MEMORY VERSE: ‘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.
STUDY HELP: Great Controversy, pages 479-491.
LESSON SCRIPTURE: .Matthew 7:21-23.
LESSON AIM: To study the outcome of God’s judgement..
‘Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgement is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon, none know how soon, it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behoves every soul to heed the Saviour’s admonition: “Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Mark 13:33. “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Revelation 3:3. When the work of the investigative judgement closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. Christ in the Revelation, looking forward to that time, declares: “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. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:11, 12.’ Great Controversy, page 490.
1. As the sanctuary service reveals, who are the first to be judged? 1 Peter 4:17, first part.
NOTE: ‘In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgement the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgement of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. “Judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?” 1 Peter 4:17.’ Great Controversy, page 480.
2. What solemn question does Peter ask about those who have not obeyed the Gospel? 1 Peter 4:17, last part.
NOTE: ‘On the Day of Atonement in the typical service only those sins which had been confessed and transferred to the sanctuary through the sin-offering, were carried out and laid upon the head of the scapegoat. In the investigative judgement, only the cases of those who have confessed their sins will be investigated. Their names will be in the book of life, and Peter states, “Judgement must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" The cases of those who have not served God will go by default. There will be no one to present them. They have no advocate in the heavenly court.’ S. N. Haskell: The Cross and its Shadow, page 234.