Probation Closed on Seventh-day Adventists First

Date: Aug 25, 2014

Probation Closed on Seventh-day Adventists First

Date: Aug 25, 2014

Keeping Future Events in Proper Perspective

We are not now able to describe with accuracy the scenes to be enacted in our world in the future, but this we do know, that this is a time when we must watch unto prayer, for the great day of the Lord is at hand. --2SM 35 (1901).

The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll.--6T 17 (1900).

Many will look away from present duties, present comfort and blessings, and be borrowing trouble in regard to the future crisis. This will be making a time of trouble beforehand, and we will receive no grace for any such anticipated troubles.--3SM 383, 384 (1884).

There is a time of trouble coming to the people of God, but we are not to keep that constantly before the people and rein them up to have a time of trouble beforehand. There is to be a shaking among God's people, but this is not the present truth to carry to the churches.--1SM 180 (1890).

http://wordoftruth.seedoftruth.net/books/last_day_events/print

The reason I am concerned about my friend's theory is because he plans to preach it from the pulpit to a mixed audience of Adventists and non-Adventists. I think it is a topic for a Bible study group not for the pulpit. It is too distressing to imagine that there are people present in the meeting whose probation may have closed. This is "borrowing trouble" regarding something in the future. We cannot know whether probation is closing right now.

Date: Aug 25, 2014

We need not worry about the latter rain. All we have to do is to keep the vessel clean and right side up and prepared for the reception of the heavenly rain, and keep praying, Let the latter rain come into my vessel. Let the light of the glorious angel which unites with the third angel shine upon me; give me a part in the work; let me sound the proclamation; let me be a colaborer with Jesus Christ. Thus seeking God, let me tell you, He is fitting you up all the time, giving you His grace.--UL 283 (1891).

http://wordoftruth.seedoftruth.net/books/last_day_events/print

A better approach for my friend's sermon would be to encourage the listeners to seek God, giving them examples of how to do that. Scaring a mixed audience with ideas about the close of probation is wrong in my opinion. My friend has strong convictions and is genuinely concerned about the salvation of people but there are ways to go about telling people they are in danger. When I encouraged him (giving many options) to engage baptismal candidates in a Bible study series on the topic of probation he declined. This unfortunately is the spirit of division not of unity. If his intentions were completely honourable he would be actively seeking ways to be about God's business rather than shocking people from the pulpit.

Date: Aug 25, 2014

Shireen wrote:
Theory:
Probation closes on Seventh-day Adventists. Some are sealed under God, other's under Satan.
The latter rain falls on those who have God's seal.
The Sunday law is declared and the loud cry begins.
Probation closes for everyone else.
This is the theory that was shared with me recently. I hope I have remembered it correctly. The person sharing this idea is certain that Jesus coming is very soon and that there could be Seventh-day Adventists right now whose probation has closed.
What are your thoughts? It makes me very anxious to think that decision time for Adventists comes before any of the last day events e.g. the Sunday law. I know people have to be awake to see end time signs and be right with God at all times. However, I am very uncomfortable with the idea that there is no wake up call of any type for Adventists.

I believe that the sunday law will come before the Loud Cry. Sunday law will come in and persecution will begin against Sabbath keepers... those that cannot withstand the persecution will join sunday keepers. The Latter rain will fall only on those still keeping the Sabbath despite persecution. these will be the ones that will proclaim the Loud Cry and then shortly there after, probation will close for the world.

Date: Aug 26, 2014

Sad to hear about what your friend is planning to preach. That subject should definitely be within a Bible/SOP study group, not something for everybody to hear. The actual result may be exactly opposite of his intentions. Please ask him to reconsider, and keep the "meat" for those able to handle it.

Having said that, myself, i personally don't understand the order of end-time events as well as i should. This is something i've basically heard/studied my whole life, and whether the Loud Cry goes first, or the Sunday Law, i'm still not sure about. But here's my 2 cents:

1. Revival in SDA church makes Satan angry (start of Loud Cry?)

2. Judgments by God

3. Satan's angels appear and Sunday Law is agitated

4. The actual 10 Commandments are brought forth and Judgment of Living begins (Sealing). This starts final 3 1/2 year countdown. Will Sealing include those of other churches who come out and endure the persecution with us? I think so. There will be 144,000 who get the seal of God in their foreheads. They will never die.

5. When Sunday Law is passed, all SDAs will have had their destinies already decided. Wicked will get the Mark of the Beast not at once, but one by one.

6. More of 2 and 3, culminating with Satan's appearing. Satan will appear to reign as God for awhile, probably either 30, 45, or 75 days.

7. Jesus will appear exactly when the Death Decree is scheduled to be executed, right on the Day of Atonement in some year.

I believe that studying the Fall Festivals more will lead to much more insight on what is in store for us in the near future.