Universal Cleansing
1. Read Daniel 8:13, 14. What happens at the end of 2300 days?
Dan. 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
Dan. 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
OBSERVATIONS:
God’s sanctuary and the people are being “trodden under foot” until the end of “two thousand and three hundred days”
The end of 2300 days is the beginning of the restoration of God’s sanctuary and His people.
According to the earthly service on the day of atonement, the “cleansing of the sanctuary” means the final cleansing of sin from God’s people and the camp. This cleansing represents the process of cleansing of sin from God’s people and from the universe begins at the end of 2300 days.
ANSWER:
Beginning process of cleansing of sin from God’s people and from the universe.
2. What is the Hebrew meaning of “Cleansed” in Dan. 8:14?
ANSWER:
6663. tsadaq, tsaw-dak´; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):—cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness).
3. Observe how this Hebrew word, tsadaq (6663) has been used in the Old Testament.
Gen. 38:26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
Gen. 44:16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
Ex. 23:7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Deut. 25:1 If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
2Sam. 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
1Kings 8:32 Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.
2Chr. 6:23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
Job 9:15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
Job 10:15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;
Job 11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
Job 13:18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Job 22:3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
Job 25:4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
Job 33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Job 33:32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
Job 34:5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
Job 35:7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Psa. 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psa. 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa. 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Psa. 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Prov. 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Is. 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Is. 43:9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
Is. 43:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
Is. 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Is. 50:8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
Is. 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Jer. 3:11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
Ezek. 16:51 Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.
Ezek. 16:52 Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.
Dan. 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Dan. 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
OBSERVATIONS:
Tsadaq (6663) was used 41 times in total in the Old Testament
Tsadaq was used as “cleansed” only one time
Tsadaq was used as “clear” only one time
Tsadaq was used as “justice” two times
Tsadaq was used as “just”, “justified”, “justifieth”, “justify”, Justifying” 26 times in total
Tsadaq was used as “righteous”, “righteousness” 10 times in total
Tsadaq was used mostly as an idea of justification
In Gen. 44:16, tsadaq is used as “clear”. In the text, “clear” means the opposite of “found out the iniquity”. Therefore, “clear” means cannot find iniquity. So we can also say “the sanctuary shall be” cleared which means cannot find iniquity in the sanctuary. This will become true when the sins of God’s people are blotted out from the sanctuary. Therefore the final justification takes place when our sins are blotted out. (Is. 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Is. 43:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified (tsadaq)).
In Deut. 25:1, 1 King 8:32, 2 Chr. 6:23, Ps. 51:4, and Ps. 143:2, we can see the connection between the concept of judgment and the cleansing of the sanctuary.
Therefore there is a connection between judgment and justification
Tsadaq is used mostly in the book of Job. Therefore there might be a connection between the experience of Job and the experience of God’s people during the final hours of judgment.
The death of Jesus made it possible to justify or tsadaq or cleanse or blotted out sins of many because Jesus bears the sins of many. Is. 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
4. When will Christ not bear the sins of many?
Heb. 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
ANSWER:
At the second coming of Christ
CONCLUSION:
Jesus died to bear the sins of many to justify them. But at the second coming of Christ, He will not bear the sins of many because the work of blotting out of sin has already been completed before He comes back the second time.
Therefore, before Jesus comes back the second time:
Sins of God’s people are blotted out from the heavenly sanctuary by the blood of Jesus.
God’s people will be declared as though they never sinned (justified) (Read Rev. 22:11)
And then their sins will be transferred to the scapegoat (Satan)
Satan will be blamed for all the sins of God’s people.
After 1000 years, Satan, all evil angels, and all wicked will be blotted out of the entire universe by fire of God.
This is the ultimate result of the work of atonement.
APPLICATION QUESTION:
Do you want the blood of Jesus or the fire of God to blot out your sin?
