The opportunity provided humanity in which to accept divine grace and to prepare for eternal life, and the time allotted for this purpose. Seventh-day Adventists believe that an individual’s probation closes at death. In addition, they hold that prior to the second coming of Christ, a decree terminating probation for all then living will go forth: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still . . . : and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: . . . And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” ( Rev. 22:11 , 12 ).
This decree marks the close of probation.
During probationary time Christ is ministering as the Christian’s high priest in the heavenly sanctuary, applying to each repentant sinner the merits of His vicarious atonement and grace to triumph over the world, the flesh, and the devil. After the close of probation those who have rejected divine mercy will have no further opportunity, or second chance, to accept salvation, nor would they do so if the opportunity were given them.
In the 1840s, the Adventists ( see Millerite Movement ), unlike other premillennialists, taught that probation for all the world would end with the Second Advent.
Seventh-day Adventists hold that the message of the Advent is divinely appointed as God’s last appeal to the world prior to the close of probation and that this message is to go to all the world. When the inhabitants of the earth have had the opportunity to accept or reject this message, Jesus will cease His work as priest, and probation will close. Christ will then return to earth in power and glory, to reward everyone according to his or her just deserts, and begin His eternal reign of righteousness.
The time with reference to other events when human probation would close was a point of considerable interest during the first years of Seventh-day Adventist history ( see Open and Shut Door ). The conclusion was reached that it comes at the close of Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, and before the outpouring of the seven last plagues. J. H. Waggoner considered the conclusion that “the privileges of probation terminate with the termination of His [Christ’s] ministry” to be irresistible (Review and Herald 8:41, May 29, 1856). In 1891 M. E. Kellogg wrote: “Erelong the work of our great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary will be accomplished, and the probation of all mankind will at once cease, and the irrevocable decree go forth [ Rev. 22:11 cited]” ( ibid. 68:739, Dec. 1, 1891).
The reason for this conclusion was set forth by R. F. Cottrell in 1864: “While probation lasts, these plagues are all in the future. . . . While Jesus pleads before the throne of mercy, probation continues and wrath without mixture cannot come. But with the close of this last message [ Rev. 14:9–12 ] probation closes, and then the wrath denounced will surely follow” ( ibid. 24:205, Nov. 22, 1864).
Uriah Smith further developed this explanation: “So long as Christ acts as mediator between God and men, mercy is offered. No judgments therefore can be inflicted without mercy till Christ’s work as priest has ended. But the seven last plagues are poured out without mixture of mercy, hence they are poured out after Christ has ceased His pleading, and probation has ended” ( ibid. 45:164, May 20, 1875).
All SDA writers agreed that there could be no further probation after the beginning of the seven last plagues: “Extending the time of the continuance of probation beyond the beginning of the plagues presents to the people a false hope that there is a possible opportunity to be saved during the time of the pouring out of the first six plagues, at least. This is a most delusive error” ( ibid. 76:722, Nov. 7, 1899).