DANIEL 8:14B THEN SHALL THE SANCTUARY BE CLEANSED
Updated: Dec 17, 2022
CHAPTER 14 B
In this chapter we will discuss what it means to cleanse the sanctuary.
Daniel 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
The Hebrew word translated “cleansed” means TO JUSTIFY OR MAKE RIGHT.
CLEANSED H6663
צָדַק tsâdaq, tsaw-dak'; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):—cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H6663&t=KJV
A similar verse to Daniel 8:14 in New Testament scripture is Romans 6:7.
Romans 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-Chapter-6/
The Greek word translated freed in Romans 6:7 means TO JUSTIFY OR MAKE RIGHT.
FREED G1344
δικαιόω dikaióō, dik-ah-yo'-o; from G1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:—free, justify(-ier), be righteous. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G1344&t=KJV
To be free from sin, or justification, is the idea of the cleansing of the sanctuary. Though it was not on the Passover, the Jews had a feast each year called the Day of Atonement. And it was about freeing them from sin.
Leviticus 16:29….And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD….
33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Leviticus-Chapter-16/
After the cross the idea of atonement in the New Testament is presented as a cleansing of the conscience from dead works for the purpose to serve the living God.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-9/
Going back to the example of Christ’s earthly act of cleansing the sanctuary or temple, we see that they were buying and selling salvation. It was salvation by works. How offensive to Him, to walk in and see that they were using his GIFT to them as a money-making endeavor. But even more offensive this act taught the hearts of the worshippers to believe salvation could be bought and sold or earned in some way. The Bible calls this, “dead works”.
Christ cleanses the temple, first by getting rid of the buyers and sellers. Love cannot be bought or sold or earned. Redemption is not a thing bought or sold or earned, but rather a gift motivated by the love of God and by love for God.
John 2:13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-2/
Zeal is another word for jealousy. God has a jealous love for us, a love stronger than death; a love that cannot be bought or sold.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-3/
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Peter-Chapter-1/
Isaiah 55:1 Ho everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-55/
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-1/
Ephesian 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-Chapter-2/
Reader, have you received the GIFT of God? Have you allowed God to rid your life of the buyers and sellers? Or do you spend your time in vain?
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-55/
DAY OF ATONEMENT INCENSE
Christ cleanses the temple by restoring a true spirit of worship (prayer and healing and praise) in the house of God.
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-21/
This attitude is also seen on the Jewish Day of Atonement. First the high priest comes in and makes a sacrifice for Himself. Since the high priest represents our true High Priest, Christ ministering for us now, we should ask ourselves, “does Christ need a sacrifice for Himself?” Yes. Because He became sin for us who knew no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21). He cannot make atonement for us without the approval of God unless His motive is righteous with God. This is all represented by the priest taking the bullock and offering it for himself. It was a volunteer act motivated by love. With the blood of the bullock, He takes the golden censer of incense before the Lord within the veil. The incense represents the merits or motives of our Divine Saviour or His love for us. Love is the motive that Christ had, like incense, pure sweet love. Out of love for us He became a sin offering for us. The pure spotless Lamb of God with our sins upon Him offers Himself up to God as a substitute to take our penalty for sin. Though this happened at the cross, it has never ceased in effect.
Leviticus 16:11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:
13 And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the testimony, that he die not:
14 And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Leviticus-Chapter-16/
Ephesians 5:1 Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-Chapter-5/
Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-8/
Notice, this incense is offered with the prayers of the saints. Nothing we do is merited worthy of salvation. It is the motive of the Savior’s love mingled with our petitions which makes our prayers of any effect at all.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/James-Chapter-5/
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-Chapter-3/
When Christ cleansed the temple on earth, He made it a house of prayer. True prayer. It is the same when He cleanses the temple of our hearts and minds today.
When the Presence of God or Spirit of God or Power of God or sweet incense of God fills the temple, the result is praise and thanksgiving to God!
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
…….
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-Chapter-5/
To be filled with the Spirit is to be anointed by the Spirit. And to be anointed by the Spirit means to serve God.
