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DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE 144,000

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by David Dence

“In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation.”--COL128 “In every age God has committed to His people some special truth which tends to separate His church from the world; and it has been the duty of His ministers to proclaim this truth, whether men would hear or forbear.”--ST Jan. 28, 1886 “In every age the Lord has had a special message for the people of that time; so we have a message for the people in this age.”--Review and Herald, Oct. 14, 1902 Said another way, “Nothing is more powerful than a truth whose time has come.” Can anyone tell me what special message God sent to His people 40 years ago? How about 80 years ago? And 120 years ago? What special message did God send to His people back in 1888? That was easy. There has been a lot of talk about the message brought by Jones and Waggener on Righteousness by Faith. And what special message does the Lord have for us today? Anyone have a guess? And no, it is not that Jesus is coming soon. Surprised? Well, we have been preaching that message for many generations. Nothing new about that. God’s special message for this present generation is the urgency of gaining the preparation needed to be worthy members of the 144,000. And just why is that such an important message? Simply because that is what the big wait is all about. The whole universe is waiting patiently for the 144,000 to get serious about reflecting Jesus’ image fully. That is an awesome thought. “After the terrible storm there was a great calm. Not a Seventh-day Adventist was to be seen. Then the Adventists arose like a great flock of sheep without a shepherd. They all united in earnest prayer for help and wisdom, and the Lord answered them by helping them choose leaders among them, who had never sought positions before. They prayed earnestly for the aid of the Holy Spirit which was poured out upon them, making them fully ready for service. They then went forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible as an army with banners to give the message to all the world.”--Statement by Ellen White to Sister McInterfer, Elder D. E. Robinson (her grand-daughter’s husband) and Will Ross at Loma Linda 1908. Please note that the 144,000 do not appear until after Laodicea is spewed out. The terrible storm is literal. The earthquake of Revelation 8:5 fulfills the spewing out of Revelation 3:16. Also note that the 144,000 come from an Adventist background. The Seventh-day Adventist Church and Ellen White were raised up for the express purpose of developing the 144,000. If the 144,000 are to be chosen at random from all denominations, our church’s purpose would be bypassed. TRAINING NEEDED There are 5 doctrinal qualifications the 144,000 must possess: I call them the five Ss.

Sabbath. Sanctuary. State of the Dead. Science of Salvation. Signs of the Second Coming. These five truths are rarely found outside the ranks of Seventh-day Adventism. Question: Will the 144,000 be supernaturally endowed with wisdom? Answer: If this is true, we have no Biblical or historical precedent. When the Holy Spirit is poured upon the 144,000 they will receive power to witness, but the wisdom to witness has come from long hours of mental application to the Scriptures. The work of the 144,000 will be no less important than the work of the 12 apostles 2000 years ago. You will recall that Jesus did not bypass their natural learning processes. How much easier that would have been! But instead Jesus spent 3½ years patiently teaching them. This is also why there was a control in the group. His name was Judas. Judas is proof that the training was not automatic or arbitrary. Judas chose to resist that training. And he was successful. Thus it seems that the 144,000 will require some real-time training. The 144,000 must have a thorough knowledge not only of their role during the tribulation, but also of God’s role so that they will not be found to be working at cross purposes with heaven. Long, long ago Samuel started what he called schools of the prophets. You mean a young man could aspire to be a prophet, go to school for several years and become a successful prophet? Yes. It is time that we re-establish schools of the prophets. It is high time someone started an aggressive training program. If you would like to be a member of the 144,000 you will need some training. "The Lord will have a well-trained army, ready to be called into action at a word. These will be well-disciplined men, women, and youth, who have placed themselves under educating influences that have made them vessels unto honor. " -R.&H. March 22, 1898. Have you considered what the story of the ten virgins teaches about prior training? The narrative simply states, “And they that were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10 Some of my older friends say they would rather be laid to rest before that time. One dark day Elijah thought death would be preferable to life! He did not know what he was talking about. God had big plans for Elijah, and one bright day God sent His fiery chariot down to whisk him into glory. I think Elijah is glad God did not let him die in the wilderness. So, my dear friend, if you want to die and turn to the dust of this old earth, God just might grant your death wish. But if you want to be part of the most glorious drama of the ages, a time all the prophets and apostles of old looked forward to, God will surely see you through. The reason you have such a dim view of coming events is because you see through a glass darkly. Only those who have the faith of Jesus will have the high privilege of vindicating the kingdom of God in the days ahead. Is there anything else you would rather be doing? Fellowship with the Divine! Oh the joy of being a sharp instrument in the hand of the Infinite! So let’s get started. First you will need to understand how critically important the

