When and How did the Judgment starts as Prophesied?
Part 1 - The Cleansing of the Sanctuary
When God Judges
God’s Investigative Judgment for the Dead
Prayer Thought:
"The Final Judgment and the Cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary"
In the great day of final award, the dead are to be "judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:12. Then by virtue of the atoning blood of Christ, the sins of all the truly penitent will be blotted from the books of heaven. Thus the sanctuary will be freed, or cleansed, from the record of sin. In the type, this great work of atonement, or blotting out of sins, was represented by the services of the Day of Atonement—the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary, which was accomplished by the removal, by virtue of the blood of the sin offering, of the sins by which it had been polluted. {CCh 348.2}
PURPOSE - To reveal the peculiar identity of the SDA Church through its teaching about the cleansing of the Sanctuary - Dan. 8:14 (2300 years).
INTRODUCTION:
Exodus 25:8-9 - And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
According to all that I show thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it].
The Sanctuary, Earthly and Heavenly, Type and Antitype
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Hebrews 8:1, 2. {FLB 202.1} The question, What is the sanctuary? is clearly answered in the Scriptures. The term "sanctuary," as used in the Bible, refers, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the "true tabernacle" in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The "true tabernacle" in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant. {FLB 202.2} (The Faith I Live By, 1958)
"From Shadows to Reality: The Heavenly Sanctuary Revealed"
In studying the Bible, Adventists after the disappointment of 1844 discovered that there were two sanctuaries:
(1) an earthly sanctuary, a type and shadow of the true one (Heb. 8:5); and
(2) a heavenly sanctuary, erected by God Himself (Heb. 8:2).
The first sanctuary, and the temples that followed it until AD 70, were built after the model that God showed Moses (Ex. 25:40). In them the true Lamb and High Priest was represented: Jesus (Jn. 1:36; Heb. 4:14).
Opens the doors to a world of peace, happiness, and eternal communion with God.
The Judgment has Come
Daniel 7:9-10; Revelation 14:6-7; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 22:10-12; Matthew 25:1-13.
“He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water”” (Revelation 14:7)
The Judgment-Seat of Christ to Judge the Dead and the Living
John describes a final judgment where everyone will account for their actions, words, and motives before God. Each act of injustice or unkindness, especially those that harm others, will be revealed. People will recognize the impact of their deeds and the souls they misled. In this present time of atonement, it is essential to repent, confess sins, and trust in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. {SpTA03 56.2} (Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, No. 3, 1895)
A Solemn Warnings in Different Books in the Old Testament The Judgment
These things make me feel very solemn, because I know that the judgment day is right upon us. The judgments that have already come are a warning, but not the finishing, of the punishment that will come on wicked cities. Our cities are most terrible places, wherein are practiced all kinds of sin and iniquity of the most revolting character. The Lord's name is greatly dishonored. {21MR 87.1} In Micah we read: (Quote Micah 1:2-7; 2:1-5, 7, 12, 13; Micah 3.) {21MR 87.4} Oh, how soon the scenes of destruction and desolation will come and be universal, we cannot tell. "Be ye also ready," saith the Lord, "for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." {21MR 87.5}
In Habakkuk we read: (Quote 2:1, 2 "it will not tarry" [beyond the time appointed]). (Quote 2:3-20.) {21MR 87.6}
In Zephaniah we read: (Quote the entire book.) {21MR 87.7}
In connection with these scriptures, read the first four chapters of the prophecy of Zechariah, and the entire book of Malachi. {21MR 87.8} (Manuscript Releases Volume 21, 1993)
"The Hour of Judgment: 1844 and Christ’s Final Verdict"
According to prophecy, the purification of the Heavenly Sanctuary – that is, the Judgment – began in 1844. Since then, the Adventist Church has loudly proclaimed that the hour of judgment has arrived, inviting everyone to worship God, and to live according to his commandments (Rev. 14:7).
