In the statements below Ellen White warns nominal Christians in general and nominal Adventists in particular that they will not share in the refreshing or latter rain and says that the latter rain falls during the 'battle in the day of the Lord'. In other places, some quoted below, she states this battle is the Battle of Armageddon. If we put these statements together, she is linking the latter rain to the time when Armageddon is being fought in earnest. But note - that is the very time the plagues are falling. If that is so, then it would seem that Armageddon is fought after the close of probation because in scripture it is placed in the sixth plague. Why then does she imply that for most of the world probation does not close when the first plague falls?

The reason for her saying this is that probation does indeed close for some at the beginning of the first plague but not for everyone. The close of probation is a progressive work. It closes first for those with greatest light and last for those enlightened last. (See the second quote below.) This is the same sequence that was experienced between 1842 and 1844. Those who rejected the first angel could not receive the message of the second and those who rejected the second could not receive the message of the third.

The parable of the ten virgins carries the same message – the early close of probation for the foolish virgins. While the unwise virgins are searching for oil, the wise have gone out to light the way of the bridegroom and to join in giving the message, “Behold the bridegroom cometh, Go ye out to meet him”. The wise virgins are those who receive the latter rain and sound the call to the rest of humanity to get ready for the return of Christ. And so, although it appears in some places in the SOP that probation closes for everyone on earth at the same time and that that time is when the first of the seven plagues fall, if we look more carefully at her statements, we see that there is a sequential closing of probation, and this is in harmony with the historical application of the three angel’s message, the parable of the ten virgins, with Ezekiel’s vision of chapter 9 to 11, and, in general, with the biblical principle that we are accountable for the truth when convicted by the Holy Spirit. Here are some of her statements regarding the virgins and the Battle of Armageddon:


Here is another of her statements on the same topic interpreting Ezekiel 9:


So here is my view that I'm putting out for discussion:

There are three closes of probation. One for nominal Adventists before the latter rain, a second closing for the apostate Christian churches of Babylon who reject the second angel's message and a third closing for the rest of Babylon, the non-Christian world, at the end of the third and fourth angel's messages.

There are also three parallel sealings. The first is the sealing of faithful Adventists. They are settled into the truth and receive the latter rain during all seven trumpets, seals and plagues. The next is the sealing of those who come out of the fallen churches; the final sealing is of those who come out of the non-christian religions as a result of the fourth angel’s message. Members of all three groups however can fall or loose their way until every case is closed when the Word of God issues, “It is done.” Rev 16. The sealing is therefore progressive and not complete for any living individual until the very end when Christ leaves the sanctuary and returns soon afterward (He tarries a short time in the Holy Place) to the earth to take us home.

Here is a statement from Ellen White on the two cleansings under the second and third angel's messages that I referred to above.


Added together, we have three cleanings or three closes of probation: Adventist, Christian and non-christian. Above she applies the two calles to the fallen churches. I think it is not stretching her statment to say that the final call must include members of all faiths, christian and non-christian. 'Church' in the context of the fourth angel therefore includes synogogues, mosques, temples, shrines, and all organized and unorganized faith groups.

This sounds like a New Light forum topic to me.

Thank you for the important topic Mark.

Daryl, can EGW's proclamations really be considered new light? I understood the New Light forum was for unsubstantiated interpretations, those issues not yet confirmed. It seems much of what Mark has posted has long been known by EGW students, even if not mentioned in the Churches. It would seem within reason to keep this topic in the public domain, being so important to the understanding of all.

Further down in 5 Testimonies 211 she writes that "Peace and safety" is the cry from those "who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people" but "had betrayed their trust".

"These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together."

Not a hopeful future for those church leaders who allow transgression to pass unchecked, "who try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent...God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect." Ibid 210-11.

I guess it depends on whether or not this is already a teaching within the SDA Church.

If it isn't, then isn't it really new light?

A good question Daryl. If this teaching on probation exists in her public writings, accessible world wide through the EGW Estate website, and especially in the 9 volume Testimonies for the Church, I'd consider it a teaching of the SDA Church. In principle. For this reason: EGW's prophetic gift is recognized by the Church. Testimonies for the Church is her most pertinent counsel to the followers of the Advent movement.

But I admit that much contained within the Testimonies is unknown by the laity and even the ministers and conference officials. Since the leaders can't teach what they don't know, the Testimonies end up being Unknown & Untaught Church Beliefs. A contradiction in terms, somewhat confusing & embarrasing, but hard to describe as New Light.

Perhaps a forum entitled Hidden Light, Forgotten Light or Light Under a Bushel. In fact, these are truths we should all understand from study and be able to teach to others. Ellen White wrote 5T 211 in the early 1880s. 120 Year Old Light?

Resurrected Light, Despised Light, Scary Light, Too-Bright Light, Shine-in-a-more-convenient-season Light?

Nevertheless, the thoughts of probation, mediation, atonement and judgment should occupy our waking hours.

Gordon

Well, in reality, that is what truly new light really is.

I say truly new light as some of what is referred to as new light may not necessarily truly be new light.

The purpose of the New Light forum is really about re-discovering lost or forgotten true light.

With the already existing multitude of forums at MSDAOL, I really do not want to add another one, when I am really looking at reducing by, either removing, or combining, where possible, the already existing ones.

I will leave this topic here for now to see what direction and content this topic will go.

I agree with Gordon. In addition, I can add that at a revival series I attended conducted by Emilio Knechle in Rochester NY in 1990 he made the same application of the parable of the Ten Virgins that I made above. He also said he presented his study on the parable and it's application to the early close of probation for Adventists to the Theological Seminary at Andrew and the theologians there agreed with the above interpretation.

So the progressive close of probation has the stamp of approval from our seminary from prior to 1990. Now, what about the dual cleansing of Babylon. Is that an extention of the same principle?

To clarify, I can't remember if the professors at the seminary put their views in writing or if it was a less formal consultation. I had the impression that Knectle had a written reply from more than one seminary professor. Maybe one of our memebers has some knowledge of that. The BRI may have a record of it but he didn't mention approaching the BRI.