This judgment will first begin with the church of God and extend later to the unbelievers.

Transcription

1 There exists a teaching among professed Christians that God will judge the world at Christ s second coming. Others deny the existence of any such equating it to the death of a person that when one dies that becomes his/her. Well, we may argue this point left and right but it will not turn the truth into a lie. If God has set a time in which He will judge the world, that is sure to occur whether we shall accept it or not. If we are truly followers of Christ who desire to hearken and obey His word, it is time dear reader we search and find the truth of the matter. In this pamphlet we examine the truth of the matter and urge you to do likewise. God bless as you study the matter! Bible texts: Ecclesiastes 12:14; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 Peter 4:17; Malachi 3:1-3; Song of Solomon 6:10; Isaiah 5:7; 1 Peter 4:16; Leviticus 4:20; Leviticus 5:18; Daniel 8:14; Hebrew 9:24; Hebrews 9:2-5; Exodus 25:8; Hebrew 9:24; Daniel 8:14; 9:25; Daniel 8:17; Daniel 8:16; Daniel 8:20-26; Daniel 9:22-23; Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34; Ezra 7:11-28; Ezra 6:14; 7:1, 9; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5; Daniel 7:9-10; Ezra 7:1-27; Mark 13:33; Rev. 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; Luke 21:36; Luke 12:36, 37; Revelation 22:12; Revelation 15:3. Spirit of Prophecy: GC 480;, DA 233; The Faith I Live By, p 329; 1888 Great Controversy, pp ; GC88 490; The Bible has ample evidence that should settle the question whether God will judge the inhabitants of this world. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14. This judgment will first begin with the church of God and extend later to the unbelievers. For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17. 1 / 12

2 In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. "Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?" 1 Peter 4:17. GC 480. Why the? Malachi gives us the reasons for the investigative and says, the Lord will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver (Malachi 3:1-3) to purify the sons of Levi that they shine as the morning, fair as the moon and clear as the sun (Song of Solomon 6:10). In this God will examine and ascertain who is worthy to receive a reward of life at Christ s second coming. As we have read from Peter 4:17, this of the house of God is just the beginning of the entire process for the scriptures state, must begin at the house of God but it does not stop here, it says what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel. The Bible speaks of the beginning and the end of the. The words beginning and the end are two distinct words with different meanings and applications. The beginning is not the same as the end. When begins with Christians and ends with unbelievers, it does not denote the same sitting of the process. Rather there are different sessions or phases of, as the beginning and the end do not refer to the same event or session of this. The beginning of (one session) refers to the of Christians and the end of 2 / 12

3 (another distinct session) refers to that of the wicked. The phrase the house of God refers to his church as is explained by Isaiah in the next verse. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts [is] the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. Isaiah 5:7. The investigative shall first begin in the church of God. Peter uses the word us to refer to those who are Christ s followers. In the following verse, this point is elucidated further. Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Peter 4:16. Therefore, God s of the world starts with the church of God. The word Christian refers to those that believe in Jesus Christ and in His second coming. This includes all Christians regardless of the denomination they may belong to. From Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist to Baptists and the list go on. If all these are Christian denominations, they will all be judged in the first phase of the. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14. The use of the phrase every work does not leave room for exception, Christian or non Christian, every work of every person that has lived on earth shall be examined. The Bible verse says whether it be good or whether it be evil, referring to the works of both the righteous (whether it be good) and the works of the wicked (whether it be evil)-all will be scrutinised, but not in the same phase or session of the. In the time of ancient Israel, atonement for the sins of the children of Israel was conducted once a year by the high priest for the forgiveness of sins. 3 / 12

4 And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. Leviticus 4:20. And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist [it] not, and it shall be forgiven him. Leviticus 5:18. The testimonies further states that: In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. "Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel? 1 Peter 4:17. GC, p 480. Events preceding the And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14. Scripture is not silent as to which sanctuary is to be cleansed as Paul explains in the following scripture: For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrew 9:24. The sanctuary mentioned in Daniel 8:14 is not an earthly sanctuary because what is earthly is made with human hands, but the sanctuary here mentioned is not made with human hands. There was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show bread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant. And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of 4 / 12

5 which we cannot now speak particularly. Hebrews 9:2-5. This description is so specific that there is no mistaking the object to which reference is here made. Paul in this text refers to the tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness according to the Lord's direction. Here is given a brief description of the two apartments of that tabernacle-the holy and the most holy place-with the various vessels of service. The Lord Himself expressly called this tabernacle His sanctuary. (Exodus 25:8), but we must apply Hebrew 9:24 that this earthly sanctuary was a figure of the heavenly sanctuary. The sanctuary in which Christ entered (Hebrew 9:24) which is in heaven is not made with man s hands. But the one of Exodus 25:8 was made by man s hands because it is Moses who constructed it in the wilderness. The sanctuary build by Moses was made according to the patterns of the sanctuary that is in heaven (Hebrew 9:2-5). Calculating the 2300 days Daniel was shown that after 2300 days shall the sanctuary be cleansed. The time to cleanse the sanctuary was set at the termination of 2300 days. Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14. The commencement of calculating the 2300 days and the 70 weeks (Daniel 8:14; 9:25) was at the going forth of the commandment. Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem... The cleansing of the sanctuary is not at the going forth of the commandment, but at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days. The angel Gabriel told Daniel that the vision of the cleansing of the sanctuary was to be fulfilled at the end of time. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision. Daniel 8:17. The time the vision will be fulfilled is referred to as the time of the end. Also note that Daniel did not understand the vision, but the angel Gabriel was instructed to explain the vision to him. 5 / 12

