1 GOD’S MERCIFUL JUDGEMENTGOD’S MERCIFUL JUDGEMENT Lesson # 15Lesson # 15

2 In the last lesson we discovered that the judgement has already begun in Heaven. The word JUDGEMENT fills the mind with questions: Who will be judged? How is evidence gathered? Must I defend myself with my stammering mouth or does Heaven provide legal help?

3 Who decides satan’s sentence? Why does God need a judgement anyway? Doesn’t He already know everything about everyone? Do I have even the slightest chance of being pronounced innocent in the judgement - in light of my conduct?Who decides satan’s sentence? Why does God need a judgement anyway? Doesn’t He already know everything about everyone? Do I have even the slightest chance of being pronounced innocent in the judgement - in light of my conduct?

4 The judgement is such a crucial part of God’s great plan that Holy Scriptures refer to it nearly 1,000 times. Revelation proclaim God’s judgement loudly! May God’s Spirit impress us as we study this vital topic.

5 1.Who will face Heaven’s judgement? 2 Cor. 5:10 Answer: “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

6 2.When did the judgement begin in Heaven? Daniel 8:14

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8 Note: The judgement began in Jesus then entered the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary to begin the heavenly Day of Atonement. Rev. 11:19 fits the same time period. It also speaks of the judgement beginning in Heaven.Note: The judgement began in Jesus then entered the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary to begin the heavenly Day of Atonement. Rev. 11:19 fits the same time period. It also speaks of the judgement beginning in Heaven.

9 3.Who are the judges? Psalm 50:6, John 5:22 Answer: “God is judge Himself.” “For the Father judgeth no man,but hath committed all judgement to the Son.”

10 Note: Though God presides at the judgement, He has turned over the leading role to His Son. Is Jesus your friend? If he is our friend, it is exciting to know that we will have our best and truest friends (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) as our judges!

11 4.What attitude do the Father and the Son have toward us? Answer: John 16:27 “For the Father Himself loveth you…” 1Tim, 2:3,4 “God our Saviour…would have all men to be saved.”

12 The Three Phases of God’s Judgement Ο1.Phase # 1: Pre-Second Advent Judgement. Ο2. Phase # 2: Judgement During the 1,000 Years. Ο3. Phase # 3: Judgement at the Close of the 1,000 Years.

13 Pre-Advent Judgement Phase # 1: Pre-Advent Judgement 5.Who faces God in the Pre-Advent judgement? 1 Peter 4:175.Who faces God in the Pre-Advent judgement? 1 Peter 4:17 Answer:Answer: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

14 Note: The house of God is His church (1 Tim. 3:15).(1 Tim. 3:15). The judgment now in progress centers first on those who have confessed themselves to be God’s servants.

15 6.Who is the advocate or attorney for the righteous? 1 John 2:1, Heb. 9:24 “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”“And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

16 Note: It seems incredible, but our judge is also our advocate. Praise God! The Bible is clear that He is merciful and faithful (Heb. 2:17,18). He who gave His life for us now serves as our attorney to represent us in Heaven.

17 7.What evidence is considered in the judgement? Eccl. 12:14 (v.13) “God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Matt. 12:36

18 8.What is God’s standard in the judgement? James 2:10-12 “…they… shall be judged by the law of liberty.”“…they… shall be judged by the law of liberty.”

19 Note: The ten commandments are God’s standard in the judgement. This is logical because God’s law is His standard of conduct for our lives today. Transgression of God’s law is sin (1 John 3:4).(1 John 3:4).

20 God’s Great Record Books 9.The angels keep the records. What book is most important?9.The angels keep the records. What book is most important? Rev. 3:5Rev. 3:5 Answer:“The book of life.”Answer: “The book of life.”

21 Note: Book of LifeNote: When we accept Jesus as our Saviour from sin, then our names are recorded in Jesus’ great Book of Life. If our names remain then we too will have entrance into the City of God (Rev. 21:27; Luke 10:20; Heb. 12:23).(Rev. 21:27; Luke 10:20; Heb. 12:23).

22 10.What is the source of evidence in the judgement? Rev. 20:12. Answer:Answer: “The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the book.”“The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the book.”

23 Note: The records are accurate and complete. They even contain our thoughts and motives.Note: The records are accurate and complete. They even contain our thoughts and motives.

24 11.Who presents the case against us? Zech. 3:1,2 Answer: Satan, the dragon, that old serpent, the accuser of the brethren, the father of lies, the wicked & evil one, called the devil.

25 Note: Satan, the old accuser of the brethren (Rev.12:10) who disputed with God regarding the body of Moses (Jude 9) and who made wild accusations against Job, is the enemy who accuses us.Note: Satan, the old accuser of the brethren (Rev.12:10) who disputed with God regarding the body of Moses (Jude 9) and who made wild accusations against Job, is the enemy who accuses us.

26 12.While judgement proceeds in Heaven, what happens on earth? Rev. 11:18,19 “The nations were angry …” “…and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth.” Atomic Bomb Explosion

27 Note: This is true today. The nations are angry. Mankind is capable of destroying the earth with NUCLEAR weapons.This is true today. The nations are angry. Mankind is capable of destroying the earth with NUCLEAR weapons.

28 13.Does God need books or a judgment to find out about me? 1 Kings 8:39; John 3:18; 2 Tim. 2:19 Answer: No! God knows “the hearts of all the children of men.”

