Ellen White’s emphasis on the believer having his character in full harmony with the law of God, coupled with the uncertainty of never knowing when one’s name might come up in the judgment, has been responsible for leaving several generations of Seventh-day Adventists uncertain of their salvation. While Hebrews 7:25 affirms that Christ is able to save completely those who come to God because he always lives to make intercession, Adventist live in fear of the day that Jesus will cease to be mediator for sin. Instead of having complete confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19), they look within themselves to see if their characters are sufficiently sanctified. The more introspective they become, the more character defects, sin, and failure they see. Many feel overwhelmed with a sense of guilt and failure. They conclude that as much as they might desire to be Christians, they just will never make it. Others struggle on, ever guilty and uncertain as to when their names will come up and whether or not their names will be cleared in the judgment. It is in these believers’ guilt and fear that the legacy of the Shut-door and investigative judgment continues lives on today.
