Facing the Judgment with Confidence Instead of Fear

Norman Moll

Midland SDA Church

October 7, 2006

The cross – As a way of death it is too horrible, too horrendous, too dehumanizing for both the victim and the executioners for us to discuss even in the jaded, war-torn society of the 21st century!

So why am I bringing it up in a church service of all places?  Because it was on a cross that Jesus, Christ died (the word “Christ” which translates– “Messiah,” the one anointed of God who himself is God).  Repeating, it was on a cross that Jesus died.  Put there by his enemies.  And these were not just any enemies, they were the enemies whom he had come to rescue and restore. 
Because of what Christ did that day nearly 2000 years ago, the cross has become anicon, the symbol of a huge collection of religions known today collectively as Christian.  Most of the time when we see the cross on a church steeple, on a piece of jewelry or hanging from a rear view mirror we don’t give it a second thought!  Or at most when we see a cross with some plastic flowers planted along a roadway we wonder who died and what were the circumstances.  But today it is Christ on the cross where we must begin.  

It is the ultimate paradox.  I would challenge you to come up with anything more grotesque, more horrifying in its ugliness.  At the same time I would challenge you to come up with anything more supremely beautiful.   It is the ultimate paradox!   But is that all there is to it.  Is that the end of the story?  That’s up to you and to me.  If we take time to gaze upon the cross what do we see?  There is the cross.  It is made out of wood.  It was once a living tree, a product of earth, sky, sunlight and water.  Now it is dead.  Yet in death it fulfills a purpose for which it was not intended.  For it suspends the body of the carpenter from Nazareth, lifted up between earth and heaven, cursed by both. 

The cross is the altar.  The sacrificial lamb is the Messiah. 
The altar is a fallen world.  We are beholding the one and only, “LAMB of GOD.”

It is well that we are attracted to this altar, because like a great mirror which we look into, there we see ourselves on that cross.  HE is suffering the fate which we deserve, but for the grace of God!  The image of the cross of Christ reveals to us the heart of God, reaching out with love so mysteriously pure, so alien to our selfish world, that we are changed.  Our morbid curiosity is transformed into hope.  The cross like a trumpet calls us to “Wake Up!”

From deep within us the cross event awakens a primal longing for something we once had and lost:  love the way it was meant to be – love that not only forgives, but transforms.  This love is intended to transform our characters, to rewrite the very genetic code of our beings.  It is imbued with the power of the Creator of the universe.  For the one there on the cross is the parent of our human race.  It was his own hands that formed the clay, his fingers assembled the molecules, implanted the muscles that createthe smile, designed the electrical circuitry for the nervous system, engineered the brain, and gave us free choice. 

Christ said, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all mankind to myself.”  John 12:32  Today we are still drawn. 

Most of us have just completed an intensive three-month study entitled, “The Gospel,1844 and Judgment.”  Today I want to take one more look at the topic from the vantage point of our detailed review. 

The end time judgment has been a source of misunderstanding to the point of confusion.  It has troubled some to the point of saying, “It can’t be.”  There are many reasons for this situation, but we will ignore that history and go directly to the key issue.  Is there a way to approach the “End-time Judgment” with confidence rather than fear?  I believe the answer is a resounding “Yes” and I want above all for you to have that answer embedded in your heart.  Having it there will make a difference today and forever.

Our fear of the end-time judgment comes from our reading texts like Ecclesiastes 12:14  “For God will bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”  Or we could read in Revelation 20:12 and 13 where it is stated twice that men are judged by their works.  Combine these texts with Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” and you have a formula for disaster.  None can be saved for no one lives without sin but Christ. 

Some have proposed that good works are the answer.  Maybe if we try very hard to do good, the good works can somehow cancel out the bad!  If we are tempted (even unconsciously) to think along these lines we need to remember those disturbing words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

If not sinning is impossible, and if good works can’t cancel out bad works what chance do we have?  Seriously, is it conceivable that God would implement a plan for our salvation including the cross of Christ and still prevent everyone from being saved?  What is the answer?

