The 144,000 The Great Multitude & The Return of Jesus - Colin & Russel Standish

Copyright 2007 Colin D. Standish Cover design and layout by Greg Solie AltamontGraphics.
s.com Text editing and layout by Harvey Steck All emphasis in quotations added by the authors unless otherwise indicated.
Published by Hartland Publications PO Box 1, Rapidan, VA, 22733 USA (540) 672-3566 Printed in the USA
ISBN #978-0-923309-95-4
Contents
1. Solemn Events Introduce the 144,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2. Questions Concerning the 144,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3. The 144,000Is the Number Literal? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 4. The Servants of Our God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 5. Other Names for the 144,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 6. The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 7. The Great Multitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 8. A Counterfeit Reformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 9. Preparing for the Close of Human Probation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 10. The Sifting of Gods People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 11. The Shaking of Gods Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 12. No Buying or Selling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 13. The Everlasting Gospel to the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 14. The Sealing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 15. The Sabbath, the Final Test of Loyalty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 16. Receiving the Seal of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 17. The Mark of the Beast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 18. The Reception of the Latter Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 19. The Little Time of Trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 20. The National Sunday Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 3
21. The Loud Cry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 22. Who Shall Be Able to Stand? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 23. The Close of Human Probation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 24. The Reward of the Impenitent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 25. The First Three Plagues and the 144,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 26. The Fourth and Fifth Plagues and the 144,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 27. The Sixth PlagueArmageddon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 28. The Seventh Plague. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 29. The Experience of the Saints During the Time of Jacobs Trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 30. The Special Resurrections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 31. The Twenty-four Elders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 32. The Four Beasts of the Book of Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 33. The Blessed Hope Realized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 34. Redeemed at Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 35. Our Final Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 Hartland Publications Book List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 About the Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Solemn Events Introduce the 144,000

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Revelation 7:13)
Chapter 1
EVELATION 7 introduces four angels who have been especially commissioned by God to hold back the winds that blow on the earth, the sea, and the trees. Clearly this is symbolic language. This language represents the fierceness of the winds of destruction (see Revelation 7:2) which will be unleashed just prior to the Lords return. When the day of the Lord occurs, the judgments of God are poured out in unprecedented fury during the seven last plagues. Only the Noachian flood can begin to compare with this flood of tribulation and destruction upon the earth. Unlike the Noachian flood, when those who were in the ark were safe from the tempest and completely protected, this will not be the case in the day of the Lord. Strife, catastrophes, fearful threats, and diabolical efforts will cause the saints eventually to anguish day and night for deliverance by the Lord. 5
The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus
The conclusion of earths history is called a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. (Daniel 12:1) The first nations which appear in the Bible record are named after the flood. Daniel 12:1 may imply that the final time of trouble is unprecedented since the time of the Noachian flood. We know that cities were built before the flood because Cain built a city: And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch*: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. (Genesis 4:17)
*Note: This descendant of Cain should not be confused with the seventh patriarch, Enoch, who was translated to heaven without seeing death. (See Hebrews 11:5)
The brief history we have of the descendents of Cain does not, however, indicate any who founded nations. Rather, antediluvians were known by their talents and skills which they employed. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brothers name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. (Genesis 4:2022) The four angels holding the four winds at the close of earths history had discretionary power from God, as do all Gods created beingspower to choose and decide. It appears that John was shown that the wickedness upon the planet would reach such a state that these angels would conclude that the time had come to release the fearful judgments of God. This is confirmed by the servant of the Lord, who was instructed by her accompanying angel: He [Ellen Whites accompanying angel] said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He 6
gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go. (Early Writings, p. 38) Many Bible readers miss the whole point of the day of the Lord. Often their thoughts turn to the second coming of Jesus as the day of the Lord. However, two of the Old Testament prophets, Joel and Malachi, certainly are not addressing the glorious return of Jesus in which the faithful saints of all ages will be gathered into their heavenly abode. Joel and Malachi point to a day of terrible consequences which will be poured out on the wicked and upon those who have rejected the mercy and compassion of a wonderful God and Savior: And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (Joel 2:11) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. (Joel 2:31) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. (Malachi 4:5) Amos, the shepherd-prophet, is even more specific: Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. . . . Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? (Amos 5:1820)
There are no woes uttered against the day of the second coming of Christ. It is a day of glory and brightness for the redeemed. It is the day of salvation: For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2) When probation closes, the day of the Lord commences. This day concludes with the final annihilation, when Satan, sin, and sinners are forever made extinct. However, during the terrible day of the Lord, a loving God will deliver His faithful people. These comprise Gods remnant: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. (Joel 2:32) All those who trust our Savior will be delivered. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7) Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalm 27:35) 8
The day of the Lord is the day of the fearful punishment which will come to the rejecters of the grace of Christ at the time of the seven last plagues. From time to time God has unleashed His dreadful punishment on the wicked of the earth. This He did to the evil antediluvians. Had He not done so, faith would have vanished from the earth, thus thwarting Gods gracious plan of salvation. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (Genesis 6:7) While Gods people will be protected and preserved at the terrible day of the Lord, the wicked will not be spared. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low. (Isaiah 2:12) Most of the destructive elements which have come upon the earth during six thousand years of history have come from Satan. God has never permitted Satan to exercise his full destructive designs, terrible though his cruel designs have been. However, when God deploys His judgment, the consequences are vastly greater. There are those who believe that God does not kill nor destroy, but that cannot be supported from Scripture or the Spirit of Prophecy. Indeed, all the evidence is in the other direction. This point is especially clarified in The Great Controversy: A single angel destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians and filled the land with mourning. When David offended against God by numbering the people, one angel caused that terrible destruction by which his sin was punished. The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by
evil angels when He permits. (The Great Controversy, p. 614) When, at the end of 2004, the Great Sumatran-Ardaman Earthquake triggered the greatest tsunami which has ever been recorded in history occurred in the Indian Ocean, many asked, Was this a judgment of God or a judgment of Satan? Unquestionably, our answer is, That was a judgment of Satan. That is our understanding from our reading of The Great Controversy. The next sentence in the above paragraph reads, There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere. (Ibid.) Satan delights in war, for it excites the worst passions of the soul and then sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood. It is his object to incite the nations to war against one another, for he can thus divert the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God. . . . Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows. . . . While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. 10
Destruction will be upon both man and beast. (Ibid., pp. 589590) God has promised to protect His people, but no such protection is afforded for the desecrators of Gods law: It is God that shields His creatures and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer. But the Christian world have shown contempt for the law of Jehovah; and the Lord will do just what He has declared that He wouldHe will withdraw His blessings from the earth and remove His protecting care from those who are rebelling against His law and teaching and forcing others to do the same. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. He will favor and prosper some in order to further his own designs, and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them. (Ibid., p. 589) When the winds of strife are released at the bidding of God, then the fearful, destructive forces which are evinced by the seven last plagues will inflict the greatest trials, tribulations, death, and carnage upon the planet. The fullness of the wrath of God will be poured out after every human case has been decided either for eternal life or eternal death. The decision of the four angels to release the winds of strife was premature because there was one momentous problemthat Gods people were not spiritually ready; therefore, they had not been sealed by the living God: I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood! Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. 11
Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels and bid them hold, until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. (Early Writings, p. 48) We do not know whether the above dramatic event has yet taken place. Some wonder whether 9/11 was the moment when the dramatic event took place in which the commissioned angel brought the compassionate command from Heaven. Sister Whites prophecy concerning the events of 9/11 is found in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 1117. It is significant that the chapter title is, The Last Crisis. If this event has not yet transpired, surely it will come very soon. It is a warning to all of Gods people. Thus, this is the time to surrender ourselves entirely to the will of our Savior, for God is not willing for this destruction to commence until all who will accept His saving grace are ready for the sealing of the saints. What a solemn thought this should be to all of Gods people! There are other thoughts which may merit consideration in terms of when the angels are told to hold the four winds a little longer. This may represent a time just before every individual has had the opportunity to 12
hear the gospel commission, and, therefore, time is extended a little longer to those who have not at that time heard the loud cry of Revelation 18. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4) In this circumstance it will be an event which transpires very shortly before the final close of probation for the human race. This possible understanding is supported by the fact that the 144,000 are the saints who will pass through the time of Jacobs trouble after the close of human probation. Such an understanding would not in any wise diminish the urgency to surrender our all to Christ now, for Scripture is explicit that judgment begins with Gods professed people. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) It is quite evident that neither in the Bible nor in the Spirit of Prophecy is there a specific event which is recorded which would reveal definitively when this holding call was to take place. The critical issue is, Are we ready for such a time? Christ is waiting to commission the sealing angel to seal His people in their foreheads. Those who comprise this group will have victory over the beast and his image, his mark, and the number of his name. Their loyalty is unwaveringly for their Redeemer. 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. (Revelation 15:2)
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Questions Concerning the 144,000
Chapter 2
IkE a sudden flash of brilliant lightning that streaks across the sky, rapidly followed by deafening peals of thunder, we are presented in the seventh chapter of Revelation with a wholly new message of divine origin. Just as quickly as the 144,000 are introduced, they disappear. Yet, seven chapters later another brief lightning strike adds a little more to the illumination of this topic, and just as quickly it disappears from the record of Scripture. The number itself is tantalizing. The lack of detail is intriguing. Yet there is no question that the 144,000 comprise a body of saints who are critical to the last events which transpire upon planet earth. It is only to be expected that there are many theories concerning the 144,000. Who are they? Why is nothing said about them in the Old Testament? Why were they not introduced by Christ during His earthly ministry or at least by the apostles in their apostolic letters? It is left to the very last book of the Bible for this faithful, unique group of Christians to be introduced. Obviously there is only one correct explanation as to the identity of the 144,000. Some Bible expositors are convinced that the 144,000 is a literal number. Some propose that the 144,000 is a literal number who led the great innumerable multitude to the kingdom of Christ. Others are just as convicted that the 144,000 is a figurative number and refers to a vastly greater group than merely 144,000 individuals. Some believe that the 144,000 represent literal Jews who will be ultimately saved by coming into the ranks of Christianity. Some say that, because the number is literal, therefore the individuals who make up this number must be also literal Jews: 14
The 144,000 are composed of 12,000 from each tribe of the children of Israel. There is not a Gentile among them. (Harry A. Ironside, Lectures on the Book of Revelation, 12th ed., Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1942; quoted in Tim La Haye, Revelation Unveiled, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1999, p. 149) Robert H. Gundry, Professor of Religious Studies, Westmont College (California), . . . suggests that a plausible function for the 144,000 is that they may constitute a Jewish remnant who will be physically preserved through the Tribulation [between the secret rapture and the second coming of Christ]. (Gleason L. Archer, Jr., Paul D. Feinberg, Douglas J. Moo, and Richard R. Reiter, Three Views on the Rapture, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1996, p. 73) This is the predominant view in Evangelical Protestantism today. Such theologians see it as inconsistent for the number to be literal and the tribes to be figurative. There are some others who believe that the number is figurative while those who compose it are literal Jews. This view is held by very few scholars. There are still others who believe that both the number and the people are to be accepted as symbolic. That is, that the Jews are symbolic of Gods end-time faithful, and the number 144,000 is symbolic of a vast multitude. This position is held by many who rightly reject the unscriptural doctrine of the secret rapture. In truth, many give up their quest to understand the composition of the 144,000 and decide it is just too much of a conundrum for mortals to discern. Yet, we know that all Scripture comes from God and is profitable for the study of Gods people. 15
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) In the early history of Seventh-day Adventists, the 144,000 was a much studied topic. The evidence which we have seen indicates that the pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church were united in the interpretation that the number of the 144,000 was literal while their identity as Jews was symbolic. This was understandable. When the Seventh-day Adventist Church was organized into a General Conference in 1863, there were only about 3,500 members. The 144,000 would have seemed an enormous number of people to these pioneer members. Even at the turn of the twentieth century, our membership was little more than 70,000 not even half of 144,000. Nevertheless, with the comparatively rapid growth of the church, it became more believable that soon God would have made up His 144,000 saints, ready for His second coming. The number was still considered by most to be literal. When we were born in October of 1933, the membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church had now grown to about a third of a million, more than twice 144,000. If, as many believed, the 144,000 were composed of faithful Seventh-day Adventists, it now became a little disconcerting that the number of 144,000 professed believers had been exceeded and Christ had not returned. Our numbers were growing rapidly, well beyond 144,000, and yet the Bible, as it was thought, was indicting that only 144,000 would compose Gods final generation of saints. Some began to wonder whether our pioneers had postulated the 144,000 as a literal number because of the few Seventh-day Adventists in our early history. Therefore, some members began to entertain the thought that the 144,000 was a symbolic number. Well we remember the euphoria among Gods people when the membership surpassed 1,000,000 in the year 1955. The unscientific poll Colin has taken indicates that in the congregations of more than fifty conservative churches, the majority of the members have no set understanding of this number. Of those who do, a few more believe that the 144,000 number is literal. Our unscientific 16
observation concerning most Seventh-day Adventist pastors indicates that the majority now believe the number 144,000 to be figurative. However, there are groups of pastors, especially in developing countries, who are still clinging to the idea that the 144,000 is a literal number. We have met no Seventh-day Adventists who contend that the Jews are literal. The Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement still teaches that the 144,000 is a literal number, but many regular Seventh-day Adventists dismiss this view, recognizing that the Reform Church still has relatively few members. At the time we are writing, the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, has a world membership of about 35,000 members. Naturally, most Seventh-day Adventists dismiss their beliefs on the assumption that the Reform Church is clinging to this position because they are relatively few in number. Nevertheless, there are many, albeit a minority of, Seventh-day Adventists who also believe that the number is literal. This is amazing when we consider as we write in 2007 that the membership of the Seventhday Adventist Church now is in excess of 15,000,000more than 100 times the number of 144,000. To many leaders, pastors, and rank and file members, it would be preposterous to advance the concept today that this number is literal. Surely, like the tribes of Israel, which they correctly view to be symbolic, the number, too, is symbolic. Yet, sometimes animated discussions, or even emotionally charged debates take place between the two groups holding these two lines of thought. A significant number, probably a majority, have dismissed the issue of the 144,000 as too vague, too difficult to understand as to make it of little consequence and conclude that wisdom dictates that we do not spend much time on it. Often, such refer to the statements of Sister White in which she warns against trying to understand every detail of the 144,000: 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 17
time know without question. (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 174) Christ says that there will be those in the church who will present fables and suppositions, when God has given grand, elevating, ennobling truths, which should ever be kept in the treasure house of the mind. When men pick up this theory and that theory, when they are curious to know something it is not necessary for them to know, God is not leading them. It is not His plan that His people shall present something which they have to suppose, which is not taught in the Word. 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. My brethren and sisters, appreciate and study the truths God has given for you and your children. Spend not your time in seeking to know that which will be no spiritual help. What shall I do to inherit eternal life? This is the all-important question, and it has been clearly answered. What is written in the law? how readest thou? (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 978) The above statements do not warn that we should not study to discover all that is revealed. They are warnings against proceeding beyond what is available in Holy Writ by employing speculation and conjecture. As authors, we take the position that the 144,000 is a very important topic and message to understand, and though we are deeply opposed to Biblical speculation of any kind, we do believe that we should explore, as far as we can, the information and evidence which is available in the inspired writings. Such was written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11). Most of the early pioneers believed that the 144,000 would include all who died faithful to the hope of the three angels messages. Still to18
day, this is taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement. Two statements from Sister White are most commonly used: Then the angel said, You must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God. (Early Writings, p. 40) I saw that she was sealed and would come up at the voice of God and stand upon the earth, and would be with the 144,000. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 263) It is easy to see how these statements could be interpreted as saying both ladies will be part of the 144,000. However, such an understanding is clearly unacceptable in the light of a plain statement of Sister White herself: These [144,000] 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 endured the anguish of the time of Jacobs trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of Gods judgments. (The Great Controversy, p. 649; for fuller context, see page 20) Those who are raised in the special resurrection do not go through the seven plagues of the time of Jacobs trouble as do the 144,000. They have not suffered thirst nor hunger at this time nor have they felt the heat of the sun during the fourth plague. They are raised either near the end of the seventh plague or immediately following it. The 144,000 prove to be a very special peoplenot just upon this earth, but throughout eternity. Scripture is plain that they have a special place beside Jesus. They are special in many ways. In Revelation 14:1 we are told that they have their Fathers name written in their foreheads. 19
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Fathers name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1) In verse 3, they are the only redeemed who can learn a special song. None of the other redeemed could learn this song, for it is the song of their experience. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:3) In verse 4 is raised a most important virtue of the 144,000they are not defiled with women. In other words, they have not compromised with the fallen churches of Christendom or the ecumenical movement. This same verse also indicates that they follow the Lord wherever He goes. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. . . . (Revelation 14:4) In verse 4 again, they are the first fruits unto God and to Christ. . . . These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4) In verse 5, they are without fault and are guileless. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:5) 20
Of course, some of these characteristics are shared with all the redeemed. Yet, taking the overall description of the 144,000, there is a uniqueness which distinguishes them from all other redeemed saints. As we continue in our study, we will see that they are different from many of the risen saints in that: 1. They had a unique knowledge of the three angels messages and the sanctuary message. 2. They have kept the Ten Commandments (all ten of them). 3. They have no sins of ignorance for which to be atoned. 4. Before probations close, they have wholeheartedly embraced the everlasting gospel. 5. Above all, they are tested during the time of Jacobs trouble like no other generation in the history of the world. Some believe that the 144,000 is just a symbolic name for the great multitude. After all, the great multitude, like the 144,000, are also garbed in white raiment, representing purity of life. There are others who have postulated that the 144,000 are a group of Seventh-day Adventists who are cleansed of all unrighteousness, who have received the seal of God, and are thereby ready to receive the fullness of the power of the latter rain poured out by the Holy Spirit. They go forth to take the message of the soon return of Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Having accepted this idea, these Seventh-day Adventists believe that the great multitude is the great harvest of souls that come into the faith as a result of the ministry of the 144,000. While these are all interesting ideas, confusing to some, intriguing to others, we plan to seek all the Biblical understanding which we can discover from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy concerning the 144,000 which will help our readers to understand this special group of Gods redeemed saintswho they are, whether we will or could be part of it, and whether our understanding really matters overall to our salvation. For Those Who Do Not Expect to Be Part of the 144,000 Some readers may comfort themselves with the idea, I do not expect to live until the time of trouble; therefore, I will not be part of the 144,000. 21
I will not be required by God to attain the high standards required of that group. However, we believe that the Lords message given through Ellen White more than a century ago has been important for all of Gods people to heed, whether or not they expect to be alive at the climax of the great controversy: Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 970) Why is it important that we strive with all of our God-given power to be part of this special group? We believe that it is because the condition of salvation for all generations is the samewholehearted loyalty, perfect obedience, a guileless profession. Christ does not lessen the claims of the law. In unmistakable language He presents obedience to it as the condition of eternal lifethe same condition that was required of Adam before his fall. The Lord expects no less of the soul now than He expected of man in Paradise, perfect obedience, unblemished righteousness. The requirement under the covenant of grace is just as broad as the requirement made in Edenharmony with Gods law, which is holy, just, and good. (Christs Object Lessons, p. 391) God requires at this time just what He required of the holy pair in Eden, perfect obedience to His requirements. His law remains the same in all ages. The great standard of righteousness presented in the Old Testament is not lowered in the New. It is not the work of the gospel to weaken the claims of Gods holy law, but to bring men up where they can keep its precepts. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1073)
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While the test that is endured by the 144,000 will be greater than any preceding generation, the condition of their salvation is the sameperfect obedience to Gods law of love through the transforming, empowering grace of God. If we console ourselves that we can meet a lower standard if we are not part of the 144,000, we will find ourselves settling for complacency and carnal security, which will leave us unprepared to meet a just and holy God. How, in a practical way, can we strive to be part of the 144,000? Here are six ways, each corresponding to the characteristics of the 144,000 listed above, and each made possible by the empowering of the Holy Spirit in our lives: 1. Begin each day in prayer, surrendering your life to the guidance of Christ. 2. Every day, study the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy diligently to gain a clear understanding of the three angels messages and the sanctuary message. 3. Choose to obey the Ten Commandmentsall ten of them. 4. Seek the eye salve of the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any sins of ignorance in your life. 5. Wholeheartedly embrace the everlasting gospel, and proclaim it to others. 6. Experience daily victory in the trials of today, which will help to prepare you for the trials of tomorrow. You and we cannot decide whether or not we will be part of those who are translated without seeing death. Yet the same experience which will fit us to be part of the 144,000 is the experience which God requires of all the members of His remnant church who will be saved.
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The 144,000Is the Number Literal?
Chapter 3
HEN Colin was in his late twenties, he was elected to serve on the Greater Sydney Conference educational finance committee. One night was dedicated to reviewing and plotting a strategy for dealing with those parents whose debts for their childrens fees were delinquent. The chairman of the committee was the conference president, Pastor Stuart Uttley. Pastor Uttley was an Englishman by birth, and as a youth he was brought out to Western Australia, where he was educated. Later, he heard and accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith. He became a very successful evangelist, and by this time he was president of the Greater Sydney Conference. Later he was to become the president of the TransCommonwealth Union Conference which included the South New South Wales, Victorian, Tasmanian, South Australian, and Western Australian Conferences. When reviewing one delinquent account, it was revealed that the father of the students had recently purchased an expensive yacht. The president was perplexed that a man who clearly had more than normal financial resources would be so delinquent in his responsibility to pay the fees of his children. Then he uttered these words: There was a time when we believed the 144,000 was a literal number, but as we expanded, our numbers grew well beyond 144,000, and thus we decided that the 144,000 was a symbolic number. However, when we see how some of the saints behave, there are still times when I think that maybe the number of the 144,000 is literal. We cannot give credence to the off-the-cuff comment which was made that night; however, we do pay attention to six poignant words which Sister White penned about 150 years ago. They read as follows: 24
Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus coming. The living saints [living when Jesus returns], 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. (Early Writings, p. 15) Now these are plain, simple, clear words. Was she merely reflecting the beliefs common in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist movement? For the authors, that would be an unacceptable explanation, because we believe that Sister White wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So, let us dig a little deeper. Obviously the first place to look is Scripture. Firstly, let us revisit Revelation chapter 7. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 7:4) This sounds very literal. The prophet Isaiah counsels, For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isaiah 28:10) Before we follow this injunction, let us first weigh the only possible meaning of Early Writings, p. 15. If Colin declared, My children, two in number, . . . no listener would suspect he and his wife Cheryl had only one child, or that they had three or more children. Two in our unpublished Standish dictionary means two. Similarly, if Russell were to write, My sons, three in number, . . . no rational reader would conclude that he was the proud father of more or less than three sons. Similarly, Sister White meant 144,000, and most certainly not one more nor one less. 25
Clearly the message of the 144,000 is a prophetic message. So, we will examine the principles in prophetic revelations which deal with numbers as seen in the books of Daniel and Revelation prior to the millennium. Indeed, many prophecies deal with numbers. Literal Numbers, Symbolic Figures in the Book of Daniel Let us explore some of the prophecies of Daniel. A good place to start is in Daniel chapter 2, with the image which king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had witnessed in a dream. It had five segments to itthe head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron, and feet and toes part iron and part clay (Daniel 2:3233). The number of the segments was literal, because they represent the rise and fall of major ancient kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar was told that he, or his kingdom, was the head of goldthat is, Babylon. The silver and the brass represent the kingdoms which followedMedo-Persia and Greece, who would rule over the earth (verse 39), and the fourth kingdom, Rome, was represented by the legs of iron (verse 40). The feet of part iron and clay represented the break up of the Roman Empire (verse 41) into ten kingdoms. Many believe that in verse 42 there is an emphasis not only on the feet but also the toes, which represented the division of the Roman empire into ten kingdoms; and indeed, that is exactly what took place. At the end of the fifth century a.d., the Roman empire divided into the kingdoms of the Alamanni, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundians, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons, and the Lombardians. The five segments of the image were literal, but they were associated with bodily symbols. If we review Daniel 7, we have the same understanding. The animalsthe lion, bear, leopard, and the fourth terrible beastrepresented the same four kingdoms as mentioned in Daniel 2. There were some interesting aspects of these beasts. For example, the second beasta bearwas raised up on one side, symbolizing a dual kingdom which had been forged by the union of two nations, and that is exactly what it was, the merging of the Median and Persian kingdoms (Daniel 7:5). Also, this bear had three ribs in its mouth. The three was a literal number, but the ribs symbolized the kingdoms of Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt, 26
which nations were defeated by Medo-Persia (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 821). The leopard of the third beast had four heads. The four heads were symbolic of the four generals who divided the kingdom of Greece into four kingdoms after the death of Alexander the Great (Daniel 7:6). The fourth beast had ten horns, and the ten horns again represented the division of the Roman Empire into ten kingdoms in the fifth century a.d. It also had the characteristic of having three of those horns plucked up by the roots (Daniel 7:78). History details that in the sixth century three of those ten kingdoms disappeared. They were the Vandals, the Ostrogoths, and the Heruli. Here is the evidence from history. In 533 Emperor Justinian ordered Belisarius, his great general, to subdue the Vandals. . . . Within a few years the Vandals had disappeared from history. (Vandals. Britannica Student Library. Encyclopdia Britannica 2007 Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopdia Britannica, 2007.) After fighting a last battle near Mount Vesuvius in 553, the Ostrogoths marched out of Italy . . . and disappeared as a people from history. (Goths. Ibid.) [In] the mid-6th century, . . . they [the Heruli] vanished from history. (Heruli. Encyclopdia Britannica. Ibid.) Once again the numbers are literal, but they are associated with symbols. In Daniel 8, we have a prophecy of 2,300 days. We learn in Scripture that in these end-time prophecies, often a day is symbolic of a year: After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. (Numbers 14:34) 27
And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year. (Ezekiel 4:6) Remember, Ezekiel was a contemporary of Daniel and mentions him three times in his prophetic book (Ezekiel 14:14, 20; 28:3). Ezekiel 4 contains the great prophecy which foretold the reestablishment of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. The scribe Ezra described its fulfillment this way: And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. (Ezra 6:14) This event took place in 457 b.C., when Artaxerxes, the third of the kings listed in this verse, gave the decree which finally would establish the rebuilding of Jerusalem. That prophecy stretched for 2,300 years down to 1844, when Christ entered the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary. Again the number was literal, but the days were symbolic of years. Seven times in the Bible, a period of 1260 days is referred to (using different ways of expression)Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6; 12:14; 13:5. This mighty prophecy referred to the medieval reign of the papacy for 1260 years, from its inception in 538 to the deadly wound in 1798 when Pope Pius VI was taken prisoner and the French Parliament declared the end of the papacy. Certainly the medieval reign with all its cruelties was completed at that time. Once again, the number of days were literal while the days themselves were symbolic of years. Undoubtedly the most convincing confirmation of the year-day principle in prophecy was the baptism of Christ in 27 a.d. and His loving death for us in 31 a.d., both precisely fulfilling two events foretold in the 490-year prophecy of Daniel 9. 28
Literal Numbers, Symbolic Figures in the Book of Revelation The same principle holds true in the prophetic book of Revelation. For instance, the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks are presented. The stars and the candlesticks are symbolic, but the number seven is literal. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:20) Here we observe that the prophecy itself explains the numbers to be literal. Notice: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches. Yet the entities with which they are associated are symbolic. The stars symbolize the angels of the churches. The candlesticks symbolize the churches. This unfailing principle demands that we acknowledge the number 144,000 to be literal and its associated tribes of the Jews to be symbolic. Thus we can come to no other conclusion than that the 144,000 is indeed a literal number. However, the tribes of Israel are symbolic of Gods faithful people. To interpret the number 144,000 as a symbolic number would be inconsistent with the unvarying rule of the prophetic principles found in the book of Daniel and Revelation. The interpretation that the Jews in this prophecy are symbolic of faithful Christians is certified by the clearest words of Scripture. Read these passages prayerfully and with care. And if ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29) For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:2829) 29
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:68) We recognize that the 1,260, the 1,290, and the 1,335 days of Daniel chapter 12 are now frequently being interpreted as literal days as also are the 1260 days of Revelation 13:5, but such an interpretation must be invalid in the evidence of prophetic consistency. This false interpretation is exceedingly dangerous, for it was proposed in the futuristic teaching of Francisco Ribera, the Jesuit theologian, in his thesis of 1585, which proposed that the antichrist was an individual at the end of the age rather than the Protestants identification of the papacy as the antichrist of prophecy. Sister White states that the 1,260 days of Revelation 13:5 refer to the period of the medieval reign of the papacy. (For example, see The Great Controversy, pp. 54, 439) Further, Revelation 7:48 does Literal Tribes of Tribes of Israel not record the corIsrael* Revelation 7:48 rect list of the JewNumbers 1:415 *Listed in the order in Numbers ish tribes. That list is found in Num1. Reuben 1. Reuben 2. Simeon 2. Simeon bers 1:415. Let 3. Judah 3. Judah (Juda) us compare the 4. Issachar 4. Issachar 2 lists. It will be 5. Zebulun 5. Zebulun (Zabulon) 6. Ephraim 6. (Joseph) found that there 7. Manasseh 7. Manasseh (Manasses) are two marked 8. Benjamin 8. Benjamin differences. The 9. Dan 9. (Levi) 10. Asher 10. Asher (Aser) list in Numbers is 11. Gad 11. Gad the correct Hebrew 12. Naphtali 12. Naphtali (Nepthalim) list. But in Revelation the symbolic 30
list of Jewish tribes, representing faithful Christians, replaces Manasseh with Joseph and Dan with Levi. In our book entitled The Rapture, the End-Times, and the Millennium (see the Hartland Publications Book List in the back of this book), pp. 334352, we show how the meanings of the names of the tribes listed in Revelation 7:48 represent the characters of the redeemed. This is the symbolism of the tribes of Israel associated with the literal number 144,000. The 144,000 come out of the great tribulation, sometimes called the time of Jacobs trouble in the Scriptures. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1) Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacobs trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7) Thus there can be no dispute, when we apply prophetic principles, that the 144,000 is the literal number of those saints who will go through the time of trouble such as never was, which transpires from the close of human probation to the return of Jesus. Some will ask the question, If there are only going to be 144,000, what hope have I to be saved? Let us make it plain that all will be saved who will surrender themselves entirely to Jesus. The number 144,000 is not an arbitrary number set by God. The number represents Gods foreknowledge. He promises, . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
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The Lord is . . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17) However, we do know that there will be many other faithful saints of God just prior to the close of probation who will not go through the time of Jacobs trouble. Little ones will be laid to rest by a compassionate Savior. Many of the elderly, sickly, and weak will also be compassionately laid to rest by God before the close of probation. We also know that there will be many martyrs who will render up their lives as a testimony that they would rather die than commit one wrong word or action and thereby dishonor or be disloyal to their Savior. How many comprise this very large group of Gods people who will not pass through the time of trouble such as never was? Neither the Bible nor the Spirit of Prophecy provide the answer. We can expect that it will be a large number who comprise these three groups. The Lord has often instructed me that many little ones are to be laid away before the time of trouble. We shall see our children again. We shall meet them and know them in the heavenly courts. Put your trust in the Lord, and be not afraid. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 259) The Lord doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:33. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear 32
Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:1314. He knows our heart, for He reads every secret of the soul. He knows whether or not those for whom petitions are offered would be able to endure the trial and test that would come upon them if they lived. He knows the end from the beginning. Many will be laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon our world. (Counsels on Health, p. 375) When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christs sake in standing in defense of the truth. (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 397) Thus we understand that the living saints during the time of Jacobs trouble are comprised of 144,000 sealed saints especially chosen by God. They represent Gods faithful remnant who will demonstrate to the world and to the unfallen beings of the universe that they have unwavering loyalty to Christ and that they cannot be deceived by Satan. Maybe some of the readers of this book will be in this noble band of Gods beloved ones.
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The Servants of Our God
Chapter 4
HE primary Biblical name for the 144,000 is the servants of our God. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Revelation 7:3)
In his introduction, John declared the book of Revelation to be the revelation of Jesus to His servants concerning the events to transpire in the future. God also promised a blessing to those who will study these prophecies. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:13) When we link Revelation 1:1 with Revelation 7:3 we sense that it is Gods servants to whom God reveals the future events through His prophets. Those who reject or neglect the word of God and His proffered salvation will not be privy to the warnings and promises God gives to His servants. 34
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. . . . For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:1, 39) History records a number of times that Gods people have been referred to as His servants. We must not forget that Christ Himself was our Example in servanthood. Gods servants are not those who strive for mastery, authority, or dominion. By definition, a servant is one who serves, carrying out the will of another, and seeks to benefit that individual. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:2528) 35
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:3840) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39) Gods servants, in carrying out the will of God, serve the physical and spiritual needs of their fellow humans. Those who follow the will of God will understand the pure doctrine of truth. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17) As we study the call for servanthood, we are enlightened as to who will comprise this privileged group who will never pass through the portals of the tomb. Isaiah provides help for our understanding. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17) The servants of the Lord are protected by God. Surely this promise of the prophet Isaiah is especially relevant to Gods divine protection afforded the 144,000. Yet it must not be overlooked that Gods servants 36
possess the righteousness of Christ. This is in monumental contrast to the unrighteousness of the servants of Satan. The contrast is plainly seen just prior to probations close. In the time of the end the people of God will sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. With tears they will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they will humble themselves before the Lord in penitence. The wicked will mock their sorrow and ridicule their solemn appeals. But the anguish and humiliation of Gods people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity, that they discern so clearly the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Meekness and lowliness are the conditions of success and victory. A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross. (Prophets and Kings, p. 590) To emphasize the characteristics of Gods servants, we list those presented in this passage: 1. The servants of God warn the wicked of their abominations and desecration of Gods law. 2. They humble themselves before God in penitence. 3. In humiliation and anguish they develop strength and nobility of character. 4. They draw closer to Christ, for their minds are fixed upon Gods purity in their lives. 5. They discern the sinfulness of sin. 6. Their victory comes because of meekness and loveliness of life. 7. They bow at the foot of the cross. All the members of the 144,000 will be Sabbath-keepers: 37
The Sabbath is not introduced as a new institution but as having been founded at creation. It is to be remembered and observed as the memorial of the Creators work. Pointing to God as the Maker of the heavens and the earth, it distinguishes the true God from all false gods. All who keep the seventh day signify by this act that they are worshipers of Jehovah. Thus the Sabbath is the sign of mans allegiance to God as long as there are any upon the earth to serve Him. The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the only one that shows by whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains the seal of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and binding force. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 307 On one occasion Paul and Silas were followed by a young woman under the control of an evil spirit, yet she was compelled to declare that they were the servants of God. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. (Acts 16:1617) In spite of the fact these words were uttered by a demon in the presence of the two men of God, this declaration was true. However, the demon had sought to use this statement to associate Paul and Silas with this benighted woman and thus discredit them in the eyes of the citizens of Philippi. The demons plan backfired when this precious soul was freed from the slavery of Satan and the devil was cast out of her. She became a disciple of Christ, thus confirming the truth of the words of the devil that Paul and Silas were servants of God who showed the way of salvation. So, too, those servants of God who form the 144,000 will have shown the pathway of salvation to other sin-sick souls before the close of human salvation. 38
Another insight into the identity of the servants of God was revealed by Paul to the Roman believers: But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22) Once again the perfect beauty of the character of the 144,000 is revealed in the holiness of their lives. Here the inspired apostle sets forth the character of the 144,000. These are not men and women who will be continuing in the slavery of sin. They will, in the power of the Holy Ghost, have victory over all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. Theirs will be a life of holiness, and the consequence of Christs grace in their lives will be the inestimable reward of a life with Christ for eternity. In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul added to our understanding of what will fit the 144,000 to go through the time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. (Ephesians 6:6) The 144,000 do not do their own will; they do the will of their heavenly Father. Their devotion to Him knows no defect; it knows no limitations. Finally, we note that the 144,000 will be servants of Christ throughout eternity. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. (Revelation 22:3) Lest any believe that only the 144,000 exhibit these characteristics, we emphasize that all Gods saints throughout earths history will have been true servants of God. Thus they are qualified by God to be His devoted and faithful servants throughout eternity. What a glorious privilege is this!