But won't judgment take place when Jesus comes to Earth (1Ch. 16:33; 2Tim. 4:1)?
When Jesus comes, He executes the judgment already carried out, since He comes with a “reward” to repay “each one according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12); He sends his angels to gather the elect (Mt. 24:31); and resurrects those who believed in Him (1Thes. 4:16).
Note that dead unbelievers are not resurrected when Jesus comes and are therefore not judged at that time (Rev. 20:4-5).
The commandment to rebuild Jerusalem went forth in 457 BC (Halley’s p235). This is the starting point of the seventy weeks, which proves to be the beginning of the first block of the 2300 days.
From the going forth of the commandment (found in Ezra 7:21-27) to restore and to build Jerusalem (the beginning of the 2300-days), unto the Messiah the Prince, to Christ at His baptism (See Acts 10:37,38, Luke 3:21-23), shall be seventy weeks, (70x7 =490 days/ years), and threescore and two weeks, (3x20 =60 +2 = 62 x7 = 434 days/years +49), totaling 483 years in all, with the first seven weeks or forty-nine years, is for the rebuilding of the city. (See John 2:20).
History shows that the decree to rebuild the ancient city went forth in 457 BC. Hence 483 years from 457 BC bring us to 27 AD (457- 483=26+1=27) to the year Christ, the Messiah, was baptized.
“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people of the prince (the Romans) that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary, (this was fulfilled by Titus about 70 AD, see Matt. 24:1,2) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (See GC Ch.1). And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations He shall make it desolate, even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Dan. 9:26, 27). ( ) added.
We should take note that Dan.9:26 omitted the seven weeks mentioned in V.25. The reason being, the seven weeks (49 years) is a separate account; it has reference to the completion of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 457 BC - 49 BC = 408 BC. This is the end of the first block. The 62 weeks or 434 yrs would begin in 408 BC and end in 27 AD (408 BC – 434 =26 +1 =27). This is the second block.
At the end of the 62 weeks (62 x7) or 434 years, the Messiah was to “be cut off” during the remaining week from the 70th (Dan. 9:24). He was to confirm the covenant with many, and in the midst of it, He was to be cut off, crucified; that is, there were to be 3 1/2 years from His baptism (27 AD) to the crucifixion (31 AD) and 3 1/2 years after the crucifixion in which probation for the Jews as a nation ended at the stoning of Stephen in 34 AD which concludes the 70 weeks or 490 years from 457BC (457- 490=33+1=34). (See Dan. 9:24). This is the third block.
Thus far, every specification of the prophecies is precisely fulfilled, and the beginning of the seventy weeks is fixed beyond question at 457 BC and their expiration in 34 AD. From this data, there is no difficulty in finding the termination of the 2300 days. The seventy weeks or 490 days, having been cut off (determined) from the 2300 days, (2300 – 490 =1810) days were remaining. After the end of 490 days, the 1810 days were still to be fulfilled. From 34 AD 1810 years extend to 1844 AD(1810 +34=1844), in fulfillment of Dan.8:14, the cleansing of the sanctuary. This is the fourth block.
The Good News of the Most Holy Place - Mercy and Justice
Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:19-22; Revelation 11:19; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 7:25.
“In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness, a man will sit on it one from the house of David one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” (Isaiah 16:5)
"Saviours" will also be Identified in His Kingdom of Righteousness-Obadiah 1:21
What does this phrase mean, "a Man will Sit on it one from the HOUSE OF DAVID"? Read Rev. 22:16
The Branch (Christ) Build the Temple for His Glory
By virtue of His death and resurrection He became the minister of the "true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Hebrews 8:2. Men reared the Jewish tabernacle; men builded the Jewish temple; but the sanctuary above, of which the earthly was a type, was built by no human architect.
"Behold the Man whose name is The Branch; . . . He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne." Zechariah 6:12, 13. {DA 165.5} (The Desire of Ages, 1898)
To God Be the Glory!