Thankfully the Bible provides answers: 

Ephesians 2:4-8 (NIV) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace that you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 1:9-10  (NIV) “God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  

These texts assure us that it is God who provides our salvation, Christ who makes it all possible by his love, his life and his death. 

But what about the judgment?  Some have proposed that God’s plan for our salvation was complete at the cross.  Is that true? 

 If Christ had simply died on the cross and ceased to exist forever –something impossible for the eternal God to do – could we have been saved?  I don’t believe so.  Christ’s resurrection proved that while he had paid the penalty for our sins, he himself had not sinned.  Furthermore Christ’s work for our salvation was not complete.  Remember what he told his followers:

 John 14:1-3  "In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also." 

Our speaker last Sabbath shared wonderfully with us the role that Christ’s will, the covenant which required his death to put it into force, plays in our salvation.  The writer of Hebrews after commenting on this at length in Hebrews 9 concludes with the grand words: 

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures (a mere copy) of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. 

From these texts we see that Christ’s work for our salvation is ongoing, intend from the first human sin to this very day, the salvation of a fallen race has been the primary focus of the Godhead. 

Through our Sabbath School lessons we saw the relationship between the daily services in the Old Testament Sanctuary and the once yearly services.  In fulfillment of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and Christ’s words recorded in Matthew 24:15 a great apostasy has corrupted the teachings of God’s Word, obscuring the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, so that

Confession to a mere human took the place of confession to God

                  Forgiveness was offered by a religious organization rather than justification coming from God

                  Prayers to Saints so designated in human proceedings obscured our privilege of having Christ

                                    present our petitions directly to our Heavenly Father.

                  The on demand sacrifice of Christ was substituted for the once for all people and for all time

                                    death of Christ on the cross!

                  For the truth as found in God’s Word (Sola Scriptura, the Bread of Life) were substituted the

traditions of men!

                  Salvation by good works, payment of money or abstinence or some combination thereof was

offered in place of the grace of God as demonstrated and embodied in Jesus.

The essential work of the Reformers was to correct errors in our understanding of the heavenly sanctuary, errors that the mass taught.

 Given that the “daily service” in the heavenly sanctuary in the words of Daniel has been“cast down to the earth,” and “trodden underfoot” (Daniel 8:14) it should come as little surprise that our understanding of the anti-typical yearly service is also distorted at best, if not entirely obscured.  Yet Hebrews 9 clearly points to the ministry by Christ, serving as the true high priest, as including the functions accomplished only in the Day of Atonement yearly service, specifically the purifying (cleansing) of the heavenly sanctuary.  See Hebrews 9:23.

So from many perspectives, from many lines of reasoning we rest assured that the end time judgment is now taking place in the sanctuary not made with hands.  We have the assurance that Christ’s mission is and has been to bring salvation to as many as possible.  

But how do we reconcile the statements read earlier that we are saved by grace while being judged by our works?

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 we have messages from Christ to each of the seven churches, churches which represent time periods in Christian history.  The church of Laodicea, the 7th and last church is “the church judged!”  Laodicea means judged.  

Near the beginning of the message to each of the churches are the words “I know thy works!”  The heavenly messenger is concerned about what we do.  This is especially true for the last church, Laodicea. 

Revelation 3:15  “I know thy works, that thou art neither hot nor cold . . . lukewarm (and nauseous)! 

Are lukewarm works good enough?  Can they get you into the kingdom?  What solution to lukewarm works does the heavenly messenger offer?  What is the answer for a church that thinks it is rich and increased with goods (obtained by our works) and in need of nothing when as seen by God this church is comprised of poor, blind, naked helpless Christians who don’t know they need a Savior!

What is the answer for such a destitute group?  What does the heavenly messenger offer to sell them? 