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Other Names for the 144,000
Chapter 5
OWN through the history of the world, God has always provided special names to designate His people. Some of these names have existed throughout history. Others, such as the 144,000, are associated only with end-time events. It will be helpful for us to identify other terms which God uses to designate His people at the end of time to expand more completely our understanding of who the 144,000 are. We will examine a few of these names. The Very Elect or the Chosen We commence with Jesus designation in His declaration concerning those who will not be deceived by Satan. Matthew 24 presents Christs answer to the query of the disciples concerning the events which occur just prior to the end of the world. Four times Christ warns against deception: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:45) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Verse 11) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Verse 24) 40
It will be noted in verse 24 that so deceptive will be the guile of Satan that almost the entire inhabitants of the world will be deceived. So important was this warning that Jesus designated His end-time people who cannot be deceived as the very elect. Surely, many of them will form the 144,000. Now, who are the very elect? We believe that the apostle Peter expressed the plainest characteristic of this group: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:2) In the same epistle Peter elaborated, But ye are a chosen* generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
*Note: The word chosen in 1 Peter 2:9 comes from the same Greek word as does elect in Matthew 24:24 and 1 Peter 1:2. The same Greek word is also translated chosen in Matthew 20:16; 22:14; Luke 23:35; Romans 16:13; 1 Peter 2:4; and Revelation 17:14.
Paul further presented the holy characteristics of the elect. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. (Colossians 3:12) These words of Peter and Paul help us to understand the characteristics of those who will not be deceived by Satan at the end of time. It is of great discomfiture to us to know that a large number of those who now espouse the Seventh-day Adventist faith will be deceived because they do not accept the fullness of the saving power of Jesus in their lives. 41
No doubt, the 144,000, as part of the very elect, cannot be deceived because they have the mind of Jesus, as is referred to in Pauls epistle: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5) Remnant The term remnant has been used down through the ages. In most cases, it is a term used to designate the genuine, faithful souls among Gods professed people. One of the most sobering statements concerning the remnant is to be found in the introduction of the prophetic writings of Isaiah: Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9) It is greatly disturbing to think that only a very small remnant remained in Judah at a very critical time in the history of that nation. A little later in his epistle Isaiah added, For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. (Isaiah 10:22) This was the prophecy concerning the upcoming Babylonian captivity, signaling the fact that when that captivity was over and the decree permitted the Jews to return to their homeland, only a remnant would return. Presumably, most of the Jews felt comfortable in Babylon. They were at ease with the worldly affluence of their heathen environment, for they had forsaken God, having loved this present world as did Demas in a later era. (2 Timothy 4:10) However, both of these prophetic passages regarding the remnant possess great relevance to the closing moments of earths history when the 144,000 will be made up for the kingdom of 42
heaven. Paul changes the language a little to present these texts in his epistle to the Romans in the context of salvation at the return of Jesus, certifying that these prophecies will be fulfilled in our day: Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: for he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. (Romans 9:2729) Paul was addressing Gods modern-day Israel, and once again, God impressed the disturbing fact upon His professed people that only a remnant will be saved, and the 144,000 certainly will be a very small remnant. Who are the remnant? Zephaniah was very explicit in setting forth specific details of their characters: The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth. . . . (Zephaniah 3:13) The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity. How devastating it will be for those who claim that Gods people will continue to sin until Jesus comes! Some have attempted to confuse the issue of sin by redefining iniquity to mean the sin of our nature, or original sin as the Roman Catholics and most Protestants falsely declare. For example, in Elder Jack Sequerias book Beyond Belief, the author wrongly clarifies iniquity as follows: This [iniquity] does not primarily refer to an act of sin, but to a condition of sinfulness: by nature we are spiritually bent (see Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 64:6). Jack Sequeira, Beyond Belief, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1993, p. 17. 43
While all three texts cited by Elder Sequeira mention the word iniquity, not one plainly states that iniquity is a condition of sinfulness by nature. Some have tried to twist Psalm 51:5 in that direction. To support this false interpretation many resort to using the disgraceful translation of this cry of David as presented by the early New International Version. Let us compare the truth as found in the reliable king James Version with this debased translation of more recent times: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5 (kJV) Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 (NIV) Our Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal has been seriously compromised by the inclusion of this doctrinally false rendition of the latter translation. (See Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, No. 756) However, the following verses cannot be so interpreted. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) Iniquity involves transgression of Gods lawthe sinful, deliberate acts of commandment breaking. This is confirmed in many texts, including the words of Christ. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. (Psalm 141:4) 44
For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. (Isaiah 32:6) The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23) Notice that our Savior specifically stated that iniquity was a work, not an inherited state. It will be noted in Zephaniah 3:13 that iniquity clearly is not the state of our being or our nature. Rather, it is something that is done, for the text says The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity. It also says that the remnant will not speak lies nor be deceitful in any way. This parallels the purity of the 144,000: And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:5) Thus it is plain that at the end of human history, just before Christs return, the remnant is the same group as the 144,000. In detailing Gods end-time faithful, John addressed them as the remnant: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17) It is of fearful implications to recognize that Satan is angry with the pure woman at the end of this sin-ridden world, for he is filled with wrath 45
against the church which possesses a pure faith. Satan is never wroth with an impure church. There is only one church which professes a pure faith at the end time, and that is the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is also of deep consequence that the remnant of Gods church alone will be under the attack of Satan, for he is making war with the remnant of her seed. While Satan has attacked all who profess to be Seventh-day Adventists, he especially focuses his attacks upon those who are faithful. The faithful are characterized by those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17). Today, vast segments of the Seventh-day Adventist membership do not believe it possible to keep the commandments of God in spite of the fact that there are such wonderful promises to those who do His commandments. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14) The servant of the Lord stated under inspiration that He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God. Selected Messages, book 3, p. 360 Here again are presented the characteristics of the 144,000. They are law keepers, not in human strength, of course, but in the power of the indwelling Christ. They also have the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the Spirit of Prophecy. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10) 46
Many are openly rejecting the Spirit of Prophecy; others are effectively ignoring it. Such can never be included in the 144,000. Saints Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10) Once again, we discover that the saints keep the commandments of God. The 144,000, we are told, are not defiled with women; that is, they have not accepted false doctrine from the churches of fallen Christendom. They have not been ensnared by the ecumenical movement. Even more importantly, they have not followed the doctrinal apostasy of some Seventh-day Adventist Church administrators, theologians, and ministers. They are virgins, an indication of their spiritual purity, and they are without fault before the throne of God. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:5) We notice in Revelation 14:12 that the saints not only keep the commandments of God but they also keep the faith of Jesus. We cannot keep the commandments of God except we have the faith of Jesus. Thus, the 144,000 will be made up of those who have implicit and unwavering faith in Christ in every facet of their lives and ministry. By studying the very elect, the remnant of Israel, and the saints we have gained further precious insights into the characters of those who will comprise the 144,000.
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The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000
Chapter 6
HE sealing of Gods saints cannot be accomplished until Gods faithful ones have been judged and declared worthy of redemption. This must take place before the close of human probation and before the world is confronted with the seven last plagues. Satan will exert every effort in his determination to retain all souls in his clutches, but Christ is ever with His people. The warfare for each soul is a vital episode in the great controversy of the universe. While Satan seeks to destroy this class, God will send His angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril. The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible; but the Lords eye is upon His people, and His ear listens to their cries. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Gods 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. (The Great Controversy, p. 621) The scene of this judgment is clearly portrayed by the prophet Daniel. 48
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:910) All who have professed to be followers of Christ must face this judgment. All who have ever taken upon themselves the name of Christ must pass its searching scrutiny. Both the living and the dead are to be judged. (The Great Controversy, p. 486) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) . . . for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10) The dead are judged before the living are judged, beginning with Abel and successively according to when they lived upon the earth: As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. (The Great Controversy, p. 483)
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The words of the apostle Peter indicate that when the judgment of the dead has been completed, the living are not judged chronologically. Rather, those who have had great light and responsibility are the first to be judged: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) There is only one standard by which the veracity of every professed Christian will be judged, and that is by the divine law of God. It is in the light of these commandments that every aspect of life will be examined, including acts, words, motives, and even the intents of the heart. The law of God is the standard by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgment. (The Great Controversy, p. 482) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:3637) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) By the time each name is examined in the judgment, every soul will have had a valid opportunity to make his or her decision either to accept 50
the matchless claims of Christ or to reject His infinite love. Remember, the latter rain will empower Gods faithful ones to present the everlasting gospel before all earths inhabitants. No one will be lost because of a lack of opportunity. As the end of the judgment is approaching, all living persons will hear the gospel. This miracle will come mainly through the agency of the Holy Spirit ministering through human instrumentalities. In the generations of earths past history every soul is judged according to the light which he or she has received. God is perfectly just. Scripture is clear as is also the Spirit of Prophecy: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:3031) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. (Romans 2:1415) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17) Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. (John 9:41) If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. (John 15:22) 51
Many who have not had the privileges that we have had will go into heaven before those who have had great light and who have not walked in it. Many have lived up to the best light they have had and will be judged accordingly. (Last Day Events, p. 216) All must wait for the appointed time, until the warning shall have gone to all parts of the world, until sufficient light and evidence have been given to every soul. Some will have less light than others, but each one will be judged according to the light received. (Ibid., p. 217) Those who have had great light and have disregarded it stand in a worse position than those who have not been given so many advantages. They exalt themselves but not the Lord. The punishment inflicted on human beings will in every case be proportionate to the dishonor they have brought on God. (Ibid.) None will be condemned for not heeding light and knowledge that they never had, and they could not obtain. But many refuse to obey the truth that is presented to them by Christs ambassadors, because they wish to conform to the worlds standard; and the truth that has reached their understanding, the light that has shone in the soul, will condemn them in the judgment. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1145) We shall not be held accountable for the light that has not reached our perception, but for that which we have resisted and refused. A man could not apprehend the truth which had never been presented to him, and therefore could not be condemned for light he had never had. But if he had opportunity to hear the message, and to become acquainted with the truth, and yet refused to 52
improve his opportunity, he will be among the number of whom Christ said, Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (Ibid.) Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. (The Desire of Ages, p. 638) Satan vigorously challenges Christs justice in saving His faithful ones: While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses them before God as transgressors. The great deceiver has sought to lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to separate themselves from His love, and to break His law. Now he points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his subjects. Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father and the holy angels, saying: I know them by name. I have graven them on the palms of My hands. (The Great Controversy, p. 484)
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In the final atonement of the investigative judgment, the sins of ignorance of Gods people are blotted out as well as their acknowledged, confessed, and forsaken sins. Said the angel, They will be brought into close combat with the beast and his image. Their only hope of eternal life is to remain steadfast. Although their lives are at stake, they must hold fast the truth. The third angel closes his message thus: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making His final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God. (Early Writings, p. 254) It is most significant to note that atonement has to be made for all sin, including the ignorant sins of those who love Jesus in heart and mind. This is the reason that it is imperative for the gospel to be shared with every creature on the earth just prior to the close of human probation: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) When Christ completes His high-priestly ministry in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, He casts down the censor, ceases His work of intercession and meditation, leaves the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, and removes His high-priestly robes, never again to wear them in the unending ages of eternity, for never again will sinners blight the universe. He is now garbed in His kingly robes. Thus there is no mediation for sineven ignorant sin. All the saints are free from sin, including sins of ignorance, having been sealed by the seal of the living God. They will not commit any 54
ignorant sins because all have heard and fully embraced the everlasting gospel of the three angels messages. They will keep the whole law of Gods commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath. The seal of the living God is placed upon those who conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 980) None will be ignorant of these requirements, for the 144,000 must stand perfect without a Mediator before the presence of God during the time of Jacobs trouble. If they were ignorant of Gods law, they would sin ignorantly and be lost eternally, for there would be no longer atonement for ignorant sin. God is too just to have anyone lose heaven because of ignorant sin. Thus, all the inhabitants of the planet will hear the loving call of the Savior through the everlasting gospel of the three angels messages. While Christ is ministering in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, not only is the investigative judgment completed, but also the atonement is completed, and all sins of the saints are blotted out from their memory before the close of human probation: And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel. (Leviticus 16:17) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation [or, atonement*] for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)
*See Strongs Concordance, Greek lexical dictionary, number 2443.
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Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19) In the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance. (The Great Controversy, p. 620) The righteous will not cease their earnest, agonizing cries for deliverance. They cannot bring to mind any particular sins; but in their whole life they can see but little good. Their sins had gone beforehand to judgment, and pardon had been written. Their sins had been borne away into the land of forgetfulness, and they could not bring them to remembrance. (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, pp. 123124) What a wonderful landthe land of forgetfulness! Never again will the sins of our past life ever haunt us again. This blotting out must occur before the return of Jesus. The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord. (The Great Controversy, p. 485) As each member of the human race has the opportunity to hear the everlasting gospel, a final decision will be made either to accept or reject the last invitation of a loving Savior. This invitation will be given by the 56
sealed saints who have already been judged trustworthy to live in the eternal home. These saints . . . have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14) Their characters are perfected. Their earnest messages are not marred by character flaws or weaknesses which would otherwise turn some away from the last solemn invitation to accept the saving grace and power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many will hear this invitation for the first time and will rejoice and eagerly surrender all to their Redeemer. However, with great anguish the faithful saints will witness multitudes who scorn and despise the divine invitation. Destinies will be decided for eternitysome for eternal life, and multitudes for eternal destruction. Sadly, a large percentage of Seventh-day Adventist members will be among those who will decide their destiny on the side of Satan: When the law of God is made void, the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 368) The investigative judgment is a wonderful time for Gods faithful souls, but it is a fearful time for the wicked and for those who have neglected the necessary preparation for the Saviors return. The faithful understand that this is the time when Christ stands up for His people against the withering attacks by Satan: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1) 57
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:2627) Michael is one of the many names of Jesus employed in Holy Scripture. Michael, or Christ, with the angels that buried Moses, came down from heaven, after he had remained in the grave a short time, and resurrected him and took him to heaven. (The Story of Redemption, p. 173) Colin has vivid recollections of the former Pentecostal pastor whom he baptized into Gods precious church in Nigeria in 1997. This man had lost everything earthly for the gospelhis fiance for whom he had been paying the dowry for ten years, broke the engagement, his mother drove him out of her home, and some of the members of the Pentecostal church he had pastored threw objects at him when they saw him on the street of the village. This godly young man translated for Colin the night Colin spoke at an evangelistic crusade concerning how Christ stands up for His people in the investigative judgment and raises His nail-pierced hands, declaring His blood for all repentant saints. This man was so overwhelmed with emotion when he realized what Jesus would do for him that, for some time, he could not continue translating as tears cascaded down his cheeks. Yes, he had given up much for his Lord, but now he realized that Christ has given up all for him and for all others who surrender their lives to the Savior. Those Seventh-day Adventists who are lost will not only include the worldly-living and the pleasure-seekers, but also some who have stood boldly for the truth and righteousness. These are described by Jesus as the foolish virgins. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the 58
Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan. The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirits working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stonyground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. (Christs Object Lessons, p. 411) We earnestly entreat the Lord that we will not prove to be foolish virgins. We further earnestly pray that the readers of this book will likewise permit the truth to be sanctified in their hearts by the Holy Spirit and that they will also be broken on the Rock, Christ Jesus. Our plea to all is to surrender their hearts and minds to Christ now.
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The Great Multitude
Chapter 7
HE great multitude referred to in Revelation 7 has been a puzzle to many over the centuries. We must confess that we ourselves were uncertain for many years as to the precise identity of the great multitude. Over the years, we have heard a number of explanations. Some believe that the great multitude are those who are converted by the 144,000, whom they identify as Seventh-day Adventists who have received the seal of God and the latter rain. In this explanation, the 144,000 take the everlasting gospel of the three angels to the world, and they harvest a great multitude for the kingdom of heaven. Now it is true that, under the power of the Holy Spirit, Gods initial sealed people will take the everlasting gospel to every creature. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) However, this explanation has some great deficiencies. Firstly, we review again the statement of Sister White addressing those who will go through the time of Jacobs trouble and will be the living saints during that time. She says, The living saints, 144,000 in number. . . . (Early Writings, p. 15) As this is the case, we must ask, What happens to all the converts who come into Christs fold? Are they all laid to rest before the close of probation? That does not seem feasible, and certainly there is no inspired counsel which would imply such a situation. There are others who claim that the 144,000 is a symbolic number, and therefore the great multitude is synonymous for the 144,000. We 60
The Great Multitude
have shown from Inspiration that biblical consistency of prophetic interpretation and Sister Whites plain declaration in Early Writings, p. 15, require that the 144,000 be recognized as a literal number. Thus, such an explanation suffers very serious challenges when we read through the biblical record. As we examine Revelation 7:9 where we are introduced to the great multitude, it is clearly a different scene from that of the 144,000 and appears to represent quite a different group: After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (Revelation 7:910) Notice that this reference to the great multitude focuses upon a location very different from the scene which has been presented in introducing the 144,000. The biblical record states that it is a great multitude which no man can number. Now the 144,000 are numbered and revealed to us. Of course, Scripture does not attest that God could not number the great multitude, but only that no man could number it. It would be a great leap under these circumstances to argue responsibly that the great multitude was the same body as the 144,000, which has been numbered. God has not seen fit to reveal the number of the great multitude to us. On the other hand, He has seen fit to reveal the number of the saints who endure the time of Jacobs trouble. What is very plain is that the great multitude cannot be only the 144,000, because Paul plainly states that the living saints (the 144,000) meet the Lord in the air at the same time before being transported to heaven. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that 61
Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:1317) Some believe that the 144,000 are literal Jews as we have indicated earlier. Some of these then propose that the great multitude represent all the Gentile believers at the end of the world. Once again, this theory fails the test of Inspiration, because the living saints would be vastly more than the 144,000 if we understood the meaning this way. There are others who believe that the great multitude is the harvest of the whole world down through the ages. In other words, these believe that the vast multitude are those who arise from their dusty graves at the return of Jesus and who are resurrected to join the living saints to meet Christ in the air. We believe this understanding is closer to the evidence of Inspiration but yet not quite accurate, for we believe that the great multitude includes not only the resurrected saints, but also the living saintsthe 144,000. Let us review Revelation 7:9 and compare it with Revelation 7:14. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. (Revelation 7:9) And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the 62
The Great Multitude
earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 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. (Revelation 7:14) Clearly, Revelation 7:14 is focusing upon a people who are still on planet earth at that time. After all, the four winds are being held so that they will not blow on the earth, the sea, and the trees. The fifth angel is depicted as ascending from the east. Some have questioned the word ascending, for this angel is commissioned in heaven. At the second coming, Jesus with His heavenly angels are described as descending from heaven. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The Greek in Revelation 7:2 literally says going up from the rising of the sun. Of course, the morning sun is perceived as in its ascendancy when it rises. From observation we always perceive all the heavenly bodies as above us. Space probes always ascend from the earth. However, perception is not always reliable. We understand this well as Australians, for Australia is often described by those of the northern hemisphere as the land down under. Yet, just as surely as northern hemisphere dwellers look up to the sky so do southern hemisphere dwellers. For example, dwellers in both hemispheres look up to see the constellation Orion. What we perceive in the universe as up or down or ascending or descending is a consequence of our human perception rather than any aspect of the physical dimensions of the universe. 63
This angel who is entrusted by God has with him the seal of the living God. (See Revelation 7:2) Therefore, the 144,000 are not yet sealed in this scene. This confirms that the 144,000 are still earthbound, for no unsealed individual will be transported to the courts of heaven. The scene is altogether different in verse 9, indicating quite a different location. Verse 9 reveals that this great multitude is before the throne, no doubt, the throne of God. While after the millennium Christs throne will come with Him to the earth, yet this scene is almost certainly in heaven soon after the saints arrive in heaven. It is also revealed that the great multitude is clothed with white robes and have palms in their hands. Thus, we can inquire, When does the great multitude receive the palms, and where do they receive them? God in His great love and wisdom has answered this question: Then Jesus silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried, Awake! awake! awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise. Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, Alleluia! as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white
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The Great Multitude
mantle from their shoulders to their feet. (Early Writings, pp. 1617) This revelation certainly provides the final clarification. Thus the reader will note in the statement above that the great multitude is addressing the resurrected saints of all ages whom the 144,000 join to undertake their seven-day travel to heaven. These two groups together comprise the great multitude. Thus they are reunited with their friends and loved ones whom they had lost in death. The redeemed ascend to the sea of glass in heaven. It is there that Jesus brings to the saints their crowns. We learn that He individually places those crowns upon the heads of all the redeemed. It is also here that they receive harps and, as is recorded in Revelation 7:9, they also received the palms in their hand. Therefore, while the 144,000 scene of Revelation 7:4 focuses upon Gods faithful people on earth before Christ returns, the great multitude scene includes the saints of all ages redeemed in heaven. Unquestionably, the great multitude are comprised by all the saints of all ages from the time of Abel until the end of this sin-blighted earths history. How good God is to us as He provides all this understanding! How precious is the Spirit of Prophecy in clarifying these issues! We must emphasize, however, that our most important focus must be upon the eternal kingdom of our Savior. It is far more important to be with Christ throughout eternity than to concern ourselves with whether we will be part of the 144,000. If God so chooses, He will give us the strength to go through this time of Jacobs trouble, and if not, He will lay us gently to rest to await the special resurrection of all who have died in the hope of the three angels messages. Soon thereafter, we will be caught up with all the saints to be with our precious Savior throughout eternity. May each one of us be there.
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A Counterfeit Reformation
Chapter 8
T is easy to forget that Satan also is an initiator of reformation. Some may respond, No way! Satan is the arch-enemy of reformation. Yes, that is true of Gods reformation. But contemplate. Satan has a deceitful counterfeit for all of that which God does. This is no less true for reformation than for any other work which God does for the human race. Of course, Satan fiercely opposes Gods reformation, for by it many souls are liberated from the prison-house of sin into which Satan has enslaved them. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) What is this reformation of Satan? Of course, it is a counterfeit reformation. Yet it must have sufficient truth in it to deceive all but the very elect. Remember that during the Protestant Reformation, there was a Catholic (sometimes called by the adjective Counter) Reformation, where some reforms actually were achieved, but there were no reforms enacted which would separate the church from the pagan beliefs and practices which were imbedded in it. Satans deceptions are largely established upon the admixture of truth and error, good and evil, or right and wrong. Satan gained his first conquest on this planet by trapping the mind of Eve at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We must not forget that some deceptions contain no error, no falsehood; in these cases, everything that is said or written is true. Deception results when the exclusion of that which would 66
promote the whole truth is not forthcoming. Many may remember when, years ago, in the secular courts, an individual who was called to testify in a case was required to vow to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This vow was based upon Biblical principles. This vow was concluded with these words So help me God. We certainly need not only to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but we can afford to add no error to the truth. To not tell all the truth may lead to a false conclusion. For example, someone may say, Yes, I believe that we can keep Gods law, while he believes that we can keep Gods law some of the time but not all of the time. Others believe that we can keep some of Gods commandments all the time but not all the commandments all of the time. Thus this persons initial answer was designed to create a false impression. The servant of the Lord emphasized that to exclude present truth from Gods people is to betray our trust. To be delinquent in this mission surely imperils the eternal destiny of the people. There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is present truth that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause. But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. (Early Writings, p. 63) It is plain that even precious truth messages which are devoid of any taint of error are not to be the main spiritual food placed before our church members. Serious times demand serious messagesmessages which bring conviction, call to full repentance, clearly denounce sin, 67
call to holy living, and entreat all to forsake the world and to effectively share the gospel with others. Sermons, even good sermons, are empty calorie sermons unless the pointed, present-truth messages are frequently presented from the pulpits and in the Sabbath school classes. In the nineteenth century, Satan introduced a form of reformation in his spiritualistic deceptions. His rejection of Christ and the Bible now became much more subtle. Take note of this change which only adds to his deception. He deceives through the absence of essential truth, which, of course, presents a false christ, a false representation of God: Spiritualism is now changing its form, veiling some of its more objectionable and immoral features, and assuming a Christian guise. Formerly it denounced Christ and the Bible; now it professes to accept both. The Bible is interpreted in a manner that is attractive to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. A God of love is presented; but his justice, his denunciations of sin, the requirements of his holy law, are all kept out of sight. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses of those who do not make Gods word the foundation of their faith. Christ is as verily rejected as before; but Satan has so blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not discerned. (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 405) Down through the epochs of this planets history, Satan has always found a way to succeed in derailing the faithful people whom God has raised up. After the fall of Adam, God gave him the solemn responsibility to perpetuate Gods revelations in this world to the patriarchs which followed. Eventually, to all intents and purposes, the patriarchal church disappeared during the Israelite captivity in Egypt. God raised up Moses to reinstruct the liberated captives of Israel, but Satan derailed the Israelites again. They had been strictly commanded not to marry the daughters of the Canaanites. Obviously there were physically attractive young ladies among the pagan Canaanite nations, and, as young men strayed from the side of Christ, they lusted after and married the fair 68
maidens of these heathen nations. Then their pagan wives trained their children. Is it any wonder that Israel imbibed so many pagan practices? However, God called the prophet Samuel to raise up the schools of the prophets to turn Israel back from its idolatry. After the death of Elisha, the sons of the prophets disappeared from the record of Scripture, and God had no alternative but to allow a rebellious people to fall into Babylonian captivity. We could continue to expand on the failure after the Babylonian captivity, when synagogues and rabbinical schools were raised up, for those schools were compromised by the heathenism of the Greeks. We could expound upon the failure of the early Christian schools, the Celtic schools, the Waldensian schools, the Huguenot schools, the Reformation schools, and we are witnessing the same corruption of the Seventh-day Adventist school system to a great degree. How tragic! In the final conflict, Satan will do all he can to deceive even the very elect. He has left his most carefully devised deception for the final moments of earths history. I saw that God has honest children among the nominal [first-day] Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant. (Early Writings, p. 261) God has always had a remnant. Praise God that the true in heart will not be deceived! They are Gods very elect, His 144,000, who are wholly resistant to compromise. The faithful will know the servants of Satan by their fruits. 69
When the cheap-grace gospel invaded the Seventh-day Adventist Church, many accepted the easy gospel, which claimed that God does not expect His people to gain victory over all sin, nor does He expect them to perfect Christian characters in the power of Christ. They ignored Gods plain instruction: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. (Jude 24) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. (Hebrews 6:1) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13) Many who accepted the new theology confidently claimed a great reformation in their lives, saying that they were rejoicing in Christ-centered messages which liberated them from the perfectionist teachings of the old Seventh-day Adventist preaching. Of course, the authors reject the type of perfectionism which Sister White said was taught by the holy flesh movement in her day. (See Early Writings, p. 101, 301) Perfection of characteras opposed to perfection of our flesh or human natureis strongly taught in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy. Sadly many of these deceived ones who proclaimed their reformation soon demonstrated the pseudo-reformation of this experience. Their display of jewelry, their 70
indulgence in worldly entertainment, their laxness in Sabbath-keeping, their secular pursuitsall declared that this was not a reformation of heavenly origin. Sadly, not a few of the marriages of these deluded ones ended in the divorce court. After the new theology revival, then emerged the celebration reformation. Many claimed that they were praising God in thankfulness, yet their services degenerated in rock music, miming, puppetry, clowning, magic, blasphemous baptismal and Lords Supper services, and other such abominations. Once again the Satanic origins of these false revivals soon were manifest, and instead of leading souls to the kingdom of heaven they have prepared a tragic harvest for eternal destruction. The harvest of these false revivals during celebration services were well understood by the prophetess, Sister White: In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of Gods word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that Gods blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which Christ Himself has given, Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God. (The Great Controversy, pp. 464465) The 144,000 will have no part in such false, Satan-initiated, reformation.
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Preparing for the Close of Human Probation
Chapter 9
ODS extended mercy to the human race has continued for approximately 6,000 years. His love has been repeatedly evidenced to humanity. This love was manifested to mankind in many ways: 1. When Adam and Even sinned, a merciful God comforted the rebellious pair by explaining His plan for their salvation. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15) God declares: I will put enmity. This enmity is not naturally entertained. When man transgressed the divine law, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan. There exists naturally no enmity between sinful man and the originator of sin. Both became evil through apostasy. The apostate is never at rest, except as he obtains sympathy and support by inducing others to follow his example. For this reason fallen angels and wicked men unite in desperate companionship. Had not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God. (The Great Controversy, p. 505) 72
2. When almost all the human race was in rebellion against God, He still saved all who would accept His saving provisions in the ark built by Noah, and through the eight survivors the human race was perpetuated. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (Genesis 7:1) To repeople the desolate earth, which the Flood had so lately swept from its moral corruption, God had preserved but one family, the household of Noah, to whom He had declared, Thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation. Genesis 7:1. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 117) 3. Early in the postdiluvian world, sin and pagan religious practices arose in rebellion against God. Most of the people did not trust Gods covenant with Noah or the sign He placed in the skythe rainbow in the cloudsto remind the human race that never again would there be a flood of worldwide proportions. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look 73
upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. (Genesis 9:1117) Lest the gathering clouds and falling rain should fill men with constant terror, from fear of another flood, the Lord encouraged the family of Noah by a promise: I will establish My covenant with you; . . . neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. . . . I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud. . . . And I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature. How great the condescension of God and His compassion for His erring creatures in thus placing the beautiful rainbow in the clouds as a token of His covenant with men! The Lord declares that when He looks upon the bow, He will remember His covenant. This does not imply that He would ever forget; but He speaks to us in our own language, that we may better understand Him. It was Gods purpose that as the children of after generations should ask the meaning of the glorious arch which spans the heavens, their parents should repeat the story of the Flood, and tell them that the Most High had bended the bow and placed it in the clouds as an assurance that the waters should never again overflow the earth. Thus from generation to generation it would testify of divine love to man and would strengthen his confidence in God. (Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 106107) 4. The postdiluvians demonstrated their unbelief in Gods promise by taking matters into their own hands. Rather than evincing faith 74
in the sure promise of the One that cannot lie (see Titus 1:2; Numbers 23:19), they decided that they would build a tower to preserve them should there be another deluge as in the days of Noah. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:4) The dwellers on the plain of Shinar disbelieved Gods covenant that He would not again bring a flood upon the earth. Many of them denied the existence of God and attributed the Flood to the operation of natural causes. Others believed in a Supreme Being, and that it was He who had destroyed the antediluvian world; and their hearts, like that of Cain, rose up in rebellion against Him. One object before them in the erection of the tower was to secure their own safety in case of another deluge. By carrying the structure to a much greater height than was reached by the waters of the Flood, they thought to place themselves beyond all possibility of danger. And as they would be able to ascend to the region of the clouds, they hoped to ascertain the cause of the Flood. The whole undertaking was designed to exalt still further the pride of its projectors and to turn the minds of future generations away from God and lead them into idolatry. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 119) Yet God did not destroy them, although He destroyed the tower, confused the languages of the people, and dispersed them to various parts of the world. 5. When the Jews were in deep apostasy during the lifetimes of Isaiah and Micah, God preserved His wayward people from oblivion because of a very small, faithful remnant. 75
Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9) The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. (Micah 7:24) This was indeed a time of great peril for the chosen nation. Only a few short years, and the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel were to be scattered among the nations of heathendom. And in the kingdom of Judah also the outlook was dark. The forces for good were rapidly diminishing, the forces for evil multiplying. (Prophets and Kings, p. 324) 6. When the Jews plunged deeper into apostasy, the Babylonians destroyed their land, and they were taken into captivity; but a merciful God gave them the opportunity to return and restore the nation. That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah 44:28) I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 45:13) 76
And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. (Jeremiah 29:14) These are instances of the great mercy and long-suffering of our loving God. Yet there will be an end to that mercy. This is necessary so that sin can be eradicated and harmony can be reestablished in the universe. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3) We can rest secure in the knowledge that no persons probation will closeeither now or at the general close of probationif more probationary time would lead that individual to accept Christs saving grace. No soul is ever finally deserted of God, given up to his own ways, so long as there is any hope of his salvation. Man turns from God, not God from him. Our heavenly Father follows us with appeals and warnings and assurances of compassion, until further opportunities and privileges would be wholly in vain. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 93) Oh, that we could all realize the nearness of heaven to earth! When the earthborn children know it not, they have the angels of light as their companions; for the heavenly messengers are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. A silent witness guards every soul that lives, seeking to win and draw him to Christ. The angels never leave the tempted one a prey to the enemy 77
who would destroy the souls of men if permitted to do so. As long as there is hope, until they resist the Holy Spirit to their eternal ruin, men are guarded by heavenly intelligences. (Our High Calling, p. 23) While Genesis 6:3, quote above, pointed to the destruction of almost all of the human race in the flood of Noahs time, it just as surely applies at the final days of this worlds history. Probation for the human race will not close until every saint of God is sealed. Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose against nation, and the whole world was in confusion. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 968) And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4) I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writers inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, It is done. (Early Writings, p. 279) The destiny of every person is irreversibly determined at the close of probation by the choices each has made. Eternity stretches before every soul. For the 144,000, eternal life is assured. 78
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) For the rest of the human race, each will have chosen eternal destruction. Equally, their destruction is determined at the close of probation. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) Gods eternal declaration is proclaimed at the close of human probation: 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. (Revelation 22:11) What has been accomplished before the close of probation? All who have professed Christ have been straightly tested to reveal the true character of each one, and the 144,000 have steadfastly remained loyal to Christ. All have been tested in fiery trials and have endured to the end because their love for Christ is unwavering; therefore, they will inherit eternal life. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13) 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. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 187)
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The rest of the Christian professors will have joined the lost of the world; they have capitulated because their loyalty to God has not proven to be unconditional. The overcomers will have gained victory over every wrong word and action. Gods sealing angel has sealed His people. They have received the latter rain. The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 81) During this sealing time the image to the beast will be established. In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. (The Great Controversy, p. 443) The image to the beast represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. (Ibid., p. 445) Surely the image of the beast is well on the way to being formed already, as the ecumenical churches, combining together into a powerful voting political block, are increasingly influencing the politicians through the ballot box. The united church-state union proves to be a most powerful alliance, and it will finally, cruelly persecute Gods remnant. When probation closes, both saints and worldlings will be unaware of it. For the worldling, the close of Gods mercy is farthest from their thoughts.
