[The following study is based on the audio message titled Investigative Judgment , with the permission of the author, Ivor Myers. Click on the above link to listen to the orginal audio message]
When will the judgement begin and what is the purpose of the judgement?
In order to rightly understand the judgment, we must take a look into the sanctuary. The building that God instructed Moses to build in the wilderness (Exodus 25:8). Let's begin our study with the sanctuary in heaven. Is there a sanctuary in heaven?
There is a sanctuary in heaven
Hebrews 8:1-2 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.
Note: The building [Earthly sanctuary] that God instructed Moses to build in the wilderness was patterned after the real sanctuary in heaven (Exodus 25:8). And yes, we are told that there is a real sanctuary in heaven “which the Lord pitched”.
Lucifer was one of the covering angels at the Mercy Seat [the throne of God] in the heavenly sanctuary
Ezekiel 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Exodus 25:19,20 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. (20) And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Note: Ezekiel 28:14 is addressing [the power behind] the prince of Tyrus which is none other than Satan [Lucifer] himself. Lucifer was at the very presence of God’s throne in the heavenly sanctuary, as a cherub "that covereth the mercy seat".
Lucifer defiles the heavenly sanctuary
Ezekiel 28:16,18 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick.
Note: The word “sanctuaries” mean HOLY PLACES. Lucifer defiled the heavenly sanctuary by his iniquity. (See also : Lucifer's rebellion against the Law of Heaven).
In order to rightly understand the judgment, we must take a look into the sanctuary. The building that God instructed Moses to build in the wilderness (Exodus 25:8). Let's begin our study with the sanctuary in heaven. Is there a sanctuary in heaven?
There is a sanctuary in heaven
Hebrews 8:1-2 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.
Note: The building [Earthly sanctuary] that God instructed Moses to build in the wilderness was patterned after the real sanctuary in heaven (Exodus 25:8). And yes, we are told that there is a real sanctuary in heaven “which the Lord pitched”.
Lucifer was one of the covering angels at the Mercy Seat [the throne of God] in the heavenly sanctuary
Ezekiel 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Exodus 25:19,20 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. (20) And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Note: Ezekiel 28:14 is addressing [the power behind] the prince of Tyrus which is none other than Satan [Lucifer] himself. Lucifer was at the very presence of God’s throne in the heavenly sanctuary, as a cherub "that covereth the mercy seat".
Lucifer defiles the heavenly sanctuary
Ezekiel 28:16,18 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick.
Note: The word “sanctuaries” mean HOLY PLACES. Lucifer defiled the heavenly sanctuary by his iniquity. (See also : Lucifer's rebellion against the Law of Heaven).
The Fall of Man and the Sanctuary
God creates man and man rebels against the government and the Law of God. Sin [lawlessness] separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). But God would have us come back to his presence and this process is seen in the sanctuary.
Psalms 77:13 Thy way, Oh God, is in the sanctuary
The sanctuary pointed to Christ and salvation through Him (John 14:6). The sanctuary is to show how God is dealing with the sin problem amd how God is going to bring the sin separated man at-one-ment with him. Please see also, our article, Gospel in Old Testament for a study on the Sanctuary service in the Old Testament.
What happened in the Holy Place [First Apartment] and the Most Holy place [second apartment] in the earthly sanctuary? How was the sinner forgiven?
The work in the courtyard and the holy place was performed every day (Hebrews 9:6), while the work of the most holy place [second apartment] was performed only once a year (Hebrews 9:7). Day by day the repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the sanctuary when he was convicted of his sin and placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins (Leviticus 4:29), thus in symbol transferred them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. That lamb represented Jesus who died for our sins. Sinner was released from the penalty of death, for the Lamb of God was now the sin bearer. Sinner was forgiven and cleansed, but the sin was not totally dealt with. The priest took the blood of the Lamb into the sanctuary and so the sins of Israel were thus symbolically transferred to the sanctuary, thus defiling the sanctuary and a special work became necessary for the removal [of the sin record] once a year (Leviticus 16:29,30).
Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the most holy place [second apartment] for the cleansing of the sanctuary. This is the Final atonement for the year. This was a time set [one day in the year called the Day of Atonement] where all those sins were removed. So we see that, there is a process in removing our sins. Notice the following illustration.
