TO THE READER. MANY are inquiring what constitutes "the Sanctuary." • As no definite answer has been given in any distinct work now before the public, we have been induced to publish the following brief, but conclusive answer to this momentous question. It is given in this cheap form for general distribution. Read and circulate. J. V. H. Boston, Jan., 1842. BOSTON: DOW & JACKSON'S POWER PRESS. LETTER FROM WILLIAM MILLER. THE CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY. DEAR BROTHER HIMES:-One short year more of trials and afflictions, and I shall expect to see Him who will justify himself, his word, and his people, before all flesh; and then he will cleanse his sanctuary, and "make the place of his feet glorious." Then will his tabernacle be with men, and he will dwell among them, and he will be their God, and they shall be his people. Sighing and sorrow shall be done away; tears shall be wiped from off all faces, and death itself be destroyed; and we shall reign with him on the earth. What a glorious prospect! What a blessed hope! How full of immortality and eternal life! Come, Lord Jesus, O come quickly! You may ask, What is meant in Daniel viii. 14-"Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed?" I will answer you according to my understanding; and if I am not right, please to correct me. "Sanctuary," in the Scripture, generally means the place where God is worshipped and adored, and where he or his glory dwells, when it has reference to God or holy things; but when it has reference to man, it means his house, or dwelling-place, city, or defence. I. Jesus Christ is called a sanctuary. Isa. viii. 14: "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." Ezek. xi. 16: "Therefore say, thus saith the Lord God: Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come." Why is he called a sanctuary? Because God dwells in his person, and through him we worship God. He is the refuge, into which the righteous run and are safe. II. Heaven is called a sanctuary; because God dwells there, is worshipped and adored there, and it is the refuge of the saints. Psalm cii. 19: "For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth." Ps. xx. 2: "Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion." III. Judah is called a sanctuary. Psalm cxiv. 2: "Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion." Because God dwelt in Judah, and was particularly worshipped among them, and Jerusalem was a place of refuge for God's people. IV. The Temple at Jerusalem is called a sanctuary. 1 Chron. xxii. 19: "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise, therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord." Exodus xxv. 8: "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." And the tent in the wilderness was so called, because it was før God to dwell in, and there he was to be worshipped. Both were typical of his glorious presence with his people. V. The Holy of Holies was called a sanctuary. 1 Chron. xxviii. 10: "Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build. a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it." Lev. iv. 6: "And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the vail of the sanctuary." This was a type of heaven, and was called a sanctuary for the same reason heaven is. VI. The earth is called a sanctuary. Isa. lx. 13: "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious." It is so called because God will dwell with his people on the earth. 1 Kings viii. 27: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded ?" Rev. v. 10: "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." Rev. xx. 6: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.' It is also thus called because he will be worshipped in earth as in heaven. Matt. vi. 10: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." Because it is his inheritance. Psalm lxxxii. 8: "Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations." Rev. xi. 15: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever." Psalm xcvi. 6-13: "Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, |