Adapted from: Roy Gane, Altar Call (Berrien Springs, MI: Diadem, 1999) chapters 33, 34, 36. See Adventist Book Center or (book and.

Adapted from: Adapted from: Roy Gane, Roy Gane, Altar CallAltar Call (Berrien Springs, (Berrien Springs, MI: Diadem, 1999) chapters 33, 34, 36.MI: Diadem, 1999) chapters 33, 34, 36.

See Adventist Book Center See Adventist Book Center or or www.preludefilms.com (book and DVD) (book and DVD)

Adapted from: Adapted from: Roy Gane, Roy Gane, Altar CallAltar Call (Berrien Springs, (Berrien Springs, MI: Diadem, 1999) chapters 33, 34, 36.MI: Diadem, 1999) chapters 33, 34, 36.

See Adventist Book Center See Adventist Book Center or or www.preludefilms.com (book and DVD) (book and DVD)

Why Does God Why Does God Need Need A Pre-Advent A Pre-Advent Judgment?Judgment?

•

The Character of GodThe Character of GodThe Character of GodThe Character of God

The Character of GodThe Character of GodThe Character of GodThe Character of God

• People are asking about God’s character.

• If God is love (1 Jn 4:8) and has all power, why does evil happen to people? Is He fair?

• The Psalmist found the answer in God’s sanctuary, which reveals the big picture of the Great Controversy (Ps 73:17).

• “Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God?” (Psa. 77:13).

• People are asking about God’s character.

• If God is love (1 Jn 4:8) and has all power, why does evil happen to people? Is He fair?

• The Psalmist found the answer in God’s sanctuary, which reveals the big picture of the Great Controversy (Ps 73:17).

• “Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God?” (Psa. 77:13).

The Character of GodThe Character of GodThe Character of GodThe Character of God

• God’s headquarters are at His heavenly sanctuary/throne (Ps 11:4; Jer 17:12).

• God’s throne/sanctuary represents His character, authority, and reputation.

• God’s “name” at sanctuary (Deut 12:5, 11).

• His “name” involves His reputation (Ezek 20:9).

• God’s headquarters are at His heavenly sanctuary/throne (Ps 11:4; Jer 17:12).

• God’s throne/sanctuary represents His character, authority, and reputation.

• God’s “name” at sanctuary (Deut 12:5, 11).

• His “name” involves His reputation (Ezek 20:9).

Two Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of Atonement

• Evils came Evils came intointo the the Israelite sanctuary Israelite sanctuary throughout the year throughout the year and were taken and were taken out out of of it on the Day of it on the Day of Atonement. Atonement.

• What goes in must What goes in must come out! come out!

• Evils came Evils came intointo the the Israelite sanctuary Israelite sanctuary throughout the year throughout the year and were taken and were taken out out of of it on the Day of it on the Day of Atonement. Atonement.

• What goes in must What goes in must come out! come out!

Two Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of Atonement

• Stage 1: Stage 1: Throughout the year, individual Throughout the year, individual purification offerings (so-called “sin purification offerings (so-called “sin offerings”) removed sins from their offerers, offerings”) removed sins from their offerers, so that the Lord could forgive them (Lev 4). so that the Lord could forgive them (Lev 4).

• Stage 2: Stage 2: On the Day of Atonement, such sins On the Day of Atonement, such sins were treated again, but this time they were were treated again, but this time they were corporately removed from the Lord’s corporately removed from the Lord’s sanctuary (Lev 16).sanctuary (Lev 16).

• Stage 1: Stage 1: Throughout the year, individual Throughout the year, individual purification offerings (so-called “sin purification offerings (so-called “sin offerings”) removed sins from their offerers, offerings”) removed sins from their offerers, so that the Lord could forgive them (Lev 4). so that the Lord could forgive them (Lev 4).

• Stage 2: Stage 2: On the Day of Atonement, such sins On the Day of Atonement, such sins were treated again, but this time they were were treated again, but this time they were corporately removed from the Lord’s corporately removed from the Lord’s sanctuary (Lev 16).sanctuary (Lev 16).