6 And I heard a man's voice between [the banks of] Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this [man] to understand the vision. Daniel 8:16. He started explaining the vision in Daniel 8:20-26, but before Gabriel finished with his explanation, Daniel fainted (Daniel 8:27). From the beginning of chapter 9 of the same book, Daniel was engaged in communion with God and when he was yet speaking, God sent Gabriel to continue his explanation of the vision to Daniel. And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Daniel 9: Gabriel continued to explain the vision to the prophet in Daniel 9:24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness... Seventy weeks were given to the Jewish nation as their probationary period to depart from sins and reconcile themselves to God. Gabriel revealed to Daniel that the 70 weeks would commence at the going forth of the commandment to restore Jerusalem the city that was in ruins. Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9: The 2300 days and the 70 weeks all commence at the same time, at the going forth of the commandment. There are important landmarks that are mentioned in this passage; (1) the 6 / 12

7 going forth of the commandment, (2) the restoration and building of Jerusalem, (3) the coming of the Messiah and (4) the confirmation of the covenant. The computation of these landmarks is as follows: From the going forth of the commandment to the rebuilding of Jerusalem was allocated seven weeks. From whence the seven weeks ends, begins the 62 weeks to the appearance of the Messiah the Prince. The Messiah, the prince would confirm the covenant for one week and in the middle of the week He shall be cut off. One week has seven days and in calculating prophecy we are counselled to consider a day for year (see below). Considering a day for a year principle, the seven days are seven years. The middle of seven years is 3 ½ years. Christ was to be cut off (crucified after 3 ½ years) of the last week of the 70 weeks. The covenant was to be confirmed for seven years (one week), but the other half of the seven years, were to be completed not by Jesus Christ in person but through His disciples who were instructed not to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles but confine it to the house of Israel. This completes the 70 weeks, the end of the Jewish probation. A day for a year principle According to prophetic calculation a day is considered a year (Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34). The 2300 days become years and the 70 weeks when converted to days, give us 490 days and since a day constitutes a year, these are 490 years calculated as follows: 70x7=490. Both the 2300 years and 490 years began in 457 BC when king Artaxerxes proclaimed the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 7:11-28). "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks," sixty-nine weeks, or four hundred and eighty-three years. Dan. 9:25. The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, was completed by the decree of Artaxerx es Longi manus (see Ezra 6:14; 7:1, 9, margin), went into effect in the autumn of B. C From this time four hundred and eighty-three years extend to the autumn of A. D. 27. According to the prophecy, this period was to reach to the Messiah, the Anointed One. In A. D. 27, Jesus at His baptism received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and soon afterward began His ministry. Then the message was proclaimed. "The time is fulfilled, DA / 12

8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem with the decree for the re-establishment of the Jewish state on the first day of the fifth Jewish month. (Ezra 7:8.) This corresponded to the end of July or the beginning of August in our English calendar. A number of weeks after this were required to place the provisions of the decree in the hands of the provincial governors (Ezra 7:21; 8:36). It is evident that the decree did not go into effect until the autumn of 457 BC. May we remember that those that first receive the light, their probation close much earlier than those that receive the light after them! Whereas the Jewish nation was given 490 years for their probation, the probation of the Gentiles would be a little longer and spans from the time the Jewish probation closed to the end of probation of the world. The 69 weeks or 483 years (69x7=483 years) includes (a) the restoration of the temple which takes seven weeks or 49 years (7x7=49), (b) the coming of the Messiah which takes 62 weeks or 434 years (62x7=434). These added together gives us 69 weeks or 483 years which brings us to the anointment of the Messiah at his baptism in 27 AD. Daniel was further shown the things that would occur in the last week and he wrote: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:27. Gentiles probation The Jewish nation was given 70 weeks (490 years) probation which terminated at the stoning of Stephen in 34 AD. It was at this time that the gospel was extended to the Gentiles. It is from this time we must begin the calculation of the probation of the Gentiles. If we subtract 490 years from 2300 years, we remain with 1810 years which is the time allocated to the Gentiles. The reader will recall that the 2300 years began in 57 BC and terminated on 22 October 1844 when investigative shall begin. During the 70 weeks (490 years) the gospel was preached only to the Jewish people, but at the end of the 70 weeks, the probation of the Jews ended with the stoning of Stephen in 34 AD. At this time, the Jewish nation ceased to be a chosen nation. The gospel was then extended to the Gentiles in 34 AD and will continue until probation closes. From 457 BC to 34 AD gives us 490 years which we should subtract from 2300 years the longest Bible prophecy of Daniel 8:14. This will give us remaining years of 1810 to complete this prophecy. 8 / 12