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While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornmentsit may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel 5:27. (The Great Controversy, p. 491) God has not revealed to us the time when this message will close, or when probation will have an end. (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 191) Letters have come to me asking me if I have any special light as to the time when probation will close; and I answer that I have only this message to bear, that it is now time to work while the day lasts, for the night cometh in which no man can work. (Ibid.) When probation ends, it will come suddenly, unexpectedlyat a time when we are least expecting it. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 989) The last warning and invitation have been given, the last saint has been sealed, the last impenitent has rejected the grace and power of the gospel, yet men and women continue their lives as they have lived them before. The very elect continue to live their lives of sacrificial service for God and man, and for a short time, many continue their witness to the wicked, unaware that it is now futile. No doubt, the wicked increase the wickedness of their lives, oblivious that God has written against their names, Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting (Daniel 5:27), but soon their lives will confront the terror of the time of trouble such as has never been since there was a nation. With a deep burden for the souls of all who read this book, we pray that today and every day your will is yielded to the will of your Redeemer.
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While the universal Sunday laws and the accompanying universal death decree are enacted only after the close of human probation, many national Sunday laws will be legislated during the little time of trouble preceding probations close. No one has yet received the mark of the beast. The testing time has not yet come. There are true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. (Evangelism, pp. 234235) There are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him. But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Romethe mark of the beast. And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are 82
brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. (The Great Controversy, p. 449) The Sabbath test is the final test of loyalty to God. Many agree that surely we could choose any day to worship. Others, without one shred of Biblical evidence, claim that after Christs resurrection day the first day of the week replaced the seventh day as the Sabbath. This human reasoning places the human race in eternal jeopardy. Gods commands are absolutes. If there had been any reassignment of the Sabbath day to Sunday, that command could come only from God, and God has never issued such a command. That command would have been equally plain as was the replacement of circumcision by baptism in New Testament times. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:1112) The issue of the Sabbath focuses upon the lordship of Christ, the One who alone created this planet and all that is in it. The Bible is plain; the words of Jesus have absolute authority: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. (Mark 2:28) So important was this declaration that the first three gospel writers recorded it. (See also Matthew 12:8; Luke 6:15) Writing decades later, John in the Revelation unquestionably supported these three gospel writers when he recorded that he received a vision from the Lord on the Sabbath day. 83
I was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. (Revelation 1:10) Yet many Christians have proposed that this text supports the change of the seventh-day Sabbath to Sunday. We ask, On the basis of what divine authority? There is no need to answer. Protestants for many years have asserted that this statement of John confirms Sunday as the Lords day. How desperate these Protestants are to misuse this text to support the unsupportable, devoid of any Scriptural support! Far more credible has been the oft-repeated taunt of Roman Catholics to Protestantsthat there is no Biblical foundation for their assertion but rather that Sunday observance is the sign of the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, for it changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day at the Council of Laodicea (c. 364). Yet John Paul II, no doubt seeking to ingratiate himself to the Protestants, commenced his apostolic letter Dies Domini, with the words, The Lords Dayas Sunday was called from Apostolic times . . .
(See http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/ apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_05071998_ dies-domini_en.html)
As the Protestants form an alliance with Roman Catholicism, that which has no Scriptural validationSunday sacrednesswill be enforced by the nations of the world, no doubt to please their constituency. Only Gods true saints will stand when all earthly support is withdrawn from them. God will have a people who will honor the lordship of Christ by keeping His holy Sabbath inviolate. May every reader stand with these loyalists. The 144,000 will certainly be Sabbath-keepers.
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The Sifting of Gods People
Chapter 10
EFORE Gods people can receive the seal of God and be entrusted with the latter rain, there has to be a thorough purifying of all who profess to be following a pure faith. Both the Old and New Testaments as well as the Spirit of Prophecy describe the sifting and the shaking of Gods people. While the sifting and shaking are two distinct processes, both are very much necessary to fully purify the people of God. In classical and modern times the process has changed little. The sifting still takes place today in many countries as it did in Bible times. While today there are sophisticated and mechanical ways to sift, sifting was traditionally undertaken by hand. In many parts of the world the same process of sifting still takes place as it did millennia before the mechanical age. The sieve is traditionally made with a round, square, or rectangular wooden frame. It has a base of fine metallic mesh. It is used to separate fine particles of chaff from the grain. The sifter uses both hands and a rapid back and forth motion, by which most of the tiny particles are sifted out. Of course, the size of the apertures in the metallic mesh are constructed according to the size of the grain. The sifting of small grain such as barley requires a very fine web, wheat not quite so fine. If the farmer sifts corn, an even broader set of apertures in the sieve is used. In applying this illustration to the purifying of Gods church, the whole goal of the process is to eradicate all but the pure grainHis faithful saints. We will discuss further in the next chapter the reason that the shaking is necessary to complete this process. God can only seal pure 85
grain. In other words, those who are fully converted Christians alone will remain in Gods Remnant Church. The small chaff and dust will quickly pass through the sieve and fall to the ground. Generally speaking, the sifting is necessary to separate from the true Christians all who are very weak in comparison to the opportunities which they have had. Clearly, these are those who have their membership in the church, but they have no living connection with Christ. Using another metaphor, they are not part of the branch which is connected to the Vine; therefore, they have forfeited their opportunity to develop into pure, mature Christians. The prophet Isaiah referred to the sifting of all nations: And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. (Isaiah 30:28) We can deduce from this text that in one sense all the nations of the world will be sifted in what Isaiah calls the sieve of vanity. In this sense, vanity is used as a broad term to characterize anything which is not profitable to eternal salvation. We believe that even less sincere Christians will understand that the worldlings will not be participants in the kingdom of heaven, unless they hold the false belief that everyone will be saved. The prophet Amos identified the sifting as taking place among Gods professed people, Israel, who are scattered in all of the nations of the world. Isaiah, understandably, was also implying that Israelites will be found in all nations. Applying this message to the Christian church, it will be understood that there will be Christians in every nation of the world who will be sifted out before the return of Jesus. Let us examine what Amos reveals. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sin86
ners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. (Amos 9:910) This text is very explicit. All professed people of God will be sifted in His sieve. All are sifted out who have not grown in their Christian experience and therefore are useless in terms of witnessing to the gospel of Christ. All will fall through the sieve who have quieted their conscience, taking comfort in the false assurance that their failure to gain the victory over sin will be covered by Christs robe of righteousness. Yet, Amos is commissioned to make it plain that no pure, fully developed grain will be lost, for he says, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. This is great assurance to all who love their Lord and their fellow man. In our childhood and youth, we have watched the sifting of grain. We have also witnessed that occasionally some grain, because of the vigor of the sifting and also the shaking, has fallen to the ground. That is not tolerated in the sieve of God. God is determined to save all who are worthy to be saved. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) There will be no mistakes when Gods people are sifted, for, unlike human sifters, God does everything perfectly. In Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, in the latter part of the chapter entitled The Testimonies Slighted, God provides us insight into what will take place during the sifting in the last days. While the term sifting is not used in this passage, nevertheless the topical index of the Spirit of Prophecy rightly references this material as the sifting of Gods people. Note some of the reasons why people in the church will be sifted out. 87
The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to science falsely so called will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 80) Let us summarize those who will be sifted out. 1. Those who have not learned to serve the Lord our God and Him only, but have made gods of many different aspects of their lives. 2. Those who are fallen into the deceptions of the winds of doctrine. Before the sifting is completed, every wind of doctrine will be blowing in our church. It is not inconsequential that a bewildering proliferation of winds of doctrine are presently in our church. Those with little foundation or unstable minds are lost by accepting these winds of doctrine. Others with more knowledge somehow have allowed the more sophisticated winds of doctrine to entice them away from the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, they also will be lost. 3. Those who have turned to the fallacies of scientific theorizing and therefore have rejected the plain statements of the creation records throughout the Scriptures. No longer are they willing to believe the record of the first nine chapters of Genesis. They do not believe that the earth was made in six literal, twenty-four hour, consecutive days. Neither do they believe in a worldwide deluge at the time of Noah. These unbelievers have no foundation in the Scriptures and, if unrepentant, they will be sifted out. 88
4. Those who do not possess the spirit of humility. It is instructive to notice that there are many intellectually brilliant people in our church. They are highly educated, and in many ways very wise, but they have been wise in their own understanding, and God cannot entrust to them the privilege of taking the everlasting gospel under the power of the latter rain to the world. It would appear that in this category are many leaders and pastors, lay leaders, elders, deacons and deaconesses. How sad it is that there are going to be few great men in the final work which God has entrusted to us! It is not because God cannot use great men; it is because so few of them are willing to surrender their wills to Christ and to His infallible word. In this sifting time there is reason for rejoicing, for there will be others who will be added to the sieve. These are those who, when they hear Gods Word, will gladly follow their Lord. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the day time we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster. (Ibid., pp. 8081) These are those who perhaps are not prominent in Gods church now or maybe are not even part of it presently, who will then become great leaders. They have lived up to all the light which they have received, and then, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they join Gods faithful people and shine as the brightness of the firmament and are part of Gods final generation. These new believers include those who are called out of Babylon. 89
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4) In the very near future, the test will come to each one of us. Here is how the servant of the Lord describes this time: The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christs righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness. (Ibid., p. 81) Now is the time to take very seriously the issues which are here marked out. Under the urging to receive the mark of the beast, which is centered around Sunday sacredness, those who will be sifted out will step by step yield to worldly demands and conform to worldly customs. People will conform for different reasonssome simply because they are afraid of derision and insult, others because they are threatened with imprisonment or death. Notice that the issue isas it has always beenthe commandments of God on the one hand and the commandments of men on the other. There are surely in our church today many who are following the com90
mands of men, even when those commands are contrary to the Word of God. This is fatal to eternal life. We are in the preparation time when the small tests are coming to us. Some of them will come within our own church as men who are not willing to follow the Word of God follow in the precepts of their own devising or that of other men. This is the time to stand unwaveringly upon the commandments of God. These commandments are not limited to the Ten Commandments, but rather embrace the entire Scriptures, including all the commands God has given for the protection and maturing of His people. In this time many talented and brilliant men will go out in darkness, whether they be leaders, teachers, theologians, evangelists, pastors, elders or deacons. Notice, Sister White uses here the imagery which takes place in the sifting of Gods people. She indicates that chaff like a cloud will be born away on the wind where now we would see only rich piles of wheat. Unfortunately, deep down many are not converted, and they will appear in the shame of their own nakedness. In the same passage Sister White explains that some who appear timid and self-distrustful will, under the testing and thorough sifting of God will prove to be courageous to do and to dare for their Savior. When trees without fruit are cut down as cumberers of the ground, when multitudes of false brethren are distinguished from the true, then the hidden ones will be revealed to view, and with hosannas range under the banner of Christ. Those who have been timid and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as Davidwilling to do and dare. The deeper the night for Gods people, the more brilliant the stars. Satan will sorely harass the faithful; but, in the name of Jesus, they will come off more than conquerors. Then will the church of Christ appear fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. (Ibid.) Yes, Gods people will be severely tested to make sure that they are worthy to remain in the sieve, for the sieve ultimately represents, in this 91
setting, that one fold under our one Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Those still in the sieve will be prepared to take the everlasting gospel to the world. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16) Just as Satan is working mightily at this time to gain the allegiance of the world, so God and Christ are working with every pure endeavor to lead His faithful ones to the kingdom of heaven. In this sifting time there is only one way for each of us to be measured. The church cannot measure herself by the world nor by the opinion of men nor by what she once was. Her faith and her position in the world as they now are must be compared with what they would have been if her course had been continually onward and upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. If her moral character and spiritual state do not correspond with the benefits and blessings God has conferred upon her, she will be found wanting. (Ibid., p. 83) Here in its fullness each one within the church will be weighed in the balance of the heavenly sanctuary. Oh how important it is for us not to be found wanting in that great day when every soul will be tested to determine the completeness of surrender to the will of the Savior! The 144,000 will pass every test.
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The Shaking of Gods Church
Chapter 11
N the task of removing all the chaff and husks from the grain, added to the process of sifting there must be the process of shaking. Obviously, the larger husks and chaff will not fall through the fine holes of the sieve. On the other hand, the shaking of the contents in the sieve is a way to eradicate these larger contaminants from the pure grain. Obviously, the shaking is far more effective when there is a stiff wind blowing. As the farmer shakes the grain, the lightweight chaff and husks are blown away by the wind, whereas the heavy grain falls back into the sieve. Under the winds of strife, persecution, and turmoil, those who are professed Christians but are not true grain in the church will be blown away. In one sense, these husks represent some who have seemed more substantial in their service to the church than the small particles which were sifted out through the sieve. Yet, they, too, cannot withstand the test when greatly shaken by strife. The sifting and the shaking of Gods church is the most critical element for preparing Gods people to go through the time of Jacobs trouble. No one who is not completely free from worldly lusts and desires, from selfish goals and motives is able to be trusted in the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Thus, before Gods people are sealed, every professed Christian must be tested to the ultimate to demonstrate his or her unwavering loyalty to God no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the threats might be. Of course, Satan has his objective in the shaking of Gods people. It would be his great delight if he could destroy all of Gods saints through his various forms of persecution, ridicule, flattery, bribery, and whatever other armaments 93
which he has at his disposal. But the true grain, Gods loyal and faithful ones, will never fail. The greatest want of the world is the want of men men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall. (Education, p. 57) I saw that we are now in the shaking time. Satan is working with all his power to wrest souls from the hand of Christ and cause them to trample underfoot the Son of God. An angel slowly and emphatically repeated these words: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Character is being developed. Angels of God are weighing moral worth. God is testing and proving His people. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 429) Everything is to be shaken that can be shaken. Gods people will be brought into most trying positions, and all must be settled, rooted, and grounded in the truth, or their steps will surely slide. If God comforts and nourishes the soul with His inspiring presence, they can endure, though the way may be dark and thorny. For the darkness will soon pass away, and the true light shine forever. (Ibid, p. 355) This shaking takes place during the presentation of the message to the Laodicean church, which is so complacent, believing it is rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing. 94
. . . Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing. . . . (Revelation 3:17) The Laodicean message is meant to awaken Gods people to their deadly complacency and to purify Gods church from its state of being wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked. (Revelation 3:17) The message has a specific purpose. I saw that this message would not accomplish its work in a few short months. It is designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and to lead to zealous repentance, that they may be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 186) Those who truly love the Lord with all their heart and soul are able to stand the test. Here are those who will stand these extreme tests and trials. 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. (Ibid., p. 187) God is going to give every opportunity for help as the angels do their work for the salvation of Gods saints. As this message affected the heart, it led to deep humility before God. Angels were sent in every direction to prepare unbelieving hearts for the truth. The cause of God began to rise, and His people were acquainted with their position. If the counsel of the True Witness had been fully heeded, God would have wrought for His people in greater power. Yet the efforts made since the message has been given, have been blessed of God, and many souls 95
have been brought from error and darkness to rejoice in the truth. (Ibid., p. 186) Tragically, many will fail this test. Many moved from feeling, not from principle and faith, and this solemn, fearful message stirred them. It wrought upon their feelings, and excited their fears, but did not accomplish the work which God designed that it should. . . . Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge: They are joined to their idols, let them alone, and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. (Ibid., p. 187) This is the final separation of those who have not been wholly converted to the Lord. There are three major stages in the shaking of Gods people: 1. The first stage is the introduction of false teachings into our church. When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings of bitterness. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 112) Almost from the inception of the Seventh-day Adventist people, false teachings have been introduced into our church. However, since the 1950s, those false teachings have rapidly escalated so that doctrines of devils are common amongst our people, even among pastors and leaders today. 96
Those who cannot pass the test of loyalty to Gods truth have no strength to survive the sifting and the shaking. Of course, when these false theories come in, God has never been left without His watchmen to warn His people against the intrusion of these false doctrines and beliefs. These faithful watchmen earnestly warn of the dangers of these doctrines by presenting the straight testimony which Jesus has given to the Laodicean church. Many will respond to these warnings, but an even larger group will ignore them, reject them, and/or strongly oppose them. 2. Thus comes the second phase of the shaking. Many professors rise up against the straight testimony of the True Witness. I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among Gods people. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 181) As this passage states, many will rise up against the warning messages which are presented, and, of course, they will also rise up against the messengers, claiming that they are unloving, unkind, making disturbances and divisions amongst Gods flock, when, indeed, the only way for unity to be preserved among Gods people is to have a people who are sanctified by the truth. We are indisputably in the second stage of the shaking in the Seventh-day Adventist Church today, indicating that very soon the faade of true Christianity in the lives of many professed Seventh-day Adventists will be unmasked as the true nature of their characters is revealed in this testing time. As the shaking intensifies, the tares are clearly discernable from the wheat, the pure grain which God is to harvest for His kingdom. 97
The tares closely resembled the wheat while the blades were green; but when the field was white for the harvest, the worthless weeds bore no likeness to the wheat that bowed under the weight of its full, ripe heads. Sinners who make a pretension of piety mingle for a time with the true followers of Christ, and the semblance of Christianity is calculated to deceive many; but in the harvest of the world there will be no likeness between good and evil. Then those who have joined the church, but who have not joined Christ, will be manifest. (Christs Object Lessons, p. 74) The prophet Malachi writes of this time. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:23) In using other language, the same situation was also witnessed in vision by the prophet Isaiah. Presenting the theme of the purifying of Gods people, we read these poignant words: And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. (Isaiah 4:34) We must ponder this revelationthat it is those who remain in Gods church who will be the pure and holy ones. The wicked will be lost under 98
the terrible circumstances of the test and trial, for they have not permitted their souls to be purified in the blood of Christ. 3. Fiery trials during the final stage of the shaking will complete the purifying of Gods Church. So fierce will these trials be that only the pure grain will stand nobly for their Redeemer. With anguish of soul, the faithful will witness wholesale defections from the side of Christ, and in many cases these defectors will include dear friends and loved ones. When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 368) Soon Gods people will be tested by fiery trials, and the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal. Instead of being strengthened and confirmed by opposition, threats, and abuse, they will cowardly take the side of the opposers. The promise is: Them that honor Me I will honor. Shall we be less firmly attached to Gods law because the world at large have attempted to make it void? (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 136) The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. (Ibid., vol. 4, p. 89) God counsels His true followers for this time: When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness 99
when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are fewthis will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason. (Ibid., vol. 5, p. 136) It is a fearful reality that many Seventh-day Adventists no longer believe that the power of Christ in their hearts can provide them with spiritual power to keep the law of God. They are lulled into carnal security by pastors and teachers who disdain the clearest words of Scripture, which declares that only commandment-keepers have a right to enter the kingdom of God. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14) So brutal will be this persecution and so battered will be Gods church that it will appear that at the last, Satan will be about to achieve his ultimate aim to take absolute control over the world. Yet the mighty power of the gospel of Jesus Christ will not be overthrown. Satans final efforts to control the whole world will be thwarted. Feeble human beings, wholly depending upon Christ, fight bravely for the cause of Prince Emanuel. They refuse to defect from His blood-stained banner, and they provide testimony to the inhabitants of the universe that no power in heaven, earth, or hell can separate these precious ones from their loving Savior. Thus Gods church will not fail. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted outthe chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, with100
out guile in their mouths. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 380) Yet, not only will many laity defect; many ministers will prove perverse. The great issue [enforcement of Sunday laws] so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain. . . . (Ibid., book 3, p. 385) Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 409410) Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end. (Ibid., p. 411) Ministers and doctors may depart from the faith, as the Word declares they will, and as the messages that God has given His servant declare they will. (Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 192) Many prominent people in Gods church will also defect at this time. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. (Prophets and Kings, p. 188) Men whom He has greatly honored will in the closing scenes of this earths history pattern after ancient Israel. . . . A departure from the great principles Christ has laid 101
down in His teachings, a working out [of] human projects, using the Scriptures to justify a wrong course of action, will confirm men in misunderstanding, and the truth that they need, to keep them from wrong practices, will leak out of the soul like water from a leaky vessel. (Last Day Events, pp. 178179) Many will show that they are not one with Christ, that they are not dead to the world, that they may live with him; and frequent will be the apostasies of men who have occupied responsible positions. (Ibid., p. 179) How we cry out to the Lord for His deliverance! Otherwise, we, too, will fail. We pray for the deliverance of all those who read this book. Each of us must depend wholly upon Christ, for no man nor woman can deliver us. Make that commitment now, dear reader, as we join you in such a pledge, for our personal need for pure hearts is very great.
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No Buying or Selling
Chapter 12
OLY Scripture details a time prior to the closing of human probation when Gods faithful saints will be deprived by law from buying or selling. Beside the fearful persecution meted out during the little time of trouble, Satan conceives another ploy in his scheme to break the will of Gods people. By this ploy Satan incites the wicked leaders to enact a law which forbids any financial transaction with Gods people. Here is his plan: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:17) Satan says, I will work at cross purposes with God. I will empower my followers to set aside Gods memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus I will show the world that the day sanctified and blessed by God has been changed. That day shall not live in the minds of the people. I will obliterate the memory of it. I will place in its stead a day that does not bear the credentials of God, a day that cannot be a sign between God and His people. I will lead those who accept this day to place upon it the sanctity that God placed upon the seventh day. Through my vicegerent, I will exalt myself. The first day will be extolled, and the Protestant world will receive this spurious sabbath as genuine. Through the nonobser103
vance of the Sabbath that God instituted, I will bring His law into contempt. The words, A sign between Me and you throughout your generations, I will make to serve on the side of my sabbath. Thus the world will become mine. I will be the ruler of the earth, the prince of the world. I will so control the minds under my power that Gods Sabbath shall be a special object of contempt. A sign? I will make the observance of the seventh day a sign of disloyalty to the authorities of earth. Human laws will be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventhday Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing Gods law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion. (Prophets and Kings, pp. 183184) The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 152) Already, Rome is paving the way to play its leading role in this economic boycott. On November 27, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI addressed a letter to Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Vaticans Congress for Divine Worship. In this letter the Pope commended the cardinals plan to examine in depth the theme: Sunday Mass for the sanctification of the Christian people. Notice, this is not confined to Roman Catholic adherents, but extends to Christians. Benedict XVI in the letter made the false claim that Sunday was not chosen by the Christian community but by the Apostles, and indeed by Christ Himself, who on that day, the first day of the week arose and appeared to the disciples (Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19;
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Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) and appeared to them again eight days later (John 20:26).
(See http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/ letters/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20061127_ sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html)
It is little wonder that the Pope only provided the references for his Bible texts. Had he quoted them in full, the reader would have detected that not one of these passages or all combined bore the least mandate for Sunday observance. Nevertheless we see that Satans boast, Through my vicegerent, I will exalt myself (quoted above), is being fulfilled before our eyes. Before the age of technology the universal decree against buying or selling would have seemed impossible to implement or enforce. Surely, John the Revelator could have had no conception as to how such a law could be implemented. Yet he was faithful to the divine revelation given to those of us upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11). Many today forecast the time in the foreseeable future when there will be a cashless society. Such a society would permit a worldwide prohibition of sales or purchases by Gods faithful servants. We have lived to the time when such a decree will be enforceable planet-wide. The technology to do so is already in place. It is at this time that Gods faithful will be deprived of all human support. In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell. (The Desire of Ages, pp. 121122) Gods loyal ones will not waver, for their faith in Jesus is unmovable. Though they will be tested, they cling to His promises.
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He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalm 37:25) We are not to neglect the needful preparation for these foreboding circumstances. God has given to us ample warning. While God has promised our bread and water, we should do all we can to make necessary preparation for the needs of ourselves, our family, and others who, because of circumstances, are unable to do so. Remember, this economic boycott will be enacted while probationary time lingers. Thus, there are still souls left to whom the everlasting gospel must be presented; therefore, Gods faithful servents will not limit their activities to self-preservation alone. The counsel of the Lord is our guide in seeking to prepare us for this difficult time ahead. Remember, all stores will be closed to us. Our food supply will be almost wholly confined to that which we can grow. Some may have sympathetic neighbors who may help with food donations; others may be able to barter to obtain food, yet we cannot presume that this will be the case. We will be confined to the clothes which we have. We can purchase no more, and this will be the situation until the return of the Lord. We will not be able to procure toiletries. This will surely be a hardship. We suspect that all Gods faithful men will have no choice but to allow their beards to grow. We will need to have skills to do simple repair of any equipment we possess. The lifestyle many of us have now will be no more. Our preparation should begin by seeking to establish plans to leave the cities and suburban regions. Indeed, our decision to do this would be wise even if there was no future no buying or selling decree. Out of the cities, is my message at this time. Be assured that the call is for our people to locate miles away from the large cities. One look at San Francisco as it is 106
today would speak to your intelligent minds, showing you the necessity of getting out of the cities. . . . The Lord calls for His people to locate away from the cities, for in such an hour as ye think not, fire and brimstone will be rained from heaven upon these cities. Proportionate to their sins will be their visitation. When one city is destroyed, let not our people regard this matter as a light affair, and think that they may, if favorable opportunity offers, build themselves homes in that same destroyed city. . . . Let all who would understand the meaning of these things read the eleventh chapter of Revelation. Read every verse, and learn the things that are yet to take place in the cities. Read also the scenes portrayed in the eighteenth chapter of the same book. (Last Day Events, p. 95) We say again, Out of the cities. Do not consider it a great deprivation, that you must go into the hills and mountains, but seek for that retirement where you can be alone with God, to learn His will and way. (Selected Messages, book 2, pp. 355356) Fathers and mothers who possess a piece of land and a comfortable home are kings and queens. (The Adventist Home, p. 141) In both the antediluvian period and the early postdiluvian period, Gods people lived in the country. The countryside was also where Jesus grew up. Living in rural regions was Gods original plan. It was the wicked of the antediluvian world who built and lived in cities. And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. (Genesis 4:17)
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Upon receiving the curse of God, Cain had withdrawn from his fathers household. He had first chosen his occupation as a tiller of the soil, and he now founded a city, calling it after the name of his eldest son. He had gone out from the presence of the Lord, cast away the promise of the restored Eden, to seek his possessions and enjoyment in the earth under the curse of sin, thus standing at the head of that great class of men who worship the god of this world. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 81) After the flood, once again the wicked built cities. And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. (Genesis 10:810) And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:24) For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains where the ark had rested. As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example of their God-fearing associates, and 108
after a time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God. Accordingly they journeyed to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the river Euphrates. . . . Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 118) Although everything God had made was in the perfection of beauty, and there seemed nothing wanting upon the earth which God had created to make Adam and Eve happy, yet he manifested his great love to them by planting a garden especially for them. A portion of their time was to be occupied in the happy employment of dressing the garden, and a portion in receiving the visits of angels, listening to their instruction, and in happy meditation. Their labor was not wearisome, but pleasant and invigorating. This beautiful garden was to be their home, their special residence. (Last Day Events, p. 94) What were the conditions chosen by the infinite Father for His Son? A secluded home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained by honest, self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity; daily conflict with difficulty and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service; the hour of study at His mothers side, with the open scroll of Scripture; the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministries of nature; the study of creation and providence; and the souls communion with Godthese were the conditions and opportunities of the early life of Jesus. (The Ministry of Healing, pp. 365366) While seeking self-sufficiency in a small village or in the countryside, we are not to forget our calling to share the gospel in the towns and cities. 109
As Gods commandment-keeping people, we must leave the cities. As did Enoch, we must work in the cities but not dwell in them. (Evangelism, pp. 7778) The cities are to be worked from outposts. Said the messenger of God, Shall not the cities be warned? Yes; not by Gods people living in them, but by their visiting them, to warn them of what is coming upon the earth. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 358) Not only will the country supply the opportunity to sustain us and our family, it will offer a purer environment for spiritual development and for the necessary growth in Christian perfection for ourselves and our children. Parents flock with their families to the cities because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the country. The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street education. From evil associates they acquire habits of vice and dissipation. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 232) There is not one family in a hundred who will be improved physically, mentally, or spiritually by residing in the city. Faith, hope, love, happiness, can far better be gained in retired places, where there are fields and hills and trees. Take your children away from the sights and sounds of the city, away from the rattle and din of streetcars and teams, and their minds will become more healthy. It will be found easier to bring home to their hearts the truth of the word of God. (The Adventist Home, p. 137) The Lord desires His people to move into the country, where they can settle on the land, and raise their own fruit and vegetables, and where their children can be brought in 110
direct contact with the works of God in nature. Take your families away from the cities is my message. (Selected Messages, book 2, pp. 357358) Again and again the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country, where they can raise their own provisions; for in the future the problem of buying and selling will be a very serious one. We should now begin to heed the instruction given us over and over again: Get out of the cities into rural districts, where the houses are not crowded closely together, and where you will be free from the interference of enemies. (Ibid., p. 141) We must not ignore other problems which we could face after the implementation of the laws against buying and selling. If we are living in rental accommodations, how will we pay the rent, water rates, and utility bills? If we are living in the country, we should seek as far as possible to be self-sufficient. Make sure the property you purchase has a good supply of fresh, clean water. But dont expect the luxury of running hot water. It will be much easier to flourish in the country than in the cities at this time. We can be self-sustaining in almost every way; nevertheless, how will we be able to pay our property taxes, let alone insurance? Insurance we may forego, trusting God to supply protection for our properties. But property taxes are an entirely different matter. God will no doubt reveal this to us if we do all to prepare for that day. How blessed we will be when we see all human support withdrawn from us and witness the mighty hand of God taking charge over our lives! The implications of the laws against all commerce will be more farreaching than a causal evaluation might appear. Remember that, if you are faithful, you will be deprived of contacting family or friends who live a great distance from you. You will not be able to communicate by letter, email, fax, telephone, or website. No vehicles, bus, train, ships, or planes will be available for travel.
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How earnest will be our prayers for one another, for in many instances we will not know the fate of our loved ones! Are they faithful to their Savior under all circumstances? What tests are they facing? It may not be until the gathering day of Jesus that we will know whether they remained faithful to the end. The authors are very much alert to this eventuality. As identical twins we have had an intimate bonding beyond that of most siblings. Russell lives in Australia and Colin in America. The no buying or selling laws would deprive us of all communication until the return of our Lord. How earnest would our prayers be for each other that God would keep us faithful to the end! These end-time tests will fit us for eternity by refining our characters and will prepare us for the much greater tests during the time of Jacobs trouble. At that time, God will be our complete support and protection.
