The Investigative Judgment
Now the first angel tells us WHY we need to fear God and give Him glory: because the hour of His judgment has come. Now, given the context, we must realize that this judgment happens shortly BEFORE the return of Jesus; not at His return, and not at death. Before. A pre-advent judgment, if you will. But, what judgment is being spoken of here?
For this, we have to hearken back to Revelation’s companion book, Daniel. Chapters 7 and 8 touch on the subject of the pre-advent judgment more than the rest of the book, although other chapters in Daniel do mention it also. Let’s first address how Daniel gives us the starting and ending point of a very long time prophecy, and how it is directly tied to the judgment.
“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” (Daniel 8:14.)
Now, the context is about how the antichrist power (more on this in a later chapter) would stamp down and hide the truth that Jesus is our High Priest, our ONLY Intercessor, and this would last for a period of 2,300 years. (See Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 for the principle that a day in Bible prophecy equals a year of literal time). But, praise the Lord, it also shows how God would bring that Truth back to the world’s attention just before the return of Jesus.
But what about the starting and ending point? The answer is found in the next chapter—Daniel 9. This chapter expands on the vision from chapter 8. The angel who came to explain the earlier prophecy revealed that the first portion—nearly 500 years—of the 2,300-year timeline was specifically allotted to the Jewish nation. Take a look at the passage below:
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:24-27).
The angel tells Daniel that the event that kickstarted the 2,300 years (and by default, the 490 years) was the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, including both the city and the temple. But when did this happen? We actually find this decree in Ezra 7. And it happened in the fall of 457 BC. Now there were actually 4 decrees, but this is the only one that fits prophecy and history. The following is quoted from Secrets Unsealed and their study on the Sanctuary, called, His Way is in the Sanctuary.
The four decrees are:
Cyrus in 536 B. C. (Ezra 1:2-4; 2 Chronicles 36:23). Gave permission to rebuild only the temple. Nothing is said about rebuilding and restoring Jerusalem.
Darius I in 520 B. C.(Ezra 6:3-12; Nehemiah 2; Haggai).). In 536 many of God‘s people returned to Jerusalem but Samaritan opposition halted the work of rebuilding the temple. About 16 years later Darius gave a decree confirming the decree of Cyrus. Nothing is said in this decree about rebuilding the city or restoring its civil and religious institutions.
Artaxerxes I in the fall of 457 B. C. (Ezra 7:12-26). Ezra 6:14, 15 states that this was the third decree given by Persian kings and the other two do not fit history.
Artaxerxes I in 445 B. C. After the decree in 457 the enemies of the Jews did all in their power to halt the work of rebuilding and restoring the city. They even wrote to the king and as a result he withdrew his permission to rebuild and restore the city. This was not a decree at all. It merely reaffirmed his original decree giving permission to Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and the walls.
As you can see, only one of these four decrees fits history. We cannot interpret the 2,300 days as being literal days, because nothing happens at the end of 2,300 literal days that the Bible speaks about. Add to that the fact that the Bible also specifically ties this prophecy to both Jesus’ ministry, as well as to the end of time.
It is also important to note here that there was no year zero. You see, initially, the Millerites thought the 2,300 years ended in 1843. They didn’t realize there was no year zero, and therefore they did not know the prophecy ends in the fall of 1844 instead. However, Daniel foresaw even this mistake of choosing the wrong year.
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11).
Daniel actually gives us two additional time prophecies, not as detailed, but that still help to point us in the right direction. These are the 1,335 days, and the 1,290 days. But, what do they point to?
We must understand here that the word sacrifice is not in the Hebrew of this verse. It simply says the word, daily. And this word is tamiyd, meaning, continuity, continually, and used in connection with the sacrifices. But specifically, it is used in connection with the Holy Place of the Sanctuary. It is used to refer to the continually burning incense (Exodus 30:8), the continually burning seven branch candlestick (Exodus 27:20), and the continually present shewbread (Leviticus 24:8, Exodus 25:30).
All these have to do with intercession. Where does the Bible say Jesus went after His ascension to intercede for us? Let’s allow the Bible to speak for itself. (It is important to note that Revelation chapters 4 to 5 also show the same thing that the Scripture below does.) Notice:
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12).
