Daniel 7:10, commentary and pictures

Daniel 7:10 pictures God's heavenly throne room and temple, where the Ancient of Days is enthroned in glory surrounded by thousand thousands ministering and ten thousand times ten thousand standing before Him. The setting of the judgment with the books opened is the opening of the investigative judgment in heaven, when the Son of man comes to the Ancient of Days not to earth, a work that began at the end of the 2300 days in 1844 when Christ entered the Most Holy Place for the final atonement and cleansing of the sanctuary. The opened books hold an exact daily record by holy angels of every deed, word, thought, motive and neglected duty, by which each life is weighed in the balances of the sanctuary according to God's law as the standard. While that court sits, Christ ministers as great High Priest before the Father, interceding for overcomers through His blood that repented sins may be pardoned and blotted out and they may be accounted worthy of eternal life. Because every person has a case now pending to face the great Judge, the present is the solemn antitypical day of atonement calling for afflicting of soul, true repentance, putting away of sin and making calling and election sure.

Throne Room Revealed

The verse opens heaven itself as God's abiding throne room and temple, the dwelling of the King of kings where thousand thousands minister and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Him. Its vastness and glory, centered in His eternal throne, surpass anything earthly, and the earthly sanctuary where Christ ministers for humanity reflected them only faintly. There He is revealed as the Ancient of Days, the living God, Monarch of the universe, Source of all being, wisdom and law, Ruler of the present and Revealer of the future, about to set up His everlasting kingdom. He alone is great, casting down one mighty ruler and setting up another to abase human pride, lay human glory in the dust, and expose man as poor, frail, short-lived, erring and guilty in lifting up his soul unto vanity. The light given directly from God in Daniel's visions was given especially for the last days and is now in process of fulfillment, to be studied closely as never before with the human agent kept out of sight, hid in Christ, while God and His law are exalted.

He is the Ancient of Days, the Most High, the living omnipotent Ruler and Monarch of an everlasting kingdom who controls all kingdoms and alone rules the destinies of men, exalting whom He wills by His might and power to carry out His purposes and casting down one and setting up another in his place. The proper distinction is kept between divine and human agencies, for all human authority is merely human and limited, to be respected in its own place, while monarchs and statesmen, the highest and most learned, are as dust in the balance before Him. Enthroned in His high and holy place He is surrounded by thousand thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand holy beings, every one waiting to do His bidding. Through these ministering messengers He is in active communication with every part of His dominion and ministers to people, while by His Spirit He is present everywhere with all things open to His view. Through unseen channels He speaks from His throne and bends earthward, carefully observing every living being and every earthly act and movement and recording each person's course and every transaction with approval or condemnation.

His throne is no sign of inactivity, silence, solitude, distance or indifference. He listens to every sound from the lips of the oppressed, takes cognizance of every wrong action against those who are His property, approves deeds of mercy and condemns oppression, orders what His providence sees best, and by His angels works to relieve the oppressed, discouraged and suffering and to raise up the afflicted and unfortunate whom Satan seeks to humiliate and destroy. His care is especially centered on the people He seeks to save in their suffering, prayer, temptation and trial. He lives in light unapproachable on His throne surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy, happy beings who wait to do His bidding and who are not inactive but in communication with other worlds throughout His vast dominion, of which this little world is only an atom. The books that are opened are the books of His providence where each individual known to God by name has a page containing every particular of his history even to the numbering of the hairs of his head, with every transaction recorded.

The fiery stream issuing from before Him is the consuming fire of Christ's glorious coming in divine judgment and retribution, which melts the elements and burns the earth and its works in fiery majesty. The chapter to which the verse belongs sets forth four beasts as Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, whose power in succession the beast in Revelation 13 inherits. The verse belongs to the prophecies of Daniel 7-12 given to Daniel as God's ambassador revealing the mysteries of ages to come, whose full meaning was not understood even by Daniel himself. It was shut up and sealed until the time of the end, to be unsealed and understood in the closing period of this world's history when Daniel himself will again stand in his lot and place at the end of the days, and its opening as the setting of the judgment is announced as part of the everlasting gospel that could be proclaimed as come only in the last days when the prophecies leading to it had been fulfilled.

It is part of the visions and dreams God gave Daniel understanding to receive and to record for coming generations in figure and symbol covering the history of this world till the close of time. Because Daniel honored God with firmness, self-denial, purity of motive and unwavering trust while being instructed by men in the duties of court life, God taught him to read the mysteries of the future and blessed him with the spirit of prophetic power. Daniel 7 is prophetic history to be carefully studied and guarded against misinterpretation, figuratively delineating events leading to the close of earth's history and fulfilled in sequence.

Countless Angels Attending

The numbers describe a vast host beyond counting, thousand thousands ministering and ten thousand times ten thousand standing before Him. They are heavenly messengers of great power and glory, connected with His government and the work of redemption. They serve in His presence as ministers and witnesses, and their continual standing there underlies that the angels appointed to care for His people have continual access to Him. That access is for ministering to those who will inherit salvation and helping them in their struggle for victory, and for watching over and helping the youth in this world. It is also for ministering while heaven records wrongdoing, for God will judge wrongdoers and vindicate justice, truth and righteousness, with no one beyond His authority.

Thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand are commissioned to minister to heirs of salvation and to human needs, and through them all heaven is interested in human salvation. They guard believers against evil and press back the powers of darkness seeking their destruction, protect from temptation and guide those who trust God. They help communicate light and warnings, wait for His command to help His work, give help to humble seekers who trust Him, even before a discouraged person asks. Their constant care gives reason for thankfulness every moment even when the pathway looks difficult, and for speaking of the great power of God and the matchless power and glory of Christ instead of dwelling on gloom, lack of faith, sorrows, sufferings, or Satan's power to overcome.

Ten thousand times ten thousand holy angels stand by God and His believing people, watching over and guarding the tempted, uplifting and strengthening them, and sent forth to minister to heirs of salvation. Believers who walk in His ways shall walk among these angels and stand before God in their sight, not overcome by the powers of darkness. Yet the hosts of the enemy also stand by trying to bring His people into disrepute. Immense numbers serve Him at His command and standing before Him, and they also accompany believers and give companionship in working for perishing souls. They wait to cooperate with church members in sharing the light given so that a people may be prepared for Christ's coming, and the number ten thousand times ten thousand shows that waiting cooperation. Their great number expresses heaven's deep interest in humanity, with work as messengers of mercy cooperating with Christ and human workers who seek the lost. The Most High surrounded by countless angels awaiting His command to serve earth's inhabitants shows He is attentive to the world, and those seeking to bring the lost back are precious in His sight.