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The Everlasting Gospel to the World
Chapter 13
HE gospel commission committed by Christ to His followers has always been a compelling directive to Gods faithful ones. It has provided the motivation to share, to witness, to teach, to preach, to publish, to broadcast, to proclaim, and to evangelize others. Christianity is not a private religion. The sacrifice of Christ and His promised return have impelled devoted followers to spread the gospel to enlighten those who have no knowledgeor a false knowledgeof the claims of Christ upon the lives of humanity. It has been understood that God has chosen fellow human beings to be His witnesses to those who do not know or understand the gospel of His love and the sacrifice of His Son. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. (Isaiah 43:10) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Acts 5:32) And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. (Acts 10:39) And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. (Acts 13:31) 113
It was Jesus, Himself, who commissioned all His followers to witness His saving grace and power to the world. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:1920) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:4648) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Jesus declared that before His return, the gospel would be shared to all of earths inhabitants. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14) And the gospel must first be published among all nations. (Mark 13:10) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) 114
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:7) The gospel which will be presented to the world will not be a transitory gospel; it will be the everlasting gospel, which has the mighty power to provide salvation to all who will embrace its messages. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. (2 Peter 2:9) For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10) This is the gospel which was scattered to every inhabitant of the planet in apostolic times. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. (Colossians 1:23) 115
We personally have witnessed evidence of testimony that the gospel reached every inhabited continent in the early days of Christianity (see the evidence in the authors books, Adventism Proclaimed and The Everlasting Gospel). This evidence includes the nations of Great Britain, Ethiopia, India, China, the United States, Guatemala, Fiji and Papua New Guineanations remote from one another. While some estimate that the population of the planet in apostolic times was no more than 200,000,000 (about three percent of the worlds present population), yet the gospel commission could only have been accomplished by the miraculous ministry of the Holy Spirit. keep in mind, transportation was limited to sailboats, animal-drawn vehicles, and riding animals, with walking as the only other alternative. There were no forms of mass book production as we know it today. There were no newspapers, magazines, telephones, faxes, emails, websites, video streaming, satellite communication, radio, or television. Even with all the modern means of communications of today, the gospel commission seems an impossible commission. The challenges are many. How can every prisoner hear the everlasting gospelespecially those in solitary confinement? How do Gods people find every fugitive who is hiding from justiceor all nomads of the desert or the hermits? How will we discover the lost tribes in the remote parts of the world? How will we reach all the peoples in the high mountains of the world or the untold hundreds of millions who live in the security-protected highrise buildings of the cities? How can we contact the hundreds of millions of illiterates in the world, or the totally deaf, dumb, or blind? Humanly speaking, it is surely an impossible assignment. That is why we need the infinite power of the Holy Spirits latter rain and the help of the angels. Clearly, divine miracles will be performed, as occurred when Philip the deacon witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, 116
who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts 8:2629) The three angels messages will be delivered accompanied by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the angels. We should be praying constantly for the latter-rain power. The Holy Spirit is not limited by human infirmities or isolation of location. Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (Zechariah 10:1) We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 158) The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked forward to as in the future; but it is the privilege of the church to have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and Heaven is waiting to bestow it. (Evangelism, p. 701) We are not willing enough to trouble the Lord with our petitions, and to ask Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to trouble Him in this matter. He wants us to press our petitions to the throne. (Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 537) The three angels messages provide the fullness of the gospel principles of salvation in the first message. The second message is the worldwide declaration that the apostate religion of Babylon, found in the teachings of 117
the Roman Catholic Church, has fallen. The third message identifies the punishment of the lost and then identifies those who are Gods people. The first command of the first angels messagefear Godcontains the fullness of the message of righteousness by faith. And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? (Deuteronomy 10:1213) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (Proverbs 8:13) The second command of the first angels messagegive glory to himis the message of practical godliness. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) The third point of the first angels messagefor the hour of his judgment is comeaddresses Gods judgment of the human race. 118
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:910) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts 24:25) The judgment is terrifying to the wicked, but it is a wonderful blessing to the righteous, for Christ stands up for His people. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1) The next command of the first angels messageworship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of watersis a call to reestablish the Sabbath worship of the One who created the earth and all that is in it.
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Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (Genesis 2:13) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:811) Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. (Exodus 31:13) Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. (Mark 2:28) The second angels messageBabylon is fallen, is fallenfocuses upon the fall of the papacy. And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. (Isaiah 21:9)
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babyLon the great, the mother of harLots and abominations of the earth.
And upon her forehead was a name written, mystery,
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17:56) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Revelation 18:23) Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:10) The first segment of the third angels message addresses the punishment of those who worship the false Sabbath, Sunday, and thus receive the mark of the beast. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:911) 121
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. (Revelation 13:1516) 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. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou king of saints. (Revelation 15:23) The final segment of the third angels message reveals the characteristics of Gods saints. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10) These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:45) 122
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14) We have only introduced the great messages of the three angels. The study of this theme is in detail in the authors books Adventism Proclaimed and The Everlasting Gospel (see ordering information in the back of the book). These are the messages which will be proclaimed worldwide before the Lord returns to gather His saints. All who accept and live these messages will inherit eternal life.
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The Sealing
Chapter 14
NE of the most dramatic and significant events in the history of this sin-cursed earth is the sealing of Gods end-time saints. It is the culmination of Christs high-priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. It includes the vindication of Gods people, the conclusion of the investigative judgment, the completion of the atonement and the blotting out of the forgiven sins of Gods remnant. It settles the eternal destiny of the very elect. None who are sealed will be unsealed. They have proven to the all-wise God of the universe that their loyalty to Him has no reservations. Quintillions of years will not erode their loyalty to Christ. The fiercest persecution, the most pressing temptations, the craftiest deceptions cannot seduce them away from the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ. However, before we proceed further, we need to clarify that the Bible reveals two sealings. It is essential that this distinction be clearly delineated. First, when we are fully converted we are sealed. Paul wrote: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) Plainly, this is not the final sealing, for Paul would not need to warn these individuals against later grieving the Holy Spirit, subsequent to this preliminary sealing. Further, this sealing certainly is not the end-time sealing, for it would force us into the false Augustinian doctrine of once saved, always saved. That belief is not sustained by Scripture. Here are two examples of this sealing. 124
The Sealing
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:2122) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13) The Bible plainly states that we can turn away from this sealing. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. (Ezekiel 18:24) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:46) By contrast, in the sealing of Gods people which comes in the closing moments of this earths beleaguered history, there will be no defections or turning back of those who are thus sealed. Monarchs, presidents, and 125
other leaders present honors in tangible form, such as a prestigious medal or an honored title. In contrast, the divine seal is imbedded in the mind and is the highest honor which God can bestow upon a human being. So what does the Bible reveal concerning this final and irrevocable seal? First, similar to seals which have been used by men of authority from antiquity, Gods seal identifies His name, His authority, and His dominion. At three of the most dramatic moments in the worlds history, God identifies His sealat creation, at the giving of Gods holy law, and in the final call for the human race to yield their loyalty to Him. Let us examine them: The Bible offers no verses of Scripture until Gods seal is revealed. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) Note that His name is God, His authority is Creator, and His dominion is the heaven and the earth. If we truly understand this, we will recognize the matchless claims which He deservedly has placed upon our lives and service. The second revelation comes within the commandments of God written by His own finger in tables of stone. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:811) Note the words, the Lord [His name] made [His authority] heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is [His domain]. It will be noted that again the seal is centered upon Gods authority as Creator, and here 126
The Sealing
the day of the week which commemorates the end of His creative acts the holy, hallowed, sacred seventh-day of the week, the Sabbathis central. Of course, we should not be surprised that Gods seal will be found in His law because the prophet Isaiah reveals this to us: Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. (Isaiah 8:16) The final message which will be proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people also focuses upon the worship of the Creator by once again revealing His seal. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:67) Note that his message concludes with worship Him [God] that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of watersvery similar to the declaration as found in the fourth commandment. Once again the presenters of this message are to proclaim Gods seal to the ends of the earth. All three declarations represent Gods claims upon the human race by His creative acts and, by extension, through the seventh-day Sabbath worship. The appropriate keeping of the Sabbath worship is the only way to acknowledge Gods claims upon us. Some see no or little significance in this special day of the week, but in so doing they declare their disloyalty to their Maker and their King. Sister White clearly identifies that faithful Sabbath-keeping is the key to keeping all the commandments.
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He who from the heart obeys the fourth commandment will obey the whole law. He is sanctified through obedience. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 350) Just as July 4 is cherished as Independence Day in the United States because the Declaration of Independence was signed on that day in 1776, much more significant is the day which commemorates the day God completed His creation of the world. The Sabbath given to the world as the sign of God as the Creator is also the sign of Him as the Sanctifier. The power that created all things is the power that re-creates the soul in His own likeness. To those who keep holy the Sabbath day it is the sign of sanctification. True sanctification is harmony with God, oneness with Him in character. It is received through obedience to those principles that are the transcript of His character. And the Sabbath is the sign of obedience. (Ibid., p. 350) The Bible also declares the Sabbath to be the sign of sanctification. Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. (Exodus 31:13) There can only be sanctification if we are justified by acknowledging our sins, confessing them, repenting of them, and forsaking them in the power of Christ. Each step requires our hearts to be filled by the Holy Spirit. God has promised, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) 128
The Sealing
The process of sanctification is one of growing and maturing in holiness. This sanctification is a progressive work, and an advance from one stage of perfection to another. (My Life Today, p. 250) When Isaiah revealed that the Sabbath is the sign of sanctification, he could just as well have said that the Sabbath is the seal of sanctification, for those words were used interchangeably by Paul. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. (Romans 4:11) Satan has made the Sabbath a special object of his attack because he hates Christ who created this world. He has done all he can to convince Christians to worship on another day, thus denying Christs right to our loyalty. During the Christian dispensation, the great enemy of mans happiness has made the Sabbath of the fourth commandment an object of special attack. Satan says, I will work at cross purposes with God. I will empower my followers to set aside Gods memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus I will show the world that the day sanctified and blessed by God has been changed. That day shall not live in the minds of the people. I will obliterate the memory of it. I will place in its stead a day that does not bear the credentials of God, a day that cannot be a sign between God and His people. I will lead those who accept this day to place upon it the sanctity that God placed upon the seventh day. (Prophets and Kings, pp. 183184) 129
The Sabbath becomes the central issue during the end of earths history, dividing Gods faithful children from those who follow the beast and his image. In this final sealing, only Sabbath-keepers will be sealed to make up the 144,000. They alone have the Fathers name written in their foreheads. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Fathers name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)
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The Sabbath, the Final Test of Loyalty
Chapter 15
N the previous chapter we have shown that Inspiration reveals that Sabbath-keeping is the central, dividing issue between the saved and the lost. We have shown how the Sabbath is the single most important test of loyalty to God, and here is further illumination of this theme. In the warfare to be waged in the last days there will be united, in opposition to Gods people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue, for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. (Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 392393) It is no surprise that the master deceiver has his bannerhis apostate banneraround which to rally his followers. It stands to reason that just as God has declared the keeping of a day to test the loyalty of His followers, so does Satan. It is not by happenstance that Satan has chosen as his day, Sunday, the first day of the week. Remember that his original name was Lucifer, the illuminated one, called in the Bible, son of the morning (Isaiah 14:12). Remember that on the first day of creation week, light was created. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided 131
the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (Genesis 1:35) Satan is now the prince of darkness. From that word we understand that the forces are now at work that will usher in the last great conflict between good and evilbetween Satan, the prince of darkness, and Christ, the Prince of life. (The Bible Echo, August 26, 1895) Satan claims to be the fountain of light; thus he has chosen his counterfeit Sabbath, the first day of the week in which light was created. It is not insignificant that the first day of the week is named Sunday in the English language. Of course, the sun is the greatest source of physical illumination to this planet. Thus every person will decide whether to keep holy the seventh day, the ensign of loyalty to Christ, our Redeemer, or the first day, the banner of Satan, the arch-deceiver and destroyer. How tragic it is that almost the whole world will defect to the demands of the evil one! Even among Gods professed people, spiritual Israel, only a remnant shall be saved. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. (Romans 9:27) This leads to only one conclusionthat most Seventh-day Adventists will yield up their loyalty to Christ to follow Satan; therefore, they will violate the sacred Sabbath and follow the masses who will claim they are servants of Christ when they are slaves of Satan. Under fearful tests and trials they will surrender their allegiance to Satan by worshipping on his craftily chosen day. How central is Sabbath-keeping to the identification of Gods loyal and faithful ones! The seal of God will not be placed in the foreheads of Sunday-keepers. Thus the three angels messages are especially prepared to be shared 132
with Gods faithful people in Sunday-keeping churches to bring them to the knowledge of the Lords Sabbath. But the seal of the living God is placed upon those who conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 980) Those who would have the seal of God in their foreheads must keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. This is what distinguishes them from the disloyal, who have accepted a man-made institution in the place of the true Sabbath. The observance of Gods rest day is the mark of distinction between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. (Ibid., p. 970) The observance of the Lords memorial, the Sabbath instituted in Eden, the seventh-day Sabbath, is the test of our loyalty to God. (Last Day Events, p. 220) Just as God has a seal to identify His chosen ones at the conclusion of the history of this wicked world, so Satan has an identifying mark for those who are his followers. Satan cannot mark his followers until each person has had the opportunity to be presented with the everlasting gospel. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) Once all of Gods end-time saints are sealed by the sealing angel with the seal of the living God, thus securing their perfected characters for eternity, then Satan is free to identify his multitudinous band which has rejected the loving invitation of a longsuffering and merciful High Priest. The band of Satan encompasses a number that makes the 144,000 seem infinitesimal. Yet, of those who are alive at earths end, only the 144,000 will live and reign with Christ. The multitudes will later, after the mil133
lennium, be destroyed eternally by the cleansing fire of God, when all sin and sinners will be destroyed, and perfect harmony will be restored on this planet and in the universe. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:79) Everyone who has not received the seal of God will receive the mark of the beast, the insignia of Satan. There are no neutral individuals, for Scripture declares, He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matthew 12:30) All inhabitants of the planet have heard the call of the everlasting gospel and have either accepted it or rejected it forever. If we neglect Gods salvation offer we have tacitly rejected it. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. (Hebrews 2:3) Let us address specifically that which the seal of God entails. The servant of the Lord provided us these clarifications. 1. A settling into the truth Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheadsit is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but 134
a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be movedjust as soon as Gods people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1161) 2. For those who bear a likeness to Christ The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character. (Ibid., vol. 7, p. 970) 3. Those who reflect Christs image fully Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. (Early Writings, p. 71) 4. Those who are without spot 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 Godcandidates for heaven. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 216) 5. Those who love God Love is expressed in obedience, and perfect love casteth out all fear. Those who love God, have the seal of God in their foreheads, and work the works of God. (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 51) 135
6. Those who are overcomers Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 445) 7. Those who strive for the fullness of Christs character 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 Gods 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 by redemption. (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 427) Who receive the mark of the beast before probations close? 1. Keepers of the first day of the week John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast or his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 133) What constitutes the mark of the beast? 1. The papal sabbath The mark of the beast is the papal sabbath, which has been accepted by the world in the place of the day of Gods appointment. (Evangelism, p. 234) 136
2. keeping Sunday When the test comes, it will be clearly shown what the mark of the beast is. It is the keeping of Sunday. Those who, after having heard the truth, continue to regard this day as holy bear the signature of the man of sin, who thought to change times and laws. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 980) 3. The first day of the week The sign, or seal, of God is revealed in the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the Lords memorial of creation. The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:1213. Here the Sabbath is clearly designated as a sign between God and His people. The mark of the beast is the opposite of thisthe observance of the first day of the week. This mark distinguishes those who acknowledge the supremacy of the papal authority from those who acknowledge the authority of God. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 117) When is the mark of the beast received? 1. Only when the gospel has been presented None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line 137
will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. (Evangelism, pp. 234235) 2. When Sunday observance is enforced But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Romethe mark of the beast. And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. (The Great Controversy, p. 449) Surely at this time it is essential to keep every second of the Sabbath holy. We urge all readers to read carefully the counsel concerning Sabbath observance found in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 349368, as this is perhaps the most comprehensive presentation of true Sabbathkeeping, not only for yourself but for your children.
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Receiving the Seal of God
Chapter 16
LL who will comprise the 144,000 will have received the seal of God. However, the giving of the seal of God is not a capricious act of God. Far from it! All souls who will be sealed by the living God will have been examined to determine that not one stain of sin, not one cherished idol, not one thread of wordiness will remain in their characters. The very motives and intents of the heart are examined to determine if they have surrendered their all to the will of their Savior. 1. Judged by the law, according to the light they have received We have been given great light in regard to Gods law. This law is the standard of character. To it man is now required to conform, and by it he will be judged in the last great day. In that day men will be dealt with according to the light they have received. (The Gospel Herald, January 1, 1901) 2. Judged according to the truth But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (Romans 2:2) 3. Judged according to their motives
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In the day of judgment some will plead this good deed and that as a reason why they should receive consideration. They will say, I set up young men in business. I gave money to found hospitals. I relieved the necessities of widows, and took the poor into my home. Yes, but your motives were so defiled by selfishness that the deed was not acceptable in the sight of the Lord. In all that you did, self was brought prominently to view. (Last Day Events, p. 219.) 4. Judged by their acts of love Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:3440) The decisions of the last day turn upon our practical benevolence. Christ acknowledges every act of beneficence as done to Himself. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 400) In the prophetic book of Daniel, we have a dramatic description of the judgment scene: 140
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:910) There has been some uncertainty regarding the identity of the multitude who minister to God and of those who stood before Him. Some have concluded that this scene represents the human race who are standing to be judged before the great white throne, but this cannot pass the scrutiny of Scripture, for what appears to be the same scene is presented by John, the Revelator, where these multitudes are identified as angels. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. (Revelation 5:11) We must ask what the angels are doing in this scene. God is carrying out His determined purpose to secure the universe from any further rebellion throughout eternity. To be assured of this, all beings must be convinced of the perfect justice of God. Unlike the members of the Godhead, the angels do not have infinite wisdom or knowledge, and thus the angels are involved in witnessing and probably participating in the review of the lifes record of each fallen angel and each human. Of course, God has made no mistakes, for all his judgments are righteous. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:9) 141
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. (Psalm 119:160) However, with the exception of those who are already in heaven, not one saintnot even the 144,000, let alone the myriads of sleeping saintsoccupies heaven until this judgment is completed. Not one end-time saint is sealed until his name comes up in the judgment and Jesus raises his nail-pierced hands, offering His blood on behalf of each perfected saints. In this judgment, the angels will know that all who are saved are in Christs grace worthy and safe to be saved, and they will know the reason for condemning each one who is lost. In another prophetic book, Ezekiel, in sober, solemn language reveals details of the judgment of Gods professed people who have dishonored His name and the sparing of those who have stood nobly for their Lord. Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:6) Elaborating on this divine revelation, Sister White wrote, Here we see that the churchthe Lords sanctuary was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of Gods power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither 142
will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus Peace and safety is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show Gods people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 211) How sobering is the culpability of unfaithful pastors and leaders! We all need to pray for them, for their own future and that of their deluded followers is tragic. God leaves us without doubt as to who will receive the seal of God. (See the chapter entitled The Sabbath, the Test of Loyalty.) Gods sealed people have these additional identifying characteristics: 1. They overcome even if it leads to death. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11) 2. They are characterized by righteous actions and pure words. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:15) 143
3. They have clean hearts and hands. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 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, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:35) 4. They have unfailing integrity. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:13) And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:5) 5. They do not defile Gods sacred Word by uniting with the fallen churches of Christendom. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. . . . (Revelation 14:4) 6. They love the law of God and bring forth much fruit. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also
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shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:13) 7. They work in faith and have love for others. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:34) 8. They abstain from vile practices. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God. (1 Thessalonians 4:35) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. (1 Peter 2:11) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) 9. They have the fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:2225)
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10. They come into the unity of the faith, developing a matured perfection in their lives. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13) Of course, there could be derived from Scripture many other qualities which Christ will work in the lives of those who permit Him to develop their characters for eternity. Those who love Christ will not see these principles as onerous requirements; they will eagerly reach for them as character traits which will not only prepare them for heaven but will also enrich their lives immeasurably in this present world. Such will be the experience of the 144,000.
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The Mark of the Beast
Chapter 17
HE term mark of the beast is exclusive to the book of Revelation and is not revealed until the second half of this last book of the cannon of Scripture. However, it is revealed amid warnings which expose the deadly conspiracy forged between the two end-time superpowers who will be the most effective tools to carry out Satans ruthless agenda against the humble and dedicated servants of God. The first power of Revelation 13, the papacy, will mesmerize the whole religious world, excepting only those who are true servants of God. Mustering all the superhuman powers of hell, Satan exerts his nefarious effort to subjugate the whole human race. Satan effectively succeeds, with the exception of those who possess the mind of Christthose who are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (Philippians 2:5; 2 Peter 1:4). Gods servants have perfected the character of Christ by daily submission to the will to their Redeemer. The power of Satan is no match for the divine shield of protection. None of Satans temptations can lure them, not one of his deceptions can ensnare them. They are Christs for eternity. Satan is no match for the weakest saint who is filled with the presence of divine grace and power. (See The Great Controversy, p. 530) Satan cannot place his mark of ownership in the mind of Christs precious ones. Every effort he makes is futile, for they have the seal of the living God in their foreheads. God has not permitted the mark of the beast to be placed in any forehead until His holy ones are sealed and thus secure for eternity. God revealed this to the prophet Ezekiel. 147
And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4) Gods final acts of justice are not meted out until every child of Christ has been protected. What comfort this is to Gods people! God has cared for them through lifes pilgrimage, and He certainly does not fail them now. Now let us examine the mark of the beast as revealed in the book of Revelation. As we investigate the introduction to the mark of the beast, we note that, before it is revealed in Holy Writ, God explains the role of the mighty ruling power (the United States of America) which will do the bidding of the first power (the papacy). This second power will 1. Speak as a dragon (verse 11) 2. Exercise the same power of the dragon as does the papacy (verse 12) 3. Cause (enforce) all it can to worship the papacy (verse 12) 4. Perform many deceptive miracles before humanity (verses 1314) 5. Call all to make an image to the beast (verse 14) 6. Cause (enforce) all whom it can to worship the papacy or face death (verse 15) The Scriptures provide further enlightenment upon this beast power and its mark. In Revelation 14 we see the reference to Gods call to worship the Creator and Satans call to worship the beast and his image. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 148
the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:711) In His great love for the human race, God does not leave the least doubt as to the consequences which weigh upon the fateful decision we make. At the moments preceding the close of probation, all the worlds inhabitants will know what the results of the choice will be. The further illumination of the Spirit of Prophecy leaves no doubt. Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creators rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts. With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever shall trample upon Gods law to obey a human enactment receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of God. (The Great Controversy, p. 604) The mercy of God is such that no one will be punished without hearing Gods warning message. No one will be left without divine enlightenment on this issue. 149
But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who reads every heart and tries every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to Gods law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God. (Ibid. p. 605) God has always had His people who have warned against the false teachings in the world, but it has never been presented with the fullness of evidence as it will be just prior to the close of human probation. Not only is the message clearer; it is illuminated by the Holy Spirits power to all who will receive it. Further, the fearful edicts in the land will now demonstrate that those who warned that such would occur were not fanatical alarmists. Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angels message have often been regarded as mere alarm150
ists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has beenthe defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before. (Ibid. pp. 605606) God has declared to His servants the precise nature of the mark of the beast; yet some professed Sabbath believers will reject the plainest of light. First, let us examine the plain Thus saith the Lord statements: John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast or his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 133) When the test comes, it will be clearly shown what the mark of the beast is. It is the keeping of Sunday. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 980) The sign, or seal, of God is revealed in the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the Lords memorial of creation. The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:1213. Here the Sabbath is clearly designated as a sign between God and His people. 151
The mark of the beast is the opposite of thisthe observance of the first day of the week. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 117) Now let us observe the warning for those who discard this light. God has given men the Sabbath as a sign between Him and them, as a test of their loyalty. Those who, after the light regarding Gods law comes to them, continue to disobey and exalt human laws above the law of God in the great crisis before us will receive the mark of the beast. (Evangelism, p. 235) Sunday keeping does not become the mark of the beast until the evidence is incontrovertible. Sundaykeeping is not yet the mark of the beast, and will not be until the decree goes forth causing men to worship this idol sabbath. The time will come when this day will be the test, but that time has not come yet. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 977) None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. (Evangelism, pp. 234235) But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has 152
no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Romethe mark of the beast. And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. (The Great Controversy, p. 449) Many reading this book may be tempted to believe that there is no possibility of their receiving the mark of the beast, but no such boast will pass the lips of those who are placing their trust only in the mighty strength of their Savior. Here are the solemn warnings and the words of admonition to Gods professed people. What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 216) Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their fore153
heads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Masters will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart. (Ibid. pp, 213214) The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christs righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness. (Ibid., p. 81) Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast. (Early Writings, p. 67; emphasis in the original) When finally probation closes, the very first plague is specifically directed to those who have received the mark of the beast. 154
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. (Revelation 16:2) What a glorious reward will be for that faithful band who have received the seal of God by their unyielding loyalty to Christ! 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. (Revelation 15:2) May each reader have the character of that faithful throng.
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The Reception of the Latter Rain
Chapter 18
HE sealing of Gods people and reception of the power of the latter rain are closely linked together in inspired counsel. Let us revisit a passage from the fifth volume of the Testimonies. Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 214) It is evident that God does not entrust His end-time message to those who are not sealed. Therefore, He does not empower them with the latter rain. The reasons are very obvious, for those who are not sealed have not been sanctified. Sadly, their characters are flawed. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1) God cannot and will not entrust the final invitation of His kingdom to those who have defects in their characters, for the risk is too high that some would turn away from these messages because of the evidence that 156
the proclaimer is not living the message which he is presenting. God desires no one to be lost who, if presented with the three angels messages, would receive the truth with gladness if shared by one under the unction of the Holy Spirit. The reason is simple. This will be the final invitation to the marriage feast of the Lamb. God employs only His trusted workers with the solemn responsibility of declaring the saving gospel so that all who can be saved will be saved. No one will be lost who is a genuine disciple of Christ. However, there is a serious impediment to being recipients of the latter rain. Gods people have not yet allowed the early (or former) rain to do its work in their lives. In an emphatic sense, the early rain brought a bountiful harvest in apostolic times, resulting in the gospel being taken to the world in one generation. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. (Colossians 1:23) We have witnessed or have received reports which confirm that the gospel was proclaimed in Asia from the Middle East to the Far East, Europe, Northern Africa, North and Central America, and the South Pacific in apostolic times. However, there is another application of the early rain, in which Gods people must have individually received the early rain before they will receive the latter rain, for it is meant to grow and mature the characters of Gods people so that they can bring forth a bountiful harvest of souls when the latter rain fulfills its work of salvation. I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of refreshing and the latter rain to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the 157
needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. (Early Writings, p. 71) We would warn Gods people to be wary of those urging prayers for the receipt of the latter rain without recognizing that our hearts will be unfit to receive this blessing without having been first melted by the former rain. Such calls are a counterfeit of a most deceptive nature. As we evaluate the role of the early and latter rain we recognize that the Bible writers were writing from the perspective of the climatic condition to which they were accustomed. Israel experiences the climate of the Mediterranean region in which it is located. In this climate, also experienced in other parts of the world such as California and South Australia, there is little or no rain during the hot summer months. Thus, for the success of their crops, the Israelites were dependent upon good early autumn rains and late spring rains for their winter grains. The timing of casting of the seed upon the plowed ground was critical. The farmer anxiously looked for the early rains in the autumn, for they were essential for the germination of seed, the growth of the blade and the plant. A paltry rainfall in the autumn could be disastrous to the farmers crop. Without a good early spring rain to mature the crops, there could be little hope of an abundant harvest in the spring (barley) or early summer (wheat and other larger grains). Also, if the rainy season did not come in early spring, it could cause havoc to the maturing of an abundant harvest of the summer and fall crops. Let us examine the Biblical use of the metaphor of rain in the Bible: 158
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. (Leviticus 26:45) And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. (Ezekiel 34:26) In both the physical and spiritual sense, rain is given by God in its season. Often the early and latter rain are presented together, indicating their equal importance in providing rain for a goodly harvest. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. (Joel 2:2324) Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. (Jeremiah 5:24) That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. (Deuteronomy 11:14) Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he 159
shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:3) So let us consider the early rain in its role of preparing us for the latter rain. Sister White provides specific applications from those ancient object lessons. First let us examine the vital role of the early rain in our lives. 1. It is essential to initiate our Christian life. At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received under the former rain are needful to us to the end. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 507) 2. It prepares us to be meek and humble. As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain. (Ibid., p. 509) 3. It will prepare us, by progressive spiritual growth, so that we will be ready to produce fruit under the latter rain. We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It will never do to cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door. (Ibid., p. 508) 4. Full repentance, planted by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, precedes the work of God in the soul for the sanctification of the character. This experience must take place prior to the outpouring of the 160
latter rain when our characters will be matured, our capabilities enhanced, and our witness optimized. A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing. A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer. (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 121) 5. It must accomplish a reformation. A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend. (Ibid., p. 128) 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. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and 161
nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence. (Early Writings, p. 71) 6. We must put away all strife. When the laborers have an abiding Christ in their own souls, when all selfishness is dead, when there is no rivalry, no strife for the supremacy, when oneness exists, when they sanctify themselves, so that love for one another is seen and felt, then the showers of the grace of the Holy Spirit will just as surely come upon them as that Gods promise will never fail in one jot or tittle. (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 175) 7. We must love one another. Christ is to receive supreme love from the beings He has created. And He requires also that man shall cherish a sacred regard for his fellow beings. Every soul saved will be saved through love, which begins with God. True conversion is a change from selfishness to sanctified affection for God and for one another. (Ibid., p. 115) 8. Total surrender to our Savior is essential. God will accept nothing less than unreserved surrender. Half-hearted, sinful Christians can never enter heaven. There they would find no happiness; for they know nothing of the high, holy principles that govern the members of the royal family. The true Christian keeps the windows of the soul open heavenward. He lives in fellowship with Christ. His will is conformed to the will 162
of Christ. His highest desire is to become more and more Christlike. (Last Day Events, pp. 191192) 9. We must develop as active workers for others. The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God. (Christian Service, p. 253) What is the role of the latter rain in the proclamation of earths last warning? 1. It ripens the worlds harvest of souls. The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of Gods grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ. The latter rain, ripening earths harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 506) 163
2. It brings the crop to perfection. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. (Ibid.) 3. It requires that Gods faithful be fully united. Notice that it was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured out. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 20) 4. It brings special spiritual grace to Gods people. But near the close of earths harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest in the time of the latter rain. (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 55) 5. It brings a revival of primitive godliness. Before the final visitation of Gods judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. (The Great Controversy, p. 464) 6. It produces the harvest of souls.
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The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the former rain was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the latter rain will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest. (Ibid., p. 611) 7. It will give power to the third angels message and prepare the saints to stand during the last plagues. At that time the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. (Early Writings, p. 86) 8. The truth will be spoken with great power. I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel. (Ibid., p. 271) In terms of our personal salvation, the early rain leads us to conversion while the latter rain develops and perfects our character. At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first 165
start. The blessings received under the former rain are needful to us to the end. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 507) As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain. (Ibid., p. 509) It is essential that the seeds of spiritual life grow fully in the early rain so that the harvest of souls from our lives will be bountiful.
