It is my goal to stay with the Word of God and help it make sense to you. And it's my purpose for you to make sense out of your life, to understand that God does love and care about you, to know that he has an answer to life's questions.

UNDER INVESTIGATION

I am stationed on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Mackinac. It is an ice breaker positioned in northern Michigan where locks connect two Great Lakes--Huron and Superior. It was the time of the sinking of the ship, Edmond Fitzgerald--you've heard the ballad by Gordon Lightfoot.

In each of the ship's three engine rooms there are two 1500 hp Fairbanks Morse opposing-piston diesel engines. In one engine room, my job is to monitor the water-gauge tube: if no water is in it, I turn on a water-valve, as without water there would be severe damage to the ship. The job is important but, only half listening, I would hear if something is not right.

One night, while I am reclining and caught up in the rhythmic sound of the engines, Ensign Martin appears in the engine room.

"Arnold!" he calls.

"ARNOLD!" he shouts.

Thinking that they are more important then they are, some men do not treat subordinates well. Recently graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Martin was like that. So, waving his clipboard in my face, he hollers, "Arnold, I'm putting you on report for sleeping on engine room watch!"

Now I have to go to the Captain's Mast--court. The captain wields authority on the ship as both judge and jury. At court, he inquires, "Arnold, were you sleeping on the engine room watch?"

"No, sir," I answer. "I was reclining in the post-hypnotic state of alpha."

"Pardon me?"

"It's like driving a car without thinking but still knowing what you are doing. Sir, an experienced man can tell that all is well with the engines by the sound of the equipment."

The Captain, who can fine me, lower my rank, or restrict me to the ship, comprehends that I was not asleep. He recognizes that I have a problem with Martin and he merely changes my job. In court, it is wonderful when the judge is on your side!

In God's court, it is more wonderful that the Judge is on my side! In the Bible, the three angel's message is about the everlasting gospel and the judgment hour.

"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people--saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and spring of water.'" Revelation 14:6-7 NKJV

The everlasting gospel is that God loves me so much that He sent His Son to pay my penalty for sin. God's judgement hour has a definite beginning time.

Daniel, the prophet, watched in vision "till"--a point in time.

"`I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool.'" Daniel 9:7a NKJV

That definite point in time is defined by the Bible.

"`I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saint to possess the kingdom.'" Daniel 7:21-22 NKJV

More about the little horn later. A war puts God's people to disadvantage; but God, on the throne, favors the saints in the judgment. Through time, the word "saint" has taken on a different meaning, but in Bible times it refers to God's people. The vision happens at the end of time because God's people soon possess the kingdom.

Are you afraid of the judgment? Is God like a policeman driving everywhere behind you in a car to accuse you if you do something wrong?

What does that do to your Christian experience?

After a sermon, a preacher is informed by a proud church member that he, Bill, is not a sinner. The pastor reads Romans 3:10-12, employing his name:

There is none righteous, no, not one--except Bill;

There is none who understands--except Bill;

There is none who seeks after God--except Bill.

They have all turned aside--except Bill;

They have together become unprofitable--except Bill;

There is none who does good, no, not one--except Bill.

Bill gets the point; he is now humble.

No one thinks that they are good when in the presence of God. Trembling, they will cry, "Lord, is there another way to heaven?"

At Calvary, God sees me on the cross. Then a trade occurs: Jesus' life becomes mine and my death is taken by Him. The judgment is given in favor of God's people--those who accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

The Psalmist wrote, "If you could count iniquity, who could stand?"

God is not counting iniquity. He loves you and is on your side. The judge is merciful to the saints.

The judgment takes place before Jesus comes back to earth because He brings His reward with Him.

"He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Revelation 22:11-12 NKJV

The judgment is now going on.

"For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man." John 5:26-27 NKJV

Jesus--in the heart--in the condition of eternal life. When you sin, you confess your mistake and come back to Jesus Who loves you. He doesn't want to loose you. He is not trying to trip you up--His love and mercy, provided in forgiveness, make you love Him more. You are married (Romans 7) and judgment is given in favor of the saints.

In a Bible story, the king's son has a wedding. The guests, qualified by accepting and wearing the robe provided by the king, attend the ceremony. One guest comes in without the robe. He, unrighteous, has to leave the wedding. The robe--with no thread provided by a human hand--illustrates being covered by the righteousness of Christ.

In Zechariah's vision, the robe of righteousness is also illustrated.

"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, 'The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?'

"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

"Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, 'Take away the filthy garments from him.' And to him He said, 'See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.'" Zechariah 3:1-4 NKJV

Jesus covers Joshua with His own garments--His robe of righteousness. You, too, are a burning stick plucked from destruction. Satan, accusing you to God for your mistakes, is wanting you to be kept out of heaven.

On the ship, the Captain is both my defense lawyer and the merciful judge who judges in my favor. In heaven, God speaks for the defendant and passes judgment in favor of the saints.

Brothers and sisters, I don't know if you are afraid of the judgment. You are married to Jesus when you are wearing His robe of righteousness. I do know that Jesus wants to cover you with His righteousness.

"Father in Heaven, Thank You that Jesus defends me and that judgment is in favor of the saints. Give me Jesus' robe of righteousness. In Jesus' name, Amen."