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-4/
They who worship God will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. In other words, they will both serve and praise God by the power of His Spirit and will have a knowledge of God that is true.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-4/
DAY OF ATONEMENT (CLEANSING) HEALING
In the Presence of God, a change occurs in the temple of our hearts. God puts His truth and wisdom in our hearts. To do this He breaks our hearts and makes us contrite, then cleanses our hearts and restores to us the joy of His salvation with the sacrifice of His righteousness.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-51/
When we come with Jesus to the Mercy Seat, it is there we are at the throne of God in the Presence of God. There we see the drops of blood on the mercy seat representing our Lord, lifted up on a cross, for us, in fulfilment of the perfect Law of Love hidden below that Mercy Seat and within the ark of His Word. There we find our hearts and minds to be unholy, defiled, guilty before God. There it is we ask for the cleansing and God takes the cleansing coal of fire, His love stronger than death, and anoints our lips. There we are healed. There we experience change and become willing to serve. Look what happens in His Presence.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-6/
Yes, on the Day of Atonement the high priest would meet with God at the Mercy Seat to remove sin. This is the seat of law in the government of God. Under it rested the Ten commandments or Testament of God. We all stand guilty before God’s throne. But on it is sprinkled the blood of Jesus Christ. That blood testifies that Jesus died for our sins. He took our penalty for sin. His blood justifies us.
Leviticus 16:11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:
13 And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the testimony, that he die not:
14 And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Leviticus-Chapter-16/
A testament is of force after one is dead or after the blood has been applied. The blood, that was figuratively sprinkled on the Mercy Seat during the Jewish day of Atonement, represented how after the cross it was to be spiritually applied to the seat of God in the throne room of our hearts and minds to cleanse our body temples from all unrighteousness.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-9/
Mercy seat comes from the root word “kaphar” in Hebrew meaning seat of expiation or reconciliation or atonement.
MERCY SEAT G2435
†ἱλαστήριον hilastḗrion, hil-as-tay'-ree-on; neuter of a derivative of G2433; an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple):—mercyseat, propitiation.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2435/kjv/tr/0-1/
MERCY SEAT H3727
כַּפֹּרֶת kappôreth, kap-po'-reth; from H3722; a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark):—mercy seat.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3727/kjv/wlc/0-1/
כָּפַר kâphar, kaw-far'; a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:—appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3722/kjv/wlc/0-1/
This mercy seat is also called the throne of God. Currently, there is a purging or cleansing of sin going on at this throne.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-9/
Christ is at the Mercy Seat for YOU! On a very personal level, He appears at the Mercy Seat applying His blood by which He took away your sin and guilt. Soon, we will stand before Christ in judgment at His second appearing or coming. But for those who will receive it, Christ appears the second time without sin, providing His righteousness to you for your salvation.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Corinthians-Chapter-5/
We have the opportunity to come to His throne of mercy now, not for judgment, but for mercy, help and cleansing of heart and mind in times of temptation.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-4/
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-10/
The mercy seat is also the judgment seat of Christ. Soon, we will stand before the throne of Christ to be reviewed in judgment at His second appearing or coming. But for those of us who will receive it, Christ appears the second time without sin, providing His righteousness for our salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Corinthians-Chapter-5/
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-9/
CHAPTER SUMMARY
What does it mean to cleanse the sanctuary? The Hebrew word translated cleansed means TO JUSTIFY OR MAKE RIGHT. A similar verse to Daniel 8:14 in New Testament scripture is Romans 6:7 which says he that is dead is freed (justified) from sin. To be free from sin, or justified, is the the cleansing of the sanctuary. Though it was not on the Passover, the Jews had a feast each year called the Day of Atonement. And it was about freeing them from sin.
After the cross the idea of atonement in the New Testament is presented as the blood of Christ to purge our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. Going back to the example of Christ’s earthly act of cleansing the sanctuary or temple, we see that they were buying and selling salvation. It was salvation by works. How offensive to Him, to walk in and see that they were using his GIFT to them as a money-making endeavor. But even more offensive this act taught the hearts of the worshippers to believe salvation could be bought and sold or earned in some way. The Bible calls this, “dead works”.
Christ cleansed the temple by getting rid of the buyers and sellers. Love cannot be bought or sold or earned. Redemption is not a thing bought or sold or earned, but rather a gift motivated by the love of God and by love for God.
His zeal or anger in cleansing the sanctuary was an expression of God’s jealous love for us, a love stronger than death; a love that cannot be bought or sold. Salvation or justification is a free gift!