144,000 are. I surely hope you are not still wondering whether the 144,000 is a literal number or a symbolic number. That is such an old argument, which should have been laid to rest long ago. We are years behind where we should be. But just to strengthen your understanding of this question, come along, and I will lead you through some salient points. There is no such thing as a symbolic number in the Scriptures. Surprised? If the 144,000 is a symbolic number it is surely the first time for such an occurrence. If this number stands for another number, then the Bible would be obliged to tell us what the symbol represents. Prophecy always reveals what the symbol stands for. Sometimes the unit of time is symbolic, such as a year for a day, but the numbers are always constant. If 144,000 is symbolic then who is to say if the real number is greater or lesser? Or if it really matters. In which case Jesus could have returned long ago if indeed He is not waiting for a specific number to be ready for translation. We must also understand that there is a great controversy going on between Christ and Satan. You and I are caught in the middle. We did not ask to be born on this battleground. But here we are like it or not. So what is the big conflict between these warring super-powers? What are the issues? What are they arguing about? Well, it seems to me that Satan has a serious mental problem. He is a loser, and even though he knows it, he will not concede. He will go down fighting. In spite of his stupidity, Christ still deals fairly with him. Christ is dealing with a rebellion which has effected the entire universe, and He surely does not want to go through this ever again. So He is going to do it right so that throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity all entities will agree that God is sovereign. There are several controverted issues between Christ and Satan. One of the issues is weather or not there will be any loyal subjects waiting for Christ’s return. Satan is hoping that all earthlings will be sympathetic with his cause. If he indeed can turn everyone away from the worship of his rival, there will be no reason for Christ to return and rescue anyone. Satan will have won. Make no mistake about it, Satan will do EVERTHING in his limited power to keep Christ away. It is very likely he will launch atomic weapons or directed energy beam weapons at the small black cloud looming in the east! We are in for some phenomenal fire works, folks. Do you have a Shelter? The 144,000 is probably a negotiated number. To lay the ground-work I must first remind you of a classic old-testament story: One warm day Abraham was sitting under the veranda of his tent enjoying the shade, when along came three strangers. Being the hospitable soul that he was, he jumped up and bowed himself before them and offered them some cool water. Seeing they were agreeable to that, he invited them to enjoy a meal with him. Soon a tasty meal was spread out in the shade of his oak tree. When they were ready to continue on their way, Abraham escorted them to the brow of the hill. There they paused and one of them confided in Abraham that they were on their way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. The other two strangers proceeded on down the path. Abraham sensed that he was face to face with the Almighty. If I had been Abraham I would have responded, “Let it be done as thou hast said. I’ll sit and watch.” But not Abraham. Because of his love for his nephew he presumed to argue with Jesus Christ! How bold of him! “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Then beginning at 50 he negotiated downward. How about 45? 40? “Don’t be angry

with me, will you destroy the place if 30 souls can be found?” Seeing that Christ was agreeable he pressed Him even more. 20? 10? Feeling that surely 10 righteous souls could be found somewhere in those great cities, he left off communing with the Lord. Later that day when billows of black smoke rose from the valley below, Abraham knew that he had failed in his daring attempt to save the cities of the plain. One day long long ago the two covering cherubs may have had a conversation like this: Michael, those people are not going to love you. They are going to hate you. They are going to spit in your face. They will deny you and betray you. They will even crucify you! I know. But looking down through the ages I believe there will be some who will love and honor me. Lucifer, what would you say if before it is all over 12 times 12 times 10 righteous souls can be found who will follow me instead of you? Of course that is a remote possibility. But compared to the billions who will follow me, that is a drop in the bucked. It is nothing. That is not even worth mentioning. Lucifer, I am actually hoping there will be more than that. What would you say if before the end of time there can be found on the earth 12 times 12 times 100 faithful souls who would rather die than commit a wrong act. Michael, you are out of your mind. You know that will never happen. Following my ways is so much easier than following your strict ways. Those people are much too weak to climb the straight and narrow path. My way is a broad way. In the end you will see that I am right. You are really disillusional. But wait. What would you do if in the final generation there can be found 12 times 12 times 1000 earthlings who will reflect my image perfectly? Those who have developed a character like mine? With a foul laugh Lucifer taunts, If you can find that many people who are dumb enough to follow your straight and narrow path instead of my broad way, even I will bow down and worship you! With a determined nod Michael accepts the challenge. And as you know, Ellen White, in the book The Great Controversy p. 670, confirms that in the end Satan will indeed bow down before Christ! My dear friend, the contest is on. You and I shall either vindicate Satan or Christ. Which will it be? To win the great controversy there must be 144,000 of us filled with the Holy Spirit without measure, not one less. When do the 144,000 appear? Of course I do not know when the 144,000 will appear. But I do know this, NOTHING of a prophetic significance will occur until the 144,000 are ready! That’s right. Nothing. No Sunday Law. No persecution. All the so-called fulfillments of prophecy going on now are just distractions. I also know that the 144,000 appear at the commencement of the time of trouble. In fact the time of trouble cannot start until the 144,000 are ready. Why? You will agree that the majority of the Christian world believes in the rapture. When the time of trouble starts these dear ones will be devastated. They fully believed that they would be raptured out of here before the tribulation started. And now look. They have been left behind! They will be filled with great sorrow and despair. The 144,000 will be needed immediately

to hasten from place to place telling these sincere folks that they have not been left behind and that probation has not closed yet. Thousands will be converted in a day. Oh what joy. Is there anything else you would rather be doing? Adventists who believe probation is closed already will be useless in this hour. Do you see how critical it is that we get our facts straight now so that we can be used by the Master when this emergency arises?