Vindication of God’s people
1. According to I Corinthians 15:51-54, what will happen “at the last trump”?
1Cor. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Cor. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Cor. 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
ANSWER:
The dead shall be raised incorruptible and we (those who are alive ) shall be changed (put on immortality)
2. What made it possible for us to receive immortality?
2Tim. 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
ANSWER:
The gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ
3. What is the purpose of the gospel besides receiving immortality?
2Th. 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ANSWER:
To obtain the glory of Jesus Christ
NOTE:
Glory means character. This is true in many places in the Bible. For example- Ex. 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. Ex. 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
4. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18. Make observations regarding the glory of God and the believers?
2Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
OBSERVATIONS:
By beholding the glory of the Lord we become changed into the same image
The change into the same image is from glory to glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord.
5. What does it mean “from glory to glory”?
NOTE: The answer to this question is found in the following chapter 4.
2Cor. 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Cor. 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2Cor. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Cor. 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2Cor. 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
OBVERVATION:
“From glory” – the light of the knowledge of the glory of God transforming our hearts (The inner change and this is possible now)
“To glory” – the eternal weight of glory is the immortal body (The outer change and this will be the reality when Jesus comes back)
ANSWER:
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ can change our minds into the same image of Christ (in the sense of character)
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ can change our bodies into the same body of Christ (in the sense of immortal human body)
6. How were we made in the beginning?
Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Gen. 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Is. 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Psa. 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psa. 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
ANSWER:
Man was made in the image of God to reflect God’s glory - physically, mentally, and spiritually. “Man was the crowning act of God’s creation”
CONCLUSION:
Through the gospel of Jesus Christ, the work of atonement, God is restoring the image of God back to man. The work of atonement makes it possible for the transformation of heart and of body. In order to receive the new heart, we need experience the justification by faith. In order to receive the new body, we need the final justification, which is the blotting out of sin. We will receive the promise of blotting out if we maintain our justification by faith experience.
Judging the Evil Powers and the Wicked
1. What can we conclude from the following verses?
1Cor. 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1Cor. 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Rev. 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev. 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
ANSWER:
During the millennium, the saved ones will judge the wicked and all evil angels.
This judgment is not to change the judgment of God but to see the justice of God’s judgment.
In order to take away any possibility of doubt entering into the minds of the saved ones, God reveals His judgment to all His saints.
By reviewing the justice of God’s judgment, in this way, saints are taking a part in the destruction of the wicked
Cosmic Reconciliation
1. When will the devil, his angels, and all wicked be destroyed?
Rev. 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev. 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev. 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
ANSWER:
After the millennium
2. What will happen just before the wicked are cast into the lake of fire?
Rev. 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev. 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
ANSWER:
The wicked will be judged out of those things which were written in the books before the great white throne of God.
3. James 2:12 says that we “shall be judged by the law of liberty”. So then how is it that the wicked will be “judged out of those things which were written in the books”?
OBSERVATIONAL ANSWERS:
The word “judged” in Rev. 20:12 means to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish: — avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
Notice some of those definitions such as call in question and think.
Because the books are open and the wicked are being judged out of those things which were written in the books, I can see that the wicked will have time to think and to question about why they are lost at the time of the judgment before the great white throne of God.
God wants the wicked to think about why they are lost and how much God did to save them and how much they have rejected His salvation.
I believe this is the reason why at the end of the judgment before the great white throne of God, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:10, 11
Those books can be opened to the wicked because those books have been opened and so to speak, approved by the saints.
In this way, everyone has no doubt about why saints are saved and why wicked are lost. God would not allow anyone to perish with a doubt of God’s judgment and justice. Therefore, mentally, all things will be reconciled in everyone’s mind both the saved and the lost.
The Triumph of God’s Love
1. Read 1 Corinthians 13:9-13.
1Cor. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Cor. 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Cor. 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Cor. 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
OBSERVATIONS:
We may not understand everything about the future.
But the day will come when everything will become perfectly clear to us.
Until then we abide in faith, hope and love.
2. What is faith, hope and love in the light of the atonement?
Rom. 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God
1Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
ANSWER:
We put our faith in the blood of Jesus in order to enter into the process of atonement.
We put our hope in the resurrection of Jesus in order to see the final result of the work of atonement for us.
We continue to live in the love of Jesus in order to stand boldly in the Day of Judgment so that we may go through the climatic part of atonement.
APPLICATION QUESTION:
Why love is the greatest of all?
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