judgment

Let Us Hear the Conclusion of the Whole Matter

by

My expertise is accounting. I realized that the most expert accountant ever is our Creator, who keeps the most accurate record books that anyone has ever kept. The result of that record-keeping is noted in the scripture found in Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good, or evil.” The righteous Judge will assess the value of every work I have ever performed and determine its worth, weighed against His perfect law.

In secular accounting, there is what I call the master equation: Assets minus liabilities equal net worth. Stated another way, the value of what you own (assets), minus what you owe (liabilities), equals your net worth.

In accounting, things of value are called assets. For example, cash is an asset. Theoretically, any time you spend that cash, you gain something of equal value. It might be another asset, such as food or clothing. It might be a service, such as a doctor’s visit. Or it might be relief from a liability, which decreases your liabilities and increases your net worth. It’s sad to say, but some folks have a negative net worth due to outstanding debts. More about that later.

Fortunately, God does not keep His heavenly records the same way secular accountants do, something we need to recognize if we are to appreciate the value of a soul.

The First Transaction

Inspiration describes the ultimate accounting transaction, the payment of the debt we incurred as the result of Adam’s fall:

“It is at an immense cost that we have been placed on the high vantage ground where we can be liberated from the bondage of sin, which has been wrought by the fall of Adam. … Never can we understand the value of the human soul until we realize the great sacrifice made for the redemption of the soul upon Calvary.” Christ Triumphant, 215. One asset, Christ’s life, was exchanged for another asset, the human soul.

In business law, consideration is “a promise, performance, or forbearance bargained by a promisor in exchange for their promise.” Consideration is the main element of a contract. Without consideration by both parties, an agreement cannot be enforceable.

In the simplest terms, a consideration is the benefit a party to the contract receives from the deal negotiated in the contract. It’s the answer to the question: “What does each party receive by entering this contract?”

A legally binding and legitimate contract must include the consideration, or the expectation of each individual or entity who is a party to the contract.

In most cases, a consideration comes in one of the following ways:

  1. The promise to do something that you are not already legally obligated to do.
  2. The promise not to do something that you otherwise would have the right to do.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1, 2

Verse 2 sets before us the greatest accounting transaction ever. Christ gave His life, an incredibly valuable asset, for the joy of seeing you and me saved from a life of sin.

Although there was no legal obligation for Christ to pay with His life for my sin, payment had to be made. “For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. What did Christ purchase by His sacrifice? “Eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Hebrews 12:2 shows us the consideration that each party in the agreement included in the contract. Remember, consideration can be a promise to do something you are not legally obligated to do. Christ was not legally obligated to give His life for mine, but He agreed to do so. Our part of the contract is to believe in Him as our Redeemer.

One party to the contract is those involved in easily besetting sin, but who overcome and receive eternal life. The other party to the contract is Christ, who received absolute and inexplicable joy knowing that there are those who have and will accept His sacrifice and have chosen and chose to follow Him, thereby fulfilling both parts (the giving and receiving) of the contract.

“The vows which we take upon ourselves in baptism embrace much. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are buried in the likeness of Christ’s death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection, and we are to live a new life. Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ. Henceforth the believer is to bear in mind that he is dedicated to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. He is to make all worldly considerations secondary to this new relation. Publicly he has declared that he will no longer live in pride and self-indulgence. He is no longer to live a careless, indifferent life. He has made a covenant with God. He has died to the world. He is to live to the Lord, to use for Him all his entrusted capabilities, never losing the realization that he bears God’s signature, that he is a subject of Christ’s kingdom, a partaker of the divine nature. He is to surrender to God all that he is and all that he has, employing all his gifts to His name’s glory.

“The obligations in the spiritual agreement [contract/covenant] entered into at baptism are mutual. As human beings act their part with wholehearted obedience, they have a right to pray: ‘Let it be known, Lord, that Thou art God in Israel.’ The fact that you have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is an assurance that, if you will claim Their help, these powers will help you in every emergency. The Lord will hear and answer the prayers of His sincere followers who wear Christ’s yoke and learn in His school His meekness and lowliness.” Testimonies, Vol. 6, 98, 99

This passage speaks in detail about the covenant, the contract, between God and mankind, and the mutual contractual obligations found in the contract. Mutual obligations are the essence of a legal contract in business law—the consideration of each party in the contract. Our part—acknowledging the supremacy of the Godhead. Their part—providing help in every emergency. And I will assert that this help is not restricted to emergencies. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

The Consideration that Separates

Scripture and Inspiration provide many other examples of this amazing transaction.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:21–28

These texts provide at least three examples of an accounting transaction. First, verse 24 states that we are justified by His grace. One thing of value, His grace, provides for another thing of value, our justification.

Verse 25, the transaction with a capital T is noted: God set forth His Son as payment for sins that were previously committed. His payment entitles Him to my service on His behalf.

Verse 28 describes justification as a highly valued asset. It is provided for by faith, another valued asset, given by God to each of us. With exercise, the seed of faith grows into a fruit-bearing plant.

John also makes note of this incredible transaction.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:7–10

Of course, we find the ultimate transaction in John 3:16.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

This text is the best of many that provide examples of the consideration required for a contract to be considered legal and enforceable in business law. Christ gave His life as payment. In return, our belief in Him is required for the everlasting life provision of the contract to be fulfilled.

Another way—a more painful way—to look at this transaction is that Christ gave His life, and in return, He received my sins and the resultant penalty—the shedding of His blood—required as payment for my sins. A penalty so severe that it caused Him to cry out in agony, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.” Matthew 27:46

It is consideration of the point at which He was separated from His Father by our sins and experienced the second, eternal death that should make us realize the absolute sinfulness of sin and the unavoidable consequences of engaging in it.

The Overcoming Transaction

In Revelation 2 and 3, we are given seven promises as rewards for those who are successful at overcoming. This set of transactions requires the same consideration as our part of the transaction. These are the promises made to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3.

To Ephesus, the patient and hard-working, is the promise that they will eat the fruit from the tree of life in the garden of Eden. “When the tide of iniquity overspread the world, and the wickedness of men determined their destruction by a flood of waters, the Hand that had planted Eden withdrew it from the earth. But in the final restitution, when there shall be ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ it is to be restored more gloriously adorned than at the beginning.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 62. If we are patient and hard-working saints, we then can anticipate the same reward.

To Smyrna, who suffers for Christ’s sake, is promised the crown of eternal life, being spared from the second death. This promise is also made to the saints who bear the characteristics of the Smyrnans and who have overcome the assaults from the synagogue of Satan.

To Pergamos, a two-fold promise is given. The overcomers who maintain their faith, even amid the enemy’s fiery darts, will be privileged to eat of the hidden manna, and Jesus will give a white stone, written with a new name, which no man knows except the one who receives it. It will be interesting to discover God’s assessment of us as He gives us each a new name. I wonder if this will be a name in confidence between each saint and his Maker or if it will be shared with all.

To Thyatira, whose patience exceeds their works and who overcome by doing the works of Jesus until the end, will receive power over the nations. “You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Psalm 2:9

To Sardis, the overcomers whose lives are undefiled, reflecting an unspotted character, will receive garments of white, with their names retained in the book of life, and Christ will “confess” their names in heaven, acknowledging their right to be there.

To Philadelphia, the untainted ones who keep God’s command to persevere, He promises to keep them from the hour of trial, which soon will come upon the entire world, testing all who dwell on Earth (Revelation 3:10).

This promise is multi-faceted. He who overcomes, I will:

  1. make him a pillar in the temple of My God;
  2. he shall go out no more;
  3. I will write on him the name of My God;
  4. give the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God;
  5. I will write on him My new name.

To Laodicea, he who overcomes even as I also overcame, will sit with Me in My throne.

“The heavenly temple, the abiding place of the King of kings, where ‘thousand thousands [one million] ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand [100 million] stood before Him’ (Daniel 7:10), that temple filled with the glory of the eternal throne, where seraphim, its shining guardians, veil their faces in adoration—no earthly structure could represent its vastness and its glory.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 357

Seven times we are admonished to overcome. What must we overcome?