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The Little Time of Trouble
Chapter 19
MMEDIATELY before the close of human probation, there will be a little time of trouble. This little time of trouble is not to be confused with the time of Jacobs trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), which is alternatively called a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1), and which takes place after all have determined their eternal destiny and thus human probation has closed. The little time of trouble must not be interpreted as a time of little trouble. Rather, it is a relatively short period of time when Gods people are tested by fiery trials. When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 368) As addressed in Revelation 13, these fiery trials are the final work which God permits to refine His people so that only the pure and holy remain in Gods fold. In his relentless and defiant effort to force the whole human race to subject their will to his control, Satan devises the most cruel persecution he has perfected during the 6,000 years of human history. His evil determination is to subject all humanity to his control. If only he can break the will of Gods loyal saints, Satan may yet be able to claim the whole world as his own, and Christ would be left without one true and faithful son or daughter. But Satan will fail to achieve his 167
goal. God will have His unwaveringly loyal followers to the end of this worlds history, for a remnant will be saved. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. (Romans 9:27) Remember, at the time of the worldwide flood, Satan almost achieved his goal to control the whole human race. Only eight precious souls stood between him and the subjugation of all the antediluvians to his side. The thought of brutal persecution could cause even courageous men and women to tremble. Yet let the reader not forget the sure promise of God, that He who knows each one of His saints perfectly, will not permit Satan to cause the suffering of anyone beyond their endurance, for He will never leave them. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5) Let us all be assured that, like the martyrs of the past, many of whom were kept by God from the searing pain which was designed against them, God will extend great mercy to His faithful ones in this time of ultimate test. It is during the little time of trouble that the true character of Gods professed people is revealed. The servant of the Lord leaves us in no doubt as to what ignites the little time of trouble. It is the national Sunday law enacted by the United States of America. A great crisis awaits the people of God. Very soon our nation will attempt to enforce upon all, the observance of 168
the first day of the week as a sacred day. In doing this, they will not scruple to compel men against the voice of their own conscience to observe the day the nation declares to be the Sabbath. (Last Day Events, p. 144) Faithful Seventh-day Adventists will not yield to this decree, for they know that seventh-day Sabbath observance is the final test of their loyalty to their Redeemer. They are fully aware that their resolute stand for the true Sabbath will result in increased punitive laws, not only in the United States but other nations which will follow her example. Seventh-day Adventists will fight the battle over the seventh-day Sabbath. The authorities in the United States and in other countries will rise up in their pride and power and make laws to restrict religious liberty. (Ibid.) The national Sunday law will result when most Protestants, embracing both spiritism and Roman Catholic principles, follow the Roman Catholic practice of cruel persecution. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. (The Great Controversy, p. 588) The Sunday laws, in effect, make void the law of God. The law of God, through the agency of Satan, is to be made void. In our land of boasted freedom, religious liberty will come to an end. The contest will be decided over the Sabbath question, which will agitate the whole world. (Evangelism, p. 236) 169
Yet, the Sunday laws will not be enjoined by the ecclesiastical leaders alone, for they do not wield the sword. These laws are the inevitable result of the union of church and state. We are witnessing today the strong call of religious leaders to unite church and state in common actionespecially political action. It was this church-state union which enabled the fearful inquisition to be established in medieval Europe. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. (The Great Controversy, p. 607) Many readers, especially in the United States, will be aware that this scenario is far advanced already in the United States, beginning with the establishment of the late Jerry Falwells Moral Majority; Pat Robertsons and Ralph Reids Christian Coalition; Evangelicals and Catholics Together; and Christian Churches Together. All four of these organizations are predicated upon the union of church and state. Those religious bodies who refuse to hear Gods messages of warning will be under strong deception, and will unite with the civil power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of God. This is that power which constitutes the great system of persecution which will exercise spiritual tyranny over the consciences of men. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Though professing to be followers of the Lamb of God, men become imbued with the spirit of the dragon. They profess to be meek and humble but they speak and legislate with the spirit of Satan, showing by their actions that they are the opposite of what they profess to be. This lamb-like power unites with the dragon in making war upon those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, pp. 161162) 170
And all who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard of Gods holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the beast. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 380) Gods faithful ones cannot count upon the protection of the courts. Those who live during the last days of this earths history will know what it means to be persecuted for the truths sake. In the courts injustice will prevail. The judges will refuse to listen to the reasons of those who are loyal to the commandments of God, because they know that arguments in favor of the fourth commandment are unanswerable. They will say, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die. Gods law is nothing to them. Our law with them is supreme. Those who respect this human law will be favored, but those who will not bow to the idol sabbath will have no favors shown them. (Last Day Events, pp. 145146) Certainly, Gods faithful people will not capitulate under such injustice. In cases where we are brought before the courts, we are to give up our rights unless it brings us in collision with God. It is not our rights we are pleading for, but Gods right to our service. (Ibid., p. 146) As Gods people remain firm to their Lord and His Word, persecution will intensify and punishment will be meted out ruthlessly. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, 171
by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 450) There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors. (Ibid., vol. 6, p. 394) Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government. (The Great Controversy, p. 592) In these circumstances Gods people will be earnestly entreating the Savior for courage to maintain an inviolate conscience as the persecution intensifies and the fury of the authorities results in the enactment of everincreasing penalties against Gods faithful ones. No doubt some who at first appeared to stand firm will capitulate under the fiery persecution. This emboldens the legislators and enforcement agencies to increase the penalties, and no doubt many will be subjected to fearful torture. Some of those who now have the resolve to rest their case with Jesus may yet yield under the most testing duress. All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His word; for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil. (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 431) Satan has a thousand masked batteries which will be opened upon the loyal, commandment-keeping people 172
of God to compel them to violate conscience. (Last Day Events, p. 147) We need not be surprised at anything that may take place now. We need not marvel at any developments of horror. Those who trample under their unholy feet the law of God have the same spirit as had the men who insulted and betrayed Jesus. Without any compunctions of conscience they will do the deeds of their father the devil. (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 416) Some of Gods saints will be in prison. Some, no doubt, in far away and forgotten places. The recent policy of the United States to send accused terrorists to nations where the use of torture is legal has been a most disturbing development. This policy is termed rendition. Countries used include Egypt and Afghanistan. As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sundaysabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this now seems impossible; but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men, and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when Gods fear and love are removed. (The Great Controversy, p. 608) In 1911, when these words were published, they may have seemed exaggerated or at least implausible. After all, Americans cherished greatly their hard-won civil and religious rights which were protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Do these seem exaggerated and implausible today? The war in Iraq has changed all that. With shock the world has learned that the CIA has at least seven secret prisons, most in remote parts of the world where there are no or very few protections of constitutional guarantees. Now, at the 173
judgment of the President, any one declared or suspected to be an enemy combatant can languish in appalling and cruel conditions, stripped of the guarantees of habeas corpus whereby accused individuals once were provided the right to know the charges laid against them and to have a speedy and just trial before their peers. It would be one small step from these precedents to declare all those who refuse to follow Sunday laws to also have their first amendment freedoms stripped from them. They will be declared the enemies of the nation and of law and order. On October 17, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the Military Commissions Act, 2006. The Act states that its purpose is to facilitate bringing to justice terrorist and other unlawful enemy combatants through full and fair trials by military commissions, and for other purposes. (See http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Military_Commissions_Act_of_2006) Many Constitutional experts were alarmed by this act and the broadness and lack of specific detail. They believe that the act as is signed into law can easily be extended to broaden those branded unlawful enemy combatants. Its final words and for other purposes surely is dangerously open-ended language. While we do not believe there was any intention in the minds of the legislators who passed this act or in the mind of the President when he signed it to address those who oppose future Sunday laws, we believe it may one day be interpreted to lead to the terrible persecution against Sabbath-keepers who refuse to uphold the Sunday laws. They will be judged as unlawful enemies of the nation and will be open to the most severe penalties. The following day, Countdown anchorman keith Olbermann interviewed Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University. In his introduction to the interview of Professor Turley, Olbermann had this to say: First thing this morning, the president signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which does away with habeas corpus, the right of suspected terrorists or anybody else to know why they have been imprisoned,
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provided the president does not think it should apply to you and declares you an enemy combatant. Further, the bill allows the CIA to continue using interrogation techniques so long as they do not cause what is deemed, quote, serious physical or mental pain. And it lets the president to ostensibly pick and choose which parts of the Geneva Convention to obey, though to hear him describe this, this repudiation of the freedoms for which all our soldiers have died is a good thing. [Quoting] President Bush: This bill spells out specific, recognizable offenses that would be considered crimes in the handling of detainees, so that our men and women who question captured terrorist can perform their duties to the fullest extent of the law. And this bill complies with both the spirit and the letter of our international obligations. (National yawn as our rights evaporate, MSNBC. See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15318240/) He further added: Leading Democrats view it differently, Senator Ted Kennedy calling this seriously flawed, Senator Patrick Leahey saying its, quote, a sad day when the rubberstamp Congress undercuts our freedoms, and Senator Russ Feingold adding that We will look back on this day as a stain on our nations history. Outside the White House, a handful of individuals protested the law by dressing up as Abu Ghraib abuse victims and terror detainees. Several of them got themselves arrested, but they were apparently quickly released, despite being already dressed for Gitmo. To assess what this law will truly mean for us all, Im joined by Jonathan Turley, professor of constitutional law at George Washington University.
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Here is his interview with Professor Turley: Keith Olberman: I want to start by asking you about a specific part of this act that lists one of the definitions of an unlawful enemy combatant as, quote, a person who, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, has been determined to be an unlawful enemy combatant by a combatant status review tribunal or another competent tribunal established under the authority of the president or the secretary of defense. Does that not basically mean that if Mr. Bush or Mr. Rumsfeld say so, anybody in this country, citizen or not, innocent or not, can end up being an unlawful enemy combatant? Jonathan Turley, George Washington University Constitutional Law Professor: It certainly does. In fact, later on, it says that if you even give material support to an organization that the president deems connected to one of these groups, you too can be an enemy combatant. And the fact that he appoints this tribunal is meaningless. You know, standing behind him at the signing ceremony was his attorney general, who signed a memo that said that you could torture people, that you could do harm to them to the point of organ failure or death. So if he appoints someone like that to be attorney general, you can imagine who hes going to be putting on this board. Olbermann: Does this mean that under this law, ultimately the only thing keeping you, I, or the viewer out of Gitmo is the sanity and honesty of the president of the United States? Turley: It does. And its a huge sea change for our democracy. The framers created a system where we did not have to rely on the good graces or good mood of the president. In fact, Madison said that he created a system 176
essentially to be run by devils, where they could not do harm, because we didnt rely on their good motivations. Now we must. And people have no idea how significant this is. What, really, a time of shame this is for the American system. What the Congress did and what the president signed today essentially revokes over 200 years of American principles and values. It couldnt be more significant. And the strange thing is, weve become sort of constitutional couch potatoes. I mean, the Congress just gave the president despotic powers, and you could hear the yawn across the country as people turned to, you know, Dancing with the Stars. I mean, its otherworldly. Olbermann: Is there one defense against this, the legal challenges against particularly the suspension or elimination of habeas corpus from the equation? And where do they stand, and how likely are they to overturn this action today? Turley: Well, you know what? I think people are fooling themselves if they believe that the courts will once again stop this president from taking overtaking almost absolute power. It basically comes down to a single vote on the Supreme Court, Justice kennedy. And he indicated that if Congress gave the president these types of powers, that he might go along. And so we may have, in this country, some type of uberpresident, some absolute ruler, and itll be up to him who gets put away as an enemy combatant, held without trial. Its something that no one thoughtcertainly I didnt thinkwas possible in the United States. And I am not too sure how we got to this point. But people clearly dont realize what a fundamental change it is about who we are as a country. What happened today changed us. And Im not too sure were going to change back anytime soon. Olbermann: And if Justice kennedy tries to change us back, we can always call him an enemy combatant. 177
The president reiterated today, the United States does not torture. Does this law actually guarantee anything like that? Turley: Thats actually when I turned off my TV set, because I couldnt believe it. You know, the United States has engaged in torture. And the whole world community has denounced the views of this administration, its early views that the president could order torture, could cause injury up to organ failure or death. The administration has already established that it has engaged in things like waterboarding, which is not just torture. We prosecuted people after World War II for waterboarding prisoners. We treated it as a war crime. And . . . what a change of fate, where we are now embracing the very thing that we once prosecuted people for. Who are we now? I know who we were then. But when the president said that we dont torture, that was, frankly, when I had to turn off my TV set. Olbermann: That same individual fell back on the same argument that hed used about the war in Iraq to sanction this law. Let me play what he said and then ask you a question about it. President Bush: Yet with the distance of history, the questions will be narrowed and few. Did this generation of Americans take the threat seriously? And did we do what it takes to defeat that threat? Olbermann: Does he understand the irony of those words when taken out of the context of this particular passage or of what he perceives as the war against terror, and that, in fact, the threat we may be facing is the threat of President George W. Bush? Turley: Well, this is going to go down in history as one of our greatest self-inflicted wounds. And I think you can feel the judgment of history. It wont be kind to President Bush. But frankly, I dont think that it will be kind to the rest of us. I think that history will ask, Where were you? What did you 178
do when this thing was signed into law? There were people that protested the Japanese concentration camps, there were people that protested these other acts. But we are strangely silent in this national yawn as our rights evaporate. Olbermann: Well, not to pat ourselves on the back too much, but I think weve done a little bit of what we could have done. Ill see you at Gitmo. As always, greatest thanks for your time, Jon. Turley: Thanks, keith. (Ibid.) Many faithful souls will be held under appalling conditions, when their only crime has been their loyalty to the Sabbath of the Lord their God. But many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. No human ear is open to hear their moans; no human hand is ready to lend them help. (The Great Controversy, p. 626) No doubt many will never again hear from family and friends. Family and friends will have no knowledge of them again. How the faith of the saints will be tested! How lonely many of these prisoners will be! How their faithful family and friends will be praying for their continued fidelity, and how these prisoners will be praying for the salvation of their family and friends! Some may perish in prison before the close of probation. Others may spend time in prison during the time of Jacobs trouble, but we are promised that God will rescue them at the time of the seventh plague. Prison walls are rent asunder [during the seventh plague], and Gods people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free. (Ibid., p. 637) 179
No one can rob these faithful ones of their dependence upon Jesus, and angels are sent to communicate with them. Though enemies may thrust them into prison, yet dungeon walls cannot cut off the communication between their souls and Christ. One who sees their every weakness, who is acquainted with every trial, is above all earthly powers; and angels will come to them in lonely cells, bringing light and peace from heaven. The prison will be as a palace; for the rich in faith dwell there, and the gloomy walls will be lighted up with heavenly light as when Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises at midnight in the Philippian dungeon. (Ibid., p. 627) Now is the time to prepare for these times which lie ahead, for this persecution purifies Gods church. When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherds voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 401) Gods love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good. He will purify His church even as He purified the temple at the beginning and close of His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon the church in test and trial comes that His people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world. (Ibid., vol. 9, p. 228) 180
Afflictions, crosses, temptations, adversity, and our varied trials are Gods workmen to refine us, sanctify us, and fit us for the heavenly garner. (Ibid., vol. 3, p. 115) Now is the time for us to complete our preparation for this crisis. The only way in which men will be able to stand firm in the conflict is to be rooted and grounded in Christ. They must receive the truth as it is in Jesus. And it is only as the truth is presented thus that it can meet the wants of the soul. The preaching of Christ crucified, Christ our righteousness, is what satisfies the souls hunger. When we secure the interest of the people in this great central truth, faith and hope and courage come to the heart. (Last Day Events, p. 151) Many, because of their faith, will be cut off from house and heritage here; but if they will give their hearts to Christ, receiving the message of His grace, and resting upon their Substitute and Surety, even the Son of God, they may still be filled with joy. (Ibid.) We shall find that we must let loose of all hands except the hand of Jesus Christ. Friends will prove treacherous and will betray us. Relatives, deceived by the enemy, will think they do God service in opposing us and putting forth the utmost efforts to bring us into hard places, hoping we will deny our faith. But we may trust our hand in the hand of Christ amid darkness and peril. (Ibid., pp. 150151) The authors can make no boast that we will stand firm in this time of fearful persecution, but daily we pray for the courage of Jesus. We invite the readers to join us each morning in this prayer, for Christ alone, through the Holy Spirit, can empower our obedience in such dire times.
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The National Sunday Law
Chapter 20
T will require a mega-catastrophe for the United States to enact a national Sunday law. In a time of peace and prosperity, a Sunday law would be a political Waterloo. The business interests, the sporting interests, and the mindset of an increasingly secular society would not tolerate such a law. However, in a national crisis, the thinking of the nation would accommodate such a move by Congress or by a presidential executive order. We believe it would come with such speed and such lack of public dialogue or debate that nothing could stand in the way of it. Such a law may even placate business and sporting interest by giving them authorization to operate on Sunday afternoons. Let us examine the Scriptural basis for such a Sunday law. The Bible does not use the term Sunday law. However, in the chapter entitled The Mark of the Beast in this book, we explain that this mark is the identifier of the wicked who do not receive the seal of God which is symbolized by faithful seventh-day Sabbath-keeping. It does not take much intellectual understanding to realize that the mark of the beast is the insignia of those who rebel against God. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Revelation 13:15) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and 182
receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:911) Satan has a counterfeit for all the principles of heaven. Those who will comprise the 144,000 will never yield to the decree which will ultimately require all people to trample upon the holy Sabbath of the Lord our God. Now, let us examine the events leading up to the end of this world. There will be decrees against those who are unswervingly loyal to God and, by extension, to His holy Sabbath day. The decree will be enforced by the United States using all its military might. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, 183
that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:1417) This is confirmed by the Spirit of Prophecy: As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to Gods downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. (The Great Controversy, p. 607) This law will be exercised both by punishment and by inducements. True Sabbath-keepers will present unanswerable Biblical and historical evidence against Sunday sacredness and for Sabbath observances, and their testimony will enlighten many, but the laws will then be enforced with greater punitive measures. It is at this time that the image to the beast is formed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 184
and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Revelation 13:1314) When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. (Ibid., p. 445) Surely this statement from The Great Controversy was a prophecy of the ecumenical movement, which has built its foundations upon requiring all major churches to put aside differences of doctrine and practices and to unite upon those things held in common. For Seventh-day Adventists, this would mean putting aside precious truths such as the seventh-day Sabbath, the sanctuary message, the three angels messages, the message of righteousness by faith, character perfection, the fallen human nature of Christ, the concept of the remnant, the investigative judgment, the final atonement, the primacy of Gods Word, prophetic interpretation, and our stand against things such as celebration music, sports, worldly entertainment. Those who espouse and cherish the precious end-time truths will be seen as fanatics and schismatics and therefore enemies of unity. It is a very short step to fearful persecution of Gods faithful people. The Sabbath issue will eventually become the final test of loyalty to God. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of 185
the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to Gods law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God. (Ibid., p. 605) In the warfare to be waged in the last days there will be united, in opposition to Gods people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue, for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. (Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 392393) Other countries will follow the United States in enacting Sunday laws. Brethren and sisters, would that I might say something to awaken you to the importance of this time, the significance of the events that are now taking place. I point you to the aggressive movements now being made for the restriction of religious liberty. Gods sanctified memorial has been torn down, and in its place a false sabbath, bearing no sanctity, stands before the world. And while the powers of darkness are stirring up the elements from beneath, the Lord God of heaven is sending power from above to meet the emergency by arousing His living agencies to exalt the law of heaven. Now, just now, is our time to work in foreign countries. As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing 186
the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example. Our people are not half awake to do all in their power, with the facilities within their reach, to extend the message of warning. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 18) Even more important are Sunday laws which forebode the soon-coming close of human probation. Many advocates of the Sunday laws will not understand the implications. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. . . . They are working in blindness. They do not see that if a Protestant government sacrifices the principles that have made them a free, independent nation, and through legislation brings into the Constitution principles that will propagate papal falsehood and papal delusion, they are plunging into the Roman horrors of the Dark Ages. (Last Day Events, pp. 125126) There are many, even of those engaged in this movement for Sunday enforcement, who are blinded to the results which will follow this action. They do not see that they are striking directly against religious liberty. There are many who have never understood the claims of the Bible Sabbath and the false foundation upon which the Sunday institution rests. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 711) Those who are making an effort to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing Sunday observance little realize what will be the result. A crisis is just upon us. (Ibid., p. 753) 187
The United States will lead in the establishment of the Sunday laws. It is evident that many political leaders and legislators have come to the conclusion that only by pandering to the agenda of the religious right can they be elected or re-elected to Congress. In the mid-term elections of 2006, many political analysts observed how many Democrats had been chosen to stand as candidates by either being to the right of the party in general or had made a significant shift toward the right. Members of both major parties have shown no will or capacity to stand against the determined will of the President. This shift was prophesied by the servant of the Lord more than a hundred years ago. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people. By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. (Ibid., p. 451) Will it be safe to wait until these Sunday laws are passed to surrender all to the life of Christ? Absolutely not! If we are deliberately rejecting or even delaying that daily surrender, we will almost certainly fail to 188
stand for our Savior when the Sunday laws are enacted. Now is the time to prepare for our stand so that when the Sunday laws are legislated, we will have already determined our stand unreservedly in a God-empowered decision which is irreversible. Just waiting for the Sunday laws to be enforced means that our hearts are not being prepared for the coming of the Lord and the crisis ahead; therefore, we will be impotent to resist the coercive violence which will be directed against all Sabbath-keepers. Character is developed over time by following the Lord Jesus in every duty of our lives, in all we think, speak, and do.
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The Loud Cry
Chapter 21
OT only will the three angels messages be illuminated around the world, they will be accompanied by the loud cry message of the angel of Revelation 18, which adds impetus and urgency to these messages. God is gathering all His people into His one fold of truth and sanctification. Here is the message of the loud cry. Revelation 18 presents the messages of two angels. The first angel gives a mighty warning message: And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Revelation 18:13) The second angel gives the urgent call for Gods people to abandon the false church to which they have been wedded, in most cases, from their infancy: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, 190
The Loud Cry
and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:45) The first message of these two angels is a fearful declaration that the antichrist power exposed in Scripture, which has imbibed of the false religions of paganism, has been greatly supported by the merchants of the earth, who have profited greatly by her patronage. Babylons claims and her boasts have intoxicated the world. Through her deceit and craftiness, all but the most godly have been swept into her deadly trap. Those who stand pure and holy become the focus of terrible persecution as the concluding events of earths history unfolds. A compassionate Savior, however, sees within the body of this power those who are pure in heart. They have not partaken of her evil designs, though, through ignorance, they have followed many of her pagan forms of religious sacraments. In love, before probations close, Christ sends His servants to call them forth out of the darkness of the Roman Church into the glorious light of the everlasting gospel of the three angels. As never before in the history of the world, the pure and holy gospel of Jesus Christ is distinguished from the false, pagan concepts which have led myriads to perdition. The great transcendent truths of the seventh-day Sabbath and the sleep state of man in death are revealed to the whole body of inhabitants of the world. Until this has taken place, probation for the human race will not close. The Sabbath test will be the final test of loyalty to God the Creator of this world and the entire universe. The true state of mankind in death is the essential protection against Satans final deception of spiritism. No person will be deprived of the truth on each of these cardinal doctrines. Also, all will learn the central message of Christ our Righteousness in contrast to the false sanctification which the papal church claims to be bestowed through sacramentalism. The pagan concepts of idolatry will be exposed. The evil of the claims of papal infallibility will be unmasked as will also the practices of the mass, priestly forgiveness of sins, human mediators, limbo, purgatory, prayers for the dead, penance, indulgences, the immaculate conception, infant baptism, original sin, eternal burning torment, predestination, the 191
unfallen human nature of Christ, the martyrdom of those declared to be heretics, and many other unbiblical practices. Many who love Christ in their hearts have been wholly ignorant of the everlasting gospel of Jesus. They have aforetimes been in the fellowship of the churches of Babylon, but God reads their hearts and discerns their loyalty to Him, and He will not permit them to die the death of eternal oblivion. Though for many years they have been ignorant of His true gospel, they have lived up to the light they have known. He reaches to each precious soul, and as the Holy Spirit convicts their hearts, they will receive the gospel with great joy when it is proclaimed with loudcry power. It is essential to recognize that Gods call is not, Come out and be my people; nor is it, Come out and Ill make you my people. He plainly says Come out of her [Babylon] my people. Yes there are many of Gods people in Babylonthe New Testament name for the fallen churches of Christendom. Now the great rescue takes place to bring them into Gods true fold to join with His faithful Seventh-day Adventist people. God thus saves them from being accountable for the sins of the Roman Church and the ecumenical churches which support her, and they will be protected from the destruction of the plagues of Gods judgment. What a loving and merciful God! God has faithful ones in every church, and our love for these people must be commensurate with the love that Christ has for them while at the same time warning against the false teachings in these churches. Here is divine counsel on this matter. Under the loud cry, a might work will be accomplished, for the loud-cry call is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The message of Christs righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 19) As the third message swells to a loud cry, and as great power and glory attend the closing work, the faithful peo192
The Loud Cry
ple of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 984) As the third angels message swells into a loud cry, great power and glory will attend its proclamation. The faces of Gods people will shine with the light of heaven. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 17) As foretold in the eighteenth of Revelation, the third angels message is to be proclaimed with great power by those who give the final warning against the beast and his image. (Ibid., vol. 8, p. 118) The loud-cry call out of Babylon reaches its crescendo during the little time of trouble. Many earnest souls will respond to this call when they witness the martyrdom of many of Gods noble saintsmen and women who testify that not even life itself is more precious to them than the love of their Savior. These saints declare by example that nothing can threaten them from walking in the footsteps of Christ. Many precious souls, witnessing the sacrifice of these humble saints, will perceive the contrast between them and the barbaric practices of those who callously put these faithful souls to death. Understandingly, the loud cry will not be completed until the full manifestation of the pouring out of the latter rain. Under this power, every soul on the planet will receive the invitation to enter into the heavenly home. No one will be left with an excuse; no one will be left with an alibi if he or she is lost. Gods mercy has been extended to all, even to the vilest of men. While the loud cry message is one of the most powerful denunciation of the papacy and those churches in league with it, yet it is the most compassionate and loving message which can ever be proclaimed to the human race, giving the final opportunity for earths population to free themselves from the slavery of sin, deception, and hypocrisy. Under this final invitation, great crowds of people will at last 193
discover their freedom in Christ. Yet, tragically, many who have professed loyalty to Christ will waver under the fearful persecution and, lacking supreme faith in their Savior, will defect to the foe, Satan himself, to be separated from their Redeemer eternally. There is to be in the [Seventh-day Adventist] churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations they will oppose the work. Why, they say, should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years? (Last Day Events, pp. 209210) How sad it is that many who have been exposed to the greatest light will fail during the time when the loud cry goes forth! Yet there is great hope. It has been revealed that, while many abandon the faith, even larger numbers embrace it when the Holy Spirits latter-rain power is revealed to those who have never aforetime heard Gods end-time message. One army was led by banners bearing the worlds insignia; the other was led by the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel. Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust as company after company from the Lords army joined the foe and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 41) The numbers of this [Seventh-day Adventist] company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. 194
The Loud Cry
The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. (Early Writings, p. 271; words in brackets added) Below are further affirmations of the abundant harvest of souls for the kingdom during the time of the latter rain. Multitudes will receive the faith and join the armies of the Lord. (Evangelism, p. 700) There are men who will receive the truth, and these will take the places made vacant by those who become offended and leave the truth. . . . The Lord will work so that the disaffected ones will be separated from the true and loyal ones. . . . The ranks will not be diminished. Those who are firm and true will close up the vacancies that are made by those who become offended and apostatize. (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 422) There are many souls to come out of the ranks of the world, out of the churcheseven the Catholic Church whose zeal will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file to proclaim the truth heretofore. (Ibid., pp. 386387) Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction. (Early Writings, p. 279) In heathen Africa, in the Catholic lands of Europe and of South America, in China, in India, in the islands of 195
the sea, and in all the dark corners of the earth, God has in reserve a firmament of chosen ones that will yet shine forth amidst the darkness, revealing clearly to an apostate world the transforming power of obedience to His law. Even now they are appearing in every nation, among every tongue and people; and in the hour of deepest apostasy, when Satans supreme effort is made to cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive, under penalty of death, the sign of allegiance to a false rest day, these faithful ones, blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, will shine as lights in the world. Revelation 13:16; Philippians 2:15. (Prophets and Kings, pp. 188189) There is another group which is harvested for the kingdom at the time of the loud cry. These will be those who earlier in their lives left Gods remnant church but now return with great joy. Many of these, no doubt, were discouraged by the terrible duplicity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Now that Gods church has been cleansed by the sifting and the shaking, these precious souls confess their backsliding and once again join the ranks of the remnant. Many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 401) As at Pentecost, thousands will be converted in a day. The time is coming when there will be as many converted in a day as there were on the day of Pentecost, after the disciples had received the Holy Spirit. (Evangelism, p. 692) There will be thousands converted to the truth in a day who at the eleventh hour see and acknowledge the 196
The Loud Cry
truth and the movements of the Spirit of God. (Last Day Events, p. 212) The loud cry will be proclaimed largely by undistinguished people. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 80) God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals. (Ibid., p. 82) Those who receive Christ as a personal Saviour, will stand the test of trial in these last days. Strengthened by unquestioning faith in Christ, even the illiterate disciple will be able to withstand the doubts and questions that infidelity can produce, and put to blush the sophistries of scorners. The Lord Jesus will give the disciples a tongue and wisdom that their adversaries can neither gainsay nor resist. (Last Day Events, p. 206) The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal powerall will be unmasked. By 197
these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain Thus saith the Lord, the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it. (The Great Controversy, pp. 606607) Even children will give the loud cry. Many, even among the uneducated, now proclaim the words of the Lord. Children are impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings, and, casting off all mans machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirits power. (Evangelism, p. 700) The Holy Spirit employs the angels, and miracles will be performed as the message of salvation enlightens every corner of the world. When divine power is combined with human effort, the work will spread like fire in the stubble. God will employ agencies whose origin man will be unable to discern; angels will do a work which men might have had the blessing of accomplishing, had they not neglected to answer the claims of God. (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 118) 198
The Loud Cry
Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 126) During this testing time the authentic Seventh-day Adventists will be revealed. At the same time, Gods gems in other churches will be revealed as they will permit no person or thing to keep them from joining the ranks of Gods faithful ones. God has jewels in all the churches, and it is not for us to make sweeping denunciation of the professed religious world. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1184) The Lord has His representatives in all the churches. These persons have not had the special testing truths for these last days presented to them under circumstances that brought conviction to heart and mind; therefore they have not, by rejecting light, severed their connection with God. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 7071) Among the Catholics there are many who are most conscientious Christians and who walk in all the light that shines upon them, and God will work in their behalf. (Ibid., vol. 9, p. 243) Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of Gods people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith. (The Great Controversy, p. 383) 199
Probation does not close until these faithful souls have accepted the Saviors come-out-of-her call. What a harvest time this will be! While at the same time faithful Seventh-day Adventists are in deep mourning over the defection of many of their former brethren, they are able to rejoice in the harvest of those who unite with Gods faithful people, taking the place of the unfaithful professors. No doubt, these called-out ones receive the seal of the living God, and then they receive the mighty power of the latter rain and go forth to join those already who are proclaiming the everlasting gospel to others who are yet to hear the gospel call. However, it is also certain that these new warriors for the Lord will become despised by those in their former churches who will turn against them with great fury, and certainly some will suffer a martyrs fate, but their eternal destiny is secure in the hands of Jesus. Those who accept the everlasting gospel under the loud cry will learn this message in a remarkably short time period. Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again. (Early Writings, p. 67) We remind our readers that the loud cry message presents Gods final invitation and will be heard by every inhabitant of planet earth. The message of Christs righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel [of the three angels messages]. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 19) The last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character 200
The Loud Cry
they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them. (Christs Object Lessons, pp. 415416) This message will be heard by men and women of every social strata. The time will come when we shall be brought before councils and before thousands for his names sake, and each one will have to give the reason of his faith. (Last Day Events, p. 209) Many will have to stand in the legislative courts; some will have to stand before kings and before the learned of the earth, to answer for their faith. (Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 217) The message will be proclaimed in all nations of the worldyes, even in the Vatican. Could it be possible, dare we hope for it, that even among the one thousand inhabitants of the Vatican could be any of Gods faithful people who will respond at this late time to come out of Babylon? This will happen, as the Bible indicates that the saved will come from all lands of the world. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. (Psalm 107:23) For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. (Isaiah 66:1819) 201
And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. (Jeremiah 29:14) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31) When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherds voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. No one of the true believers will say: I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas. The testimony of one and all will be: I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him as my personal Saviour. Thus will the truth be brought into practical life, and thus will be answered the prayer of Christ, uttered just before His humiliation and death: That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. John 17:21. The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 401) 202
The Loud Cry
Many, even among the uneducated, now proclaim the words of the Lord. Children are impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings, and, casting off all mans machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirits power. (Evangelism, p. 700) Strengthened by unquestioning faith in Christ, even the illiterate disciple will be able to withstand the doubts and questions that infidelity can produce, and put to blush the sophistries of scorners. (Last Day Events, p. 206) Literature, and no doubt media materials, will also play a great role in spreading Gods Word. More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications. (Evangelism, p. 693) One matter is certain, the loud cry will be trumpeted in every nation. This raises a deep concern which we share. Every year, Colin receives the latest statistical report of the worldwide church published by the General Conference. The latest report available at the time of the writing of this book is the 2005 report. Of the then 228 nations of the world, there were 26 nations identified which have no recorded Seventh-day Adventist work. All continents have at least oneeven North America. Yes, you have read correctly, including North America. These are the inhabitants of the Frenchspeaking islands off the east coast of CanadaSt. Pierre et Miquelon. Some of these are countries where Christianity is banned, such as Saudi Arabia. Others are very small nations in Europe such as Andorra, the Channel Islands, Monaco, Gibraltar, Vatican City, Svalbard, Jan Mayan, and San Marino. Most of these are dominantly Roman Catholic countries, as is the small French speaking nation of the Wallis and Fortuna Islands in the South Pacific. Perhaps some of the readers of this book will take up the 203
challenge to take the everlasting gospel and the loud cry to one of these 26 nations as a pioneer missionary. What a thrilling challenge that would be! If not you, some earnest soul will. It sounds very much like the challenge that would be eagerly accepted by some of the 144,000. Our mission field is the world, our mission is the gospel to the world. One thing is certain: all who receive the latter rain will have received the seal of God and will have been sent forth by the unction of the Holy Spirit. Their characters will be perfected. Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 214) He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals. (Ibid., p. 82) 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. (Ibid., vol. 1, p. 187) May each reader seek the fullness of the Holy Spirits power in our daily witness of the grace and power of the Savior to others in this sindarkened world.
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Who Shall Be Able to Stand?
Chapter 22
E now focus upon the question asked at the end of the sixth seal, for it is to answer this question that the parenthetical chapter 7 is inserted in the book of Revelation. This question is answered before proceeding to the seventh seal in chapter 8. Here is the question: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:17) The solemnity of this question brings trembling to Gods faithful ones, who know fully the implications of this question. Before His presence all faces are turned into paleness; upon the rejecters of Gods mercy falls the terror of eternal despair. The heart melteth, and the knees smite together, . . . and the faces of them all gather blackness. Jeremiah 30:6; Nahum 2:10. The righteous cry with trembling: Who shall be able to stand? The angels song is hushed, and there is a period of awful silence. Then the voice of Jesus is heard, saying: My grace is sufficient for you. The faces of the righteous are lighted up, and joy fills every heart. And the angels strike a note higher and sing again as they draw still nearer to the earth. (The Great Controversy, p. 641)
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The saints know how unworthy they are, but their trembling ceases when their eyes are turned to the One whose life is worthy to save them. Only as we accept the gift of Christs righteousness, which includes the experience of both justification and sanctification, can we be assured that we will not suffer one of the most tragic consequences recorded in the words of Jesus, as He expresses the false confidence of many in the church who have not surrendered all to Christ yet have the false assurance that they are worthy of salvation. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:2123) By amazing contrast, the faithful souls do not see any worthiness in themselves. They have focused their hope upon their Savior. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
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one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:3440) Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life. So, in the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance. (The Great Controversy, p. 620) The message of Revelation 7 clearly provides the answer as to who will be able to stand before the throne and before the Lamb. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. (Revelation 7:9) The characteristics of the saved of all ages are very simply and concisely defined in this verse. Firstly they are wearing white robes. Elsewhere in Revelation, John explains the meaning and symbolism of the white robes: And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Revelation 19:8)
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Nevertheless, in case we believe that this is their own righteousness which has merited their salvation, Sister White clarifies that it is the righteousness of Christ: It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour. (Christs Object Lessons, p. 310) What is clear is that this question Who shall be able to stand? carries with it a sobering realization that the few, the very few, refers not only to those presently in the world as being able to stand when Christ comes, but that only a tiny remnant of the professed members of Gods Church will stand in that awesome trial. When Gods wrath is poured out upon the earth, who will then be able to stand? Now is the time for Gods people to show themselves true to principle. When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are fewthis will be our test. (Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 136) Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9) This remnant is precisely defined. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth. (Zephaniah 3:13)
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And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17) Throughout the Old Testament, we are challenged with the question, Who shall be able to stand? Using slightly different words, the prophets Joel and Amos rehearse this theme: And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (Joel 2:11) Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. (Amos 5:18) Jesus asked a different, yet related, question which again evidences the rarity of divine faith upon the earth just before the time of the Second Coming: Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8) Thank God, He will have His saints who will keep the faith of Jesus. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12) Jesus, our Redeemer, set for us the perfect example. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 209
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) These questions are commonly asked in respect to the coming great day of the Lord. Many Seventh-day Adventists believe that the great day of the Lord is the return of Jesus, but this is not so. It is the day of His wrath (Romans 2:5), meted out upon those who have rejected His loving invitation to be in His kingdom and who have ruthlessly persecuted Gods faithful ones. The great and terrible day of the Lord (Joel 2:31) is a term synonymous with the time of Jacobs trouble (Jeremiah 30:7); a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1) and the day of the Lords wrath. (Zephaniah 1:18; see also Psalm 110:5; Proverbs 11:4; Isaiah 13:9, 13; Ezekiel 7:19; Zephaniah 1:15; Malachi 4:5; Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:17) It is not only a terrible time for the wicked; it is also a fearful time for the 144,000 who are tested like no other generation in the history of the world. This is the time when the Holy Spirit no longer pleads with impenitent humans; therefore, there is no divine restraining influence to moderate the behavior of the wicked. Their fury is directed against Gods precious saints. Thus Joel calls this time great and very terrible (Joel 2:11). We know that the 144,000and only the 144,000will stand in that day when the plagues are poured out. However, the answer to the question in Revelation 6:17 (Who shall be able to stand?) is not ascribed to the 144,000 but to all the saints described, including the great multitude. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. (Revelation 7:9) Paralleling the inheritance of Gods people in the eternal Canaan, Joshua prophesied that the wicked heathen would not stand against the people of God. 210
And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them. (Deuteronomy 7:24) Gods promise to His end-time people is that there will come a time when God will give His chosen ones victory over the wicked. All readers should take solemn note of the warning of king Solomon that riches will not avail in the day of the Lord and by contrast the promised deliverance of the righteous: Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. (Proverbs 11:4) When God fearfully punished the men of Bethshemesh when they looked into the ark of God against Gods explicit instruction, the survivors again asked the question, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? The answer is, No disobedient man or woman was then able to stand; neither will any stand at the end time. And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? and to whom shall he go up from us? (1 Samuel 6:1920) How important it is to understand the sanctuary ministry of our Savior so that we will be able to live the life of Jesus in that great day of the Lord! The psalmist provides a wonderful insight into standing in the sanctuary of the Lord and the character of those standing: Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and wor211
keth righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:15) Paul provides an understanding of the ultimate protection of those who will stand in the great day of the Lord. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:1118) Let us summarize the criteria for those who will stand in the great day of the Lord: 1. Faith, unwavering faith in the Lord, will characterize those who stand before the Lord.
