Understanding the Timing of the Blotting Out of Sins

The blotting out of sin takes place during the investigative judgment in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, a process that began in the autumn of 1844 at the end of the 2300-day prophecyGCB April 2, 1903, page 53.10+2. This work is the final ministry of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, and occurs just before His second adventJEO 76.1+2.

The Timing of the Blotting Out

While forgiveness is available to everyone immediately upon repentance and confession, the literal blotting out of the record of sin is a distinct event reserved for the closing work of the heavenly sanctuaryGCB April 2, 1903, page 53.10+2.

• The Beginning of the Work: This specific ministration began in 1844, when Christ entered the second apartment of the heavenly temple to perform the investigative judgment1SM 125.1+2.

• The Sequence of Judgment: The process starts with the righteous dead and will eventually pass to the cases of the livingTDOC 150.2+2.

• The Point of Decision: Sins are blotted out only after a person's case has been examined and they are found to be an overcomerEVRR116+2.

• Completion of Probation: The blotting out occurs at the close of human probation, marking the final conclusion of Christ’s work as a mediatorSOTC 40.1+2.

Biblical Foundations for this Timing

The scriptures provide clear markers for when this transition in Christ's ministry occurs and its relationship to the end of time.

• Refreshing from the Lord: The apostle Peter links the blotting out of sins to the "times of refreshing" that come from the presence of the Lord just before Jesus is sent the second time Acts 3:19-20.

• The Day of Atonement: In the typical service, which was a shadow of the heavenly reality, the blotting out of sins occurred only once a year on the tenth day of the seventh month Leviticus 16:29-34SC3 201.3+1.

• The Hour of Judgment: This work is announced by the first angel’s message, which declares that the hour of God's judgment "is come" Revelation 14:7GC 352.2.

• Finality: Once the last sin is blotted out and the sanctuary is cleansed, the decree is issued that "he that is righteous, let him be righteous still" Revelation 22:11ARSH April 8, 1858, page 164.5.

Spiritual Significance

The blotting out of sin is not merely a legal transaction but a complete removal of the record and nature of sin from the believerARSH September 30, 1902, page 8.6+1. It prepares the people of God to stand in His immediate presence without a mediator when Christ's intercession ceasesGCB April 2, 1903, page 53.10+1. Because this judgment is currently in progress, it is of the utmost importance that we individually afflict our souls, confess our sins, and perfect holiness in the fear of God1SM 125.1+2. This ensures that when our names are called in the heavenly court, our sins will be blotted out rather than our names being removed from the book of lifeBDOC 20.39+2.