Perfection of Character Before the Second Coming

Perfection of character just prior to the return of Christ is the daily, intentional process of reflecting His divine nature through complete obedience to God's law and a living connection with the Holy SpiritMM 168.5+2. It is the ongoing trajectory of a life entirely surrendered to God, where human effort cooperates with divine power to overcome all defects and perfectly mirror the unselfish love of JesusPH151 46.3+2.

Here is exactly what this perfection is and what it looks like in the daily life of a believer waiting for the Second Coming:

🏗️ The Ongoing Process of Character Building

• A Daily, Lifelong Work: The formation of a right character is not an instantaneous event, but rather the noble work of a lifetime that requires earnest prayer and a steadfast purposeRH August 26, 1884, par. 4. We are called to build our characters brick by brick, continually adding grace to grace, and diligently correcting our weak points according to the divine patternYI October 25, 1900, par. 5.

• Cooperation with the Divine: True perfection requires our determined human force actively cooperating with God's divine power Philippians 2:12-13SpTEd 75.4. While God freely provides His grace and the Holy Spirit, we must earnestly strive to break away from the customs of the world and discipline our minds2MCP 546.4+1.

• Beholding the Pattern: We attain this perfection by keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, who is our only perfect exampleBroadside1 April 6, 1846, par. 2+1. By continually beholding Christ and studying His life, our souls are sanctified, and we are transformed into His exact image from glory to glory1888 695.7.

✨ What Perfection Looks Like in Practice

• Unwavering Obedience in Crisis: Perfection is practically demonstrated by exercising the faculties of the mind to obey every single requirement of God's law, especially during times of supreme test and trialMM 168.5+1. It means being an active doer of the Word, keeping the commandments just as Christ perfectly kept His Father's commandmentsST June 20, 1895, par. 2.

• Unselfish Love and Service: A perfected character reveals the power of God's love, drawn completely away from selfish traits to elevate, purify, and gladden the hearts of othersChL 36.1. Like Jesus, those who are perfected will go about doing good, ministering to the needy, and relieving the suffering of those around them15LtMs, Ms 19, 1900, par. 28+1.

• Complete Removal of Defects: There will be absolutely no unlikeness to Christ permitted in the holy city of God20LtMs, Lt 67, 1905, par. 20. Therefore, we must humbly allow God to use His chisel and hammer to cut away all the sharp corners and rough edges of our character during this probationary lifeST August 18, 1909, par. 4+1.

• Sanctification of the Whole Being: Perfection encompasses the physical, mental, and moral faculties, ensuring that all our daily habits—including our diet, dress, and lifestyle choices—are brought into complete harmony with both natural and divine lawsCH 105.2+2.

When God's servants continually reach higher to attain the fullness of Christ's character, they will receive the seal of God in their foreheads, and the recording angel will declare, "It is done"3SM 427.2. By purifying our souls through love and obedience to the truth, we beautifully prepare ourselves to stand without spot or wrinkle at the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Hebrews 9:2820LtMs, Lt 67, 1905, par. 20.