WHY THE SDA 1844

INVESTIGATIVE
JUDGMENT IS
ANTI-GOSPEL?
A BIBLE STUDY GUIDE FOR
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

BY RONALD V. OBIDOS
1. How do the SDA’s explain the 1844 Investigative Judgment in their SDA 28
Fundamental Beliefs?
SDA Fundamental Beliefs #24.

“Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary”

“There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up
and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to
believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the
cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His
intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of
the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase
of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part
of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the
ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service
the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the
heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus.
The investigative judgment reveals to the heavenly intelligences who
among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed
worthy to have a part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who,
among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into
His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in
saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have
remained loyal to God will receive the kingdom. The completion of this
ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second
Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9-
27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12;
14:12; 22:12.)

2. How important is this doctrine among the SDA?

“The scripture which above all others had been both the foundation and
the central pillar of the advent faith was the declaration: ‘Unto two
thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’
Daniel 8:14.” Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 409.

Note: While this is the “central pillar of Adventism,” it remains the most
difficult doctrine to explain, support, or understand.
3. SDAs believe the doctrine of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary and the
investigative judgment deals with the Day of Atonement as described in Leviticus
16.
“And as during the typical Day of Atonement the cleansing of the earthly
sanctuary removed the sins accumulated there, so the heavenly sanctuary
is cleansed by the final removal of the record of sins in the heavenly
books. But before the records are finally cleared, they will be examined to
determine who through repentance and faith in Christ is entitled to enter
His eternal kingdom. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, therefore,
involves a work of investigation or judgment that fully reflects the nature of
the Day of Atonement as the day of judgment.” Seventh-day Adventists
Believe, p. 320

4. SDA believe that when Christ ascended to heaven, he entered the “Holy Place”
compartment of the heavenly sanctuary, to perform the ministry of intercession
and forgiveness of sins.
“The ministration of the priest throughout the year in the first apartment of
the sanctuary, ‘within the veil’ which formed the door and separated the
holy place from the outer court, represents the work of ministration upon
which Christ entered at His ascension. It was the work of the priest in the
daily ministration to present before God the blood of the sin offering, also
the incense which ascended with the prayers of Israel. So did Christ plead
His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners, and present before Him
also, with the precious fragrance of His own righteousness, the prayers of
penitent believers. Such was the work of ministration in the first apartment
of the sanctuary in heaven.” Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 420.
5. SDA believe that in October 22, 1844, Christ entered into the “Most Holy Place” of
the heavenly sanctuary for the first time.
“Heaven seemed open to my view, and I saw distinctly and clearly, that
instead of our High Priest coming out of the Most Holy of the heavenly
sanctuary to come to this earth on the tenth day of the seventh month, at
the end of the 2300 days, that he for the first time entered on that day the
second apartment of that sanctuary; and that he had a work to perform in
the Most Holy before coming to this earth.” Hiram Edson Manuscript
Fragment

6. The Bible in Hebrews 6:19-20 & Hebrews 9:12 teaches that when Christ ascended
to heaven, he entered the Most Holy Place.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the
inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has
entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of
Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV

“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he
entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained
eternal redemption.” Hebrews. 9:12 NIV

7. The Bible in Hebrews 6:19-20 & Hebrews 9:12 teaches that when Christ ascended
to heaven, he entered the Most Holy Place.

“So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only
cases considered are those of the professed people of God.” Ellen G.
White, The Great Controversy, p. 480.

8. Ellen White taught that one is accepted or rejected in the investigative

judgment based upon his personal deeds, rather than through faith in Christ. This
teaching, perhaps more than any other, undermines the new covenant gospel of
grace.
“Day after day, passing into eternity, bears its burden of records for the books of
Heaven. Words once spoken, deeds once done, can never be recalled. Angels of God
have registered both the good and the evil. The mightiest conqueror upon the earth
cannot call back the record of even a single day. Our acts, our words, even our most
secret motives, all have their weight in deciding our destiny for weal or woe. Though
they may be forgotten by us, they will bear their testimony to justify or condemn.
They go before us to the Judgment.” Ellen G. White, Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, p.
311.
Note: The error is not in teaching that a Christian should obey the law of Christ, but that his
obedience becomes the basis of his ultimate acceptance by God. Thus, it is Galatianism, there
is a mixing of faith and works as the basis of salvation.
9. We must be careful not to confuse the investigative judgment with the
judgment of rewards which is taught in Scripture. SDAs hold that the investigative
judgment is a salvation judgment to see who is worthy of eternal life. In the new
covenant, however, salvation judgment is based upon faith in Christ and not upon
works, not even works of righteousness.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of
us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV)
10. The “gospel” according to Ellen White seems to be the “good news” that Christ
came and lived a life of perfect obedience to the Ten Commandment law and in so
doing gave mankind an example so that they could do the same. If one has
enough faith in Christ, then he, too, can live in perfect obedience to the Ten
Commandment law.
"(Christ) came to this world and lived a sinless life, that in His power His
people might also live lives of sinlessness." (Review and Herald, April 1,
1902)
"Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God's commandments
will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his
transgression." (SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1118).
“As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be
perfect in their life.” Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 311
“When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, and every
man shall be judged according to the things written in the books, then the
tables of stone, hidden by God until that day, will be presented before the
world as the standard of righteousness. Then men and women will see that
the prerequisite of their salvation is obedience to the perfect law of God.”
1 SM 225
“Nothing less than perfect obedience can meet the standard of God's
requirement.” MH 180
“Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in
His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in
His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Ellen G. White,
Christ Object Lessons, p. 69
“As Jesus moved out of the Most Holy place, …The saints in that fearful
time, after the close of Jesus’ mediation, were living in the sight of a holy
God, without an intercessor.” 1SG 198.1
Note: Christ mediatorial ministry will end during the SDAs “close of probation.” The perfected
SDA people didn’t need an intercessor this time since they already attained sinless perfection
by perfect obedience to the 10 commandments.
11. The new covenant gospel states unequivocally that we are saved by grace.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should
boast.” (Eph. 2:8–9).
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in
righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration
and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5).