29 Note:Note: The judgement is for the benefit of others. The Bible says sinners are already condemned before God. It is us who need to know why God saves some and destroys others.The judgement is for the benefit of others. The Bible says sinners are already condemned before God. It is us who need to know why God saves some and destroys others.

30 Phase # 2: Judgement During the 1000 Years 14.When will the wicked be judged? Rev. 20:414.When will the wicked be judged? Rev. 20:4 “And judgement was given unto them … and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”“And judgement was given unto them … and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

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32 15.Who helps judge the wicked, including satan and his angels? 1 Cor. 6:2,3 “The saints shall judge the world … we shall judge angels.”

33 Note: This judgement is for the benefit of the righteous. Many will be lost whom the righteous thought were good Christians. Looking on the records will remove doubt of God’s fairness. It will be seen that the lost chose to ignore God’s many loving appeals and persisted in sin.

34 Phase # 3: Judgement at the Close of the 1000 Years 16.Will every person who has ever lived stand before God in judgement?16.Will every person who has ever lived stand before God in judgement? Matt. 25:31-46Matt. 25:31-46 “And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another.”“And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another.”

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36 17.What will everyone know when God announces rewards and punishments? Rev. 15:3,4; Rom.2:5; 1 Cor. 4:5 “Thy judgements are made manifest.”

37 Note: Everyone -the lost, the redeemed and the angels- will clearly know because God’s judgements are made manifest.Note: Everyone -the lost, the redeemed and the angels- will clearly know because God’s judgements are made manifest.

38 Assurance of Salvation Now 18. Since I must face judgement, can I have assurance of salvation now? Dan. 7:22; Rev. 3:5. Answer: “I will not blot out his name from the book of life.”

39 Note: God promises to pronounce favorable sentence on all who truly love Him. He says you will “overcome” or be vindicated when you are judged. Romans 3:4.Note: God promises to pronounce favorable sentence on all who truly love Him. He says you will “overcome” or be vindicated when you are judged. Romans 3:4.

40 19.When are sins blotted out of God’s record? Acts 3: “Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.”“Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.” Lot’s wife.

41 Note: Sins, although forgiven, remains on the books of record until Jesus returns so that no one can accuse God of a cover up.

42 God’s People Teach Judgement When we compare Rev.10:1-3 and Rev. 1:13-15 with Dan. 10:5,6 we discover that these passages refer to the same heavenly being. This being told Daniel to close or seal his book of Daniel until the time of the end. Daniel 12:4. This same being came to John with a prophecy showing that the book would be open. The “time of the end” (Dan.12:4-9) specifically refers to the 1260 years (time,times & 1/2 a time) of Papal persecution (A.D ).

43 The book of Daniel was not to be opened until after after 1798, which begins the time of the end.The book of Daniel was not to be opened until after after 1798, which begins the time of the end. In the early 1840’s Christian people all over the world began to study the prophecies of the books of Daniel and Revelation, and especially the 2300-year Judgement Hour prophecy of Daniel 8 & 9. They figured the date correctly but the event wrong.In the early 1840’s Christian people all over the world began to study the prophecies of the books of Daniel and Revelation, and especially the 2300-year Judgement Hour prophecy of Daniel 8 & 9. They figured the date correctly but the event wrong.

44 They thought 1844 referred to the second coming of Jesus, instead of the beginning of God’s judgement in Heaven. When Jesus did not return, the disappointment was bitter. In Rev. 10 God pictures this disappointment by asking the prophet John to eat the book of Daniel, which had been closed but was now open (v. 8). It was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, as was the disappointment when Jesus did not return in 1844.They thought 1844 referred to the second coming of Jesus, instead of the beginning of God’s judgement in Heaven. When Jesus did not return, the disappointment was bitter. In Rev. 10 God pictures this disappointment by asking the prophet John to eat the book of Daniel, which had been closed but was now open (v. 8). It was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, as was the disappointment when Jesus did not return in 1844.

45 20.What was the church to do after the disappointment? Rev. 10:11 “Thou must prophesy again before many nations and kindreds and kings.”“Thou must prophesy again before many nations and kindreds and kings.”

46 Note: God told His people they must take the truth about this prophecy to the entire world.Note: God told His people they must take the truth about this prophecy to the entire world.

47 21.What must God’s church preach as part of the everlasting gospel? Rev.14:6,7 “Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgement is come.”“Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgement is come.”

48 Note: God mandates that this church must include in the gospel the wonderful truth that the judgement is now in session in Heaven. In saving lost sinners God has put himself on trial. The church’s work today is to let the world know the truth about the beautiful character of a loving God.

49 God’s Judgement is Fair and Final 22.How will men and angels praise God for His justice? Rev.16:7; 19:2; 15:3 They shall say, “true and righteous are thy judgements.”

50 23.How will everyone express their feelings about Jesus? Phil. 2:10,11 “That at the name of Jesus,every knee should bow... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” JESUS IS LORD!!

51 Note: Everyone who has ever lived will stand before God at the end of the 1000 years. The saved of all ages stand before purified by Jesus’ Righteousness. They are proof of power to restore God’s image in man. Never again will questions be raised regarding God’s character or His handling of the problem of sin. The lost, satan, his angels and man, all confess their guilt and proclaim God’s absolute justice in the final judgement.

52 24.How can I have Jesus for my attorney? 1 John 2:1,2; Rev.3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” I must open my heart to Him.I must open my heart to Him.

53 25.Are you willing to be totally committed to Jesus so He can represent you in the judgement?25.Are you willing to be totally committed to Jesus so He can represent you in the judgement?