Chapter 235—While Probation Lasts
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.
Revelation 22:11
.
All the good that man enjoys comes because of the mercy of God. He
is the great and bountiful Giver. His love is manifest to all in the abundant
provision made for man. He has given us probationary time in which to form
characters for the courts above.
We believe without a doubt that Christ is soon coming. This is not a fable
to us; it is a reality.... When He comes He is not to cleanse us of our sins, to
remove from us the defects in our characters, or to cure us of the infirmities
of our tempers and dispositions. If wrought for us at all, this work will all
be accomplished before that time. When the Lord comes, those who are
holy will be holy still. Those who have reserved their bodies and spirits in
holiness, in sanctification and honor, will then receive the finishing touch of
immortality. But those who are unjust, unsanctified, and filthy will remain so
forever. No work will then be done for them to remove their defects and give
them holy characters. The Refiner does not then sit to pursue His refining
process and remove their sins and their corruption. This is all to be done in
these hours of probation. It is now that this work is to be accomplished for
us.
During probationary time the grace of God is offered to every soul. But
if men waste their opportunities in self-pleasing, they cut themselves off
from everlasting life. No after-probation will be granted them. By their own
choice they have fixed an impassable gulf between them and their God.
Many are deceiving themselves by thinking that the character will be
transformed at the coming of Christ, but there will be no conversion of heart
at His appearing. Our defects of character must here be repented of, and
through the grace of Christ we must overcome them while probation shall
last. This is the place for fitting up for the family above.
Probation is almost ended.... Get ready! get ready! Work while the day
lasts, for the night cometh when no man can work.
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