“There is work, earnest work, to be done for the Master. The evils condemned in God’s word must be overcome. You must individually battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. The word of God is called “the sword of the Spirit,” and you should become skillful in its use, if you would cut your way through the hosts of opposition and darkness.” Christian Education, 117

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10–17

A surface reading of this passage seems to contradict God’s word and inspired writings. Inspiration says that we are to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. But Ephesians says that we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

It has been said that these apparent contradictions arise because of our lack of understanding rather than there being an actual contradiction. Note that in Ephesians, the actual phrase states, “… we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” “Flesh and blood” is a commonly-used idiom for people. What Paul is telling the Ephesians is that our warfare is not with other people, but with higher authorities, particularly the rulers of the darkness of this world. Granted, those rulers of darkness use people as their weapons, but it is essential that we realize that our real battle is not with the agents of Satan, but rather with Satan himself. And only the word of God can give us the victory over him.

Inspiration is telling us that the flesh that we must overcome is our own carnal nature, the natural, innate cravings of our physical existence.

It is interesting to note how often in both Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy our natural character, the one we are born with, is spoken of as fallen, impure, and corrupt. Nowhere, exactly nowhere, in either source of divine enlightenment, is it stated or even implied that we are born completely innocent and pure and that at some indeterminate point our characters suddenly become corrupt. What is often termed as the “age of accountability” should more correctly be viewed as the point at which we realize that we are sinners, not by action alone, but also by nature. That our sinful actions are simply an outward display of our inward condition.

“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” Matthew 12:34, 35

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” Matthew 15:18

“ ‘How degenerate is your heart!’ says the Lord God, ‘seeing you do all these things, the deeds of a brazen harlot.’ ” Ezekiel 16:30

“The propensities that control the natural heart must be subdued by the grace of Christ before fallen man is fitted to enter heaven and enjoy the society of the pure, holy angels.” The Acts of the Apostles, 273

“When the word of God is set aside, its power to restrain the evil passions of the natural heart is rejected. Men sow to the flesh, and of the flesh they reap corruption.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 41

“… the evil tendencies of the natural heart can be overcome only by earnest effort in the name and strength of Jesus.” Ibid., 56

“The servants of Christ are not to act out the dictates of the natural heart.” The Desire of Ages, 353

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Ephesians 2:1–3

Clearly, the natural heart is imbued with Adam’s sinful character.

A Transaction by Faith

Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8 all detail another interesting transaction involving Jesus.

“On the way to the ruler’s house, Jesus had met in the crowd a poor woman who for twelve years had suffered from a disease that made her life a burden. She had spent all her means upon physicians and remedies, only to be pronounced incurable. But her hopes revived when she heard of the cures that Christ performed. She felt assured that if she could only go to Him she would be healed. In weakness and suffering, she came to the seaside where He was teaching, and tried to press through the crowd, but in vain. Again she followed Him from the house of Levi-Matthew, but was still unable to reach Him. She had begun to despair, when, in making His way through the multitude, He came near where she was.

“The golden opportunity had come. She was in the presence of the Great Physician! But amid the confusion she could not speak to Him, nor catch more than a passing glimpse of His figure. Fearful of losing her one chance of relief, she pressed forward, saying to herself, ‘If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.’ As He was passing, she reached forward, and succeeded in barely touching the border of His garment. But in that moment she knew that she was healed. In that one touch, was concentrated the faith of her life, and instantly her pain and feebleness gave place to the vigor of perfect health.

“With a grateful heart she then tried to withdraw from the crowd; but suddenly Jesus stopped, and the people halted with Him. He turned, and looking about asked in a voice distinctly heard above the confusion of the multitude, ‘Who touched Me?’ The people answered this query with a look of amazement. Jostled upon all sides, and rudely pressed hither and thither, as He was, it seemed a strange inquiry.

“Peter, ever ready to speak, said, ‘Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?’ Jesus answered, ‘Somebody hath touched Me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me.’ The Saviour could distinguish the touch of faith from the casual contact of the careless throng. Such trust should not be passed without comment. He would speak to the humble woman words of comfort that would be to her a wellspring of joy—words that would be a blessing to His followers to the close of time.

“Looking toward the woman, Jesus insisted on knowing who had touched Him. Finding concealment vain, she came forward tremblingly, and cast herself at His feet. With grateful tears she told the story of her suffering, and how she had found relief. Jesus gently said, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.’ He gave no opportunity for superstition to claim healing virtue for the mere act of touching His garments. It was not through the outward contact with Him, but through the faith which took hold on His divine power, that the cure was wrought.

“The wondering crowd that pressed close about Christ realized no accession of vital power. But when the suffering woman put forth her hand to touch Him, believing that she would be made whole, she felt the healing virtue.” The Desire of Ages, 343–347

Her faith called forth Christ’s virtue—His healing power. Christ offered her healing; she believed she would be healed, and she was. Healing had been acquired by faith.

I who have nothing and owe what I can never repay, am loved by He who has everything and was willing to sacrifice it all to pay what I could not. My value is now seen by the light that illuminates His blood-stained face, His nail-scarred hands, and His voice that cried out—for me—“It is finished.” My part in this transaction is to believe, surrender, and obey. God’s is to redeem and transform.

John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at johnpearson@stepstolife.org

A Comparison Between Type and Antitype

by

December 15 – 21, 2024

Key Text

“For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.” Hebrews 10:37

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 343–358

Introduction

“The solemn scenes of the judgment, the great day of atonement, should be kept before the people and urged upon their consciences with earnestness and power.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 421

Sunday

1 THE DAY OF ATONEMENT IN TYPES AND SYMBOLS

1.a. On the great day of atonement, what procedure symbolized the removal of the confessed sins from the sanctuary and from the people? Leviticus 16:7–10

1.b. What did the high priest do with the blood of the goat? Leviticus 16:15, 16

1.c. After which act was the yearly atonement (reconciliation) for the people and for the sanctuary considered “completed”—after the sacrificial goat had been killed, or after its blood had been applied? Leviticus 16:15–20

Note: “As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded.” The Great Controversy, 421, 422

Monday

2 “WHEN HE HAD MADE AN END …”

2. What does the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary teach about the cleansing of the heavenly? Daniel 8:14; Hebrews 8:3–6

Note: “The cleansing, both in the typical and in the real service, must be accomplished with blood: in the former, with the blood of animals; in the latter, with the blood of Christ.” The Great Controversy, 417, 418

Tuesday

3 THE SCAPEGOAT

3.a. After “he hath made an end of reconciling” the tabernacle and the people, what did the high priest do? Leviticus 16:20–22

Note: “In his character of mediator, he [the high priest] took the sins upon himself and bore them from the sanctuary. Placing his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, he confessed over him all these sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the goat. The goat then bore them away, and they were regarded as forever separated from the people.” The Great Controversy, 420

3.b. By bearing the iniquities of the people from the sanctuary into the court, and by laying both his hands on the head of the live goat, the high priest was in contact with sin. He was defiled. Therefore, what did he have to do? Leviticus 16:24

3.c. For the same reason, what was required of the man who led the goat away? Leviticus 16:26

3.d. Since the scapegoat defiled the person that was in contact with it (Leviticus 16:26), could this goat represent the unblemished Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19. What were the Adventist pioneers able to see?

Note: “It was seen, also, that while the sin offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the author of sin, upon whom the sins of the truly penitent will finally be placed. When the high priest, by virtue of the blood of the sin offering, removed the sins from the sanctuary, he placed them upon the scapegoat. When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon Satan, who, in the execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty.” The Great Controversy, 422

Wednesday

4 THE COMPLETION OF THE ATONEMENT

4.a. How did the final procedures of the atonement reveal the events at the end of the great controversy? Leviticus 16:10, 26

Note: “So in the typical service, the yearly round of ministration closed with the purification of the sanctuary, and the confessing of the sins on the head of the scapegoat.

“Since Satan is the originator of sin, the direct instigator of all the sins that caused the death of the Son of God, justice demands that Satan shall suffer the final punishment. Christ’s work for the redemption of men and the purification of the universe from sin will be closed by the removal of sin from the heavenly sanctuary and the placing of these sins upon Satan, who will bear the final penalty.

