Achieving Perfection of Character Before Christ Returns

Yes, God's last generation of people will reach a condition of complete sinlessness and perfection of character before Christ returns.

Reaching Perfection of Character

The development of a symmetrical character must be completed during our probationary time, as Jesus does not change our character at His comingLDE 295.1. Those who reach this point will be sealed in their foreheads, and the recording angel will declare, "It is done"3SM 427.2. To be a saint in heaven, one must first be a saint on earthLDE 295.1. This state of perfection is achieved through the exercise of the mind in times of supreme test and by obedience to every requirement of God's lawMM 168.5.

Ceasing from Sin

The promise of the gospel is that those who arm themselves with the mind of Christ will cease from sinGCB/GCDB March 2, 1897, page 209.18+2. This involves a transformation where the believer no longer lives to the lusts of men but to the will of God 1 Peter 4:1-2. By beholding the perfection of Jesus, the believer's own sin and helplessness are replaced by His sinlessness and infinite power19MR 295.1. Through faith, God's people will reach the same condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression8MR 99.2+1.

The Blotting Out of Sins

Before the close of probation, a special work of atonement takes place in the heavenly sanctuaryFP1889 147.3+1. As the closing portion of His work as Priest, Jesus blots out the sins of those who have repented and been converted Acts 3:19FP1889 147.3. This work is accomplished during the "times of refreshing" or the Latter Rain, which fits the 144,000 to receive the character of Christ in fullBDOC 56.20+1. Once this work is finished, the decree is pronounced that he who is holy shall remain holy still Revelation 22:11.

Living Without a Mediator

When the investigative judgment concludes, Jesus leaves the mercy seat and throws down the censerEVRR237+1. At that moment, human probation ends, and the cases of all have been eternally decidedGCB April 7, 1901, page 107.6+1. The righteous must then stand in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor, having had their sins previously blotted out and their characters perfectedFP1889 147.3+1.

Key Characteristics of the Last Generation

• Commandment Keeping: They testify to their love for Christ by obeying all His precepts, including the Sabbath8MR 99.2+1.

• Victory over Temptation: Just as there was nothing in Christ that responded to Satan's sophistry, the last generation will not consent to sin even by a thought John 14:30DA 123.3.

• Total Surrender: They experience the fullness of blessing found in the complete surrender of selfSC 5.3.

• Divine Nature: By being united to Christ by faith, they become partakers of the divine nature, and sin no longer has dominion over themDA 123.3.

This final demonstration of God's grace proves that it is possible for humanity, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to overcome every defect of character and stand pure before the throneFP1872 11.1+2. 🌟

While Christ’s sinless life was the supreme and perfect demonstration of the law’s viability, it is God’s design that His people also provide a final, living testimony of the transforming power of His grace before the end of time11MR 213.2+1. Jesus came not only to save the lost but to show humanity how to live in a way that God can approveYI May 16, 1901, par. 4.

The Purpose of Christ’s Sinless Life

Jesus took our nature and lived a perfect life to refute Satan's lie that human beings cannot keep the law of God6MR 111.2+1. He accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin, taking upon Himself the law of heredity to show that even in our infirmities, we do not have to sinCSA 6.8+2. By His own experience, He became acquainted with our temptations so He could know how to help us overcome them17MR 29.7+1. His life is the ideal pattern that we are bidden to follow, providing an example that humanity, when combined with divinity, does not commit sin9MR 125.1+2.

The Final Demonstration through the Church

God will not be defeated by Satan, and He intends to demonstrate what His grace can do in human beings despite their corruption and mortalityYI April 16, 1903, par. 2+2.

• A Witness to the Universe: The principles of the law were wrought out in Christ, and those who co-operate with Him become an illustration of that same law before unfallen worlds and angelsST March 4, 1897, par. 7+2.

• Empowered for Victory: Christ lived a sinless life specifically so that His people, through His power, might also lead lives of sinlessnessAUGleaner January 17, 1906, par. 5+1.

• Vindicating God’s Law: In the hour of deepest apostasy, a firmament of chosen ones will shine as lights, revealing the transforming power of obedience to an apostate worldLDE 211.6+1.

• Refining the Character: Christ’s work was to save the lost and also to place a safeguard around those already pure in other worlds, ensuring they never become polluted7ABC 473.3.

Preparing for a Sinless Heaven

This world is the workshop where we are fitted to associate with sinless angels in a holy heaven18MR 163.4+1. Before the second advent, the Lord examines every person's fitness of character to ensure that not one of the ransomed host will ever start a rebellion again18MR 163.4. By living out the truth, the redeemed reflect the image of their Saviour until they are presented faultless and without spot before the presence of His glory Jude 1:24ST March 23, 1888, par. 13+1. This confirms to the entire universe that God’s requirements are just and that His grace is sufficient to restore the moral image of God in manRH October 23, 1894, par. 9+1. 🕊️

Yes, every person who has ever lived must develop a character fit for heaven during their time of probation, as the judgment of both the living and the dead is based on the records of their works Revelation 20:121888 1370.1+1.

The Investigative Judgment of the Dead

There is a specific period in the heavenly sanctuary dedicated to the investigative judgment of those who have died16MR 177.3+1.

• A Work of Decision: This judgment is the closing act of our High Priest to decide who is accepted of God and accounted worthy of the first resurrection Luke 20:35-36JEO 54.6+1.

• Examination of Records: The cases of the dead are investigated using the books of heaven, where every word, deed, and even the inmost thoughts have been faithfully recorded Daniel 7:10SDP 100.2+1.

• The Standard of Character: Just as with the living, the dead are judged according to whether they formed characters that are in harmony with the law of God Ecclesiastes 12:14CE 145.1+1.

