33:12Ezekiel 33:12

God judges every person by present course rather than past history, so past righteousness cannot rescue anyone in the day of transgression and past wickedness cannot cause the fall of anyone in the day of turning from it.Lt 155, 1910, par. 4–9+2 When one counted righteous trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, all his former righteousness will not be remembered, but he will die for his iniquity.Ms 28, 1905, par. 3–8+1 When one counted wicked turns from sin and does what is lawful and right, restoring the pledge, giving back what was taken, and walking in the statutes of life without iniquity, he shall surely live and none of his committed sins will be mentioned to him.Ms 28, 1905, par. 3–8+1 This is because God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but calls him to turn from the evil way and live, accepting genuine sorrow, humility and confession and giving the repentant another test and opportunity through Christ who died to make return to loyalty possible.Ms 28, 1905, par. 3–8+2 Each person therefore stands on present faithfulness and must give strict personal account for influence exerted, so past obedience cannot make up for present neglect, no one can obey for another, and the word of warning must be spoken, respected and received.Lt 30, 1895, par. 26–28+4

A person is judged by present course rather than past history, so past righteousness does not deliver in the day of transgression, past wickedness does not cause fall in the day of turning from it, and the righteous cannot live by righteousness in the day of sinning.Lt 155, 1910, par. 4–9+4 When the righteous is told he shall surely live, if he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, all his righteousnesses will not be remembered, but he will die for his iniquity.Ms 28, 1905, par. 3–8+1 When the wicked is told he shall surely die, if he turns from sin and does what is lawful and right, restores the pledge, gives back what was robbed, and walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live and not die.Ms 28, 1905, par. 3–8+1 None of his committed sins will be mentioned to him.Ms 28, 1905, par. 3–8+1 This is because God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but calls the wicked to turn from the evil way and live.Ms 28, 1905, par. 3–8

Each person is judged according to the way he lives, so past faithfulness and obedience do not make up for present neglect, just as yesterday's truthfulness cannot make up for today's falsehood.STMW6 41.2+1 Even one once righteous and favored by God will be punished when turning to evil, as shown in David's case where former integrity did not protect from judgment and God did not excuse the crimes.SG4 86.2–87.1 His repentance and confession brought forgiveness and spared his life from part of the threatened calamity, yet punishment still followed.SG4 86.2–87.1 Past righteousness cannot deliver one who is in transgression at the time of the final review, so no one can rely on a record of righteousness while resisting the message and remaining unprepared for eternal life.Ms 64, 1910, par. 17

The verse calls every person to repent and to correct evil, so that blessing may rest on the church and sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing come.Lt 155, 1910, par. 4–9 Genuine sorrow with humility and confession is accepted, and the repentant one is given another test and another opportunity.TBC1872 37.1–38.1 Christ gave His life to make return to loyalty possible and to give sinners another trial, but those who take the side of evil to justify sin must bear the penalty of sin.Ms 33, 1900, par. 22–24

The passage calls for watching over souls and for giving warnings and reproof, because people must answer to God and need warning about sin.Ms 56, 1898, par. 53–55 Its word is to be spoken to the people, the warning is to be respected and the message received, and it is not to be met by thinking evil or speaking evil of God's messengers.Lt 30, 1895, par. 26–28 Every person stands on present course and will give strict account for the way influence has been exerted, with each person personally responsible before God.Ms 33, 1900, par. 22–24 No one can obey in another's place, and another's neglect does not excuse neglected duty.Lt 162, 1900, par. 16–17 Those who permit themselves to be deceived are not excused for entrusting their souls to a minister instead of searching the Word for themselves, since no minister can pay the ransom for their souls.Ms 33, 1900, par. 22–24

Ministers who take responsibility to preach yet neglect prayerful searching of Scripture and preach error contrary to a plain divine command, standing in the way of obedience, bring ruin on themselves.Ms 33, 1900, par. 22–24 Their condemnation is proportionate to the influence of words and example in leading others into transgression, and the blood of souls perishing through unfaithfulness will be upon their heads.Ms 33, 1900, par. 22–24 The chapter is to be studied in connection with Christ's command to followers to serve others through medical missionary work.Lt 54, 1898, par. 19 The verse with its surrounding context to verse 16 is to be read carefully, letting the Holy Spirit apply it to the personal case.Lt 30, 1895, par. 14–16 Letting the Holy Spirit come into the heart and abide there expels evil from the soul temple, so that opening the door of the heart brings the richest blessing.Lt 30, 1895, par. 14–16