In our current judicial system, a good lawyer can make all the difference, for in many cases, he/she may succeed in persuading the judge, or the jury, to let the guilty go free. One such prominent case was the trial of O.J Simpson, in which it was alleged that he murdered his then wife, Nicole. Those who were alive at that time will remember the video of that all white Ford bronco, racing through the streets of California, and followed by a bevy of police cars, as he entered the freeway. If he was guiltless, as was later proven in court by his lawyers, then, we do not know what he was running from.
There was much overwhelming evidence to convict him of the crimes committed, but because he had a team of “good” lawyers He was ultimately declared guiltless, and set free, after one of his lawyers used a simple glove to overthrow the preponderance of evidence to the contrary. The words then used still ring in our ears today, “If it does not fit, then you must acquit”. Millions around the world watched in horror, and great dismay, as the presumably guilty one walked free, hugging his lawyers with tears of joy, whilst the grieving family looked on in disbelief.
The Bible teaches us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and since no guilty person may pass through the pearly gates, we all will need A Good Lawyer who can present our individual case in such a way, as to show us guiltless, even though we have committed many hundreds, and thousands of infractions. Therefore, in this Bible study, we will pay a visit to the heavenly courts, in the most holy place, to see how our personal cases are now being decided, and the arguments being presented by The Best Lawyer in town, even The Lord, Jesus Christ.
To begin with, there are a few pointers we should be aware of, the first being that the Bible states that all who are born into sin, have a public defendant given them at birth so that all legal issues pertaining our salvation, needing resolution, can be promptly, and efficiently taken care of. So, this is the very first point, one which is the very best news that ever fell on human ears:
[1] We have The Best lawyer in town. And we are encouraged to make the most of His services, even whilst human probation is drawing to a swift, and final close. Let’s read:
1st John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
This passage leads us directly to our second, very important point:
[2] Everyone is born guilty.
It is not necessary for us to do anything wrong per se, in order to be guilty, for guilt, as it pertains to a person, is a state rather than a feeling or action. In other words, we are found guilty by association, at least, having the genetic code of rebellion passed down from Adam, to all who came after. This point must be clearly understood by all, and accepted for what it is, for if it is rejected for any reason, it will effectively preclude the next point. Let’s read:
1st John 1:8 If we say that “we” have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatsoever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
If we believe we have not committed any wrongs, infractions, or sins, then we would never consider ourselves as being guilty, and thus, we will not see our need of The Best Lawyer in town. This point is of critical importance to those who believe in the “Once saved, always saved” theory, by which it is alleged that our initial acceptance of Jesus Christ, makes us totally invincible, thus rendering our salvation as a secure, onetime deal. This theology should be utterly rejected, as it is found to be most dangerous to the human soul, and to any prospects, or hopes of eternal salvation. Let’s read:
Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
[C.O.L pp 154>155] Peter's self-confidence led him to the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the downward path, until he could deny his Master. Everyone should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ, we are not beyond the reach of temptation. God's word declares, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried.” Daniel 12:10. Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life. (James 1:12.)
[3] Christ is not only The best Lawyer, He is also the Judge, who will have the last word, on whether any person is guilty or not, and consequently saved or lost.
There shouldn’t be anything more desirable, than for us to have both The Best lawyer, and the Judge, wrapped up into one inseparable package, for then we are literally guaranteed a favorable outcome, if the scriptural prerequisites are met, no matter how grievous our sins, and our wrongs in the past may have been. The Bible is specific, when presenting Christ as Advocate and Judge. Let’s read:
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
2nd Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment 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.
This leads us to the fourth point:
[4] There are two aspects of the judgement presented in the Bible, and the stark difference between the them should be clearly understood.
The first is found in the book of Daniel, chapter 7, in which the prophet is shown the scenes of the first phase taking place. As we read, we will observe that absolutely nothing about is mentioned about any human being, for this particular scene is about handing the keys, and the authority of the kingdom over to Christ, after He became “The Son of man” during His incarnation. This is a different aspect of the judgement, than the one in which all cases of every person will be decided. Let’s read:
Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand, thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
[G.C pp 480] The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man—to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.
Thus, the next aspect of the judgement is the one in which it will be determined, who will be staying, and who is leaving. At this next juncture, the books of our records are carefully examined, with all the good, the bad, and the in-between. It is at this judgement that The Best Lawyer in town will show His true colors, because, according to the Bible, He is scheduled to exonerate all who have ever believed in His ability to save to the uttermost, and who, through their faith and obedience, have demonstrated that they are very grateful for both His sacrifice, and services. Let’s read:
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in
his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
This leads us to our fifth point:
[5] Heaven will be a place of surprises.
As the Best Lawyer assesses the characters of all who have believed on Him, and as the books of record are opened in the heavenly courts, things that we thought were hidden from friends, family, and foe, are now disclosed with unerring accuracy, and then it will be revealed that very many people who had not formerly accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, will be saved in God’s kingdom.
On the other hand, there will be those who were once prominent proponents of the word, who were looked upon by the masses, as being spiritually impeccable, but who will be lost eternally. Now, the question is “Why?” Why would so many who have attended church regularly, and who have preached to others, be eternally lost? While some, who may not have had a knowledge of the Bible be saved? This delicate question must be answered by the word of God alone. Let’s read:
Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[G.C. pp 483] As the books of record are opened in the Judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted names rejected.
When anyone has sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of, and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God's remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” [Exodus 32:33.] And says the prophet Ezekiel, “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, ... all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned.” [Ezekiel 18:24.]
All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of Heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.
This leads us to our sixth, and final point:
[6] It’s important now that we accept Christ as our Advocate, while probation still lingers, because the rapid, disturbing developments here at home, and abroad, tell us in unmistakable terms, that the heavenly tribunal is wrapping up its session. We should try our best to avoid the snare of Tomorrow, by which we may put off our day of grace for some future time, when we know that tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Take for example the latest suicide bombing in Manchester, of which it is reported that many young adults, and teenagers were among the casualties. As these youths were preparing to attend that concert with Ariana Grande, they had not the slightest idea that it would be their last day on earth. As they put on their makeup, and dressed up in their best, they probably thought that life’s usual round would continue. But lo and behold, some were snuffed out of their life experience so prematurely.
Now, if this were the end of it all, it would be bad enough, but alas, they too would have to face the Judge of all the earth, for His is the very next face they will see. He alone knows what their eternal destiny will be, but for those who are still alive, God is sending out an urgent appeal, for us to make the best of His sacrifice, and Advocate in our behalf. Which leads us to our closing passage, and quote. Let’s read:
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in
any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
[G.C. pp 491] The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal state—men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man's destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy's offer to guilty men.
“Watch ye therefore; ... lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.” [Mark 13:35, 36.] Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure-lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments, it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”
May God add His blessing to the study of His word.
God bless!