The Sanctuary and Justice

(This reading is based on Psalm 98, read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists)
"For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity." Ps. 98: 9

Justice is Coming

It is common to our experience that whenever we're taken before a judge it is that we're in some sort of trouble. Hence the coming of "the judge" rather than making for gleeful anticipation, it rather brings trepidation. But that's with this current system where justice often eludes us. But then there's yet another "Big But;" Jesus Christ, the righteous judge is coming, and He's going to reverse every injustice ever done.

The Sanctuary

Psalm 73: 17 says, "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." The final act on the Day of Atonement, when the High Priest exists the Most Holy place and then places his hand on the scape goat tells me that the culpable one (Satan) will be brought to book finally (Lev 16: 21).



I am not only intrigued by this promise of justice (Rev. 22: 12), but that what seemed like a twisted mode of justice will be straightened out in this act. If there were a family with a number of brothers of varying characteristics. Among the lot is a committed Christian on the one hand, but there's also another who is a seasoned criminal, on the other hand. In a case where the criminal was seen in flight from a scene where he committed a most heinous crime, the community in pursuit of jungle justice caught the Christian brother and pounded out their anger on him; he didn't survive the ordeal. Upon hearing about it you are dismayed (it was your little daughter that was raped and murdered). The Christian brother had come to visit with you and to promise full support and cooperation in securing justice, and to also bring you relief. But now he's dead and the criminal is still at large. It's not even as if you believe in mob justice, but if you're going to do it, then at least do it right. Your emotions are now compounded, and you are without a sense that justice has been served. 

                                                                    

One does get a lingering sense that justice seems hardly served by Jesus (the innocent one) dying for our sins. The good news is though - His death isn't the last thing that will happen. The last thing that will happen is that Satan (the originator of sin) will be punished for every confessed sin that Christ has atoned for (Rev. 20). After his execution sin and sorrow will be no more (Rev 21: 4).

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