“Thus in the ministration of the tabernacle, and of the temple that afterward took its place, the people were taught each day the great truths relative to Christ’s death and ministration, and once each year their minds were carried forward to the closing events of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, the final purification of the universe from sin and sinners.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 358

4.b. After the atonement, what direction will Christ take? Hebrews 9:28; 10:37

Note: “In the typical service, the high priest, having made the atonement for Israel, came forth and blessed the congregation. So Christ, at the close of His work as mediator, will appear, ‘without sin unto salvation’ (Hebrews 9:28), to bless His waiting people with eternal life.” The Great Controversy, 485

4.c. What does Paul mean when he says that, when Christ comes the second time, He will appear “without sin” (Hebrews 9:28)? Hebrews 10:17, 18

Note: “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

Thursday

5 THE SCAPEGOAT BOUND

5.a. Will a special privilege be extended to those who are not ready to receive Christ at His coming? Matthew 7:22, 23; Luke 13:23–27; Isaiah 55:6. Why will it be too late for those who are not ready? Matthew 25:10–12

5.b. Where will Satan (symbolized by the scapegoat) and his angels be isolated and for how long, before they are destroyed? Isaiah 14:12–20; 24:20–22; Jeremiah 4:20–26; Revelation 20:1–3

Note: “Here is to be the home of Satan with his evil angels for a thousand years. Limited to the earth, he will not have access to other worlds to tempt and annoy those who have never fallen. It is in this sense that he is bound: there are none remaining, upon whom he can exercise his power. He is wholly cut off from the work of deception and ruin which for so many centuries has been his sole delight.” The Great Controversy, 659

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. How were the confessed sins removed from the sanctuary and from the people on the great Day of Atonement?
  2. After which act was the yearly atonement completed?
  3. After the sins were removed from the sanctuary and from the people, how were the sins borne away?
  4. Give one of the reasons why the live goat for Azazel could not represent Christ. Whom did he symbolize?
  5. How can you prove that, when Christ comes again, He will complete the last step in the plan of salvation?

Copyright 2011, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

The Antitypical Day of Atonement

by

December 8 – 14, 2024

Key Text

“For two thousand and three hundred days, then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” Daniel 8:14

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 417–422

Introduction

“The prophecy of Daniel 8:14 … [points] to Christ’s ministration in the most holy place, to the investigative judgment.” The Great Controversy (1888), 423, 424

Sunday

1 THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY MUST ALSO BE PURIFIED

1.a. Why did the high priest enter the most holy place once a year? Hebrews 9:7, 23; Leviticus 16:16. What was the name of that day?

Note: “In the typical system, which was a shadow of the sacrifice and priesthood of Christ, the cleansing of the sanctuary was the last service performed by the high priest in the yearly round of ministration. It was the closing work of the atonement—a removal or putting away of sin from Israel.” The Great Controversy, 352

1.b. When were the people considered “clean from all [their] sins before the Lord”—when they were “forgiven” in the daily service (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35), or only after their sins had been removed on the day of atonement? Leviticus 16:29, 30

 1.c. What is continually contaminating the heavenly sanctuary? 1 Timothy 5:24. “The heavenly things,” i.e., the heavenly sanctuary, must therefore be purified “with better sacrifices” (Hebrews 9:23, last part) on the antitypical day of atonement. What is meant by the “better sacrifices” required for the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven? Hebrews 9:12, 26

Monday

2 THE APPOINTED TIME

2.a. In the plan of God, what time was appointed for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary? Daniel 8:14. According to the Bible method of measuring prophetic days (Ezekiel 4:6), what period of time is represented by the 2300 days? How did the Advent pioneers understand this prophecy?

Note: “The 2300 days had been found to begin when the commandment of Artaxerxes for the restoration and building of Jerusalem went into effect, in the autumn of 457 B.C. Taking this as the starting point, there was perfect harmony in the application of all the events foretold in the explanation of that period in Daniel 9:25–27. Sixty-nine weeks, the first 483 of the 2300 years, were to reach to the Messiah, the Anointed One; and Christ’s baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit, A.D. 27, exactly fulfilled the specification. In the midst of the seventieth week, Messiah was to be cut off. Three and a half years after His baptism, Christ was crucified, in the spring of A.D. 31. The seventy weeks, or 490 years, were to pertain especially to the Jews. At the expiration of this period the nation sealed its rejection of Christ by the persecution of His disciples, and the apostles turned to the Gentiles, A.D. 34. The first 490 years of the 2300 having then ended, 1810 years would remain. From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. ‘Then,’ said the angel, ‘shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’ ” The Great Controversy, 410

2.b. Why is it that the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 (2300 prophetic days or 2300 literal years)—the first part of which was explained by the angel Gabriel in Daniel 9:24–27—can only refer to the heavenly sanctuary?

Note: “At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant. And as the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 is fulfilled in this dispensation, the sanctuary to which it refers must be the sanctuary of the new covenant. At the termination of the 2300 days, in 1844, there had been no sanctuary on earth for many centuries. Thus the prophecy, ‘Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,’ unquestionably points to the sanctuary in heaven.” The Great Controversy, 417

Tuesday

3 THE MOST HOLY PLACE OPENED

3.a. What did John see when the first apartment of the sanctuary was opened in the year A.D. 31? Revelation 4:1, 2, 5. And what did he see when the second apartment was opened in 1844? Revelation 11:19

Note: “As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there ‘seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.’ Revelation 4:5. He saw an angel ‘having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.’ Revelation 8:3. Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the ‘seven lamps of fire’ and ‘the golden altar,’ represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth. Again, ‘the temple of God was opened’ (Revelation 11:19), and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. Here he beheld ‘the ark of His testament,’ represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God.” The Great Controversy, 414, 415

3.b. What change took place in the ministry of Christ in 1844? Revelation 3:7, 8. Where were the thrones set up for the work of judgment? Daniel 7:9, 10

Note: “The door was opened in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary, where the ark is, in which are contained the ten commandments. This door was not opened until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the holy place of the sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door of the holy place, and opened the door into the most holy, and passed within the second veil, where He now stands by the ark, and where the faith of Israel now reaches.” Early Writings, 42

3.c. How did God, through the prophet Isaiah, predict this great day which began in 1844? Isaiah 22:20–22. While the atonement is going on, God is calling us to afflict our souls. But, instead of turning to the Lord with repentant hearts, what are many people doing? Isaiah 22:12–14; Revelation 3:14–17

3.d. What opportunity, still open before us, will not last much longer? Revelation 3:18–20; 2 Peter 3:9, 14

Wednesday

4 SINS REMOVED FROM THE RECORD

4.a. What is Christ our High Priest to “blot out,” or “put away,” or remove from our hearts and from the records in the sanctuary? Isaiah 43:25

Note: “It [the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary] prefigured the closing work in the ministration of our High Priest in heaven, in the removal or blotting out of the sins of His people, which are registered in the heavenly records. This service involves a work of investigation, a work of judgment; and it immediately precedes the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; for when He comes, every case has been decided.” The Great Controversy, 352

4.b. Why should the “blotting out” of our sins bring us hope and courage? Isaiah 44:22, 23

Note: “God does not deal with us as finite men deal with one another. His thoughts are thoughts of mercy, love, and tenderest compassion. ‘He will abundantly pardon.’ He says, ‘I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.’ Let us trust in the word of the Lord, and by our cheerful obedience testify our gratitude for His pardoning love.

“Brethren and sisters, look up; you who are tried, tempted, and discouraged, look up. Let no weary, halting, sin-oppressed soul become faint-hearted. The promises of God that come down along the lines to our times assure you that heaven can be reached if you will continue to climb.” The Review and Herald, February 17, 1885

4.c. What declaration will be made by Christ at the end of the investigative judgment when He ceases His ministry as our High Priest? Revelation 22:11, 12

Note: “When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven.” The Great Controversy, 490

Thursday

5 AN IRREVOCABLE SENTENCE

5.a. When Christ’s mediation is done, what will the Angel do with the censer? Revelation 8:4, 5. What is the meaning of this symbolic act? Will there still be another chance to repent?

Note: “I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, ‘It is done.’ And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’

“Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins.” Early Writings, 279, 280

5.b. What sentence should arouse our attention while probation is still open? Why? Daniel 5:27. What warning should we consider? Mark 13:35–37

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. 1. Under the old covenant, when were the people declared “clean from all [their] sins before the Lord”—at the end of the daily service or at the yearly service?
  2. From what must the heavenly sanctuary be purified?
  3. The Advent pioneers realized that the investigative judgment was the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary—the blotting out of the record of sins. When did this work begin?
  4. What declaration will be made in heaven once our sins are removed (blotted out) from the records? What occurs next? When Christ comes, can the merits of His blood still wash away sins? Read Hebrews 9:28.
  5. What warning of Jesus has a special application in these last days?

