S. W. Letter Ritchie Way March 2009

INVESTIGATIVE JUDGEMENT REWORKED?
Hello
I read an article by Des Ford entitled, ‘The Reworking of the Investigative Judgement Doctrine,’ where there is a quote from The Great Controversy, but as usual it is only part of what Ellen G. White is saying. If you read on she continues: ‘Jesus will appear as their advocate, to plead in their behalf before God … all who have truly repented of sin and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.’
If you knew, Des, how many have left the church (especially of the young people) and gone out in the world because of your theology, you would not be able to sleep at night. You took away from them the belief in the Investigative Judgement, but you did not have anything to replace that belief with. And when you remove the Investigative Judgement the whole plan of salvation falls apart and you have nothing to build on. In this article there is also nothing that explains Daniel 8:14 and I am not surprised, because I have never heard any real explanation from your followers, because you cannot explain it any other way than what I have heard from our preachers who believe in the message.
Sincerely
S. W.

Dear S
Thank you for yours.
No matter how much one quotes from a book there is always more to come that is not quoted.
It is clear that you have not been able to read much that has been written on this topic. I suggest you begin with the articles by Dr. Arthur Patrick and then move to what is known as the Glacier View Manuscript, and from there to my commentaries on Daniel written in the last fifteen years. I reveal that Daniel 8:14 is explained by Daniel 9:24 (apart from its apotelesmatic application during the crisis under Antiochus Epiphanes). Daniel 8:14, like the climaxes in chapters 2, 7, and 12, points to the final establishment of the Kingdom of God at the second advent.
I have not recommended that any leave the church, but I have recommended that our people follow the advice of Ellen G. White in Counsels to Writers and Editors re. ‘New Light.’ Ellen G. White says there is no excuse for taking the position that we will never have to change some of our doctrines even if they have been held for years.
Partakers of the righteousness of Christ will be glad to follow him in all things including advancing truth.
God bless you in all things
Desmond Ford.