passion and unholy thoughts. In cleansing the temple from the world's buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin,—from the earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul." DA 161
Note that she writes of the cleansing of the heart. The temple on earth and the temple in heaven are object lessons of the temple of the heart. As one studies the investigative judgement they can begin to see that very work going on within their own soul right now. The High Priest who dwells in our temple pages through the books of our memories and places His finger upon something He wants us to look at. It is not known sin, but something not seen heretofore or has not been recognized as something that could diminish a holy life. It is something that is earthly and prevents the fullness of the stature of the Son of God from shining through them.
Those who walk in the light as He is in the light, will have the blood (divine life and nature) Of the Son, cleansing them of all unrighteousness. As they see what He has directed them to look at, they begin to view it as He does. It is then brought into judgement. As we work in cooperation with the High Priest (the Son incarnate), we will confess, or come into agreement with Him, as to why it is something that cannot enter the gates of heaven and needs to go. The "Light of the knowledge of the Son of God open our understanding and it is a purifying fire that burns up these little foxes that spoil the vine, which is this blotting out process. Those who are not walking in the light as He is in the light, (still yielding to temptation on occasion) will not be able to experience this purifying process. Willful disobedience is not part of the life of one who is working in cooperation with the High Priest.
“The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers’ soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” Malachi 3:1-3. DA 161.
This coming is not the time of the resurrection and translation of the saints. This coming to His temple is His cleansing work in the investigation and judgement for the people of God. There will be no purifying work in the second coming. This work must be happening now. I think the nominal Christian is happy to think of Jesus way off and far away in heaven, shuffling papers in a beautiful building. But when it is brought home to where the rubber meets the road in their own life that is something that they find too uncomfortable difficult to accept.
Now from the bottom of the page, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit (Son) of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. No man can of himself cast out the evil throng that have taken possession of the heart. Only Christ can cleanse the soul temple. But He will not force an entrance. He comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” Revelation 3:20. He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; ... and they shall be My people.” “He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and “an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21, 22. DA 161