The close of human probation is a definitive event that occurs when Christ’s intercessory work in the heavenly sanctuary is finished. This period of judgment, which began in 1844, involves a thorough investigation of the cases of every person who has ever professed to follow God, both the living and the dead (GC 435.2). Only after every individual case has been examined and a final decision reached regarding their character will the door of mercy be shut and probation officially end (GC 428.2). It is important to understand that probation concludes a short time before the actual second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven (GC 429.1).
During this interval between the close of probation and the Advent, the Spirit of God is withdrawn from those who have persistently rejected His mercy, and the opportunity for salvation is forever past (CIHS 159.1). When the Lord finally appears, He does not come to change characters or remove defects of temper; rather, those who are holy will remain holy, and those who are unjust will remain unjust (1TT 181). While the exact timing of this event is not revealed, there are clear indications that the probationary period is rapidly drawing to a close (SW October 9, 1906, par. 8).
As the end approaches, God begins to withdraw His restraining hand from the earth, and the great deceiver continues to perform miracle-working wonders to blind people to the truth (2SM 50.4). However, until that final moment when Christ's mediation ceases, God’s hand is still stretched out in mercy toward those who have not yet had the opportunity to learn the truth (SW December 1, 1909, par. 3).
Ellen Chat