The Close of Probation

Today we still live in the probationary time, but for how long? No one knows. God has not revealed to us the time when our probation closes. Jesus gave us a warning, “Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matt 24:44.

In times of war and persecution we expect the world to come to an end. But it was in the time of peace and prosperity, while the wise and foolish virgins were peacefully sleeping, when the Bridegroom came arid the time of probation ended.

“When probation ends, it will come suddenly, unexpectedly – at a time when we are least expecting it. But we can have a clean record in heaven today, and know that God accepts us.” 7 BC 989.

God has given ample time for us to prepare ourselves for the end; but many are wasting the precious moments and suddenly realize that the time is finished. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jen 8:20.

THE CLOSING OF PROBATION IS PROGRESSIVE

The probation will close to the church of God first while people outside have still time.
“And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” Ezek. 9:4-6.

The sealing angel began at the ancient men before the sanctuary and the angels with slaughter weapons followed.

The seal of the living God was placed in the foreheads of the men, women and children. This was the result of the judgment in heaven. All who were accepted received the seal and those who were rejected in the judgment were slain by the destroying angels.

“The work of destruction begins among those who have professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the first to fall.” G.C. 656.
For many years we have enjoyed the mercy of God. Our sins have been forgiven, grace has been granted to us, and many are used to it. Sin to them is a light, small thing, because forgiveness has been granted so easily—so freely. They reason in their minds, why should they pay tithes now, why should they be so strict in health reform, why avoid now the worldly amusements when one day before their judgment they can confess and ask forgiveness and all their sins will be forgiven. But they do not know when this day will be. Suddenly they realize that the time of their probation has ended.

Nothing is so terrible to a lukewarm, professed Christian than to hear the words, “too late”. All their years of religious exercises and sacrifices were in vain. They are outside with the open sinners. If the Lord would lengthen their probationary time, they still would not be ready in the end of it.

THE PROBATION ENDED

“When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation will end a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. Christ in the Revelation, looking forward to that time, declares:’*”He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Rev. 22:11. G.C.

That time every person has made a choice in his life and God respects his choice. Anyone who decided to be unjust or filthy in this life will continue in his sins. God will not force him to obedience. Others who decided to be righteous and holy will continue in it.

Satan needs not to deceive the wicked or the lukewarm professors of religion anymore. Now they wake up to realize their lost condition. They will seek salvation now, but they cannot find it. Their secret sins they now publish openly. Money they kept to themselves now they throw out. Their houses and lands they are now willing to sacrifice, but it is all too late.

“While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her ornaments—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence: ‘Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting.'” G.C. 490-491 (1911 Ed.)

The last sermon has been spoken to the sinners, the last prayer for their conversion pronounced, the last tear shed for the impenitent and now God’s people leave the cities and towns seeking isolated places in the mountains and forests while the seven last plagues are being poured upon the earth.

Let us wake up to realize the solemnity of the hour in which we live today. The end may be closer to us than we think. To be so close to salvation and yet to lose it would be a terrible disappointment. May the Lord have mercy upon His remnant people.
AMEN

Timo Martin