Furthermore, the 144,000, with a loud voice, are needed to give intelligence/meaning to the so-called natural disasters occurring all over the earth. Job Description “The Lord will have a people as true as steel, and with faith as firm as the granite rock. They are to be His witnesses in the world, His instrumentalities to do a special, a glorious work in the day of His preparation.”--4T595 The 144,000 will be very busy people. The best job description of the 144,000 comes from Joel 2: 1Sound the trumpet in Zion, the LORD's sacred hill. Warn everyone to tremble! The judgment day of the LORD is coming soon. 2It will be dark and gloomy with storm clouds overhead. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a great and mighty army appears. No army this powerful has ever been gathered before or will ever be again. 3Fiery flames surround them; no one escapes. Before they invaded, the land was like Eden; now only a desert remains. 4They look like horses and charge like cavalry. 5 Look at them as they leap along the mountaintops. Listen to the noise they make—like the rumbling of chariots, like the roar of fire sweeping across a field of stubble, or like a mighty army moving into battle. 6The very sight of them is frightening. 7They climb over walls like warriors; they march in columns and never turn aside. 8They charge straight ahead, without pushing each other; even arrows and spears cannot make them retreat. 9 They swarm over the city and run along its walls. They enter all the houses, climbing like thieves through the windows. 10They make the earth tremble and the heavens shake; the sun and moon turn dark, and stars stop shining. 11 God himself bellows in thunder as he commands his forces. Look at the (small) size of that army! And the strength of those who obey him! God's Judgment Day—great and terrible. Who can possibly survive this? God himself will be in charge of all travel arrangements. Since the world’s infrastructure will have been seriously impaired travel by conventional means will be unreliable. If you choose to be a member of the 144,000 you may be moved from place to place by supernatural means to proclaim the first angel’s message. And it will be a message of hope to those who are sincerely praying for light. Your guarding angel may carry you to some distant city some dark night. Where am I? This is Jakarta. What am I doing here? See that dim light coming from the sixth floor window? Climb carefully up the fire escape and step inside. They are waiting for you. Counting floors carefully you raise the window and look into the tearstained faces of

faithful Christians who have a relationship with Jesus, but do not understand the prophecies. Can you please tell us what is going on they plead? Opening a Bible to Revelation, you say, We are right on schedule. Schedule! They scream. We did not know all this was in the schedule. You walk them through the events that have just happened and show them what can be expected next. You show them that they have not been left behind, probation has not closed yet, and that the rapture is still ahead. And when it occurs it will not be secret. Hope is revived and they rejoice in the truth. The 144,000 are far more than wall flowers standing around in their suits and ties waiting for Jesus to come. Far more than just a pretty exhibit of righteousness. These folks are tough, real tough. What about you? Are you up to it? Mark 10 (The Message) 39-40"Sure," they said. "Why not?" Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that's not my business. There are other arrangements for that. My Father is taking care of that." Mark 10:40 (Worldwide English ) I cannot choose who will sit at my right hand or at my left. It has been planned who will sit there.' Matthew 22:14 (The Message) 14"That's what I mean when I say, 'Many get invited; only a few make it.'" Matthew 22:14 (The Clear Word) Everyone is given a royal invitation to come to the wedding to celebrate with the King and His Son, but few will come wearing the robe the King has provided. Deuteronomy 30:19 I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Joshua 24:15 Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Would you like to enlist in this army? You may! In fact that is the only way you can join. God will draft no one! No one will become a member or the 144,000 by accident or by default. Why will the 144,000 be so highly honored in heaven? The 144,000 are going through their time of Jacob’s trouble now. Now, while the skies are blue and the sun is shining. There are no compelling reasons to be putting away their sins. But because they feel an urgency to get ready, they are sending their sins into the judgment beforehand. THE MEANING OF "TRANSLATION" Let us consider the meaning of the word "translate." Webster's New International Dictionary (1910) tells us what this is. "To remove to heaven without natural death." The Century Dictionary and Encyclopedia says: "To remove or carry to heaven without seeing death." The New Standard Dictionary states: "In Scripture, to remove or carry to

heaven as a human being without seeing death." These definitions remind us of both Enoch and Elijah. What reason does Paul give for Enoch being translated? "Enoch was translated that he should not see death."-Heb. 11:5. This is very plain. The Spirit of prophecy says of the word translate: "Had not the life of Moses been marred with that one sin, in failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at Kadesh, he would have been translated to heaven without seeing death."-P.P. 478. In Enoch's case translation excluded death. In Moses' case death excluded translation. Thus it will be with everyone who dies. Death always excludes translation. "Moses came under the power of Satan, the dominion of death. Had he remained steadfast, the Lord would have brought him to the promised land, and would then have translated him to heaven without his seeing death."-E.W. 164. We cannot say Moses was translated. He was resurrected and then taken to heaven. Elijah was a type of the 144,000. We read in PK 227 that "Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ, and who will be 'changed, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump' (I Cor. 15:51, 52), without tasting of death. It was as a representative of those who shall be thus translated, that Elijah, near the close of Christ's earthly ministry, was permitted to stand with Moses by the side of the Saviour on the mount of transfiguration. . . And there also stood Elijah, representing those who at the close of earth's history will be changed from mortal to immortal, and be translated to heaven without seeing death." Concerning Moses we read: "Moses, representing those who will be raised from the dead at the time of the second advent. "- Ibid. Surely we cannot misunderstand these plain statements. In IT 131, 132, written in 1856, we read the following: "I was shown the company present at the Conference, Said the angel, 'Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus."' Here three classes are brought to view. One class would die and be food for worms. Another would suffer the seven last plagues. While the third would "be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated" when Jesus comes. This latter class will be a part of the 144,000. This statement proves, beyond all doubt that the dead are not numbered with the 144,000. Each class is distinct and separate from the other. In EW page 15 we find a company that will be alive and will hear the "words of God" just before they are delivered. We read. "Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice." The whole number-144,000-were alive and heard and understood the voice. The dead do not hear the voice. The partial resurrection had not as yet taken place. They were still sleeping in their prison-housethe grave. The deliverance of the saints precedes the special resurrection. This will be proved later in our study when we consider Dan. 12:1, 2. We have now learned that death excludes translation. Can we say, in view of all the light we have received thus far in our study that the dead since 1844 will be raised and then translated to heaven without seeing death? If we can, then we can claim that Moses was translated. We could also affirm that all the righteous dead will be resurrected and then translated. On the contrary, it is only the living righteous that will be translated to heaven "without seeing" or "tasting death." "God would be honored by making a covenant with those who had kept His law, in the sight of the heathen round about them; and Jesus would be honored by translating, without their seeing death, the faithful, waiting ones who had so long expected Him."-E.W. 283. Just after their fierce "combat with the beast and his image," and the sealing were over, John said, "I looked, and Io, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." Of this same company John again writes. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled

with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." -Rev. 14: 1; 15:2. The dead could not get the victory over the beast and his image. While the combat was going on they were sleeping in their graves-during the loud cry-and will not be raised until the beginning of the seventh plague. (G.C. 6 3 7.) We are told on page 649 that the 144,000 go through all the plagues, from the first to the last. It is quite plain, that they do, for they are sealed at the commencement of the time of trouble, and the plagues do not begin until some time later. It is rumored that Sister White made a statement that the dead since 1844 will be included with the 144,000 but this is absolutely contrary to her own teaching, and also to that of the Bible, as has already been amply proved. The angel said to her in vision, "You must go back (to the earth), and if faithful, you, with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God."-E.W. 40. She will be with, but not of that number. As in Moses' case, death excludes her from being translated. Enoch was translated out of the Antediluvian Age “without seeing death." Elijah was translated out of the Jewish Age "without seeing death." The 144,000 will be translated out of the Christian Age "without seeing death." Out of earth's restless billions, only 144,000 will reach heaven over the translation route. All the rest will have to pass through death valley and over the resurrection route. Enoch and Elijah have gone before, the 144,000 will follow. THE RED HEIFER We will now view the 144,000 from another angle. In ancient Israel there were laws of purification for those touching, or coming in contact with the dead. These laws are recorded in Num. 19 & 31:1-14; and Deut. 21:1-9. Read these very carefully, for they contain a type. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (New International Version) “These things happened to them as examples and were written down for our instruction, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” There will be many types fulfilled in the last days as modern Israel nears the borders of the "purchased possession." One of these ancient types was the offering of the "red heifer." Any one who touched the dead, or came in contact with death in any way, was considered ceremonially defiled or unclean. The Levitical priests, uncontaminated by contact with the dead, officiated in the ceremonial cleansing dressed in pure white robes. In 4T 120124, the rite of the red heifer is explained. Read this carefully as it is very enlightening. On page 120, par. 2 we are told that "This sacrifice was a red heifer, and represented the more perfect offering that should redeem from the pollution of sin. This was an occasional sacrifice for the purification of all those who had necessarily or accidentally touched the dead. All who came in contact with death in any way were considered ceremonially unclean. This was to forcibly impress the Hebrews with the fact that death came in consequence of sin, and therefore is a representative of sin." At Christ's coming, who of Israel will have come in contact with death? All the righteous dead from Adam's day, to the last one who may die, billions of them-"A great multitude which no man could number." Rev. 7:9. Why have all these died? Because of sin. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, . . so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned."-Rom. 5:12. Could Adam and Eve have died if they had not sinned? "But had the law of God never been transgressed, there would have been no death." -P.P. 363, par. 1. Why will the 144,000 not die? Because they will have overcome sin in their individual lives, therefore death cannot claim them. They have reached Christ's perfection. Notice that "Those who receive the seal of the living God, and are protected in the time of trouble, must reflect the image of Jesus fully . . . . I saw that none could share the refreshing unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and