Christ in His holy place is surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands waiting to carry out His commands. Heaven is not silent or indifferent to people on earth but actively engaged with every part of His dominions, attentive to human words, suffering, prayers, movements and actions. He listens to every needy soul, judges human actions, and sends help to those who ask in faith, with His angels working for even the weakest believer who trusts in God, on errands of mercy and love. That number underscores His majesty and authority as He singles out a person with offer of a new heart and spirit.

The multitude is the numberless host attending Christ when He comes in the clouds of heaven to gather the faithful, in exceeding brightness as King of kings with power and great glory. They make up His glory and encircle Him, magnifying the terror and majesty of His coming as victorious King to judge living and dead, when the kingdom of glory is fully established. Then the righteous dead rise to immortal life, glorified saints are changed and caught up, enemies face Him with terror, and those one with Christ await Him with joy. He comes as judge amid darkness, the voice of God, music, clouds rolled back like a scroll and the bright sign of the Son of man revealed. Graves are opened and the dead raised, some to life to meet Him in the air with thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand encircling Him as His glory, while others including those who rejected and crucified Him are raised to see the One they rejected as He is. The vision of ten thousand times ten thousand before God is echoed by the vast angelic host watching His agony in Gethsemane.

The throne ringed by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands upon thousands, with judgment set and books opened and martyrs close about it, will be revealed to the loyal and true during the time of trouble while in anguish for refusing to worship the beast or his image and to accept an idol sabbath. When they look up the heavens part as a scroll when rolled together and the throne stands revealed. Among those nearest the throne are the very ones just delivered from abject misery, poverty, hatred and contempt from a world that mocked their feebleness and smallness, there revealed as those hated and despised on earth honored in heaven where righteousness triumphs.

Judgment Time Foretold

The convening of the heavenly court with the judgment set and the books opened is the opening of the investigative judgment. The coming of the Son of man in the vision is to the Ancient of Days in heaven, not the second coming to earth, where at the close of His mediatorial work He receives dominion and a kingdom. This closing work began at the end of the 2300 days in 1844, when Christ as High Priest entered the Most Holy Place for the final work of judgment and atonement and cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. It commenced with the dead, examining the books before Christ completes His priestly work and returns with reward, to determine who through repentance and faith is entitled to the benefits of His atonement by the blotting out of recorded sins. The Father moved to the Holy of Holies and Jesus went there to stand before Him and plead for His people, marking a change in His work after which followers receive light and the careless are left without it.

The same judgment scene is linked to the historical end of the 1260 days and the little horn's loss of dominion, when on February 10, 1798 Berthier entered and took Rome and on February 15 the pope was taken prisoner and confined in the Vatican. The judgment is now set and in session in the sanctuary above in the closing antitypical day of atonement, while men still dwell on earth before Christ's coming in the clouds. It has been in progress for more than sixty years, examining every life in review in the awful presence of God, nation by nation yet each as if alone, testing for spot or wrinkle. It is the present solemn awful period, surely the great day of atonement, with cases of many even now passing in review including those soon to sleep in the grave. Names are retained only with afflicting of soul, true repentance, putting away frivolity and warfare against evil, since purity is individual, and soon the judgment will pass from the dead to the living, demanding watching and praying.

The heavenly judgment occurs while Jesus ministers in the sanctuary with the righteous dead judged first then the righteous living, examined in order from earliest generations to the living. Cases of believers are investigated one by one with every name considered, pardon recorded for those truly repenting and claiming Christ's blood, sins blotted out in the closing work for those accounted worthy of eternal life, while unrepented unforgiven sins cause a name to be blotted from the book of life and good deeds erased from remembrance. When complete the subjects of the kingdom are gathered, the marriage of the Lamb finished and the kingdom given to Jesus and heirs of salvation. The judgment was set also means Jesus and the saints sit together in judgment in the Holy City during the 1000 years, after Jesus comes, the saints are made immortal and caught up with harps and crowns and brought into the City before it descends. The books opened are the book of life with good deeds and the book of death with evil deeds compared with the Bible as statute book, and saints in unison with Jesus pass judgment on the wicked dead according to deeds to be executed after the 1000 years.

The sitting and opening of books is still future, and until then the full extent of what the Lord has wrought through preaching, prayer, the Spirit's conviction, confession and seeking sinners will not be known. The verse shows a coming investigation of living and dead whose record each will face in the great day of God, pointing to the Lord's coming in power and glory when each is judged by Christ who knows works. Standing before His judgment seat later only reveals a decision already made in the prior examination, when every person's case was decided according to what was done whether good or evil. The verse marks the time when books are opened, and the investigation of temple and worshipers described in Malachi 3 is a preparatory work distinct from that opening. Judgment books are now opened and still unsealed with the recording angel's record still open, while Jesus comes near daily inviting repentance to secure peace while probation lasts, requiring present heeding and inward fruit before the open book closes and the curse of the barren fig tree falls on the fruitless.

Judgment Work Explained

The great heavenly judgment is a solemn tribunal presided over by God the Father, the Ancient of Days and source of all being and law, with innumerable holy angels attending as ministers and witnesses, while the opened books mark the review of human lives and characters with each dealt with according to works. This is the investigative judgment connected with Christ's heavenly ministry as High Priest.

The judgment set in heaven with books opened means every deed passes in review before God and is weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, so what one sows one reaps. Its decision is passed in heaven before Christ comes, fixing every case as unjust and filthy still or righteous and holy still, to give every man according to work when Christ comes quickly with His reward, with right to the tree of life and entrance through the gates into the city for those who do His commandments.

An investigative judgment occurs in the courts of heaven while men still dwell upon the earth, before the second coming in the clouds. It is the king's examination of the guests at the gospel feast, meaning all who profess to serve God and whose names are written in the book of life. Since not all professors are true disciples, before the final reward is given the lives of all professed followers pass in review before God according to the record of the books of heaven. This determines who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous, the character of every work is determined and the destiny of each forever fixed according to deeds, so that to every follower the reward is apportioned before His coming and He comes with His reward to give every man according as his work shall be.

