Last evening we discovered that God has provided a way for all to be saved by His grace through faith in Jesus. He doesn't want anyone to be lost – He has done and is doing all He can to save all who will accept His great provision in Christ. Our subject tonight is of so great importance that it is referred to in one of the most thrilling and important chapters of Bible prophecy...a prophecy about Judgment!
It would no doubt be an important thing to receive a summons to appear in court of law - they do not take it too lightly if one fails to appear. But to appear before the Great Judge of the universe is a much more solemn matter.
We must all appear - 2 Corinthians 5:10 Bible says we are going to be judged according to what we have done - good or bad. We are accountable to God.
God does not want anyone to perish. John 3:16 Notice what the Bible says - Acts 17: 31 Time to repent! A day set - God will judge this old world.
- 1st Investigative Phase – Gather and Examine evidence
- 2nd – Then the Executive Phase – when the sentence is handed down.
- A verdict is passed or reached and the sentence is executed.
God's Judgement much like in earthly courts today - In most judicial systems there is an initial time of investigation or trial when the evidence is examined. And then a time for the sentencing afterwards.
You see at the very end of the Bible Jesus announces – Revelation 22:12, Jesus says "Reward with me" If Jesus brings each man's reward with Him at His return - then obviously a work of investigation or judgment must precede the 2nd Coming.
God must investigate the case of each human being prior to the appearing of Christ to determine whether receive the reward of eternal life or death. The Word of God everywhere pictures a clear-cut distinction between the saved and lost at coming of Jesus.
The investigative phase of Judgment will have confirmed or decided the destiny of all before that time. John 5:28,29 Two clear and distinct groups when Jesus returns.This investigative phase of Judgment IS NOW IN SESSION!
Revelation 14:6,7 - right among 3 Angels Messages - which sound warning against beast. We find a most solemn and profound statement.
Revelation 14: 6,7 Messages of the 3 Angels going to this world today!These messages contain the warning against the Beast and his evil work.
Daniel 8:14 SANCTUARY CLEANSED – What is the Cleansing of the Sanctuary? What does this mean? What does it have to do with the Judgment.
Exodus 25:8,9 "After pattern" - Soon after leaving Egypt, Moses told build sanctuary after one he saw. Patterns made from original.
Psalm 77:13 "Thy way... is in the Sanctuary."
Sanctuary had two compartments beside the outer court – The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.
First Apartment – 7 Branched Candlestick, Table of Shew bread, Alter of Incense. Each day services performed in the first apartment. Lamb - Christ. . . Sacrifices centered in the sanctuary from Moses to Christ.
Sanctuary was object lesson taught salvation – how they learned and showed faith in the Redemption plan of Jesus.
Most Holy Place - There until cleansed on Day of Atonement. - Ark of Covenant overlaid with gold - Ten Commandments. The Sanctuary was cleansed once a year. Day of Atonement Most solemn day - considered a day of Judgment. Even today - Yom Kipper - Jewish Encyclopedia.
Bible tells us about this Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16:2, 15-17 "Come not every day into Most Holy" Verses 29,30,33,34 Persons who not examine life - confess sins - remain unforgiven. Only those - repentance - put away sins - considered in cleansing of sanctuary.
Now there is something we must realize - Old Testament Sanctuary service - an illustration of work of Jesus in the Plan of Salvation. The cleansing of the Sanctuary was a day of Judgement for Israel, symbolizing the final judgement. Just before Jesus returns He begins an investigative judgment to examine lives of His people to determine their true condition and help them to get ready to meet Him.
Hebrews 9:1-12 "a minister of true sanctuary." verse 2The real Sanctuary is in Heaven - Old Testament just pointed forwarded to work of Christ.
As Lamb and Priest - Verses 11,12
We put our sins on Christ - true Lamb of God - died, rose to heaven. Hebrews 9:24
Now when God said "2300 days - Sanctuary cleansed." He was talking about time of cleansing of Most Holy Place of heavenly Sanctuary, which is a time of judgment or investigation for people of God today. We can be sure not talking about OT Sanctuary - destroyed in 70 AD.
When did it begin and end? - The 2300 day prophecy. Then know about judgment. Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
Daniel 9:23-25 gives answer to our question about the beginning of this prophecy, which takes us to the End-Time.
At first Daniel did not understand the Vision. Angel Gabriel sent to answer Daniel's prayer - verses 21-23.
Verse 24 – "Seventy weeks - determined upon Thy people."
Hebrew meaning – "determined" = "cut off" This part - 490 years - pertain to Jews When began? - Daniel 9:25
Decree of Artaxerxes in 457 BC - Ezra 7:11-13. No date more fully established by scholars - in some margins. Only decree provided significantly to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Brings us to AD 34 - Stephen stoned - Gospel to Gentiles. I'll show you this in a moment.
Next - prophecy tells when Messiah to come - Verse 25
"7 weeks + 3 score and 2 weeks" = 62 Weeks
62 + 7 = 69 weeks or 434 days + 49 = 483 days or 69 weeks
"7 weeks and 62 weeks" - NKJV) - 69 x 7 days = 483
Many ways to figure this. Adds up to - 69 wks or 483 yrs.
This brings us to 27 AD. - What happened in 27 AD?
Right here want to show you something really fantastic -
Luke 3:1,21,22
Jesus baptized - Name Messiah - Anointed One –
Acts 10:38, "God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power."
He came right on time. Galatians 4:4
"When fullness of time come."
Remember what Jesus said in announcing ministry - Mark 1:15
What time fulfilled? - Daniel'sAmazing accuracy - dates
69 weeks of 70 mentioned covered - one week left.