12. Comparison between 1844 Investigative Judgment versus the Gospel

1844 investigative judgment:
Sin laden blood pollutes
Sins blotted out after 1844
Emphasis on personal works
Must achieve personal
perfection of character
Gospel:
Blood cleanses
Sins blotted out at repentance
Emphasis on faith in Christ
Must trust in Christ’s sinless perfection

13. Ellen White taught in several places that one should never say he was “saved.”
Why? Because there was no way to be sure if all sins were confessed and
forsaken.

“Those who are teaching this doctrine (grace) today have much to say in regard to
faith and the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve
the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and
that faith is all-sufficient: that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner’s
credentials; that this imputed righteousness fulfills the law for us, and that we are
under no obligation to obey the law of God. This class claim that Christ came to
save sinners, and that He has saved them. “I am saved,” they will repeat over and
over again. But are they saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah?—No; for the
garments of Christ’s righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity. Such teaching is a
gross deception, and Christ becomes to these persons a stumbling block as He did
to the Jews,—to the Jews, because they would not receive Him as their personal
Saviour, to these professed believers in Christ, because they separate Christ and the
law, and regard faith as an substitute for obedience. They separate the Father and
the Son, the Saviour of the world. Virtually they teach, both by precept and
example, that Christ, by His death, saves men in their transgressions. We are never
to rest in a satisfied condition, and cease to make advancement, saying, “I am
saved” ... No sanctified tongue will be found uttering these words till Christ shall
come, and we enter in through the gates into the city of God… As long as man is
full of weakness,—for of himself he cannot save his soul,—he should never dare to
say, “I am saved”… No man can say, I am saved, until he has endured test and trial,
until he has shown that he can overcome temptation. (Ellen G. White, Bible Echo,
1897-02-08)
14. Ellen White statements on salvation contrasted with Bible teaching:
a. Ellen White says the imputed righteousness of Christ is not enough to
save sinners. The Bible, however, says:

“For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the

death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by
His life.” (Rom. 5:10).

b. Ellen White calls the teaching that one can say “I am saved” a “gross
deception.” The Bible says:

“…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your
heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:9)

c. Ellen White said as long as a man is full of weakness he cannot ever say,
“I am saved.” The Bible says:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).

d. Ellen White teaches that we cannot say, “I am saved,” as long as our

characters are out of harmony with the law. The Bible says:

“[God], who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to
our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted
us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” (2 Tim. 1:8, 9).
e. EGW teaches that no sanctified tongue will ever say, “I am saved,”
before the second coming of Christ. The Bible says:

“…and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be

saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved,
you and your household” (Acts 16:30, 31).

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of
God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 Jn. 5:13).

f. Ellen White teaches that no man can say, “I am saved,” until he has
endured test and trial, until he has shown that he can overcome temptation.
The Bible says:
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in
righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration
and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus. 3:5).
CONCLUSION

Jesus, as our substitute, was judged in our place on the cross. He has paid
the price for all sin for all time. He has also provided perfect righteousness
which can be credited to our account. By His death on the cross, Jesus
judged Satan and demonstrated God’s justice in the way God saves sinners.
The good news of the judgment is that all who believe and trust in the life,
death, and resurrection of Christ can say with assurance, “I’ve been
acquitted!” We have already been judged in Christ. Those who reject the
gospel, judge themselves unworthy of eternal life. The second coming of
Christ will be a revelation of how men responded to God’s gracious gift of
salvation.

This ebook is published by:

Back to the Scriptures Today &
Sabbath in Christ Podcast
It can be printed and distributed for free!
back2scriptures@gmail.com
www.backtothescriptures.today