What is the investigative judgment and the year 1844?

Author: BibleAsk Team


The 2300 prophecy – 1844

The significance of the year 1844 appeared when William Miller headed a movement that was studying the prophecies of Daniel 8 and 9. These prophecies presented the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8:14. The Angel Gabriel said, “Unto 2,300 days, then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed.”

The Millerite Christians thought that the Sanctuary was the earth. And they believed that God was coming to cleanse the earth with fire.  When they added up the 2,300 years from the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem (457 B.C) given in Daniel chapter 9, they reached to 1844. So, the Millerites believed that Jesus was coming the second time in 1844.

Cleansing the Heavenly Sanctuary

But when Christ didn’t come, some got discouraged, some discontinued studying, and some went back to their old churches.  But, one group that continued studying, found out there’s nothing in the Bible that calls the earth the sanctuary. The earthly temple sanctuary of the Jews was destroyed in 70 AD. So, they understood that the prophecy was referring to the Heavenly Sanctuary and the original model where Jesus is actually ministering on behalf of the believers. For Moses looked at the heavenly temple to build the earthly one (Hebrews 8:5). And the book of Hebrews confirms that Jesus is now our High Priest in the Heavenly Temple:

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount” (Hebrews 8:1, 2, 5).

The Investigative Judgement

And therefore, these believers understood that in 1844, Christ entered the last phase of that Heavenly Investigative Judgment. This special judgment, like that of Israel’s Yom Kippur, represents the final atonement to be made for planet Earth (Leviticus 23:27-29). Through His shed blood applied to those written in the book of life, Christ would confirm the decisions of His people to serve Him eternally. And when this judgement is over, He will come again to reward every man according to His work (Revelation 22:12).

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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