Two Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of AtonementTwo Stages Of Atonement

Evils cleansed out of earthly sanctuary on Day Evils cleansed out of earthly sanctuary on Day of Atonement (Lev 16:16), clearing His of Atonement (Lev 16:16), clearing His reputation:reputation:

• Physical ritual impuritiesPhysical ritual impurities

• Rebellious sins (“transgressions”)Rebellious sins (“transgressions”)

• Forgivable “sins”Forgivable “sins”

Evils cleansed out of earthly sanctuary on Day Evils cleansed out of earthly sanctuary on Day of Atonement (Lev 16:16), clearing His of Atonement (Lev 16:16), clearing His reputation:reputation:

• Physical ritual impuritiesPhysical ritual impurities

• Rebellious sins (“transgressions”)Rebellious sins (“transgressions”)

• Forgivable “sins”Forgivable “sins”

Forgiving Guilty PeopleForgiving Guilty PeopleForgiving Guilty PeopleForgiving Guilty People

• Why would forgivable “sins” be handled Why would forgivable “sins” be handled twice at the sanctuary?twice at the sanctuary?

• After forgiveness, what need for atonement After forgiveness, what need for atonement could remain?could remain?

• The woman of Tekoa to David: “The blame The woman of Tekoa to David: “The blame is on me, my lord the king, and on my is on me, my lord the king, and on my father’s house, but the king and his throne are father’s house, but the king and his throne are clean” (2 Sam 14:9; translation by R. Gane).clean” (2 Sam 14:9; translation by R. Gane).

• Why would forgivable “sins” be handled Why would forgivable “sins” be handled twice at the sanctuary?twice at the sanctuary?

• After forgiveness, what need for atonement After forgiveness, what need for atonement could remain?could remain?

• The woman of Tekoa to David: “The blame The woman of Tekoa to David: “The blame is on me, my lord the king, and on my is on me, my lord the king, and on my father’s house, but the king and his throne are father’s house, but the king and his throne are clean” (2 Sam 14:9; translation by R. Gane).clean” (2 Sam 14:9; translation by R. Gane).

Forgiving Guilty PeopleForgiving Guilty PeopleForgiving Guilty PeopleForgiving Guilty People

• As Judge, God is also morally responsible for As Judge, God is also morally responsible for forgiving guilty people (Deut 25:1; 1 Ki 8:32). forgiving guilty people (Deut 25:1; 1 Ki 8:32).

• Having paid our ransom (Matt 20:28), God is Having paid our ransom (Matt 20:28), God is just when He justifies those who have faith in just when He justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Rom 3:26).Jesus (Rom 3:26).

• Thus God balances justice and mercy, the two Thus God balances justice and mercy, the two sides of love: “sides of love: “Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed” (Ps 85:10). (Ps 85:10).

• As Judge, God is also morally responsible for As Judge, God is also morally responsible for forgiving guilty people (Deut 25:1; 1 Ki 8:32). forgiving guilty people (Deut 25:1; 1 Ki 8:32).

• Having paid our ransom (Matt 20:28), God is Having paid our ransom (Matt 20:28), God is just when He justifies those who have faith in just when He justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Rom 3:26).Jesus (Rom 3:26).

• Thus God balances justice and mercy, the two Thus God balances justice and mercy, the two sides of love: “sides of love: “Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed” (Ps 85:10). (Ps 85:10).

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

• “Cleansing” the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement represented vindication of God’s character for the way He treated people.

• On that day, Israelites were judged according to their loyalty or disloyalty to God.

• The loyal received moral “cleansing” (beyond forgiveness) through the cleansing of the sanctuary (Lev 16:29-31).

• The disloyal were condemned (Lev 23:29-30).

• “Cleansing” the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement represented vindication of God’s character for the way He treated people.

• On that day, Israelites were judged according to their loyalty or disloyalty to God.

• The loyal received moral “cleansing” (beyond forgiveness) through the cleansing of the sanctuary (Lev 16:29-31).

• The disloyal were condemned (Lev 23:29-30).

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

• End-time Judgment between loyal and disloyal (Dan 7).

• = Justifying/cleansing God’s (heavenly) sanctuary (Dan 8).

• Justifying God’s sanctuary through judgment clears God’s reputation.

• End-time Judgment between loyal and disloyal (Dan 7).

• = Justifying/cleansing God’s (heavenly) sanctuary (Dan 8).

• Justifying God’s sanctuary through judgment clears God’s reputation.

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

Connections between Lev 16 and Dan 7-8:

• In Dan 7:13, Christ’s movement parallels movement of Israelite high priest on Day of Atonement (Lev 16).

• “Cleansing/being pure” in Leviticus 16 and “being just/righteous” in Daniel 8:14 refer to legal cleansing/vindication.

Connections between Lev 16 and Dan 7-8:

• In Dan 7:13, Christ’s movement parallels movement of Israelite high priest on Day of Atonement (Lev 16).

