Sermon Study Guide: Michael Stands Up

Daniel 12 & The Pre-Advent Judgment

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INTRODUCTION

Text: Daniel 12:1

This study guide explores the profound truth of the pre-advent judgment—when Michael (Jesus Christ) stands up to deliver His people. Rather than being a doctrine to fear, this judgment is presented as wonderful news for God’s people, ensuring they are sealed and safe in Christ before the final crisis.

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PART 1: THE LOCATION OF THE JUDGMENT

Key Scripture: Daniel 7:9-10, 22, 26

The Three-Fold Pattern in Daniel 7

• Little Horn → Judgment → Second Coming (repeated three times)

• When God repeats something three times, it demands our attention

The Three Judgment Passages

1. Daniel 7:9-10 — The Throne Room Scene

   • “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit…”

   • Location: Before the throne of God in heaven

   • Myriads of angels in attendance

   • “The judgment was set, and the books were opened”

2. Daniel 7:22 — Judgment Given to the Saints

   • “Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High”

   • This is GOOD NEWS—the saints are vindicated

3. Daniel 7:26 — Judgment on the Little Horn

   • “The judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion”

Why the Open Court Matters

• Earthly courts have public galleries so people can see justice done

• God’s judgment occurs before “ten thousand times ten thousand” angels

• The entire universe witnesses that God’s judgments are true and just

• This answers future questions: “Why is my loved one lost and I am saved?”

Key Insight: The pre-advent judgment takes place in heaven, not on earth. It involves the opening of books before God on His throne with myriads of angels in attendance.

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PART 2: THE TIMING OF THE JUDGMENT

Key Scripture: Daniel 8:14; Daniel 9:24-27

The 2300 Days Prophecy

• Daniel 8:14: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed”

• The Hebrew idiom “evenings and mornings” = 2300 days

• Following the prophetic principle: 1 day = 1 year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6)

• Therefore: 2300 years

The Vision/Explanation Pattern

The Hebrew Word Clue

• Hazon (חָזוֹן) — Used for visions of earthly powers (Greece, Persia, Rome)

• Mara (מַרְאָה) — Used for the time element of the vision

• In Daniel 8:13, Gabriel switches from hazon to mara when referring to the 2300 days

• Daniel 9 is the explanation of the mara—the missing time element

The 490 Years (70 Weeks)

Daniel 9:24-27

• “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people”

• 70 × 7 = 490 years

• “Determined” = chatak — cut off from something larger

• The 490 years are CUT OFF from the 2300 years

The Three Couplets of Daniel 9:24

The Decree to Rebuild Jerusalem

• Cyrus (538 BC) — Rebuild the Temple (not sufficient)

• Ezra 6 (520 BC) — Reaffirm temple rebuilding (not sufficient)

• Artaxerxes (457 BC) — Command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” (the correct starting point)

The 69 Weeks (483 Years)

• From 457 BC to AD 27 = 483 years

• Daniel 9:25: “From the going forth of the command… unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks”

• 7 + 62 = 69 weeks × 7 = 483 years

AD 27 — The Baptism of Jesus

• Luke 3:1-2 provides multiple historical markers

• 15th year of Tiberius Caesar

• Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas and Caiaphas

• The Messiah (Anointed One) was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism

The 70th Week (AD 27-34)

• “He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week”

• Midst of the week (AD 31) — Crucifixion

• “He shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease”

• End of the week (AD 34) — Stoning of Stephen

Calculating AD 34

• Galatians 1:18 — Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem: 3 years after conversion

• Galatians 2:1 — Paul’s second visit: 14 years later (17 years total)

• Acts 18:12 — Paul before Gallio in AD 51

• 51 – 17 = AD 34 (the stoning of Stephen)

The 2300 Years and 1844

• 2300 years – 490 years = 1810 years remaining

• 457 BC + 2300 years = AD 1844

• This marks the beginning of the pre-advent judgment

The First Angel’s Message (Revelation 14:6-7)

• “The hour of His judgment is come”

• This message only makes sense from 1844 onward

• Call to: “Fear God and give glory to Him”

Satan’s Interference in 1844

Key Insight: The pre-advent judgment began in 1844. The first angel’s message calls the world to worship God as Creator—exactly when Satan launched attacks on creation, morality, and faith.

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PART 3: THE SUBJECTS OF THE JUDGMENT

1. God Himself is on Trial

• The Great Controversy is about God’s character

• Is God a God of love, or a dictator who rules by fear?

