In our last study, we examined the Sanctuary doctrine, God’s
“show and tell” of the entire plan of redemption. In the next
few studies, which will bring these series of Bible lessons to an end, we
will consider what the Sanctuary truth reveals about the closing events
of this earth’s history. The purpose of these studies is to strengthen
your faith in Christ and prepare you to face the coming crisis that will
transpire before the second advent and the end of the world.
One of the events that has to take place before Christ can come to take
believers to heaven is the vindication of the saints against the accusations
of the devil. Satan is “the accuser of the brethren ... which accused
them before God day and night.” He is the great enemy of souls, and
as such is determined that none of the believers make it to heaven.
Therefore, before the second advent can take place, Christ, our Great
High Priest and Intercessor, has to vindicate the saints in the judgment.
This is part of the good news of salvation. This judgment of the saints
is referred to as the Investigative Judgment. This is what we will examine
in this study.
1. What change takes place to our status when we believe in Christ?
John 5:24 __________________________________________________
Note: As we discovered in a previous study, at the cross the entire
human race was executed in Christ, our substitute. Because of this supreme
sacrifice every sinner, who by faith receives Christ as their personal Saviour,
passes from death (condemnation) to life (justification).
2. Will believers have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?
Romans 14:10 __________________________________________________
Note: Since a believer has already passed from condemnation to
justification, the question is often asked why believers have to stand before
the judgment seat of Christ. The answer is because, as in all court cases,
there is an accuser.
3. Who accuses the believers and how often does he accuse them?
Revelation 12:10 __________________________________________________
4. Who is on the believer’s side in this court case?
Romans 8:31 __________________________________________________
Note: What Paul is saying here is that since God is on the believer’s
side, it does not matter who is against us. All three members of the Godhead
are on our side in the investigative judgment. This is indeed good news!
5. How do we know that God is on our side?
Romans 8:32 __________________________________________________
Note: With blood mingled with His sweat, indicating great distress,
Jesus plead with His Father in the garden of Gethsemane, that if it were
possible, could He remove the cup from Jesus. The Father’s reply was
NO because He so loved the world. Without the cross, man would be lost.
6. Besides dying for our sins, what is Christ now doing for us?
Romans 8:34 __________________________________________________
Note: In Christ we not only have a perfect Saviour but also an
intercessor who will defend us against all the accusations of Satan. He
is our advocate now and in the judgment (see 1 John 2:1).
7. What witness does the Holy Spirit bear to every believer?
Romans 8:16 __________________________________________________
Note: In the judgment, all three persons of the Godhead —
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — are on the side of the believers.
With such a defense on our side, we can be sure that Satan has no chance
in the judgment to win his case against us.
8. According to Peter, with whom does the final judgment begin?
1 Peter 4:17 __________________________________________________
Note: The term “house of God” refers to all those who
by faith have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour and whose names
are written in the book of life. In this judgment, Christ acts as their
advocate and Satan as their accuser.
9. What will be exposed in the judgment of the believers?
1 Corinthians 4:5 __________________________________________________
Note: We humans judge each other by our outward acts but God judges
us by our motives. Sometimes our acts are wrong even though in our hearts
we want to do what is right (see Romans 7:19,20). This is part of our Christian
struggle. But God understands and will judge us by the counsels of the heart.
10. What were we created in Christ to do?
Ephesians 2:10 __________________________________________________
Note: Not only did Christ save us from condemnation to justification
but also from a life of sin to a life of good works. These good works do
not save us, but they are evidence of our salvation.
11. What is dead if justification by faith does not produce good works?
James 2:17 __________________________________________________
Note: Genuine justification by faith always produces good works.
However, the believer may not be aware of these good works since they are
the fruits of the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 25:34-40).
12. The good works of the believer are profitable to whom?
Titus 3:8 __________________________________________________
Note: Good works do not save us but they do give evidence to others
that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. People judge us by our
behavior and they must see the love of Christ manifested in every believer.
13. What clear evidence proves that we are followers of Christ?
John 13:34,35 __________________________________________________
Note: The greatest proof we Christians can give to the world that
we are born-again believers is by manifesting the selfless love of Christ.
According to the Bible, such love is the true keeping of the law (see Galatians
5:13,14).
14. How is a person justified by God?
Romans 3:28 __________________________________________________
Note: We must constantly remind ourselves that we are justified,
or declared righteous, before God by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Law-keeping
does not save us but is the evidence of our salvation. Jesus said, “If
you love me, keep my commandments” (see 1 John 5:1-3).
15. How will we be judged in the investigative judgment?
Revelation 20:12 __________________________________________________
Note: The Bible is clear that we sinners are justified by faith
alone, apart from any good works we do (see Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8,9;
Titus 3:5). Yet believers are judged and rewarded according to their works
(see Matthew 16:27; John 5:28,29: 2 Corinthians 5:10). How do we reconcile
this apparent contradiction? This will be answered in the next few questions.
16. What is the greatest proof we can give that we are justified by
faith?
Matthew 5:14-16 __________________________________________________
Note: As Christians we are to be the light of the world. It is
not by our words that we give evidence of this but by our works. As Jesus
said, they shall know us by our fruits (Matthew 7:16-20).
17. What did (i) Christ redeem us from, and (ii) why?
| Titus 2:14 | (i) ________________________________________________ |
| (ii) ________________________________________________ |