The Close of Probation

Adapted from The Crisis Ahead by Robert W. Olson

In the past has there been a general close of probation for a large number of people?

There was a shut door in Noah’s day. There was at that time a withdrawal of the Spirit of God from the sinful race that perished in the waters of the Flood. (1SM p. 63)

There was a shut door in the days of Abraham. Mercy ceased to plead with the inhabitants of Sodom…(1SM p. 63)

There was a shut door in Christ’s day. The Son of God declared to the unbelieving Jews of that generation, “Your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). (1SM 63)

…there was a shut door in 1844. All who saw the light of the first and second angels’ messages and rejected that light, were left in darkness. (1SM p. 63)

Are there any time prophecies which must yet be fulfilled before the close of probation?

…the people will not have another message upon definite time…The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844. (7BC 971.7)

What definite prediction is made concerning the enforcement of Sunday observance before the close of probation?

The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. (7BC 976.2)

What will life be like?

When life is going on in its unvarying round; when men are absorbed in pleasure, in business, in traffic, in money-making; when religious leaders are magnifying the world’s progress and enlightenment, and the people are lulled in a false security—then, as the midnight thief steals within the unguarded dwelling, so shall sudden destruction come upon the careless and ungodly, “and they shall not escape.” (GC 38)

So when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed, the inhabitants of the earth will know it not. The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for God. (GC 615.1)

Will SDAs expect probation to close when it does?

“Be ye also ready: for in an such hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” People are now settling to rest, imagining themselves secure under the popular churches; but let all beware, lest there is a place left open for the enemy to gain an entrance. (FE 335.2)

Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised. Let no one’s interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand. (Ibid.)

Will we know when probation has closed?

So when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed, the inhabitants of the earth will know it not. (GC 615)

Does Satan know?

In the time of trouble, Satan stirs up the wicked, and they encircle the people of God to destroy them. But he does not know that “pardon” has been written opposite their names in the books of heaven. He does not know that the command has been given, “Take away the filthy garments” from them, clothe them with “change of raiment,” and set “a fair miter” upon their heads. (RH, November 19, 1908 par. 14)

He sees that holy angels are guarding them, and he infers that their sins have been pardoned; but he does not know that their cases have been decided in the sanctuary above. (GC 618)

What follows the close of probation?

Revelation 15:8

Revelation 16:1

Revelation 19:11-15

I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. (EW p. 36)

When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. (GC 490)