The Habitation of Spirit

[leroy]

Both EGW and Scripture reveal that we were created as temples for Father, Son and Holy Spirit's in dwelling. On the other side of it we can also be inhabited with one or more evil spirits. What does it mean to be a temple? Are we like a hollow room where a spirit may seek residence? Or do spirits control from outside? These are assumptions that I picked up in my developing years and actually never gave it any deeper thought. Then I began to consider some things from EGW and the Bible that surprised me.

"The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust." DA 36

In Luke 8 there is a encounter with a demoniac. These spirits could control the muscles and breathing required to speak and they used his body to break metal chains. As I thought about this it came to me that a spirit seems to enter every cell in a corporate assimilation of the human. If this was the option that the Creator had made for His own purpose then the Father, Son and Holy Spirit desires to fill us in a similar way.

We all have seen pictures of God standing beside us, or read of such descriptions. But there seems to be a much deeper union that God desires.

Paul quotes that "In Him we live and move and find our being. After seeing these things it seems that the converse is true. In us He lives and moves and finds His being!

[phkrause]

On 7/12/2025 at 8:29 PM, leroy said:

Both EGW and Scripture reveal that we were created as temples for Father, Son and Holy Spirit's in dwelling. On the other side of it we can also be inhabited with one or more evil spirits.

Yes it comes down to choice! We have that control to choose either God or Satan, good or evil!! God created us all with the right to choose!!!

[leroy]

"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." DA 161

What was the object lesson? Reading further on the same page.

"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..." DA 161 

So every one was to be filled with the presence of God, as the tabernacle of Moses was. Was this 'indwelling' part of the object lesson? Was it a full body union where He lives and moves within us and we think His thoughts after Him?

"if we consent He will so identify with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds in accordance with His will that when obeying Him we are but carrying out our own impulses." DA 668      

"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." DA 161

I use to think that this "incarnation", was referring to Jesus appearance in Bethlehem. Is it true that the 'incarnation of the Son' was the same as what was written above "should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator." Is the 'incarnation' the same as the 'indwelling'?

Let us read on: "God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple." DA 161  

The words 'humanity' and 'the heart of man' seem to imply all humanity, not just Jesus.

Let us read on: "God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness (OBJECT LESSON?) to the high destiny open to every soul. 

What is this 'high destiny'? "Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne."GC88 483  I have read something to the effect that humanity will be raised to a higher estate than had they never fallen. Note that the incarnation is open to every soul.

There's more: "But the Jews had not understood the significance of the building they regarded with so much pride." The SDA's Have not understood the real significance of the sanctuary study. They are in to physical objects but when it is pointed out that the incarnation of the Son of God is the goal of heaven in the plan of redemption as revealed in a study of the sanctuary. "They did not yield themselves as holy temples for the Divine Spirit."DA 161

Some will automatically assume that the "Divine Spirit" is the Holy Spirit. However she writes above of the incarnation of the Son of God who is a Divine Spirit.

"The courts of the temple at Jerusalem, filled with the tumult of unholy traffic, represented all too truly the temple of the heart, defiled by the presence of sensual passion and unholy thoughts. In cleansing the temple from the world's buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin,—from the earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul." DA 161

Note that she writes of the cleansing of the heart.  The temple on earth and the temple in heaven are object lessons of the temple of the heart. As one studies the investigative judgement they can begin to see that very work going on within their own soul right now. The High Priest who dwells in our temple pages through the books of our memories and places His finger upon something He wants us to look at. It is not known sin, but something not seen heretofore or has not been recognized as something that could diminish a holy life. It is something that is earthly and prevents the fullness of the stature of the Son of God from shining through them.

Those who walk in the light as He is in the light, will have the blood (divine life and nature) Of the Son, cleansing them of all unrighteousness. As they see what He has directed them to look at, they begin to view it as He does. It is then brought into judgement. As we work in cooperation with the High Priest (the Son incarnate), we will confess, or come into agreement with Him, as to why it is something that cannot enter the gates of heaven and needs to go. The "Light of the knowledge of the Son of God open our understanding and it is a purifying fire that burns up these little foxes that spoil the vine, which is this blotting out process. Those who are not walking in the light as He is in the light, (still yielding to temptation on occasion) will not be able to experience this purifying process. Willful disobedience is not part of the life of one who is working in cooperation with the High Priest.