action."--E.W. 71. Jesus will say to His holy remnant, the 144,000, "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee."-Song of Solomon 4.7. John states: "In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."-Rev. 14:5. The 144,000 will have completely overcome sin, sickness, and death. Sickness and death came in consequence of sin. The 144,000 will be health reformers, dress reformers, and Medical Evangelists. They will follow in the footsteps of their Lord and Master. All the righteous who have come in contact with death are ceremonially defiled, or unclean. Like Moses, they "came under the power of Satan, the dominion of death." Like him they will be resurrected, and like him they will stand with the 144,000 as Moses stood with Elijah on the mount of transfiguration. P.K. 227, par. 2. "All the redeemed shall stand upon the sea of glass, with harps of gold and crowns of glory."-5T 485, par. 1. As the Levitical priests could officiate in the ceremonial cleansing, clad in their pure white robes, because they were uncontaminated by contact with the dead, so the 144,000 Melchizedec priests, uncontaminated by death and clad in the pure white robes of Christ's righteousness, will "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.-Mal. 3.3c- This is the perfect Christ character. The gospel will then have produced 144,000 perfect characters just like Jesus'-the second Adam. This will give them the title of the "first born" sons of God. They will be the first among earth's heedless billions who will have reached the acme of Christian perfection in Jesus, who is the Purifier and Refiner of silver and gold. When the 144,000 reach this ideal state, then the antitype of the offering of the red heifer will be reached. "Some may look upon this slaying of the heifer as a meaningless ceremony; but it was done by the command of God, and bears a deep significance that has not lost its application to the present time."-4T 122. The righteous dead who are ceremonially defiled or unclean, by coming in contact with death, are held in bondage in Satan's prison-house-the grave. These cannot be released until the 144,000 "sons of God" are manifested. Jesus says, "I have the keys of hell (the grave) and death."-Rev. 1:8. He has been holding these keys for a very long time. For whom and for what is He waiting? He surely does not delight in keeping the righteous dead in Satan's prison-house. Paul answers this question in Rom. 8-11-39. The whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God-the 144,000 Metchizedec priests whom He is now purifying,-the "first-born" sons. The righteous dead are crying to be delivered from the body of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Rom. 8:21.) "The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now .... waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body (from the grave)." Moffatt's translation reads: "To this day, we know, the entire creation sighs and throbs with pain; ... but even we ourselves, who have the Spirit as a foretaste of the future, even we sigh deeply to ourselves as we wait for the redemption of the body that means our full sonship. We know also that those who love God, those who have been called in terms of his purpose, have his aid and interest in everything. For he (the Father) decreed of old that those whom he predestinated should share the likeness of His Son that he (His Son) might be the first-born of a great brotherhood (the redeemed of all the earth). Then he calls those whom he has thus decreed; then he justifies those whom he has called; then he glorifies (at their deliverance, E.W. 286) those whom he has justified."-Rom. 8.22-30. Read also Heb. 12:22,23. These verses tell their own story. How they thrill us as we read them! "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."-Mal. 3:3. This purifying process takes place in the end of the investigative judgment, according to Great Controversy, pages 424-426. Notice par. I on page 426. "The sons of Levi" are the 144,000 Melchizedec priests, for the Levitical priesthood passed away at the cross.-Heb. 6:20. This purifying process takes place in

the closing work of the judgment, and is like a "refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap." The 144,000 will pass through the "furnace of affliction" sufficiently heated to burn out all their dross. They must "stand without fault before the throne of God." They must pass through the crucible experience-their Gethsemane-that they may develop the Christlike character to enable them to "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness"-the fullness of the image of Jesus. THE BAPTISM OF SUFFERING In 1 Cor. 15:29 Paul speaks of this same crucible experience from another angle-that of baptism. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" There are at least three baptisms. One by water; one by the Spirit and one by suffering. Read Luke 3:16; Matt. 3:11; John 3:5; Mark 10. 3,8,39, and E.W. 67, paragraphs I and 2. The 144,000 already will have had the two former baptisms, but they must experience the third in order to complete the plan of the gospel. John and James made the request to sit on the right and left hand of Jesus, in His kingdom. Jesus asked them if they were able to drink of His cup, and be baptized with His baptism. They replied, "We are able." Jesus then said, "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup ... and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared"- the 144,000 Melchizedec priests. This brings us again to Rom. 8:28-30. Christ's baptism of intense suffering the 144,000 must endure, before deliverance can come to them, in order to prepare them for the place they are to occupy throughout eternity. They must have the baptism of suffering to enable them "to offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness-which is the full and complete Chirst-character-that the dead may be released from their prison-house-the grave. It is the 144,000 who are baptized for the dead, as it were. This thought brings us again to "the offering of the red heifer," which was given "by the command of God and bears a deep significance that has not lost its application to the present time." We read in E.W. 272, par. 2, of the 144,000 before their deliverance. "Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy, desired to go to their deliverance. But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not. He said, 'The will of God is not yet fulfilled.' They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the baptism,"'- the baptism of suffering. They are yet in the crucible (Mal. 3:3), being baptized for the righteous dead. These holy, harmless, undefiled sons of God must gain the victory for the entire human race. Sin will be conquered by living members of the human family. The second Adam will bring forth 144,000 after His kind. Sister White, viewing the deliverance of the 144,000, heard a voice musical and triumphant saying, "They come! They come! Holy, harmless, and undefiled... and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast their faith, utter a shout of victory."-G.C. 636. THE PARTIAL RESURRECTION It is very significant that as soon as the saints are delivered, the partial resurrection takes place. (Dan. 12:1, 2.) A company of the righteous dead will be raised, or released from their prison house at once, to hear God deliver His everlasting covenant" to the 144,000 glorified king-priests of the Melchizedec order of the "first-born" sons of God. Read E.W. 285 and G.C. 637. The 144,000 are of the seed of Phinehas-the grandson of Aaron the high priest-to whom the everlasting covenant of the priesthood was promised because of his zeal for his God. Read Num. 25:1-13. The 144,000 are the priests of the Melchizedec priesthood, an order of the "first-born" sons of whom Jesus is the Head. It is this glorified company of Melchizedec priests whom Jesus refines and purifies as gold and silver-as brought to view in Mal. 3:3-that they "may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness," the fullness of the Christ-character. This is what the "whole

