EARTHLINESS  DEFINED! Part 1

"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14

The cleansing is going on in the life of the believers.

 

Excerpts taken from:  LOOKING  UNTO  JESUS OR CHRIST  IN  TYPE  AND  ANTITYPE (URS LUJ25)

BY

URIAH  SMITH , 1898

    "AN examination of the work called "the cleansing of the sanctuary," leads us into a series of subjects of the most important and timely character, subjects which explain some statements of the Scriptures which are otherwise obscure, harmonize lines of prophecy otherwise disconnected, and answer some otherwise unanswerable queries which arise concerning events connected with that crowning of all events, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

URS  LUJ25  A WORK OF JUDGMENT page 0220 paragraph 2  

   "For instance, when Christ comes, the people of God are singled out for a great and immediate change to be passed upon them, while all others are passed by.  The righteous who are in their graves are raised in power, glory, and immortality, and the rest of the dead live not again for a thousand years (1Thess.4:10; Rev.20;5), and the righteous who are living are changed from mortality to immortality, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1Cor.15:51,52), while the rest of the living are given over to perish under the judgments of the Almighty.  2Thess.1:7-9.  And this change for God's people is wrought at the last trump.  But before this change can be wrought, it must be decided who the people of God are, who are to be thus delivered, and who the incorrigibly wicked are, who are to be thus left to perish.  This matter must be determined before the Lord comes; for there is no time given then for investigation of character and decision of destiny.  But this work of decision is a work of judgment, for all awards of good or evil are a part of the judgment, as God has ordained (Rev.20:12); and such a work of judgment must therefore take place before the Lord comes."  IBID, page 0221 paragraph 1  

We know of no system of belief which has a place for this preliminary work of judgment, except that held by the Seventh-day Adventists.  How to adjust this matter, to have Christ reward his people immediately according to their works without a judgment (Rev.22:12), has been a source of perplexity to many, and to meet it they have been obliged to resort to such unscriptural conclusions as these: 1.  That all the human family, good and bad, are raised indiscriminately together; but this contradicts the Bible; for it plainly declares that there are a thousand years between the resurrection of the righteous and that of the wicked.  Rev.20:5.  2.  Another way they try to adjust the matter, is to say that when the righteous are raised, they are raised mortal, judged, and then changed; but this contradicts the Bible; for the Bible assigns no place for any such work of investigative judgment after Christ appears, and, moreover, explicitly declares that the righteous are raised in power, in glory, with spiritual bodies, and in incorruption (1Cor.15:42-44), and that the living righteous are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  Verses 51, 52.  Thus every attempt made by any other system to explain how it is that immortality can be conferred upon the righteous when Christ comes, without this preliminary work of judgment, runs directly against the Scriptures at every step.  And no system which contradicts such plain statements of the Bible can be worthy of the least credence.  But in this closing work in the sanctuary we find just the place for this work of judgment before Christ comes; and when we look at the sanctuary work itself, we find it to be just such a work as meets the case."  IBID, page 0222 paragraph 1  

The subject of the sanctuary, correctly understood, removes all these difficulties.  The cleansing of the sanctuary provides the very place for this preliminary work of judgment, and brings to view a work of just exactly this nature."  IBID, page 0222 paragraph 2

   "The cleansing of the sanctuary is a work of judgment.  A few considerations will make this proposition plain.  The priesthood of Christ continues up to the time when he takes his own throne as king.  He passes directly from the position of priest to that of king; and when he takes his position as king, his work as priest is done.  Now, his work as priest being designed to gather out from the human family a people for his name and kingdom (Acts 15:14), his priestly office cannot close till this result is declared.  When his work is finished, it will have been decided who have availed themselves of his mediation, and have thus become his people.  It is the putting away of sin that determines this; but this is the very work that Christ performs in the most holy place in the conclusion of his ministry.  He here puts away the sins of his people; and this is the cleansing of the sanctuary." IBID, page 0222 paragraph 3  

   "This involves an examination of the books; for the rule that God has laid down in this matter is that all judgment shall be rendered according to each man's works as they stand upon the record.  "And the dead," says John, "were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."  Rev.20:12.  From the reference in this and numerous other passages, to the books, the book of life, the names or the things written therein, and a work called "blotting out," to take place in connection with them, but one conclusion can be drawn; and that is, that a faithful record is kept of each one's actions, the thoughts, words, and deeds, that make up the texture of his character, and the course of his life.  If the person repents and maintains a Christian life to the end, all these recorded sins are to be blotted out of this book.  So Peter declared, "Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."  Acts 3:19.  Of the same class Christ speaks in Rev.3:5: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."  Again he says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."  Matt.10:32,33; Luke 12:8,9.  And this is when Christ is about to be sent the second time to earth (Acts 3:20), and when he is about to come as a thief on all them that do not watch.  Rev.3:3.  Ask the average Christian when the foregoing definite statements of Scripture apply; and would he be able to tell?  But the sanctuary subject places them all in a clear light.  Is not a subject glorious which thus makes God's word clear and intelligible?  IBID, page 0223 paragraph 1  