The heavenly judgment with record books opened examines who through repentance and faith in Christ is entitled to the benefits of His atonement. It precedes Christ's coming to redeem His people, and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary includes blotting out the recorded sins of those who receive that atonement. This closing work of atonement began when the 2300 days ended, as Christ entered the most holy place to cleanse it by removing sins recorded there. It began in 1844 and commenced with the dead. People will still soon stand before the judgment seat of Christ, but not to have cases decided then, for that has already been done; that standing only reveals the decision already made.

A solemn work of judgment concerning every person takes place in the heavenly sanctuary. It is connected with the great day of atonement and with the antitypical Day, when each person's conduct and influence come under review. Its importance should be kept in mind and urged upon the conscience as present preparation.

The heavenly court sits in session as names in the book of life come up for review before the Judge of all the earth. Christ intercedes for those who have overcome through faith in His blood, asking that sins be forgiven and that they receive complete pardon and justification, restoration to their Eden home, and a share in His glory and throne. It is the investigative judgment in which each person's case and final lot are at issue, making preparation a serious personal concern. Individual cases are now pending, and the question is whether the Spirit of Christ rather than self rules in heart and life; if Christ's Spirit and not our own takes control, the decision in that case will be such as to cause angels to rejoice.

The law given to Moses and placed in the ark is in the heavenly sanctuary as the standard by which people are judged. A record of everyone's deeds is kept, and each receives sentence according to whether works are good or evil, tried by God's moral standard without spot or wrinkle. The tables of stone bearing the law spoken from Sinai are kept hidden by God in the heavens until that day, when they will be presented before the world as the standard of righteousness revealing His perfect law. Obedience to that law with knowing and doing the will of God in obedience to every word from His mouth is the test of true religion and prerequisite of salvation. No one will have excuse for sin, and by its righteous principles each will receive sentence of life or death.

The judgment recognizes two classes: those violating God's law and those keeping it, showing the law holy, just and good, with transgressors to answer to God. Obedience or disobedience determines destiny, every person is judged according to deeds, degree of punishment corresponds to deeds, and no one can escape consequences of the course taken.

The final judgment is a public event before the whole universe, in which God's government and law are vindicated, His name glorified, and His wisdom recognized as just by believers and unbelievers. It proceeds first over the dead then over the living, with the whole universe assembled to hear the sentence. Every motive and deed is laid bare, justice takes the throne, and Christ reveals even hidden actions as clearly as if publicly proclaimed.

This heavenly judgment with countless attendants and opened books takes place before Christ comes, so the righteous are judged and acquitted while Jesus is still Advocate and receive eternal life when He returns. When judgment sits and books open, past years of religious experience open to view and things hidden from human eyes appear as they are. This ends false peace and self-complacency, with every fiber agonized by the sight and forces working under pretense of advancing God's cause revealed in altogether different light, warning that to continue in deception is to meet that exposure.

The investigative judgment is that for which the third angel's message prepares a people to stand true to God, and every line of God's work with the church's institutions and work serves that purpose. The truth of every action is passing in review, people need daily conversion to the mind and will of Christ to stand, and there are urgent lessons to learn before it is too late.

Christ is presented coming in judgment, crowned with glory and clothed in a robe whiter than snow, with feet like fine brass and the title King of kings and Lord of lords, searching all creation. It points to the Lord's coming in power and glory, when every person will be judged by Christ according to deeds done in the body, for Christ knows each person's works. The judgment calls for readiness, with sins pardoned and people standing clear and cleansed from every stain of sin.

The supreme Ruler rather than humanity gives the final judgment, with heaven watching as people choose whether to obey God or join rebellion. Present appearances are not final, for God will not be mocked and His judgment pronounces the final decision by One who never mistakes. He weighs actions with other scales than blinded worldly-wise men, actions testify to character, wrongdoings have limit, season and end, and unless men repent He will reward them according to deeds. The books are a literal record kept by a Watcher beside men, recording words and results of words, marking down all scoffing and ridicule at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Books and Records

The opened books contain a faithful exact daily record kept by holy angels of all doings, words, actions, thoughts, secret motives, intents, purposes, neglected duties, use of time, opportunities and influence, open to God, Christ and angels with nothing concealed, and every case is judged by what is written there, bearing witness for or against each person to determine destiny.
The books preserve character faithfully delineated with every phase and every manifestation of selfishness, greed and covetousness, so each is revealed as fashioned after the divine similitude or disfigured by idolatrous selfishness, and human history passes into eternity with its burden of registered record to be faced, including the Minneapolis meeting record many will not be pleased to meet.
A heavenly Watcher always present beholds every action and traces each day's history in a book by the same hand that wrote on Belshazzar's wall, angel-written words cannot be changed into a lie, and each will meet that written record again before the assembled universe where eternal interests are decided.
The judgment being set means large books as the Ledger of Heaven with gold-lettered covers like burning flame are placed before the Holy One on a large throne before a vast multitude, and the Judge slowly turns leaves with a searching glance burning into the soul bringing every word and action before the mind as letters of fire, turning indifference to trembling and dread of being found wanting, with every eye riveted and each soul self-condemned.
One book records unchristian acts of professed Christians including business and institutional work, another records righteous beneficent deeds and works of mercy in letters like gold as if on fire, and every name in the first is also in the second, with first the book of names claiming truth opened with attention only on professed children of light while millions fade, each named one by one with good deeds recounted, and also another book of sins of professors with selfishness as general heading and columns for covetousness, ambition, jealousy and intemperance covering falsehood, theft, fraud, avarice, pride, extravagance, malice, envy, hatred, lasciviousness, adultery and animal passions.

