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 first passage establishes beyond the shadow of a doubt that every person who has ever lived upon this earth will be called to account by the judge of all the earth. This is of grave importance for those of us living today, for the window of opportunity for anyone to be considered in the current investigative jugdment is fast closing.
The tendency for mortals to procrastinate in putting off for tomorrow, that which should be done today is not good, because the Bible teaches us that there is a limit to God’s forbearance, and He will only wait so long for folks to make their decisions either for, or against Him. Our actions, choices, words, and motives all have a bearing on the decisions of the heavenly courts, and the records of our lives with all of the details will be in full review, as the determinations are made as to who will be eternal beneficiaries of the sacrifice on Calvary, made by Christ.
As we now sit in Bible study today, names are being called in heaven, and the decisions of that tribunal won’t ever be reversed. Therefore, it behooves all rational thinking individuals to consider what is at stake, eternal life or eternal death based upon the choices we make.
Thus, before continuing, we’ll need to establish the fact that we will be held accountable for our choices and actions because there is indeed, the doctrine of judgement spoken of in the Bible and as such, every individual must be made aware of what those court decisions would mean for us. In a nutshell, persons who are found in Christ would be saved, and those who are not will be lost. Let’s read:
Ecclesiastes 12: 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
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 the hair of his head like the pure wool: 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.
John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Revelation 20: 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
There are actually two judgements referred to in the Bible, the one which is taking place now, as we speak which we would refer to as the investigative judgment, and the other which will take place at the end of the 1000 years of Sabbatical rest, spoken of by John in the book of Revelation, which we’ll refer to as the executive judgment. Today we will focus on the investigative judgment, because it is currently taking place, and whatsoever comes after will not really matter to persons as far as the window opportunity goes.
In other words the conclusion of the investigative judgment means the close of probationary time for all individuals. We’ll begin with the passage of scripture regarding this first judgment which teaches us that the people of God will be judged first. After that, those who do not believe in Jesus at the second judgment. Thus, it is imperative that we discover who are referenced in the Bible as being God’s people. Let’s read:
1st Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
The servant of The Lord echoes the same sentiment pertaining to this fact, that God’s people would be judged first. This is of critical importance, for there are persons who might not know that under certain conditions their names would not even come up for review in the first judgment, and for that reason we will focus on discovering from the scriptures, who are referred to as being God’s people. Let’s read:
[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.
[G.C pp 480] In the great day of final atonement and investigative Judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. According to the passage above, in 1st Peter 4:17, and the statements written by the servant of The Lord, the only persons under consideration in the first investigative would be the professed people of God who believe in Christ, or as the apostle put it, those who belong to the house of God.
This fact begs the question: Who are the professed people of God, and what is meant by the house of God? This crucial question needs to be settled once and for all because in our world currently, there are approximately two billion, and four hundred million professed Christians. There are Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, as well as Ethiopian orthodox Christians, and there are also Pentecostals, Catholics, Mormons, Evangelicals and Russian orthodox, and Seventh day Adventists, just to name a few, all who profess to believe in Christ.
In fact, if we were to name every Christian group, organization, and denomination on the planet it will take several Bible studies to do so for the number of professed Christian organizations across the world is currently approximately thirty thousand. Thus, it is imperative that we ask the question again: “Who are the professed people of God?”
For many years, the name of “Christian” has been painted with a very wide brush to include any, and everyone who claims to believe in Jesus. But the scripture teaches us that devils also believe, and as such, if a nominal belief in Christ is what made one a follower of Jesus, then millions of devils would be following in His train. Let’s read:
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
1st John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Even though, as was stated before, there are about 30,000 different Christian organizations across the world, as far as God is concerned there are only two churches brought to view in the scriptures, and this is made plain especially in the Revelation. There are God’s professed people, and there are professed, or nominal Christians.
God’s professed people are not all perfect, neither are they all genuine, neither would they all be saved yet they hold common beliefs that are foundational to their identity as being God’s people. Nominal Christians are those who have merely espoused the name of Christ, yet do not in heart subscribe to the fundamentals set forth in the scriptures. Let’s read:
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.
Were they all perfect, and did they all obey God’s voice? Absolutely not, but at least, they subscribed to the fundamentals as put forth by God Himself, in that they intended to be obedient to His law. In our day nominal Christianity has all but dispensed with obedience, and therefore, the status of being God’s peculiar people is a non-starter.
