Don't Read this Book If ...

Don't read this book if you want a scholarly exegesis on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. If you're looking for some input on interpreting the intricacies of Hebrews, for help in translating the Greek text, or for directions for making your own scale-model sanctuary, then you'd better look elsewhere.

The dialogue concerning the investigative judgment and related topics seems primarily an attempt to settle on beliefs concerning sin and righteousness and salvation. The investigative judgment, as a historical and eschatological event, is not really threatening. What scares many is wondering how it relates to sin and righteousness. We're not sure that our belief in salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone can hold up to a full-fledged judgment scene, complete with books of angel records for every thought, word and deed. The idea of having our lives investigated isn't too encouraging, and our assurance of salvation pales at the possibility of having our names blotted out in the book of life.

It's not our lack of understanding of how Daniel 8 relates to Leviticus 16 that causes the sleepless nights. It's our lack of understanding of how the apparent bad news of the judgment relates to the good news of the gospel. Lurking behind all of the theological questions is the yet unanswered question to many minds: Suppose the scholars would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the investigative judgment is indeed Bible truth -- What then?

The premise of this book is that the sanctuary and judgment truths are impossible to understand aright unless we understand the gospel correctly. And yet the gospel is understood clearly only when we have a correct understanding of the sanctuary and judgment. The two truths stand or fall together. Those today who abandon their belief about the judgment will discover ultimately that they must abandon the gospel as well. The news about the judgment and the news of the gospel are both equally good and equally bad. Perhaps when we come to understand the bad news of the gospel, we will be better equipped to understand the good news of the judgment.

If you are interested in the belief and experience of salvation by faith in Jesus alone, but you are equally interested in understanding the investigative judgment, then I invite you to a careful study of the relationship between these subjects. Keep reading, for I have some good news for you!

But first,.....the bad.

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This page maintained by Allen Roy. Last Update on 12/13/99