The judgment begins with books opened recording names and deeds including the book of life with names of those who served God, whose contents determine decisions by which the dead are judged, and names of those professing truth are recorded with fidelity, character, work, efforts to build up institutions and truth sent through the press, in a vast assembly whose record has names called and good deeds mentioned.
Cases of believers are investigated one by one from earliest generations to the living with every name considered, and those truly repenting and claiming Christ's blood have pardon recorded and in the closing work have sins blotted out and are accounted worthy of eternal life, while unrepented unforgiven sins cause a name to be blotted from the book of life and good deeds erased from remembrance.
In the day of God many claiming commandment-keeping, old and young with much light, will have thoughts, words and actions gathered about the throne pass in review, and many weighed and found wanting for lack of virtuous character with base passions hidden from men but seen by the Lord show a blotted life even in professed teachers, great numbers condemned, names blotted and sentenced to depart, so probation is for obtaining white character by confession that sins may be blotted and names retained in the Lamb's book.
Sins public and secret remain charged unless repented and confessed to God, with even thoughts as well as actions revealed to the world heaping wrath for the day of wrath, and God's pure eyes see every open and secret sin recorded by a witness including selfishness, covetousness, envy, falsehood, theft, sensuality and adultery, and unless sinners fall on the Rock they remain in the books.
Sins left unconfessed and unforgiven remain against the sinner, and delaying preparation until the time of trouble is too late, while willful knowing sins are not erased by late repentance or tears, and covering sin and evading full confession leaves guilt standing, whereas thorough repentance with works meet for repentance brings forgiveness so registered sins may be blotted out with light and peace.

Heaven's books record sin where there is no repentance and reformation, but confession, earnest restitution and changed conduct bring forgiveness and clear guilt, while unrepented wrongs remain written against the name and must be faced and made right for advance in divine life.
The opened books are heavenly records in which warnings, earnest prayers and appeals are faithfully registered and weighed in each person's final investigation.
Every person's name with all actions, sins and obedience is faithfully written, and those whose sins are too grievous for pardon have names erased and are devoted to destruction, while the righteous do not suffer for the sinner's guilt, and those persisting in sin hardened against the Spirit will have names blotted and face destruction.
Accounts for nations as well as individuals are kept with unerring accuracy, figures increasing as sins accumulate, measuring light and opportunities against resistance, and nations remain open while God offers mercy and the gospel tempers judgment but close at a limit He set, then patience ceases and long-deferred punishment comes, with recorded against this age pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God and ingratitude, guilt in proportion to light rejected and a fearful record against the United States to be filled by making void God's law.
The books opened in the great day contain history's darkest pages of registered crimes from religious differences, including persecutions of Protestants by Romanism that almost annihilated religion when Europe was shaken by a proud tyrannical church condemning to death all who thought for themselves on the Bible, to be more than rivaled by combined Protestantism and popery and exposed when too late to right wrongs.

Heaven's record books registered the sin at Minneapolis in resisting light, yielding to another spirit, levity, treatment of messenger and message, and the record remains until full confession in humility, when tried over the same ground the same spirit will be revealed, and if they do not yield He will withdraw His Spirit, so thorough work must be made before probation closes.
With books open every good or evil word is brought to account and the Holy Spirit's leading toward goodness is recorded, with those through whom God brought light commended, and every written communication is recorded, idle or harmful words bringing shame while letters shaped by Jesus' love build others up.
Thousand thousands of ministering angels bear to God a day-by-day record of work, words and cherished thoughts, while ten thousand times ten thousand pure angels witness the opened books, and the Searcher discerns thoughts and intents so even trivial concealed acts are registered, with a spotted fearful record of the past year open and what is resolved in the new year to appear on the page.
An attending angel writes each person's words, acts, morning prayers from need, influence for good or evil, use of light, neglect of duty and failure to pray, and the guardian stays by the praying one to prompt a better course in danger of unconscious wrong, and when books open how light was treated turns the scale for happiness or woe, condemning vanity and leaving the astray found wanting.
Words are recorded before judgment, and unkind criticisms, exaggerated reports, envious words, cruel unjust accusations, suspicions, jealousy and secret influence are registered by Jesus as spoken against Him and against others, and they are not blotted out until all who took part recognize wrong and retrace steps.

Books opened in judgment record words with every word even in private heard by a Watcher and registered, and sarcastic, critical, doubting, Christless words against Christ's messengers and work written as against Christ Himself with condemning power, and accusations against God's servants will be present in the judgment.
Heavenly intelligences register ridicule and contempt toward the special message of men God sent, which stands against the doer until confession and repentance, and without repentance remains and the course repeats, insulting God's Spirit, and how men treat gospel ministers, including hatred and caricaturing because they refuse to yield against the angel's impression, is written as shown to God.
An angel's large open book records every testimony borne against another in investigation meetings, with sins, defects and errors of each testifier traced opposite his testimony together with benefit received from the accused's labors.
The judgment includes books opened before God and angels where words of those who find fault are recorded in a book to be opened for their view, and remarks and feelings toward others including faultfinding, sneering, ridiculing, envy and contempt toward faithful believers expose blindness and require self-examination and refining before serving in responsible position.
Words spoken in defiance of God are written with unerring record, as shown in the burning of the two Battle Creek institutions as God's judgment, requiring repentance in humility or perishing, for none can evade the higher law, and the history of the Battle Creek General Conference and responsibility of those resisting the Spirit will be made plain on that day.

The heavenly books opened in judgment show deeds recorded and judged, including unchristlike words and actions when Christ comes to that person's name, and each person's work is recorded day by day testifying to experience, and a person's failure can be written there applied to the record of work.
Heaven keeps books in which wicked actions are registered even when hidden from people, so secret wrongdoing stands recorded before God, and heaven keeps books of each life showing whether one lives to please self or shows transformation under grace, with self-indulgence, lightness, failure at home and failure to model grace entered, making selfish knowers stumbling blocks.
Heaven keeps books registering actions and spirit for judgment, in which coarseness, harshness, unkindness and want of sympathy by those claiming to be children of the King, especially ministers toward those not favorites, is written as great sin, which preaching truth without Christ's melting love does not prevent.
Heaven's books bear witness to actions and motives, recording unselfish service when workers labor to help rather than gain advantage, and what manner of spirit people have including even faultfinding words, so each should consider the record of spirit and seek grace for a humble heart.
Heavenly books record faithfulness, with neglect of God's work recorded as unfaithful service, while well done belongs only to those working faithfully and unselfishly, and they record the Spirit's work including loyalty and loving service, and on the day of God those serving through the Spirit are commended and enter joy, with present character preparing for the kingdom.

