Truth For These Times

16. THE JUDGMENT

In order to experience the full benefits of the Gospel, we must appreciate the work that Jesus has done for
us in the past, and the work that He will do for us in the future, but most of all, we must be aware of the
work that He is doing for us NOW! If Christianity is to be for us a saving, satisfying, keeping power, we
must know Christ in the present tense.

In our last study we saw the Bible’s longest time prophecy, reaching down to the year 1844. In this year
the preaching of God’s last message to mankind began, the message of the three angels of Revelation 14.
Also, Christ began a new phase of His mediatorial work in heaven.

Daniel 8:13,14 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one
who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices
and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to
be trampled under foot?” And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred
days; THEN THE SANCTUARY SHALL BE CLEANSED.”

The word “cleansed” reads “justified” in the margin. This indicates judgment. To understand the
implications of the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven, we must first understand the operation and
significance of God’s sanctuary on earth.

Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and WITHOUT
SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO REMISSION.

The Old Testament sanctuary services centred around the sacrificing of animals to show the need of
shedding blood for the forgiveness of sins. If no blood was shed then no forgiveness was obtained. The
blood of the animals represented the blood of Christ. In order for the sinner to be “cleansed”, the shed
blood was vital.

Exodus 25:8,9 AND LET THEM MAKE ME A

SANCTUARY, THAT I MAY DWELL
AMONG THEM. According to all that I
show you, that is, the pattern of the
tabernacle and the pattern of all its
furnishings, just so you shall make it.

The Sanctuary was built as a central place for sacrifice. God

desired to dwell among His people, so the sanctuary was set up,
The whole plan of salvation including the judgment
in order that the people could be cleansed of their sins through was given to Israel in the sanctuary system.
the shedding of blood, thus enabling God to dwell with them.

Hebrews 9:2-7 For A TABERNACLE was prepared: the first part, in which was THE
LAMPSTAND, THE TABLE, and THE SHOWBREAD, which is CALLED THE
SANCTUARY; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is
called the HOLIEST OF ALL, which had the GOLDEN CENSER and THE ARK
OF THE COVENANT overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden

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 Truth for these Times – Lesson 16. The Judgement

pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these
things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things had been thus
prepared, the priests always went into THE FIRST PART OF THE
TABERNACLE, performing the services. But into THE SECOND PART the high
priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and
for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.

This was the sanctuary and its furniture that God instructed the children of Israel to build. Full details are
given in Exodus, chapters 25,26 and 27.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! THE LAMB
OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!”

Animal sacrifices were brought to the sanctuary, but the blood of animals could not atone for sin. The
offerer was in reality expressing faith in the coming Redeemer; Jesus was the real Lamb of God. The
features of the sanctuary were significant in that they represented Jesus.

The Altar of Burnt Offering The cross of Calvary.

The Laver The cleansing work of Christ in the life. (l John 1:7)
The Candlestick Christ, the Light of the world. (John 1:9)
The Table of Shewbread Jesus, the Bread of life. (John 6:48)
The Altar of Incense The righteousness of Jesus, mingled with the prayers of the
people. (Revelation 8:3)
The Ark Mercy for all transgressors of the law who repented.

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 Truth for these Times – Lesson 16. The Judgement

Every day the priests went into the first apartment of the sanctuary to minister, but only once a year did
the High priest enter into the second apartment, which was called the Most Holy Place. This day was
called THE DAY OF ATONEMENT. Atonement means: a covering; to be at one with God; to be
reconciled to Him.

Leviticus 16:29,30 This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the
month, YOU SHALL AFFLICT YOUR SOULS, and do no work at all, whether a
native of your own country or a stranger
who dwells among you. For on that day
THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE
ATONEMENT FOR YOU, to cleanse you,
that you may be clean from all your sins
before the LORD.

Leviticus 23:27 Also the tenth day of this seventh month

shall be the DAY OF ATONEMENT. It
shall be a holy convocation for you; you Priest entering the Most Holy Place on the
shall afflict your souls, and offer an Day of Atonement.
offering made by fire to the LORD.

The people were commanded to “afflict their souls”, (i.e. to examine themselves thoroughly to see if there
was any unconfessed sin, or anything that would separate them from God.) The Day of Atonement was
also a day of judgment to the people. It was not merely a service for the individual, (the daily work cared
for that), but it was for the final disposition of sin. This was the day for the cleansing of the sanctuary.
Through the blood he received forgiveness, thus his guilt was figuratively transferred from himself to the
sanctuary. Any unconfessed sin on the Day of Atonement would render the sinner guilty, and he would
bear the punishment of his own sin. The sinner had been cleansed daily through the year, but the
sanctuary was figuratively bearing the sins of the people. Now, on the Day of Atonement, the sanctuary
itself was to be cleansed .

