"For unto two thousand three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." (Dan. 8:14)
The judgement is indeed good news. This text is prabably the central text to SDAs and the Bible as well. It not only estabishes our beginning but it tells us that time is short, coupled with our understanding of prophecy.
"As foreshadowed in the type, and foretold in the Scriptures, Christ, at the time appointed, entered the most holy place of the temple of God in heaven. He is represented by the prophet Daniel as coming at this time to the Ancient of days: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came - not to the earth, but-to the Ancient of days, and brought him near before him...
Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above, are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must be concquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgement is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of puting away of sin, among God's people...
When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasent to the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years. The church which our Lord at His coming is to receive to himself will be a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." (SW, 1905)
Why is the judgement good news?
Clive
