THE UNFINISHED REFORMATION · INVESTIGATION 18

The Judgment Before the Second Coming

Does Scripture describe a heavenly judgment before Christ returns?

Daniel 7 portrays a heavenly court scene before the final transfer of the kingdom to the saints. Revelation 14 announces that the hour of God’s judgment has come while the gospel is still being proclaimed. The Adventist reading understands this as a pre-advent phase of judgment that vindicates God’s justice, identifies those who are in Christ, and precedes the Second Coming.

Reformation principle. Judgment is good news for those whose confidence is in Christ.

SCRIPTURE TO EXAMINE

Read the biblical evidence

  • Daniel 7:9–14The court sits, books are opened, and the Son of man receives the kingdom.
  • Daniel 7:21–22Judgment is given in favor of the saints before they possess the kingdom.
  • Revelation 14:6–7The everlasting gospel includes the announcement that the hour of judgment has come.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:13–14God brings every work into judgment.
STRONGEST OBJECTION OR ALTERNATIVE READING

Examine the challenge

Critics argue that “judgment” in Revelation 14 may refer to God’s judgment on Babylon rather than an investigative phase involving professed believers. The Daniel 7 linkage is therefore central to the Adventist case.

SOURCES

Check the evidence

YOUR VERDICT

In Revelation 14, is the judgment-hour message proclaimed before or after the final harvest scenes later in the chapter?

  • Before
  • After
  • The chapter gives no order