December 29 - Every Life Under Review

Key Verse: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” – Ecclesiastes 11:9, KJV

At the appointed time for the judgment—as foreseen in the prophetic timeline—the work of investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins commenced. All who have ever professed the name of Christ are to be subjected to this thorough review. Both the living and the dead are judged by the things written in the books, according to their deeds, as declared in Revelation: “And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12, KJV).

The Judge Himself has decreed: “Every individual will be justified by their faith and judged according to their works.” Sins for which there has been no repentance or abandonment will neither be forgiven nor erased from the records but will remain to testify against the sinner in the great day of God.

The path of preparation is both solemn and personal. There is a fierce battle ahead for everyone who seeks to overcome sinful tendencies that strive to dominate the heart. This preparation cannot be shared or borrowed from others. Salvation is not achieved in groups, and the purity and dedication of one person cannot compensate for the lack in another. Though nations will stand before God in judgment, He will examine every individual case with such thoroughness and insight as if that person were the only one on Earth. Each soul must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.

The investigative judgment is now ongoing in the heavenly sanctuary. This solemn work has been progressing for many years and will, at a time known only to God, move to the cases of the living. In the presence of the Almighty, every life will come under scrutiny. Now, more than ever, it is vital to heed the Savior’s warning: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36, KJV). The urgency of this admonition cannot be overstated: “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Revelation 3:3, KJV).

In this solemn hour, let every heart be vigilant, every mind be clear, and every soul be prepared to meet its God.