Reader, have you received the GIFT of God? Have you allowed God to rid your life of the buyers and sellers? Or do you spend your time in vain?
Christ cleanses the temple by restoring a true spirit of worship (prayer and healing and praise and the knowledge of His truth) in the house of God.
This attitude is also seen on the Jewish Day of Atonement. First the high priest comes in and makes a sacrifice for Himself. Since the high priest represents our true High Priest, Christ ministering for us, we should ask ourselves, “does Christ need a sacrifice for Himself?” Yes. Because He became sin for us who knew no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21). He cannot make atonement for us without the approval of God unless His motive is righteous with God. This is all represented by the priest taking the bullock and offering it for himself. And taking the golden censer of incense before the Lord within the veil. The incense represents the merits or motives of our Divine Saviour or His love for us. Love is the motive that Christ had, like incense, pure sweet love. Out of love for us He became a sin offering for us. The pure spotless Lamb of God with our sins upon Him offers himself up to God as a substitute to take our penalty for sin. Though this happened at the cross, it has never ceased in effect.
This incense is offered with the prayers of the saints. Nothing we do is merited worthy of salvation. It is the motive of the Savior’s love mingled with our petitions which makes our prayers of any effect at all. When Christ cleansed the temple on earth, He made it a house of prayer, true prayer. It is the same when He cleanses the temple of our hearts and minds today. When the Presence of God or Spirit of God or Power of God or sweet incense of God fills the temple, the results are to be filled with the Spirit or presence of God, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord.
To be filled with the Spirit is to be anointed by the Spirit. And to be anointed by the Spirit also means to serve God by preaching the gospel to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind and to set at liberty them that are bruised and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
They who worship God will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. In other words, they will both serve God by the power of His Spirit and will have a knowledge of God that is true.
In the Presence of God, a change occurs in the temple of our hearts. We are filled with truth, a broken and renewed heart, and a right spirit.
When we come with Jesus to the Mercy Seat, it is there we are at the throne of God in the Presence of God. There we see the drops of blood on the mercy seat representing our Lord, lifted up on a cross for us in fulfilment of the perfect Law of Love hidden below that Mercy Seat and within the ark of His Word. There we find ourselves to be unholy, defiled, guilty before God. There it is we know we deserve to die but in faith we ask for the cleansing and God takes the cleansing coal of fire, His love stronger than death, and anoints our lips. There we are healed. There we experience a change that makes us ready to serve.
Yes, on the Day of Atonement the high priest would meet with God at the Mercy Seat to remove sin. This is the seat of law in the government of God. Under it rested the Ten commandments or Testament of God. We all stand guilty before God’s throne. But on it is sprinkled the blood of Jesus Christ. That blood testifies that Jesus died to take away our sins and He took our penalty for sin. His blood justified us.
A testament is of force after one is dead or after the blood has been applied. The blood, that was figuratively sprinkled on the Mercy Seat during the Jewish day of Atonement, represented how after the cross it was to be spiritually applied to the seat of God in the throne room of our hearts and minds to cleanse our body temples from all unrighteousness. This is the covenant law written on our hearts and minds.
Mercy seat comes from the root word “kaphar” in Hebrew meaning seat of expiation or reconciliation or atonement. God in His mercy grants us a pardon for our sin. This mercy seat is also called the throne of God. Currently, there is a purging or cleansing of sin going on at this throne of mercy where Christ is mediating for us in the presence of God.
Christ is at the Mercy Seat for YOU! On a very personal level, He appears at the Mercy Seat applying His blood by which He takes away your sin and guilt. Soon, we will stand before Christ in judgment at His second appearing or coming. But for those who will receive it, Christ appears the second time without sin, providing His righteousness to you for your salvation.
We have the opportunity to come by faith to His throne of mercy now, not for judgment, but for mercy, help and cleansing of heart and mind in times of temptation.
The mercy seat is also the judgment seat of Christ. Soon, we will stand before the throne of Christ to be reviewed in judgment at His second appearing or coming. But for those of us who will receive His mercy, Christ appears the second time without sin, providing His righteousness for our salvation.
I invite you, dear reader, into the Presence of the Living God, to be changed.