'Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see,
and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein,
and ye shall find rest for your souls.' (Jeremiah 6:16)

And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here [am] I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me. (Genesis 2:11-12)

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Compelling research shows that hooking up is not psychologically damaging, and only purity-ring-clutching evangelicals believe that it's wrong to have sex before marriage. Feminist Web sites advise that is it our "feminist duty to 1) seek pleasure and feel entitled to it and 2) to make the world a more orgasmic place for other women." And yet there seems to be something else at play in the culture that's making Klausner and Anderson regretful, some new wave of anti-orgasmic sexual conservatism that makes you hate yourself for what you did last night.

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The Close Of Probation (John 6:66)

Although the word “probation” does not appear in the Bible, according to several verses, the description of this term is quite evident. John 6:66 says, “From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” And when Jesus puts “on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing” (Isaiah 59:17), probation closes for everyone. But is that truly the close of probation?

Some may have been confused with our article in the January newsletter, which stated that probation closes first for the church and then for the rest of the world at a later time implying two closures of probation. We will now expound upon the concept of multiple probations or better yet said, an elongated process to the final closure of probation.

Are there multiple probation closings?

Since we know that the word “probation” does not appear in the Bible, we turn to Ellen White’s writings.

Those who are faithful stewards of the Lord's means will know just how their business stands, and, like wise men, they will be prepared for any emergency. Should their probation close suddenly, they would not leave such great perplexity upon those who are called to settle their estate. {The Adventist Home, page 396}

Of all the men of Egypt in that vast army, not one escaped. All perished in their determination to have their own way and to refuse God's way. That occasion was the end of their probation {Manuscript Releases, volume 21, page 64}

Ellen White foresaw that in general some people die before the second coming and it is advisable to have their estate in order so those that are left to carry on are not perplexed. She refers to the death of the people as a closure to probation. Therefore, death is a close of probation, yet it is not the close of probation for the world. So, we have established that the phrase “close of probation” can apply to more than one time frame. It can apply personally at death and globally when Jesus puts on the robes of vengeance. But let us continue.

What do the antediluvians teach us?

The period of their probation was drawing near its close. The unbelieving, scoffing inhabitants of the world were to have a special sign of God's divine power. Noah had faithfully followed the instructions God had given to him. The ark was finished exactly as God had directed. He had laid in store immense quantities of food for man and beast. And after this was accomplished, God commanded the faithful Noah, "Come thou, and all thy house, into the ark, for thee have I seen righteous before me." Angels were sent to collect from the forest and field the beasts which God had created. Angels went before these animals and they followed, two and two, male and female, and clean beasts by sevens. These beasts, from the most ferocious, down to the most gentle and harmless, peacefully and solemnly marched into the ark. The sky seemed clouded with birds of every description. They came flying to the ark, two and two, male and female, and the clean birds by sevens. The world looked on with wonder--some with fear, but they had become so hardened by rebellion that this most signal manifestation of God's power had but a momentary influence upon them. For seven days these animals were coming into the ark, and Noah was arranging them in the places prepared for them. {The Spirit of Prophecy, volume 1, page 71}

First, we see that probation closes prior to the final act. As the rain did not pour down right away so it will be for the second coming. The close of probation at the end of time, as we shall see later, is not when Jesus arrives.

Second, notice the use of the word “their”. God has set the closure of probationary times for various people according to His schedule, yet it is not the final closure for the whole world. Remember this for later in this article.

The concept of different probationary times is reiterated with the thief on the cross.

While the leading Jews deny him, and even the disciples doubt his divinity, the poor thief, upon the brink of eternity, at the close of his probation, calls Jesus his Lord! {The Spirit of Prophecy, volume 3, page 158}

Does probation close for the living without it being the world’s closure?

God in his infinite mercy bears long with the transgressors of his law. In the days of Abraham he declared that the idolatrous Amorites should still be spared until the fourth generation; for their iniquity was not yet full, and he could not give command for their destruction. For more than four hundred years he spared them, but when, instead of turning to repentance, they hardened their hearts in iniquity, and made war upon his people, their day of probation closed, and the mandate went forth for their utter extinction. With unerring accuracy, the Infinite One keeps a record of the impiety of nations and individuals. Long is his mercy tendered to them, with calls to repentance; but when their guilt reaches a certain limit, which he has fixed, then mercy ceases her pleadings, and the ministration of wrath begins. {Sketches from the Life of Paul, page 318}

Please note that the close of probation occurred first for the Amorites and then war came upon them. That means that they were alive when probation closed. Subsequently, they were eliminated through war. But the point is, we have found at least one case of probation closing while people are still living and it is not the probation closing at the end of time. That is significant because some have trouble understanding how probation can close for the church and then for the rest of the world.

When, at the suggestion of Balaam, the snare was laid for Israel, which resulted in the destruction of many thousands, then it was that the Midianites filled up the measure of their iniquities. Then their day of probation ended, the door of mercy was to them closed, and the mandate went forth from Him who can create and can destroy, "Vex the Midianites, and smite them; for they vex you with their wiles." {The Signs of the Times, January 6, 1881}

Here we see that anytime mercy has ceased from God towards a person or people, even though they remain alive, since there is no hope of salvation, their probation has closed. As for individuals still alive, Belshazzar is our example as well as Judas and King Saul.

When Belshazzar's period of probation closed, the Lord no longer protected him from the sure result of his own course of action. {The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, page 1396}

Oh what can we say to awaken the soul's interest to make no compromise with Satan; but make thorough work for repentance before it is everlastingly too late? How can we make them consider that there are limits to the forbearance of God, and that it is possible for them to pass the limit of the forbearance of God, as did Judas and Saul? God allows nations a certain period of probation; but there is a point they can reach and can pass, and then iniquity accumulated will receive not mercy, not longer forbearance, but an outbreak of the indignation of God, and be visited with punishment unmixed with mercy. {The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, page 1202}

Now in these examples, one more thing is needful to state, and that is, just because probation has closed, the people or person shall not sense it. They may even live with hope of salvation on their mind.

