The Investigative Judgment
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The Investigative Judgment is depicted in the book of Daniel, as a court scene:
Dan 7 (v. 9) I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated.… (v. 10) ….the court was seated, and the books were opened.
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Why does anyone have to attend a court hearing? You know, the man that knocks on your door and puts a paper in your hand, and says: “you’ve just been served”!! So, now you have to goto court, because you have been summons.
Before taking anyone to heaven, Christ has to shut the mouth of the accuser; will you allow Him to be your advocate during this court case?
....we must take inventory of our lives. The only possible preparation for our summons to court lies in our acceptance of and our commitment to Jesus. Only those who have continued to make Christ first in their lives can wear Christ’s robe of righteousness....The most tragic words in the human language will be the cry of those who have put off salvation, spurning the sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf.[1]
Matt 22 (v. 11) ....when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. (v. 12) So he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. (v. 13) Then the king said to the servants....take him away, and cast him out....
How does Jesus vindicate the saints?
One of the events that will take place before Christ comes to take believers to heaven is the vindication of the saints against the accusations of the devil. The bible tells us that satan is the “accuser of the brethren”....[And] in the battle for souls, satan is determined that none of the believers make it to heaven. Therefore, before the Second Advent can take place, Christ....has to vindicate the saints in the judgment. This is part of the good news of salvation. The Pre-Advent Judgment of the saints is often referred to as the Investigative Judgment....[2]
Rom 8 (v. 33) Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. (Who are the elect?)
I Thes 1 (v. 2) We give thanks to God…. (v. 3) remembering without ceasing your work of faith….in the sight of our God and Father (v. 4) knowing beloved brethren, your election by God.
Eph 1 (v. 3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…. (v.4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…. (v. 5) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
God's Predestination: The Father sets His love upon His elect people who live in the midst of men. These are the people whom Christ has redeemed by the price of His own blood; and because they respond to the drawing of Christ, through the sovereign mercy of God, they are elected to be saved as His obedient children. Upon them is manifested the free grace of God, the love wherewith He hath loved them. Everyone who will humble himself as a little child, who will receive and obey the Word of God with a child's simplicity, will be among the elect of God....[3]
Rom 8 (v. 30) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified.…
(v. 34) Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died….who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
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Who condemns us? It is not God. (God does not condemn us!!)
I Tim 2 (v. 3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
(v. 4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Look at the verdict of the court in the book of Daniel.
Dan 7 (v. 22) .…the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
Before Christ can take anyone to heaven, He has to shut the mouth of the accuser, by executing a judgment upon the devil, for everything that he has done to this earth.
John 16 (v. 8) And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin.…and of judgment. (v. 9) of sin, because they do not believe in Me. (v. 11) of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
I Jn 5 (v. 19) We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
John 12 (v. 31) Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. (Cast out to where?)
Rev 20 (v. 10) And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.
Matt 25 (v. 41) .…Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
The devil and his angels will be destroyed at the end, during the judgment.
Now, your name comes up at the Investigative Judgment!!
II Cor 5 (v. 10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.…
What evidence does Jesus use to defend us in court?
Matt 16 (v. 27) For the Son of man will come in the glory of His Father….and then He will reward each according to his works.
What does Jesus use in court? Which type of works? (1) “Works of the Law” —or— (2) “Works of Faith”
What is the difference?
(1) Works of the Law = are works of righteousness, keeping the commandments in order to be saved.
(2) Works of Faith = are the Fruits of Salvation, from abiding in Him.
Which type of works, come up at the Investigative Judgment?
Faith and works go hand in hand; they act harmoniously in the work of overcoming. Works without faith are dead, and faith without works is dead. Works will never save us; it is the merit of Christ that will avail in our behalf. Through faith in Him, Christ will make all our imperfect efforts acceptable to God. The faith we are required to have is not a do-nothing faith; saving faith is that which works by love and purifies the soul.[4]
The Love of Christ compels us; it is not we trying grudgingly, to mechanically keep rules. A legalist is concerned about doing the very least that he can do, to keep his ticket to heaven. A person compelled by Christ, out of love, will go all the way without complaining about a heavy burden.
On the next webpage, we will look at some bible examples of people doing good works, and then to discover if they are works of faith or works of righteousness.
References:
1. Mark Finley, (1995). Beyond Orion’s Gates, p.114-115, Hart Research Center.
2. Savior of the world Bible Course, (2000). Lesson 21, “The Pre-Advent Judgment.”
3. Bible Commentary (vol.6), p.1114, par.3, Review and Herald Publishing.
4. E.G. White, Faith and Works, p.48, par.3, Pacific Press Publishing Association.
Image #1: Miami Debt Defense, (2014). You have been served! Retrieved from http://www.miamidebtdefenseattorney.com/youve-been-served-a-debt-collector-has-sued-you-in-florida-now-what/
Image #2: Mussa Kabichi, (2016). Your case comes up in the heavenly court. Retrieved from http://sapitwapoetry.com/mkabichi/491/tidzayankhanji-final-day/
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