22.06.2018 Views

Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Though the saints have been despised and<br />

persecuted for their faith in Christ as they may<br />

have been throughout the centuries, this judgment<br />

puts things right. God's people will realize Christ's<br />

promise: "'Therefore whoever confesses Me before<br />

men, him I will also confess before My Father who<br />

is in heaven'" (Matt. 10:32; cf. Luke 12:8, 9; Rev.<br />

3:5).<br />

The Judgment and Salvation<br />

Does the investigative judgment jeopardize the<br />

salvation <strong>of</strong> those who believe in Jesus Christ? Not<br />

at all. Genuine believers live in union with Christ,<br />

trusting in Him as intercessor (Rom. 8:34). Their<br />

assurance is in the promise that "we have an<br />

Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the<br />

righteous" (1 John 2:1).<br />

Why then a pre-Advent investigative<br />

judgment? This judgment is not for the benefit <strong>of</strong><br />

the Godhead. It is primarily for the benefit <strong>of</strong> the<br />

universe, answering the charges <strong>of</strong> Satan and<br />

giving assurance to the unfallen creation that God<br />

886

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!