One who cooperates with God, consecrates all powers and intelligently obeys nature's laws is recorded as standing in God-given manhood, including one who wisely cares for the body, and heaven keeps books of life and work recording falling and working for Satan, yet after learning weakness apart from Christ and coming contritely one may make a different record working for Jesus as earnestly.
Heaven's books record use of talents, time and means including tithes, offerings, help to an aged mother, use in worldly enterprises for selfish gain versus wise holy purposes, money wasted on fancy and pleasure, and misemployment through neglect of assigned missionary work, and where little shows wise use and duty was neglected the record meets the person with shame until changed by giving self to the Lord and faithful stewardship.
Money unjustly taken or diverted is recorded and remains a debt under judgment for which restitution must be made, and misuse of money intended for the Southern Field stands in the books and reveals character, and selfish appropriation of God's money exposes oppression of fellow workers.
Dishonest and grasping dealings are written in the books, including unfair dealing, confederating to take large unearned wages from the treasury, and robbing workers to supply unjust gain, and sharpness and close dealing with brethren stands recorded as a terrible mistake.
The judgment beginning with books opened judges every person according to deeds with exact record of business dealings registering unlawful dealing and defrauding a brother which each will meet, and trembling now prepares one not to quake then, and it is not too late for wrongs to be righted by restoring what was taken, for confessed sins go beforehand to judgment and Christ cleanses them.

When judgment sits everyone meets the record of transactions and is judged according to works good or evil, so unjust business dealing brings shame and work must be done with love and justice, and deeds, words and motives are subject to judgment, and deceptive unjust dealings must be accounted for before God.
When judgment is set the books reveal business dealings of those professing godliness in God's institutions, exposing whether dealing accords with God's standard of righteousness or the world's sharp policy, with want of Christ's Spirit, suspicion and jealousy laid bare, and unfair management by prominent positions serving themselves and failing to give ministers and workmen a just estimate brings God's controversy and scattering unless repented.
Books opened in judgment record deception, overreaching in trade as untruthfulness, intrigue and injustice whose revelations will astonish, and described deceptive acts and falsehoods stand recorded giving cause for repentance, and conduct such as falsehoods comes to light unless people repent, make wrongs right and receive pardon.
The opened books will reveal an account of injustice astonishing those who practiced sharp dealing and oppression while claiming to do the Lord's work, showing unrighteous transactions in which the Lord has no part, and heaven's books will be opened revealing wrongs including injustice in the Lord's work, and every unjust transaction will be revealed with consequences fully known.
The opened books bear each individual's works, and those loving self-indulgence, murmuring at the Laodicean testimony, living in ingratitude and rebellion, spoiling their record, claiming discipleship while refusing to repent and deceiving souls, will be ashamed with no confession or evasion availing then, and evading truth provides no defense and confession then will not avail.

The books contain an account standing against those professing complete holiness while daily actions offend God, with opened records exposing deception and guilt, and the unchristlike character of secret societies and members will be revealed when judgment sits.
In the day of God the opened books include names of ministers professing purity but misusing position to lead into sin, whose higher profession makes them more guilty, and with judgment set ministers and companions caught unprepared receive departure because example led away from righteousness despite advantages.
The judgment set with books opened registers grave sins even when the church conceals them or passes over wrongdoing in a physician as though it must not be noticed, and position does not exempt but requires investigation and discipline and purging of institutions for God's blessing.
A physician who through ignorance, superficial study and experimenting sacrifices life is guilty of actual murder even without evil design and has that murder written against him, and the heavenly judgment opens books recording deeds including a physician's responsibility for lives lost through ignorance.
The work of the family is recorded and stands before judgment, making parents accountable for caring for and training the young, and unfaithful parents must answer for failing to restrain children, and children will rise to condemn them as contributing to destruction.

Every act and word good or evil is recorded with bearing on judgment, with a parent's impatient words and neglect in religious training marked against character, and disregard and disrespect toward a mother are recorded and accounted for, and words, deeds and treatment of those facing poverty and hardship are brought into account.
Heaven keeps a faithful record of all actions including harsh words, unkind acts and treatment of fellow church members and its influence, which each must meet, while death ends opportunity to recall words or do good before standing around the great white throne, and every wrong step registered means no first step into evil should be taken.
The books opened contain a complete record of treatment of others, including unrighteousness with brethren, perverted ideas in unjust council decisions, acts of injustice by voice and pen, and neglected opportunities when one in trust could have helped but let feelings cloud justice, and all stand against the name by One who knows all.
Heaven's books hold a written record of acts to be met as it stands, including freedom and gallantry toward young ladies instead of Christlike sympathy, and neglect to give searched-out help at personal disadvantage to the deserving, and if the past is treated as unworthy of mention it repeats, so there must be self-investigation, purification and moral renovation.
Unfilial conduct of a son gives a fearful record, and conduct recorded includes departure from the institution in wrong spirit, leaving appointed work without right spirit and acting with wrong mind, and life formed by instruction in God's law, with history of every day, week and month recorded and sealed.

Heavenly books record human conduct with words and actions preserved as evidence bringing accountability, and God will act on warnings sent, and heavenly beings witness and record actions including unjust dealings and excessive charges which must be answered for in the final judgment.
God is present as unseen witness even when revellers forgot Him, with every word and act passing into books for final account, and the seating means God weighs motives, character, life and soul in sanctuary balances as Belshazzar was weighed and found wanting, and the opening means the record stands until the Judge searches whose names are written there.
Christ with eyes as flame searches every church and pierces every heart while judgment is in session, measuring temple and worshipers, weighing actions in golden scales, registering result, discerning thoughts with no deed hidden and even unsuspected sin noted, and Christ and angels present at worship meetings measure temple and worshipers and carry up each meeting's history, noting spirit, words and actions as faithfully as features to polished plate.
In the judgment with books opened God evaluates character justly unlike humans, reading the heart, knowing motives and commending every faithful effort, so many will be surprised by His estimate of those regarded as inferior.
The judgment sitting with books opened brings choices to account, for God reads every motive and the heart's most secret purposes, and the Lord reads purposes of the heart and brings them out to His glory, and those whose course ruins souls will see their work as it really is.

