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God’s Judgment Part 2: Fear, Glory, and the IJ

God’s Judgment Part 2: Fear, Glory, and the IJ

In this week’s Part 2 blog we will complete our discussion by answering Phyllis’ second and third questions below as well as address her confusion regarding the ‘investigative judgment.’

  1. What is meant in Rev. 6:10 “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”–especially the words “judge” and “avenge”
  2. Rev. 14:7 “Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come” “Fear/respect” and “glory” seem to indicate that this is the time when God will be judging not that we will be judging (deciding for or against) Him? 

I am confused about the investigative judgment and Daniel 7 ad 1844. Can you shed any light on this for me?

Phyllis


Let’s start with Question 3

In order to understand Revelation 14:7 we must first understand the Biblical meaning of several of the words.

Fear in this context is referring to those who will bring God glory, so it is the experience of the saved not the lost. In this case fear is to be understood as awe, admiration, reverence, amazement, wonderment with God’s awesomeness. Fear in this context is not to be understood as terror, dread or anxiety, because the Bible teaches that God is love and perfect love casts out all fear. These people who bring glory to God will know Him and His love and thus not be afraid.

Glory refers to God’s character. In Exodus 33 and 34 God put Moses in the cleft of the rock and had His glory pass before Moses and what was described was not light, fire, or power, but God’s character of love. Therefore, in this context those who bring glory to God are those who reveal God’s character in their lives. Why is this important? What was the war in heaven, initiated by Lucifer, all about?  It is and always has been about Lucifer’s allegation that God could not be trusted. How did Satan spread his rebellion to earth? By deceiving our first parents in regard to God’s trustworthiness.

We are fighting a war over the knowledge of God! Jesus said in John 17:3 that life eternal is “knowing God.” When we know God, are in unity with God, we have life. This is why Satan attacks God’s character because if he can get us to believe lies about God, our connection with God is severed and unless this situation is remedied we will die an eternal death. Paul in Romans chapter one tells us that when we reject the truth about God our minds become darkened, depraved, and foolish. Hebrews tells us that the new covenant experience is when God writes His law on our hearts and minds. When that happens no one will need to say to his brother “know the Lord for all will know me.” (8:10-12). And in Romans 3:4 Paul tells us that God is the One on trial, the One accused, and the One who will be proved innocent:

  • God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:4 KJV
  • May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.” NASB
  • Certainly not! God must be true, even though every human being is a liar. As the scripture says, “You must be shown to be right when you speak; you must win your case when you are being tried.” GNT
  • No! God will continue to be true even when every person is false. As the Scriptures say: “So you will be shown to be right when you speak, and you will win your case.” NCV

Satan lied about God and humanity believed those lies severing our connection with God. Christ came to restore that connection and reverse the damage sin caused humanity. At the end of time, God is calling for a people who know Him, who have rejected the lies Satan has told about Him, who have judged God to be trustworthy, and have thus open their hearts to Him and experience His healing power. Such people will be transformed to live lives of love, revealing God’s character in their lives, thus bringing glory to God! As such they are powerful witnesses to the world and universe of God’s character of love, His methods and principles.

The Investigative Judgment

There are several texts that refer to the same event – Daniel 8:14, Daniel 7:9-14,21,22, Malachi 3:1-4, and the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25. Each of these passages gives insight into the investigative judgment. My description here will not be comprehensive as entire books can be written on this subject. I instead will highlight issues pertinent to your question.

Daniel 8:14 is merely predicting the time this event will begin, no other significant details are given in the 8:14 text.

