Larrys - Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008:
For instance, if an Adventist's name has been investigated yesterday, and the positive verdict is now carved in stone, what will happen to them the very next time they sin?
Will they need a new investigation in the future?
Does SDA theology allow for multiple investigations?
Or do they just become incapable of sinning due to their being retained in the Book of Life?
How many SDA's are willing to admit that they sin no more, because to do so would mess up the verdict of the past-tense Investigative Judgment that they have already passed.
And if these people have passed the Investigative Judgment, and sin no more, do they really need Jesus as their Savior?
What does the Bible say about people who claim they never sin?
If an Adventist has been judged yesterday (in the Investigative Judgment) to be removed from the Book of Life, what use is all the Sabbath defense of Adventists?
What use is any further commandment-keeping or good works?
They say they have assurance, but how do they really know they passed the Investigative Judgment?
How can an Adventist have faith in the saving power of Jesus, ever again, if they has been judged already, found wanting, and thrown into the discard pile?
Are there any examples of current SDA's who have been found wanting, yet still attending church and possibly polluting other SDA's who have not been judged yet?
It is likely that the supposed Investigative Judgment is already at the living. Ellen White, in her time, already knew that William Miller had found favor with God, and was judged to be among the saved. So yes, it is very likely that the living are being judged right now, if you believe SDA dogma. After all, God has had an extra 163 years to judge all those past Millers judgment.
"I saw that William Miller erred as he was soon to enter the heavenly Canaan, in suffering his influence to go against the truth. Others led him to this; others must account for it. But angels watch the precious dust of this servant of God, and he will come forth at the sound of the last trump."-- Early Writings, p. 258
If in fact William Miller does not pass the Investigative Judgment, would the Book of Life can contain other errors?
onthebeam - Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008:
When I was a SDA I would ponder this question with my peers. We would conclude that the Spirit was still guiding us, so the event had not happened yet. Looking back, I know I was guided by some other spirit to get involved with them in the first place. I didn't trust Jesus Word, but I would trust the words of a deranged false prophet.
SusanS - Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008:
I used to worry about that. When I was studying with the Adventists and decided to be baptized, I asked the pastor about the IJ passing from the dead to the living. Had it happened yet? Had my name come up yet? The best answer he could give me was "I don't know".
peg - Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2008:
I used to worry about it all the time.
I worried that I would be found unworthy...
That I'd already BEEN found unworthy..
That I was, at the very second, BEING found unworthy!
Since I clearly wasn't sinless, if the judgment had come to my name, obviously I hadn't passed.
It seemed quite unfair that I wouldn't know before the Sunday Laws.
I would like to relax and skip the torture if I was already damned.
SusanS - Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008:
Pegg, I worried about it all the time too, for the very reasons you did. It robbed me of the joy of being a Christian!
For me and my experience, I think that being a perfectionist makes it SOOO hard to trust the Lord for salvation alone, without us doing ANYTHING to contribute, or to negate. I was always used to having to prove myself worthy, in my eyes, much less to any other eyes.
I transferred this to God, my Father, who loved me and saved me even while I was dead in my sins. Who gave His Son to bear my sin in His body, and redeem me.
I couldn't understand. I knew I had given my heart to the Lord, I wanted to be "good" from the time I was a small child.
But when I was taught this doctrine, I doubted God, basically. I didn't know that's what it was at the time, but in looking to myself, I took my eyes off the Lord and His salvation provided for me. I listened to Ellen saying if you have one spot of sin in your character you will not receive the seal of God, instead of what God Himself had said! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life"!
Larrys - Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008:
Hebrews 9:27 says that it is appointed for man to die once, and then the judgement.
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