The Condition of the Dead

The Bible is clear that the dead are currently in a state of unconsciousness, often described as sleep Ecclesiastes 9:5-6ATO 46.2+1.

• No Post-Mortem Change: Death does not change a person's character; the life record one carries to the grave is the same one that meets them in the judgmentSSP 331.1+1.

• Unconscious Waiting: The dead know nothing and do not enjoy the bliss of Paradise or suffer in anguish until the resurrectionATO 46.2+2.

• Resurrection Power: Future life is entirely dependent upon the resurrection; if the dead were not to be raised, even those who "fallen asleep in Christ" would be perished 1 Corinthians 15:17-18ATO 46.2.

Character Building as a Personal Responsibility

Obtaining a moral fitness for the society of holy angels is a solemn work that must be accomplished while we have the light of life2T 355.2+1.

• Preparation on Earth: This world is the workshop of God where "rough stones" from the quarry are squared and polished to fill a place in His heavenly templeCG 168.2+1.

• Individual Effort: While character is earned through the merits and grace of Christ, it requires hard, stern battles with self and the correction of every unfavorable trait2MCP 546.1.

• Heredity and Environment: While parents are responsible for the training of their children, ultimately our usefulness and eternal destiny depend upon our own course of action and personal decision2MCP 553.1+1.

The Role of Health and Discipline

Character is not merely a spiritual concept but is closely tied to our physical habits and mental disciplineSSP 331.1+1.

• The Laws of Life: Following health principles is essential for maintaining clear, energetic minds capable of appreciating the high value of eternal things2T 66.1+1.

• Self-Denial: A self-denying, humble life is only possible when one is "dead to the world," choosing to live to the glory of God rather than following worldly fashions Colossians 3:34bSG 17.2+1.

• Education and Training: The great object of education is the proper development of character so that the individual is fitted for both the duties of this life and the future, immortal life4T 418.1+1.

The Assurance of God's Justice

The judgment is not an arbitrary process but a merciful and just evaluation of the choices made during one's lifetimeLDE 279.3+1.

• God Searches the Heart: No hypocrisy can deceive Him, as He sees the end from the beginning and understands every motive Malachi 3:16SDP 100.2+1.

• A Mirror of Reality: The record in the books of heaven exactly corresponds to the character developed in the body of each individualSSP 331.1.

• The Reward of Faithfulness: Those who have used the grace of Christ to overcome and perfect their characters will have their names retained in the book of life and will be confessed by Jesus before His Father Revelation 3:5SDP 100.2.

Every individual, throughout all history, must possess a character that is pure and in harmony with God's law to be accounted worthy of eternal lifeSITI February 24, 1887, page 118.2+1. While it is true that we are fallen mortals who cannot reach heaven by our own works, the transformation of the soul through the Holy Spirit is required for anyone to be fitted for the society of the pure and holy2SG 100.1+2.

The Standard for All Generations

God's requirements for character have never changed, as the law of God is the great standard of righteousness for every nation and periodST September 8, 1909, par. 3+1.

• A Pure Heart Required: From the beginning, God gave our first parents a character in harmony with His law, and He still requires a pure heart and a spotless character todayBEcho July 29, 1895, par. 2+1.

• The Example of Enoch: Long before the last generation, Enoch walked with God and became so pure in character that he was translated to heaven without seeing death6MR 146.2+1.

• Adam’s Test: The very test applied to Adam in Eden regarding allegiance to God's government is applied to every member of the human familyST November 24, 1887, par. 12.

• Harmony with Heaven: Human nature is vile, and our characters must be changed through the "new birth" before they can harmonize with the holy beings in God’s immortal kingdom2SP 133.1.

Perfection Through Christ's Merit

No person is ever claimed to have eternal life except through the obedience and righteousness of Jesus ChristST June 11, 1894, par. 11.

• Our Only Hope: Because the heart is naturally evil, we must depend entirely upon the perfection of Christ and the merit of His sinless offeringDA 172.1+1.

• Transformation of Nature: The Christian life is not a mere improvement of the old life but a total transformation of nature brought about by the Holy SpiritDA 172.1.

• Faith That Works: Saving faith is not a "cheap faith" that requires nothing; it is a faith that works by love and purifies the soul from every stain of sinST November 24, 1887, par. 12+1.

The Role of the Investigative Judgment

The investigative judgment is the process by which God determines who, among all who have ever lived, has developed a character fit for His kingdomGC 428.1.

• Examination of the Guests: Like the king in the parable who examined the wedding guests, the Lord investigates each person's life to see if they are wearing the "wedding garment"—the spotless robe of character washed in the blood of the Lamb Matthew 22:11GC 428.1.

• Determining Worthiness: This work determines who is prepared for the kingdom of God and is accounted worthy of a seat upon His throne Luke 20:35GC 428.1.

• The Books of Record: Every act of life, whether important or seemingly small, influences the formation of character and is recorded in the books used during this judgment Daniel 7:10COL 356.1+1.

Character Building as a Lifelong Work

Character building is the most important work entrusted to human beings and is the labor of a lifetime rather than a single dayCCh 198.4+1.

• Daily Effort: It requires a lifelong struggle for conquest over self and constant activity to advance in the divine lifeMH 452.1.

• Importance of Small Things: Nothing in the Christian life is nonessential; even the "little things" provide the actual discipline of life and affect our character buildingCOL 356.1.

• The Home and School: The foundation of this building is best laid in the home during a child's early years, but it continues through education as students learn to imitate the graces of nature and the character of ChristCG 170.1+2.

Ultimately, while the last generation faces a unique time of standing without a mediator after the close of probation, the requirement for a character purified by the blood of Christ remains the same for every soul who desires to enter the mansions aboveYI August 18, 1886, par. 3+1. "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure" 1 John 3:3ST November 24, 1887, par. 12.