19. How long will the saints engage in this work of judgment? “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and _judgment was given unto them: ...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years_.” Rev. 20:4. [Illustration.] Lot Fleeing From Sodom. "Turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes." 2 Peter 2:6. 20. Who will thus be judged by the saints? “Do ye not know that _the saints shall judge the world_? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that _we shall judge angels_? how much more things that pertain to this life?” 1 Cor. 6:2, 3. 21. How will the decisions of the judgment be executed? “And out of His [Christ’s] mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Rev. 19:15. 22. Why is the _execution_ of the judgment given to Christ? “For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, _because He is the Son of man_.” John 5:26, 27. 23. How was the opening of the judgment to be made known to the world? “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, _Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come_.” Rev. 14:6, 7. NOTE.—There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the Scriptures,—the investigative judgment, preceding the second advent; the judgment of the lost world and wicked angels by Christ and the saints during the one thousand years following the second advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of the wicked at the close of this period. The investigative judgment takes place in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain who are worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His coming, and who among the living are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary for this to take place before the second advent, as there will be no time for such a work between the coming of Christ and the raising of the righteous dead. The executive judgment on the wicked occurs after their cases have been examined by the saints during the thousand years. Rev. 20:4, 5; 1 Cor. 6:1-3. The investigative judgment is that which is announced to the world by the angel’s message of Rev. 14:6, 7. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