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Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13) 2. Those will stand who seek the liberty which is in Christ Jesus. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1) 3. Those who stand will be united with all Gods faithful saints. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27) 4. Those who stand will have clean hands and pure hearts. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 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, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:35) 5. Those who put on the whole armor of God will stand. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11) Gods true people will never presumptuously claim that their strength is sufficient to stand, for they remember the false confidence of Peter.
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Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. (Matthew 26:33) We all know how quickly his boast was proven a tragic failure. Note the warning of the apostle Paul: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12) Paul was careful not to proclaim invincibility. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:25) The 144,000 have passed all these tests and have been sealed for eternity. The sleeping saints awaiting the resurrection have also passed Gods tests, and they shall, with the 144,000, stand before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). The great question is, will we be there with all the saints of all ages?
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The Close of Human Probation
Chapter 23
HERE is no way that we can exaggerate the significance of the close of human probation. This ranks as one of the most defining events in the history of eternity, for it is the time when each individuals destiny is fixed for eternity. After the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, there appeared no hope for the human race. Our earthly parents had chosen to follow the false words of Satan by which they rejected the Word of God. Scripture declares that we cannot serve two masters: But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:2324) Adam and Eve made a catastrophic decision which was to curse the whole human race with the fearful blight of sin. It appeared as if every person born into the world would face eternal oblivion. Today, every atheist sadly believes that this oblivion is his destiny. Lord John Russell, a very devout Anglican, served as Prime Minister of Britain on two occasions (18461852, and for a few months in 1865). In 1861, he had been given a peerage of his own, Earl Russell. His loyal support for Protestantism led him to write a heated letter to the Bishop of Durham in 1850, when Pope Pius IX issued a papal bull creating Roman Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom for the first time since the Reformation. 215
Unfortunately, Earl Russells descendents did not share his Christian faith. The third Earl Russell, better known as Britains most outstanding philosopher and mathematician of the twentieth century, Bertrand Russell (named after his supposed Norman ancestor), succeeded to the title in 1931. Born in 1872, Bertrand Russell died in 1970 at the age of ninety-seven. Just three years prior to his death he had been interviewed on television and had expressed his view of life as being a brief period between two eternities of oblivion. He referred to his father, Lord Amberley, who had died at a young age when Bertrand Russell was only twenty-three years old. Lord Amberley was an avowed agnostic and decreed a similar faith for his family. With tears running down his cheeks, Bertrand Russell, in that 1966 television interview, stated, My father knew he was dying and called his sons to his bedside. He did not turn to God at that time. He turned to us and said, Good-bye, good-bye for ever. The faint memory of that agonizing parting seven decades earlier clearly brought a deep sense of anguish which the intervening years had not fully erased. And then Bertrand Russell uttered the chilling words, And that is how it will be when I die. That pitiful cryGood-bye, good-bye for everis the total hope of one who has no God, no heavenly Father. Bertrand Russell would have been unquestionably accurate if it had not been for the infinite, merciful love of the God of the universe. God and Christ had devised a plan before the foundation of the world was laid to provide a second chance for the salvation of humanity. We call it the plan of salvation. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:34) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
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And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. (Luke 22:29) This kingdom is given to all who love God. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5) So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (James 2:12) This divine love which provided the second chance was revealed to our distraught first parents. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15) This perfect and infinite plan for mans redemption was revealed to lost sinners through the Old Testament prophets and then through Christ our Redeemer. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Had God and Christ not intervened the human race would have been helpless and hopeless.
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God declares: I will put enmity. This enmity is not naturally entertained. When man transgressed the divine law, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan. There exists naturally no enmity between sinful man and the originator of sin. Both became evil through apostasy. The apostate is never at rest, except as he obtains sympathy and support by inducing others to follow his example. For this reason fallen angels and wicked men unite in desperate companionship. Had not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God. (The Great Controversy, p. 505) Because there was now no innate goodness in man after the disobedience of Adam and Eve, God had to intervene so that we would have a way to find the pathway to eternal life by providing each person a measure of faith. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) Without this measure of faith provided by God, the human race would have been lost for eternity. However, we hasten to say that this measure of faith is only effectual to people who respond to the moving of the Holy Spirit and make the choice to seek after God. This is not saving faith. To be saved we must choose to access the faith of Jesus. His faith, imparted to those who surrender their lives to Christ, is saving faith. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12) 218
From the beginning, all humans have closed their probation at death. Most have closed their probation before deathmany choosing eternal death by irreversibly rejecting the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Some surrender their lives to Christ before they end this life, and the destiny of such is secured for eternal life, so long as they daily renew this commitment. However, for those living at earths concluding moments, there comes a time when God closes probation for the whole human race. This final close of probation for the human race does not take place until every inhabitant on the planet has had the opportunity to accept Gods invitation to join those who are faithful and loyal to their Savior. Once the everlasting gospel has been taken to every creature (Mark 16:15), any extension of probationary time would be meaningless, for all fallen beings will have made by that time an irrevocable decision to follow Jesus, the loving Savior of mankind, or the despicable Satan, the deceiver and destroyer of souls. Then the awful declaration is made: 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. (Revelation 22:11) With this pronouncement, character has been sealed for eternity. The righteous are secured for eternal life and the wicked for eternal destruction. We are to make the best of our present opportunities. There will be no other probation given to us in which to prepare for heaven. This is our only and last opportunity to form characters which will fit us for the future home which the Lord has prepared for all who are obedient to His commandments. (Last Day Events, pp. 236237) The 144,000, however, are all sealed and are prepared to live in the presence of God without a mediator, for they need no more a mediator since all sin has been overcome in their lives. 219
Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance. (The Great Controversy, p. 620) Says the prophet: Who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:23. Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among Gods people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. (Ibid., p. 425) Neither the righteous nor the wicked will know when probation for the human race has closed. God has not revealed to us the time when this message will close, or when probation will have an end. Those things that are revealed we shall accept for ourselves and for our children; but let us not seek to know that which has been kept secret in the councils of the Almighty. (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 191) The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal statemen will be planting and 220
building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. (The Great Controversy, p. 491) Probation closes when the sealing of Gods saints is completed. 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. (Ibid., p. 613) I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writers inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, It is done. (Early Writings, p. 279) Probation closes at a time when the whole world is in confusion. Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose against nation, and the whole world was in confusion. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 968) Even for Gods saints, probation closes unexpectedly. When Jesus ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are forever decided. This is the time of reckoning with His 221
servants. To those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness, which fits them to be waiting ones to welcome their Lord, the sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. Probation closes; Christs intercessions cease in heaven. This time finally comes suddenly upon all, and those who have neglected to purify their souls by obeying the truth are found sleeping. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 191) When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. Christ in the Revelation, looking forward to that time, declares: 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. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:1112. The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal statemen will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. Before the Flood, after Noah entered the ark, God shut him in and shut the ungodly out; but for seven days the people, knowing not that their doom was fixed, continued their careless, pleasure-loving life and mocked the warnings of impending judgment. So, says the Saviour, shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:39. Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every mans destiny, the final withdrawal of mercys offer to guilty men.
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Watch ye therefore: . . . lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. Mark 13:3536. Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornmentsit may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel 5:27. (The Great Controversy, pp. 490491) For some time after the close of probation, the activities of the world will appear to continue as usual, for the magnitude of what has happened will not have been perceived. Forms of false Christian worship will continue. So when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed, the inhabitants of the earth will know it not. The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for God. (Ibid., p. 615) Even some of the sealed saints will, for a short time, still be engaged in their regular activities. Christ declared that when He comes some of His waiting people will be engaged in business transactions. Some will be sowing in the field, others reaping and gathering in the harvest, and others grinding at the mill. (Last Day Events, p. 231; see also ibid., p. 76) The wicked continue their regular activities. 223
When Lot warned the members of his family of the destruction of Sodom, they would not heed his words, but looked upon him as a fanatical enthusiast. The destruction that came found them unprepared. Thus it will be when Christ comesfarmers, merchants, lawyers, tradesmen, will be wholly engrossed in business, and upon them the day of the Lord will come as a snare. (Ibid., pp. 232233) After probation closes, false religious leaders are proclaiming the supposed great progress of the world. Come when it may, the day of God will come unawares to the ungodly. When life is going on in its unvarying round; when men are absorbed in pleasure, in business, in traffic, in money-making; when religious leaders are magnifying the worlds progress and enlightenment, and the people are lulled in a false securitythen, as the midnight thief steals within the unguarded dwelling, so shall sudden destruction come upon the careless and ungodly, and they shall not escape. (The Great Controversy, p. 38) At the close of probation, Christ ends His mediatorial work. He lays down the censor, indicating that He has completed His work of intercession. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, It is done. (Early Writings, p. 279) Christ then leaves the Holy of Holies and removes His high-priestly robe. It is appropriate to say that He will never wear it again in the ceaseless ages of eternity, for never again will sin stain the universe. 224
What do ye imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. (Nahum 1:9) Will the saints see that robe? We do not know. Perhaps it will be on display in the heavenly museum. In any case, Christ will now be ready to don His royal robes as king of kings and Lord of lords to get His faithful subjects for His kingdom. Here is the description of these royal robes: His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. . . . And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:1216) The fearful time has arrived when the destiny of eternity is settled for every member of the human family. We fervently pray that all who read this book will be sealed for eternal life. The alternative would be beyond contemplation. What a thoughtful, gracious, loving God we serve! He has provided a way of escape, having sent His beloved Son to pay the infinite cost of our undeserved salvation.
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The Reward of the Impenitent
Chapter 24
HE time of Jacobs trouble is synonymous with the time of the seven last plaguesthe period after probations close when the wrath of God is manifest upon unrepentant sinners. The little time of trouble, which precedes the time of Jacobs trouble, is a time when all the efforts of Satan, his fallen angels, and wicked men and women unite in a confederacy to do all to persuade or coerce Gods people to defect from the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ and transfer their allegiance to Satan by uniting with the multitudes who stand under the cursed banner of Satan. The great controversy is already reaching this climax. By contrast, the time of Jacobs trouble is the time when Gods holy wrath is directed against the wicked who have so cruelly persecuted the children of the Most High God. Christ intimately associates Himself with His redeemed saints. And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40) The four angels release the devastating winds following the cessation of probationary time. For almost six thousand years we have been living in the day of salvation. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For 226
he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:12) In the following verses, Paul left us in no doubt as to what conditions the redeemed will endure: Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:310) Some professed Christians have been persuaded to believe that God is too merciful to visit the world in judgment, but how can they ignore the plain testimony concerning this matter recorded in the holy Scriptures? God has recorded the fury of the persecution meted out against His precious children. It is a just God who punishes these cruel ones for the agony they have perpetrated against those whose only crime is that they would rather die than be disloyal to the One who loves them with an everlasting love. The Scripture declares: To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence. . . . (Deuteronomy 32:35) 227
According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. (Isaiah 59:18) Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:19) Gods modern-day servant adds to our understanding of the nature of Gods judgment: The bolts of Gods wrath are soon to fall, and when He shall begin to punish the transgressors, there will be no period of respite until the end. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 182) Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, that they may not blow until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth; and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. (Education, pp. 179180) Sister White explained the validity of this justice. It is the glory of God to be merciful, full of forbearance, kindness, goodness, and truth. But the justice shown in punishing the sinner is as verily the glory of the Lord as is the manifestation of his mercy. (Last Day Events, p. 240) Once again the Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the gods of this world, as upon the gods of Egypt. With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land. Then His redeemed people will exalt His name and make it glorious in the earth. Shall 228
not those who are living in the last remnant of this earths history become intelligent in regard to Gods lessons? (Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, pp. 240241) The One who has stood as our Intercessor; who hears all penitential prayers and confessions; who is represented with a rainbow, the symbol of grace and love, encircling His head, is soon to cease His work in the heavenly sanctuary. Grace and mercy will then descend from the throne, and justice will take their place. He for whom His people have looked will assume His rightthe office of Supreme Judge. (Last Day Events, p. 240) In all the Bible, God is presented not only as a Being of mercy and benevolence, but as a God of strict and impartial justice. (Ibid.) Gods judgments will come. Wicked acts demand severe punishment, for God is not only a God of love and mercy but also a God of justice. Gods love is represented in our day as being of such a character as would forbid His destroying the sinner. Men reason from their own low standard of right and justice. Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself (Psalm 50:21). They measure God by themselves. They reason as to how they would act under the circumstances and decide God would do as they imagine they would do. (Ibid., pp. 240241) God commands His angels to carry out His judgments. A single angel destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians and filled the land with mourning. When David offended against God by numbering the people, one angel caused that terrible destruction by which his sin was 229
punished. The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by evil angels when He permits. There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere. (The Great Controversy, p. 614) If God were to leave wickedness unpunished He would be guilty of injustice. Those who claim that God does not punish wicked men and women are proclaiming one of the pillars of modern-day spiritualism. Spiritualism is now changing its form, veiling some of its more objectionable and immoral features, and assuming a Christian guise. Formerly it denounced Christ and the Bible; now it professes to accept both. The Bible is interpreted in a manner that is attractive to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. A God of love is presented; but his justice, his denunciations of sin, the requirements of his holy law, are all kept out of sight. (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 405; see also The Great Controversy, pp. 557558) Those who worship the beast (Roman Catholicism) and his image (apostate Protestantism) will receive the mark of the beast (Satans claim to lordship through enforced Sunday observance), and God will punish them for their impenitence and rejection of the long-extended mercy of the Savior. Tragedy of tragedies, many who have been professed Seventh-day Adventists will be lost eternally and will receive the plagues of God. Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive of the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandmentkeeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. (Last Day Events, p. 172) 230
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:911) Prior to the fearful period between the close of probation and the second advent of Christ, the degradation and deception of Roman Catholicism will be revealed before all. God will have sent the urgent, impelling, and infinitely loving invitation for His people to come out of her and join the remnant of His people. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:15) Probation closes; Christs intercessions cease in heaven. This time finally comes suddenly upon all, and those 231
who have neglected to purify their souls by obeying the truth are found sleeping. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 191) The cup of Gods indignation has been filled. At the same time His compassion and mercy for His faithful saints are magnified. Most fearful of all will be the punishment and remorse of professing Seventh-day Adventist laity who recognized their own irredeemable conditions. The punishment of unfaithful pastors is even worse. Many of the wicked were greatly enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproaching their children, and children their parents, brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers. Loud, wailing cries were heard in every direction, It was you who kept me from receiving the truth which would have saved me from this awful hour. The people turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached them, saying, You have not warned us. You told us that all the world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us. But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people. (Early Writings, p. 282) From such lost souls the heart-rending cry goes forth from hearts which are devoid of all hope. The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (Jeremiah 8:20)
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The First Three Plagues and the 144,000
Chapter 25
HE fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of Revelation give many details of what transpires during the time of Jacobs trouble (Jeremiah 30:7); a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1). The fifteenth chapter is an introduction to the seven last plagues, which are directed against this world because of the vile wickedness which is fully revealed when the restraining power of the Holy Spirit is removed from the impenitent inhabitants on the planet. One of the four beasts gives each of the seven angels who exit the heavenly temple one of the vials containing one of the seven last plagues. Each vial contains the fullness of the wrath of God. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 15:67) The sixteenth chapter begins with the command for the seven angels to pour out the vials of the wrath of God. Probation has closed, the day of salvation has closed for ever; the day of the Lord has commenced, and the judgments of God fall unmixed with His long-suffering mercy. And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. (Revelation 16:1) 233
These plagues signal that the end of Christs ministry for the salvation of the human race has already been completed. Satan now is in total control of all but the 144,000. All the lost are totally under his demonic control. When Jesus leaves the most holy, His restraining Spirit is withdrawn from rulers and people. They are left to the control of evil angels. Then such laws will be made by the counsel and direction of Satan, that unless time should be very short, no flesh could be saved. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 204) None of the seven last plagues is poured out until God has sealed His saints and has placed His protective hands around them. They have the faith of Jesus, which sustains them in this fearful time. The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hungera faith that will not faint though severely tried. (The Great Controversy, p. 621) The preparation of the 144,000 for this time has been thoroughly completed. Without the completion of this preparation, the 144,000 could not endure, for our worst imaginations of what will take place will fall short of the reality when the time of Jacobs trouble actually comes upon us. 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. (Ibid., p. 622) Once probation closes Satan, for the first time, has total control of all the unrepentant. 234
So when Christ shall cease His intercession for guilty men, before His coming in the clouds of heaven, the door of mercy will be shut. Then divine grace will no longer restrain the wicked, and Satan will have full control of those who have rejected mercy. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 98) Satans only motivation is hate. All love for others, including filial love, will be extinguished. Every unsaved person will hate all other humans. What a time of horror! The First Plague And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. (Revelation 16:2) It may take some time before even the saints realize that this untreatable plague of sores is the first of the seven last plagues. We cannot imagine the anguish of former Seventh-day Adventists who have forsaken the Lord during the little time of trouble. No human language could describe the horror of this plague. It will certainly be a plague which no wonder drug nor natural remedy can cure. It will be a disease which no doctor can treat successfully. Indeed, many doctors will themselves, no doubt, be helpless victims of this disease, just like many of their patients. Is it a fatal disease? That information is not supplied by Inspiration. However, this plague will still be affecting mankind at the time of the fifth plague. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. (Revelation 16:1011) 235
This first plague must be a dreaded disease. Two things are clear. Not one of the 144,000 will be afflicted with it. Just as certain it is that many (but not all) who have received the mark of the beast will be subjected to this dread plague. Sister White explains that the plagues are not universal. These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals. (The Great Controversy, pp. 628629) It is obvious that if the plagues were universal no one would survive. However, we can expect that the population on the planet will be reduced greatly as a result of the seven plagues. The Second Plague And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. (Revelation 16:3) It is impossible to imagine the terrible stench on the seashores when the dead carcasses of the fish and marine animals are cast up upon them. Surely the task of burying them will be beyond the resources of any nation to accomplish. Heavy equipment will fall short of the needs. Will the rotting carcasses result in the spread of great disease? Undoubtedly they will! No doubt, about this time, the wicked blame the righteous for Gods judgments, hastening the governments of the world to enact the universal death decree against all faithful Sabbath-keepers. I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had 236
brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacobs trouble. (Early Writings, pp. 3637) While Inspiration does not specify exactly when the universal death decree will be issued, the paragraph quoted above indicates that it will be after the close of probation, for it is during the time of Jacobs Trouble, and we know that it is just before the coming of the Lord. (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 121) As the plagues fall, the reaction of the wicked will vary. Some will determine to destroy the saints. Others will plead for another chance, but sadly their probation has closed. The plagues were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth. Some were denouncing God and cursing Him. Others rushed to the people of God and begged to be taught how they might escape His judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden borne, the last warning given. (Early Writings, p. 281) There will be no true repentance, for all the lost are hardened in their rebellion. They have chosen the ways of Satan rather than the divine principles of the God of the universe. There will be terrible regret, unspeakable remorse, and fear and anguish of heartespecially among those who once walked in the light of Gods truth and others who heard the final invitation to the eternal kingdom and were deeply convicted by it but who turned away from the last extension of grace to them because of the pressure of family or friends or because of the fear of the consequences of persecution, imprisonment, or death. Now they are faced with the terror of the plagues. Now they fear for their lives, for, unlike the 144,000 who have placed their total confidence in their Savior, these lost souls have no refuge, no solace, and are filled with utmost despair. 237
Indeed it is certain that many of them will lose their earthly lives before the Second Coming, without any hope of eternal life. They choose to save their earthly lives, but the consequence of their unrepentance is that they lose both their earthly and their heavenly lives. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:3739) All the inhabitants of the worldboth the lost and the redeemedwill at this time pass through fearful tribulations. For the impenitent, there is no hope of redemption; for the redeemed, the surety of salvation burns brightly in their hearts. They have an infinitely brilliant light at the end of their tunnel of torment. For the sinners, there is a dense, impenetrable darkness at the end of their tunnel. Notwithstanding the enactment of the universal death decree, not one of the 144,000 will lose his or her life. They are sealed for eternity. Satan cannot touch them, for the sacrifice of martyrdom would no longer be a witness to the impenitent. All of Satans efforts to destroy Gods people will be thwarted by divine intervention. God would not suffer the wicked to destroy those who were expecting translation and who would not bow to the decree of the beast or receive his mark. I saw that if the wicked were permitted to slay the saints, Satan and all his evil host, and all who hate God, would be gratified. And oh, what a triumph it would be for his satanic majesty to have power, in the last closing struggle, over those who had so long waited to behold Him whom they loved! Those who have mocked at the idea of the saints going up will witness the care of God for His people and behold their glorious deliverance. (Early Writings, p. 284) 238
The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. (The Great Controversy, p. 629) If the blood of Christs faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it would not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for God. (Ibid., p. 634) The Third Plague Terrible though the second plague will be, the third plague will have even more dire consequences for the lost. Wherever this plague occurs, huge numbers will face death by thirst. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. (Revelation 16:47) And the rivers and fountains of waters . . . became blood. Terrible as these inflictions are, Gods justice stands fully vindicated. The angel of God declares: Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . . because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. Revelation 16:26. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. (The Great Controversy, p. 628) 239
How dreadful is this plague! Wherever it falls we can only imagine the pandemonium which will result. Imagine how quickly the supermarkets will be depleted of all drinkable liquids. Imagine how much violence will occur in determined efforts to grab hold of water and other drinking products. Surely, theft will be commonplace, and murder will result. We only have to recall what happens in times of disaster. Remember that the violence at this time will be many times worse because the Spirit of God no longer strives with men. The lost human race is devoid of any conscience to demand restraint. The death toll will be enormous from violence and thirst. So dreadful is this plague that the scriptural record goes to great lengths to explain the justice of this plague. This is the just vengeance of the righteous God of the universe, who repays cruel, wicked men who, in their evil ways, have perpetrated terrible atrocities and committed brutal murder upon Gods precious people just prior to the close of human probation. To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. (Deuteronomy 32:35) According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. (Isaiah 59:18) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:19) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (Hebrews 10:30) Yet what will be the lot of the 144,000? None will die, of course; however, they may well be affected by this plague for the Biblical record 240
clearly implies that the 144,000 have been greatly affected by some of the plagues. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. (Revelation 7:16) The thirst referred to here is likely to have resulted from this third plague. No doubt, God in His wisdom has allowed them to suffer to prove their unshakable loyalty to the Savior and their perfect trust in Him. Such a demonstration of fidelity is demanded by the plan of salvation, for all unfallen created beingsseraphim, cherubim, and inhabitants of the celestial planetsdo not possess infinite knowledge, and they must be reminded by indisputable evidence that the sealed souls will never again reintroduce sin into the universe. The security of the universe demands this irrefutable and unerring evidence. The saints have also suffered from the fourth plague, and the hunger they experience no doubt results from the destruction of food crops by the contaminated water and the terrible destruction of the crops by the searing sun and the great destructive power of the later plagues. Sister White emphatically confirms this. They [the 144,000] 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. (The Great Controversy, p. 649) Yet, though greatly tested by these plagues, ultimately God has preserved all the 144,000 and honored His promise. He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)
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The Fourth and Fifth Plagues and the 144,000

The Fourth Plague
Chapter 26
HERE is much concern about global warming in this present age. This is said to result from the pollutants in the air which are increasing in this age of global industrialization even in poorer countries and the pollution from motorized transportation. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil causes an enormous amount of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gasses to build up in the atmosphere. The solar heat which bathes the earth is then trapped in our atmosphere when the carbon dioxide forms a type of blanket. This causes global warming. It is also evident in the alarming loss of the ice-caps both in the Arctic and the Antarctic regions, and by the increase in hurricanes (cyclones, typhoons). However, the fourth plague clearly goes well beyond this environmentally caused warming. It is an act of God to punish the wickedness of the human race. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. (Revelation 16:89) 242
Not only will it lead to searing heat of almost unbearable intensity, but surely other consequences will result. 1. Many, especially older people, will die of heat prostration. 2. Many will die of heat stroke. 3. Coming after the pollution of much of the drinking water by the third plague, many parts of the planet could experience terrible depletion of fresh water, threatening the supply of water for drinking for irrigating food crops. The evaporation of water will increase, reducing the water in dams and other water storages. Of course, dreadful floods resulting from fearful storms and hurricanes will create great devastation in many regions of the world. 4. Thus a terrible famine will result: In the plague that follows, power is given to the sun to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat. Verses 89. The prophets thus describe the condition of the earth at this fearful time: The land mourneth; . . . because the harvest of the field is perished. . . . All the trees of the field are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men. The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate. . . . How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture. . . . The rivers of water are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Joel 1:1012, 1720. (The Great Controversy, p. 628) 5. As the ice caps from the poles and from the mountaintops are turned to water, there will be a major rise in the levels of the oceans, causing destruction to coastal regions of the world, wreaking havoc upon the beaches and, much more importantly, the towns and cities as the buildings are weakened by the rising water. Many great buildings will collapse, often creating great fires and massive death and carnage. 243
When Gods restraining hand is removed, the destroyer begins his work. Then in our cities the greatest calamities will come. (Last Day Events, p. 111) O that Gods people had a sense of the impending destruction of thousands of cities, now almost given to idolatry. (Evangelism, p. 29) The time is near when large cities will be swept away, and all should be warned of these coming judgments. (Ibid.) Men will continue to erect expensive buildings, costing millions of money; special attention will be called to their architectural beauty and the firmness and solidity with which they are constructed; but the Lord has instructed me that despite the unusual firmness and expensive display, these buildings will share the fate of the temple in Jerusalem. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 10981099) 6. We can surely imagine, in their desperation to escape the unbearable heat, many will seek to find ships to take them to the Arctic or, more likely, the Antarctic, where there is a huge land mass under its present ice cap. Such refuges will lack food. Others, unable to pay for such expensive transportation, will no doubt seek to climb to high refuges in the mountains. Poorer people and many older, infirmed, and handicapped people who live on low-elevation islands may have no way of escape. 7. We can only imagine the fuel costs of those who try to cool their houses. Surely the electric grids will be incapable of meeting the demands, and other fuels for cooking would be scarce. 8. For most individuals, there will be no relief day nor night during this plague.
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9. No doubt God protects His faithful 144,000 from death. Many of them will be in the caves of mountains, and this would provide some relief from the fiery heat. The Fifth Plague To many, the fifth plague may appear to be mild compared with the previous four plagues. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. (Revelation 16:1011) Yet the Bible description leaves no doubt that the plague of darkness will cause fearful distress. This plague is uniquely location specific. It affects apparently only the seat of the beast power. As the Reformers understood, this beast power is the papacy. In chapter 13 (verses 110) is described another beast, like unto a leopard, to which the dragon gave his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:2. This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the ancient Roman empire. Of the leopardlike beast it is declared: There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. . . . And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Revelation 13:57. This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy. (The Great Controversy, p. 439) 245
The prophecy plainly states that the power, seat and great authority is from Satan, the dragon. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2) God is clearly demonstrating the spiritual darkness which this power has spread throughout the world. Now the inhabitants experience the terror of physical darkness. While claiming to be the infallible spokesmen of God, the popes have dispensed shocking satanic error. How appalling have been the consequences of these evil pronouncements. Billions of people down through the ages have been deceived. Myriads of others under the severest threats and persecutions have surrendered to her authority. The faithful few whose love for Christ was complete would not yield up their loyalty to their Redeemer, being ready to suffer inhumane treatment during the wicked inquisitions, and many yield up their lives as martyrs, being signified in the earth made new by the scarlet hem on their spotlessly white robe. God punishes this power of darkness. God is now vindicating His faithful living saintsthe 144,000.
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The Sixth PlagueArmageddon
Chapter 27
HE sixth plague is unique from the other plagues. All the others could well be described as natural disasters, from the first plague which results in a pandemic of an incurable agonizing disease, to the physical disasters of the last plague which includes thunders and lightning, a great earthquake, islands disappearing, and a storm of huge hail. By contrast, the sixth plague describes a mighty warfare which encompasses the whole planet. There is another factor leading up to the sixth plague. During the fourth plague there is no repentance, for the wicked blaspheme God. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. (Revelation 16:9) The wicked continue their blasphemy during the fifth plague. The depth of the wickedness of the lost is here exposed. Their evil reaches its zenith, leading to a fearful worldwide conflict. Here is the Bible record of this plague. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out 247
of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Revelation 16:1216) What has made it difficult to understand the nature of this plague is the fact that the descriptions of all other plagues are clearly literal in their language. This sixth plague is presented in figurative language. Terms such as the drying up of the water of the great river Euphrates, three unclean spirits like frogs, come out of the mouth of, are not literal language. Certainly the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet are symbolic. Most students of prophecy are agreed that the dragon is the devil and, by extension, his spiritualistic manifestations during the end of the world, for this fact is clearly asserted in Scripture (Revelation 12:9; 20:2). Protestant Bible students from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century correctly identified this beast in Revelation 16:13 as the first beast of Revelation 13, which symbolized Roman Catholicism. The false prophet is more difficult to identify because there is no earlier reference to the false prophet in prophecy. However, many Seventh-day Adventist Bible students believe that the false prophet can be none other than fallen Protestantism. The clues provided in the Word of God strongly point to this identification because, like the other two powers it works miracles (Revelation 13:13), and the false prophet unites with spiritualism and Roman Catholicism. With great speed today, this third power is joining forces with spiritualism and Roman Catholicism through the ecumenical movement. The three powers form a deadly coalition against the people of God. Providentially, we have the support of the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy which details this three-fold union. Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his 248
deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. (The Great Controversy, p. 588) This three-fold union can refer only to Revelation 16:14, for it is the union referred to there. It will be noted that this three-fold union is formed prior to the close of probation, but its relevance to the sixth plague is that they gather the forces of evil to the great final conflict after the close of human probation just before the return of Jesus. In the focus upon Revelation 16:12, different understandings by Seventh-day Adventist Bible students of that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared have developed. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. (Revelation 16:12) Some understand this passage to refer to kings (or nations) presumably east of the valley of Megiddo. The valley of Megiddo is a famous region in the Middle East where many fierce wars raged over the millennia, especially in ancient times. Great slaughters have resulted in this region. Some say the area is an ideal region for warfare because it forms the gateway between Asia and Europe and their distinctively different cultures, religion, and histories. Many believe the battle of Armageddon will be a fearful, final war between Eastern and Western nations. Relatively early in Seventh-day Adventist history, the belief that the battle of Armageddon was a physical war between the Eastern (Asian) nations and the Western (European) nations was strongly promoted. This understanding gained great currency at the time of the twentieth century 249
when the war between Russia and Japan took place (19041905). The Eastern question, as it was termed, was a popular topic in crusades. The belief was that there would be a great strengthening and awakening of the Eastern nations of Asia which would greatly empower their military might and threaten the Western nations, especially of Europe. Japans victory over Russia in that war was seen as a confirmation of this prophetic interpretation. This interpretation was further confirmed by the military power exercised by Japan in the Second World War and the rise of Communism in China in the postWorld War II period. However, we have not been able to confirm this interpretation beyond doubt in the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, for Sister White wrote little on this theme. Yet neither did she oppose this interpretation of the Eastern question when it was presented by Elder Uriah Smith. In fact, she seems to have looked favorably upon his presentations on the topic. Here is what she wrote: Elder Smith spoke in the morning upon the Eastern Question. The subject was of special interest, and the people listened with the most earnest attention. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 279) This message of Elder Smith was presented in 1879 at a camp meeting in Groveland, Massachusetts. The authors are puzzled, however, that, knowing this understanding of Elder Smith and others, Sister White neither expressed any counsel against his views nor did she endorse it. We conclude that God gave her no definitive light on the issue. However, there have been fierce debates among Seventh-day Adventist Church members as to whether this battle is literal or spiritual, we believe nowhere fiercer than in our home division, the South Pacific Division. Our earnest counsel is to avoid polemic debate, for there is no plain Thus saith the Lord from the pen of Inspiration, though Sister White knew of the different understandings. As this prophecy unfolds, we eventually will have no doubt as to the correct interpretation. Let us here give a brief summary of the position held by Elder Smith in his monumental book Daniel and the Revelation, revised editions of 250
1944 and 1947 (where the integrity of his original presentation of what he wrote has not been violated). Smith mounted impressive evidence from nineteenth-century authorities who lent strong credence to the likelihood that the last decisive physical battle will be fought in the valley of Megiddo at the crossroads between the Asian and European nations. The location of this valley is described by A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge: This name is given to the great plain of central Palestine which extends from the Mediterranean to the Jordan, separating the mountain ranges of Carmel and Samaria from those of Galilee. . . . It is the ancient plain of Megiddo, the Armageddon of Revelation 16:16. (Lyman Abbott and T.J. Conant, A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge, pp. 326327; quoted in Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, 1947 ed., p. 694) The dynamics of war have changed dramatically since Uriah Smith died in 1903. Aerial warfare was unknown, nuclear weapons did not exist, guided missiles were not yet invented, and so much more. If Armageddon includes a frightening final Eastern-Western war under the influence of the Vatican, surely today we would see it as the result of the battle over oil. Yet, the issues would go much more deeply into battle between pseudoChristian nations and non-Christian nations, especially Islamic nations. Not a few see the terrible violence in the Middle East as we write as a precursor to the battle of Armageddon. Many believe it will be the most devastating war in human history as World War III. While we can provide no evidence from Inspiration to settle definitively the validity of Elder Smiths interpretation, we can, however, confirm Elder Smiths conclusion with confidence from Inspiration. Thus, before the spirits can have such absolute authority over the race as to gather them to the battle against the King of kings and Lord of lords, they must first win 251
their way among the nations of the earth, and cause their teaching to be received as of divine authority and their word as law. Daniel and the Revelation, p. 699 Below is the confirmation from inspired commentary that the battle of Armageddon focuses upon the battle between the forces of Satan and his supporters and God and His faithful ones: The principalities and powers of earth are in bitter revolt against the God of heaven. They are filled with hatred against those who serve Him, and soon, very soon, will be fought the last great battle between good and evil. The earth is to be the battlefieldthe scene of the final contest and the final victory. (Last Day Events, p. 250) The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. (The Great Controversy, p. 624) There are only two parties in our world, those who are loyal to God, and those who stand under the banner of the prince of darkness. Satan and his angels will come down with power and signs and lying wonders to deceive those who dwell on the earth, and if possible the very elect. The crisis is right upon us. Is this to paralyze the energies of those who have a knowledge of the truth? Is the influence of the powers of deception so far reaching that the influence of the truth will be overpowered? The battle of Armageddon is soon to be fought. He on whose vesture is written the name, king of kings and Lord of lords, leads forth the armies of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and white. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 982) 252
Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All on His side bear His signet. They are obedient to His commands. On the other side stands the prince of darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and rebellion. (Ibid., pp. 982983) Destroying angels are taking up the work of vengeance; for the Spirit of God is gradually withdrawing from the world. Satan is also mustering his forces of evil, going forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them under his banner, to be trained for the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Satan is to make most powerful efforts for the mastery in the last great conflict. Fundamental principles will be brought out, and decisions made in regard to them. Skepticism is prevailing everywhere. Ungodliness abounds. The faith of individual members of the church will be tested as though there were not another person in the world. (Ibid., p. 983) The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field. (Ibid.) Whether or not Armageddon includes an EastWest political war of unprecedented proportions, what is certain is that Armageddon encompasses the final battle of the wicked of the earth against God and His victorious angelic hosts who perfectly protect the 144,000. Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the 253
earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trouble that is cominga time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nationGods chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 17) Could it be that during the battle of Armageddon the papacy is destroyed? Is this the time the powers who once adored the papacy cast their fury upon her? And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16) Yet these are the same ten powers which previously had placed their power at the papacys disposal to enforce the inhabitants of the earth to worship the beast. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Revelation 17:1213) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:78) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and 254
cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:1517) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8) For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (Revelation 18:58) A short time before its destruction, the papacy had been idolized by the great men of the world, the rulers of the earth, and the powerful merchants. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, 255
and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Revelation 18:23) At her destruction, these leaders and merchants demonstrate their impenitence by mourning over the destruction of this power which had been the agency of Satan to lead men from Gods eternal salvation. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: the merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they 256
cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (Revelation 18:924) The 144,000 have witnessed this apostate powers total destruction by God, and they have seen how their loyalty to Christ and the Bible has saved them from the fate of the papacy. Their fidelity is being revealed, their loyalty vindicated. If the battle of Armageddon is confined to a spiritual war between the forces of Satan and the forces of Christ, then the Eastern question must be settled by the forces of Christ coming from the east (from heaven through Orion. This is the very same space through which, 1,000 years later, the New Jerusalem will descend. (See Early Writings, p. 41) The supreme question is, Where will our readers stand during the battle of Armageddon? Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experi257
ence in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 982) May God prepare all now for that day.