Gold tried in the fire -- Faith that works through love.  1 Peter 1:7-9;  James 1:2-5

White raiment – The robe of Christ’s righteousness, the wedding garment. 

Rev. 7:14; 16:15; 19:7-8; 22:14 (NEB NIV); Zech. 3:1-5; Matt. 22:1-14

                  Eye salve – Spiritual eyesight to truly understand one’s needs.  2 Peter 1:9; John 12:37-41

And what is the price for these costly items?  Will anyone be able to afford? 

Yes, the provisions for our salvation are ample!   

John 3:16  . . . that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1 Peter 3:9  God is long suffering, not willing that any should perish.

Why is an end time judgment needed? 

                  To determine the rewards to be bestowed at the 2nd coming– Matt.16:27;  Rev. 11:18

                  To be able to judge everyone who has ever lived on this earth.

                  To provide a witness to the universe that God is just and faithful to his promises.

How can we face such an awesome event with confidence instead of fear, given that the “rewards” are either eternal life on the one hand or the second death, from which there is no resurrection on the other?  For one thing we must be certain that we are among those who receive eternal life rather than death.  That said, it is also important that we truly understand the nature of this judgment.

I would like to offer you five bases for confidence as we face the judgment.

1.  Confidence that God is fair.

Earthly courts are supposed to be places where one gets fair treatment.  But the truth of the matter is that justice can be lacking in human courts.  Judges can be biased, prejudiced, or even incompetent.  Witness may lie, refuse to testify, die or disappear.   Sometimes justice is impossible to obtain because the very laws of the country or jurisdiction are flawed!

What about the end-time, heavenly court?

It functions with a perfect set of laws.  (Psalm 19:7)

The judge is none other than the carpenter of Nazareth.  (John 5:22,27; Romans 2:16; 14:10, Acts 10:42)

The testimony is all based on truthful witnesses.   (Rev. 3:14)

Psalm 96:12-13 describes the end-time judgment with the words:  “The Lord is coming, he is coming to judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness.”  

Yes we can take joy in the confidence that the judgment will be fair.

2.  Confidence in our access to God.

Out trial in the heavenly court on the surface seems flawed in that we have no way to be present for our trial, and we don'’ even know the time when it is scheduled.  But what we do have is more important.  We have the judge’s ear.  And since our judge is also our advocate (lawyer), having free access to him is extremely valuable. 

Notice how the writer of Hebrews states it:

Hebrews 4:14-16  “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Because Christ has returned to heaven we may be confident that even as his Father heard his prayers, Jesus will hear us as well.  See 1 John 5:14-15.

3.  Confidence that we are in covenant relationship with God.

Now things get really exciting.  In spite of the hopelessness of our “filthy-rag righteousness,” there is a way provided for our salvation.  Can you imagine God establishing a plan of salvation, which included the death of his Son on the cross, that is so difficult that no one can be saved?  Notice how the Psalmist describes the judgment in Psalm 50:3-6 Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him.  He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”  The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. 

So what is the covenant with God makes with humans that allows him to call them“his faithful ones?”  It is the agreement offered to us by God, the means by which we are returned to our original relationship with him. 

What does the covenant agreement entail?  God offers to give us salvation not because of what we have done or will do but because of what Christ has done for us.  He lived the perfect life.  He died as the perfect sacrifice.  He rose again.  He intercedes for us as our great high priest.  He stands in our place when our names come up in the judgment!  He offers us this covenant today with his obligation already fulfilled – a perfect life,death on the cross in our place. 

What must we do in order to become beneficiaries to this covenant agreement?  Amazingly the covenant is offered to us free.  The critical issue is, do we accept it?  To accept it requires faith – faith in Jesus, faith in His promises.  And if we lack faith we can ask God for faith with assurance that if we ask sincerely he will provide it.  (2 Peter 1:2-8)  To accept the covenant means to accept the truth as it is found in Jesus:  truth regarding our origin, our fall, and our redemption.  the truth regarding Jesus blood. 

