Religious belief regarding moral perfection
Last Generation Theology (LGT) or "final generation" theology is a religious belief regarding moral perfection achieved by sanctified people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus. It was a concept that had its origins in the beliefs and teachings of Seventh-day Adventist Church pioneers, and there are verses in scripture in texts such as , , and many others. Seventh-day Adventists hold that there will be an end-time remnant of believers who are faithful to God, which will be manifest shortly prior to the second coming of Jesus, as suggested by the 144,000 saints described in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament.
Some claim LGT is related to "historic Adventism", but as one supporter claims, it differs in that it forms an extension or development of "historic" or mainstream Adventist beliefs, or takes them to their logical conclusion. It has similarities to the teachings of John Wesley, in his book of sanctification by grace.
Seventh-day Adventists teach that Jesus Christ was not only the Substitute but also the Example for man, and that Christians, through the process of sanctification overcome sin, and have the character of Christ perfectly reproduced in them through the Holy Spirit. The "final generation" believers hold that God's people will cease from committing sinful acts before the "close of probation," and before the "time of trouble" (Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7; Isaiah 26:20) just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Most also believe that the close of human probation has been delayed by human sin and unbelief in the "Laodicean church," (a cipher for the SDA Church) but can be accelerated through their consistent living of holy lives (consistent obedience to the Ten Commandments by the enabling power of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit) so Christ can come.
Seventh-day Adventists teach that, at the end of time, there will be a Christian remnant who are faithful to God in keeping all of His ten commandments, (which includes resting on the seventh day of the week [Saturday]), and who are progressively sanctified and then sealed as "holy" and "righteous" before the Second Advent of Christ. Last Generation Theology builds on this belief, teaching that it is possible for this "last generation" of Christian believers to overcome sin like Christ and achieve a state of perfection. This is a key teaching for those who adhere to "historic Adventism." This achievement of perfection is believed to have major eschatological implications, by finally settling major questions in the Great Controversy about the character of God and His law. Proponents of Last Generation Theology see it, not as a new belief system, but as forming an extension or development of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs on the remnant, or taking them to their logical conclusion.
Doctrine.
The Last Generation Theology understanding is best seen in light of the doctrinal development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Seventh-day Adventists have had four generally recognized statements of belief, prepared in 1872, 1931, 1980, and 2005. The 1872 and 1931 statements of belief were prepared for use at the informational level, for those outside the movement who desired to understand what Seventh-day Adventists stood for.
Adventism is rooted in Reformationism and Restorationism, combining elements from Lutheran, Anabaptist and Methodist or Wesleyan/Arminian branches of Protestantism. Adventist theology tends to the Wesleyan/Arminian view of emphasis on sanctification and the possibility of moral perfection in this life. Adventists believe that the events at the end time demonstrate that God in His mercy has provided for a plan of salvation which comes when Christ comes to take His saints to heaven at the Second Coming, and judgement comes on the wicked. In the closing days, God simply recognizes the free and final decision that His created beings have made, and He allows for justice for those who follow the world, and gives eternal life to those who at the end are sealed of God.
Seventh-day Adventists teach that Jesus Christ was not only the Substitute but also the Example for man, and that Christians through the process of sanctification, the character of Christ is perfectly reproduced in them through the transformation power of the Holy Spirit allowing overcoming sin. Adventists teach that those that overcome sin at the end time will be part of the Remnant that are sealed, but it is at the time of the Second Coming of Christ that inbred sin and the scars of sin, and the danger of falling back into sin will be removed. Adventists hold that when a person receives Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, the imputed righteousness of Christ bestows full forgiveness for all our transgressions in our past life. Then the imparted righteousness of Christ living in their renewed heart, if fully appropriated by faith, will deliver the believer from the dominion of inbred sin and thus keep them from the acts of sin.
Seventh-day Adventists hold that Christ is not only our example but shows mankind the path to overcome sin, and to manifest Christ's perfect and righteous character. They hold to the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists which in #10 states 'we are given the power to live a holy life' and right before that 'we are born again and sanctified' through the Holy Spirit.
Proponents of Last Generation Theology believe that end time saints will overcome and cease from sin before the close of probation and before the time of trouble just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. A few of proponents of Last Generation Theology teach that the close of human probation has been delayed by sin and unbelief in the Laodicean church, but can be hastened through their consistent living of holy lives (consistent obedience to the Ten Commandments by the enabling power of GOD through the power of the Holy Spirit).
The Great Controversy.
Seventh-day Adventists consider The Great Controversy to be one of Ellen White's important works, and in addition to the major Adventist publishing houses, the book has also been printed and distributed by various independent initiatives, sometimes under other titles. The Great Controversy has the following of the perfection of those who stand at the end while Christ still intercedes in the Most Holy Place:
"The "time of trouble, such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God. "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job" were in the land, "as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness." Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. . . . This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble" (GC 622–623).
When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received "the latter rain," "the refreshing from the presence of the Lord," and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received "the seal of the living God." Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is done;" and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: "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." (GC 613)
The urgency for attaining perfection comes from the knowledge that the remnant must live perfectly during the time of trouble at the end to prove to the universe that fallen human beings can keep the law of God. Ellen White states, "When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor." (GC 614).
And explains this is necessary because the "earthliness" of the remnant must be cleansed that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected: 
"God’s love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected."(GC 621).
And emphasizes that attaining God's blessing will mean denying self:
"Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God–how few know what it is!" (GC 621).
Ellen White in her writings does not link perfection to something that happens from the believer, but with what God does for the believer through Christ, and those who try to trust in their own righteousness cannot understand how it comes through Christ.
The Remnant.
Adventists believe the term 'remnant' as found in Revelation 12:17 (Christians who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus") an appropriate designation of themselves in their work of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus to the world, and inviting people to obey each of the Ten Commandments of the moral law as a loving response to God's work for them in Jesus Christ. Hence, the remnant is an identifiable and visible Christian movement at the end time who are faithful to God, which will be manifest shortly prior to the second coming of Jesus and are sealed.
Ellen White states,
“Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God -- candidates for heaven..” 
144,000.
Ellen White counseled the church that the identity of the 144,000 was not something that should allow division. Ellen White wrote: “It is not His [God’s] will that they shall get into controversy over questions which will not help them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand? This those who are the elect of God will in a short time know without question.” 
Ellen White in The Great Controversy page 623, gives descriptions of those who stand at the end while Christ still intercedes in the Most Holy Place:
“Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble. “
Christology - The human nature of Jesus Christ.
Seventh-day Adventists teach, as well as some Last Generation Theology proponents such as Larry Kirkpatrick covering the nature of Christ, that Jesus Christ was born with Adam's fallen nature that has been