Copyright 2011, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

“That Your Sins May Be Blotted Out”

by

The Sanctuary In the Christian Dispensation

December 1 – 7, 2024

Key Text

“Repent … and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ.” Acts 3:19, 20

Study Help: Prophets and Kings, 590–592; The Great Controversy, 489–491

Introduction

“The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord.” The Great Controversy, 485

Sunday

1 SINS CONFESSED, FORGIVEN, TRANSFERRED

1.a. Under the old covenant, when sins were forgiven in the daily atonement (Leviticus 4:20), were they also eliminated at the same time? Hebrews 10:1–4

 1.b. Under the new covenant, the price of our redemption was paid at the cross, and our sins are forgiven in answer to our daily prayers (1 Peter 1:18, 19; Hebrews 8:11; Matthew 6:12). When will they be blotted out? Acts 3:19

 1.c. As the high priest entered the most holy place once every year, for what purpose would Christ enter behind the second veil “once in the end of the world” by the merits of “the sacrifice of Himself”? Hebrews 9:23–26

Note: “In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls. … In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now … afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance.” The Great Controversy, 489, 490

Monday

2 SINS CONFESSED, FORGIVEN, TRANSFERRED (CONTINUED)

2.a. Under the old covenant, how was sin transferred from the sinner to the sanctuary? Leviticus 4:16–18, 33–35; Hebrews 13:11

Note: “The most important part of the daily ministration was the service performed in behalf of individuals. The repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the tabernacle, and, placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. By his own hand the animal was then slain, and the blood was carried by the priest into the holy place and sprinkled before the veil, behind which was the ark containing the law that the sinner had transgressed. By this ceremony the sin was, through the blood, transferred in figure to the sanctuary.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 354

2.b. Under the new covenant, how is sin transferred from the individual to the heavenly sanctuary? 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 9:11, 12, 28; 10:12

Note: “As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary.” The Great Controversy, 421

2.c. What is represented by the censer and the altar of incense in the heavenly sanctuary? Revelation 8:3, 4; Hebrews 4:14–16

Note: “All who come to Christ today are to remember that His merit is the incense that mingles with the prayers of those who repent of their sins and receive pardon and mercy and grace.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, 1078

“Today He [Jesus] is standing at the altar of mercy, presenting before God the prayers of those who desire His help.” The Ministry of Healing, 90

“His [Christ’s] offering is complete, and as our Intercessor He executes His self-appointed work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 156

Tuesday

3 TWIN SISTERS IN PERFECT BALANCE

3.a. On what two basic principles was the plan of redemption established? Psalms 85:9–11; 89:14. Where do we have a clear definition of God’s righteousness? Psalm 119:142, 172; Romans 8:4

Note: “Justice has a twin sister that should ever stand by her side, which is Mercy and Love.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 3, 1149

3.b. Under the old covenant, the sacrificial offering was to satisfy symbolically (Hebrews 10:1) the law behind the veil in the most holy place (Hebrews 9:3, 4). What does the law demand of the offender, and what should it cause us to consider? Romans 6:23; 7:8–11; 2 Corinthians 3:6

Note: “Man was a criminal under the sentence of death for transgression of the law of God, as a traitor, a rebel; hence a substitute for man must die as a malefactor, because He stood in the place of the traitors, with all their treasured sins upon His divine soul. It was not enough that Jesus should die in order to fully meet the demands of the broken law, but He died a shameful death. The prophet gives to the world His words, ‘I hid not my face from shame and spitting.’

“In consideration of this, can men have one particle of exaltation? As they trace down the life and sufferings and humiliation of Christ, can they lift their proud heads as if they were to bear no trials, no shame, no humiliation? I say to the followers of Christ, Look to Calvary, and blush for shame at your self-important ideas. All this humiliation of the Majesty of heaven was for guilty, condemned man. He went lower and lower in His humiliation, until there were no lower depths that He could reach, in order to lift man up from his moral defilement. All this was for you who are striving for the supremacy—striving for human praise, for human exaltation; you who are afraid you will not receive all that deference, that respect from human minds, that you think is your due. Is this Christlike?” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 1127, 1128

3.c. When the demands of the violated law were met, symbolically, through the blood of the substitute (Leviticus 17:11), what was the new status of the repentant sinner before God? Leviticus 4:20; 5:17, 18; Numbers 15:22–26

Wednesday

4 MERCY AND JUSTICE

4.a. Under the new covenant, how can you show that Christ had to die for our sins because the demands of God’s law in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary (Revelation 11:19; Hebrews 9:4; 8:5; Revelation 15:5) still have to be met? Romans 4:15; 7:7; 1 Corinthians 15:56; James 2:8–11

Note: “The claim that Christ by His death abolished His Father’s law is without foundation. Had it been possible for the law to be changed or set aside, then Christ need not have died to save man from the penalty of sin. The death of Christ, so far from abolishing the law, proves that it is immutable.” The Great Controversy, 466

4.b. How can you show that the grace of God by which we are justified (Titus 3:7) and saved (Ephesians 2:8) is not a license for anyone to continue breaking the law (Romans 6:1, 2; John 8:10, 11) but a power for the repentant sinner to render obedience to the Almighty? Romans 6:14; Titus 2:11, 12

4.c. By what standard will God judge all those who have been acquainted with His will? Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; James 2:8–12

Note: “God’s law is spiritual. It takes cognizance of our most secret thoughts, purposes, and motives. The judgment, the will, and the affections must be controlled by its precepts. Its principles require love to God and to man; without this love, external compliance will not be accepted. This law is the standard of Christian character. Like a faithful mirror, it reveals to the children of men the defects in their moral character. It makes them watchful against temptation. It teaches them to be exact in judgment, and correct in spiritual discernment. The law of God is holy, just, and good. When our lives conform to this standard we are happy.” The Signs of the Times, June 9, 1881

4.d. What distinction will be made in the judgment between two classes of people as far as their knowledge of the law of God is concerned? Romans 2:12

Thursday

5 SINS BLOTTED OUT IN THE JUDGMENT

5.a. Why must our sins, though conditionally forgiven, enter in the heavenly records? Why can’t they be forgiven and blotted out at the same time?
Ezekiel 18:24; Matthew 18:23–35

5.b. Though Christ came to free us from sin, “it is appointed” for every man to die and to stand before the “judgment” seat of God. Hebrews 9:26, 27. How does the apostle Paul repeat this in other words? 1 Timothy 5:24

5.c. Before what great event and on what condition will our sins be blotted out in the judgment? Isaiah 43:25; Acts 3:19, 20

Note: “As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. …

“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

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. Under the old covenant, how were sins transferred to the earthly sanctuary? Under the new covenant, how are sins transferred to the heavenly sanctuary?
  2. What is the meaning of the censer and of the altar of incense in heaven?
  3. How can you prove that God’s grace is not a license for any to continue in sin?
  4. How do we know that, when our sins are forgiven, they are not automatically cancelled at the same time?
  5. When and on what condition will our sins be blotted out in the judgment?

Copyright 2011, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

God Has Appointed a Day

by

November 10 – 16, 2024

Key text

“Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness … .” Acts 17:31

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 486–489

Introduction

“Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth.” Lift Him Up, 330

Sunday

1 DEATH AND JUDGMENT: TWO INESCAPABLE EVENTS

1.a. What does the Bible teach about the great day of judgment? Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 9:27

Note: “When we become children of God, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and they remain there until the time of the investigative judgment. Then the name of every individual will be called, and his record examined by Him who declares, ‘I know thy works.’ If in that day it shall appear that all our wicked deeds have not been fully repented of, our names will be blotted from the book of life, and our sins will stand against us. If the professed believer becomes self-confident, if in word or spirit he breaks the least precept of God’s holy law, he misrepresents Jesus, and in the judgment the awful words will be spoken, ‘Blot out his name from the book of life; he is a worker of iniquity.’ But the Father pities the self-distrustful, God-fearing soul, harassed though he may be with doubts and temptations. Jesus pleads for him, and confesses his name before the Father and His holy angels.” The Signs of the Times, August 6, 1885

1.b. Will anyone be able to escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:1–3; 14:12

Note: “Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” The Great Controversy, (1888), 490

Monday

2 THE GUILT OF THE WHOLE WORLD

2.a. Why must the entire world be judged? Romans 3:9, 10, 19, 20, 23; 5:16, 18, 20

2.b. Is there an exception for faithful Christians, or will they also be judged? Romans 14:10, 12; 2 Corinthians 5:10

2.c. What pitfall of the Jewish nation must we carefully avoid? Romans 11:13, 17–21

Note: “To a people in whose hearts His law is written, the favor of God is assured. They are one with Him. But the Jews had separated themselves from God. … Their minds were darkened by transgression, and because in times past the Lord had shown them so great favor, they excused their sins. They flattered themselves that they were better than other men, and entitled to His blessings.

