Then Shall the Sanctuary Be Cleansed - Donald K. Short
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His plan was to talk face to face with His children.<br />
This relation could not continue because man<br />
desired to "be as God" and take His place. So man<br />
was embarrassed. This means that <strong>the</strong> problem<br />
facing God is to get man to see <strong>the</strong> enmity that<br />
absorbs him. This predestines a repentance and<br />
confession of <strong>the</strong> alienation that exists. In seeing<br />
himself as he really is, man will know that his own<br />
"righteousness" leaves him "naked," and in need of<br />
<strong>the</strong> clothing from <strong>the</strong> Source which provides<br />
"white raiment," <strong>the</strong> righteousness of Christ.<br />
Adventists are not accustomed to consider all<br />
this when <strong>the</strong>y think of being church members. Too<br />
often <strong>the</strong> chief concern is getting to heaven. To a<br />
large degree <strong>the</strong> sin problem is ignored. The hope<br />
is to be "good enough" to appease an angry God,<br />
but this is <strong>the</strong> same thinking that motivates pagan<br />
religions. The principle that man can save himself<br />
by his own works is <strong>the</strong> basis of every hea<strong>the</strong>n<br />
religion and provides no barrier against sin. But it<br />
has an ancient history among God's people and in<br />
our modern times it has only become more refined.<br />
The church will not sing <strong>the</strong> song of Moses and<br />
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