Jesus is coming back to this earth again (Acts 1:9-11). For this event we need to prepare (Amos 4:12). In the judgment the question will not be “What did you profess?” but rather “What have you done” (Luke 12:42, 43, 47)?
Those who are saved will be those who have washed their robes of character and made them white in the blood of the lamb (Revelation 7:14). This means that at an infinite cost a fountain has been prepared for our cleansing (Zechariah 13:1). Those who are cleansed will secure a place among the homes being prepared in the New Jerusalem for those who love Him, but how do we do that?
All our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Everything we can do of ourselves is defiled by sin. But Jesus was manifested to take away our sins (1 John 3:5) and there is no sin in Him. Sin is the breaking of God’s law, but Jesus was obedient to every precept of the law (see Psalm 40:8; John 15:10). By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God’s commandments.
“When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united to His heart (see Proverbs 23:26), the will is merged to His will (see Philippians 2:12, 13), the mind becomes one with His mind (see 1 Corinthians 2:16), the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him (see 2 Corinthians 10:5); we live His life (see Philippians 1:21).” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311.
“There will be no second probation in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness. This is our only opportunity to form characters for the home which Christ has made ready for those who obey His commandments.
“The days of our probation are fast closing. The end is near. Solemnly there come down to us through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount of Olives: ‘Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares’ (Luke 21:34). Beware lest it find you unready. Take heed lest you be found at the King’s feast without a wedding garment. ‘In such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh’ (Matthew 24:44). ‘Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame’ (Revelation 16:15). ‘Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’ (Luke 21:36).” The Signs of the Times, November 22, 1905.