The heavenly books accurately record sneers and trivial remarks when mercy is rejected and give exact representation of character, including sneers when Christ is presented by servants with mercy's call, and now is time to know God, for the angel of mercy is almost ready to depart.
The judgment sitting examines not only major acts but small acts, words, looks, omissions and secret thoughts including whether sympathy was shown and the needy helped, and God weighs these according to privileges, light and knowledge, regards disregard of known truth as especially culpable, measures whether people practiced Christ's character or selfishness, and brings influence to account.
The judgment beginning judges every hour's work recorded for faithfulness including wasted time and neglected opportunities, with cherished sins excluding from heaven, and work neglected or done without care is entered and weighed, and those found wanting are held accountable.
Heaven keeps record books of conduct where failures in duty, lack of consideration, rigid economy and strict enforcement wasting learners' time are entered as loss, and when judgment sits professed believers withholding entrusted means and failing to support God's work will be found wanting.
The verse shows judgment set and books opened recording each transgressor's name and character of offense, judged by God's standard rather than human, with Sabbath violations such as taking God's time for unnecessary work recorded as offenses.

Human acts even secret ones are recorded and brought into review, with God's Word as statute book judging, and the law prescribed death by stoning for adultery under Moses, though stoning ended the penalty has not, and the unrepentant face the second death and everlasting destruction.
The books of heaven record people as transgressors of the law, including lustful appetites passed from parents to children and intensified, and every transgression is recorded, even small sins deemed unimportant, and in the day they can keep people from God's city.
The heavenly judgment with opened records examines lives where actions are recorded and weighed and moral worth measured, with angels watching character development and each daily record coming before God by a standard attainable only by depending on Christ and cooperating with Him in steadfast purpose.
Angels watch development of character and weigh moral worth in the sanctuary where each work is recorded, and each receives reward according to works, and all words, ways and deeds open before God pass daily into sanctuary books to be read and weighed, with profession counting for nothing.
Heaven's books open with every word and action registered and Jesus present as witness, so no speech is hidden and offenses against God and servants are recorded, calling one in authority to recognize a higher Captain, exercise self-control and stay under God's Spirit under Jesus rather than choosing Satan.

Books opened for judgment with registered words and deeds include threats, false statements, money extorted from brethren and what belongs to the treasury withheld, which if unrepented stand against the person leaving him at variance with God.
The verse shows books opened in judgment with business dealings revealing selfish grasping transactions and dishonesty in buying and selling, especially real estate eating out piety, contrasting a better record for one not acting selfishly and measuring whether character is tender and pure for present and eternal interests.
The verse shows heavenly judgment with opened books recording actions including resistance to light, which remains until full confession and humbling, and actions recorded will come before the person and unless there is repentance will count against them and exclude from the city.
The verse shows deeds recorded in heaven, and the record of resistance to the Spirit will one day reveal its results, and words spoken against God's work are registered in heaven's books.
The verse shows conduct recorded in heaven with judgment revealing truth, applying to unjust dealings whose registered wrongs show God's displeasure when those responsible fail to correct them, and every person is judged according to the record, and the verdict against those opposing God's work will be made known.

The verse shows heaven keeps register books of every transaction, so sharpness with brethren stands recorded, and heavenly judgment with opened record books accurately records actions, and every unjust transaction will be revealed with consequences fully known.
The verse shows heavenly judgment with opened books recording the lasting gain of useful labor in character-building lessons and souls helped even at financial loss, with full number known on judgment day, and the future opening will reveal the full amount of good by obscure but devoted Christians, which cannot be estimated beforehand.
The judgment sitting on the great day of accounts will reveal the full amount of good by patient loving labor in family and church for wayward, dull and unpromising persons generally neglected, and it will show God's regard, that helpers have many stars in their crown and those fitted by sympathy did a good work, and the persevering will receive reward.
The verse marks the time when the full result of a believer's influence in winning souls becomes known, as opened records reveal the continuing chain where one soul won seeks to enlighten others and each converted person becomes means of converting another.
The verse shows a heavenly judgment in which books are opened and a person's life and cultivated virtues are considered in assessing worth, and the opened books determine each overcomer's lot and place according to spiritual advancement in this life, and growth gained by beholding Christ is carried into heaven.

The verse shows the heavenly throne surrounded by countless attendants with judgment set and books opened, where people's characters recorded are judged by those records, and a witness from heaven beholding every action means knowing the record will be faced should cause trembling for eternity.
The verse shows judgment includes opening of books recording lives, when the good done by devoted though obscure Christians will be made known, and the verse presents judgment where deeds in books are brought to light and measured by God's standard including how people treat one another in God's work.
The verse shows a future opening when every person is judged according to deeds done in the body and the full results of working contrary to God's purposes are made known, and the verse points to the great day when judgment sits and everyone is judged according to deeds, so bearing the cross is better than gaining every earthly wish and losing heaven.
The verse shows the sitting when books of every person's works are opened according to what is written, and those now making void the law Christ came to magnify will then see their work with terror, sharing the lot of crucifiers when beholding in glory Him whom they pierced.
The verse shows the bar of God after every case is decided for life or death, where opening of books is opening of heaven's records and the Judge without declaring guilt casts one penetrating glance with every deed vividly recalled, and sins hidden from men are proclaimed to the world and each guilty person's lips confess shame too late to save, for sin will not then be purged with sacrifice.

Each case is decided for life or death with every deed brought vividly to mind, hidden sins exposed and the guilty confessing shame, but confession after decision cannot save, and people stand before God with deeds recorded, and unfair actions for selfish gain are recorded, so people must put away commercialism and become unselfish to be approved.
The sitting with opened books is a future time of astonishing disclosures where men will not appear as now to human eyes, with secret sins laid bare, motives hidden in dark chambers revealed and selfish ambitions seen where outward appearance told only of desire to honor God, while men of pure motives now neglected will then appear in true character and be honored with God's commendation.
When judgment is set and books registering deeds are opened everyone is judged according to deeds written, and the burning of small churches built in the Southern field will stand as witness against those opposing God's work, and the heavenly judgment opening books will make known the record, revealing influence of those opposing God's work with every case decided.
The verse shows a great judgment in which books are opened and every case decided according to the record, bringing people face to face with choices including joining influence with opposers, and the verse shows judgment will sit when the full effect of disrespectful teachings that confused people will be seen in loss of souls.
The verse shows a future sitting when every person is rewarded according to works and gives account as stewards for money and gifts of mind and body for extending God's kingdom, and the full consequences of faithful beneficence such as giving means to erect a house of worship for believers in unpopular truth will only be fully known then.

