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As we read the Bible, we see plainly that it tells us judgment is certain. "God will judge his people". (Heb. 10:30)
Is passing judgment without a trial proof of a more loving government? Many seem to promote that it is, they want God to execute judgement, but tell us a loving God would not first investigate. They tell us to forget about any trial. Remember folks, the serious charge is that we are all guilty — all of us have sinned, all of us are worthy of death. Who will inherit eternal life? Who will end up in the lake fire?
Could it be possible that those who fear the investigation are trying to hide something from God? Those who have repented and confessed and invited Christ to direct their lives have nothing to fear from an investigation.
The story is told of a judge.
A great crowd of people gathered as the criminals were brought forth and the judge took his seat on the raised platform. They watched with amazement as the judge called each of the criminals to himself, spoke with each of them for a minute or two then moved on to the next one.
After each one was spoken to, the judge stood up, the crowd stood waiting, ready to tell their stories, but the judge gave them no chance. Without any further discussion he sentenced Ted, Ned and Jed to be hung before sunset, and he sentenced Jim, Tim , and Kim to be released to full freedom immediately.
The crowd gasped! Was this really happening. Hey, Jim and Tim were just as guilty as Ted and Ned, besides Jed wasn't really that bad of fellow, why should he be hung while Jim went free? The roar of the citizens rose to a loud roar. The judge stood and called for silence. Eyeing him suspiciously they quieted down. "Listen, folk," the judge declared, "I talked to each of these men, I know which ones are really criminals and which ones are not, just trust me."
The roar rose to thunderous proportions as the citizens debated the lack of an investigation. No trail!!!! By sunset, there was a hanging. The judge was hung.
What is so unloving about an investigation before judgment is passed?
ARE INVESTIGATIONS important? Oh yes, especially when one is falsely charged. Then we desire an honest, fair investigation! Why would we want an investigation? Because we know an investigation would vindicate us from the enemies charges!
We are all charged with treason against God's government. We are all guilty, unless we repent, confess, and have Christ's blood cover those sins and cleanse us as we walk and live for Him. Who has united their lives fully with Christ? Who has availed themselves of Christ's provisions of forgiveness and surrendered their sins and their lives to Him?
That is why investigation is important. It lays out the facts so all know that when the judgment is executed it is fair and just. Those whose sins have been confessed and repented of, those whose lives are surrendered to God, have nothing to fear from the investigative judgment.
Of course it is a different story for those who willfully disregard God's commands and live in presumption, not faith.
Does God investigate before he executes judgment?
The Bible clearly tells us not all who say "Lord, Lord," will be saved. There will be many so called, Christians, lost, and there will be Christians saved. The Bible plainly states that all false religious systems will be totally destroyed (Rev. 19:20) Yet you and I know that there are many honest Christians in the different organizations. How can God do this and still have everyone declare "true and righteous are His judgments?"
The answer lies in the investigative judgment. Throughout the Bible we see that God investigates before he executes judgment.
Let's look at stories in Daniel that show how humans tend to execute judgment in contrast to how God executes judgement.
Scene One: King Nebuchadnezzar just had a dream and his wise men couldn't tell him the answer. Without any further investigation he orders ALL wise men in the whole kingdom to be killed. Really nice guy, right? He was ready to punish everyone for the ignorance of some. It was only Daniel's quick thinking that saved all their heads.
Scene Two: King Belshazzar is throwing a big party. He's praising his idols and tops it all off by bringing in the temple dishes and desecrates them. God is about to execute judgement. But notice all that God has done first.
"You were weighed in the balances and found wanting." In other words— your case was investigated and you were found guilty. "You knew all that God had done for Nebuchadnezzar but you refused to humble your heart.
NOAH
God is beginning His investigation.
Gen. 6:11 God looked upon the earth and indeed it was corrupt.
But God investigates even closer:
Gen 6:5 Every intent and thought was evil continually"
Why did Noah Find grace int he eyes of God (vs 8) at this point? Didn't God already know Noah was walking with Him? Of course God knew, but He wanted all the succeeding generations to know why he destroyed the others and made an exception for Noah.
There's the story of Sodom
The Lord said, "I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it. . ." Before Sodom was destroyed, God investigated.
Why does God investigate doesn't He know who belongs to Him? Of course he knows — but we don't know and all the angels don't know and the created beings in the universe don't know. There is a lot of religion, many profess to belong to Christ, but who are the real Christians? "Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 7:21. God wants everyone to see the justice of His decisions on who is saved and who is not.
IMAGINE THE 2ND COMING
AHHH that will not happen, because all the angels will know whose lives are in right relationship with God. They will know who are the ones who have confessed and repented of their sins and given the reins of their lives over to Christ. They know the results of the investigation!
No matter how many accusation people may hurl at us, in the end it is only God's judgment that matters. If we are in right relationship with Him, people can accuse of anything, but God will vindicate us. In the end of time, this truth is important to understand, because people will declare God's commandment keeping remnant as the worst enemies of the wonderful new religious world union. But God will declare judgment in favor of the saints and destroy the beast and all it's followers.
Very soon this earth is going to be destroyed. The false religious systems, which will first try to deceive everyone into joining them, will also be destroyed. It will take tremendous faith to remain true to God.
Having our names on a church book is not good enough — the important thing is "Is my name written in the Lamb's book of Life?"
Go to Daniel and the Sanctuary
Some will be judged and awarded everlasting life, others will be judged and sentenced to everlasting destruction. (See John 5:28,29)
Will God execute judgment without an investigation or trial?
One small, gold mining town had rounded up a group of rough necks who had been terrorizing the miners for some time. The judge would soon arrive, he would determine what was to be done.
Don't you know that great chapter in Daniel 7, where the books are opened and God, and all heaven are investigating before judgment is executed, also declares in verse 22, that judgment will be pronounced in favor of the saints of the Most High!
Does this make Him "a horrible tyrant" as some claim?
"And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, . . .
Gen. 6:5 "Then God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth."
Gen.6:9 But Noah was a just man, perfect in generation. Noah walked with God.
The angels of God are sent out to the four corners of the earth to gather God's saints to be with Jesus in the cloud. An angel comes for me. Suddenly someone starts shouting. NO WAY she cannot go to heaven. She sinned you know. The angel looks confused and doesn't know what to do. Who's right? Who's wrong?
Counter placed Feb. 7, 2003