“The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers’ soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” Malachi 3:1-3. DA 161.

This coming is not the time of the resurrection and translation of the saints. This coming to His temple is His cleansing work in the  investigation and judgement for the people of God. There will be no purifying work in the second coming. This work must be happening now. I think the nominal Christian is happy to think of Jesus way off and far away in heaven, shuffling papers in a beautiful building. But when it is brought home to where the rubber meets the road in their own life that is something that they find too uncomfortable difficult to accept. 

Now from the bottom of the page, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit (Son) of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. 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 comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but 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. He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; ... and they shall be My people.” “He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and “an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21, 22. DA 161

 

 

[leroy]

"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." DA 161

What was the object lesson? Reading further on the same page.

"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..." DA 161 

So every one was to be filled with the presence of God, as the tabernacle of Moses was. Was this 'indwelling' part of the object lesson? Was it a full body union where He lives and moves within us and we think His thoughts after Him?

"if we consent He will so identify with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds in accordance with His will that when obeying Him we are but carrying out our own impulses." DA 668      

"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." DA 161

I use to think that this "incarnation", was referring to Jesus appearance in Bethlehem. Is it true that the 'incarnation of the Son' was the same as what was written above "should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator." Is the 'incarnation' the same as the 'indwelling'?

Let us read on: "God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple." DA 161  

The words 'humanity' and 'the heart of man' seem to imply all humanity, not just Jesus.

Let us read on: "God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness (OBJECT LESSON?) to the high destiny open to every soul. 

What is this 'high destiny'? "Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne.  I have read something to the effect that humanity will be raised to a higher estate than had they never fallen

 

[Asia Joe]

On 7/15/2025 at 12:11 PM, leroy said:

So every one was to be filled with the presence of God, as the tabernacle of Moses was. Was this 'indwelling' part of the object lesson? Was it a full body union where He lives and moves within us and we think His thoughts after Him?

Interesting. I always thought of Him controlling the brain, but I can see now, that this is a much deeper topic. 

[leroy]

I have begun to notice in my own life where suggestions that are not so much in words but I can sense them and feelings arise in a very quiet way so that you might never think that they are the work of a familiar spirit. I find my safety in remembering what God spoke to me several years ago, "That's not you".  knowing that it is not me.removes the power. I may notice the draw for a while, but when it finally is gone I can sense that I am in a very different place. Sort of like I was not who I really am. Like I felt the demon trying to move on me. As I begin to see how these spirits work has changed completely how I deal with temptation. Before it was like I was always dealing with 'me' and trying to fight myself'. I was unable to isolate who I really am, from the demonic insinuation. It really clarifies where the battle is. I don't even know if I have been able to put this into the right words to describe what I've experienced, or in a way that someone might be able to be helped by it, but it's the best I can do for now. 

[leroy]

On 7/14/2025 at 10:59 AM, phkrause said:

Yes it comes down to choice! We have that control to choose either God or Satan, good or evil!! God created us all with the right to choose!!!

But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul. COL159

[leroy]

On 7/18/2025 at 3:57 PM, Joe Knapp said:

Interesting. I always thought of Him controlling the brain, but I can see now, that this is a much deeper topic. 

It would seem that the Son would be so identified with us since He is our life, literally, actually factually our Life 1John 5:11,12  That it is as if He fills out out fingers and toes like a glove. He looks out at the world through our eyes and speaks through our lips. Willing and doing according to His good pleasure. A marriage union where the two have become one. John 17

In the procreative act the Daddy provides a compliment of DNA that is fully Daddy and the Mommy provides a corresponding compliment of DNA that is fully Mommy. When the two unite they are not fully Mommy and fully Daddy but they form a distinctly unique DNA Where Mommy and Daddy are combined to create a new creature. In that child the two have actually become one. So also is Christ. If any man be in Christ he becomes a new creature. No longer only human but humanity and divinity combined 2Pet 1:4.