This post is a breath of fresh air. I sense an attempt to re-interpret Daniel 7 & 8 in a way that is more faithful to the text. I have felt for many years that the cleansing of the sanctuary noted in Daniel was related to the renewal of Bible teachings and the true picture of God described in scripture and brought to life mid 19th century, but lost for centuries in the abuses of the Little Horn. You expressed and expanded my undeveloped ideas in a way that confirmed my intuition. To me, the explanations taught by my faith community, which included the cleansing of some mythical sanctuary in heaven are totally inadequate. I see little or no textual support for that position.
So, thanks for your insights. I look forward to future conversations.
Thanks for this article Shawn. Your writings always give me something to think about.
It seems we (meaning specifically, SDAs) have concentrated on the theological 'de-/re-construction' suggested by the cleansing of the sanctuary / yom kippur in Dan 8 in the restoration of truth (eg, Sabbath, Sanctuary, etc), but maybe we have been a bit slow to *properly* embrace the positive moral / character changes that should be happening to those who "bear His name". We have at times been unlovely in our proclaiming of the truth. God's name and character appear to be somewhat synonymous in the Hebrew and Greek (as far as I understand it, anyway) so if we claim to be Christians, then our character should at least be improving to look more like the divine character - a true "sanctuary being made righteous / cleansed". Maybe we have been "taking God's name in vain" all these years because we have misrepresented God's character in our zealousness for the truth?
I'm totally with you on all that, James! I tried to highlight this aspect toward the end (about embodying those truths), but didn't want to carry on too long.
I really appreciate your discussion here! I’ve been involved in this discussion for over 50 years (🙀 that’s a long time). The God I’ve come to love over these years is the Being who took the risk of being misunderstood, mistreated, misdirected and misapplied so that humanity could be rescued and healed of and from the SIN disease! Oh how They love you and me!🎶. Thanks again for exploring and sharing your thoughts as you continue with us on this journey!
I think you’re on to something, man.
This post is a breath of fresh air. I sense an attempt to re-interpret Daniel 7 & 8 in a way that is more faithful to the text. I have felt for many years that the cleansing of the sanctuary noted in Daniel was related to the renewal of Bible teachings and the true picture of God described in scripture and brought to life mid 19th century, but lost for centuries in the abuses of the Little Horn. You expressed and expanded my undeveloped ideas in a way that confirmed my intuition. To me, the explanations taught by my faith community, which included the cleansing of some mythical sanctuary in heaven are totally inadequate. I see little or no textual support for that position.
So, thanks for your insights. I look forward to future conversations.
I'm so glad it resonated with you, Richard! Thank you for reading and for sharing.
Thanks for this article Shawn. Your writings always give me something to think about.
It seems we (meaning specifically, SDAs) have concentrated on the theological 'de-/re-construction' suggested by the cleansing of the sanctuary / yom kippur in Dan 8 in the restoration of truth (eg, Sabbath, Sanctuary, etc), but maybe we have been a bit slow to *properly* embrace the positive moral / character changes that should be happening to those who "bear His name". We have at times been unlovely in our proclaiming of the truth. God's name and character appear to be somewhat synonymous in the Hebrew and Greek (as far as I understand it, anyway) so if we claim to be Christians, then our character should at least be improving to look more like the divine character - a true "sanctuary being made righteous / cleansed". Maybe we have been "taking God's name in vain" all these years because we have misrepresented God's character in our zealousness for the truth?
I'm totally with you on all that, James! I tried to highlight this aspect toward the end (about embodying those truths), but didn't want to carry on too long.
Thanks for sharing!
I really appreciate your discussion here! I’ve been involved in this discussion for over 50 years (🙀 that’s a long time). The God I’ve come to love over these years is the Being who took the risk of being misunderstood, mistreated, misdirected and misapplied so that humanity could be rescued and healed of and from the SIN disease! Oh how They love you and me!🎶. Thanks again for exploring and sharing your thoughts as you continue with us on this journey!
Amen! Thanks for sharing, Rachel!
Wow, these are powerful thoughts, Shawn! 🙏♥️