• “Cleansing/being pure” in Leviticus 16 and “being just/righteous” in Daniel 8:14 refer to legal cleansing/vindication.

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

Lev 16Lev 16 Job 4:17Job 4:17 Dan 8:14 Dan 8:14

righteousrighteous righteous righteous

purepure purepure

Lev 16Lev 16 Job 4:17Job 4:17 Dan 8:14 Dan 8:14

righteousrighteous righteous righteous

purepure purepure

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

Cleansed Through Cleansed Through JudgmentJudgment

• How can a judgment justify God’s sanctuary? • Just as David’s throne represented his authority

and justice (2 Sam 14:9), so God’s throne represents His authority and justice.

• God’s justice must be vindicated because He forgives guilty people.

• He also must be vindicated when He condemns rebels who defame Him, illegitimately defiling His sanctuary (cf. Lev 20:3; Num 19:13, 20).

• How can a judgment justify God’s sanctuary? • Just as David’s throne represented his authority

and justice (2 Sam 14:9), so God’s throne represents His authority and justice.

• God’s justice must be vindicated because He forgives guilty people.

• He also must be vindicated when He condemns rebels who defame Him, illegitimately defiling His sanctuary (cf. Lev 20:3; Num 19:13, 20).

God’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s Reputation

God’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s Reputation

• God’s reputation matters.• By forgiving guilty people, God lays Himself

open to a charge of injustice.• In Christ, God took responsibility for forgiving

guilty but repentant people.• God is vindicated when He justifies those who

have faith (Rom 3:26).• But Satan continues to accuse (Rev 12:10) by

saying that people do not really have faith.

• God’s reputation matters.• By forgiving guilty people, God lays Himself

open to a charge of injustice.• In Christ, God took responsibility for forgiving

guilty but repentant people.• God is vindicated when He justifies those who

have faith (Rom 3:26).• But Satan continues to accuse (Rev 12:10) by

saying that people do not really have faith.

God’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s Reputation

• God is not fully justified until an end-time judgment because He cannot save a person who does not have faith or who abandons faith after receiving forgiveness (Col 1:21-23).

• The question is: Who has faith in Jesus? Not who has sinned (Rom 3:23).

• God is not fully justified until an end-time judgment because He cannot save a person who does not have faith or who abandons faith after receiving forgiveness (Col 1:21-23).

• The question is: Who has faith in Jesus? Not who has sinned (Rom 3:23).

God’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s Reputation

• God alone can read thoughts (see Ps 139:23;

Lk 7:39-40).

• So the judgment considers records (Dan 7:10)

of works (Eccl 12:14) showing whether true

faith exists (Jas 2:26; Gal 5:6).

• The judgment reaffirms assurance of those

who are forgiven (Dan 7:22).

• God alone can read thoughts (see Ps 139:23;

Lk 7:39-40).

• So the judgment considers records (Dan 7:10)

of works (Eccl 12:14) showing whether true

faith exists (Jas 2:26; Gal 5:6).

• The judgment reaffirms assurance of those

who are forgiven (Dan 7:22).

God’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s Reputation

“God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart.

“God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart.

God’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s Reputation

David had the true conception of forgiveness

when he prayed, ‘Create in me a clean

heart, O God; and renew a right spirit

within me.’ Psalm 51:10.” (Thoughts from

the Mount of Blessing, 114).

David had the true conception of forgiveness

when he prayed, ‘Create in me a clean

heart, O God; and renew a right spirit

within me.’ Psalm 51:10.” (Thoughts from

the Mount of Blessing, 114).

God’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s ReputationGod’s Reputation

• We can look forward to God’s judgment as

deliverance (Ps 26:1; 35:24)!

• Unlike the woman of Tekoa, we need not bear responsibility for pardon (Isa 55:1).

• We can leave to God the cost of mercy!

• We can look forward to God’s judgment as

deliverance (Ps 26:1; 35:24)!

• Unlike the woman of Tekoa, we need not bear responsibility for pardon (Isa 55:1).

• We can leave to God the cost of mercy!

RememberRemember

• We do not vindicate God by our lives. He vindicates Himself by what He does for, in, and through us.

• We determine our own eternal destiny by our choice.

• We are judged by how we receive God’s gift of salvation through Christ.

• “He who has the Son has life” (1 Jn 5:12).

• We do not vindicate God by our lives. He vindicates Himself by what He does for, in, and through us.

• We determine our own eternal destiny by our choice.

• We are judged by how we receive God’s gift of salvation through Christ.

• “He who has the Son has life” (1 Jn 5:12).