But is Jesus blood really enough?  Don’t I have to be “good enough” to receive it? 

John 3:16 God gave his Son so that, “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 8:1 (NAS) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death!

In the wilderness sanctuary, the blood of sacrificial animals pointed forward to the blood of Christ.  It was his blood, representing his life, which he willingly surrendered in order for our sins to be forgiven.  The sacrifices brought by the sinner, along with the morning and evening sacrifices offered in behalf of all of God’s people all pointed to that one all-sufficient sacrifice.  Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the sanctuary was cleansed; it was cleansed not by washing the blood away with a high-pressure washer or a magic solvent.  It was cleansed by the application of more blood.  Blood which was still the same precious blood which pointed to the anti-typical Lamb of God. 

Christ’s blood applied to you in the judgment says:  You are really forgiven and finally cleansed form any impediments to your covenant relationship with God.  You belong to God and not to Satan.  You are “in Christ” and will be “in Christ” forever. 

As Christians we believe that the Holy Spirit will be poured our in the Later Rain just before the end of the judgment and the close of probation.  Notice the interesting comment made by the writer of the book of Acts: 

Acts 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ. 

We may have confidence that we are in the covenant relationship with Christ, which assures that we will indeed be among those to whom the welcome words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”(Matthew 25:23) are spoken.  We “may know that we have eternal life.”  (1 John 5:13) 

4.  Confidence in the Imminence of Christ’s Second Coming.

As in the Festivals year of the Old Testament, the Feast of Tabernacles,representing God’s people gathering in the New Jerusalem, occurred immediately after the Day of Atonement, God’s end-time judgment occurs just before Christ’s Second Coming.   The judgment is the last phase of God’s saving activity.  Son the proclamation will go forth: 

Revelation 22:11  “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy let him be holy still.

Some question why the judgment continues a century and a half after 1844.  We have no ideal how long the judgment should take.  Timing is conceivably determined more by the onlookers, the ranks of the unfallen angels and “sons of God” referred to in Job 1, than by God.  Another investigative judgment, the one during the millennium in which the righteous participate, has 1000 years scheduled for its completion.  There is also the possibility that Christ’s Second Coming has been delayed to allow time for more to make decisions for salvation.  This is hinted at in the parable of the 10 virgins, and in 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB),  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 

The prophet Habakkuk said it well, “For there is still a vision for the appointed time: it speaks of the end, and does not lie.  If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay” (Hab. 2:3). 

Christ is coming soon!  “Prepare to meet thy God!”  Amos 4:12

Prophecies in Daniel chapters 7, 8, 9 and 11 all refer to a world scale power which work sin opposition to God’s people and the truth.  Daniel 7:26 and 27 assures us that in the judgment the dominion once held by this religio-political power will be removed and ultimately the great kingdom with God at its head will be given to the people who are the saints of the most High.  Revelation also deals with this subject describing the final destruction of this power in conjunction with the events surrounding the Second Coming.  See Revelation 19:11-21. 

It is those who separate themselves from the deceptions of this power, who do not participate in the false worship it imposes, whose allegiance is with Christ, not the pseudo-trinity of the Apocalypse, who are victorious. 

John the Revelator describes this victorious multitude as follows:         

Those who are victorious, John describes in Revelation 14:12 as those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ – faith in Jesus as our redeemer and the faith of Jesus which gave him the victory over all the forces of evil.

In answer to Isaac’s question, where is the lamb for the burnt offering, Abram replied with those marvelous prophetic words, “The Lord will provide himself a lamb for a sacrifice.”  Gen. 22:8 

Yes, indeed HE did provide the Lamb!  What a sacrifice!  What a Savior!

A key reference for this sermon, beneficial for further reading is Altar Call by Roy Gane (Published 1999 by Diadem, Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1500)