What difference did it make to the church when Christ entered the Most Holy Place on October 22, 1844? The Investigative Judgment began, right? But let me ask you, what difference did that make to you and me. The judgment of the dead began? Right, but again, what difference did that make to you and me? As far as you and I go, if the only thing that happened in 1844 was that the judgment of the dead began, we'd have to say that nothing significant changed then that affects us today. But intuitively we know that's not the case. So what did happen and how does that affect us now?

The answer is in Revelation 10:11 - 11:2. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot . . .

In 1844, after the disappointment, the church was given a second commission. We were told to rise from our disappointment and prophesy again. And we were given the measuring message - the hour of His judgment is come. The message of judgment, of measuring, was first given in power in the last half of 1840, but here, after 1844, we're told to 'prophecy again', to repeat it. Ellen White and scripture make a number of interesting statements about this measuring, judgment time that show that:

1) God is measuring us now and has been measuring the saints since 1844.
2) God is sealing the church now.
3) The investigative judgment is the means of the preparation for the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the final sealing.
4) Now is when our sins must be pardoned, and 'go beforehand to judgment' not in the judgment of the living. It will be too late then.

In I Timothy 5:24  it says: Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some [men] they follow after.

Commenting on this Ellen White says:
I warn all who profess the name of Christ to closely examine themselves and make full and thorough confession of all their wrongs, that they may go beforehand to judgment, and that the recording angel may write pardon opposite their names. 1T 264.

In 1888 Ellen White made this comment on the judgment/measuring time and how it relates to us now:
The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you; when you are attending your household duties, when you engage in conversation, God is measuring you. Remember that your words and actions are being daguerreotyped [photographed] in the books of heaven, as the face is reproduced by the artist on the polished plate. . . . {7BC 972.1}
Here is the work going on, measuring the temple and its worshipers to see who will stand in the last day. Those who stand fast shall have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When we are doing our work remember there is One that is watching the spirit in which we are doing it. Shall we not bring the Saviour into our everyday lives, into our secular work and domestic duties? Then in the name of God we want to leave behind everything that is not necessary, all gossiping or unprofitable visiting, and present ourselves as servants of the living God (MS 4, 1888). {7BC 972.2}

So, God is measuring or judging us now. If that's so, then are two aspects to the judgment of the living - the measuring process now, and the time when our case is finally decided. The scripture and Ellen White agree that by far the most important phase for you and me is the present one. For us, now is the day of salvation; now is when we can respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit and by confession and humility send our sins beforehand to judgment. If we respond today, then when our names come up in final review of the living or the dead, we'll have nothing to fear.

This idea, that the judgment of the living is two phased, is new to Adventism. But it's not new to scripture or Ellen White. Let's look now at the meaning of the measuring message that was given to the church after the disappointment in 1844.
In Revelation 11:1 and 2 it says.   And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot . . .

This passage is giving the reapplication of the first angel - that the judgment hour has come. Ellen White says: The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. {7BC 972.1} So, if we want to understand the meaning of the investigative judgment, the judgment hour message, we need to understand the measuring commission.


There is a fascinating vision where Ellen White confirms the importance of the measuring process. Interestingly she links the measuring process to receiving the Holy Spirit. The vision implies that as character is measured it is sanctified, and true sanctification brings with it the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Here's what she was shown:
During the night of the first Sabbath of the Newcastle meeting, I seemed to be in meeting, presenting the necessity and importance of our receiving the Spirit. This was the burden of my labor--the opening of our hearts to the Holy Spirit. . . . In my dream a sentinel stood at the door of an important building, and asked every one who came for entrance, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost?" A measuring-line was in his hand, and only very, very few were admitted into the building. "Your size as a human being is nothing," he said. "But if you have reached the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, according to the knowledge you have had, you will receive an appointment to sit with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb; and through the eternal ages, you will never cease to learn of the blessings granted in the banquet prepared for you. {1SM 109.2}
"You may be tall and well-proportioned in self, but you cannot enter here. None can enter who are grown-up children, carrying with them the disposition, the habits, and the characteristics which pertain to children. If you have nurtured suspicions, criticism, temper, self-dignity, you cannot be admitted; for you would spoil the feast. All who go in through this door have on the wedding garment, woven in the loom of heaven. . . .
As these words were spoken, I saw that some turned sadly away and mingled with the scoffers. Others, with tears, all broken in heart, made confession to those whom they had bruised and wounded. They did not think of maintaining their own dignity, but asked at every step, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). The answer was, "Repent, and be converted, that your sins may go beforehand to judgment, and be blotted out." …
As I presented these principles to the people in the Sabbath meeting, all seemed to feel that the Lord had spoken through the feeble instrument.--The Review and Herald, April 11, 1899. {1SM 111.2}

The scriptures confirm that there is an 'important' building that all of us need admittance to. The building is the Most Holy place of the sanctuary where Christ ministers for us. Here is where we find shelter, under the wings of the God's holy angels. But before we can enter this important building a process takes place where the worshipers are measured. And to give us a clearer picture of what is involved we have not only the vision of Sister White but also the parallel passages of Revelation 11 and Ezekiel 40 to 48. Revelation 11 gives Adventists their current commission, and Ezekiel 40 to 48 fills in more of the details. John in vision is told to rise and measure the temple and worshippers. What John sees is the measuring of the Investigative Judgment. Therefore to understand the Investigative Judgment more fully one of the most fruitful places to look is in Ezekiel's temple where the temple is measured and described in detail. In the rest of this paper we'll be looking at lessons from measuring that temple.

M: Thomas, what do you find objectionable about the SDA view of the IJ of the living? Why are you unwilling to embrace it wholeheartedly?

V: Tell me what I am missing.

So, God is measuring or judging us now. If that's so, then are two aspects to the judgment of the living - the measuring process now, and the time when our case is finally decided. The scripture and Ellen White agree that by far the most important phase for you and me is the present one. For us, now is the day of salvation; now is when we can respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit and by confession and humility send our sins beforehand to judgment. If we respond today, then when our names come up in final review of the living or the dead, we'll have nothing to fear.

This idea, that the judgment of the living is two phased, is new to Adventism. But it's not new to scripture or Ellen White. Let's look now at the meaning of the measuring message that was given to the church after the disappointment in 1844.
. . . .

Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon--none know how soon--it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour's admonition: "Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." Mark 13:33. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Revelation 3:3. {GC 490.1}

46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12)