258
The Seventh Plague
Chapter 28
HE plagues end with a force of destruction unprecedented since the flood of Noahs day. Surely it will provide a massive depopulation of the earth. Here is the Biblical account. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (Revelation 16:1721) It is during the seventh plague that the victory of the forces of God will decisively overcome the forces of Satan. We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a 259
struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 983) The battle of Armageddon is soon to be fought. He on whose vesture is written the name, king of kings and Lord of lords, leads forth the armies of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and white. (Ibid., p. 982) It is also at this time that those members of the 144,000 who have been incarcerated in lonely, far-away prisons in appalling conditions are freed by the terrifying earthquake. None of Gods faithful saints will be held in the custody of the wicked when Jesus returns. They will be free men and women. Their freedom will never again be threatened throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wickedness are swallowed up by the angry waters. Babylon the great has come in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Great hailstones, every one about the weight of a talent, are doing their work of destruction. Verses 19, 21. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the worlds great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder, and Gods people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free. (The Great Controversy, p. 637) 260
The Seventh Plague
As we have confirmed earlier in this book, the plagues are not universal, or no human or animal life would be alive upon the earth when Jesus returns. These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals. All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. (The Great Controversy, pp. 628629) It is only the miraculous power of Christ which preserves every member of the 144,000 from death. How Christ loves these faithful ones who have passed the ultimate tests of the little time of trouble and now the time of Jacobs troublea time of trouble such has never been since there was a nation! They have demonstrated that Gods faithful ones will be a threat to no one in the universe, nor will they ever be a threat to the unity of the universe. These living saints will, by extension, give assurance that the soon-to-be resurrected saints will be just as worthy of eternal life as the 144,000. They may not have been tested to the extent of the 144,000, but had they been so tested in the vigor of their lives, they would have demonstrated the same immovable loyalty to Christ. It is at this time that the prophecy of Amos is fulfilled. Some of the wicked include those who once walked with the people of God but failed the defining tests, and they later disserted from the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel and joined the rebellious forces under Satans apostate banner. Now, in desperation they seek to find salvation, but the door has closed, and there is time no longer to grasp salvation. What anguish of heart these lost souls experience! Behold, the days come, saith the Lord god, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:1112) 261
Others rushed to the people of God and begged to be taught how they might escape His judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden borne, the last warning given. The sweet voice of mercy was no more to invite them. When the saints, and all heaven, were interested for their salvation, they had no interest for themselves. Life and death had been set before them. Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose life, and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty, no compassionate Saviour to plead for them, and cry, Spare, spare the sinner a little longer. All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, It is done. It is finished. The plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercys sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness they heard the words, Too late! too late! (Early Writings, p. 281) How pitiful is the final lament of many who had much light but failed in their loyalty to our dear Savior. The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (Jeremiah 8:20) This is the most poignant moment in the history of this earth until this time. It is more dreadful than the terror of Noahs day, and the emotional distress of this moment will only be exceeded when the lost, viewing the redeemed saints with their Savior in the New Jerusalem, finally recognize with unbounded horror, that which they have needlessly forfeited. The above words of Early Writings, p. 281, merit a second reading. The 144,000 are the only saints who have lived without the benefits of a Mediator. Previously, if Gods people had fallen into sin or had sinned ignorantly, they had the benefits of a Mediator, an Advocate and Intercessor, Christ Jesus, but not so for the 144,000 during their fearful 262
The Seventh Plague
trials during this time of Jacobs trouble. One tiny sin, one ignorant sin, would deprive them of eternity and would exclude them from their heavenly sojourn. God in His infinite foreknowledge had permitted them to be sealed before this experience, for He knew all would pass every test, and none fail the fearful tests. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. (Early Writings, p. 71) Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24) How final will be the above words of Jesus as the seventh plague is working its fearful devastation! Our appeal to our readers is to now be prepared daily for Christs return. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:12) The prophet Jeremiah explains that our searching for Christ and salvation will be rewarded if we search with our whole heart. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) 263
Now is the time to seek the Lords salvation, for all that do so are assured of salvation. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10) Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the Lord, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom. (Isaiah 65:67) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (Matthew 7:89) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
264
The Experience of the Saints During the Time of Jacobs Trouble
Chapter 29
HAT a fearful time it will be when the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is removed from the human race! There will then be no promptings of the conscience to convict the minds of the wicked. Lost souls will demonstrate just how perverse the fallen nature of humanity is without the intervention of divine grace. All the attributes of Satan and his evil angels will be reflected in the thoughts, words, and actions of all those who have rejected the last message of mercy. Had not God extended mercy to the human race after the sin of Adam and Eve, this terrible condition would have been constantly shared by all of humanity until God destroyed this rebellious race. Not even one member of the human race would have reflected the character of God. It is only as a result of Gods intervention that any humans now live the Christlike life. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5) Without this intervention all humanity would have been comprehensively corrupt without help or hope in the world. 265
God declares: I will put enmity. This enmity is not naturally entertained. When man transgressed the divine law, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan. There exists naturally no enmity between sinful man and the originator of sin. Both became evil through apostasy. The apostate is never at rest, except as he obtains sympathy and support by inducing others to follow his example. For this reason fallen angels and wicked men unite in desperate companionship. Had not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God. (The Great Controversy, p. 505) During the time of Jacobs trouble, the unrestrained fury of the wicked will be unleashed against Gods people. This fury will be so ferocious that it will be well nigh unbearable for the saints of God. Until this time transpires, there is no way that Gods people can imagine the situation, for it has no parallel in the history of the planet. The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hungera faith that will not faint though severely tried. (Ibid., p. 621) When Jesus leaves the most holy, His restraining Spirit is withdrawn from rulers and people. They are left to the control of evil angels. Then such laws will be made by the counsel and direction of Satan, that unless time should be very short, no flesh could be saved. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 204) 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 266
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. (The Great Controversy, p. 622) The faith of individual members of the church will be tested as though there were not another person in the world. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 983) God is good in that He has not given to us detailed descriptions of this time because we may be filled with constant apprehension and focus continuously upon this fearful time ahead. It could well cause our hearts to fail, and in despair and discouragement we would be in grave danger of losing our faith. It might well distract us from the mighty mission which God has called us to accomplish, to enlighten and warn the world of the imperiling events which lie ahead. We may not yet be single-mindedly focusing upon our spiritual preparation to receive the latter rain that we might be empowered to take the saving, everlasting gospel to the world. Surely now is not the time to postpone this preparation. The manifestation of the seven last plagues leads to this universal Sunday law and the planet-wide death sentence against the 144,000. I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacobs trouble. (Early Writings, pp. 3637) When Gods presence was finally withdrawn from the Jewish nation, priests and people knew it not. Though un267
der the control of Satan, and swayed by the most horrible and malignant passions, they still regarded themselves as the chosen of God. The ministration in the temple continued; sacrifices were offered upon its polluted altars, and daily the divine blessing was invoked upon a people guilty of the blood of Gods dear Son and seeking to slay His ministers and apostles. So when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed, the inhabitants of the earth will know it not. The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for God. As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. The same argument eighteen hundred years ago was brought against Christ by the rulers of the people. It is expedient for us, said the wily Caiaphas, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. John 11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism in the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue 268
a similar course toward those who honor all the divine precepts. (The Great Controversy, pp. 615616) For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacobs trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:57) Especially will the wrath of man be aroused against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; and at last a universal decree will denounce these as deserving of death. (Prophets and Kings, p. 512) Then I saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan and his angels busy around them. I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a certain time to put them to death. (Early Writings, pp. 282283) Yet not one of the 144,000 loses his or her life. When probation closes, there are 144,000 saints, and when Jesus returns all 144,000 are still alive. When this planet-wide fateful death decree is passed, the 144,000 make God their defense and refuge. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority 269
that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 213) When the universal death decree goes forth, some of Gods faithful people are in cities and towns, and now they flee to the remote regions of the earth. Sadly, some will be apprehended by the wicked and will be forced into the vilest prisons. Their whereabouts will be known to none of their family and friends, but Gods unfailing care is over them. In this day, when even Western nations pursue the policy known as rendition (where they send prisoners to far-away nations which possess laws which do not prohibit torture), this fearful penalty will be enforced upon Gods saints. Their loved ones will know nothing of their whereabouts, nor will they know if they have remained faithful to their Lord. As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. Like the Christians of the Piedmont valleys, they will make the high places of the earth their sanctuaries and will thank God for the munitions of rocks. Isaiah 33:16. But many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. No human ear is open to hear their moans; no human hand is ready to lend them help. (The Great Controversy, p. 626) The universal death decree provides a period of time to encourage and coerce Sabbath-keepers to recant their Sabbath-keeping. Thus a date 270
is set by governments after which, if the saints do not recant, the people are at liberty to slay them. Emphatically we can assure our readers that none of these 144,000 will surrender their loyalty to Christ, and they will not abandon their faithful Sabbath-keeping though they be greatly threatened. The people of God are not at this time all in one place. They are in different companies, and in all parts of the earth; and they will be tried singly, not in groups. Every one must stand the test for himself. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1143) So calamitous is the situation of the 144,000 that they are sorely tempted to lose faith in their Lord, but none do. Nevertheless, their anguish of soul is manifested in their pitiful cries for God to deliver them. Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. (The Great Controversy, p. 630) As emphasized before, no saint, after the close of probationary time, will lose his or her life. No witness will be served by martyrdom; thus the lives of Gods people will be protected from every threat. God would not suffer the wicked to destroy those who were expecting translation and who would not bow to the decree of the beast or receive his mark. I saw that if the wicked were permitted to slay the saints, Satan and all his evil host, and all who hate God, would be gratified. And oh, what a triumph it would be for his satanic majesty to have power, in the last closing struggle, over those 271
who had so long waited to behold Him whom they loved! Those who have mocked at the idea of the saints going up will witness the care of God for His people and behold their glorious deliverance. (Early Writings, p. 284) It is at this time of the saints greatest distress that Satan employs his last deception in one final effort to deceive the one group scattered around the planet who stands between him and the takeover of the human racethe 144,000. Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. He cannot sweep in the whole world. He makes one last desperate effort to overcome the faithful by deception. He does this in personating Christ. He clothes himself with the garments of royalty which have been accurately described in the vision of John. . . . One effort more, and then Satans last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate Christ, and make them think their prayers are answered. (Last Day Events, pp. 164165) Satans final effort fails dismally. Not one of the 144,000 is deceived, for they possess the mind of Christ. During the bewildering times of the plagues, the 144,000 are not completely encapsulated by God from experiencing the effects of the plagues. They will not experience the first plague, for only those who have received the mark of the beast experience it. Neither do they experience the plague of darkness. However, they do suffer intensely. God permits them to be tested to their limit. The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. (The Great Controversy, p. 629) 272
In the time of trouble none will labor with their hands. Their sufferings will be mental, and God will provide food for them. (Last Day Events, p. 265) 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. (The Great Controversy, p. 649) Gods sealing of His children has been perfect. All the 144,000 have not only survived the physical pain and privation, their faith also has not faltered during the emotional torment which they have endured with nobility of character. Their immovable trust in their Lord has demonstrated to men and to angels that they are fitted for translation and to enter the courts of paradise. Oh, that readers of this book as well as the authors will be together in that great gathering day! Now is the era to prepare, for probationary time is perilously short.
273
The Special Resurrections
Chapter 30
WO passages in Scripture certify a special resurrection before the return of Christ and the general resurrection of the faithful saints of all ages: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:12) Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7) Daniels end-time prophecy is intriguing. It focuses on the resurrection of both Gods faithful saints and those who have failed to embrace the salvation of Christ. Scripture frequently describes two distinct groups who will be on the earth when Jesus returns. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together 274
first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:30) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:3234) The companion prophetic book of Revelation also details the same two groups as probation closes for the human race preceding the return of Jesus. 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. (Revelation 22:11) Yet there is a distinct difference between the record of these two groups in Revelation from this record left by the prophet Daniel. Daniel presents the two resurrections as taking place at the same time for both the saints and the wicked while Revelation separates the two events by a 1,000-year period. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their 275
foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:45) We can only conclude that the events recorded by Daniel are different from those recorded by John in the Revelation. John also implies a partial resurrection before the second coming of Jesus quite apart from the resurrections of the saints of all ages and the lost of all ages. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7) Johns record hinges upon the words . . . and they also which pierced him. As John confirms that the wicked are not resurrected until 1,000 years after the second coming of Jesus, it leads to only one conclusionthere is a resurrection of those culpable for the crucifixion of Jesus a short time before the return of Christ to claim His faithful followers who have died since the first saint, Abel, was murdered by his brother Cain. This will be the fulfillment of a prophecy of Jesus to His accusers: Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:64; see also Mark 14:62) This partial resurrection is confirmed by the Spirit of Prophecy: They also which pierced Him (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christs dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, 276
are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. (The Great Controversy, p. 637) Yet where is the record of a partial resurrection of some of Gods saints as recorded in Daniel? This is clearly detailed also by Sister White. Graves are opened, and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth . . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angels message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear Gods covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. (Ibid.) These partial resurrections clearly take place just before the return of Christ. The context of the above paragraph quoted from The Great Controversy describes when these partial resurrections take placeright at the end of the seventh plague. Great hailstones, every one about the weight of a talent, are doing their work of destruction. Revelation 16:21. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the worlds great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder, and Gods people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free. Graves are opened, and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth . . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angels message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear Gods covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. They also which pierced Him (Revelation 1:7), those 277
that mocked and derided Christs dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. (Ibid.) It would seem that almost immediately after the special resurrection God breaks His millennia-long silence and will declare the day and the hour of Christs return. It is a dramatic moment. All the 144,000 hear the pronouncement, no doubt in their own languages. However, the wicked hear only the awesome peal of thunder belting the earth. We can only guess the attempted explanations by the meteorologists. This unprecedented phenomenon indicates that the deliverance of the saints is imminent. We can only imagine the contrasting reactions and emotions of those two groups who are resurrected just before Jesus return. Those who have been laid to rest in the faith of the everlasting gospel will arise triumphant. Will they meet some of the 144,000? We believe they likely will. They will have the realization that very soon they will witness the triumphant return of their blessed Savior and be caught up with the living saints to meet Him in the air. All their tests and trials, all discouraging circumstances which they faced will now appear as nothing. By contrast, those who lusted for the death of Jesus will be confused and will be filled with fear as they recall the words of Jesus which He spoke to them before His crucifixion. With terrified anguish of heart and dreadful forebodings they will anticipate Christs return. In the special resurrection, the saints will rise in a glorified state. Their corruption would have been replaced by incorruption and their mortality by immortality. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angels message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law. Early Writings, p. 285 278
These risen saints will be privileged, with the 144,000, to witness the entire second coming of Christ, from the emergence of the very small dark cloud as Christ and His entourage of angels first come into sight. What a privilege will this be for those who have died in the faith of the three angels messages!
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The Twenty-four Elders
Chapter 31
EVELATION 7 offers a brief snapshot of the four beasts and the twenty-four elders. While the number twenty-four is not specifically stated in this chapter, yet the scene and the setting leaves no doubt that the elders here referred to are the twenty-four elders who are addressed only in the book of Revelation. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:1114) Here are the brief glimpses of the twenty-four elders we find elsewhere in Scripture. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4) 280
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:1011) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb 281
for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:514) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:1618) And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:3) And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4) From these texts we can draw the following conclusions: 1. The twenty-four elders occupy a special place around Gods throne. (Revelation 4:4) 2. They are seated (on thrones) around Gods throne. (Revelation 4:4; 11:16) 3. They are clothed in white linen. (Revelation 4:4) 4. They wear crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4) 5. They worship God. (Revelation 4:10; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4) 282
6. They caste their crowns before the throne of God. (Revelation 4:10) 7. They praise God as the Creator. (Revelation 4:11; 7:12) 8. One of the elders declared Christ was worthy to open the sealed book which was in the hand of God. (Revelation 5:5) 9. Christ, the Lamb of God, stands in the midst of the twenty-four elders. (Revelation 5:6) 10. When Christ unsealed the book, the twenty-four elders with the four beasts sang a new song which declared Christ was worthy to open the book because of this redemption through His sacrifice for mankind. (Revelation 5:910) 11. The twenty-four elders were surrounded by a multitude of angels. (Revelation 5:11) 12. The twenty-four elders worshipped Christ. (Revelation 5:14) 13. They praise God as the Eternal One. (Revelation 11:17) 14. They declare that it is time to judge the world, to reward the saints, and to destroy the wicked. (Revelation 11:18) 15. One of the twenty-four elders identifies the 144,000 in heaven. (Revelation 7:1314) The Spirit of Prophecy has little to say concerning the twenty-four elders. Indeed they are not mentioned as such in the Spirit of Prophecy. However, in her commentary upon Revelation 5:6 she seems to indicate that these elders are human beings. The Lamb of God is represented before us as in the midst of the throne of God. He is the great ordinance by which man and God are united and commune together. Thus men are represented as sitting in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is the appointed place of meeting between God and humanity. (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 967; see also Testimonies to Ministers, p. 124) If by the men in the above passage Sister White is referring to the twenty-four elders, then it would leave no doubt that the twenty-four 283
elders are from those who were resurrected at the time of the crucifixion of our Savior. Here is the record of these resurrections: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matthew 27:5253) These twenty-four elders are robed in white robes and wear a golden crown (Revelation 4:4), which parallels the description of the redeemed saints at the end of earths history. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. (Revelation 7:9) We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. (Early Writings, p. 16) There have been other suggested understandings of who the twentyfour elders are. Some believe that they are angels. They argue this from the following statement. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 5:8) The proponents of this view believe that the work of intercessory ministry of the prayers of the saints would not be entrusted to humans but rather to angels. Before rushing to this conclusion, let us recognize 284
that Paul indicates that even unredeemed saints make intercession for fellow human beings. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. (1 Timothy 2:1) However, the ultimate work of intercession is entrusted to Christ and the Holy Spirit. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:2627) Surely we can conclude that redeemed saints make intercession before God for members of the human race. Clearly the angels as created beings cannot assume the intercessory role completely, any more than 285
redeemed saints. Yet there is a role that the twenty-four elders play, an undefined role, as the prayers of the saints ascend as sweet incense to the throne of God. For a deeper understanding of this role we will have to await until we are in heaven. We must point out that the number twenty-four is not insignificant. It, of course, is the double of 12, and there were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples of Christ. Perhaps even more significant is the fact that there were twenty-four courses of the Levitical priesthood. Another interpretation compares the 24 elders with the 24 courses of the Levitical priesthood. As the priests ministered before God in the earthly sanctuary, so John sees 24 elders ministering in the heavenly sanctuary. Editors, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 767 Thus these elders, resurrected almost 2000 years ago, are no doubt actively involved in Gods work in heaven. They hold an honored place, enthroned around the throne of God, where in great loyalty to God they worship and praise Him constantly. Christ is also in the midst of them. One of the elders declares that Christ, and Christ alone, is worthy to open the sealed bookno doubt the book of Daniel, the only biblical book which God has commanded to be sealed. And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (Daniel 12:9) Like the 144,000, these twenty-four elders sing a new song. Their song addresses Christs worthiness to open the seal. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (Revelation 5:9) 286
This passage of Scripture plainly denies the theory that the four and twenty elders are angels, for the twenty-four elders declare to Christ that thou hast redeemed us. No holy angel has ever been redeemed. That wonderful mercy of God has been accorded to humans alone. Yet, these twenty-four elders must have been specially chosen, for at Christs resurrection many saints were raised. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matthew 27:5253) Sister White certifies that a multitude were raised from the dead and that all were martyrs. As Christ arose, He brought from the grave a multitude of captives. The earthquake at His death had rent open their graves, and when He arose, they came forth with Him. They were those who had been co-laborers with God, and who at the cost of their lives had borne testimony to the truth. Now they were to be witnesses for Him who had raised them from the dead. During His ministry, Jesus had raised the dead to life. He had raised the son of the widow of Nain, and the rulers daughter and Lazarus. But these were not clothed with immortality. After they were raised, they were still subject to death. But those who came forth from the grave at Christs resurrection were raised to everlasting life. They ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave. These, said Christ, are no longer the captives of Satan; I have redeemed them. I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of My power, to be with Me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow. (The Desire of Ages, p. 786)
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Thus from these inspired words we may conclude: 1. That the twenty-four elders were a small proportion of those raised from the dead at the time of Christs resurrection. 2. That there were a great many more than twenty-four raised. 3. That all had yielded up their lives for Jesus. Other evidences of their honored role and position is revealed by the facts that they were the ones who declared it was time to begin the (investigative) judgment, and they were surrounded by multitudes of holy angels. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:1618) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. (Revelation 5:11) We believe that in eternity we will become fully aware of the honored responsibility which was entrusted to the twenty-four elders in the end-time events. No doubt, they will have very honored roles throughout eternity.
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The Four Beasts of the Book of Revelation
Chapter 32
OW we address the four beasts or, as some describe them, the four living creatures. Let us review the texts in the book of Revelation which refer to the four beasts. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 4:69) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of 289
them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. . . . And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:611, 14) And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (Revelation 6:1; see also verses 3, 5, 7) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. (Revelation 7:11) And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:3) And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 15:7) And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4) 290
We now examine what God has revealed to us concerning the four beasts. As with the twenty-four elders, there are details which our curiosity would desire to know concerning the four beasts, but of which we will have to wait to reach the heavenly portals to discover. As an aside, we would encourage all the readers of this book to make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10) and thus be in heaven to learn more of the secrets which have not been revealed unto us at this time. Here, however, is what has been revealed to us concerning the four beasts. 1. They are around and in the midst of Gods throne. (Revelation 4:6) 2. They are full of eyes before and behind them, indicating their ability to discern all that transpires around them. (Revelation 4:6) 3. Each beast is distinct from the otherone appears like a lion, one as a calf, another like a man and the fourth like a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:7) 4. They all have six wings. (Revelation 4:8) 5. They constantly were praising God, who is seated upon His throne. (Revelation 4:89) 6. In the midst of the four beasts was Christ, the slain Lamb of God. (Revelation 5:6) 7. When Christ opened the sealed book (of Daniel), with the twentyfour elders, the four beasts make intercession with sweet incense. (Revelation 5:8) 8. They join with the twenty-four elders in singing the new song declaring the worthiness of Christ to open the book. (Revelation 5:9) 9. With the twenty-four elders they declare that the redeemed will be kings and priests reigning upon the (new) earth. (Revelation 5:10) 10. They say Amen to the praises given to God by all beings. (Revelation 5:14) 11. One of the four beasts distributed the seven vials of the wrath of God to the seven angels commissioned to pour out the plagues upon the earth. (Revelation 15:7) 291
12. When Christ opened the first of the seven seals, the four beasts invited all to witness what took place. (Revelation 6:1) 13. They worshiped God with the twenty-four elders and the angels. (Revelation 7:11; 19:4) 14. They witness the singing of the new song by the 144,000. (Revelation 14:3) Of course, the four beasts are not members of the Godhead, for they worship both the Father and the Son (Revelation 4:8; 7:11; 19:4). It would also appear that they are not humans because they have six wings. While Gods redeemed saints will have wings, nowhere does Inspiration declare that humans have six wings. The only beings recorded in Scripture as having six wings are the seraphims. In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:13) However, the living creatures depicted in Ezekiel who are identified as cherubims have four wings. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calfs foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to 292
another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. (Ezekiel 1:510) This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims. (Ezekiel 10:20) There is another conclusion which we can deduce concerning the seraphims. As Isaiah 6:13 clarifies, the seraphims were ministering in heaven at the time of Isaiah. Therefore, they could not comprise the resurrected saints who ascended to heaven at the time of Christ. Thus we conclude that the four beasts of Revelation are angels of the order of seraphims. Also, keep in mind that at the time of Ezekiels vision he saw four living creatures (beasts) which have several characteristics identical with the beasts of the book of Revelation. Yet they also possessed differences. Here are some of the similarities: 1. They were four in number (Ezekiel 1:5; Revelation 4:6). 2. They had faces characterized as like a man, or lion, or ox, or eagle (Ezekiel 1:10; Revelation 4:7). 3. They had many eyes (Ezekiel 1:18, Revelation 4:6). However, there are specific differences indicating that the four living creatures seen by Ezekiel were not the same creatures as those of Revelation. Here are some of the differences: 1. The Ezekiel beasts had four facesboth sides and front and backeach side like a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle (Ezekiel 1:10); whereas the beasts of Revelation had only one face, each different from the other (Revelation 4:7). 293
2. Later, one of the faces of the living creatures in the book of Ezekiel was described as a cherub, replacing the face of the ox (Ezekiel 10:14). 3. The living creatures of the book of Ezekiel are identified as cherubims (Ezekiel 10:20). There is no such identification of the beasts of the book of Revelation. 4. The four living creatures of the book of Ezekiel have four wings (Ezekiel 1:6), whereas the four beasts of Revelation possess six wings (Revelation 4:5). Our best conclusions are that the four living creatures in the book of Ezekiel are similar to the four beasts of the book of Revelation but are not the identical beasts. The Ezekiel living creatures are specifically identified as cherubims chosen by God to do a special work at a time of great apostasy amongst the Jews which had led to Gods judgments against them at the time of the Babylonian captivity. The word of the Lord also came unto me, saying, Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house. (Ezekiel 12:12) Thus by comparison and contrast we believe that the four beasts of Revelation have a special work to do at a time when God pours out this judgment upon the rebellious of the earth and when He redeems His saints. Our conclusion is that the four beasts of the book of Revelation are not cherubims but seraphims. As with the twenty-four elders, the Spirit of Prophecy, though referring to the four beasts several times, does not provide any clear identification of whom they are. Again, further illumination awaits us at the time of our redemption.
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The Blessed Hope Realized
Chapter 33
HICH true Christian has not been inspired and motivated by the thrilling words of Paul to Titus? Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:1314)
What a time we are in! We are on the precipice of eternity. What a time for Gods servants to press together in worship and ministry! The glories of heaven are spread before us. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25) The 144,000we pray that many of our readers will be among themare filled with solemn faith and watchful expectation. They have heard the voice of God declaring the day and the hour of Christs return. All of them heard the declaration in their own languages and in their time zones. We can only imagine the emotions of the 144,000 and the saints resurrected in the partial resurrection of those who died in the faith of the three angels messages. 295
Remember, some of the saints resurrected in the special resurrection, including the Whites, passed through the time of the great disappointment, October 22, 1844. What will their reaction be now? Will they fear that this day and hour, proclaimed by God Himself, may end in another bitter disappointment? The answer is an emphatic No! All the waiting saints will have perfect faith that they will see Christ coming at the precise moment God has declared. If their faith wavered for a moment, they would have sinned. Paul makes that very plain. For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) The seven plagues have been poured out, and the dreadful day of the Lord has ended, leaving this sin-cursed planet in a fearful state of chaos and desolation. No doubt the saints have been greatly pained by the anarchy which has resulted. No doubt the wicked are apprehensive, fearful, and uncertain of their futures. Finally, the day arrives, and the countdown will be down to minutes. All the saints eyes are turned to the east, no matter where they are on earth. The hour arrives, and at the precise moment all see the black cloud; yet there is no ecstatic excitement. Far from it. The awe of the moment transfixes the gaze of the living saints. The Alleluias will come later. Here is how Sister White describes this moment: Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a mans hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of man. We all in solemn silence gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire; a rainbow was over the cloud, while around it were ten thousand angels, singing a most lovely song; and upon it sat the Son of man. (Early Writings, pp. 1516) Many have wondered why the cloud at first appears to be black when Christ is returning in power and great glory accompanied by His angels. 296
The answer could be simple. Clearly Christ and His entourage of angels are traveling at a speed immeasurably faster than the speed of light. While they maintain speeds in excess of the speed of light, the cloud remains black. As Christ and the angels approach the earth, clearly the heavenly brakes slow down the descent of this heavenly host to below the speed of light, and the majestic glory of Christ and the angels is revealed. At speeds just above the speed of light, the cloud is black because the light waves are compressed beyond the visible blue end of the light spectrum. As the speed decreases, the light becomes visible as deep blue and then shifts from blue to white. Did Sister White understand this science? We doubt it, but she wrote that which was revealed to her by God. It is at this exact moment that the saints of all ages rise from their dusty graves. Then Jesus silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried, Awake! awake! awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise. Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. (Ibid., p. 16) What a spectacle! Among them will be some of the great names in Holy Scripture, many will be the humblest men and women who have ever lived. There will be some who have never heard of Christ. Those whom Christ commends in the judgment may have known little of theology, but they have cherished His principles. Through the influence of the divine Spirit they have been a blessing to those about them. Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom 297
the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. (The Desire of Ages, p. 638) What a moment when the saints of all ages of earths history arise! Then that voice comes from heaven and the clouds begin to roll back like a scroll, and there is the bright, clear sign of the Son of man. The children of God know what that cloud means. The sound of music is heard, and as it nears, the graves are opened and the dead are raised. (Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, pp. 251252) The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. (The Desire of Ages, p. 606) Amid the reeling of the earth, the flash of lightning, and the roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then, raising His hands to heaven, He cries: Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and arise! Throughout the length and breadth of the earth the dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. From the prison house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55. And the living righteous and the risen saints unite 298
their voices in a long, glad shout of victory. (The Great Controversy, p. 644) Christ and the angels wait suspended above the earth to greet the heritage of Christs great sacrifice and ministry for the human race. Living and resurrected saints are all drawn by an invisible force to meet their Lord in the air. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:1318) But what of the lost? The contrast cannot be adequately described in limited human language. What about those who pierced Christ? Those who have acted the most prominent part in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ come forth to see Him as he is, and those who have rejected Christ come up and see the saints glorified, and it is at that time that the saints are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and are caught up to meet their Lord in the air. The very ones who placed upon Him the purple robe, and put the crown of thorns upon His brow, and those who put the nails 299
through His hands and feet, look upon Him and bewail. (Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 252) The other lost are hardly less anguished. When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people, there is a terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the great conflict of life. While probation continued they were blinded by Satans deceptions, and they justified their course of sin. The rich prided themselves upon their superiority to those who were less favored; but they had obtained their riches by violation of the law of God. They had neglected to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to deal justly, and to love mercy. They had sought to exalt themselves and to obtain the homage of their fellow creatures. Now they are stripped of all that made them great and are left destitute and defenseless. They look with terror upon the destruction of the idols which they preferred before their Maker. They have sold their souls for earthly riches and enjoyments, and have not sought to become rich toward God. The result is, their lives are a failure; their pleasures are now turned to gall, their treasures to corruption. The gain of a lifetime is swept away in a moment. The rich bemoan the destruction of their grand houses, the scattering of their gold and silver. But their lamentations are silenced by the fear that they themselves are to perish with their idols. The wicked are filled with regret, not because of their sinful neglect of God and their fellow men, but because God has conquered. They lament that the result is what it is; but they do not repent of their wickedness. (The Great Controversy, p. 654) When the earth is reeling to and fro like a drunkard, when the heavens are shaking, and the great day of the 300
Lord has come, who shall be able to stand? One object they behold in trembling agony from which they will try in vain to escape. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him (Revelation 1:7). The unsaved utter wild imprecations to dumb naturetheir god: Mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne (Revelation 6:16). (That I May Know Him, p. 356) Some of the living and resurrected saints have come from frightful circumstances. The heirs of God have come from garrets, from hovels, from dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains, from deserts, from the caves of the earth, from the caverns of the sea. (The Great Controversy, p. 650) Some of those resurrected have also come from forgotten resting places. What a scene will these mountains and hills [in Switzerland] present when Christ, the Lifegiver, shall call forth the dead! They will come from caverns, from dungeons, from deep wells, where their bodies have been buried. (Last Day Events, p. 278) The wicked cannot survive the majestic glory of Christ, and they will remain dead throughout the millennial judgment. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8) How different is the lot of Gods saints! They are instantly immortalized. 301
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:5155) The redeemed of all ages have not wavered in their confidence in the Lords return, and with almost unutterable joy they declare, And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9) Then only those who are holy, those who have followed fully the meek Pattern, will with rapturous joy exclaim as they behold Him, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. And they will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpthat trump which wakes the sleeping saints, and calls them forth from their dusty beds, clothed with glorious immortality, and shouting, Victory! Victory over death and the grave! The changed saints are then caught up together with the angels to meet the Lord in the air, never more to be separated from the object of their love. (Early Writings, p. 110) May not one soul reading this book be missing from that triumphant throng is our prayer.