The Cherubim on the Ark

• Positioned looking DOWN at the mercy seat

• Represent the interest of unfallen worlds in God’s government

• They are the “public gallery” of the universe

Romans 3:4 — “Let God be true, and every man a liar… that Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings”

Revelation 16:5-7 — The angelic commentary:

• “Thou art righteous, O Lord… true and righteous are Thy judgments”

Key Insight: God has nothing to hide in the final judgment. He opens His court to the entire universe.

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2. The Saints of God are Vindicated

Daniel 7:22 — “Judgment was given to the saints of the Most High”

This is NOT:

• A torturous examination

• An “all-points” inspection to find fault

• A cause for fear

This IS:

• “My day in court”

• Vindication of the righteous

• God declaring, “Not guilty!”

Zechariah 3:1-5

• Satan accuses Joshua the high priest

• God says, “Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

• God clothes Joshua with clean garments

Isaiah 61:10

• “He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation”

• “He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness”

Romans 8:1

• “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”

Justification vs. Sanctification

• To be IN CHRIST = Justification (declared righteous)

• For Christ TO BE IN YOU = Sanctification (made righteous)

• Both are necessary for salvation

Key Insight: We don’t look to our own righteousness in the judgment—we look to Christ’s righteousness covering us.

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3. The Oppressors of God’s People are Judged

Daniel 11:45 — “He shall come to his end, and none shall help him”

Who is Judged:

• Every earthly kingdom opposing God

• Every ideology against God’s truth

• Every system of persecution

• Spiritual Babylon

• The papacy

1 Kings 8:32 — Solomon’s prayer:

• “Condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head”

• “Justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness”

Key Insight: God’s judgment involves both vindication of the righteous AND punishment of the wicked.

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PART 4: THE RESULTS OF THE JUDGMENT

When Probation Closes

Revelation 22:11

• “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still… he that is righteous, let him be righteous still”

Great Controversy, p. 490

• “When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death”

• “Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord”

The Short Time:

• Seven final plagues

• Jacob’s time of trouble

• Social collapse and civil war

The New Civil War in America

Ellen G. White, 1895:

• Hunger and poverty in cities

• Rich holding food from the poor

• This will lead to a new civil war in America

• This ushers in the time of trouble (Daniel 12:1)

The Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25)

• All are Adventists (waiting for the Bridegroom)

• All have lamps (the Word of God)

• All have some oil (the Holy Spirit)

• The foolish have no EXTRA oil (no daily living relationship with God)

• The foolish are SHUT OUT of the wedding feast

Great Controversy:

• “The nominal Adventists will receive the plagues of God as surely as the wicked”

Jacob’s Time of Trouble

Jeremiah 30:6-7

• “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble”

• “But he shall be saved out of it”

The Significance of Jacob’s Struggle:

• Jacob (deceiver) → Israel (prince of God)

• The saints receive a new name (Revelation 2:17)

• Demonstrates worthiness for the Promised Land

Great Controversy:

• “All the depths of satanic skill and subtlety… will be brought to bear against God’s people in the final conflict”

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CONCLUSION

Summary of the Pre-Advent Judgment

The Gospel Application

The Marriage Covenant:

• We are in a marriage covenant with the heavenly Groom

• Bad days don’t mean the marriage is over

• The covenant is only broken when we say, “Get out of my life”

Assurance of Salvation:

• Not based on MY righteousness

• Based on CHRIST’S righteousness

• “Just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation… so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all” (Romans 5:18)

Zephaniah 2:1-3

• “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth… seek righteousness, seek meekness”

• “It may be that ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger”

The Pre-Advent Judgment Should:

1. Drive us TO Christ, not FROM Him

2. Give us assurance of salvation

3. Remind us to take our faith seriously

4. Encourage daily investment in our walk with God

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REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Why is the pre-advent judgment described as “wonderful news” rather than something to fear?

2. How does knowing that the judgment takes place before the entire universe affect your understanding of God’s character?

3. What does it mean to you personally that “judgment was given to the saints of the Most High”?

4. How do the events of 1844 (Darwin, Marx, Freud, etc.) show Satan’s opposition to the first angel’s message?

5. In what ways does the judgment vindicate God’s character before the universe?

6. How can you live with the assurance of salvation while still taking your faith seriously?

7. What is the difference between being “in Christ” and having “Christ in you”? How does this relate to the judgment?

8. Why do you think the foolish virgins in Matthew 25 are described as Adventists?

9. How does viewing salvation as a marriage covenant help you understand assurance of salvation?

10. What practical steps can you take to maintain a daily living relationship with God?

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MEMORY VERSES

Daniel 7:9-10

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

Daniel 7:22

“Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.”

Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Revelation 14:6-7

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

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ADDITIONAL READING

• The Great Controversy, Chapters 28-30 (Ellen G. White)

• Daniel and the Revelation, Uriah Smith

• God’s Last Message to the World, Various Authors