In Daniel 7 we are given more insight, but what is being described? Because of a preconceived idea that sin and its solution is a legal problem, some commentators have suggested this text is describing a judicial proceeding in heaven in which God is the great Judge who sits down to pronounce judgment upon all mankind, but this passage of Scripture does not actually say that, instead we have to read into the Scripture to come to that conclusion. If we take a more straightforward approach and ask what is being described in the context of the passage another idea emerges

“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened….“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:9,10,13,14

Traditionally, because of the assumption that we are in legal trouble with God, most commentators read a legal meaning into the above passage.  They see the word “court” as a place of judicial rulings, a courtroom. But what is being described is not a judicial proceeding. Instead what is described is a Royal Court!  It is the Royal Court of the universe which is holding the Coronation of Christ! Some are uncomfortable with this conclusion and rest their entire position on the Hebrew word “diyn,” which is translated “court,” claiming this Hebrew word refers to a judicial proceeding. I refer them to The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament published in 1980 by Moody Press, which says:

This word, with its derived noun diyn is nearly identical in meaning with šhaphat  {shaw-fat} (q.v.) and its derived noun mišhpat {mish-pawt} (q.v.). It appears only twenty-three times, a fraction of the times šhaphat and mišhpat appear. Of the twenty-three appearances, five are in parallel with šhaphat (Jer 5:28; 22:16; Prov 31:8; Ps 7:8 [H 9]); 9:8 [H 9]) and twice more it is associated in the text with mišhpat (Ps 72:2; Jer 21:12). Thus nearly a third of its occurrences show how closely the idea of diyn was identified or associated with the root šhaphat. The verb also occurs in Ugaritic and in parallel with tp (the cognate of šhaphat) (Fisher, RSP, vol. I, p. 166). Likewise a similar—nearly identical as far as it goes—list of terms is associated with diyn, demonstrating the near identity of meaning: with mêyšhar {may-shawr} “uprightness,” “equity” (Ps 96:10; cf. Ps 75:2); and with gaša (Ps 54:1 [H 3]; cf. Ps 72:4). As with šhaphat it represents God’s government as both among his people (Israel) and among all peoples (Ps 135:14 “people”; Ps 7:8 [H 9] “peoples” cf Ps 72:2; Ps 9:8 [H 9]). As far as the small number of occurrences allows a test, the range of meanings is exactly the same: to govern, in the whole range of activities of government: legislative, executive, judicial, or otherwise. See the discussion of šhaphat and mišhpat. The difference between the terms is simply that diyn is poetic, probably also an archaic and more elegant term. Of the twenty-three occurrences, only one is outside the Protestant grouping of poetical and poetical-prophetic literature. The exception is the single passive form—a Niphal participle (II Sam 19:9 [H 10]). The chief theological significance of this word is that apparently like šhaphat it embodies the idea of government, in whatever realm, in all its aspects.[1]

Therefore, I believe that the above credible authority on Hebrew supports “diyn” as I have rendered it above. Once we recognize that the court seated is the Royal Court of the universe convening for the governmental action of coronating Christ, we can more clearly understand what occurs during the investigative judgment.

Daniel 7:21,22 gives insight:

As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

The above rendering is from the NIV which many, who assume the legal model, prefer. But does the meaning of the passage change when we read from the King James Version?

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Daniel 7:22

Which translation is more accurate? The Hebrew word translated “pronounced” actually means “to give” or “to impart” and thus the KJV would be more accurate in this context. Why do the saints of God need judgment (another word for discernment) imparted to them? The Daniel text tells us the horn warred against the saints and was defeating them. What kind of warfare was going on?

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:3-5

What kind of war? Where is it being fought? This is a war between truth and lies, centering on God’s character, and being fought in our minds! Amazingly, Paul makes the connection to the cleansing of the Temple even closer and shows how the Temple is connected to this war going on in our minds:

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2Thes 2:1-4

Paul is describing the exact same events as Daniel 7 in which evil powers war against the saints and oppose God. In the aftermath of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, did this man of lawlessness ride into heaven overthrow God, set himself up in God’s temple in heaven, and proclaim himself to be God? No, where did this happen? In the Spirit Temple! In our minds! Therefore, the cleansing of the temple, as described in the Bible, is the cleansing of our minds from the lies about God, which wins us back to trust and results in our cleansing from sin.

