The longest prophetic time period, the one that ended on October 22, 1844, marked the beginning of the final work in the heavenly sanctuary. That time period ended just 165 years ago. Since then, the last and final work for the salvation of humanity has been going on. The work of the judgment that began in 1844 involves the examination of the character of every person who has ever lived on this planet. For those who chose to live their lives in obedience to the God of Heaven, it means that their rebellion against him has been forgiven and they will be raised in the last days to be changed, along with those obedient people who are still living. Those who chose lives of disobedience, in rebellion against the laws of God's government, will be left to find their part at the end, with those living rebellious ones in the final scenes of the second death. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." - 1 Corinthians 5:10. Everyone is rewarded according to what they do; how they treat other people.
"The court was seated, and the books were opened." - Daniel 7:10. "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books." - Revelation 20:12.
God is keeping records of all things that happen on this planet. Everyone's actions have been and are continuing to be recorded. In the closing work in the heavenly sanctuary, the work that began in 1844 and that continues even now, those records are being examined and a decision is being made according to what is found there. It would naturally be understood that the judgment would have started with Adam and Eve and then continued on until the fate of all of the dead, from Adam and Eve to the present, have been decided. It would then naturally continue on to those who are now living. When the judgment of the living finishes then the work will be brought to a close. How long it will take to review the cases of all the dead and how soon the work of judging the living will begin and end, no one knows. The judgment will continue on however and will not be delayed until it is finally and forever finished.
That brings us back to this present moment. The greatest and most solemn act in the history of our world is taking place. The judgment of all humanity is nearly finished. What are the inhabitants of the world up to at this hour? To say we are going on about our everyday business as if it were just another day would be putting it mildly. We are crazy with finding things to give us pleasure and many are trapped by those vices that have become habits and that seem to have become nearly impossible to break free from; if we even WANTED to be free from them that is.
In the sanctuary there is an object called the Ark of the Covenant. You remember the ark from the Raiders of the Lost Ark don't you? Inside of this ark, Moses placed the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, the moral law that God had written with his own hand. Placed along the side of the ark, were the books that Moses had written at God's direction. They contained all of the civil laws that dealt with a large nation of people living in harmony with each other. These two laws were given to the people, by God himself and it suggests that there is a standard of obedience that is expected for those who wish to live for eternity with God and with each other.
The subject and the realities of the judgment help us understand how we need to be prepared for that day when our characters are finally discussed in the closing hours of the judgment. Jesus/Christ tells us to "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." - Matthew 25:13.
My question to you is this. How much time do you think we have left until the Day of Atonement in Heaven ends?
When we die, it is all over. There are no second chances, no rebirths to go around again, our time on this Earth is over and we will be judged by our actions. We have no promises that we will be living ten minutes from now, let alone tomorrow. I am not trying to frighten you into obedience, but I would like you to think about the consequences of your actions. It is extremely important, by God's grace, to live each day as if it were our last; to get the best out of it and to give those around us our best as well. Have I reached perfection? No, I have not. I AM counted as one of God's children though because I have accepted the free gift of life that Jesus/Christ offers to the entire world when he chose to die in our place and give us his life in return. I do not always understand that kind of love but I do know that it is real and I accept that gift that has given me the assurance of eternal life.
This world is going to come to a close some day. No one knows the day or the hour when that will happen, but those who have been watching the signs that have been given to all of us, know it will not be much longer. Some day soon Jesus/Christ is going to finish the cleansing of the sanctuary in Heaven. When that one "day" of atonement ends and the fate of all humanity is forever fixed, three words are going to be spoken, "It is done." - Revelation 16:17. When those words fill the air of this old Earth and rumble across the land like thunder, whose side will you be on? I am not preaching; I am only asking a question.
One last thing before I close. The first book of the Bible starts with the words, "In the beginning…"
The final words of Jesus/Christ, in the last book of the Bible, end with him saying: "'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the first and the last.' Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. "'I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.' "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' "'Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!'" - Revelation 22:12-17, 20.