Transfer Of Character Not

 

 Possible

     The Lord is coming in power and great glory. It will then be His work to make a complete separation between the righteous and the wicked. But the oil cannot then be transferred to the vessels of those who have it not. Then shall be fulfilled the words of Christ, "Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." The righteous and the wicked are to be associated together in the work of life. But the Lord reads the character. He discerns who are obedient children, who respect and love His commandments.

     It is a solemn thing to die, but a far more solemn thing to live. Every thought and word and deed of our lives will meet us again. What we make of ourselves in probationary time, that we must remain to all eternity. Death brings dissolution to the body, but makes no change in the character. The coming of Christ does not change our characters; it only fixes them forever beyond all change. 

     Another Probation Would

     Not Convince the Wicked

     We are to make the best of our present opportunities. There will be no other probation given to us in which to prepare for heaven. This is our only and last opportunity to form characters which will fit us for the future home which the Lord has prepared for all who are obedient to His commandments. 

     There will be no probation after the coming of the Lord. Those who say that there will be are deceived and misled. Before Christ comes just such a state of things will exist as existed before the Flood. And after the Saviour appears in the clouds of heaven no one will be given another chance to gain salvation. All will have made their decisions.    

     All will be tested and tried according to the light they have had. Those who turn from the truth to fables can look for no second probation. There will be no temporal millennium. If, after the Holy Spirit has brought conviction to their hearts, they resist the truth and use their influence to block the way so that others will not receive it, they will never be convinced. They did not seek for transformation of character in the probation given them, and Christ will not give them opportunity to pass over the ground again. The decision is a final one.

LDE 236, 237 

 

 

      Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 

       And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

       They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 

       But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

       While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 

       And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 

       Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 

       And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 

       But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 

       And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 

       Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 

       But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 

       Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.  Matthew 25:1-13