From Here to Forever

The Standard of Judgment

The law of God is the standard in the judgment. “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment.” “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; James 2:12. HF 297.1

Those “accounted worthy” will have part in the resurrection of the just. Jesus said: “They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, ... are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” “They that have done good” shall come forth “unto the resurrection of life.” Luke 20:35, 36; John 5:29. The righteous dead will not be raised until after the judgment at which they are accounted worthy of “the resurrection of life.” Hence they will not be present in person when their records are examined and their cases decided. HF 297.2

Jesus will appear as their advocate, to plead in their behalf before God. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25. HF 297.3

As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation. Every name is mentioned, every case investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life. The Lord declared to Moses: “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Exodus 32:33. HF 297.4

All who have truly repented and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice have had pardon entered in the books of heaven. As they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they will be accounted worthy of eternal life. The Lord declares: “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will ... confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Isaiah 43:25; Revelation 3:5; Matthew 10:32, 33. HF 298.1

The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be restored to their Eden home and crowned as joint heirs with Himself to “the first dominion.” Micah 4:8. Christ now asks that the divine plan in man's creation be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne. HF 298.2

While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses them before God. He points to the record of their lives, the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, to all the sins he has tempted them to commit. Because of these he claims them as his subjects. HF 298.3

Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith. Claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father, saying: I have graven them on the palms of My hands. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17. HF 299.1