From Heaven With Love

The Temple Cleansed by the Presence of the Lord

Panic swept over the multitude, who felt the overshadowing of His divinity. Even the disciples trembled, awestruck by the words and manner of Jesus, so unlike His usual demeanor. They remembered that it was written of Him, “Zeal for Thy house has consumed Me.” Psalm 69:9, RSV. Soon the courts of the temple were free from unholy traffic. Deep silence and solemnity settled on the scene of confusion. The presence of the Lord had made sacred the temple reared in His honor. HLv 99.1

In cleansing the temple, Jesus announced His mission as the Messiah, and entered upon His work. The temple was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world. It was God's purpose that every created being should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Darkened and defiled by sin, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart becomes again His temple. HLv 99.2

God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul. But the Jews did not yield themselves as holy temples for the Divine Spirit. The courts of the temple, filled with unholy traffic, represented all too truly the temple of the heart, defiled by sensual passion and unholy thoughts. In cleansing the temple, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from sin—the earthly desires, selfish lusts, and evil habits that corrupt the soul. “The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant in whom you delight... . But who can endure the day of His coming, and who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire... . He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.” Malachi 3:1-3, RSV. HLv 99.3

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him will God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. HLv 100.1

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 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. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22, RSV. HLv 100.2