Now, because the Holy Place furniture was to be kept continually going, (fire, fresh bread, etc..), then if Jesus went to the Holy Place after His ascension, then His Holy Place ministry for us was continual, was it not?
But what does Bible prophecy and history show us would happen? Daniel 8:11-14 foretell there would come an antichrist power that would cast down this truth of Jesus’ intercession for us down to the ground and stomp on it. In other words, that some organization would come along, force feed some deception to Christians that would cause them to lose sight of the role of Jesus as our High Priest.
Ok, but when do we see this happen? 508 AD. Clovis, king of the Franks, became a convert to Catholicism around this time, and also established the priesthood of the Papal Church, thus casting down the Sanctuary truth to the ground. How does it cast this Truth to the ground though? Catholicism teaches that you must confess your sins to a sinful human priest, who then forgives you. It also teaches that the Pope is God / Jesus in human flesh.
Now, the Bible condemns both these sins as blatant blasphemy. See Luke 5:21, John 5:18, 8:58, and 10:33.
When we apply the 1,335 day/year prophecy to when this happened in 508 AD, we come to 1843. This was originally when the Millerites believed that Jesus was going to return. You see, in direct context of this prophecy, Daniel says that in the end, knowledge shall be increased. And Revelation 10 foretells that God would raise up and end time people that would proclaim this message of judgment after the years of 1798, but especially after 1843/1844.
But of course, we would be remiss to be writing all these words about the investigative judgment, but not mention Leviticus 16. The daily sacrifice rituals were a part of Israel’s religious life. But, Hebrews 9-10 explicitly say that it is impossible for the blood of an animal to forgive and cleanse sin. Therefore, these must be types, or symbols, prophecies of future events.
God told Moses in Exodus 25:8 to make a Sanctuary, or tabernacle, after the pattern that was shown to him on Mount Sinai. Now let me ask you, what is a pattern based off of? Correct, an original. So, where is the original? Hebrews tells us plainly.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:1-2.)
There can be no mistaking this. The original Sanctuary that Moses was commanded to pattern Israel’s tabernacle after is in Heaven. One of the particularly fascinating things about the Heavenly Temple is that Daniel 7 gives us an indication of it’s immense size. But that’s a discussion for another time.
Now, Hebrews 9 speaks of the ancient Israelite services.
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing…(Hebrews 9:1-8.)
The writer of Hebrews here describes in summary the round of daily ceremonies, but also mentioning the once a year Day of Atonement. But notice what he says in verses 9-10 below:
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (Hebrews 9:9-10.)
In other words, there would come a day when all of these sacrifices, ceremonies, and holy days would come to an end. When was that end? Daniel 9:24-27 lets us know that it is when the Messiah would be crucified. Matthew 27 also says that when Jesus died, the veil was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying this very fact. Colossians 2 and Ephesians 2 also state this same truth.
And yet, the Bible speaks of a time near the end of time when something symbolized by the Day of Atonement would take place. Leviticus 16 speaks in detail of what the ancient holy day entailed.
For starters, this was the only time during the year that the High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place of the earthly sanctuary. But what was the purpose of doing so?
You see, throughout the year of daily sacrifices, you would go to sacrifice a lamb. It had to be a young male, pure and spotless, 100% healthy, without any blemish whatsoever. Why? Because it symbolized Jesus. But you would confess your sins over the head of that lamb, slay the lamb, and then the priest would go throughout the round of ceremonies with that blood of the lamb, making atonement for your sins.
(Let us pause a moment here to include that the Bible say over 20 times that it is the priest that would make an atonement, not the lamb. Meaning, that when Jesus died on the cross, the atonement was not yet made, and His work was not yet ended. Contrary to popular belief, the work of Jesus was not ended at the cross. It BEGAN there.)
Here are the Scriptures. Go look them up and see for yourself.
(Leviticus 4:20 Leviticus 4:26 Leviticus 4:31 Leviticus 4:35 Leviticus 5:6 Leviticus 5:10 Leviticus 5:13 Leviticus 5:16 Leviticus 5:18 Leviticus 6:7 Leviticus 12:8 Leviticus 14:18 Leviticus 14:19 Leviticus 14:20 Leviticus 14:29 Leviticus 14:31 Leviticus 15:15 Leviticus 15:30 Leviticus 16:30 Leviticus 16:32 Leviticus 19:22 Numbers 6:11 Numbers 15:25 Numbers 15:28.)