Garbage disposing - an illustration for removal of sins
You know that your garbage in your homes can get piled up daily. But every day we get rid of garbage by putting them aside into our garbage bins. However, garbage is still piling up at the side of the house and it is not totally removed from your presence. But then one day out of the week, the garbage truck comes along and the truck takes all that garbage out into a solitary place. When you put aside the garbage daily into your bins, you still have to take it or move it into the front of the house for the garbage truck to come and get it. So, on that day when the garbage truck comes and removes your record of garbage, you don’t have to think about garbage anymorem right? God is about to remove the garbage of sin from our presence forever.
Please note that the sinner had the assuarance of forgiveness and cleansing by faith once he confessed his sins over the lamb in the sanctuary service, but the sin was not totally dealt with. That is why there was a time for the removal of sin record from the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. Now let’s now get into some detail as to what really happened on the Day of Atonement.
Observe very carefully the key events that happened on the Day of Atonement:
- On the Day of Atonement, God appeared in a cloud upon the mercy seat as a judge taking his seat of judgment:
Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Note: Through out the year, God’s presence was hovering over the sanctuary. By night, it was pillar of fire (Numbers 9:16). But on the Day of Atonement, God appeared in the cloud upon the mercy seat. God’s presence was not always in the Most Holy place every day, but on the Day of Atonement, God takes his seat and if it is as though he takes his seat as a Judge would take his seat, to sit in judgment; it’s like a judge coming into his seat. The Day of Atonement was known as the Day of Judgment.
- The High priest moves into the most holy place in a cloud of incense
Leviticus 16:12,13 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: 13And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
Note: When the high priest entered the most holy place leaving the first apartment, he was accompanied by a cloud.
- There is a Ram and a Goat involved on the Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16:5,8 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. (8) And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Note: These were the only day where these two animals were involved in the service. In other words, if you asked a Hebrew, “Ram and goat, what day does it bring to your mind?” they would say, the “Day of Atonement”. The high priest was to take two goats, representing two opposite powers and cast lots. Casting lots signifies determining destinies and therefore a judgment on these two goats. One of these goats was to die and one was to be led out into the wilderness. So the Day of Atonement again represents a day of judgment.
- The sanctuary is cleansed
Leviticus 16:29,30 This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. "For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
Note: The purpose of the Day of Atonement was to cleanse the people from their sin record.
Let’s summarize key events on the Day of Atonement:
1) The Shekinah glory appears in the most holy place as though God is taking his seat for judgement.
2) High Priest moves into the Most Holy place
3) High priest enters into the Most Holy surrounded by a cloud
4) A ram and a goat are involved on the Day of Atonement
5) Casting of lots representing determination of destines or judgment
6) Sanctuary cleansed
Psalms 77:13 Thy way, Oh God, is in the sanctuary
The sanctuary pointed to Christ and salvation through Him (John 14:6). The sanctuary is to show how God is dealing with the sin problem amd how God is going to bring the sin separated man at-one-ment with him. Please see also, our article, Gospel in Old Testament for a study on the Sanctuary service in the Old Testament.
What happened in the Holy Place [First Apartment] and the Most Holy place [second apartment] in the earthly sanctuary? How was the sinner forgiven?
The work in the courtyard and the holy place was performed every day (Hebrews 9:6), while the work of the most holy place [second apartment] was performed only once a year (Hebrews 9:7). Day by day the repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the sanctuary when he was convicted of his sin and placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins (Leviticus 4:29), thus in symbol transferred them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. That lamb represented Jesus who died for our sins. Sinner was released from the penalty of death, for the Lamb of God was now the sin bearer. Sinner was forgiven and cleansed, but the sin was not totally dealt with. The priest took the blood of the Lamb into the sanctuary and so the sins of Israel were thus symbolically transferred to the sanctuary, thus defiling the sanctuary and a special work became necessary for the removal [of the sin record] once a year (Leviticus 16:29,30).
Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the most holy place [second apartment] for the cleansing of the sanctuary. This is the Final atonement for the year. This was a time set [one day in the year called the Day of Atonement] where all those sins were removed. So we see that, there is a process in removing our sins. Notice the following illustration.