   "The two divisions of this great proposition are thus established: If we secure the pardon of our sins, the time comes, just before the end, when these sins are blotted out of the books, and our names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, and the Saviour confesses our names to the Father as those who have accepted of salvation through him. Our cases are then decided, and we are sealed for everlasting life.  If, on the other hand, we do not repent, our sins are not blotted out of the record where they stand, but our names are blotted out of the book of life, and Christ denies our names before his Father, as those who have slighted his mercy, and are not entitled to everlasting life through him."  IBID, page 0224 paragraph 1  

   "Thus the cleansing of the sanctuary involves the examination of the records of all the deeds of our lives.  It is an "investigative" judgment.  Every individual of every generation from the beginning of the world, who has ever become interested in the work of Christ, thus passes in review before the great tribunal above.  So Daniel, describing the opening of the scene, calls it a work of judgment, and expressly notices the fact that the books are opened.  Dan.7:9,10.  IBID, page 0224 paragraph 2  

   "This work has been going forward in the sanctuary above, since the end of the prophetic period in 1844.  Beginning, according to the natural order, with the earliest generation, the work of examination passes on down through all the records of time, and closes with the living.  Then the sealing message (Revelation 7) will have performed its work, and all antecedent questions being determined, all cases decided, everything will be ready for the coming of the Lord."  IBID, page 0224 paragraph 3  

   "Reader, think how many years already this solemn work has been in progress!  How much longer can it continue?  More than half a century of this decisive work of investigative judgment already past, and yet how few of all the masses of the earth dream of their position!  O church of Christ, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, sound an alarm which shall cause all the inhabitants of the land to hear and tremble; for the great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.The conclusion is consequently put beyond dispute that probation does not end when the work in the most holy place commences, but that it ends with each individual, as the work shall reach his or her individual case.  The natural order would seem to be that this work, which has been shown to be the investigative judgment, would begin with the earliest generations of men, that is, with those who are now in their graves (but their record lives on high), and so come down through all successive generations till it reaches the living, the decision of whose cases would be the very closing portion of this last work."

URS  LUJ29  THE CLOSE OF PROBATION. page 0249 paragraph 1  

   "But at length the cases of all the generations of the dead will have been examined, and the work will reach the living; then, as each individual case is taken up and passed upon, his probation will end, and his destiny be fixed.  This is the scene our Lord brings to view when just before his coming he says that this fearful fiat shall go forth: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."  Rev.22:11,12.  IBID, page 0249 paragraph 2  

And how near are we to this solemn moment? - We know not.  (For over half a century already has this closing sanctuary work been in progress.  It cannot much longer continue.  Its whole duration is to be spanned by one generation.) [ Uriah Smith and the Pioneers, expected the return of Jesus Christ in their life time].  Matt.24:34.  This much we know, as taught by the type, that if we would have Christ's blood avail for us, to atone for our sins when our cases shall come up in that grand review, the record must show that we have sincerely repented of all our sins, and sought pardon for them through our Advocate on high.  In the type the people were required on the day of atonement to afflict their souls.  Are we, both writer and readers, thus faithfully crucifying ourselves to this world, that we may successfully pass the test of the judgment, and live forever in the world to come?  IBID, page 0249 paragraph 3

A PRACTICLE APPLICATION

What did Jesus mean by the words: " Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 

But he spake of the temple of his body."  John 2:20-21. 

Do we also have a temple?  "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  1 Corinthians 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 6:16

 "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. 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. 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. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple. God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul."  Desire of Ages, 161.1 

"It is right to love beauty and to desire it; but God desires us to love and seek first the highest beauty, that which is imperishable. No outward adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that "meek and quiet spirit," the "fine linen, white and clean" (Revelation 19:14), which all the holy ones of earth will wear. This apparel will make them beautiful and beloved here, and will hereafter be their badge of admission to the palace of the King. His promise is, "They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy." Revelation 3:4.  Acts of the Apostles,  523.3

     Looking forward with prophetic vision to the perilous times into which the church of Christ was to enter, the apostle exhorted the believers to steadfastness in the face of trial and suffering. "Beloved," he wrote, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you."  IBID, 524.1

