No Reason for Doubt. Every one can easily see how well this comparison may be adapted to the word of prophecy. How could any one else but the God of heaven reveal those wonderful things which we have considered? How true are the words of the prophet that God alone "revealeth the deep and secret things he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him." 18 Who would have thought that Persia, the smallest kingdom on the earth, should overturn the mighty Babylon, and subdue all the known world, making the king of Persia reign from India in the south part of Asia even unto Ethiopia in Africa, over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces? And who could tell beforehand that Greece, a small and poor kingdom, should overturn and reign over the mighty Persian kingdom, and afterward be divided into four parts; that Rome should be divided into ten parts, and that such a wonderful power as the one symbolized by the little horn at last should come forth out of this kingdom, and be different from every other power which has previously existed in the world? How can we doubt God's word when we see that he has so exactly fulfilled all these things? Who can deny that he has built a city which hath foundations, and that he will bring his people with honor and glory into this city? Let us then rejoice in the blessed hope and hasten onward to the goal, for "the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 19 It is also easily seen, according to the prophetic chain, that we by this time have proceeded far on the way. The power and glory of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome 18 Dan. 2: 22. 19 Isa. 35: 10. have long ago passed away. The papal power has arisen, and has performed those things which the prophet foretold. The next thing we may look for is that the saints. shall possess the kingdom, and reign with Christ forever and ever. Then the people of God need no more, like prisoners in a foreign country, hang their harps upon the willows by the mournful waters of Euphrates. They shall sing the song of Moses and the Lamb by the river of life. in the heavenly Jerusalem. Then the delightful music of the heavenly harps blends in glorious harmony with the beautiful songs of victory to the glory of God, like many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings. 20 20 Rev. 14: 2. CHAPTER V. DURING THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT. URING the latter part of the work of the little horn, when it speaks great words, the judgment is going on in the heavenly courts. This is the investigative judgment, which is finished before the second coming of Christ. This wonderful work is thus described by the prophet: "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. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thou sand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.' 1 The Judgment is Set, and Christ Receives the Kingdom. The judgment cannot be described in plainer words than these, and the eleventh verse shows that this judgment is in session when the papal horn speaks great words, and that its power is taken away, while the remains of the former beasts or kingdoms continue some time until Christ is revealed.2 When the time of mercy is ended, Christ gives up his high-priestly office, and receives the eternal kingdom of the Father. Then the Son of God shall be revealed in his glory with all the holy angels, and at last obtain the earth as his eternal inheritance. "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 2 Verse 13. 1 Dan. 79, 10. days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." 3 The people and nations which shall serve Christ are the saved of all generations. Some of all the generations from Adam until the last generation on this old earth shall have a part in the immortal kingdom. In the investigative judgment the Almighty Judge decides who those persons are that shall share in this blessing. The Reason Why This Judgment is in Session. It is no wonder that such a judgment is set. Many have been accustomed to think that the judgment was something that would take place in twenty-four hours. They have an idea that the second coming of Christ, the resurrection, the examination of the life-work of all men, the judgment deciding their fate and giving to every one his reward or punishment, might begin in the morning and be finished by night. But this is not what the Bible teaches on this subject, neither is it reasonable in the least. Every earthly court examines the case of the person accused and decides what punishment he ought to suffer before the judgment is executed. The Almighty Judge is not any less just and accurate. He will render to every man according to his works. He will let the people come near to judgment." He will call to the heavens from above, and to the earth that he may judge his people. For God is Judge himself. He will present the sins of the unrighteous before them, and show them that their punishment is just in. proportion to their works, in order that "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is 3 Dan. 7: 13, 14. 5 Isa. 41: I. 42 Cor 5: 10; Rev 22: 12. Lord, to the glory of God the Father." 7 8 The judgment will be presented so clearly to every man that the saints can praise God for his marvelous works and righteous judgments. Then every man shall acknowledge: "Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.' 9 10 " 9 The saints of God shall execute upon the world "the judgment written.' And again the Lord says: "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." "11 This text shows clearly that the judgments which come upon all men have previously been written in the books of heaven. It is therefore very evident that the Almighty Judge will closely examine every man's work, and then decide his fate, his reward or punishment. And at last he will reward or punish men in harmony with this previously rendered judgment. But the investigative judgment before the second coming of Christ relates to the righteous only, while the investigative judgment after his second coming relates only to the unjust. There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.' Between these two resurrections there is a space of one thousand years, 13 And before either of these resurrections there is an investigative judgment relating to those who are to be raised. 12 The Witnesses before the Judgment Seat. 14 Just as the saints are to have part in the judgment during the thousand years before the second resurrection, " that the unrighteous at the end of that period may receive 7 Phil. 2 II, 10 Ps. 1499. 13 Rev. 20: 4, 5. 8 Rev. 15 3, 4. 11 Rev. 20: 12. 14 Rev. 20: 4. 9 Ps. 58: 11. 12 Acts 24: 15 |