450
Counsels for the Church
30
. Let none, then, regard their defects as incurable. God will give
faith and grace to overcome them.
We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical
service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all
were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation
before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like
manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life
should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their
souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be
deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit indulged
by so many professed Christians must be put away. There is earnest
warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for
the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are
not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the
want of these qualities in another. Though all nations are to pass in
judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual
with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being
upon the earth. Everyone must be tested and found without spot or
wrinkle or any such thing. Solemn are the scenes connected with the
[349]
closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved
therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For
many years this work has been in progress. Soon—none know how
soon—it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of
God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others
it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour’s admonition: “Watch and
pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
Mark 13:33
.
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.
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. And, behold, I come quickly; and My
reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Revelation 22:11, 12
.
The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth
in their mortal state—men will be planting and building, eating and