Back to: Daniel 9:26,27
"Messiah cut off - sacrifices cease - Matthew 27:5
When Christ died veil rent - top to bottom - ceased!
In midst of week - 7 days - 3 1/2 days - years.
31 AD - Jesus died in middle of 70th week.
Have you ever heard of 7 year tribulation period?
Future Tribulation - When the Antichrist comes in middle
This is where get 7 year period - notice not mention rapture here at all.
Some want to attribute to Antichrist what Jesus did by atoning death!
Daniel 9:27- "He caused sacrifices to cease."
Remember 2300 days - sanctuary cleansed – Simple Math
2300 - 490 = 1810 … AD 34 + 1810 = 1844. Brings us to year 1844. What was to happen? - Sanctuary cleansed.
Daniel 8:14
We can be sure because of accuracy of dates. Can't be Old Testament Sanctuary - not in existence in 1844.
Sacrificial and Ceremonial services ended at the Cross - Sanctuary itself destroyed in AD 70.
What Sanctuary? - The Heavenly – Remember Hebrews 8:1,2-5
Jesus is the minister of the true sanctuary in heaven.
What needs cleansing in heaven you ask? Review briefly OT shadow - type of Jesus' work.
All OT yearly ceremonial feast day services had a fulfillment in plan of salvation - Christ.
What needs cleansing in Heaven? - Record of sin in Heaven - Revelation 20:12 How is it cleansed?
Hebrews 9:14, 22-24
"Christ offered Himself – to cleanse you from sin" - verse 14.
He cleanses our hearts and the record of our sin.
Verses 22 ,24 - Jesus went before Father with His own blood.
After death entered first apartment - Just like OT priest did daily.
1844 - Day of Atonement - entered Most Holy Place
like High Priest did once a year. - He fulfilled the types.Daniel saw all this in prophetic vision - Dan. 7:9,10,13,14
Books opened - investigation begins.
Notice the relationship of this investigative judgment to antichrist prophecy - Verse 8 - little horn.
Judgment scene right in middle of verses describing the work of the antichrist.
In Revelation 14 Three Angels tells of Judgement and warns against the work of the Antichrist.
People are judged according to response to truth of God or falsehoods and deceptions of antichrist!
Now this is vital – What comes after the "Little Horn" in Dan?
We see a type of divine judgement scene which obviously occurs in heaven.
And what follows this heavenly judgement scene? God sets up a kingdom "which shall not pass away"
When does God ultimately set up this Kingdom? At the 2nd Coming of Jesus!
The specific order is crucial. In 3 places in Dan. we have a little horn power – then a judgement scene in heaven, and God sets up His kingdom at last.
Little Horn – Judgement in Heaven – God sets up His Kingdom. This is so important it is repeated in verses 21,22 a second time and then a third in verses 25-27.
Judgment restores Christ's kingdom, dominion.
This relates us back to Dan. 2 as well. The Rock = Christ's restored kingdom.
After Judgment - Jesus comes to administer sentence -
Revelation 22:11,12, "Behold I come quickly."
You see folks this decree goes forth after investigation taken place to see who is ready for heaven by proving their faithfulness to Jesus.
God is seeking to prepare a people to stand in the Day of God. A great work of Jesus must be accomplished to prepare His people for eternity.
A message of warning must be given to arouse the world from it spiritual stupor and to prepare for the Coming of our Lord.
God considers this message of such importance that He symbolizes it by picturing 3 Angels flying in the midst of heaven announcing with a loud voice "Fear God and give glory to Him…" Revelation 14:7
Here in Rev. 14 – Three great warnings are issued. After pointing us to the Gospel of Christ, the first of these warnings announces the judgement.
This message is especially designed to prepare the last generation for the greatest event of all time – The Return of Jesus Christ
So few are ready in our society today. They don't know and they don't care.
Friends, an understanding of the message of Revelation will change our lives.
It shows us a judgement going on in heaven right now. We are not living in ordinary times. It is no longer "business as usual".
Oh, no! This is the Judgement hour. This is the time of the end, Earth's final hour.
And Jesus in His great love is doing all that he can to get our attention.
To wake us up to the reality that this is the judgement hour, when every person will be held accountable.
Every case will be decided for eternity.
What effect should this have on us today. Lets read the words of Paul in Romans 13:11
Suppose I'm sleeping and wake up in the early morning hours. What is one of the first things I will do?
Look at the clock, of course! Why?
Well, if its 2:00 am, I'll role over and go back to sleep. But if it says 6:00 am, I know it is time to get up.
Knowing the time makes all the difference in the world! Listen again to the great evangelist Paul.
1 Thessalonians. 5: 1,2,4-6,9
Even a casual glance at society today tells us that things are not right. This world seems to be spinning out of control.
Growing numbers of men and women face the future with anxiety and confusion. The world seems locked in a downward spiral that is fast reaching a climax.
How will it all end? How will the political terrorism, the violence, the greed and corruption, the steady erosion of moral values, the drug use, the AIDS virus, the starvation, and the killing – how will all these critical problems be resolved?
Listen friends, before we leave for home tonight I want to tell you that this world is going to have to decide between two choices – opposite options in a cosmic struggle between good and evil.
Many perhaps most are already making the wrong decisions in the grand issues affecting our eternity.
The prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation gives us the important answers to the questions we need to be asking, questions about how this conflict began, what the issues are, how we are all involved, and how it will end.
We must know what the Lord in His ultimate love for us has revealed in His Word in order to decide for truth and righteous.