The Gospel of the Investigative Judgment

When studying Scripture one must take into account the many levels and depths of Scripture. An example of this is in reference to the idea of the temple. In Scripture the temple can mean the body John 2:21; I Corinthians 6:19; the church I Corinthians 3:16; I Peter 2:5; a building in the OT in reference to the temple that Solomon built I Kings 8:1-66; a building in the NT John 2:20; the temple in heaven Hebrews 8:1-2; Revelation 11:19.

We also know that even though Scripture addresses the literal historical event recorded in the Bible and then we find out that those stories were not only for those of whom the stories were originally written but have been selected by Jesus to minister to us upon whom the ends of the world have come. I Corinthians 10:11 and I Peter 1:10-12.

A third point is necessary to discuss as well. In many Old Testament stories we seem to have a simple and straightforward story. Then in the New Testament God will unfold that there was another facet of the story not seen in the Old but there none the less. An example of this is the water coming out of the Rock in the Exodus story. Exodus 17:6. If you read this story alone you would think that God chose to give water out of a rock, unique but apparently well within the power of God. However, in the NT explanation of this story God reveals that the rock was not just a rock, but THE ROCK, Christ Jesus and that this story was a highly symbolic story. I Corinthians 10:1-11 especially v. 4

With these thoughts in mind let us look at the gospel of the Investigative Judgment (IJ) in I Kings 3:16:16-28. In this story we have an unusual cast of characters – Solomon, two harlots, two children, and the keeper of the sword. The story indicates that there were two harlots in Israel. We are not told where in Israel but two harlots who come before the righteous king to have a deep problem solved for them. The problem was that both of these harlots had a child, presumably from illicit contacts with men who are not their husbands. These two women dwelt in one house. One of the women has a male child and after three days the other woman has a male child. During one evening the second harlot rolls over on her child and the child dies. During the night, this woman gets up and takes the living child from the first woman and replaces it with the dead child. The first woman gets up and realizes that the child in her bosom is not her child and concludes that the second harlot has stolen the first woman’s child. This leads to much contention between the two and they finally decide to go to the king for him to help solve this problem.

The two harlots tell the king their story and then start arguing about the living child in front of the king. After thoroughly investigating the situation the king comes up with an interesting solution. He tells one of his officers, presumably Benaiah to take a sword and cut the living child in half and give a half to each woman. One woman protests vigorously and asks the king not to kill the child but to give the living child to the other harlot. The second harlot does not want the living child but is content to have the living child killed. The king wisely concludes that the real mother of the living child is the first harlot and gives her the child.

The conclusion of this first facet of the story is the following: "And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment." I Kings 3:28 This is the gospel of this story – the wisdom of God was in the king to do judgment. Thus the glory does not belong to Solomon but to Jesus for He as the only righteous God who gave this gift to Solomon in I Kings 3:5-14.

Now, as the first part of this chapter states, we can take this story simply, and literally, and be blest with the wonders of God and His wisdom. We can also wish that there were such a ruler today who would so surrender to Jesus that they would be filled with this gift and rule over our nation. We can also rejoice in the fact that Solomon was so humble that he had an awareness of his need for wisdom and knew that this wisdom was granted by Jesus to fulfill the purposes of leading his people Israel.

We can also see that in this story are wonderful lessons for "…our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come." I Corinthians 12:11. We can learn the lesson of Scripture that the Word of God has many concepts in the original story and that all Scripture is to be studied with Jesus in mind for His is the Word of God. John 1:1,14. In this Word are many concepts that are revealed through the symbols of the Word. For example, we can see that woman are a symbol of a church. II Corinthians 11:2; Jeremiah 6:2-Isaiah 51:16. We know that in the Bible God’s people acted like a harlot. Isaiah 1:21. In fact in Jeremiah 3:1-11 there are two harlots – Israel and Judah. Then there would be the Judge who would be Jesus Himself. John 5:22. And then there would be the living child, also a symbol of Jesus. Revelation 12:5. And then there is the sword, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17. With these in mind let us tell the story again.

There are two harlots, the church of Israel and Judah. Not seen to such at the time of Solomon, but those people in the time of Jeremiah can see such a thing. By the time of 2009 we can see that the Christian church has not only behaved like Israel but has many harlot churches. We can see that even though acting like harlots the gospel is still spoken of in their midst. Philippians 1:18. These churches will come to the time of the judgment and Jesus will call His people out of those churches, collectively called Babylon, an will bring them out to His one church. Revelation 18:4; Ephesians 2:11-22. This separation will be through the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:15. When Jesus completes this work all of the world will recognize that the wisdom of God is upon Him and they will fear him. I Kings 3:28.

Now let us apply this same set of principles to another facet of Christian life. In the gospel we are to acknowledge that each and every one of us on earth has played the harlot with Satan at least once. Each one of us has abandoned our Lord and Saviour, our husband, to embrace another god. Each of us has sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. Therefore, each us must come to judgment and to be judged for our sins. Praise God, the Judge is Jesus Himself, and if we allow Him to He will present His own blood shed for us, to save us from our sins. We find out about this through His Holy Word – the Sword of God. II Timothy 3:15.

But there is still more in the Word of God. The judgment of the two harlots is also a testimony that there are judgments yet to come. Daniel 7:9-15 that there will be a great judgment and this judgment will affect each and every one of us. Jesus, representing us, comes before the Father, the books were opened and judgment was completed. As a result of this Investigative Judgment dominion was given to Jesus, and His kingdom as well. This judgment was passed on to us, the followers of Jesus. Daniel 7:27. This judgment reward is also reiterated in Revelation 3:21. The times and specifics of this judgment will be covered in more detail in another chapter.

God tells us in Revelation 13 that there are more harlots, churches who claim to be Christ like but who speak as dragons. These harlot churches claim access to the worship of humanity, of which worship the second commandment prohibits. No one is to worship anything or anyone but God. Yet these churches, or institutions, claim this worship and even go so far as to want to kill the people if they will not worship. Revelation 13:15. These churches, harlots, culminate and blend into one entity called Babylon in Revelation 17:5. She is the mother of all harlots. She will eventually be judged and condemned to destruction. Revelation 18.

Another judgment is referred to as well in Scripture. In Revelation 20:11-15. This judgment takes place after the second resurrection, after the millennium is completed. In this judgment, all who are not found in the book of life will participate in. This judgment brings an end to sin and evil and will be finally cleansed in the lake of fire.

It is so impressive to me when I read Scripture that God can reveal the principles of the many phases of judgment in one story. God is a wonderful numberer and a wonderful teller of parables. Jesus has used every method know to the infinite mind to create a story that will move our hearts and minds and encourage us to participate in this great event on the side of Jesus – our Judge and Deliverer. Today you to can ask Jesus to deliver you and to be your Judge, and to be your advocate. These stories are amplified in Ezekiel 36 and in Zechariah 3. All Scripture tells the story of the gospel of Jesus and what He has done for us. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3:16-17. May God bless you as you study about Solomon and the many truths revealed to us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – The Way, the Truth, and the Life.