The verse shows the judgment scene when books are opened and every person rewarded according to works, meeting those who turned a deaf ear to invitation with results of perversity though they grasped earthly treasures, and the judgment sitting at the last day brings each deed to account revealing smallness of what was done beside what was left undone and misuse of talents.
The verse shows a future great day of final accounts when judgment convenes, books open and every account balanced where all meet again and each must stand acquitted, whose certainty calls for faithful work now and solemn concern over whether hearers will be saved.
A future great day of final accounts will convene judgment, open records and settle every account when all meet again, so faithful work in speaking the word now determines standing to stand cleared with hearers saved through words spoken.
The judgment sitting with opened books at the last day presents the great day as a time when actions and decisions matter and whether one acted rightly must be faced, and the verse portrays a heavenly judgment in which every soul's case is reviewed and decided, urging obedience and readiness to bear heaven's approval.
When judgment sits it will be seen that people with ordinary talents may have followed self-denial more earnestly than those with greater responsibilities, with full reward not gathered in this life but given at that judgment, and the judgment beginning reveals every word and deed including whether life bore good fruit through unselfish service, while close of probation ends opportunity to change.

When this judgment comes people who caused souls to be lost will be called to account for their blood, and a future convening with examination will make known the full effect of misleading influence, showing souls who might have stood firm were confused by physicians who spoke against chosen ministers.
The verse shows judgment will sit revealing effects of influence, where some who might have stood firm were confused and led into error and their influence lost when most needed, and each life's history laid open shows those who came not to the Lord's help share the curse of Meroz with a mournful blank page as fruitless trees bringing no sheaves.
The verse shows the sitting with opened books when those who might have been wise in knowing Christ but did not choose that wisdom will be banished, leaving no excuse of ignorance since God gave His word with promise that doers shall know doctrine, so neglect of truth brings condemnation.
The verse shows a coming tribunal when books of each record are opened, where keeping the Father's law as Christ kept it prepares character to be unashamed, and not putting stumbling blocks but clearing the highway and giving Jesus best service leads to Christ confessing that person before His Father and angels.
The verse shows the record of actions kept in heaven to be opened revealing who was responsible for harm to God's work and loss of souls, and deeds and words recorded by an unseen witness mean people are not alone in their actions.

The verse shows heavenly judgment with opened books containing every privation, tear and pang of God's servants, every effort to help them, and every selfish withholding from them, all reviewed before God.
The verse shows angels attending God as judgment is set and books opened, applied to duties performed unselfishly which angels record, and the verse shows heavenly books as records in which unconfessed unforgiven sins remain, and those excusing or concealing them will be overcome by Satan.
The verse shows deeds recorded in heaven, where unfilial conduct is not the only entry, and each person's record kept with each answering for life and testimony is applied in asking how one's record stands, and the verse presents heavenly judgment with opened records faithfully recording character, where probation choices shape destiny.
The verse shows heaven keeps books of each life record that becomes unchangeable at death, making life solemn, yet a life closing in penitence and confession can be accepted by the pitying Redeemer and the person sleeps in Jesus.
The verse shows heaven keeps books writing deeds against a person, so each life's history and conduct, whether seeking others' good or disregarding it and whether self-love or unselfishness governs, creates a record painful to face when judgment convenes if God's law is broken by living for self.

The verse shows deeds and words recorded in heaven's books, where actions under a cloak of righteousness are entered as grievous sins, and selfish indulgence and every business transaction including money diverted for ambition will be seen in a different light when judgment sits.
The verse shows judgment deals with a written record reproducing character exactly, with a witness to all works and an eye like flame laying bare thoughts to inspection, so each must meet the record of his own life.
The verse shows a heavenly judgment with opened books examining deeds, where a clean record depends on doing right during probationary time before it closes, and life is probationary and each will be judged according to opportunities received, so every moment should be used with that judgment in view.
The verse shows heavenly judgment examining life records with actions weighed and moral worth measured, the record presented daily whether good or evil, and character weighed in the sanctuary and those failing to overcome defects are placed under Wanting, yet the decision is not yet final for defects can still be redeemed by continuous effort.
The verse shows the heavenly judgment in session with the Judge examining life records, bringing words and actions clearly before people and revealing sins and neglect of warnings, making them answerable for trust and for presuming on mercy.

The verse shows the judgment set with all judged according to deeds, and as judgment nears true character and company become clear, and God sifts His people separating those rejecting correction from the faithful, and false accusations do not change standing unless they lead nearer to Christ.
The verse shows a named individual will be judged by what is written, and continued sin without repentance and reform brings condemnation, and people are held accountable according to works, facing those they neglected, envied or harmed.
The verse shows judgment sitting with records before it in which each person's words and actions are examined and each receives according to deeds done in the body, so life should be lived with that judgment in view, and the verse shows courts where each will be rewarded according to works, calling for living now as one would wish to have lived then and drawing nigh to God daily.
The verse shows the heavenly judgment takes place before God with countless attendants and books opened containing neglected duties, selfishness, deception and fraud, and this record is brought to light in the final judgment when Christ comes to reward each according to works.
The verse shows judgment set with books opened recording each person's words and conduct, so people should speak and act as they will not be ashamed to meet and should reflect Christ's example, and the heavenly court records words and actions, and those taking part in wrongdoing remain accountable until they confess and repent.

In the heavenly judgment the selfishness of giving disproportionate support to some lines while neglecting others is written, and those passing by destitute fields must answer on the day of judgment, and waste, selfish neglect and petty dishonesty are entered under selfishness.
The heavenly judgment with books opened prompts solemn personal review in which each must ask how the case stands and whether the name is written in heaven including the Lamb's book, and the heavenly judgment with opened books records deeds of those persisting carelessly in sin, and their characters are weighed in the sanctuary.
The judgment sitting confronts those rejecting repeated warnings and refusing instruction with the record of rebellion written before God, and every case is judged by the record, the impenitent face stored wrath, mercy will no longer plead, and refusing the present invitation leaves no second probation.
The judgment set with books opened registers that each person's whole life will be revealed, and those following Satan's deceptions will see the evil fruit and understand what breaking commandments means.
People's daily actions are recorded and will be met again, making each accountable for how they live, and deeds recorded help determine destiny.

