Does Probation Close First for Adventism?

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Does Probation Close First for Adventism?

Excerpt from the book "End of Time" by Vance Ferrell

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JUDGMENT AND PROBATION WILL

CLOSE FOR SOME BEFORE OTHERS

There is an individual close of probation and there is a general close of probation.

In order to properly understand the individual close of probation, it is important that we understand what occurs when the mark and seal are applied and the implications of those events.

A specific individual will not receive the mark or seal until (1) the National Sunday Law has been enacted, (2) he fully understands the Sabbath-Sunday issues, and (3) he makes his decision one way or the other.

Because of this three-part requirement: (1) Those who have previously known the Sabbath truth and understood the issues involved will enter the judgment of the living first. (2) They will receive the seal/mark before those who are ignorant of the issues; and (3) their probation will therefore close first.

Those who have chosen to stand true to God will reveal His seal during the latter rain. They will then go out and begin giving the loud cry while former Sabbathkeepers who have received the mark will become their bitterest enemies.

But something else also happens when a person receives the seal or mark. He is sealed or marked for eternity,

When a person receives the seal of God, he is sealed for eternity, “nevermore to be defiled by . .the tempter’s devices” (5T 475).

“When the [Sunday law] decree goes forth and the [seal] stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity” (5T 216).

In contrast, when a person receives the mark, he will never again have an opportunity to come to Christ, and he becomes totally hateful and evil. At the marking/sealing time in each person’s life, his name comes up in the judgment of the living and his decision is etched forever in the books of heaven. His probation has ended.

Thus it is clear that, when the seal or mark is applied, a person’s probation has forever closed.

We call that event the “individual close of probation.” Yet, at that point in time, there are still many other people who have not made their final decision.

As the loud cry message is extended outward throughout the world, more and more people make their decision and receive the mark or seal. Then the last person makes his decision; and the loud cry angel returns to heaven and reports the fact to Jesus. Immediately, Christ throws down the censer of intercession and declares, “It is done.” We call that event the “general close of probation.”

In this chapter, we will view the individual close of probation. In the next chapter, we will turn our attention to the general close of probation.

1 - Some who have had their day of opportunity are passed by while others will make the right decision.

“But I speak not my own words when I say that God’s Spirit will pass by those who have had their day of test and opportunity, but who have not distinguished the voice of God or appreciated the movings of His Spirit. Then thousands in the eleventh hour will see and acknowledge the truth.”—2 Selected Messages, 16:1.

2 - Some will accept and be saved while the door will be closed to others who would not enter. “The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time.”—7 Bible Commentary, 979/1:3.

3 - Unless we are daily advancing now, we will not be ready later.

“Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.”— Testimonies to Ministers, 507:1.

4 - The light will be for those who had not earlier rejected it.

“The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call and left the fallen churches.” —Early Writings, 278:1.

5 - Those who have made the wrong decision become bitter enemies of their former brethren.

“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.”—Great Controversy, 608:2.

“The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who prove their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath will receive the mark of the beast.”—7 Bible Commentary, 976/1:2-3 (Maranatha, 164; cf. 2 Selected Messages, 81:0).

6 - The sealing time will be the closing work for the church.

“Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people.”—3 Testimonies, 266:2.

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