These verses are about what is the investigative judgment in the Bible based on a chain of verses that are referenced in a specific order to help give clarity and context.* It has very minimal commentary so that you can do your own self-reflection and discovery of the verses. Many times the Bible explains itself if you just know where to look.
With each group of verses, there are probing questions to help you consider what is being said. Each verse in the study is linked to an online Bible, should you want to check the context of the verses around it. Also, allowing verification of what scripture says, as well as purity of a study based only on the Bible.
1. What will Christ bestow at His coming?
- Matthew 16:27 (KJV) — “”
- Revelation 22:12 (KJV) — “”
2. What is the basis of judgment in each case?
- Revelation 20:12 (KJV) — “”
3. How many books are referred to in the Bible?
- Book of Remembrance of Good Deeds. Malachi 3:16 (KJV) — “”
- Book of Iniquity. Jeremiah 2:22 (KJV) — “”
- Book of Individual Description. Psalms 139:15-16 (KJV) — “”. Hairs numbered (Matthew 10:30); place of birth (Psalms 87:4-6).
- Book of Life. Revelation 20:12 (KJV) — “”
4. Who are candidates for eternal life?
- John 3:36 (KJV) — “”
5. In whose presence is the examination of books made?
- Daniel 7:9-10 (KJV) — “”
“During this judgment scene, both the righteous and the wicked dead are still in their graves. The record of each one’s life, however, is in the books of heaven, and by that record their characters and deeds are well known. Christ is there to appear in behalf of those who have chosen Him as their advocate. 1 John 2: 1. He presents His blood, as He appeals for their sins to be blotted from the books of record. As the place of judgment is in heaven, where God’s throne is, and as Christ is present in person, it follows that the work of judgment is also in heaven. All are judged by the record of their lives, and thus answer for the deeds done in the body. This work will not only decide forever the cases of the dead, but will also close the probation of all who are living, after which Christ will come to take to Himself those who have been found loyal to Him.”
— “Bible Readings for the Home Circle,” p. 246.
6. Who is the advocate or mediator?
- 1 John 2:1 (KJV) — “”
- 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) — “”
7. Who are the witnesses in God’s presence?
- Matthew 18:10 (KJV) — “”
8. By what standard will all be judged?
- James 2:12 (KJV) — “”
9. What law is the law of liberty?
- James 2:11 (KJV) — “”
10. What class will be called first?
- 1 Peter 4:17 (KJV) — “”
11. Will all who begin the Christian life be saved?
- Matthew 24:13 (KJV) — “”
- Hebrews 3:14 (KJV) — “”
12. If the books of record show that one failed to overcome, what will be his doom?
- Ezekiel 18:24 (KJV) — “”
- Ezekiel 33:12-13 (KJV) — “”
13. What will be done to the name in the book of life?
- Exodus 32:33 (KJV) — “”
- Psalms 69:28 (KJV) — “”
- Revelation 3:5 (KJV) — “”
14. What will Jesus do when this occurs?
- Matthew 10:33 (KJV) — “”
15. If records show faithfulness to the end, what will Jesus do?
- Matthew 10:32 (KJV) — “”
16. What is done to this name in the book of life?
- Revelation 3:5 (KJV) — “”
17. What are blotted out?
- Acts 3:19 (KJV) — “”
18. How many have sinned?
- Romans 3:23 (KJV) — “”
19. How only can the sinner escape the death penalty?
- 1 John 1:9 (KJV) — “”
20. In view of this solemn investigation, what is our duty?
- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV) — “”
“There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the Scriptures,— the investigative judgment, preceding the second advent; the judgment of the lost world and wicked angels by Christ and the saints during the one thousand years following the second advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of the wicked at the close of this period. The investigative judgment takes place in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain who are worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His coming, and who among the living are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary for this to take place before the second advent, as there will be no time for such a work between the coming of Christ and the raising of the righteous dead. The executive judgment on the wicked occurs after their cases have been examined by the saints during the thousand years. Rev. 20: 4, 5; 1 Cor. 6: 1-3. The investigative judgment is that which is
— Id., p. 249.
announced to the world by the angel’s message of Revelation 14: 6, 7.”
This study guide was based on Reading No. 10, pages 100-101 from Brief Bible Readings for Busy People,
prepared by the Home Missionary Department
of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Review and Herald Publishing. Published originally in 1930.
View the original study guide, which this guide is based on, as a scanned PDF. Full credit to them.
*A Bible chain reference is a system of cross-referencing between different passages or verses of the Bible to connect and relate different concepts, themes, or topics mentioned in different parts of the Bible. It helps readers gain a deeper understanding of the overall message and meaning of the text. To use it, readers start with a particular topic or theme and then look up the corresponding list of verses, paying attention to the connections and relationships between them. Studying them in a particular order, helps one understand the topic from beginning to end. Just like peeling the layers off of an onion. It’s a useful tool for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the Bible and its teachings.
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Home Missionary Department
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