“These things ‘are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.’ 1 Corinthians 10:11. How often we misinterpret God’s blessings, and flatter ourselves that we are favored on account of some goodness in us! God cannot do for us that which He longs to do. His gifts are used to increase our self-satisfaction, and to harden our hearts in unbelief and sin.” The Desire of Ages, 106

“Every soul is accountable for the talents entrusted. As a church, as individuals, we are to stand upon the elevated, holy ground where the truth has placed us. We are to represent to the world in character and unity the accumulated light which shines upon us in these last days.” The Review and Herald, April 25, 1893

2.d. Who will be judged first—the righteous or the ungodly? 1 Peter 4:17, 18

Note: “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.” The Great Controversy, 480

Tuesday

3 OUR NAMES IN THE BOOK OF LIFE

3.a. Why should all true Christians rejoice? Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3

Note: “The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God.” The Great Controversy, 480

“While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses them before God as transgressors. The great deceiver has sought to lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to separate themselves from His love, and to break His law. Now he points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his subjects.

“Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father and the holy angels, saying: I know them by name. I have graven them on the palms of My hands. ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.’ Psalm 51:17.” Ibid., 484

3.b. What assurance does Christ give to His faithful followers? Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10

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

3.c. What will be the fate of professed Christians who think they can be saved in their sins? Exodus 32:33; Ezekiel 18:24; Matthew 7:21–23

Note: “Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance.” The Great Controversy, 483

Wednesday

4 “RESERVED … UNTO THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT DAY”

4.a. What do we read about the specific time—at the end of the world—that God has appointed for the work of judgment? Acts 17:31; Revelation 11:18. Describe the solemnity of that hour. Matthew 7:13, 14

Note: “The righteous judgments of God will not spare the trifler. The people who have had great light will not be excused if they neglect to give, by a godly example, the light of truth to those with whom they associate.

“Not to unbelievers only, but to church members the words are spoken, ‘Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.’ With the light that has come to him, the believer has serious responsibilities placed upon him. He must not allow trifles to lead him to neglect the religion of Christ.

“It is dangerous for us to subordinate matters of eternal interest to the common affairs of life. …

“What can I say to you, my brethren and sisters, that will arouse you to the importance of the times in which we live, and lead you to a faithful examination of heart and life? Are your lives in harmony with the life of sacrifice that Christ lived on the earth? In giving His Son to the human race, the Father gave to His church a wonderful example of self-forgetting love.” The Review and Herald, September 28, 1911

4.b. Daniel chapter 7 confirms the teaching of the Bible that the judgment takes place, not at death, but at the end of the world. Summarize: Daniel 7:9, 10, 22, 26

4.c. What does Jude say about that time? Jude 6

4.d. How do we know that the patriarchs (Hebrews 11:13–16), the prophets (Daniel 12:13; Acts 2:34; Hebrews 11:39, 40), the apostles (John 14:1–3), and those that are dead in Christ are not in heaven? 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17

4.e. In what words does the Bible teach that the ungodly are not burning in a lake of fire? What must take place before they can meet the fate they have chosen? 2 Peter 2:9; John 5:28, 29, last part

Thursday

5 THE JUDGMENT SEAT IN ZION

5.a. Where is the judgment to take place at the end of the world? Psalm 9:7, 8

Note: “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.” The Great Controversy, 490

5.b. Where does God have His throne in heaven? Psalm 9:11; Isaiah 6:1; Revelation 7:15; 14:1, 2

5.c. Since we must know God in the interest of our salvation (John 17:3), what does this knowledge include? Psalms 9:16; 77:13. What event will take place after the judgment of God’s people? Hebrews 9:27, 28; Colossians 3:4

Note: “The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill.” The Great Controversy, 488

“In the typical service the high priest, having made the atonement for Israel, came forth and blessed the congregation. So Christ, at the close of His work as mediator, will appear, ‘without sin unto salvation’ (Hebrews 9:28), to bless His waiting people with eternal life.” Ibid., 485

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1          What does the Bible say about the judgment day?

2          Will Christians be judged—and if so, when?

3          In what assurance should all Christians rejoice?

4          What do we know about the specific time of the judgment?

5          What will Christ do at the close of His mediatorial work in the sanctuary?

Copyright 2011, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Everyone Is Accountable

by

November 3 – 9, 2024

Key Text

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 483–485

Introduction

“Every man’s work passes in review before God and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness.” Lift Him Up, 327

Sunday

1 ONLY TWO CLASSES OF PEOPLE

1.a. In light of the plan of redemption, specify the two classes of people in the world. Romans 2:6–10; 1 Peter 4:18

Note: “Rapidly are men ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. … There are those who are watching and waiting and working for our Lord’s appearing; while the other party are rapidly falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. …

“There are but two parties.” Testimonies for Ministers and Gospel Workers, 364, 365

1.b. Since God sees all (Hebrews 4:13), and each individual is accountable for his or her actions before the divine tribunal (Psalm 62:12; Romans 14:12), where does the Almighty keep exact records of every human being? Jeremiah 2:22; 17:1

Note: “Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered with terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful dissembling. Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, the influence exerted for good or for evil, with its far-reaching results, all are chronicled by the recording angel.

“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

Monday

2 EXACT RECORDS

2.a. What is written about the book of life and the book of death? Psalm 90:8; Revelation 20:12

Note: “The books are opened—the book of life and the book of death. The book of life contains the good deeds of the saints; and the book of death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These books are compared with the statute book, the Bible, and according to that men are judged.” Early Writings, 52

2.b. What does the book of remembrance contain, and why is it important to us? Malachi 3:16; Psalm 56:8

Note: “ ‘A book of remembrance’ is written before God, in which are recorded the good deeds of ‘them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.’ [Malachi 3:16]. Their words of faith, their acts of love, are registered in heaven. Nehemiah refers to this when he says: ‘Remember me, O my God … and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God.’ [Nehemiah 13:14]. In the book of God’s remembrance, every deed of righteousness is immortalized. There every temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, is faithfully chronicled. And every act of sacrifice, every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ’s sake, is recorded.” The Great Controversy, 481

“A book of remembrance is written of those who do not forsake the assembling of themselves together, but speak often one to another. The remnant are to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Some expect to overcome alone by the blood of the Lamb, without making any special effort of their own. I saw that God has been merciful in giving us the power of speech. He has given us a tongue, and we are accountable to Him for its use. We should glorify God with our mouth, speaking in honor of the truth and of His unbounded mercy, and overcome by the word of our testimony through the blood of the Lamb.

“We should not come together to remain silent; those only are remembered of the Lord who assemble to speak of His honor and glory and tell of His power; upon such the blessing of God will rest, and they will be refreshed.” Early Writings, 114, 115

Tuesday

3 WARNING AGAINST A FALSE DOCTRINE

3.a. How can you prove that the doctrine “once saved, always saved” conflicts with the Bible? 2 Peter 1:10, 11; Matthew 24:13. After Christ has saved a person from the control of evil spirits, what may happen? Luke 11:24–26

Note: “Self-righteousness is a curse, a human embellishment, which Satan uses for his glory. Those who garnish the soul with self-praise and flattery prepare the way for the seven other spirits more wicked than the first. In their very reception of the truth, these souls deceive themselves. They are building upon a foundation of self-righteousness.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 1093

3.b. After Paul had been saved from the control of Satan (2 Timothy 1:9), what danger did he keep in mind? 1 Corinthians 9:26, 27. How did he warn the Hebrew Christians against the “once saved always saved” doctrine? Hebrews 6:4–6

3.c. What hope, based on Christ’s promise, should be held by those who accept Christ as their personal Saviour? Romans 8:24, 25; Titus 3:7. What warning should we take from Peter’s fall?