Garbage disposing - an illustration for removal of sins
You know that your garbage in your homes can get piled up daily. But every day we get rid of garbage by putting them aside into our garbage bins. However, garbage is still piling up at the side of the house and it is not totally removed from your presence. But then one day out of the week, the garbage truck comes along and the truck takes all that garbage out into a solitary place. When you put aside the garbage daily into your bins, you still have to take it or move it into the front of the house for the garbage truck to come and get it. So, on that day when the garbage truck comes and removes your record of garbage, you don’t have to think about garbage anymorem right? God is about to remove the garbage of sin from our presence forever.
Please note that the sinner had the assuarance of forgiveness and cleansing by faith once he confessed his sins over the lamb in the sanctuary service, but the sin was not totally dealt with. That is why there was a time for the removal of sin record from the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. Now let’s now get into some detail as to what really happened on the Day of Atonement.
Observe very carefully the key events that happened on the Day of Atonement:
- On the Day of Atonement, God appeared in a cloud upon the mercy seat as a judge taking his seat of judgment:
Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Note: Through out the year, God’s presence was hovering over the sanctuary. By night, it was pillar of fire (Numbers 9:16). But on the Day of Atonement, God appeared in the cloud upon the mercy seat. God’s presence was not always in the Most Holy place every day, but on the Day of Atonement, God takes his seat and if it is as though he takes his seat as a Judge would take his seat, to sit in judgment; it’s like a judge coming into his seat. The Day of Atonement was known as the Day of Judgment.
- The High priest moves into the most holy place in a cloud of incense
Leviticus 16:12,13 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: 13And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
Note: When the high priest entered the most holy place leaving the first apartment, he was accompanied by a cloud.
- There is a Ram and a Goat involved on the Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16:5,8 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. (8) And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Note: These were the only day where these two animals were involved in the service. In other words, if you asked a Hebrew, “Ram and goat, what day does it bring to your mind?” they would say, the “Day of Atonement”. The high priest was to take two goats, representing two opposite powers and cast lots. Casting lots signifies determining destinies and therefore a judgment on these two goats. One of these goats was to die and one was to be led out into the wilderness. So the Day of Atonement again represents a day of judgment.
- The sanctuary is cleansed
Leviticus 16:29,30 This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. "For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
Note: The purpose of the Day of Atonement was to cleanse the people from their sin record.
Let’s summarize key events on the Day of Atonement:
1) The Shekinah glory appears in the most holy place as though God is taking his seat for judgement.
2) High Priest moves into the Most Holy place
3) High priest enters into the Most Holy surrounded by a cloud
4) A ram and a goat are involved on the Day of Atonement
5) Casting of lots representing determination of destines or judgment
6) Sanctuary cleansed
Kingdoms of this world attack the sanctuary of God
We shall revisit the above points later in our study. Let’s now turn our attention to the prophecies in Daniel. Have you ever wondered why God outlined those kingdoms in Daniel chapter 2? What did these kingdoms have to do with the Sanctuary of God? Did they have anything to do with the Sanctuary?
Satan through these kingdoms attempted to attack the Sanctuary
- Babylon destroyed the temple. The head of gold represented Babylon, which was the ruling world power from 612-539 B.C.
- Medes and Persians gave a decree that Jews can rebuild the temple but the process was hindered.
- Greece desecrated the temple under Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 B.C. and Rome destroyed the temple in 70 A.D.
Note: The Devil attacked the sanctuary because the bible says in Psalms 77:13, “Thy way, Oh God, is in the sanctuary”. The sanctuary explains the plan of salvation. These kingdoms tried to destroy the sanctuary so that mankind would not have a good idea about the plan of salvation. And it was during the time of the fourth Kingdom, the Roman Empire, that Jesus lived on earth.
In Christ, the earthly sanctuary service met its fulfillment
Matt. 27:50, 51 Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom."
Note: At the death of Christ, the veil of the temple was rent in twain which signified that the priestly work of the earthly sanctuary was finished and now Jesus ascended into the heavenly sanctuary.