creation" is waiting for, that the righteous dead might be delivered from their "bondage of corruption." Then the gospel will have fulfilled its mission, and God's goal will be fully reached as "He decreed of old." We are told in Matt. 13: 3 8, that, "The field is the world. " Before the sickle can be put to the world-field (the harvest), a handful of the "first-fruits", the first ripened heads of golden grain of earth's harvest must be hand-picked from the world-field to be presented as a "wave-offering" before the Lord. These are the 144,000 who will never die, but will be translated from among the living, "the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb." Rev. 14:4. These truths teach us that before the resurrection can take place, these victorious "sons of God" must be manifested. This proves that none of the dead are included with the 144,000. They cannot be raised out of their graves until the 144,000 have been delivered, and these cannot be delivered until they bear the perfect image of Jesus, the acme of His perfection. THE "FIRST-BORN" SONS What is the origin of the title: "First-born" sons? When did they first come into service? What is their office? We read in D.A. 51, at the top of the page: "The dedication of the first-born had its origin in the earliest times. God had promised to give the First-born of heaven to save the sinner. This gift was to be acknowledged in every household by the consecration of the first-born son. He was to be devoted to the priesthood as a representative of Christ among men." The Melchizedec priesthood is an order of the first-born sons. At Sinai, "after the tabernacle service was established, the Lord chose the tribe of Levi in place of the first-born of all Israel to minister in the sanctuary." D.A. 51 and P.P. 350 The Levitical priesthood was in existence from Sinai to the cross. When Jesus ascended, the priesthood reverted to the First-born Son-"Even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedec."-Heb. 6:20. When Christ ascended "He led captivity captive. "-Eph. 4:8. A great many saints arose with Him to officiate in the heavenly sanctuary. (Matt. 27:5 1-5 3; Rev. 5:8-1 0.) Early Writings page 184, and D.A. 786 tell us who they are; martyrs, every one of them. Revelation chapters 4 and 5 tell us that they are the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders, and that they were made "kings and priests unto God." These were redeemed out of every nation, kindred, tongue and people, and are the "first-born," or the "first-fruits" from among the dead. The resurrection is called a birth in Scripture (Rev. 1. 5; Col. 1: 18; Isa. 66:7, 8). These martyrs are the first group of Melchizedec priests. Christ is the "true 'high priest over the house of God,' the head of 'an unchangeable priesthood,' the intercessor at 'the right hand of the majesty on high."'-D.A. 55; Heb. 10-21; 7.24; 1:3. On page 833 in D.A. we read of the ascension of Jesus, the Head of this Melchizedec system, and the multitude of priests who ascended with Him. We thrill at the description of their royal entrance to the city of God. This same scene will be repeated when Jesus comes to receive His people. In 5T 475 at the bottom of the page, we read the following of the victorious remnant-the 144,000: "A 'fair mitre' is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God." Read the entire chapter as it is encouragingly glorious. A mitre is a headdress belonging to the priests. In psalm 24 the question is asked: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place (the temple)?" The answer is, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, . . this is the generation of them that seek thy face, 0 God of Jacob." (See margin) "This generation" is the second group of Melchizedec priests, and its members are from among the living-the 144,000. The 144,000 of the remnant church are the last generation. "A seed shall serve him (the Lord); It (the seed) shall be counted to the Lord for a gereration."-Psa. 22.30. Verse 7 of Psa. 24 is closely connected with the preceding verses, and the same royal

entrance accorded the "first-born" from the dead, will be repeated for the glorious "first-born" sons from among the living. It is for these that the "whole creation" has been waiting that the righteous dead may be released from the grave. Concerning these "first-born" sons it is written. "They shall come and declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born (all the resurrected saints), that he hath done this."-Ps. 22:31. Throughout eternity "this generation" will travel over the universe telling the wonderful story of Christ's redeeming love and what the gospel has done for them. They will "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth."-Rev. 14:4. It is a law of production that everything "bring forth... after his kind. "-Gen. 1:20-24 and 28. Therefore the plan of salvation cannot be finished until Jesus, the second Adam and high priest of the Melchizedec order, shall bring forth a company of the 144,000 kingpriests, who like Himself must make an atonement for the people-those who came in contact with death-not of blood, but ceremonial atonement to cleanse from ceremonial defilement. This will complete the types that must have a fulfillment. It is the work of the Melchizedec priests-the 144,000-at their deliverance. The offering is a perfect Christ-character, obtained through the baptism of suffering. These will have reached the goal of the gospel . This remnant is a sinless company. They are a law abiding group, for the Father's nameHis character-is written in their foreheads. They also have the Spirit of prophecy, for, "They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived."-E.W. 279. They do not just happen to be living at this time of the world's history. They have fitted themselves for the responsible position they occupy, by overcoming sin in their lives. "Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain and thus be fitted for translation."- IT 187, 188. In the plan of redemption God has purposed one great, eternal goal. He has been moving forward to this goal throughout the ages of the past 6,000 years. Without change of plan or purpose, He will set up the kingdom of His dear Son. The citizens of that kingdom will be gathered from both the living and the dead. All things that were lost through sin will be restored through the gospel. When the 144,00 king-priests are delivered, God's goal will be reached, His purpose fulfilled. The 144,000 are the finished product of the gospel. It is by virtue of the Christcharacter in these "sons of God," that the graves are opened for the partial resurrection. How important then, that we should definitely know about this wonderful company, for Jesus cannot come for His people until these are made ready. The whole creation is almost impatiently waiting for their manifestation. "If the church will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance with the world there is before her the dawn of a bright and glorious day, God's promise to her will stand fast forever. He will make her an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."- A.A. 601. This condition will be met in the 144,000 "firstborn" sons of God. THE MELCHIZEDEC PRIESTHOOD The Melchizedec priests are of two divisions, and both are the "first-born" sons of God. The first group were born from the dead at the resurrection of Jesus (Eph. 4:8), and ascended with Him (D.A. 833) to officiate in the sanctuary service. The second group are the "first-born" sons from among the living-the 144,000 who will never "see" or taste" death. These will "serve Him day and night in His temple. "-Rev. 7:15; 3.12. The births of this sinless company will date from the time when they were sealed with the name of God in their foreheads. The rest of the redeemed will date their births from the resurrection. This places the 144,000 as the "first-born" sons, giving them the right to the priesthood. These were predestinated "to be conformed to the image of his

