Values in Story

Friday, May 05, 2023

The Kingdom of God

Have you ever wondered what the "reward" is in the Kingdom of Heaven?

Watch this and you'll know what I think!

I did this talk for Voice Life Fellowship in Toronto, NSW Australia.

Enjoy!

Friday, April 28, 2023

Investigating The Investigative Judgement

As a Seventh-day Adventist, the topic of the investigative judgement has always been present. In my adult life, it has mostly stayed in the background and been talked about in quiet tones because of the agony it has caused in the past. For others, it has been a much louder engaging and even enraging conversation. For all of us, It has been a rough ride. This unique belief, rooted in the interpretation of biblical prophecies, teaches that Jesus began a unique phase of ministry in the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. This phase of ministry is called The Investigative Judgement. This progression in the judgment process involves a review of the records of all people who have ever lived, to determine who is granted salvation.

To many, the idea of a final judgement may seem intimidating or even frightening. It certainly was in early Adventism. However, as Adventists continued studying, we grew to understand judgement to be one consistent work of God commencing at the cross and culminating in the return of Christ, the goal of which is the salvation and sanctification of all who embrace Christ. This belief brings comfort, as it reminds us that we serve a loving and just God who is actively working for the salvation of all people.

Salvation in Christ

Christian author C.S. Lewis expertly explains Salvation in his work Mere Christianity: "We are told that Christ was killed for us, that His death has washed out our sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself. That is the formula. That is Christianity. That is what has to be believed."

Jesus' death on the cross has reconciled us to God and provided a way for us to be forgiven and receive eternal life. Lewis's words demonstrate that God's justice is rooted in His love and grace and that the cross represents the ultimate expression of this love and grace.

This understanding of judgement as a manifestation of God's love is also reflected in Bible texts such as Romans 5:8, which states: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

The Sanctuary Revealed

The Sanctuary in the Old Testament was physically present and able to be seen by all but was only symbolic in its role and capability. It pointed to the work of Christ. The Sanctuary in Heaven, conversely, is impossible for us to see and yet it is truly effective in processing the forgiveness of all mankind.

Considering the priests in the Old Testament sanctuary, the author of Hebrews writes: "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the Tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain'" (Hebrews 8:5).

The Old Testament sanctuary was a "copy and shadow" designed to reflect the true sanctuary in Heaven. As such, the Old Testament sanctuary served as a visual representation of the work of Jesus and the salvation that he would bring through his death and resurrection. This verse helps connect the Earthly sanctuary with the sanctuary in Heaven, and reminds us that the work of Jesus was foreshadowed and anticipated in the worship practices of the ancient Israelites.

As Adventists, we believe the investigative judgement is an expression of God's love and justice. As Ellen G. White writes in her book The Great Controversy: "In His great love, [God] provided a way of escape for all. The whole plan of redemption is a manifestation of His love to a world that has sinned. The very fact that a way of salvation has been provided, and that we are permitted to come to God through His dear Son, is an evidence of His great love."

Hell and Back

Judgement is a topic that has matured in both understanding and explanation as the church has grown. In the early days of Christianity, judgement was often seen in terms of eternal damnation or punishment. However, as the church has developed and deepened its understanding of God's character and the nature of salvation, the concept of judgement has come to be seen in a more compassionate light.

One Christian author who has written extensively on this topic is Rob Bell, whose book Love Wins challenges traditional understandings of judgement and argues for a more inclusive and loving view of God's plan for humanity. Bell writes: "It's not about getting people to recite a certain formula about God in order to avoid an eternity of torment. It's about inviting people into a way of life that leads to healing and flourishing."

Adventist pastor Dwight Nelson writes in his book A Strange Thing in the Land: "The investigative judgement is not a judgment of condemnation but a judgment of exoneration. It is the final verification that the work of atonement accomplished by Jesus on the cross was fully sufficient to save all who will accept it."

The Book of Life

What of this book in Heaven that Christ looks at to determine our eternal destination? Is it a list of all our sins or is it something else?

Dwight Nelson continues: "The investigative judgement gives me hope. It tells me that my sin has been dealt with and that I am reconciled to God. I don't have to fear the final judgement because I know that my name is written in the Lamb's book of life. That gives me peace and confidence as I go through life, knowing that I am loved and accepted by my Creator."

It is the Book of Life, the record of Christ’s blood applied by Him and accepted by us, that reveals our eternal home. Our name in His handwriting! This is the investigative judgement. We are judged not by our fitness for the Kingdom but by Christ’s gift of salvation. We are saved because He is Saviour. Jesus’ blood has been applied and is effective in saving all who accept His invitation. Your name. His blood. That’s what’s written in the Book of Life.

Conclusion

While opinion can be cast into stone and called doctrine for some, many others treat The Investigative Judgement as a process not only in the ministry of Christ but in the maturity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Rather than being a divisive topic, as it is for those who wish to keep the church locked in the past -- believing back then is when we were right, The Investigative Judgement is an insightful topic for scholars and historians in the Adventist academia of today who know and teach that Adventism is a movement and a maturing process is necessary for all living growing things.

Adventist historian George R. Knight writes in his book A Brief History of Seventh-day Adventists: "The Seventh-day Adventist Church...has always maintained that God is a God of love and that the central message of the gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. This emphasis on the love of God and the saving grace of Jesus has been a significant factor in the growth and development of the Adventist Church."

Adventist theologian Gerhard F. Hasel writes in his book The Role of Israel in the Plan of Salvation: "The investigative judgment is not an event of condemnation but of vindication of the justice of God and the salvation of his people. It is the public display of the fact that the salvation provided through Christ is a free gift of God's grace and that all who receive it will receive it because of the merits of Christ."

Following Salvation – the point at which we accept Christ's gift of eternal life – His work in Heaven inspires the rest of our story. For us here on earth, the investigative judgement brings into focus the Holy Spirit's process of revelation and enlightenment in our lives. As we grow closer to Him, God reveals to each of us the true nature of who we are In Him, allowing us to see how our choices impact our faith journey.

As we await the return of Christ, I am grateful to be part of a faith tradition that encourages us to deeply consider the nature of judgement and to understand it in the context of God's eternal love and grace.

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Easter: All Things New!

Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings and for many cultures around the world, it’s a time to celebrate. From the Christian holiday of Easter, the Jewish holiday of Passover, the ancient Persian festival of Nowruz to the Hindu festival of Holi, the arrival of spring is marked by a variety of traditions that all share a common thread of celebrating new life, restoration and a sense of hope.

Though they have largely become festivals celebrated in secular ways, each of these spring holidays were originally holy days—set apart to commemorate significant, meaningful moments of spiritual renewal. The communal hope for their memory and longevity keeps these ancient holidays in practice today.

Food is central to Easter, as it is to all cultural festivals in every part of the world. In Australia, one of the most popular Easter foods is the hot cross bun. These spiced buns are traditionally made with raisins or currants1 and are marked with a cross on top, symbolising the crucifixion of Jesus. Traditionally these buns were not just enjoyed on Easter Sunday, but also on Good Friday as a way to commemorate the day of Jesus’ death.

Published in Signs of the Times - Click here for the rest of the article