people are confused with "lifelong process" and think sin can only be fully overcome at the 2nd coming instead of before probation. how to explain this?

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 It is understandable why there might be confusion between the concept of a "lifelong process" of overcoming sin and the requirement that all sin be removed before the close of probation, rather than at the Second Coming. The sources provide clear distinctions that can help clarify this vital truth.

Here's how to explain it:

  1. Sanctification as a Lifelong, Progressive Work: The sources indeed teach that sanctification is a progressive work and "not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day, but of a lifetime" [1T 340.2, 2T 472.1, AA 560.3, 5MR 255.2, SA 169.1, ST, May 19, 1890 par. 2, AA 565.1, TM 507.1, PH011 51.1]. It involves "constant warfare against sin" [4SP 300.2] and requires "persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict" [AA 560.3]. This continuous process means that believers are constantly striving to overcome "every fault" [AA 565.1, RH, September 19, 1912 par. 9]. The goal is to reach a state of "perfect love, perfect obedience, perfect conformity to the will of God" [AA 565.1].

  2. The Crucial Timing: All Sin Must Be Removed Before Probation Closes: Despite sanctification being a lifelong process, the sources emphatically state that the completion of sin removal and character perfection must occur before the close of probation, not at the Second Coming itself [ExV 58.2, ExV 58.3, 2T 355.1, 5T 472.1, 9T 182.3, 2SAT 294.3, 2SAT 25.2, 1SP 123.2, 2T 191.1, 2T 266.2, 2T 401.1, 4SP 440.2, EW 71.1, GC88 f.4, GC88 425.1, 5T 220.2, GC 425.1, RH, April 12, 1870 par. 5, ST, September 18, 1879 par. 5, ST, November 27, 1879 par. 7, ST, April 3, 1884 par. 9, ST, May 16, 1895 par. 4, ST, July 17, 1901 par. 5, ST, November 22, 1905 par. 7, ST, January 2, 1907 par. 2, SW, March 31, 1908 par. 5, PH001 4.2, PH085 17.1, PH149 69.2, PH002 24.1, PH152 31.1, TM 426.2, TM 507.1, CD 198.7, MYP 204.2].

    • "When He comes He is not to cleanse us of our sins, to remove from us the defects in our characters, or to cure us of the infirmities of our tempers and dispositions. If wrought for us at all, this work will all be accomplished before that time" [2T 355.1, ST, September 18, 1879 par. 5].
    • This includes reflecting "the image of Jesus fully" [ExV 58.2, EW 71.1], achieving a character "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing" [9T 182.3], and overcoming "every besetment, all pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action" [ExV 58.3, EW 71.1].
    • "No sin can be tolerated in those who shall walk with Christ in white" [5T 472.1]. The church Christ presents to Himself must be "without spot, and blameless" [GC88 f.4].

  3. The Close of Probation: A Point of No Return: The "close of probation" is the moment when Christ's mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary ceases [ExV 58.3, 2T 355.1, 2T 690.3, 2T 691.1, 2T 691.2, 3SG 134.1, 1SP 123.2, 2T 191.1, GC88 428.2, GC 429.1, GC 352.2, EW 71.1, 4SP 499.4, PC 163.1]. At this solemn point, the declaration is made: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still" [ExV 58.3, 2T 355.1, 3SG 134.1, 4T 387.1, 1SP 123.2, 2T 191.1, 2T 266.2, EW 71.1, GC88 429.1, GC 429.1, RH, May 13, 1862 par. 6, RH, April 12, 1870 par. 5, ST, September 18, 1879 par. 5, ST, November 27, 1879 par. 7, PC 163.1].

    • "There will be no second probation in which to prepare for eternity" [COL 319.1, ST, November 22, 1905 par. 7]. "No work will then be done for them to remove their defects, and give them holy characters" [2T 355.1, ST, September 18, 1879 par. 5].
    • Those who delay preparation "cannot obtain it in the time of trouble, or at any future period" [3SG 134.2, 1SP 123.3, 4SP 437.3]. The wicked, when resurrected, will come forth "with the same enmity to Christ and the same spirit of rebellion" because "a lifetime of transgression has not softened their hearts" [GC88 662.2, GC 662.2, 4SP 82.2, 193].

  4. Reconciling "Sin Dwelleth in Me" with Complete Removal: The phrase "sin dwelleth in me" (from Romans 7) points to the inherited, deep-seated corruption of human nature [RH, May 27, 1884 par. 11, MH 451.2, 8T 312.2, 3MR 322.3]. This understanding emphasizes that humans cannot remove sin through their own strength [SC 18.1, SC 52.2, PrT, January 30, 1890 par. 12].

    • The removal of this inherent sinfulness and all transgression is accomplished through the transformative power of Christ and the Holy Spirit [SC 18.1, SC 52.2, PrT, January 30, 1890 par. 12, ST, April 4, 1892 par. 3, RH, April 12, 1892 par. 9, ST, January 2, 1893 par. 1, PC 110.5, PC 201.7, PC 252.4, SW, October 25, 1898 par. 2, RH, September 19, 1912 par. 9, AA 532.1, 169]. It involves being "born again" and becoming "partakers of the divine nature" [ST, March 9, 1882 par. 14, RH, April 12, 1892 par. 9, ST, January 2, 1893 par. 1, PC 110.5, PC 201.7, COL 411.1, 2 Peter 1:4, CH 129.1, RH, February 24, 1910 par. 9].
    • It is the "cleansing blood of Christ" and the "sanctifying power of the truth" that cleanses and perfects the character [ExV 58.3, EW 71.1, GC88 425.1, GC 425.1, RH, April 12, 1870 par. 5, ST, September 18, 1879 par. 5, ST, May 16, 1895 par. 4, 5T 220.2, RH, March 2, 1897 par. 4, SW, March 31, 1908 par. 5, PH001 4.2, PH002 24.1, PH154 42.1, PH152 31.1, TM 426.2, TM 507.1, 1SAT 50.4, 16MR 202.2, 21MR 386.1].
    • This divine work requires human cooperation: individuals must "work out their own salvation with fear and trembling" as "God worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" [Philippians 2:12, 13, ST, January 2, 1907 par. 2, MB 142.1, 2T 118.3].

In summary, the "lifelong process" of sanctification refers to the continuous growth in grace and overcoming of temptations that defines the Christian life. However, the culmination of this process, where all sin is truly put away and character is perfected, must happen during the probationary period, before Christ ceases His intercession in the heavenly sanctuary. The Second Coming is not the event that cleanses or perfects character; rather, it is the event for which character must already be perfected. There will be no opportunity for further character change or sin removal after probation closes.

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