son."-Rom. 8-29. Should one keep silent regarding a subject of so great importance, when God has written so much about it is His word, and in the Spirit of prophecy? If all that has been written concerning this wonderful company could be put it one book, it would fill a large volume. The Old Testament prophets, the Psalms and the New Testament have much to say regarding the 144,000 that many people, reading superficially, do not recognize. The names of the 144,000 are engraved in letters of gold (E.W. 19) from eternity. Read Rom. 8:28-30; 9:11,23. To deliver such a faithful, obedient company will call forth the greatest demonstration the universe has ever witnessed. An innumerable throng will be present to behold the triumphs of the gospel in the deliverance of these king-priests, for God, in creation, prepared a pathway from His throne in heaven to this earth through the open space in Orion. This glorious deliverance of His people will not be done in a corner, but before the whole wicked world and the great universe of God. 0, what a day that will be! "And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God."-Rev. 14:5. It is of vital importance to become informed regarding the 144,000 in order to make the necessary preparation to be one of them. In the R.&H ' of March 9, 1905 we have the following: "Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand." How can we strive to be among this number, unless we know what is expected of us? HOW WE ARE TO STRIVE "The peculiar people whom He is purifying unto Himself, to be translated to heaven without seeing death, should not be behind others in good works. In their efforts to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, they should be as far ahead of any other class of people on earth as their profession is more exalted than that of others."--1T 487 "Are we striving with all our God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His character? When God's servants reach this point they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording angel will declare, 'It is done.' They will be complete in Him whose they are by creation and redemption."-Bible Training School, July 1911. A most wonderful statement! "There should be continual effort to imitate the society we expect soon to join; namely, angels of God who have never fallen by sin. The character should be holy, the manners comely, the words without guile, and thus should we follow on step by step until we are fitted for translation."--1T 216 "Those who have trained the mind to delight in spiritual exercises, are the ones who can be translated and not be overwhelmed with the purity and transcendent glory of heaven."--2T 267 THEIR EXPERIENCES The 144,000 are scattered all over the world. (P.K. 188,189) They uphold the law and the Sabbath which have been the controversy of the ages. They have all the physical and spiritual forces of the enemy concentrated upon them. They have the death decree passed upon them by the nation. They will see the whole world ruined by devastating elements and plagues. They will stand without fault before God. They will have a preparation fitting them for translation. They "are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator."--G.C.425 Not one of them can be put to death. They will see the entire world at war, nation against nation. They will behold the destruction of multitudes of human beings. They will see unexplainable and terrifying signs and wonders. They will witness manifestations of evil spirits, sufficient to appall the stoutest

heart. They will witness God's judgments, tremendous in their scope, whole seas and oceans of blood. They will pass through untold fear and suffering, at the same time they will experience an outpouring of divine power never before equaled. They will do a work limited only by the bounds of the earth. They will have to meet evil spirits in human form masquerading as deceased friends and relatives. They will witness for truth in a day of widespread disease and death, meeting erroneous teachings of every description, even in the church. They will be betrayed by friends and relatives. Each one will have to stand alone. They will hear the Bible ridiculed and repudiated from every quarter. They will have a tremendous task to accomplish in a very short time. They will be victorious over sin in its every phase; consequently over sickness and death. Surely the Lord expects us to know what is revealed concerning this most remarkable company, and the nature of the work they will be called upon to do. The contemplation of this subject should inspire every one of us with a burning desire to be worthy of a place among that exalted throng. "And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."--Rev. 7:4 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."--Gal. 3.29, 7, 9 "He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; ... But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter."--Rom. 2:28, 29 The full purpose of the gospel is never met in the lives of those who die. Its purpose is to reproduce in man the image of God, as it was revealed in Adam and Eve, before the fall; thus restoring man to the Edenic condition, where sin cannot enter "But had the law of God never been transgressed, there would have been no death."--P.P. 363 God has said, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth.- it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. "--Isa. 55: 11 Christ can never come for His redeemed until the full purpose of the gospel is accomplished in humanity-the perfect image of Jesus restored in them. This will be fully attained with the 144,000. It is then only that Jesus can come and loose the dead from Satan's prison-house-the grave. "Death is swallowed up in victory. 0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."--l Cor. 15:54-56 THE TRUE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR The church of Philadelphia is thus addressed in Rev. 3.7-12: "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." As the Philadelphian church is addressed in verses 7-12, it is obvious that it continues until the second advent of Christ. Rev. 3:10, is addressed to faithful Philadelphia "Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them which dwell upon the earth.” The "hour of temptation," is during the deadly combat with the "beast" and "his image,"--E.W. 254 Jesus announces (verse 11) that He will "come quickly and counsels the tried and true Philadelphians to "hold that (their faith) fast .... that no man take thy crown." Verse 12 brings to view the faithful and holy "Firstborn" sons-the 144,000 Melchizedec priests. "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” In this inspiring verse the 144,000 stand sealed and ticketed for their destination-the New Jerusalem. They come from the church of the "open door," hence are Philadelphians the church of brotherly love. Let us compare verse 12, with a statement from 2SG 30. "The 144,000 were all sealed