The verse shows judgment set and books opened, making it important to talk of Jesus and His love, live hid with Christ, and diligently make calling and election sure, and counselors must make sure of work for their own souls because each will answer to God and may be found wanting.
The judgment is soon to sit with books opened and time very short, with every person judged by what is written so each must ask how his record stands, examining whether he sought dignity or sought to follow Jesus and whether talents were improved.
The judgment requires answering for life, so parents must reform and gain Christian experience before too late, wrong traits must be put away here to become like Jesus, for carrying them to heaven would mar its peace and leave no part in immortal life, and thorough work for eternity is required now with not one duty left undone, so none is found wanting when judgment sits.
The books record events preceding the great day of God when the heavenly judgment begins.
The books opened in judgment reveal the record of daily life including whether conduct and appearance represent or misrepresent Christ, calling each person to humble the heart before God.
The heavenly books opened at judgment include the book of remembrance which will reveal God's long-suffering and, when every case is decided, the full responsibility each person bears including the influence that person could have had on others by standing with Christ.

Christ's Closing Ministry

The heavenly court convening with countless attendants and opened books points to the final work of Christ, the great High Priest, in the heavenly sanctuary where He ministers and intercedes for His people. That scene is connected with Jesus' entrance into the Most Holy Place, where He stands before the Father. The judgment is underway while His intercession continues in the sanctuary, with the sins of penitent believers being removed from the sanctuary. At the same time God's people on earth are to undergo a special work of purification and put away sin.

The final giving of rewards to the loyal righteous and of punishment to the disobedient, disloyal and unrighteous requires the unerring decision of One who has lived in humanity, loved humanity and given His life for humanity. Therefore the Son of God is entrusted with fully measuring every individual's actions and responsibility, including the responsibility of each person's influence. For those who have shared in the sins of others and acted against God's decision the scene will be most awfully solemn. At that judgment when the books are opened Christ's followers receive the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, gives on that day. The great Judge pronounces approval with "well done" and places immortal glory on the victor before the assembled universe.

Those who receive the crown will publicly honor their mothers, acknowledging that their instruction and prayers, blessed by God and through His grace, helped lead them to eternal salvation. The heavenly judgment with opened books is connected with the great day of atonement as a time of examination and confession of sins. It is a time when people are to remove wrongs between one another and seek to meet God's standard. The judgment is now set with the books opened where Jesus is in the sanctuary in the great day of atonement, and the cases of all will be brought up in this investigative judgment which has begun or will soon begin for the living.

Overcoming, sincere repentance and forsaking of every sin must therefore be done in this life. Pardon will be written against names in the books of heaven. But those charged with unconfessed sin, including transgression of the seventh commandment, will have their names blotted from the book of life and their lot with adulterers and liars.

Solemn Call to Prepare

The court is sitting and the books are opened, and every person has a case pending before God to face the great Judge and at the end of the days to stand in his appointed lot, a solemn reality that calls for careful attention and readiness toward Christ's work as High Priest. Every mind should often contemplate that solemn scene, for each has a soul to save or to lose with a case pending to meet the Judge face to face. What is at stake is not houses and lands, bank-stock or wheat-fields, or even this life, but souls for whom Christ died. All daily met are bound for that judgment either to live offering praise to God and the Lamb through ceaseless ages or to perish with the wicked, and testimony there will witness against unfaithfulness and misleading example or for fidelity that encouraged others in righteousness, calling now for sacrifice for their salvation.

Every case is tried by God's moral standard, the law, and each is judged according to deeds done in the body to meet righteousness without spot or wrinkle. The judgment is now set and in session in the sanctuary above in the closing work of atonement, the great antitypical day of atonement, in progress for more than sixty years, examining every life in review in the awful presence of God with close and searching scrutiny, nation by nation yet each as if alone. Names are retained in the book of life only where there is afflicting of soul before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance, deep faithful searching of heart, putting away of a light frivolous spirit, and earnest warfare to subdue evil tendencies, since purity and devotion are individual and one cannot offset another's lack. Soon the judgment will pass from the dead to the cases of the living, so the time demands watching and praying above all other times.

The judgment points to a final review of character deciding fitness to enter the city of God, and those expecting Christ must prepare by purifying souls through obedience to the truth and making characters clean through the blood of the Lamb, for judgment and coming are near. In that great day of God's preparation each case is examined to decide eternity and lot and place, and to stand those who know present truth must consecrate soul, body and spirit to God and prepare the people after God's fashion and spiritual mold. They must be a peculiar and holy people separate from fashions and practices of the world in heart, dress, language and every respect, coming out from worldliness in eating, drinking, dressing, appearance and use of money rather than remaining blindfolded, divided in heart, conformed to the world and practicing what Jesus taught not to do. Lives are now under review with the truth of every action passing in review, requiring daily conversion to the mind and will of Christ in order to stand. The present is the investigative judgment with urgent lessons to learn before too late, and preparing a people to stand true to God in it is the purpose of the third angel's message and of the church's institutions and work.

The judgment is now set and the present is surely the great day of atonement, with cases of many even now passing in review before God, including those soon to sleep in their graves a little season. Profession of faith is no guarantee in that day, but the state of the affections decides. Everyone who fears God must therefore humble himself before God, reflect seriously on what he is and what his work and mission is and on which side he is working, see whether the soul temple is cleansed of defilement, confess sins and repent before God that they may be blotted out, put away high self-esteem, be willing to make any and every sacrifice for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and feel every moment he is not his own but Christ's property whose service belongs to God. The beginning of judgment as Judge sits and books open means lives and work for Christ will be brought to account, so His followers should labor for Him and care for souls.

The end of all things is at hand when judgment sits with books opened and every person is judged according to things written in the books. Everyone is making a life history that must one day be reviewed, so each should do dead earnest work now to meet the account with joy and not with grief, living and working as seeing the eternal world with all heavenly intelligences looking on. Every person's case will soon come up in review before God. The records are examined when Christ comes to the name, and each is judged for deeds including every unchristlike word and deed.

Every person's character and motives are weighed as the final Judge examines the record, and to be found wanting is fearful even though the Judge is compassionate and gave His life to save, for the heavenly record makes no mistake or exception for family ties. Those who know the truth but do not live by it face being weighed in the sanctuary and found wanting, for having light and knowledge brings responsibility to practice the truth. The judgment is a solemn day when books are opened and every account examined, underscoring the need to work faithfully now since people will be accounted for and the outcome revealed. Heavenly books record each person's character and deeds, and God sees and discerns everything in secret as well as in daylight. Because Jesus Christ is present as witness to every word and every action is registered in heaven, realizing this restrains wrongdoing and leads to careful treatment of God's messengers rather than making their way hard.