The Close of Probation

1. In the book of Revelation, the following command is given: «Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.» Still according to the book of Revelation, what are the characteristics of those who will receive the seal of God? (Check off all the right answers.)
   «They perform wonders and miracles.»
   «They keep the faith of Jesus.»
   «They keep the tradition of men.»
   «They keep the commandments of God.»

2. Just like the seal of God, the mark of the beast is placed on men's hand and forehead. In a preceding lesson, we identified the seal of God, among His Ten Commandments. Opposed to the seal of God, the mark of the beast will therefore be...
   ... a code placed on all consumer goods.
   ... an electronic microchip put on men's hand and forehead.
   ... a powerful computer controlling everybody's life.
   ... the observance of a false Sabbath - Sunday - as the day of rest.

3. Soon, each inhabitant of the earth will have received either the seal of God or the mark of the beast. This will be the close of probation, fixing the eternal destiny of each one, according to his choice. According to the Word of God, when will the close of probation take place?
   Before the beginning of the seven last plagues.
   At the beginning of the seven last plagues.
   At the return of Jesus Christ.
   On the day of the Last Judgment.

4. The close of probation will conclusively seal the eternal destiny of each person. This is why Jesus says these strange words, in the book of Revelation, before coming to gather His people: «He who is unjust, let him be still; he who is filthy, let him be still; he who is righteous, let him be still; he who is holy, let him be still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.»

5. According to the book of Revelation, which event marks the end of Jesus' intercession in the heavenly sanctuary?
   The doors of the heavenly sanctuary are closed.
   The heavenly sanctuary is filled with smoke.
   The veil of the heavenly sanctuary is torn in two.
   The heavenly sanctuary is cast down to the earth.

6. At His death on the cross, Jesus put an end to the service of the earthly sanctuary, moving this service to the heavenly sanctuary. Then, at the close of probation, Jesus will put an end to the service of the heavenly sanctuary. By comparing the Gospel according to Matthew and the book of Revelation, we see that these two events are both marked by all the following elements (check off all the right answers):
   the temple opened to everybody's eyes.
   a great locust invasion.
   a great star shower.
   a mighty earthquake.

7. The story of the Flood helps us to better understand how the probation, the time of grace which God grants mankind, will come to an end. The book of Genesis says that God shut the door of Noah's ark, and the Flood began...
   ... a few weeks later.
   ... a few days later.
   ... a few hours later.
   ... a few minutes later.

8. Following the pattern of the account of Noah's ark, which expression does Jesus use in His parables to illustrate the close of probation?
   The «narrow gate».
   The «lamp under the basket».
   The «shut door».
   The «eleventh hour».

9. Between the close of probation and the execution of the punishment, there is a delay during which people don't realize that the probation is closed. This fact is illustrated in many accounts in the Word of God, among which we find (check off all the right answers):
   Noah's ark and the Flood.
   Abraham's intercession and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
   Nebuchadnezzar's statue and the faithfulness of Daniel's friends.
   The prophecy of the 70 weeks and the destruction of Jerusalem.

10. Nobody knows when God will close probation. So it is not wise to put off till tomorrow our decision to follow God. But the book of Ecclesiastes gives us another reason why we should take a stand for God right here and now: «If a tree to the south or the north, in the place where the tree , there it shall .» We must be aware that death can strike us anytime, and this would immediately put an end to the personal period of probation God grants us. Let's therefore follow God from today onwards, with joy and love.

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