Daniel is told in vision that an evil power would arise that would lie, distort, misrepresent God, and defile the Spirit Temple by getting humans to accept, worship, and teach a false picture of God. According to our understanding of interpreting prophetic time, it would take 2,300 years before enough truth would be recovered for Christ to empower His people on earth with judgment (discernment) to break free from the lies and be cleansed in their minds and characters.

All of this is confirmed for us by the other text describing the same event as Daniel 8:14, Malachi 3:1-3:

Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.  But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.

What is getting cleansed during the investigative judgment? The Levites.  And who are the Levites? The Priesthood of believers (1Pet 2:5,9).

God is cleansing His people from what? 1) the lies about Him which keep us from trusting Him and 2) when we are won back to trust, He cleanses us from sin. God writes His law of love into our hearts. He restores His character of righteousness in us. This is what is happening during the investigative judgment.

How does this happen? By our investigating the truth about God as revealed in Christ, rejecting the lies, and clinging to the truth and trusting God!

Many have a very difficult time with this truth, because certain Bible passages are misunderstood, such as:

  • As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord. Ezekiel 20:36
  • You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Romans 14:10
  • For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10
  • Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 1Peter 1:17
  • And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12

Traditionally, these texts are interpreted to mean that God’s judgment determines our destiny, either saved or lost, in the form of an arbitrary decision on His part. But this is not the case. God’s judgment is merely the accurate diagnosis of our condition, either healed and restored to Christlikeness or incurable. An example of God’s judgment is found in Hosea 4:17:

Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

What is God’s judgment in this case? Ephraim cannot be separated from his idols, so leave him the way he is. What determines our eternal destiny is not God’s judgment upon us, but our judgment of God, which in turn makes us either fit or unfit for living in God’s system of other-centered love. If we judge God trustworthy, then we open our heart and His Spirit heals us from sin. If, instead, we accept Satan’s lies and judge God as untrustworthy, then we keep our heart closed and eventually move ourselves beyond His healing reach. One day all will stand in God’s presence and their true condition will be revealed – this is God’s judgment. Jesus describes this reality:

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37

It is our very condition that determines our eternal destiny. We cannot make ourselves good. We can only be made good by the power of God working in us. And what determines whether God’s power is experienced within our hearts and minds? Whether we trust God and open our heart to Him or not.

This reality is stated beautifully in the book The Great Controversy:

Like the waters of the Flood the fires of the great day declares the verdict that the wicked are incurable. They have no disposition to submit to divine authority. Their will has been exercised in revolt; and when life is ended, it is too late to turn the current of their thoughts in the opposite direction, too late to turn from transgression to obedience, from hatred to love.  GC 543.1

Does God’s verdict make the wicked incurable or does God’s verdict merely pronounce the reality that already exists in the hearts and minds of the lost – that they are incurable?

We do not need to fear God who is trying to save and heal us; we need to fear sin, which if unremedied, destroys us!

And finally Question 2

Regarding Revelation 6:10 our own Bible Commentary does a very nice job of interpreting the meaning. After pointing out that what John was seeing was a symbolic message, not heaven as it really exists, the commentary states,

“The martyrs do not seek vengeance for themselves; they seek, instead, the vindication of God’s name” Volume 7, p. 778.

The martyrs are crying out for God to reveal the truth about Himself which will stop all the lies, distortions, and misrepresentations that keep mankind severed from God. This is in harmony with Revelation 14 and Daniel 7. God gives discernment or judgment to the saints so they may rightly differentiate between God’s true character and Satan’s false image of God. In this choice the saints, in trust, open their hearts to God, are infused with His Spirit, experience regeneration of character, and glorify God by loving others more than themselves!

What an incredible privilege is ours to be beacons of God’s character in a world dark with lies about Him!

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Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA