“The Hour of His Judgment Is Come”

March 15 – 21, 2026

Key Text

“Fear God … for the hour of His judgment has come.” Revelation 14:7

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 486–491; Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 384–387

Introduction

“The announcement, ‘The hour of His judgment is come,’ points to the closing work of Christ’s ministration for the salvation of men.” The Great Controversy, 435

Sunday

1 THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT

1.a. What evidence proves that there is an investigative judgment? Revelation 11:18; 22:11, 12

Note: “Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous. This decision must be made prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes, His reward is with Him, ‘to give every man according as his work shall be.’ Revelation 22:12. Before His coming, then, the character of every man’s work will have been determined, and to every one of Christ’s followers the reward will have been apportioned according to his deeds.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310

1.b. Why is the investigative judgment necessary? Ezekiel 18:24. How only can we be accounted worthy? Matthew 24:13

Note: “All who have truly repented of sin and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.” The Great Controversy, 483

Monday

2 PURITY NEEDED

2.a. What proves that the life and character of all must be judged before the coming of Christ? Matthew 16:27. What should this fact inspire in our hearts? Haggai 1:5

Note: “The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you; when you are attending your household duties, when you engage in conversation, God is measuring you. Remember that your words and actions are being daguerreotyped [photographed] in the books of heaven, as the face is reproduced by the artist on the polished plate. …

“Here is the work going on, measuring the temple and its worshipers to see who will stand in the last day. Those who stand fast shall have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When we are doing our work, remember there is One that is watching the spirit in which we are doing it. Shall we not bring the Saviour into our everyday lives, into our secular work and domestic duties? Then in the name of God we want to leave behind everything that is not necessary, all gossiping or unprofitable visiting, and present ourselves as servants of the living God.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 972

2.b. What is our responsibility in preparing to meet our Lord in peace? 1 John 3:2, 3

Note: “Many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.

“Their robes must be spotless; their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth.” The Faith I Live By, 337

Tuesday

3 THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD

3.a. With whom does the judgment begin? 1 Peter 4:17. What else should we realize about this fact? Ezekiel 33:12, 13, 18

Note: “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.” The Great Controversy, 480

“Angels keep a faithful record of every man’s work, and as judgment passes upon the house of God, the sentence of each is recorded by his name, and the angel is commissioned to spare not the unfaithful servants, but to cut them down at the time of slaughter. And that which was committed to their trust is taken from them. Their earthly treasure is then swept away, and they have lost all. And the crowns they might have worn, had they been faithful, are put upon the heads of those saved by the faithful servants whose means was constantly in use for God. And everyone they have been the means of saving adds stars to their crown in glory and increases their eternal reward.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 198

3.b. As we do not know when the judgment will pass from the cases of the dead to the cases of the living, what warning of Christ should we take to heart, and why? Mark 13:33; Revelation 3:3

Note: “Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. 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 behooves 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.’ Revelation 3:3.” The Great Controversy, 490

“There is no command for anyone to search the Scripture in order to ascertain, if possible, when probation will close. God has no such message for any mortal lips. He would have no mortal tongue declare that which He has hidden in His secret councils.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 192

“You are each living your probationary time day by day, obtaining your experience as the days pass; but you can go over the ground only once. Then let every precious moment be employed as you will wish it had been when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened. Our Lord will judge us according to the opportunities and privileges that we have had.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 13, 156

Wednesday

4 WHILE THE DOOR IS OPEN

4.a. By what standard are our characters and lives tested in the judgment? Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; Romans 2:12; James 2:12

Note: “The law of God is the standard by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgment.” The Great Controversy, 482

“The life of Christ on earth was a perfect expression of God’s law, and when those who claim to be children of God become Christlike in character, they will be obedient to God’s commandments. Then the Lord can trust them to be of the number who shall compose the family of heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 315

“Only that which is in accord with the principles of God’s law will stand in the judgment.” Ibid., 316

4.b. What is Christ doing in our behalf while the door of probation is still open? 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 7:25. How only will we be benefited by our Saviour’s intercession? 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6

Note: “The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross.” The Great Controversy, 489

“All who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart.” Ibid., 490

Thursday

5 A WARNING AND A PROMISE

5.a. To what warning should we give serious consideration? Proverbs 28:13

Note: “Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. If any will not be purified through obeying the truth and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge: ‘They are joined to their idols, let them alone,’ and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 187

5.b. What promises should encourage those who are truly interested in their salvation? 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9, first part; Revelation 3:5

Note: “None need abandon themselves to discouragement and despair. Satan may come to you with the cruel suggestion, ‘Yours is a hopeless case. You are irredeemable.’ But there is hope for you in Christ. God does not bid us overcome in our own strength. He asks us to come close to His side. Whatever difficulties we labor under which weigh down soul and body, He waits to make us free.” The Ministry of Healing, 249

“Let none, then, regard their defects as incurable. God will give faith and grace to overcome them.” The Great Controversy, 489

“Those who come up to every point and stand every test and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 187

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

What is the investigative judgment, and why is it needed?
In what way should a knowledge of the investigative judgment affect our daily lives?
Where does the investigative judgment begin—and why?
What is our duty in seeking the benefits of Christ’s intercession?
How does the judgment message offer hope as well as warning?