Christ ascended to the heavenly sanctuary
Hebrews 8:1,2 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.”
Here is the crucial question. When Christ ascended to the heavenly sanctuary, did Christ ascend to the Holy place or to the Most Holy place?
We shall answer this question with the following verse:
Exodus 25:8,9,40 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it
Note: Who laid the pattern for Moses to build the earthly sanctuary? We know the answer and it is Jesus and because he laid out the pattern, he must follow the pattern that he gave us. The way God saved us and dealt with sin was revealed in the sanctuary. Did the High priest enter the Most Holy place as and when he wanted? He didn’t. His first part of the mission was a ministry that took place in the Holy place and the closing part of his mission took place in the Most Holy place.
That’s why Heb 9:12 says, Christ entered once into the Holy place:
Hebrews 9:12 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
Note: The scripture tells us that when he ascended into heaven, he entered into the Holy place. Now does this mean that Jesus was not in the presence of God? On the contrary, the sanctuary in heaven is filled with the presence of God. The Father is omnipresent. Jesus and the Father have always been together in the heavenly sanctuary; the only reason the presence of God was confined in the earthly temple was due to the problem of sinful man. That problem doesn't exist in heaven, so the immediate presence of the Father is not confined to the Most Holy Place in the sanctuary above.
John in Revelation sees Jesus in the First apartment in the heavenly sanctuary
Revelation 1:12-13 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man.
Note: John the revelator sees a time where Christ was in the Holy place where the seven branch candlesticks are located. Christ certainly entered the Holy Place. If he entered directly into the Most holy place, we like to ask our opponents, when did he minister in the Holy place? Was it before the cross? If it was before the cross, with whose blood, did he minister in the Holy place? When Jesus died, he did not enter into the Most holy place, but into the Holy place just like the pattern he laid out.
The clay & iron kingdom attacks the sanctuary
We learnt that Lucifer defiled the sanctuary in heaven. Then, Satan through Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome attacked the sanctuary. But there is another kingdom in Daniel 2 represented by the feet of the image. The feet represented a kingdom that was partly iron and partly clay.
What does clay in the bible represent?
Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter”
Note: Clay represents a people who profess to be molded by God. The feet [iron and clay] therefore represent a professed spiritual kingdom mingled with the kingdoms of this world.
If all the kingdoms attacked the sanctuary truth, which temple will this clay kingdom war against? What is the only temple that this kingdom can war against? The only temple that this kingdom can attack is the heavenly sanctuary. The Roman Empire destroyed the earthly temple and Christ said it would be left desolate (Luke 13:35). The Clay kingdom has attacked the heavenly sanctuary and how has it done? The devil has successfully diverted the attention of the Christian world to a rebuilding of an earthly temple. The christian world is no more looking into the true heavenly temple where Christ is mediating on our behalf, but to an earthly temple, even when christ said the temple will lay desolate. The truth about Christ's ministry in heaven has been suppressed and the sanctuary truth has been denied and attacked.
Stone cut without hands represent a judgment against these kingdoms
Daniel 2:34, 35 A stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces
Note: The stone that was cut without human hands represents God's kingdom. Stone smiting the image represents a judgment against this image and it is an executive judgment. In other words, something must have taken place in the kingdom of heaven to decide that these kingdoms should be destroyed. Now where there is an executive judgment, there must first be an investigative judgment. In other words, you don’t send someone to electric chair before you investigate whether they are worthy to the electric chair. There must be an investigation before there can be an execution of the sentence. This tells us that before Jesus comes again, there must be a judgment. If Jesus comes and says my reward is with me (Matthew 16:26), there must have been a prior investigation as to who gets the reward.
Nothing new, only more detail in the book of Daniel after chapter 2
Once we understand the image in Daniel 2, from the head of gold to the toes of iron and clay, through out the rest of the book of Daniel, you will not find anything new, only more detail.
