Type I
SDAs who are 1) abiding in Jesus, 2) walking in the Spirit and in the mind of the new man, 3) partaking of the divine nature, and 4) living in harmony with everything Jesus commanded.

Type II
SDAs who were properly indoctrinated and are familiar with everything Jesus commanded.

I believe "the few" are Type I. Type II are not part of "the few". The difference between the two types is described in the Laodicean message. Type II people are living in an unsaved state. "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

PS - Again, I'm not saying Type I people never neglect to abide in Jesus and sin and repent. What I am saying is that while the conditions specified above are true, they do not and cannot commit a sin (knowingly or unknowingly); instead, they are advancing "from one stage of perfection to another" - from "faith to faith", from "grace to grace", from "glory to glory", not from greater sins to lesser sins until they cease to sin.

So a type 1 person knows everything there is to know about God's character (at least to the point that they cannot sin by mistakenly represent His character)? What about the disagreements you and I have? For example, regarding whether God burns people alive? Or if God sees the future as history? These don't matter?

Correct. Type I people cannot sin without realizing it. But do not overlook my PS. Whether or not my view of God is correct is made clear in the inspired record. Does that mean you are sinning ignorantly because you hold to and advocate a different view? I don't think so. I believe you are a godly person.

So you're saying that one's view of God's character doesn't matter in regards as to whether or not one is sinning, right? Obviously it's not a willful sin, if one holds a view in ignorance. But you're saying that a Type 1 person doesn't sin either ignorantly or not. So either it's impossible for both you and I to be Type 1 people (since we disagree regarding God's character on the points mentioned), or it doesn't matter what position we hold, in regards to (ignorant) sin (i.e., it's not a sin to misrepresent God's character in reference to the points I mentioned).

Ignorance regarding certain aspects of God's character is something we'll be dealing with for eternity. We will never totally understand everything there is to know about the Godhead. such ignorance is not equivalent to sinning. Again, Type I people are not ignorant regarding things God has revealed. They correctly understand things like the future, judgment, heaven, hellfire, etc.

That means that both you and I can't be Type 1 people then, correct?

MM, you use code terms without defining them. I find "abiding in Jesus" offensive. What image comes to my mind is a bunch of people living in a commune, not paying taxes, and smoking dope. As you walk up, parting the smoke and incense, you ask what they are doing there. They respond, we're just abiding in Jesus, peace to you brother.

It doesn't appear you mean that. What do you mean by, "abiding in Jesus"?

I suppose so.

Kland, abiding in Jesus, to me, means being married to Jesus, having a dynamic relationship with Him, growing in grace and knowledge, having the Word in head and heart, maturing daily in the fruits of the Spirit. I agree with the following insights:

"Abide in me" are words of great significance. Abiding in Christ means a living, earnest, refreshing faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It means a constant receiving of the spirit of Christ, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. Where this union exists, good works will appear. The life of the vine will manifest itself in fragrant fruit on the branches. The continual supply of the grace of Christ will bless you and make you a blessing, till you can say with Paul, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20). {TMK 132.2}

To abide in Christ means that you shall be a partaker of the divine nature. Humanity lays hold upon divinity, and you have divine power. But if you cling to old habits and practises of self-indulgence, and refuse to carry the burden of souls, you will lose your own soul. You will not value your own soul highly, and you will not carry on a straightforward work. It is the privilege of every believer to purify his soul, that he may have the life that measures with the life of God in the kingdom of glory. This is what we all desire -- to live through the ages of eternity in the kingdom of glory. But we can never do it if we continue to follow our own habits and inclinations. O, that this burden might be rolled upon souls, and that they might realize that if they will be overcomers, they can help others to overcome. {GCB, May 17, 1909 par. 20}

The vine-branch, nourished from the parent stock, becomes flourishing and fruitful. Its rich and fragrant clusters attest its union with the living vine. So the Christian, abiding in Jesus, will bring forth fruit. In character and life will be manifested, like the teeming cluster of the vine, the precious graces of the Spirit,--love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. {OHC 145.4}

Wonders which one of you is the Type I?