     "Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God's children from the dross of earthliness. It is because God is leading His children that trying experiences come to them. Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these souls into different positions and varied circumstances, that they may discover the defects that are concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to overcome these defects and to fit themselves for service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to burn, that they may be purified."  IBID, 524.2

     God's care for His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon His children but such as is essential for their present and eternal good. He will purify His church, even as Christ purified the temple during His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon His people in test and trial comes that they may gain deeper piety and greater strength to carry forward the triumphs of the cross."  IBID, 524.3

   "God has given to parents and teachers the work of educating the children and youth in these lines, and from every act of their lives they may be taught spiritual lessons. While

training them in habits of physical cleanliness, we should teach them that God desires them to be clean in heart as well as in body. While sweeping a room, they may learn how the Lord purifies the heart. They would not close the doors and windows and leave in the room some putrifying substance, but would open the doors and throw wide the windows, and with diligent effort expel all the dust. So the windows of impulse and feeling must be opened toward heaven, and the dust of selfishness and earthliness must be expelled. The grace of God must sweep through the chambers of the mind, and every element of the nature must be purified and vitalized by the Spirit of God. Disorder and untidiness in daily duties will lead to forgetfulness of God and to keeping the form of godliness in a profession of faith, having lost the reality. We are to watch and pray, else we shall grasp the shadow and lose the substance."  Child Guidance, 496.2

     "A living faith like threads of gold should run through the daily experience in the performance of little duties."  IBID, 497.1

   "The truths of the Bible, received, will uplift the mind from its earthliness and debasement. If the Word of God were appreciated as it should be, both young and old would possess an inward rectitude, a strength of principle, that would enable them to resist temptation."  IBID, 506.4

    "The Holy One of Israel has made known to us the statutes and laws which are to govern all human intelligences. These precepts, which have been pronounced "holy, and just, and good," are to form the standard of

                                                                     

action in the home. There can be no departure from them without sin, for they are the foundation of the Christian religion."  IBID, 506.5

   

   "Christ desires nothing so much as to redeem His heritage from the dominion of Satan. But before we are delivered from Satan's power without, we must be delivered

from his power within. The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character.  He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, in order that we may have deep heart longings to be cleansed from defilement, and may come forth from the trial purer, holier, happier. Often we enter the furnace of trial with our souls darkened with selfishness; but if patient under the crucial test, we shall come forth reflecting the divine character. When His purpose in the affliction is accomplished, "He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Ps. 37:6.  Christ Object Lessons, 174.3

     "There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer.  IBID, 175.1

Prophetic  Meaning

   "That sins are transferred to the heavenly sanctuary is evident from the fact that there exists a necessity for its cleansing; and there can be nothing here but the presence of sin to render such a work necessary.  We look to the type.  A work of cleansing the sanctuary was performed every year in the most solemn manner by divine appointment.  Why was this?  What was there to render the cleansing of that sanctuary necessary?  Into the most holy no man entered but the high priest, and he but once a year.  In a place so sacredly guarded, could there have been anything physically impure? - By no means.  And yet that sanctuary, the most holy place, as well as the holy place, had to be cleansed.  Again we ask the reader, and especially any one who objects to the views here presented, to ponder well the question, Why?  But one answer can be returned.  The sins of the people were represented there; and from their presence it must be purified.  And this work of cleansing, as we have seen, was not a purification from material uncleanness, but simply a ceremony by which imputed sins were removed and borne away forever."

So in the antitype.  There is nothing literally impure or unclean in the heavenly sanctuary.  But the sins of all those who have sought pardon through the merits of Jesus have been transferred there; and these must be removed.  This is its cleansing.  No other is brought to view.  In reference to no other act is the expression, "cleansing of the sanctuary," ever used.  No mind can fail to understand this, and no one need to revolt at the idea." Excerpts taken from:  LOOKING  UNTO  JESUS OR CHRIST  IN  TYPE  AND  ANTITYPE

BY

URIAH  SMITH , 1898  - page 0147 paragraph 1

        Paul's testimony in Heb.9:22-24, which forever settles this point, has already been presented.  We scarcely need repeat that the burden of Paul's argument is "remission," which is the removal of sin.  He shows in these verses that the earthly sanctuary had to be cleansed because sin was to be remitted, and that it must therefore be accomplished with blood.  He then explicitly states that it was necessary for the same reason that the heavenly sanctuary should undergo a cleansing of the same nature, and by the same means, only that now the sacrifice was infinitely better, being the blood of Christ, instead of the blood of beasts." IBID, page 147 paragraph 2

[TO BE CONTINUED]