Let’s apply this principle to the beasts in Daniel 7. Daniel chapter 7 describes four beasts. A beast represent a nation or a kingdom (Daniel 7:23). Four kingdoms are described in Daniel 2. Therefore the first beast like a lion (Daniel 7:4) must represent Babylon. The second beast like a bear (Daniel 7:5) must represent Medo-Persia. The third beast which is like a leopard (Daniel 7:6) having four heads must coincide with Greece. The reason why the leopard has four heads is because when Alexander died, his kingdom was divided among four generals. The next beast was a non-descript beast almost like a dragon that had great iron teeth (Daniel 7:7). Who must that beast represent? Rome. This beast had 10 horns on its head. What must these 10 horns coincide with? The 10 toes. What must represent clay if there is nothing new, but more detail? Among those 10 horns, the bible says there comes up another little horn (Daniel 7:8). Therefore among the 10 horns we find this little horn, just like among the 10 toes of iron we find clay. So the clay of Daniel 2 is the very same as the little horn of Daniel 7.
Daniel 2 | Daniel 7 |
Gold - Babylon (Dan. 2:38) | Lion - Babylon (Dan 7:4) |
Silver - Medes & Persians(Dan. 2:39) | Bear - Medes & Persians (Dan. 7:5) |
Brass - Greece (Dan. 2:39) | Leopard - Greece (Dan. 7:6) |
Iron - Rome (Dan. 2:40) | Non-descript beast - Rome ( Dan. 7:7) |
Clay among 10 Iron toes - Spiritual Kingdom(Dan. 2:42) | Little Horn among 10 horns - Spiritual kingdom (Dan. 7:8) |
Right after this little horn is described, a judgment seen is described in heaven
Daniel 7:9,10 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.
Note: Time to recap what we studied of the Day of Atonement. The earthly Day of Atonement was like a day of judgment where God appeared on the mercy seat as a judge would take his seat. What did the Ancient of days do? Ancient of days did sit and sit for what? Judgment. This event [judgment seen] must take place before the stone will smite the image. [It is also interesting that God's throne had wheels which means it is a movable throne.]
Son of man came with the clouds of heaven
Daniel 7: 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.
Note: High priest enters into the Most Holy surrounded by a cloud of incense on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:13). Here we have Jesus coming with cloud of angels. Our opponents say above is in reference to when Jesus first ascended to heaven. But there is a problem with this idea. When does this seen take place? This seen take place at the same time the little horn is present on the earth and the little horn is ruling way after the Pagan Roman Empire. Therefore this cannot be Jesus ascending to heaven, it must be when Jesus is moving from one place to another. Jesus is moving from the Holy place into the Mot holy place just like the pattern. Christ is following the pattern laid out to Moses. Notice the following connection:
Day of Atonement[judgment] on earth | Judgement scene in heaven (Daniel 7) |
God appears on the Mercy Seat on the day of judgement (Lev. 16:2) | Ancient of Days takes his Seat for judgement ( Daniel 7:9,10 ) |
High Priest moves into the Most Holy in a cloud (Lev. 16:13) | Jesus our High Priest came with a cloud into the Most Holy (Daniel 7:13) |
Why is there an investigative judgment?
Daniel 7:25,26 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 26But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Note: The little horn speaks against the most high. He persecutes the saints of the most high. And he thinks to change the [times and the law] Law of God found in the heavenly sanctuary. In Daniel 2, we saw that the clay & iron kingdom represented a spiritual kingdom. Daniel 7 tells us that this little horn power is that spiritual kingdom. When a kingdom represents God, it should represent God in spirit and truth. Here we have a power that rises after the Roman Empire and yet persecutes God’s people. Notice Daniel 7:26, “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end”. The purpose of the judgment is to destroy the dominion of this little horn over this world. Satan is behind the little horn. So it ultimately is to take away the dominion of Satan.
Judgment is absolutely good news! It’s the judgment that takes away the dominion of Satan’s empire over us. Does the judgment sound like a good thing for Christians under grace? It sure is! Remember, when Adam and Eve sinned, they fell under the dominion of Satan. They fell under his law; the law of sin and death. The judgment is that which reverses what Satan is doing in our lives.
Psalm 119:113 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Note: The judgment is to get rid of his dominion over our lives. We are to be looking joyfully for judgement.
