LESSON VIII.—AUGUST 24.—TIME OF THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT.
[Note to the Student.—These lessons are not designed to be exhaustive, but suggestive. In references to the “Desire of Ages,” in the lessons, the subscription edition is referred to. Those who have only the trade edition will find the matter in chapters 1, 4, 11, 27, 71, 77, 78; also read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” chapters 5 and 30. “Christ Our Advocate,” Bible Students’ Library No. 129 (price, 10 cents), and “Looking unto Jesus” (price, $1.00) will be found a great help. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will have an article on the subject of each lesson this quarter by J. O. Corliss. Read these articles in connection with the study of the lesson. We have not space to print all the scriptures. Let the student study them carefully from the Bible. Those printed are from the Revised Version.]
NOTE.—The subject of the time of judgment is so important that we trust the student will bear with us if in this lesson we go again over some of the familiar texts which have been used in previous lessons; for we seek to place them in a new connection, in order that they may the more readily be seen in all their bearings.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. What has the Lord said definitely about the time of the judgment?
“The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now He commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: inasmuch as He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30, 31.
2. To whom will this appointed day be revealed? Who will have no need for fear in that day?
“Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth time and judgment.” Eccl. 8:5.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.” John 5:24.
3. What does the wicked man know about the judgment? How does this little knowledge make him feel? What does he not know?
“For to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him; for he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him how it shall be?” Eccl. 8:6, 7.
“Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that be wise shall understand.” Dan. 12:10.
4. What two phases of the judgment are spoken of? Ans.—Investigative, executive.
“And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Rev. 20:12.
“And He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of man.” John 5:27.
5. When was the appointed day of the investigative judgment reached? At what date did this period of time end?
“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Dan. 8:14.
6. What announcement was made to the world when this appointed day was close at hand?
“And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal Gospel to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give Him glory; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:6, 7.
7. What promise would lead us to expect that an announcement would be given?
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7.
8. With what class will the judgment begin?
“For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.
9. In this type, whose cases only were considered on the day of atonement?
“And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses.” Lev. 16:34. Note .
10. In this judgment, for what will there be time allowed?
“I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” Eccl. 3:17.
11. What proof have we that the judgment of the righteous dead is finished before Christ comes?
“But they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage.” Luke 20:35. See also 1 Cor. 15:52. Note .
12. What has taken place with regard to the living righteous which enables them to stand when Christ comes?
“But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36.
13. How much time is there for the judgment after the last trumpet sounds before the living are made immortal?
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.
14. Prior to what event is the blotting out of sins?
“Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus.” Acts 3:19, 20.
15. What event immediately follows, when every case has been decided?
“He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still; and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still; and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to each man according as his work is.” Rev. 22:11, 12.
16. Between what two events must the investigative judgment take place, as shown by the texts given in this lesson?