and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name." Their identification is here established. The Philadelphians are the 144,000, the true "church of the open door." This is a plain fact. The Philadelphians are the wheat, the Laodiceans are the tares. Jesus said, "Let both grow together until the harvest."- Matt. 13:30. And "the harvest is the end of probationary time."--C.O.L. 72 It is evident that the seal of the 144,000 includes much more than the keeping of the Sabbath, although the Sabbath is included in it. Seventh-day Baptists and many Jews keep the seventh day. The seal with which the 144,000 are sealed, is the perfection of the Christ-character, which includes the Sabbath with the whole law. (See Rev. 14:1; D.A. 283) Note the following, "Are we striving with all our God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking His fullness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His Character? When God's servants reach this point they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording angel will declare, 'It is done.' They will be complete in Him whose they are by creation and redemption." --E.G. White, Bible Training School, July, 1911. ONLY THE LIVING RECEIVE THIS SEAL Only the living receive this seal. See 5T 210 As you read, you will notice that it is the living, sighing crying ones who receive it. Gabriel was told to "set a mark upon the foreheads of the men (women included) that sigh and that cry. "The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry."--5T 212 The dead cannot sigh and cry. The dead are not living during that "short period", when the 144,000 are sealed. It is only the living saints that receive the latter rain or refreshing. Dead people cannot be refreshed. They have no part in anything that goes on in the earth. "The dead know not anything."--Eccl. 9:5 To believe that the dead are numbered with the 144,000 is to leave all these stated facts as without significance. The meaning of the word translate is then lost. "Enoch was translated that he should not see death. " Heb. 11:5 Moses was not translated because of that one sin. He "came under Satan's power, the dominion of death," and was resurrected. May God grant us His free Spirit, that we may be quick to discern truth. We are told the truth shall make us free, free from all error. In the time of ancient Israel, the first ripened heads of golden grain were gathered from the harvest fields and presented before the Lord as a thank offering and as a pledge that more would follow. Not until the firstfruits were offered to the Lord, could the sickle be put to the grain and the fields reaped. This was a type. "The field is the world."-Matt. 13:38 Before the world-field can be harvested (the dead resurrected), a handful of the first, fully ripened heads of golden grain (144,000) must be developed from it, as the "firstfruits" unto God and to the Lamb. (Rev. 14:4, 14-16) This will be the antitype. As soon as the 144,000 are presented to God, the partial resurrection immediately follows. (Dan. 12.2) A view of the harvest time is given in Rev. 14:14, 15, 18-20. What about the "offering of the red heifer?" and the "baptism for the dead?" The foregoing facts teach us that the dead cannot be released from Satan's prison-house, the grave, until these sons of God, the 144,000 are manifested. This is hinted at in Romans 8:19. To insist that the dead are to be numbered with the 144,000 is to make of none effect these mighty and wonderful truths. The holy lives of the 144,000, made so through the baptism of suffering, (1 Cor. 15:29) are accepted by the Father to remove the ceremonial defilement upon the righteous dead. The inheritance of the saints cannot be entered into, until Jesus receives from human hands the first ripened heads of precious, golden grain (Lev. 23:9-21) to present to His Father, as a token that the entire world-field (Matt. 13..37-43) is ripe and ready for the angels to gather the matured harvest from all the past ages of seed sowing. This will be the resurrection of all the righteous dead.

Great Controversy, pages 648 and 649, show that only 144,000 individuals will be translated; no more and no less. "Upon the crystal sea before the throne . . . are gathered the company that have 'gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.' With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, . . they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; . . .And they sing 'a new song' before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb, a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty and four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience, an experience such as no other company have ever had. These having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as 'the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.' These are they which came out of great tribulation; they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; . . . They have been delivered, for they have 'washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.' 'In their mouth was found no guile (deceit or duplicity); for they are without fault' before God. 'Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.' They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But 'they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." All the pronouns (22 in number) in the preceding quotation refer to their antecedent, the 144,000. Only the 144,000 will be translated. There are only two groups of the saved that pass the judgment. These are the living and the dead. What about the "thousands upon thousands" gathered in during the loud cry? All these converts will be martyrs for Jesus. They will seal their testimony with their blood. Read Rev 6:9-11, stressing the latter part of verse 11, and Rev 20:4. The gospel never can be finished, neither can Christ come for His people, until there has been a demonstration before the world, and also the whole universe, that the plan of the gospel has become a complete success. The words, "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus (Saviour), for he shall save his people from their sins," must be a demonstrated fact. Not until a holy company, the 144,000, are sealed with “the seal of the living God,” and shall live a sinless life upon this earth, as living temples of the Godhead, will the triumphs of the gospel be completed. “It is not His 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.” --1SM 174 Please start from the top and read this paper again. Now find someone willing to listen, and read it aloud to them. Don’t be disappointed if they don’t get it right away. It may take several years for them to get it. Do not discard. When the earthquake comes you will want to review this, if you can find it. This is a work in progress. Corrections, comments, questions and criticisms are eagerly accepted. Perhaps God has entrusted to you a piece of the puzzle that He has not shown me yet. I still have some week-ends open for speaking appointments. This document is like a silent piece of sheet music. A live presentation is like an orchestral performance.

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