Note: “Peter’s fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self-confidence led him to the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the downward path, until he could deny his Master. Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere their conversion, should never be taught to say or to feel that they are saved. This is misleading. Everyone should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 155

“We are never to rest in a satisfied condition and cease to make advancement, saying, ‘I am saved.’ When this idea is entertained, the motives for watchfulness, for prayers, for earnest endeavor to press onward to higher attainments, cease to exist. No sanctified tongue will be found uttering these words till Christ shall come, and we enter in through the gates into the city of God.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 314

Wednesday

4 THE DANGER OF A LAX, CASUAL SPIRIT

4.a. What warnings are given to the Christian about the danger of going back into the worldly lifestyle? 2 Peter 2:20–22; Hebrews 10:26–31

Note: “Man’s great danger is in being self-deceived, indulging self-sufficiency, and thus separating from God, the source of his strength. Our natural tendencies, unless corrected by the Holy Spirit of God, have in them the seeds of moral death. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we cannot resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. …

“Only as we see our utter helplessness and renounce all self-trust, shall we lay hold on divine power.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 315, 316

4.b. What admonitions should we take into serious consideration every day? 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6

Note: “As long as life shall last, there is need of guarding the affections and the passions with a firm purpose. There is inward corruption, there are outward temptations, and wherever the work of God shall be advanced, Satan plans so to arrange circumstances that temptation shall come with overpowering force upon the soul. Not one moment can we be secure only as we are relying upon God, the life hid with Christ in God.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, 1032

4.c. How can we avoid a lax attitude in worship? 1 Corinthians 14:40. What worship style does Ellen White describe that will take place shortly before the close of probation?

Note: “There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. …

“The Lord desires to have in His service order and discipline, not excitement and confusion.” Maranatha, 234

Thursday

5 OUR MAIN CONCERN

5.a. Why will many names be removed from the book of life in the investigative judgment? Exodus 32:33; Ezekiel 18:20, 24

Note: “The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God. If any of these depart from Him, and by stubborn persistence in sin become finally hardened against the influences of His Holy Spirit, their names will in the judgment be blotted from the book of life, and they themselves will be devoted to destruction.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 326

5.b. As we wish to have a place in the kingdom of glory, what assurance should we have concerning our names? Revelation 3:5; 21:27

Note: “The names of all those who have once given themselves to God are written in the book of life, and their characters are now passing in review before Him. Angels of God are weighing moral worth. They are watching the development of character in those now living, to see if their names can be retained in the book of life. A probation is granted us in which to wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Who is doing this work? Who is separating from himself sin and selfishness?” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 960

“If we find no pleasure now in the contemplation of heavenly things; if we have no interest in seeking the knowledge of God, no delight in beholding the character of Christ; if holiness has no attractions for us—then we may be sure that our hope of heaven is vain. Perfect conformity to the will of God is the high aim to be constantly before the Christian.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 45

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1          Define the two classes of people in light of the plan of redemption.

2          What do you know about the book of life and the book of death?

3          What scriptures disprove the “once-saved, always-saved” doctrine?

4          Explain Hebrews 10:26–31.

5          Explain Revelation 3:5.

 

Copyright 2011, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Joshua and the Angel

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Matthew 25:1–13 records the parable of the ten virgins. From this parable, we learn that not everyone who believes they are saved will actually be saved. Nor will just claiming to be a Christian save you.

Our eternal destiny is a very personal and important, awesome and serious subject. It is difficult for you and I to comprehend just how important because we only live a few years in this world. The question we must ask ourselves is, “What must I do in order to have eternal life?”

There is a common belief throughout most Protestant denominations that we will all, ultimately, go to the same place. But the Bible is very clear that this is not true. In fact, there is no other truth so clearly taught in Scripture than this. In the parable of the ten virgins, did they all end up at the same place? They all expected to be at the bridegroom’s wedding, but only the five wise virgins were allowed entry.

So, let’s see what the Bible does say regarding where we will go and how we will get there.

“And anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

There will be people in this world, some living right now, who will be cast into the lake of fire.

“But there shall by no means enter it [heaven] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27

Only those whose names are written in the book of life will be allowed to enter the holy city.

So we see that the Bible clearly states that there are two completely different places that the people of this world will go, depending on whether or not their names are recorded in the book of life. The tragedy is, in our modern world, that so many who expect to be saved will discover in the end that they are lost.

After studying all the texts in the Gospels that talk about wailing and gnashing of teeth, I found that Jesus wasn’t talking about atheists, infidels, or unbelievers. He was talking about Christians who thought they were going to be saved, but who had come right up to the end, and were not saved.

And so, I want to study with you about our eternal destiny. There are many Bible passages that we could use to introduce this subject, Matthew 25, speaking of the ten virgins, is one. But I want to start with a prophecy that concerns the spiritual condition of God’s people in the last days, just before Jesus comes. A startling prophecy that reveals our condition on the inside.

Zechariah 3 contains a prophecy concerning the spiritual condition of God’s people in the last days, just before Jesus returns. Here we read of those who do not have the wedding garment on and are not ready to be part of the wedding feast.

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.” Verse 1

The word Satan is one of the very few words in the English language that is a direct transliteration from a Hebrew word meaning the adversary. This name was given to Lucifer after he fell, because he is the adversary of God. He is also the adversary of all who chose to follow God.

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’ ” Verse 2

Only God can have an argument with Satan. In fact, the Spirit of Prophecy tells us that Jesus Christ Himself refused to argue with Satan, referring him to His Father.

The brand that is plucked from the fire is you and me and those who, because of their sins, are about to be destroyed, but the Lord says, “No, I will save you.”

So, Joshua has been pulled out of the fire, but notice his condition. “Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments.” Verse 3

“Joshua the high priest, ‘clothed with filthy garments,’ stand[s] before the Angel of the Lord, entreating the mercy of God in behalf of his people who are in deep affliction. Satan stands at his right hand to resist him. Because Israel had been chosen to preserve the knowledge of God in the earth, they had been … the special objects of Satan’s enmity, and he had determined to cause their destruction. He could do them no harm while they were obedient to God; therefore he had bent all his power and cunning to enticing them into sin. Ensnared by his temptations they had transgressed the law of God and thus separated from the Source of their strength, and had been left to become the prey of their heathen enemies. … Yet they were not forsaken of the Lord. …

“As Joshua humbly pleads for the fulfilment of God’s promises, Satan stands up boldly to resist him. He points to the transgressions of Israel as a reason why that people should not be restored to the favor of God. He claims them as his prey and demands that they be given into his hands to be destroyed.

“The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel are free from fault. In his filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer and in faith claiming the promises of God.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 468, 469

We know that we cannot be part of the wedding feast if we remain in our filthy garments, but because of our sins, that is our condition. Throughout the Bible, filthy rags represent an imperfect character. We can try to clothe ourselves with any manner of covering, but to no avail as God sees everything in our hearts.

Finding Joshua clothed in filthy garments, the Angel said, “Then He answered and said to those who stood before Him, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’ And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.” Zechariah 3:4, 5

The removal of the filthy garments represents the taking away of iniquity. The Lord says that it is He who provides the change of clothing, a royal robe, one that can be worn to a royal wedding.

“Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among those who stand here.

“ ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you, for they are a wondrous sign … .’ ” Verses 6–8, first part

As a young preacher, I assumed that God’s people would know what causes them to be clothed in filthy garments, but I’ve learned lately the necessity of going over the basics so that we will understand exactly what is involved when we talk about a biblical subject. So, this is the question: “What is it that causes God’s people to be clothed in filthy garments?”

A filthy garment is a polluted and defiled garment, and if you find yourself still clothed in them when probation closes, you will be lost.

“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Revelation 22:11, 12

The one who is filthy will remain filthy. But those who are saved will have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14

Wearing filthy garments represents a sinful character. “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Revelation 19:8. This is one of the clearest verses in all the Bible showing that our garments represent our character.

