13 - God's Appointed Hour

There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to all that would accept the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He began His intercessory ministry in heaven at the time of His ascension in 31 AD.
In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He, as our great High Priest, entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the better, more perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly beings which people that have died and are sleeping, are sleeping in Christ and therefore, in Him, are pronounced worthy to have part in the first resurrection at His second coming.
It also makes known to them which of the people still living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the second coming.