9 The Bible s longest prophecy is the 2300 years (Dan. 8:14). The decree from which the computation starts, went out in 457 BC (Ezra 7:1-27). The 70 weeks is broken into the following sections (1) rebuilding of the temple, (2) baptism of Christ, (3) crucifixion of Christ, (4) stoning of Stephan marking the end of the Jewish probation. The second part of the 2300 years relates to the proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles. This period would take 1810 years from 34 AD to 1844 after which shall sit. This part of the prophecy is also broken into the following sections (1) the dark ages which commenced in 538 AD and ended in 1798 AD spanning a period of 1260 as prophesied. In 1798 AD Pope V1 was arrested in France and eventually died in prison. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the Papacy in After this, says the prophet, "His deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Paul states plainly that the man of sin will continue until the Second Advent.... In both the Old and the New World, the Papacy will receive homage in the honour paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church, The Faith I Live By, p 329. Also read 1888 Great Controversy, pp It is also within the period (1810) we must apply the 1290 days of Daniel 12:11 (508 AD to 1797 AD) and the 1335 days of Daniel 12:12 (3508 AD to 1843 AD). Many things happened during the 1810 years including the Dark Ages ( ). This is the period referred to in Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:5. They all point to the papal rule and its persecution of Christ s followers who protested against it. And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Daniel 7:25. John further describes the same event; And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months. Revelation 13:5. Prophet Daniel and John the Revelator pointed to the papal rule of 1260 years. Daniel refers to this period as time (one year), times (two years) and dividing of 9 / 12

10 time (half a year or six months) which brings us to 42 months ( =42 months). We must convert the forty two months into days (remember a day for a year principle). Biblically speaking there are 30 days in a month and when converting 42 months into days, it gives us 1260 days ( 42x30 =1260). On 22 October 1844, the 2300 years ended. You will recall that Daniel was shown that at the end of this period, the sanctuary shall be cleansed. And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14. On 22 October, 1844, Jesus Christ entered the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to begin the work of investigative to which Daniel writes: I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, [and] his wheels [as] burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. Daniel 7:9-10. May the reader take note that this only commenced after a time, times and dividing of time (42 months) which is the period given to the papal rule of Thus, the takes place only after the period of the Dark Ages during which the Roman Catholic Church persecuted the saints. The Judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above...soon--none know how soon--it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behoves every soul to heed the Saviour's admonition, "Watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is." (Mark 13:33.) "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." (Rev. 3:3.) GC Conclusion It is necessary that this judgment of the people of God should take place before the coming of Christ. When Jesus appears again, He will gather all the saints and take them to heaven by raising the righteous dead to immortality and translating the righteous living to eternal glory. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4: / 12

11 He will bring rewards to His people according to their works. Before this can be done, it is obvious that some investigation of their records must first take place, in order to determine who among the professed people of God are worthy of participating in this resurrection and translation, and just what reward they deserve, according to their works. Therefore, the judgment of the saints, the decision of their cases for eternity, is past when Christ comes. When the last trump is heard at His coming, all the living righteous, in the twinkling of an eye, will be changed to immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52.) At the second coming of Jesus Christ, there can be no time then for and for the perfection of character and making decision for one s destiny. There can be no examination after that to determine whether they shall be accounted worthy (Luke 21:36) of eternal life, for they will have already laid hold upon it. This matter must be determined before the Lord comes; hence the investigative judgment taking place before the second return of Christ to this earth. The parable of the marriage in Matthew 22 also teaches that the investigative judgment will take place before the return of Christ. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to inspect the guests (verse 11), to see if all are attired in the wedding garment. He who is found wanting is cast out; but all who, upon examination, are found to have on the wedding garment, are accepted. This examination of the guests is the investigative. The wedding garment is the spotless robe of Christ's righteousness. The inspection of the guests is the investigation of the characters of believers, to determine who are prepared for the kingdom of God. And as this examination of the guests preceded the wedding, and as Christ's coming takes place after the wedding (Luke 12:36, 37), it is clear, therefore, that the investigative judgment will precede the second coming of Christ. When the Lord comes, His reward is with Him, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12). There must then be an examination of the life s record to determine what the work of every individual has been and the reward for such work. This is especially evident from the fact that, while God knows without investigation what every man has done, finite beings are also interested in the judgment. When the decisions have been made and the rewards have all been confirmed and given, not only the redeemed, but angels are to join in the acclaim of praise, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints (Revelation 15:3). This means that both human beings and angels will satisfy themselves that God s decision on each individual person during the are just and fair. 11 / 12

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