The Bible tells us of many ways by which our characters can be defiled. Here are just a few:

  1. The way we eat. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14

These chapters tell us how to distinguish between clean and unclean foods, and instructs us “to consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Leviticus 11:44

  1. Lewdness and immodesty. Leviticus 18

This includes pornography, dress, music, what we read, television, movies, videos, the internet, and social media. “Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.” Verse 24

In particular, the entertainment industry has had a profound effect upon man’s character. In a single movie or television program, you can experience nudity, lewd and coarse language, and the actors are being dishonest simply by virtue of pretending to be someone they are not. The clothing that is worn excites the sexual senses and does not modestly cover the body. The lyrics of the popular music styles today encourage violence, disobedience, immodesty, disrespect, and often, outright blasphemy. These entertainers are put before our children as role models, someone to emulate to prove that they are successful and well-liked.

If we want to have our character perfected, if we want to reflect Christ’s character, then we must remove these influences from our life. It is time to go to the Lord, and with deep contrition of heart, pray, “Lord help me.” This is why historic Adventist preachers spend so much time preaching about how to overcome sin. If these influences remain in our lives, then it would do no good for the Lord to give us new raiment for we would just get it dirty again.

  1. Sexual immorality/unrestrained passion. Exodus 32

“Your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.” Verse 7

The God-ordained restraint between a man and woman has been broken. There is an intended respect between the genders that should be maintained. In this world, there is a certain familiarity in touching and speaking between men and women that should be preserved only within the bonds of marriage between husband and wife. People today say, “Oh, that’s just the way I am. I don’t mean anything by it.” Or “That’s just the way it is in our culture. We’re friendly people.” But these activities can cause the minds of God’s people to be filled with lust, desire, and envy, resulting in filthy garments.

  1. Deuteronomy 25 and Leviticus 19

“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure.” Deuteronomy 25:13–15, first part

The Lord wants us to be strictly honest in all that we do.

“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord [strife] among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16–19. All these things will make our garments filthy.

Remember, “But there shall by no means enter it [heaven] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination … .” Revelation 21:27, first part

  1. Evil surmising/stirring up strife/gossip. 1 Timothy 6:3–5

In 1 Timothy, Paul talks about people who engage in evil conjecturing or evil suspicioning. Gossiping and carrying tales, even if they are true, is not an activity that a child of God should be involved in. Reputations are ruined, particularly if the tale isn’t true, souls are scarred and driven from the church—both the subject of the gossip as well as the one carrying the gossip.

  1. The content of the heart and mind.

There are many scriptures that speak to this form of defilement. What is in our hearts directs our actions.

“ ‘You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.’ ” Matthew 5:21, 22

God is not suggesting that it is okay for you to be angry at your brother if you have a good reason. Anger begins in the heart and mind of a man. God is telling us that being angry is so bad that it can cause us to desire evil things and make us filthy with sin.

“ ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’ ” Verses 43, 44

Hatred grows in the heart and mind. When we allow it a place there, it can take control of our lives.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Verses 27, 28

There are people who believe that the consequences of thinking about doing something are not the same as actually doing it. So, if I dream of having relations with someone other than my spouse, but I don’t really do it, then I am not guilty of committing adultery. This is one of the devil’s lies. The truth is, lust is found in the heart and mind, and if we look upon another person with evil desire, then we are guilty of making our garments filthy.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

Because evil lives in my heart and mind, if I want to wear clean garments, then I must have my heart and mind cleansed and purified; only then can I be delivered from my filthy garments.

Friends, we must now get serious about changing from our filthy garments and putting on Christ’s robe of righteousness. Our very nature requires a complete overhaul. First, we must recognize our true condition. Then, we must go to the Source of all power, the One who is mighty to save.

The Lord says that if we will walk in His ways and keep His commandments, then we will one day govern His house and keep His courts. We will be men and women at whom people will wonder. The unsaved, those without the wedding garment, will see God’s people dressed in the spotless, clean wedding garments, their characters perfected, ready to spend eternity with Jesus.

“To the marriage supper of the Lamb will come many who have not on the wedding garment—the robe [Christ] purchased for them with His lifeblood. From lips that never make a mistake come the words, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ (Matthew 22:12). Those [thus] addressed are speechless. They know that words would be useless. The truth, with its sanctifying power, has not been brought into the soul, and the tongue that once spoke so readily of the truth is now silent. The words are then spoken, ‘Take them out of My presence. They are not worthy to taste of My supper’ (cf. Luke 14:24).” The Upward Look, 301

As the sinner is separated from God’s loyal children, Christ looks upon them with deep sorrow. From His quivering lips come the mournful words of regret, “I loved them. I gave My life for them. But they persisted in rejecting My pleadings, and continued in sin.”

Do you want your filthy garments to be removed?

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Every Man’s Destiny Decided

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The God we serve is merciful and longsuffering. He loathes to punish, but righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne, and the time will come when He must pass judgment and determine every man’s destiny. For God’s children, that is in progress right now. For those who have not accepted the gospel, the judgment takes place during the millennium spoken of in Revelation 20.

The judgment should always be in our view because we are living in the most solemn period of earth’s history, when the eternal destiny of everyone who has ever professed the name of Christ is being decided. If you are uncertain about these facts or do not understand them, you are invited to go to the Steps to Life web page to enroll in our Bible course. These studies will enable you to not only understand what the Bible says about the judgment and that it is taking place right now, but also to help prepare you to be ready for that grand and awful day when the judgment is finished and every man’s eternal destiny is fixed by an unchangeable decree.

Here are a few facts about the judgment:

We will be judged by our deeds: Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:10.

We will be judged according to the words we have spoken—for the recording angel has recorded them all: Matthew 12:36, 37; Ecclesiastes 5:6, 7.

We will be judged according to the thoughts we have espoused and cherished: Isaiah 66:18; Matthew 15:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 4:5.

Our name must be retained in the book of life in order for us to be saved: Revelation 20:13–15.

For our names to be retained in the book of life, we must overcome sin: Revelation 3:5.

We must be Christlike in character: 1 John 3:1–3; Colossians 1:27, 28.

The standard of character by which we will be judged is the ten commandments: James 2:10–12.

“Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge.” Psalm 50:6

“Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man’s destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy’s offer to guilty men.” The Great Controversy, 491

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming … lest, coming suddenly, He find you sleeping.” Mark 13:35, 36

Who Must Give an Account?

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Some people believe that when a person dies, life is over for them. Others believe that when a person dies, there will be a future resurrection and then they will have to face judgment. Which view is correct? What is the weight of evidence? Is it true that someday everyone will have to give an account of themselves?

The Bible says that a time is coming when every human being will stand before the judgment seat of God. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:28, 29

We read in John 11 that Jesus raised the man Lazarus from the dead. This miracle was not performed in private; in fact, there was a great multitude of witnesses. Lazarus’ sisters, the mourners, and many others who had come to the burial were there, much like we attend our own funeral services today.

“Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’ Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.” Verses 39–45

When Jesus came the first time, He came for salvation. He stated it this way to Nicodemus in John 3:17: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

But when He comes the second time, the Bible repeatedly states that He is coming to bring judgment. At this second coming, each individual will either be saved or lost; and when the judgment seat is set, every human being will have to give an account of himself to God. From the beginning to the end, the Bible assures us that there will be a judgment.

Paul says in Romans 14:12, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Peter says in 1 Peter 4:5, “They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 32:36, “For the Lord will judge His people … .” We read in Psalm 9:7 that God “has prepared His throne for judgment.” And Psalm 50:3, 4 says, “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people.”

In this world, many believe that they can do wrong and get away with it just because no one knows what they have done. But there is Someone who knows. God knows even the most secret things we do. Solomon wrote about this in Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.” David had something to say about this as well in Psalm 139:1–4, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

“You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” God understands what you are thinking even before you think it.

Then David says in verses 7–12, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell [the grave], behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’ even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.”

It does not matter if it is daytime or nighttime, if you are on land or at sea, no matter where you are David says that the Lord knows. God is watching us and keeping record of what we think, do, and say. Jesus talks about this recordkeeping in Matthew 12:36, 37, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” God keeps a record of “every secret thing that is done.”

God keeps very good records and we find in the Greek New Testament that “Jesus saw their thoughts.” God knows what we do and what we say, but He also can discern our thoughts before they ever become actions or words. Isaiah 66:18 says, “I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.”

We find something very similar in 1 Corinthians 4:5, “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.”

When the Bible says, “reveal the counsels of the hearts,” it means that our very thoughts, those that no one has ever known, will be revealed. Jesus said to the disciples, “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” Matthew 10:26

In the judgment, every record that God has been keeping, all the things that cannot be hidden from Him—about every person, every society, every church, every nation, every institution, every government, every group of people, and every family—will be made known.

