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Then Shall the Sanctuary Be Cleansed - Donald K. Short

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interchangeably with <strong>the</strong> word "temple," and in<br />

each case we get <strong>the</strong> idea of a place where God<br />

would dwell. Originally <strong>the</strong> thought was, "Let <strong>the</strong>m<br />

make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among<br />

<strong>the</strong>m" ( Leviticus 25:8).<br />

The evidence shows us that <strong>the</strong> cleansing of <strong>the</strong><br />

sanctuary requires that it be put right, be restored,<br />

and this work must deal with <strong>the</strong> only thing that<br />

could contaminate it and that is sin. Miller was<br />

clear in his understanding that by "sanctuary we<br />

understand <strong>the</strong> church," and, of course, a church is<br />

a corporate body of people. But this idea has grown<br />

dim over <strong>the</strong> years and all too many Adventists are<br />

content to think of this "cleansing" as some far-off<br />

task in <strong>the</strong> heavens waiting to be finished. Such a<br />

view leaves <strong>the</strong> world and sin in a nebulous state<br />

with a Creator not too concerned. It implies that <strong>the</strong><br />

continued woes of <strong>the</strong> human race are at least<br />

partly God's fault. Such a premise cannot stand<br />

before His justice and mercy. Our understanding<br />

needs to be "cleansed."<br />

42

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