The reason why the Investigative Judgment is not accepted as a Christian doctrine is the absence of any clear declaration of it in the New Testament. How do you at World's Last Chance answer this claim?
We are glad that the questioner does not deny the existence of the Investigative Judgment in the New Testament. The complaint is merely: why is it not declared so clearly, in black and white, so that no one can miss it? In answer we say, that it is most presumptuous if we suppose that we know better than our Creator how His truth should be delineated in His word. At World's Last Chance we do not presume to know better than our Creator how best to present His truth. Hence, we try to go by His established principles for studying His word. We note two principles which are essential for studying His word to understand His doctrines.
The first principle requires that we search His word with all of our heart. "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). Surface reading of His word will never lead us to His truth. We have to be diligent in our study and with all earnestness apply all the God-given talents for digging deep into His word. This is the first principle that is to be applied when studying His word to arrive at His doctrinal truth, such as the Investigative Judgment.
The second principle which has to go hand in hand with the first is enunciated by Christ in John 7:17. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine." If we approach His word with an earnest desire to do His will, Christ has promised that we will "know the doctrine." We should be free from any preconceived concepts and ideas, so that we do not impose our own understanding on the Bible verses we are studying. Failure to abide by this divine precondition in the study of His word, is the main culprit which has often prevented His people through out history from arriving at the truth. It was the reason why the best Jewish rabbis and scholars did not recognize Christ as their promised Messiah, even thought they have diligently studied the Old Testament prophecies. These leaders did not want to give up their earthly ambitions of glory and greatness, nor part away with their sins. They were not ready to accept Christ as a Messiah, who was only focused in His call on the world to come, and not this earth. They were not ready to follow Christ who was asking them to repent of their sins and to submit their hearts to Him to be saved. Hence, their "diligent" study did not lead them to His truth.
Could history be repeating itself today in the way many of His people are in almost total ignorance of the Sanctuary message? Could it be that the teachings implied in the Sanctuary message, which are at great odds with many of the believed falsehoods, are the reason why the Investigated Judgment is denied and abhorred as a doctrine?
The sanctuary message shows that we are accountable for our actions, and that is not what the people want to hear. They would much rather hear about the love if God and His great sacrifice, than give up sin before probation close. The professed Christians of today want to leave every thing to Christ, while they go their own self willed way.
In sum, the Investigative Judgment is clearly stated in the His word, and this doctrine will be found by those who study His word on the basis of the above mentioned God-given two principles. The promise of Christ still stands today as ever: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine."
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