Should this make us afraid of the coming judgment? Jesus says in Matthew 16:24–27, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each, according to his works.”

Notice that the judgment is going to be based upon what we have done in this life. Very many are going to find this distressing when they think of the awful things they have done. They will be wondering what will happen to them. God has been keeping a record of the sins of every individual life and unless that record is expunged, or blotted out, we will be in big trouble.

And that brings us to the gospel, because saving people from their sins is what the gospel is all about. Anything that we have done that is contrary to the law of God must be forgiven and blotted out of our record. John says, “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. The sins committed in the past and their guilt, along with the power sin has over our lives, can all be taken away.

Paul describes this in detail in Romans 3:23–25: “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.”

Being saved, however, involves much more than just having our sins forgiven. While it is necessary for our sins to be forgiven so that we will be found worthy for heaven in the judgment, something more is involved in being saved than simply forgiveness of sins. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Romans 6:23, first part, says, “For the wages of sin is death … .” And Hebrews 9:22, last part, says, “and without shedding of blood there is no remission” of sin. Jesus’ death on the cross, the shedding of His blood, paid the penalty for sin, but, 1 John 1:7 tells us, that “if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from every sin.”

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. If we are not born of the Holy Spirit, we cannot be saved and will not enter into the kingdom of God. That is why Paul was so emphatic about the fact that the judgment is according to works. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10. Our works have no merit to gain salvation, but our works demonstrate the miraculous change wrought by the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

When a person is brought before a judge in an earthly court of law, his conduct is measured against the standard of the law to determine if he has committed transgression. How does God determine whether what we have done is good or bad? He also has a standard against which our thoughts, deeds, and words are measured. This standard is the law of God.

Many decades after Jesus died on the cross, James tells us clearly that God’s ten commandments, His law, is the standard for His coming judgment. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:10–12

Here James is quoting the sixth and seventh commandments. Even if you keep the whole law, all the commandments, but one, you are a transgressor, guilty of breaking the whole law. The ten commandments are one law—one law with ten parts—and it is by this standard that we all will be judged when Jesus comes.

Paul, writing in Titus 2:11–14, says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” And Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. Here is the reason that Jesus died on the cross—that He might redeem us, save us from every lawless deed, and purify us.

So, there are some questions we should be asking ourselves: Am I being purified? Am I being cleansed from my sins by the blood of Jesus? Am I receiving the Holy Spirit so that I now have a new heart and a new mind?

If we are to have lives in harmony with the law of God, then the answers to each of these questions must be Yes. For if we have not been purified and cleansed, if our hearts and minds are the same old, sinful ones we’ve always had, then we are not in harmony with the government and law of God and we will be in trouble on the day of judgment.

To be in harmony with any earthly government, we must be in harmony with the laws of that government. The same holds true of the heavenly government. Many people today make a profession of Christianity, but they have never been born of the Holy Spirit and are therefore not in harmony with the laws of heaven.

Romans 8:1, 2 say, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” But notice then what Paul says in verses 4–9, 14: “[T] hat the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. … For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Those who walk according to the law of God and no longer according to the flesh, in the judgment will be judged to be the sons of God. But those simply making a profession of Christianity, who have not been born of the Holy Spirit, who continue in sin, while desiring and hoping to be saved, will be judged out of harmony with God’s government and law and they will be condemned.

Friends, our goal in this life must be to be like Jesus. Christlikeness is the standard of character that we must reach in this life, if we are to be judged worthy of heaven and eternity. We can read this in John 8 and 1 John 3 and in other texts throughout the Bible. “Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2

To be ready for Jesus’ second appearing and to be judged worthy of heaven, we must have reached God’s standard of Christlikeness in our lives. This is accomplished only by the wonder-working power of the Holy Spirit. Paul describes those who will make up God’s church on the day of judgment in Ephesians 5:27, “[T]hat He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” This church is ready to meet the Lord when He comes. “And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:5

Someone might think that there is no hope for them, but if we commit our lives to Jesus Christ, He can and will work every miracle that is needed so that we can have the character of Christ formed in our lives just as He wants us to have. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

God doesn’t do things halfway. If we will commit our lives to Him today, He will complete the work that He has begun in our hearts, just as He promised.

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Angels in the Judgment

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Of the final scene of the judgment the prophet Daniel, while an exile in Babylon, writes: “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court [judgment] was seated, and the books were opened.” Daniel 7:10

In this most important of all court scenes, the Judge is represented as having more than a million angels as His assistants, while more than a hundred million are court attendants. The books containing the records of the lives of men are opened, the court is convened, and the judgment is set.

John, in vision on the lonely Patmos, adds important features to this imposing scene: “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and the books were opened. … And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12

At the great judgment day the record books of heaven will be opened, and the future of all will be decided according to what has been written therein by the recording angels.

Of the righteous as they near the end of this world’s history, we read, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for them who feared the Lord and who meditate on His name.” Malachi 3:16

This book of remembrance was written by those heavenly messengers who ministered before Him. It has been shown from the Scriptures that angels are ever present with men; that they minister to the people of God, and deliver them from evil. They behold all the actions of men; they hear every idle word that is spoken. They take notice of everything that will come into judgment. The conclusion is natural, and seems almost unavoidable, that the angels make the record of these things; that the books of human action are written by them. This belief is so generally accepted that the term, “recording angel,” has become proverbial.

Not only do the angels act as guardians and protectors to the servants of God, but they also execute judgments upon the wicked and disobedient.

When Balaam, the sinning prophet, started on his journey to the land of Moab to curse Israel, God’s anger was kindled against him, and the angel of the Lord met him, “and took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. … Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand.” Numbers 22:22, 31

Yet so blinded by avarice was Balaam that he still went on his journey, and was finally among the slain in the overthrow of Moab when they fought against Israel. (See Joshua 13:22.)

When David sinned in numbering Israel, it is recorded that “God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. … Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between the earth and the heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem.” 1 Chronicles 21:15, 16

The eyes of David were opened, and he saw the messenger of destruction. By humility, confession of sin, and strong cries to God the plague was stayed, and the sword of the avenging angel was sheathed.

When Sodom became so wicked that its very presence could no longer be tolerated, two angels came to Lot with the message, “For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” Genesis 19:13

When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Israel and Jerusalem with an immense army, Hezekiah, king of Judah, cried to the Lord, “Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor … .” 2 Chronicles 32:21. And that night the angel slew 185,000 of the blasphemous host. (See 2 Kings 19:35.)

Coming to our own time, we are led to believe, in the language of another, “that the sudden judgments which frequently overtake evildoers are executed upon them by the angels of God.” Jehovah has not withdrawn His hand from the affairs of the world. The earth today is “filled with violence,” and is far worse than in the days of the visitations of old. Is it not reasonable, therefore, to suppose that God’s methods have not changed, and that His mighty angels have a part to act in some of the punishments of individuals in this life, as well as in the reverses which overtake some of the wicked nations?

Of the great harvest of the world, our Saviour speaks in His parable recorded in Matthew 13:37–39: “ ‘He who sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age [world], and the reapers are the angels.’ ”

By these angels the good seed is brought into the garner, but the wicked, represented as tares, will be cast into the furnace of the great burning day.

Just prior to the second coming of Christ seven awful plagues will be sent upon the wicked. (See Revelation 15:1.) These are to be poured out by seven angels selected for that purpose.

When the work of the gospel is finished, our Saviour will come again to this earth to take His faithful people to Himself. On this glorious mission He will be accompanied by all the holy angels. (See Matthew 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10.)

Of this glad day the apostle Paul writes, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This gathering of the saints will be made by the angels. (See Matthew 24:30, 31.)

As the archangel in midheaven sounds the trump of God, the earth trembles, the graves are opened, and the sleeping saints arise, clothed with immortality. The same angel who has watched over that humble saint through life, and has marked his final resting place, now stands by his grave; and as the child of God comes up from his dusty bed, he clasps him in his arms, and bears him away in triumph to their coming Lord. O glorious scene! Victory to the saints! Joyful triumph to the Son of God! And the angels share in the glory and the joy. They have borne an important part in the work of redemption, and they rejoice in its final success.

Past, Present, and Future, James Edson White, Southern Publishing Association, ©1909, 84–92.