Friday: Further Thought ~ The Judging Process
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Without a Wedding Garment,” Pages 307-319, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “Desolation of the Earth,” Pages 653-661; “The Controversy Ended,” Pages 662-673, in The Great Controversy.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“In the day of final judgment, every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth. The cross will be presented, and its real bearing will be seen by every mind that has been blinded by transgression. Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim, sinners will stand condemned. Every lying excuse will be swept away. Human apostasy will appear in its heinous character. Men will see what their choice has been. Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy will then have been made plain. In the judgment of the universe, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin. There was no defect in God’s government, no cause for disaffection. When the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed, both the loyal and the rebellious will unite in declaring, ‘Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? … for Thy judgments are made manifest.’ Revelation 15:3-4.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 58.
Discussion Questions:
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Well, How do you finish a week's lessons on judgment? We have invested a great deal of time in working out when the various phases of judgment take place, who is involved, and what the consequences are.
There is one verse that I think we need to bring into our discussion just to give us a finishing perspective for the week.
In the case of our own judgment, it is helpful for us to know that Jesus is our advocate (barrister). If we have accepted him, we do not stand alone in the judging process.
Within the quotation that is today's lesson we find the following statement:
When you read this statement, what does your mind fill in as the details as to how this condemnation will occur?
Now I would invite you to consider John 3:18:
As you can see, condemned and judged are both conveyed by the same Greek word - hence the varying translation. But look even closer and what do you notice? Those who do not believe (ie, belief accompanied by embracing of what is believed) are condemned/judged already. That is, prior to arriving at the 'judgment'. Now re-read the Ellen White quotation and note how many words describe the process of "the day of judgment": something being understood... presented... seen by every mind that was previously blinded... appear... made plain... demonstrated... revealed... and manifest.
Put these together and what do you observe regarding how God conducts judgment? Revealing of what is already the case?
For those who are interested in extending this exploration a little further, I invite you to notice John 3:19 carefully. What kind of a 'verdict' is being delivered?
So, by way of a concluding reflection at the end of this week's lesson, are God's ways more or less alike our human ways? I will leave you to form your own 'judgment'...
Amen, Phil! Clearly, there will be nothing arbitrary about any of God's decisions, nor ours when we are privileged to participate in the judgment. The results will all have been inherent in the choices made, and in the characters developed, during the lifetimes of those being judged for better or for worse. For those who have rejected the grace of Christ, nothing more could have been done, and seeing them get what's coming to them will certainly not give God, nor any of us, any pleasure. Ezekiel 18:32
I do not want to dwell on ‘judgment’; I rather want to dwell on the hope contained/implied by 'judgement'. This week’s lessons have shown me that that which I deem the most salient matter in our relationship with God, and which we use the term ‘love’ for, is and leads man to live expressed, spiritual righteousness – His righteousness. For mankind to come into unity with each other under this banner is the gateway to experience the righteousness of the sister/brotherhood of believers, and in that is hope.
As we share our insights and communicate with each other, it is truly remarkable to find that we have learned to speak a new language; the Holy Spirit being our common interpreter. We have been inspired/enabled to give the words of our earthly languages an additional meaning as we experience and consider them in their spiritual context.
All the laws of the Creator are based on His Love/Righteousness and therefore the end of the old earth will need to go through ‘a cleansing fire’ when replacing all that is lawless toward His righteousness. The concerns/fears regarding the judgment process is actually, at least for me, not as concerning as is the ‘lukewarmness’/lack of desire to live righteously, giving it our all to live according to God’s revealed truth, now.
Our hunger for a clean heart in which righteousness dwells ought to be our ultimate goal, and our Creator has promised that He will fulfil the desires of our heart –
Amen, Brigitte Humphrey!
After this week's lesson, I am encouraged mostly by the reminder that judgement is
in favor of the surrendered and righteous one. John 3:16
Since we cannot escape Jehovah's disdain for sin; and better yet, since we cannot surpass His all-encompassing desire to save - if we seek to obey Him - let us work out our righteousness without fear of what man can do to us.
Praise God for His justice that rewards, "...according as his [man's] work shall be." Colossians 3:23,24
Praise God for His mercy! He says in Ezekiel 33:11, "As surely as I live, ... I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways
so, they can live."
Praise God for His immeasurable love! In Lamentations 3:22-23 we learn of His never-ending, faithful love.
Love provided eternal life, even before sin and death made its destructive entrance. God/Love ensures ultimate victory.
Praise God!
I was struck by the angst expressed by many during this week’s lesson as they struggled with the doctrine of the “investigative judgment.” It was a reflection of the struggle of many Adventists I have known in my lifetime. This doctrine has led many to destructive “perfectionism” or destroyed their faith in abject hopelessness. I am thankful for Maurice’s citation of 1 John 2.
The Koine Greek word translated as “advocate” is “paraklētos,” which is the exact same word used in John 14:16-17:
Jesus was the first “paraklētos” and propitiation that the Father sent to us concerning our sinful condition (1 John 2:1-2). The objective of the Father and his Son has never changed and will not change: our full and complete deliverance and salvation. And they will never abandon us, especially during our time of “Jacob’s trouble.” (I note that during Jacob’s wrestling match, God was with him “skin to skin”—you cannot get much closer than that.)
This morning, I read an article titled “Perfection Without A Mediator (The Good News)” by David Bissell and recommend it to those feel fear in the pit of their stomachs when they hear the words “investigative judgment” and being “without a mediator.”
The Father and his Son obtained our deliverance at tremendous cost. Their objective is that all mankind would look to their proven love and choose to have life.