The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 662
the hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5. Daniel declares that when the Ancient of
Days came, “judgment was given to the saints of the Most High.” Daniel
7:22. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God.
John in the Revelation says: “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given unto them.” “They shall be priests of God and
of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4,
6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, “the saints shall judge the
world.” 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked,
comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every
case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which
the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is
recorded against their names in the book of death.
Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says
Paul: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” Verse 3. And Jude
declares that “the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their
own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness
unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6.
At the close of the thousand years the second resurrection will take
place. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead and appear before
God for the execution of “the judgment written.” Thus the revelator, after
describing the resurrection of the righteous, says: “The rest of the dead
lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:5.
And Isaiah declares, concerning the wicked: “They shall be gathered
together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the
prison, and after many days shall they be visited.” Isaiah 24:22.
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