However, your sins were considered transferred from you to the lamb, then from the lamb to the Sanctuary. This, then, resulted in the Sanctuary being considered defiled. But defiled in what way? We’re not speaking of dirt and grime. No, you see, the Bible speaks of the fact that Heaven keeps record books of each and every person’s life.
Consider:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.)
(Happening before millennium and the return of Jesus:) 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. (Daniel 7:10.)
(Happening during millennium:) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. (Revelation 20:4-5.)
(Happening after millennium:) 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. (Revelation 20:12.)
You see, there are three phases to the judgment. However, it is the purpose of this study to deal with the first phase.
But as the Sanctuary became defiled with sins (see Leviticus 16:16, 20), this then required a work of cleansing. Now again, only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once per year, and only on a particular day. Why so particular? Because of what, and who, this all symbolizes. (See Leviticus 16:3, 17, 29, 34.)
Now at this point, we find the two goat ceremony. You had one goat for the Lord, and one goat called the scapegoat. Notice below:
And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:7-10.)
Notice below what would happen to each:
The Lord’s Goat: Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. (Leviticus 16:15-16.)
The Scapegoat: And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:20-22.)
There are a lot of people who contest this doctrine and say that the scapegoat symbolizes Jesus. However, based on what the Bible says happens to each goat, this cannot possibly be true. The Lord’s Goat is referred to by the title of the Lord’s Goat for a reason. And the Bible also clearly states that it is this goat that is used to make the atonement for the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.
The scapegoat does have the sins of the people confessed over his head, but not for the purpose of atonement. The purpose of the scapegoat was to show that Satan will be punished for causing God’s people to commit sin. Another purpose is also to show that during the millennium, Satan wanders the earth alone, with no living humanity to tempt and annoy.
The phase of judgment that we are living under right now is where our great High Priest is in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly temple, there making atonement for us with His own blood. He is blotting out the sins of those who trust in Him as their personal Savior.
Jesus is interceding for us, as Hebrews 7:25 says. This intercession is not without purpose. Jesus isn’t there in some sort of Heavenly call center just answering prayers. While He does answer our prayers the way that it is best for us to happen, His intercession is Sanctuary specific.
In other words, the reason He is interceding for us is out Sanctification, and there is coming a day soon where the Sanctuary will be closes, as Revelation 15 states at the end of that chapter. This is not to scare anyone into obedience, but to relay the solemnity of the times we are living in. It is the Truth that Leviticus 16 and 23 show us.
Now, while Jesus is making intercession for us, while He is offering His blood for us before the Father and the Ark of the Covenant, we must, as Peter says below:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. (2 Peter 1:10.)
This idea of "make your calling and election sure" is sanctuary language. It shows us that when we accept Jesus, it's not a done deal until we are either laid to rest in the grave, or are sealed at the close of probation. This ties directly into Leviticus 16 and the day of atonement. Just as Leviticus 23:27-29 shows us to search our hearts and be diligent in doing so, Peter is telling us the same thing here in his letter.
Now, what happened when the day of atonement was over? Those who refused to take part were cut off from Israel. Notice:
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. (Leviticus 23:27–29.)
The following Scripture reinforces the same point:
And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all... For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. (Leviticus 16:29–30.)
What does this mean for us in these end times? Notice what Daniel says:
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1-2.)
Just as the ancient Israelites were cut off from forgiveness for refusing to search their hearts and repent by the close of the Day of Atonement, so too, those in the end times who refuse to search their hearts and repent of all sin by the end of the investigative judgment will also be cut off eternally from forgiveness and salvation. And Daniel gives us the timing, though not the exact date. Jesus ceases His High Priestly ministry a short time before His Return. When He does, that is when the Great Tribulation begins, and it is at this time the Bible makes the following declaration:
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11.)
You see, the True Gospel is an announcement that Jesus wants to take His people from sinful to sinless. It is not a reason or excuse to remain in sin. Grace was given for the purpose of overcoming sin, according to Paul in Romans 3-6 and Titus 2, as well as Peter 2 Peter 1:3-4. The question is, will we allow Him to do so?
Further Study
The Pre-Advent Judgment
