As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe that we are living in the time of the end and that Jesus Christ will return soon to take His faithful followers to heaven. But before His return, there will be a period known as the close of probation, a time when the door of mercy will be shut and every person’s eternal destiny will be sealed. In this blog post, we’ll explore what the close of probation means, how it will happen, and what we should do to prepare.
What is the Close of Probation?
The close of probation is a time when God’s mercy and grace will no longer be available to those who have persistently rejected His offer of salvation. According to the Bible, the close of probation is described as a time of the final decision, when every person’s eternal destiny is sealed. Revelation 22:11-12 says, “Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy. Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.“
Ellen G. White also wrote about the close of probation, saying, “The Lord has shown me that the message of the third angel must go, and be proclaimed to the scattered children of the Lord, but it must not be hung on time; for time never will be a test again. I saw that some were getting a false excitement arising from preaching time, but the third angel’s message is stronger than time can be. I saw that this message can stand on its own foundation and needs not time to strengthen it; and that it will go in mighty power, and do its work, and will be cut short in righteousness” (Early Writings, p. 75).
How Will the Close of Probation Happen?
The Bible doesn’t give us a specific date or time for the close of probation, but we know that it will happen before Jesus’ second coming. We also know that there will be signs that will indicate that the close of probation is near. These signs include an increase in natural disasters, wars, and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6-7), as well as an increase in moral decay and apostasy within the church (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
It’s important to note that the close of probation isn’t just a one-time event that will happen suddenly and unexpectedly. It’s a process that has been happening throughout history and will continue until the end of time. Each individual has their own “close of probation” when they make a final decision for or against God.
Death: Another Close of Probation
While we often think of the close of probation as happening at the end of time, it’s important to recognize that death can also be considered a close of probation for each individual. Once a person dies, their probationary period ends, and their eternal destiny is sealed. That’s why it’s so important to make a decision for God now, while we still have the opportunity.
How Can We Prepare?
Knowing that the close of probation is a reality that we will all face, how can we prepare ourselves? First and foremost, we must make a decision for God now, while we still have the opportunity. One of the most important things that we can do to prepare for the close of probation is to have a firm grasp of Bible prophecy. The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation give us a clear picture of the events that will lead up to the close of probation. We need to study these prophecies carefully so that we can understand the signs of the times.
It is also important that we are prepared to face persecution. The Bible tells us that in the last days, those who are faithful to God will face persecution. We need to be prepared to stand up for our faith, even if it means facing persecution or even death.
We also need to be sharing the gospel with others. The close of probation is not just about us, but it is also about the salvation of others. We need to actively seek opportunities to share the gospel with those around us. We need to be living our lives in such a way that others will be drawn to Christ.
Ellen G. White, in her book “The Great Controversy,” describes the close of probation as a time when “the destiny of all will have been decided” (p. 613). She emphasizes the importance of being ready for this time, writing, “We should no longer delay to perfect holiness in the fear of God” (p. 620).
The Bible also speaks of the close of probation in various ways. In Revelation 22:11-12, Jesus declares, “Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy. Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” This passage indicates that at some point, the opportunity for repentance and change will come to an end, and each person’s eternal destiny will be determined by their choices and actions.
Another passage that references the close of probation is Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the ten virgins. In this story, five of the virgins were prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom and entered the wedding banquet, while the other five were unprepared and left outside. Jesus concludes the parable with the warning, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
While the idea of the close of probation can be sobering, it also serves as a reminder of the urgency of living a life fully committed to God. As Ellen G. White wrote, “We are nearing the close of this world’s history, and the Lord calls upon all who believe in Him to be missionaries for Him” (p. 29). By sharing the gospel with others and living a life that reflects the love of Christ, we can help prepare ourselves and others for the ultimate close of probation.
In conclusion, the close of probation is a topic that we cannot afford to ignore. We need to understand what it means, how it will happen, and how we can prepare for it. We need to develop a strong relationship with God, share the gospel with others, have a firm grasp of Bible prophecy, and be prepared to face persecution. Let us make our decision to serve God now while there is still time.
References:
- Revelation 14:6-12
- Daniel 7-12
- Matthew 24:9-14
- The Great Controversy, chapter 25 by Ellen G. White