INTRODUCTION: We know now that Jesus is at work in the heavenly sanctuary as our High Priest. But he is carrying out another important function and that is judgment. Most of the time, we think of judgment in negative terms, but the purpose of this judgment is to find us “not guilty” – if possible! This will be our study for this lesson. 1. What assurance do we have that there will be a judgment? Acts 17:30-31 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 2. Is there a summons pending for us to appear in His court? 2Corinthians 5:10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ See also Romans 14:10 3. Who and what will be judged? Ecclesiastes 3:17 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 4. There are three parts to a court case: (1) Investigation; (2) Judgment and sentencing; (3) Execution of the sentence. When will the investigative part of the judgment be done in relation to Christ’s second advent? Revelation 22:12. See also Matthew 16:27 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 5. For this judgment, must we appear in person or is there a record of our lives that will be reviewed? Revelation 20:12 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ also see Daniel 7:10 6. With whom does this investigation of people’s life-record begin? 1Peter 4:17 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ See Daniel 7:21, 22; Ezekiel 9:6 7. Who is the prosecuting attorney who accuses those who profess to be God’s people? Revelation 12:9-10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ also see Job 1:8-11 8. Who is the defense attorney who may serve as our advocate? 1John 2:1 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 9. What will be the standard by which we will be judged? James 2:10-12 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ also see Ecclesiastes 12: 13, 14 10. When Jesus gives us a new beginning (new birth, salvation) by imparting to us His Spirit, what does He write on our hearts? Hebrews 8:10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ also seee Philippians 2:5; Ezekiel 36:25-27 11. What motive (or purpose) should prompt us to keep God’s law? John 14:15 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ see also John 14:23; 15:10; 2Corinthians 5:14; c.f. 2Thessalonians 2:10 12. Are God’s commandments burdensome to those who are truly born again? 1John 5:3-4 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 13. Why will many who think they are born again be disappointed on the day of judgment? Matthew 7:21-23 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 14. What will happen then, to those who were once “saved” or made a profession of being saved, but continue to cherish sin? Revelation 3:5 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ NOTE: Those who cherish sin will not “overcome” and thus their name will be blotted out of the book of life. 15. What was one of the weaknesses of the earthly priesthood? Hebrews 10:1-4 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 16. How does the ministry of Christ contrast with the former? Hebrews 10:14 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 17. How is this to be accomplished in the believer? Hebrews 10:15-17 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 18. How does the Bible represent the importance of the heavenly judgment to us on earth? Revelation 14:6-7 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ NOTE: The message is so urgent that it is represented as being given by an angel flying in the heavens, for it is to be given to every individual on earth. There was more to this than the message of one angel. We will address the remainder in later lessons.) 19. Has God appointed a specific day for His second coming? Matthew 24:36 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 20. Has God appointed a specific day for the judgment to begin? Acts 17:31 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ NOTE: In our past lessons we have discussed when the cleansing of the sanctuary in the Old Testament took place, on the Day of Atonement; and that Daniel prophesied that when the 2300 days/years expired, then the heavenly sanctuary would be cleansed. Because the Old Testament service was a figure of the heavenly, then it could only stand to reason that the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary began on the Day of Atonement in the year the 2300 day/year prophecy came to an end. That day was October 22, 1844. Since the Day of Atonement was representative of judgment, and that the sanctuary of the Old Testament was not cleansed without judgment, neither is the heavenly sanctuary. Therefore, in order for the heavenly sanctuary to be cleansed, judgment must take place first. Thus, Christ became a judge as well as our high priest on October 22, 1844.) 21. Remember that the Day of Atonement was the only day of the year that he entered into the Most Holy Place in order to cleanse the sanctuary, putting blood on and around the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. What Scriptural evidence do we have that Christ has entered into the Most Holy Place to do the same thing? Revelation 11:15-19 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 22. Who comes before the Father? Daniel 7:13 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 23. After the subjects of Christ’s kingdoms have been determined in the Judgment, what is given Christ? Daniel 7:14 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 24. When He comes the second time, what title will He bear? Revelation 19:16 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 25. Just prior to His second coming, what will happen to the sins of those found “not guilty” in the Judgment? Acts 3:19 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 26. When He comes, what will He then do for each one? Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ 27. In this closing view of the Judgment, what exhortation was given to us in regards to our duty to God? Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 THE BIBLE SAYS: ________________________________________ COMMENT: For over nineteen centuries, Jesus has been administering His blood before the Father, in behalf of the penitent believers, as by confession they cast their burden of sin (Psalm 38:4; 55:22) upon Him. In the antitypical Day of Atonement, at the close of the Judgment, the sins of all those who are found in Christ are removed and placed upon Satan, the originator of all evil, as depicted by the transfer of sin to the scapegoat, and Christ ceases His priestly ministry, to return as King of Kings. What a day, glorious day, that will be. God could have finished His Judgment, which began on October 22, 1844, long before now, But He delays, for He is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish” (2Peter 3:9). Yet, He will not wait forever. God has already given us longer to repent than he gave the people of Noah’s day. Will you choose today, while probation lingers, to let Jesus be your Advocate in the Judgment by making Him the Lord of your life? MY RESPONSE TO CHRIST IS □ YES □ UNDECIDED Email us at: admin@thebiblesays.net