Nothing new, only more detail in Daniel 8
Daniel 8 begins with a ram (Daniel 8:3) first and then a he goat (Daniel 8:5). The ram had two horns (Daniel 8:3). What does the Ram represent from Daniel 2? It has to be Medo-persia (Daniel 8:20). The he goat which runs onto him must represent Greece (Daniel 8:20).
Then Daniel 8:9 speaks about a little horn. Who must this little horn represent? The same little horn power in (Daniel 7:8) that Satan is using in these last days. Notice :
Daniel 8:9-12 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
Note: Sounds very much like the little horn in Daniel 7, but Daniel 8 adds more detail. He (little horn power) exalts himself even to the prince of the host which is Jesus Christ and casts down the truth about the sanctuary. How does he cast down the truth? Do you know any religious system that takes the place of Jesus as the mediator? [You don’t have to go to Jesus directly, comes to us for forgiveness - Papacy”]. This power has cast down the truth about our high priest replacing him with dead saints & earthly priests. (Our opponents say the little horn power in Daniel 7 & 8 are not the same. (The following study done by our friends at the Adventist Defense League will prove it otherwise Did Antiochus Epiphanies wax exceedingly great?).
Daniel 2 | Daniel 7 | Daniel 8 |
Gold - Babylon (Dan. 2:38) | Lion - Babylon (Dan 7:4) | - |
Silver - Medes & Persians(Dan. 2:39) | Bear - Medes & Persians (Dan. 7:5) | Ram - Medes & Persian (Dan. 8:20) |
Brass - Greece (Dan. 2:39) | Leopard - Greece | Goat - Greece (Dan. 8:20) |
Iron - Pagan Rome (Dan. 2:40) | Non-descript beast - Pagan Rome ( Dan. 7:7) | Little Horn (Pagan Rome) (Dan. 8:9) |
Clay among 10 Iron toes - Spiritual Kingdom | Little Horn among 10 horns - Papal Rome | Little Horn (Dan. 8:9) - Spiritual Kingdom; (Papal Rome) |
How long will the sanctuary truth be cast down for?
Daniel 8:13,14 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Note: How long will the little horn practice and prosper before the truth of the sanctuary is brought back to life? 2300 days is the answer. In Bible prophecy, one prophetic day equals one literal year (See: Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6; Luke 13:32). The Hebrew word for cleansed (tsadeq) in Daniel 8:14 also means vindicated or justified. On the earthly Day of Atonement, the sanctuary was cleansed. Cleansing of the sanctuary on the day of atonement signified a time of Judgment and the removal of sins. Therefore, Daniel is saying that, "Unto two thousand and three hundred [prophetic] days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed". In others words, after 2300 prophetic years starting from a certain date, will result in the Sanctuary truth being restored and the commencement of the anti-tpical (real) day of judgment in heaven.
Daniel 9 gives the starting point for the 2300 day prophesy
Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; ... and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
NOTE: Daniel was deeply grieved by what was to come upon God's people that he fainted and was sick for some time. But initially neither Daniel nor his friends understood the 2,300-day section of the vision. Several years after Daniel's vision about the 2,300 days, an angel of heaven flew quickly to his side to help him understand it. The angel says to Daniel to “consider the vision” (Daniel 9:23). What vision? The vision of 2300 days (Daniel 8:13) which the starting point was unexplained and now the angel gives the starting point of the vision for 2300 years:
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem...
Note: The angel told Daniel to begin counting the 2,300-day from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. God's people were in captivity in the Persian Empire at this time. The decree was made in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, who began to reign in 464 B.C. (Ezra 7:7). Artaxerxes' decree in 457 B.C. was the only one that specified restoring and rebuilding Jerusalem.
Adding 2300 years from 457 B.C. brings us to the autumn of 1844. The angel said that at that time, the heavenly sanctuary would be cleansed. In this year, the judgment [heavenly day of atonement or the Final atonement] process began. In this year, the sanctuary truth was restored.
How did it happen?
There were men of various backgrounds from across the globe who began to study Daniel 8 and they came to the conclusion that something very special was going to happen in 1844. Many believed Jesus was coming in that year. But they were mistaken of the event, because Jesus was moving to the Most Holy from the Holy place. After their disappointment, they studied and rediscovered the truth that our study has concluded. There were Baptists, Methodist, people from various denominations coming together with the same conclusion. Sanctuary truth was finally brought to light. People had been focusing on a rebuilding of an earthly temple in Jerusalem and all of a sudden there attention turned towards the true tabernacle, where our true high priest is interceding on our behalf.