When does probation close for the world?

Some believe that when Jesus shows up it is the close of probation, but Isaiah gave us a hint. While Jesus is in heaven, He puts on the garments of vengeance. That is before the second coming. Let us look closer.

Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the most holy place until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction, and that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finished His work in the most holy place, laid off His priestly attire, and clothed Himself with the garments of vengeance. Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and man, and God will keep silence no longer, but pour out His wrath on those who have rejected His truth. I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead were separate and distinct, one following the other, also that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced. {Early Writings, page 36}

So we established that it is not at the second coming. We also established that it is a time of wrath. That is another clue.

In investigating the wrath of God, the Bible says, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God” (Revelation 15:1). Therefore, when the seven last plagues begin, the probation of the world is closed. That is definitely well before the second coming.

This is reinforced by, “It appeared to them to be taught in the Bible, that man's probation would close a short time before the actual coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. This seemed evident from those scriptures which point to a time when men will seek, knock, and cry at the door of mercy, and it will not be opened” {The Great Controversy 1888, page 429}

What signs lead up to the close of probation?

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. {Last Day Events, page 230}

The answer is none. There will be no sign that we can point to.

However, we should note that we are in the timeframe for the close of probation because of what else Ellen White wrote.

The things you have described . . . the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit. {Maranatha, page 234}

Do not get too excited because we also know that something else must be fulfilled before the close of probation.

The Lord God of heaven will not send upon the world His judgments for disobedience and transgression until He has sent His watchmen to give the warning. He will not close up the period of probation until the message shall be more distinctly proclaimed. The law of God is to be magnified; its claims must be presented in their true, sacred character, that the people may be brought to decide for or against the truth. Yet the work will be cut short in righteousness. The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel. {Testimonies for the Church, volume 6, page 19}

But overall, there will not be a sign that signals ahead of time that probation is closing.

What happens if one commits a sin during the plagues?

But the door of mercy is closed to the wicked. No more prayers are offered in their behalf after probation ends. {Last Day Events, page 235}

However hopeless this looks, keep in mind that one will not sin if they are sealed for eternity. And when does this happen?

The living righteous will receive the seal of God prior to the close of probation. {Maranatha, page 211}

What have we learned thus far?

Before we make our application, we want you to recall all of the important points.

Probation may close upon a living soul or group of people before death. The phrase “close of probation” should not trigger the thought that it applies only to the time when Jesus changes garments when all cases are decided because the phrase applies to every death and every pronouncement. Probation is applied when mercy is no longer available to a person or group of people.

With that understanding, let us answer the original question.

How can probation close upon the church first when the close of probation happens for the world?

Actually, the question is wrong. When one says that at the change of garments in heaven is the close of probation that just means every case has been decided. Not a single case will be investigated after that moment. The change of garments does not signal that the cases were decided at that moment. No. It is a process over a period of time with that act identifying that the last case was investigated.

1 Peter 4:17 says, “For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

Since judgment begins at the house of God that means it also ends first. And those in the house of God at the time that have rejected the true gospel will end up not going to heaven. It is not like they will get a second opportunity. Therefore, their probation will have closed individually before earth’s probationary period is over at the changing of the garments in heaven.

Do not take our word for it.

Greater reforms should be seen among the people who claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health reform is to do among our people a work which it has not yet done. There are those who ought to be awake to the danger of meat eating, who are still eating the flesh of animals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God's people to walk no more with them. {Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 382}

Here we see that those refusing the health message, specifically the Vegetarian diet, are going to eventually leave the church. Again, do not think they will get a second chance. The words “no more” means just that. There is no more opportunity for them. Therefore, all those people that leave will still be alive yet the formal close of probation will not be completed for the world though their personal probation will be.

Worse yet, they just do not go away.

The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us. The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges. {Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, page 463}

God's love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good. He will purify His church even as He purified the temple at the beginning and close of His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon the church in test and trial comes that His people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world.--9T 228 (1909). {Last Day Events, page 153}

The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.--2SM 380 (1886). {Last Day Events, p.180}

What does it really mean?

Referring to the verses and quotes we already supplied, let us conclude the matter.

When one hears the phrase “Close of Probation” that simply signifies that all cases are settled and the wrath of God or the seven last plagues begin. But that is all that the phrase means. All cases are decided, but during the process of investigation leading up to the close of probation, cases are being decided and it is during that time that probation is closing on an individual basis.

With that understood and established, the process of this closure begins at the church before moving on to the world. Individually, each case will be decided. Their personal probation will close, but more than that, sinners will be sifted out, purifying the church to go forth to be the instruments guided by the Holy Spirit to be used in the test for the rest of the world as Peter stated. Judgment first starts with the church and then the rest of the world. As judgment proceeds, each person’s case marks that person’s closure of probation. How much time passes between the church and the rest of the world, God only knows.

We all have read the test for the church is not actually Sunday law, but the diet. Once God has a pure church that has conquered appetite, just as Jesus conquered it in the desert, the purified ministry of the church goes forth in great power just as Jesus went forth in great power then. The reason Sunday law is not the big test for the church, though a challenging period of time, is because we already chose to keep the true Sabbath.

Represented as the hundred and forty four thousand, the purified church brings in the great multitude during the test of Sunday law. Probation then closes for the world. The seven last plagues are poured out. Jesus returns and the righteous go with Him to heaven.

Remember, our probation is over before Sunday law. Are you ready? May we make good use of the time we have during our probationary time. We will not know when our time is up.