Leviticus 16:7-10 He shall take the TWO GOATS and present them before the LORD at the door of
the tabernacle of meeting. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for
the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on
which the LORD’s lot fell, and OFFER IT AS A SIN OFFERING. But the goat on
which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD, to
make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the SCAPEGOAT INTO THE
WILDERNESS.

On the Day of Atonement, two goats were used in the service, one
for the Lord and one for Azazel. The Lord’s goat was slain
representing Christ making a full atonement for the sins of the
people. Hebrews 10:12. The other goat represented Satan bearing
responsibility for his part in sin. The priest placed his hands on the
head of the scapegoat, confessed the sins of Israel, and then the
goat was led into the wilderness. Leviticus 16:21,22. The guilt of
Priest transferring sins to the Azazel goat sin, in type, was entirely removed from Israel, the sanctuary was
in the Day of Atonement ritual. cleansed, and the work of atonement for the sin of the people was
completed.

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 Truth for these Times – Lesson 16. The Judgement

Some ask, did not the blood of the first goat, representing Christ’s sacrifice, fully atone for the sin of the
people? Yes, of course. Then, why was the second goat necessary? The scapegoat represented Satan, the
instigator of all sin. He has a definite responsibility for the sins that men commit. The blood of Christ
does not atone for Satan’s share of the responsibility and guilt. Satan must yet answer for his part in the
sin of man. He will ultimately suffer for his own guilt in leading men into sin. He is the one primarily
responsible.

Revelation 14:6,7 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst

of heaven, having the EVERLASTING
GOSPEL to preach to those who dwell on
the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and
people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God
and give glory to Him, for THE HOUR OF
HIS JUDGMENT HAS COME; and worship
Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and
springs of water.”
The Three Angels of Revelation 14.

The time prophecy of Daniel 8:14 – the sanctuary shall be cleansed, or justified – was fulfilled in 1844. It
was at this time that the three angels’ messages of this chapter were first preached with power. The
message proclaimed was the everlasting gospel – the gospel that saved people before the cross is the same
gospel that saves people after the cross. (See Hebrews 4:2). However, here we notice a special message
from God sounding forth – the hour of His judgment HAS COME – not coming. Bible writers in the early
church spoke of judgment to come – Acts 24:25, but here is a special message that judgment is here. Now
the jigsaw is fitting together. The hour of judgment commenced at the fulfilment of the 2,300 years in
1844, which is the “cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary”. The Day of Atonement was a day of judgment.
1844 commenced the judgment in heaven.

Daniel 7:9-10 I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His
garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His
throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued and came
forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand
times ten thousand stood before Him. THE COURT WAS SEATED, AND THE
BOOKS WERE OPENED.

The judgment began in 1844 is an “investigative judgment”, similar to judgment in court. The “executive
judgment”, when sinners are destroyed takes place at the end of the world. This can be paralleled to a man
facing the death sentence for his crime. He has been tried, (investigation), found guilty, (declaration or
sentence) and put to death (execution or punishment).

Hebrews 8:1,2 Now this is the main point of the things

we are saying: We have such a HIGH PRIEST, who is seated
AT 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 ERECTED, and not man.

Here is pictured the heavenly sanctuary with Christ as the High

Priest, sitting on the right hand of the throne. It is not the earthly
sanctuary, but the heavenly, which the Lord erected.

Christ is now in heaven interceding for us

while the Judgment takes place.

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 Truth for these Times – Lesson 16. The Judgement

Hebrews 9:23,24 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be
purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than
these. For CHRIST has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are
copies of the true, but into heaven itself, NOW TO APPEAR IN THE PRESENCE
OF GOD FOR US;

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the

uttermost those who come to God through
Him, since HE ALWAYS LIVES TO
MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM.

What is Christ doing in the heavenly sanctuary? He is our

Mediator. Just as the High Priest mediated for the people of
Israel, so Christ intercedes for us today. His blood shed on
Calvary is our guarantee of our acceptance. He is our Redeemer,
but He is also our Mediator. After His ascension, He began His If we have accepted Christ as our Saviour, we
heavenly ministry. are assured of victory in the Judgment.

Hebrews 8:5 Who serve the copy and SHADOW OF

THE HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about
to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you MAKE ALL THINGS
ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN shown you on the mountain.”

The earthly sanctuary was a type or shadow, or pattern of the great heavenly sanctuary. The ministry of
priests in the earthly sanctuary was a picture of God’s great ministry in heaven after His ascension.

Hebrews 9:11,12 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and
more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with
the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood HE ENTERED THE MOST
HOLY PLACE once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Christ entered into the Holy Place, or first part of the sanctuary when He went to heaven. (The translators
of the NKJV have incorrectly translated the Greek to read Most Holy Place.) This is where the priests on
earth ministered daily, but the MOST HOLY was entered once a year on the Day of Atonement or
Judgment. As there came a Day of Atonement in the earthly sanctuary, so there came a day of judgment
in the heavenly sanctuary. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary began at the close of the 2,300 day
prophecy. Thus in 1844 Christ commenced the last phase of His ministry in heaven. He moved from the
Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary to the Most Holy Place, and commenced His work of investigative
judgment.