The Bible teaches us that all who desire to belong to the true house of God as mentioned by Peter would at least subscribe to these two fundamentals, faith in Christ, and obedience to His laws. They will have their struggles like anyone else, and some may fall and rise back up again, but they will assent to these two foundational teachings of scripture. Let’s read:
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. The church represented by Babylon incorporates all of the fallen churches which refuse to honor God by teaching that His commandments have been made redundant, and so, most teach their congregants to only believe, without obeying God, and because of this, they do espouse the name of Christ nominally.
Those churches don’t acknowledge the laws of God as being binding upon men, and thus, that covenant relationship with Jesus which includes obedience, is eerily absent. To take the name of Christ nominally does not make a church or denomination Christian, just as how taking the name American nominally is no guarantee that one is American. Let’s read:
Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. 2 In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
The eating of our “own bread” has to do with those private interpretations of the Bible that are being peddled in contemporary Christianity, and wearing of one’s own apparel has to do with the form of self righteousness which takes the husk- (the name of Christ) without the kernel, obedience to God’s law.
That’s why in the parable which Christ spoke, when the king had come in to inspect His guests He found a man who did not have on a wedding garment, and because of this, the person in question was bound hand and foot and cast out into outer darkness. Let’s read:
Matthew 22: 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
The robe of Christ’s righteousness which God gives to the true follower of Jesus, is never given to cover continuous, deliberate sin, and thus, organizations which teach that God’s laws are no longer binding, will be setting up their congregants to trust in their own righteousness.
As it pertains to the issue of accountability which is currently being addressed in the heavenly courts via the investigative judgment, we’ll need to know who are considered as God’s professed people, and this question is so weighted that we will have to ask God Himself to answer it. Let’s read:
Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that lays hold on it; that keeps the sabbath from polluting it and keeps his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord to be his servants, everyone that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. 14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you.
Now, this raises the question of whether there are Christians who did not keep the Sabbath, who will be a part of the current investigative judgment, and the answer is absolutely yes. The early reformers of Protestantism were all Sunday-keeping Christians, and all those whom God worked through to end the dark ages would be considered in the investigative judgment.
However, since 1844, the light of present truth, as it pertains to the validity of the Sabbath day has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon Christianity, and therefore, those who desire to be considered in the investigative judgment will have to come out of Babylon, wherever there is opportunity to do so. In other words, persons in our day, cannot willfully reject God’s day of worship, if such have read of this truth, and been enlightened on this matter by The Holy Ghost, and expect their names to be listed in the investigative judgment.
The mark of the beast centers around the issue of worship, and therefore, before probation closes in the investigative judgment, God’s Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh, to bring to the forefront of people’s minds, the obligation of the scriptural Sabbath.
There are two passages of scripture which teach this solemn truth, and thus, it behooves us to use the current window of opportunity to be counted. In other words, those sincere Christians who are still worshiping in Babylon ignorantly are now required by God to come out and be counted, for God would not place His approval on deliberate disregard of His law. Let’s read:
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelation 18: 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
In other words, every sincere Christian who may still be congregating in those churches of Babylon would have to come out her, in order for their names to be considered in the investigative judgment and if they are truly God’s people, they would come out, for as Christ said, My sheep hear my voice, and they will follow Me. Therefore, the urgency of now rests heavily upon the shoulders of the remnant people of God, to go to friends, neighbors, co-workers and immediate family members to give them the final warning.
In doing so they may encounter difficulty or resistance just as Lot met with scoffing by his relatives. However, we are not to despair in doing so, for God has promised the latter rain in the very last days of earth’s history, to bring all persons to a knowledge of His law. The bulk of sincere believers are sitting currently in Sunday churches, but God is calling out the faithful, so that their names would be at least considered in the investigative judgement, before it comes to a close.
Let the remnant people of God therefore not faint or be weary in doing that which we have been called to do. Let us not sit in idleness with our hands folded whilst we watch individuals go over the cliff without present truth, for the current pandemic has, and will continue to take out thousands upon thousands of persons. Neither let the remnant people of God who know the truth be intimidated by forces that are arrayed against truth, for the harvest is ripe but the laborers are few.
Every Christian who has understood these present truths, is to ask God for ways and means to get the last message of salvation, “This gospel of the kingdom”, out to a dying world. We therefore end with passages of scripture which should impress upon our hearts the urgency of now, and we hope and pray that a positive response will be the result in those who are called to deliver the three angel’s messages as given in the Revelation, because the issue of accountability is not future, but now. Let’s read:
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong. 11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
God Bless!