God's Judgment

[Gregory Matthews]

God's Judgment:  In the following article, an attorney comments on a common SDA teaching on God's judgment of people.  It is a long article, but worth reading.

https://religiousliberty.tv/heavens-courtroom-the-sanctuary-and-the-question-of-heavenly-due-process/

NOTE:  The above attorney has also written a second article on this subject, which I would have preferred to post.  I am unable to do so at this time.  If I am able to post it at a later time, I will do so.

NOTE:  Stan has posted on this subject, in the Religious Liberty section.

 

[Challenger]

I have a few thoughts I will post here to stimulate conversation, in regard to our earlier brothers of the faith, regarding their beliefs on the investigative judgement. Following is portion of their belief:

“Inside the Heavenly Sanctuary: How the Judgment Works

At the heart of this doctrine is a dramatic celestial scene: God as Judge sits upon the throne in the heavenly courtroom, surrounded by countless angelic witnesses. The books of record are opened, and one by one, cases are reviewed. The Bible’s own judgment imagery inspired this scenario – Adventists point to verses like Daniel 7:10: “the court was seated, and the books were opened,” and Revelation 20:12: “the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” In Adventist understanding, these books are metaphorical records of each person’s life – chronicles of deeds, words, even thoughts. During the Investigative Judgment, the lives of all who ever claimed faith in God (living or dead) come under review (Investigative judgment).”

What is the purpose of this divine audit? It is not that an all-knowing God needs to learn new information, Adventists say, but rather to demonstrate justice to the universe. In this cosmic trial, Jesus Christ appears as our advocate or defense attorney, while Satan figures as the accuser of believers (Investigative judgment). Adventist writings vividly describe Jesus pleading on behalf of those who have trusted in Him: “Our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation” of believers (Investigative judgment). If a person has truly repented of sins and trusted in Jesus’ atoning blood, then next to their name in the record books is written “pardoned” – their sins are covered by Christ’s righteousness (Investigative judgment). In the judgment, such names remain in the Book of Life, and their sins are “blotted out” forever (Investigative judgment). Conversely, those who claimed to follow God but clung to sin or rejected His grace will have their names blotted out of the Book of Life – their unforgiven sins remain on record against them (Investigative judgment). In short, this process separates genuine believers from false professed believers (Investigative judgment). It ensures that when Christ does return, He brings reward for the faithful and leaves the hypocrite or apostate to face loss.”

 

My thoughts: 

As I understand Rev. 12, Satan was cast out of heaven, on resurrection Sunday, never being permitted there again. This is long before 1844, when Jesus began to open the books of record in the investigative judgement, taking place in heaven. Our earlier brothern believed that Christ acts as our defense attorney, while Satan is the accuser. But how is this possible, since Satan is not revealed in the court room in prophecy, and was band from entering heaven since he was cast out on resurrection Sunday, in A.D. 30?

Why do individuals need Jesus as our advocate, when the books of deeds are a literal record of each person’s life, rather than metaphorical?  They chronicle our deeds, words, even thoughts.  It makes more sense that Jesus is simply our Judge, and will pass judgement on all individuals, based on the record of all, those professing faith in Christ and those who have not.  Contrary to our earlier brothern, Christ must not ignore a transparent judgement of the lost as well. What if you were among the lost, would you be satisfied that Christ passed judgement on you as lost, without considering you record? If you were one of the attending angles or elders present in this judgement would you think it unfair if Christ ignored the record of the lost? 

Too, Rev. 20, is revealing the events of the Great White Throne Judgement, which takes place here on earth after the millennial reign has ended, having taken place in heaven.  During that reign, the saints set with Christ to conduct the sentencing portion of judgement that must be determined for each lost individual.

Therefore, the judgement spoken of in Rev. 20, is the sentencing portion of those who are resurrected in the second resurrection, the lost of all ages. Their records and those of the saints will be revealed to them, from the books of deeds. After reviewing their personal record, on bended knee ALL will confess that Jesus was just. It is also the time when the seventh seal from the Lambs’s book of Life is broken, and the contents of that book which the Father wrote before any life was created and sealed with seven seals is made public for all to see. 

At no time prior to that time will Jesus have knowledge of it’s content, and Jesus will not use it during His investigative judgment, as our earlier brothers had assumed. So the natural question which should come to your mind is, then why did the Father write the book?  The Father only has foreknowledge, Jesus and the Holy Spirit relinquished that power before anything was created. This fact explains why Jesus must reveal ALL the records, to determine who will be lost and those who will be saved. Otherwise why would the Father give it to Jesus being sealed with seven seals, if Jesus knew it’s content anyway?

The Father wrote out the life of every individual who would experience life, thus the title, the book of Life. In it He crossed out the names of those who would forfeit, His offer of salvation. During the G.W.T. Judgment when all individuals are present, those inside of New Jerusalem and those outside, the contents will reveal the same record as the books of deeds for each individual. Thus the Father will vindicate the Godhead from any accusation, that God predetermined who shall be lost and who would be saved, but rather the evidence will prove that although the Father has foreknowledge He never violated each individual freedom of choice, and it is Jesus who determined who would be saved and those who would be lost, based on their record revealed in open court.

What are your thoughts?