Revelation 11:18,19 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, AND THE TIME OF THE
DEAD, THAT THEY SHOULD BE JUDGED, And that You
should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those
who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those
who destroy the earth. Then the temple of God was opened in
heaven, and THE ARK OF HIS COVENANT was seen IN HIS
TEMPLE. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an
earthquake, and great hail.

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 Truth for these Times – Lesson 16. The Judgement

The judgment of the dead is pictured here, paralleling the time of judgment at the close of the 2,300 day
prophecy in 1844. Notice also that the ark of His testament is mentioned. The ark contained God’s law in
the Old Testament sanctuary. The testament has definite reference to the Ten Commandments.

James 2:10-12 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of
all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now
if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor
of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

The law referred to here is the Ten Commandments. Verse 12

shows clearly God’s standard for judgment – the Ten
Commandments.

In summary, the earthly sanctuary was a pattern of the

heavenly sanctuary. The first apartment entered daily by the
priests on earth parallels the first apartment in heaven, where
Christ entered after His ascension. The Most Holy Place on
earth was entered on the day of judgment, and in heaven Christ
entered the Most Holy Place at the commencement of the
investigative judgment in fulfilment of the 2,300 day prophecy.
The standard of Judgment – God’s Law.
The two goats on earth represented:

1. The Lord’s goat, which was sacrificed, representing Christ’s sacrifice.

2. The scapegoat or Azazeal, representing Satan.

At the close of the investigative judgment in heaven Christ will lay aside His priestly work, and as King,
comes forth from the heavenly sanctuary, leaving the confessed sins of His redeemed people. These will
be placed on the head of Satan, the great instigator of all evil. As the scapegoat was led away into a
desolate place, so Satan will be placed into the bottomless pit. Revelation 20:1-3. He is finally consigned
to the lake of fire and brimstone, where he will perish. In this manner the cleansing of the sanctuary is
complete, and sin is finished forever.

How will you stand in the judgment?

I John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if
anyone sins, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS Christ
the righteous.

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his
name from the Book of Life; but I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME BEFORE My
FATHER and before His angels.

If our lives are hid in our Saviour, we have no need to fear the
judgment. We are His special children, and He will uphold us
before the Father. Our names are in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 22:11,12 HE WHO IS UNJUST, LET HIM BE

UNJUST STILL; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; HE WHO
IS RIGHTEOUS, LET HIM BE RIGHTEOUS STILL; he who is

Christ will cover us in the Judgment.

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 Truth for these Times – Lesson 16. The Judgement

holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is
with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

The judgment will close just before Jesus’ Second Coming. Then all cases will be sealed for eternity. It
will be too late to change then. There will be no second chance. We must make sure of Christ, and follow
His truth NOW.

Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary

Judgement Second Coming

1844 of Jesus

Christ in the Holy Place Christ in the

Most Holy Place

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 Review Sheet – The Judgement
Assignment: Read the Bible study carefully before answering the following questions.
1. When does the Bible say the cleansing of the sanctuary will take place? Daniel 8:14
“For two thousand three hundred days; .”

2. What did God command the children of Israel to build? Exodus 25:8
And let them , .

3. What did each article of furniture in the sanctuary represent?

1) The altar – The .
2) The laver – The .
3) The candlestick – , .
4) The table of shewbread – , .
5) The altar of incense – The , mingled with the .

.
6) The ark – .

4. On what day was the earthly sanctuary cleansed once each year? Leviticus 16:29,30;23:27
Shall be the .

5. What two goats were used on this special day? Leviticus 16:7-10
1) The 2) The .

6. The cleansing of the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement, being a day of judgment for Israel, parallels the
investigative judgment, or cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary at the close of the 2,300 days, which
occurred in 1844. How does Revelation 14:6,7 indicate the arrival of the investigative judgment?
Give glory to him, for ;

7. What special work does Jesus do in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 8:1,2
We have such a , … a minister of … which the Lord erected.

8. What does Christ do for His followers in the heavenly sanctuary Hebrews 7:25?
He always .

9. Where did Christ begin His work in the heavenly sanctuary after His resurrection? Hebrews 9:11,12
He entered .

10. Into what section of the sanctuary did Christ go at the beginning of the judgment in 1844?
Revelation 11:18,19
And the time of the dead … .

was seen in his temple.

Note: The ark was in the Most Holy Place in the earthly sanctuary Christ therefore transferred to the Most Holy
Place in the heavenly sanctuary in 1844.

11. Have we any need to fear the judgement? 1 John 2:1

If anyone sins, , .

12. When Jesus finishes His work in the Most Holy Place, will there be a second chance? Revelation 22:11,12
He who is unjust, ; … and he who is righteous , .

Are you thankful that Jesus intercedes for you in the Judgment? .
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