Now notice the powerful connection we derive with the day of atonement [earthly] and the final atonement in the heavenly sanctuary:
Day of Atonement(Earthly) | Investigative Judgement since 1844 (Heavenly) |
God appears on the Mercy Seat on the day of judgement (Lev. 16:2) | Ancient of Days takes his Seat for judgement ( Daniel 7:9,10 ) |
High Priest moves into the Most Holy in a cloud (Lev. 16:13) | Jesus our High Priest came with a cloud into the Most Holy (Daniel 7:13) |
A Ram and a Goat involved (Lev. 16:5) | Daniel 8 begins with a Ram and a Goat (Daniel 8:3-5) |
Sanctuary is cleansed (Lev. 16:29,30) | Sanctuary be cleansed (Daniel 8:13) |
How did Lucifer defile the sanctuary?
Ezekiel 28:16,18 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned. (18)Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick
Note: It says Lucifer began to traffic something in heaven and ultimately it defiled the sanctuary. What merchandise (goods) was he trafficking? What was Satan trafficking about the sanctuary? Satan was transporting lies and falsehood about the sanctuary and the government of God. When Satan and his angels were cast down to earth, they began to sell the same lies to mankind. When the bible says after 2300 days, the sanctuary will be vindicated or cleansed, this means even the understanding will grow among the people of God about the sanctuary truth. When this judgment begins, Satan’s falsehoods will be revealed.
Judgment reverses the false condemnation against the righteous
Psalms 94:20,21 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? (21)They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
Psalms 109:31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation
Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Note: judgment is not a scary thing if we have Jesus. Satan came to condemn us in sin. Christ came to condemn sin in us. Judgment reveals whether you allow Satan to condemn us in sin or whether we allow Christ to condemn sin in us.
Three Angel’s messages
Rev 14:1 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, 7Saying 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.
Note: Just before the end of the world, three angels go flying with a message to the entire world. The First angel tells us that the judgment process is not sometime in the future, but we are living in that time right now; “the hour of his judgment is come” (Rev 14:7).
Standard of God’s judgment is the Law of self sacrificing love
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. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Note: The first angel brings to light the importance of the law of God found in the sanctuary and the commandment that has been forgotten. “Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea” message points to the fourth commandment as a vital issue in the last days.
Second Angel's message
Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication
Who is Babylon that is fallen?
Revelation 17:1-5 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Note: A woman in bible prophesy represents a spiritual system (2 Corinthians 11:1). Babylon the great is a fallen spiritual system. Who is babylon described in Revelation 17? Papal Rome fits every description and she received her power from pagan Rome. This woman is the same as the clay and iron kingdom of Danel 2, and the little horn power of Daniel 7 and 8. We are told she is the "Mother of Harlots" and she thus have daughters who follow her fallen systems of worship. Here is the good news! Satan and his systems of this world are brought into judgment (Revelation 17:1). His dominion will be soon brought to an end at the conclusion of the investigative judgement. Christians under grace are to truly rejoice exceedingly that judgement has begun and God is about to make an end to the sin problem and take away the dominion of satan over the righteous.
Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication
Who is Babylon that is fallen?
Revelation 17:1-5 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Note: A woman in bible prophesy represents a spiritual system (2 Corinthians 11:1). Babylon the great is a fallen spiritual system. Who is babylon described in Revelation 17? Papal Rome fits every description and she received her power from pagan Rome. This woman is the same as the clay and iron kingdom of Danel 2, and the little horn power of Daniel 7 and 8. We are told she is the "Mother of Harlots" and she thus have daughters who follow her fallen systems of worship. Here is the good news! Satan and his systems of this world are brought into judgment (Revelation 17:1). His dominion will be soon brought to an end at the conclusion of the investigative judgement. Christians under grace are to truly rejoice exceedingly that judgement has begun and God is about to make an end to the sin problem and take away the dominion of satan over the righteous.
See also:
Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary
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