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Chapter 34
HEN Colin was ministering in Nairobi, the capital of kenya, in 1989, the kenyans said, No one has a home in Nairobi. Our home is in our tribal village. Yes, we have a house here, but it is not our home. Almost all are married in our village, and no one is buried here except the President of the country. We will be buried in our tribal village. So it is for Gods people. This sin-cursed earth is not our home, for heavenand ultimately the earth made newwill be the location of our homes. We may have a house on this earth, but, for the Christian, it cannot be our home. Jesus made that promise to His people: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:13) The patriarch Abrahams focus was not on a mansion in this world, for he dwelt in tents to his dying day. His focus was upon heaven. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:910) 303
If our readers are like the authors of this book, you will be so overjoyed to be with Jesus in heaven that you would be happy to dwell in a humble cottage, but Jesus has promised mansions. What a contrast from the tents of Abraham or the humble huts in which many of the saints of God have lived upon this earth! Indeed, few, very few, will have lived in mansions on this earth, for they have sacrificed all their resources for the cause of Christ. So let us address the events which led the saints to their heavenly abode. The saints have been greeted by their Savior in the air and no doubt have met their guardian angel. They are now on their seven-day journey to heaven. They have entered the cloud togethera multitude of the redeemed of all ages, surrounded by all the heavenly angels, which is beyond calculation by humans. We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass. (Early Writings, p. 16) We cannot begin to understand the speed at which the triumphant throng will be traveling, for the constellation of Orion is more than 1,500 light years from planet earth. Scientists once believed that the speed of light was the ultimate speed, but some are now declaring that they believe that greater speeds than light exist in the universe. As Christians, we know that this is true. Indeed, the speed we will be traveling to heaven will seem to make the speed of light very slow. Of course, there are Biblical examples of angels traveling at vastly greater speeds than light. Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. (Daniel 9:21) And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. (Revelation 7:2) 304
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However, there is another interesting detail. On our journey to heaven, three times Sister White emphasizes that the cloudy chariot rolled upward. The living saints were changed in a moment and were caught up with them into the cloudy chariot. It looked all over glorious as it rolled upward. On either side of the chariot were wings, and beneath it wheels. And as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, Holy, and the wings, as they moved, cried, Holy, and the retinue of holy angels around the cloud cried, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! And the saints in the cloud cried, Glory! Alleluia! And the chariot rolled upward to the Holy City. Jesus threw open the gates of the golden city and led us in. Here we were made welcome, for we had kept the commandments of God, and had a right to the tree of life. (Early Writings, p. 35) Some have assumed that the words rolled upward is a figure of speech, somewhat as we would say, He rolled up to our home. However, the term is not rolled up, it is rolled upward. Around the middle of the twentieth century, scientists such as Dr. Wernher Von Braun (19121977) and Dr. Robert Goddard (18821945), studying the issues of inter-galactic travel, reached the conclusion that the only hope to reach other galaxies from this planet was not by conventional rocketry but by a rolling motion which could greatly increase the speed of travel. The authors do not profess to understand the astrophysics of this, but we are amazed that a century before these conclusions were deduced by scientists, God had revealed this to the servant of the Lord. As the saints enter heaven, there is no longer the solemn restraints to their ecstasy, and they are joined by the angels, the twenty-four elders and the four beasts in their praises and thanksgiving to God. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and 305
people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:912) We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, Alleluia, heaven is cheap enough! and we touched our glorious harps and made heavens arches ring. (Early Writings, p. 17) On their arrival in heaven, the saints receive three gifts from their Saviorall of great symbolism. Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. (Ibid., p. 16) The crowns represent two themes in the Biblevictory and rulership. The saints are victorious overcomers, and they will reign with Christ: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the 306
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word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4) The golden harps, instruments of praise, are played to praise our Redeemer. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. (Psalm 33:2) Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. (Psalm 43:4) The palm branches are also symbols of victory. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. (Revelation 7:9) When Jesus completed the inaugural communion service, before His death on Calvary to provide the propitiation for our sins, He made a sacred promise to His disciplesa promise which will be fulfilled for all the redeemed of the earth. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom. (Matthew 26:29) The magnitude of this feastwith no absentee saintcannot be adequately envisioned by us now, but what a triumphal event this will be! In the upper room, Jesus foreshadowed His infinite sacrifice for the 307
human race, that whosoever would receive the grace and power of the gospel of His atoning sacrifice could become joint rulers with Him. For if by one mans offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:1617) As best as limited human language could describe, Sister White details this heavenly communion service. What a different scene from the sorrowful service in that upper room! Now the scene is surrounded by unutterable joy. Here are the redeemed of the earth, the fruit of Christs sacrifice and His high-priestly ministry. All the saints echo and reecho the praise that heaven was cheap enough. (Early Writings, p. 17) Christ and all heaven exult in the harvest of the saints who have been redeemed. This is Sister Whites description of this scene: Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you. We shouted, Alleluia! glory! and entered into the city. And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. (Early Writings, p. 19) There will be a special role for the 144,000 in heaven, for only those who have passed through the time of Jacobs trouble are privileged to enter the heavenly temple. 308
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There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place: the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figsthese made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, Only the 144,000 enter this place, and we shouted, Alleluia. (Ibid., p. 19) While Inspiration does not elaborate on the issue, in the inaugural gathering, the 144,000 stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a perfect square. What an honor is especially bestowed by Christ upon these special saints! What are Gods redeemed doing during the millennium? There are only six references to this one-thousand-year period, and they are to be found only in six consecutive verses in Revelation 20: And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. (Revelation 20:27) 309
We are not kept in ignorance of the role of the redeemed during this period. It will be noted that during the millennium the redeemed saints are engaged in judgment. This is the third of four such judgments of God. The four judgments designed to restore harmony in the universe are as follows. 1. The judgment at the crossotherwise known as the judgment of reconciliation. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:3132) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10) The death of Christ provided for mankinds reconciliation to God. 2. The judgment of the end timeotherwise known as the investigative judgment. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:910) As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each 310
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successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of Gods remembrance. (The Great Controversy, p. 483) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come. . . . (Revelation 14:7) . . . He reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. . . . (Acts 24:25) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14) 3. The millennial judgmentotherwise known as the judgment of the wicked by the redeemed saints. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:23) Then I saw thrones, and Jesus and the redeemed saints sat upon them; and the saints reigned as kings and priests unto God. Christ, in union with His people, judged the wicked dead, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Word of God, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. (Early Writings, pp. 290291) 311
It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. (The Desire of Ages, p. 615) 4. The cleansing judgmentotherwise known as the executive judgment. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:79) All four judgments are necessary for the cleansing of the universe from the ravages of sin and sinners. Forever, throughout the unending eons of eternity, never will sin again blight Gods universe. What do ye imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. (Nahum 1:9) However, let us focus upon the third judgment, in which the saints participate during their heavenly sojourn. They had no participation in the first two judgments. However, if Christ had not died for the human race and been resurrected in the judgment of reconciliation, they could not be saved; nor could they have part in the third judgment. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. (1 Corinthians 15:1718)
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The investigative judgment provided for the angels to review the records of the human race before the saints are taken home to heaven. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:910) During the millennial judgments the redeemed saints review the records of the lost who have professed to be the followers of God. Just as the angels found no mistakes in Gods judgments during the investigative judgment, so, too, neither do the redeemed saints. All are perfectly satisfied that Gods mercy and justice are perfect. Just as the Ten Commandments are the standard by which every life is judged in the investigative judgment, so they are in the millennial judgment. The law of God is the standard by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgment. Says the wise man: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment. Ecclesiastes 12:1314. The apostle James admonishes his brethren: So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:12. (The Great Controversy, p. 482) During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent. Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light 313
the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. 1 Corinthians 4:5. Daniel declares that when the Ancient of Days came, judgment was given to the saints of the Most High. Daniel 7:22. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, the saints shall judge the world. 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of death. Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says Paul: know ye not that we shall judge angels? Verse 3. And Jude declares that the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Jude 6. (Ibid., pp. 660661) However, for Satan and his evil angels, the millennium is a time of great misery. For a thousand years, Satan will wander to and fro in the desolate earth to behold the results of his rebellion against the law of God. During this time his sufferings are intense. Since his fall his life of unceasing activity has banished reflection; but he is now deprived of his power and left to contemplate the part which he has acted since first he rebelled against the government of heaven, and to look forward with trembling and terror to the dread314
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ful future when he must suffer for all the evil that he has done and be punished for the sins that he has caused to be committed. (Ibid., p. 660) At the conclusion of the millennium, the saints are readying themselves to reclaim their final home on planet earth. We can only imagine the beauty of our restored home. Only our first parents will have any conception, but we believe that, for all the saints, the anticipation of this moment will be electric.
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EAVEN will be the saints temporary home for one thousand years. God created planet earth for the habitation of the human race. But the ravages of 6,000 years of sin, multiplied many times by the destruction of the seven last plagues which wreaked havoc unprecedented in earths history, make this present cursed earth wholly unsuited for habitation, and thus it is laid waste for the duration of the millennium. Only Satan and his evil angels have the lot of being confined to such a dismal occupation of the planet. At this time the wicked dead are raised in the second resurrection to face the eternal punishment for their evil ways. For 1,000 years, the saints have lived in the mansions Christ prepared for them and have experienced the glory and majesty of heaven, but heaven is not their eternal home. At the end of the millennium, the judgment of that era has been completed. The saints, in unison with Jesus, pass their judgment upon the wicked dead. Behold ye, said the angel, the saints, in unison with Jesus, sit in judgment, and mete out to the wicked according to the deeds done in the body, and that which they must receive at the execution of the judgment is set off against their names. This, I saw, was the work of the saints with Jesus through the one thousand years in the Holy City before it descends to the earth. (Early Writings, pp. 5253) Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad 316
Our Final Home
the inhabitants thereof. . . . The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. (Isaiah 24:1, 3) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:13) Now is the time for the saints to return to their home planet. Christ, some of the angels, and the saints leave the Holy City, New Jerusalem, and come to the earth. Jesus divides a great mountain, creating a huge plain. Soon the Holy City descends and settles upon this new plain. After the judgment of the wicked dead had been finished, at the end of the one thousand years, Jesus left the city, and the saints and a train of the angelic host followed Him. Jesus descended upon a great mountain, which as soon as His feet touched it, parted asunder and became a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great and beautiful city, with twelve foundations, and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We cried out, The city! the great city! it is coming down from God out of heaven! And it came down in all its splendor and dazzling glory and settled in the mighty plain which Jesus had prepared for it. (Early Writings, p. 291) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and 317
he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:24) At this time the wicked are resurrected. With the wiles which Satan has developed over 6,000 years experience, he musters his last deception to convince the wicked that they have the might to capture the New Jerusalem and the saints located in it. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city. . . . (Revelation 20:79) After Satans army begins its advance toward the New Jerusalem, their march is interrupted: By command of Jesus, the gates of the New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city and make ready for the onset. Now Christ again appears to the view of His enemies. Far above the city, upon a foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits the Son of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and majesty of Christ no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal Father is enshrouding His Son. The brightness of His presence fills the City of God, and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance. 318
Our Final Home
Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which now is theirs. (The Great Controversy, pp. 664-665) All are compelled by the overwhelming evidence presented to them to acknowledge Gods justice. Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for heaven. He has trained his powers to war against God; the purity, peace, and harmony of heaven would be to him supreme torture. His accusations against the mercy and justice of God are now silenced. The reproach which he has endeavored to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly upon himself. And now Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence. (The Great Controversy, p. 670) With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: Just and true are Thy ways, Thou king of saints. (Ibid., p. 671) 319
Satans final act of rebellion against God, Christ, and the saints was always destined to be futile, and now they suffer their final and eternal punishment--the annihilation of Satan, his angels, and the wicked of all ages. . . . And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:910) Now the way is prepared for the re-creation of the earth to restore it to the original pristine beauty of the home of the innocent parents of the human race. Its beauty defies fallen human description. This earth, more beautiful than when it was originally created, will be the habitation of the saints. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9) For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17) The redeemed will be eye-witnesses of the re-creation of our planet. No words of Inspiration describe the acts of Christ in the re-creation of the world. However, it will surely be similar to Christs original creation, when the energy of the spoken word of our Lord provided the mighty acts which brought forth the inanimate and animate matter of earth. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. . . . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. (Psalm 33:6, 9) 320
Our Final Home
Will Christ follow the same daily sequence employed at the original creation of this planet? We do not know. The authors pray that they, with the readers of this book, will be present to witness this epoch-making re-creation. Oh, how our hearts burn within us that we will now honor our Savior with undivided loyalty to Him! We earnestly encourage all to make such a commitment to Him that we will all be together in that day. One thing is certain, that we will have the opportunity to worship Christ together each Sabbath day and each new moon. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 66:23) In the brief insights of life on the new earth provided by the prophet Isaiah, there is sufficient information to make our hearts rejoice. Even the animals will be at peace with each other. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpents meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 65:2425) The authors are greatly anticipating the opportunity of tending our own gardens there, but if there are any builders among our readers, we would greatly appreciate your training and help in the construction of our dwellings. Surely, today is the day to make our calling and election sure. God bless you all. As we have written this book, we have prayed for you on frequent occasions. We long to meet you there and share eternity with you, the holy angels, and, above all, the infinitely loving members of the Godhead.
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Index
Scripture References
Genesis 1:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Genesis 1:3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Genesis 2:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Genesis 3:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 217 Genesis 4:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 107 Genesis 4:20-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Genesis 6:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Genesis 6:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Genesis 7:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Genesis 9:11-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Genesis 10:8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Genesis 11:2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Genesis 11:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Exodus 20:8-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120, 126 Exodus 31:12-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137, 151 Exodus 31:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120, 128 Leviticus 16:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Leviticus 26:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Numbers 1:4-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Numbers 14:34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Numbers 23:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Deuteronomy 7:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Deuteronomy 10:12-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Deuteronomy 11:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Deuteronomy 32:35 . . . . . . . . . . . . 227, 240 1 Samuel 6:19-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Ezra 6:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Psalm 1:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Psalm 15:1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 212 Psalm 19:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Psalm 24:3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144, 213 Psalm 27:3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Psalm 33:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Psalm 33:6, 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 Psalm 37:25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Psalm 43:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Psalm 50:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Psalm 51:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Psalm 51:5, NIV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Psalm 103:13-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Psalm 107:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Psalm 119:160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Psalm 141:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Proverbs 3:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Proverbs 8:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Proverbs 9:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Proverbs 11:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 Ecclesiastes 12:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50, 311 Isaiah 1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 76, 208 Isaiah 2:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Isaiah 4:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Isaiah 6:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292 Isaiah 8:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Isaiah 10:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Isaiah 14:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Isaiah 21:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Isaiah 24:1, 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 Isaiah 25:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Isaiah 28:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Isaiah 30:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Isaiah 32:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Isaiah 33:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106, 241, 270 Isaiah 43:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Isaiah 44:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Isaiah 45:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
322
Index
Isaiah 45:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Isaiah 53:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Isaiah 53:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Isaiah 54:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Isaiah 59:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228, 240 Isaiah 64:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Isaiah 65:6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Isaiah 65:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 Isaiah 65:24-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Isaiah 66:18-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Isaiah 66:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Jeremiah 5:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Jeremiah 8:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232, 262 Jeremiah 29:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Jeremiah 29:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 202 Jeremiah 30:5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Jeremiah 30:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Jeremiah 30:7 . . . . . . . . . . 31, 167, 210, 233 Lamentations 3:33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Ezekiel 1:5-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Ezekiel 4:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ezekiel 9:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 148 Ezekiel 9:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Ezekiel 10:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Ezekiel 12:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 Ezekiel 14:14, 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ezekiel 18:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Ezekiel 28:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ezekiel 34:26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Daniel 2:32-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Daniel 5:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81, 223 Daniel 7:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Daniel 7:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Daniel 7:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Daniel 7:9-10 . . . . . . 49, 119, 141, 310, 313 Daniel 7:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 Daniel 9:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 Daniel 12:1 . . . 6, 31, 57, 119, 167, 210, 233 Daniel 12:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Daniel 12:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275, 277 Daniel 12:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Hosea 6:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Joel 1:10-12, 17-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Joel 2:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 209, 210 Joel 2:23-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Joel 2:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 210 Joel 2:32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Amos 5:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Amos 5:18-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Amos 8:11-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Amos 9:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Micah 7:2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Nahum 1:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Nahum 1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225, 312 Nahum 2:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Zephaniah 1:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Zephaniah 3:13 . . . . . . . . . . 43, 45, 144, 208 Zechariah 10:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Malachi 2:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Malachi 3:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98, 220 Malachi 4:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Matthew 1:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Matthew 5:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Matthew 6:23-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Matthew 6:33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Matthew 7:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Matthew 7:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Matthew 7:21-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Matthew 7:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Matthew 10:37-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 Matthew 12:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Matthew 12:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Matthew 12:36-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Matthew 13:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Matthew 18:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Matthew 20:25-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Matthew 24:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Matthew 24:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Matthew 24:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Matthew 24:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Matthew 24:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Matthew 24:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Matthew 24:39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Matthew 25:32-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Matthew 25:34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Matthew 25:34-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 207 Matthew 25:40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Matthew 26:29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Matthew 26:33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Matthew 26:39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Matthew 26:64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Matthew 27:52-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284, 287 Matthew 28:19-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Mark 2:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 120
323

Mark 13:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Mark 13:35-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Mark 16:15 . . . . . . . . . 54, 60, 114, 133, 219 Luke 6:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Luke 9:62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Luke 12:32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Luke 13:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Luke 18:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Luke 19:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 264 Luke 22:29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Luke 24:46-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 John 3:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 115 John 6:38-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 John 7:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 John 9:41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 John 10:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 John 11:50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 John 12:31-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 John 14:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 John 15:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 John 17:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Acts 1:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Acts 3:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Acts 5:32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Acts 8:26-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Acts 10:39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Acts 13:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Acts 16:16-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Acts 17:30-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Acts 24:25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 311 Romans 2:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Romans 2:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Romans 2:14-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Romans 2:28-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Romans 4:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Romans 5:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 Romans 5:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 Romans 6:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Romans 8:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Romans 8:16-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 Romans 8:26-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Romans 8:34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Romans 9:6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Romans 9:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132, 168 Romans 9:27-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Romans 12:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Romans 12:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228, 240 Romans 14:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Romans 14:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 1 Corinthians 2:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 1 Corinthians 4:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 1 Corinthians 6:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 1 Corinthians 9:25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 1 Corinthians 10:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 105 1 Corinthians 10:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 1 Corinthians 10:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 1 Corinthians 10:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 1 Corinthians 15:17-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 1 Corinthians 15:55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 1 Corinthians 16:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 2 Corinthians 5:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49, 119 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 227, 263 2 Corinthians 6:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 2 Corinthians 7:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 156 Galatians 3:29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Galatians 5:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Galatians 5:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Galatians 5:22-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Ephesians 1:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Ephesians 4:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 146 Ephesians 4:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Ephesians 6:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Ephesians 6:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Ephesians 6:11-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Philippians 1:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Philippians 2:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Philippians 2:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 147, 265 Colossians 1:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 157 Colossians 2:11-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Colossians 3:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 2 Thessalonians 1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 2 Thessalonians 2:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 1 Timothy 2:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
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2 Timothy 3:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2 Timothy 4:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Titus 1:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Titus 2:13-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Hebrews 2:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Hebrews 2:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Hebrews 4:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Hebrews 6:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Hebrews 6:4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Hebrews 7:25 . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 87, 115, 285 Hebrews 10:25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Hebrews 10:26-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Hebrews 10:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Hebrews 11:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Hebrews 12:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Hebrews 13:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 168 James 2:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 James 2:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217, 313 James 4:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 1 Peter 1:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 1 Peter 2:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 1 Peter 2:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 1 Peter 4:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 50 2 Peter 1:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147, 265 2 Peter 1:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 2 Peter 1:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 2 Peter 2:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 2 Peter 3:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 87 1 John 1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Jude 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 Jude 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Revelation 1:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Revelation 1:7 . . . . . . . . 274, 276, 277, 301 Revelation 1:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Revelation 1:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Revelation 3:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Revelation 4:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280, 284 Revelation 4:6-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 Revelation 4:10-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Revelation 5:5-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Revelation 5:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 Revelation 5:6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Revelation 5:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 Revelation 5:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Revelation 5:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141, 288 Revelation 6:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Revelation 6:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Revelation 6:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 210 Revelation 7:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Revelation 7:1-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Revelation 7:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Revelation 7:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 Revelation 7:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Revelation 7:4-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Revelation 7:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62, 64, 207, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210, 214, 284, 307 Revelation 7:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Revelation 7:9-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 Revelation 7:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Revelation 7:11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Revelation 7:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Revelation 7:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Revelation 11:16-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . 282, 288 Revelation 12:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Revelation 12:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 306 Revelation 12:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 209 Revelation 13:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245, 246 Revelation 13:5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Revelation 13:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Revelation 13:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 122 Revelation 13:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Revelation 13:13-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Revelation 13:14-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Revelation 13:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Revelation 13:15-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Revelation 13:15-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Revelation 13:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149, 196 Revelation 13:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Revelation 14:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 130 Revelation 14:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 282, 290 Revelation 14:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 144 Revelation 14:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Revelation 14:5 . . . . . . . . . . 20, 45, 47, 144 Revelation 14:6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Revelation 14:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 311 Revelation 14:7-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Revelation 14:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Revelation 14:9-11 . . . . . . . . . 121, 183, 231 Revelation 14:12 . . . . . . . 47, 122, 209, 218 Revelation 15:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 155 Revelation 15:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Revelation 15:6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Revelation 15:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Revelation 16:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
325

Revelation 16:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155, 235 Revelation 16:2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Revelation 16:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Revelation 16:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Revelation 16:4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Revelation 16:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Revelation 16:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Revelation 16:10-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . 235, 245 Revelation 16:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Revelation 16:12-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Revelation 16:17-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Revelation 17:5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Revelation 17:12-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Revelation 17:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Revelation 18:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Revelation 18:1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Revelation 18:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 256 Revelation 18:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 90 Revelation 18:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Revelation 18:5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Revelation 18:9-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Revelation 18:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Revelation 19:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282, 290 Revelation 19:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Revelation 19:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Revelation 19:12-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Revelation 20:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 Revelation 20:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Revelation 20:2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Revelation 20:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Revelation 20:4, 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 Revelation 20:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Revelation 20:7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312, 318 Revelation 20:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 Revelation 21:2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Revelation 22:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Revelation 22:11 . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 219, 275 Revelation 22:11-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Revelation 22:14 . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 100, 123 Revelation 22:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Adventist Home, The, p. 137 . . . . . . . . . 110 p. 141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Bible Echo, The, August 26, 1895 . . . . . 132 Christs Object Lessons, p. 74 . . . . . . . . . 98 p. 310 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 p. 391 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 p. 408-411 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 p. 415-416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Christian Service, p. 253 . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Counsels on Health, p. 375 . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Desire of Ages, The, p. 121-122 . . . . . . . 105 p. 606 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 p. 615 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 p. 638 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53, 298 p. 786 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Early Writings, p. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 p. 15-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 p. 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . 284, 297, 304, 306 p. 16-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 p. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306, 308 p. 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308, 309 p. 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 p. 36-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237, 267 p. 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 p. 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 p. 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 p. 52-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 p. 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 p. 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154, 200 p. 71 . . . . . . . . . . . . 135, 158, 162, 263 p. 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 p. 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 p. 254 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 p. 261 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 p. 271 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 195 p. 279 . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 195, 221, 224 p. 281 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237, 262 p. 282 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 p. 282-283 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 p. 284 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238, 272 p. 290-291 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 p. 291 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 Education, p. 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 p. 179-180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Evangelism, p. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 p. 77-78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 p. 234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Spirit of Prophecy References

Acts of the Apostles, The, p. 55 . . . . . . . 164 p. 431 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
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p. 234-235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82, 138, 152 p. 235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 p. 236 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 p. 692 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 p. 693 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 p. 700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195, 198, 203 p. 701 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 p. 537 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Gospel Herald, The, January 1, 1901 . . 139 Great Controversy, The, p. 38 . . . . . . . . 224 p. 383 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 p. 425 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 p. 439 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 p. 443 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 p. 445 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 185 p. 449 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 138, 153 p. 464 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 p. 464-465 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 p. 482 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50, 313 p. 483 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49, 311 p. 484 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 p. 485 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 p. 486 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 p. 490-491 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 p. 491 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81, 221 p. 505 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 218, 266 p. 530 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 p. 588 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169, 249 p. 589 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 p. 589-590 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 p. 592 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 p. 604 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 p. 605 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 186 p. 605-606 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 p. 606-607 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 p. 607 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 184 p. 608 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 p. 611 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 p. 613 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 p. 614 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 230 p. 615 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 p. 615-616 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 p. 620 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 207, 220 p. 621 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48, 234, 266 p. 622 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234, 267 p. 624 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 p. 626 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 270 p. 627 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 p. 628 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239, 243 p. 629 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239, 272 p. 630 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 p. 634 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 p. 637 . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 260, 277, 278 p. 641 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 p. 644 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 p. 649 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 241, 273 p. 650 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 p. 654 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 p. 660 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 p. 660-661 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 p. 670 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 p. 671 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 p. 628-629 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236, 261 p. 664-665 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Last Day Events, p. 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 p. 95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 p. 111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 p. 125-126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 p. 144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 p. 145-146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 p. 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 p. 147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 p. 150-151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 p. 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 p. 164-165 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 p. 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 p. 178-179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 p. 179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 p. 191-192 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 p. 206 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197, 203 p. 209 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 p. 209-210 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 p. 212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 p. 216 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 p. 217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 p. 219. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 p. 220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 p. 231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 p. 232-233 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 p. 236-237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 p. 240 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228, 229 p. 240-241 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
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p. 250 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 p. 265 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 p. 278 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 192 . . . . 101 vol. 9, p. 251-252 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 vol. 9, p. 252 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 vol. 10, p. 240-241 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 vol. 14, p. 161-162 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Ministry of Healing, The, p. 365-366 . . . 109 My Life Today, p. 250 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Our High Calling, p. 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 81 . . . . . . . 108 p. 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 p. 106-107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 p. 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 p. 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 p. 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Prophets and Kings, p. 183-184 . . . 104, 129 p. 188 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 p. 188-189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 p. 324 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 p. 512 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 p. 590 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Selected Messages, book 1, p. 115 . . . . . 162 book 1, p. 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 book 1, p. 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 book 1, p. 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 book 1, p. 174 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 book 1, p. 175 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 book 1, p. 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81, 220 book 2, p. 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 book 2, p. 141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 book 2, p. 259 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 book 2, p. 263 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 book 2, p. 355-356 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 book 2, p. 357-358 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 book 2, p. 358 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 book 2, p. 368 . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 99, 167 book 2, p. 380 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101, 171 book 3, p. 360 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 book 3, p. 385 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 book 3, p. 386-387 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 book 3, p. 392-393 . . . . . . . . . 131, 186 book 3, p. 397 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 book 3, p. 416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 book 3, p. 422 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 book 3, p. 427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 vol. 4, p. 1161 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 vol. 4, p. 1184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 vol. 5, p. 1098-1099 . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 vol. 5, p. 1145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 vol. 6, p. 1073 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 vol. 7, 978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 vol. 7, 980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 vol. 7, p. 967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 vol. 7, p. 968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 221 vol. 7, p. 970 . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 133, 135 vol. 7, p. 977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 vol. 7, p. 980 . . . . . . . . . . 133, 137, 151 vol. 7, p. 982 . . . . . . . . . . 252, 258, 260 vol. 7, p. 983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260, 267 vol. 7, p. 984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 vol. 7, p. 989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 vol. 7, p. 982-983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 vol. 7, p. 983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Sons and Daughters of God, p. 51 . . . . . 135 Story of Redemption, The, p. 173 . . . . . . . 58 Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 vol. 1, p. 186 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 96 vol. 1, p. 187 . . . . . . . . . 79, 95, 96, 204 vol. 1, p. 204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234, 266 vol. 1, p. 355 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 vol. 1, p. 429 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 vol. 2, p. 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222, 232 vol. 3, p. 115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 vol. 4, p. 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 vol. 4, p. 279 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 vol. 5, p. 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88, 197 vol. 5, p. 80-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 vol. 5, p. 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 154 vol. 5, p. 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197, 204 vol. 5, p. 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 vol. 5, p. 136 . . . . . . . . . . . 99, 100, 208 vol. 5, p. 152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 vol. 5, p. 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 vol. 5, p. 211 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 vol. 5, p. 213 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
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Index
vol. 5, p. 213-214 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 vol. 5, p. 214 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 204 vol. 5, p. 216 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135, 153 vol. 5, p. 232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 vol. 5, p. 450 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 vol. 5, p. 451 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 vol. 5, p. 711 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 vol. 5, p. 753 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 vol. 6, p. 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 vol. 6, p. 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192, 200 vol. 6, p. 70-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 vol. 6, p. 349-368 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 vol. 6, p. 350 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 vol. 6, p. 394 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 vol. 6, p. 401 . . . . . . . . . . 180, 196, 202 vol. 7, p. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 vol. 8, p. 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 vol. 8, p. 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 vol. 8, p. 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137, 152 vol. 8, p. 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 vol. 9, p. 11-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 vol. 9, p. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 vol. 9, p. 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 vol. 9, p. 228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 vol. 9, p. 243 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 112 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 p. 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136, 151 p. 182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 p. 400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 p. 409-410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 p. 411 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 p. 445 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 p. 506 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 p. 507 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160, 166 p. 508 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 p. 509 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160, 166 That I May Know Him, p. 356 . . . . . . . . 301 The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 121 . . 237 vol. 1, p. 123-124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 vol. 4, p. 405 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68, 230 Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
General Topics
Amberley, Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Arinze, Cardinal Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Atonement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 55, 124 Babylon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Benedict XVI, Pope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Braun, Dr. Wernher Von . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Bush, George W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Day of the Lord, the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Eastern question . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250, 257 Four angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 11, 78, 226 Goddard, Dr. Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Greater Sydney SDA Conference . . . . . . 24 Greece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Idolatry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Investigative judgment . . . . 54-57, 124, 313 Laodicean message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Latter rain . . . . . . . . . .21, 51, 60, 80, 85, 89, . . . . . . . . . 116, 156, 193, 200, 204, 267 Medo-Persia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Olbermann, keith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Papal infallibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Pius IX, Pope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Roman Empire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Russell, Bertrand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Russell, Lord John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Sacramentalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Smith, Uriah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Three angels messages . . .18, 55, 117, 132, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 190, 279, 295 Turley, Jonathan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Uttley, Pastor Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
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Hartland Publications Book List

These books may be ordered from Hartland Publications (see the last page of this book for complete contact information). Many of these books are also available from Highwood Books in Australia: 0359637011
Books by Colin Standish and Russell Standish

(Unless otherwise noted as by one or the other)
The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus (352 pages)
Fascinating as it has been to many Christians, few have solved the mystery of the 144,000 and the great multitude of the book of Revelation. Yet the pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church focused much attention upon them. Like a sudden and unexpected flash of blinding lightning the 144,000 are introduced in Revelation 7 and again in Revelation 14, never again to be mentioned. The Old Testament is silent on the topic; Christ said nothing about it; neither did the writers of the gospels or the apostolic epistles. Yet the authors solve most of the divisive interpretations from the Bible itself and show how important is the understanding of these groups to all Christians.
Adventism ImperiledEducation in Crisis (230 pages)
In this newly revised edition of the most penetrating books written on Adventist education, the Standish brothers go directly to the word of God for the principles by which children that are called to be the sons and daughters of the king of the universe are to be educated. Every Seventh-day Adventist interested in our children and youth should read this book. Both authors are trained educators, having spent decades in education from the elementary to university level.
Adventism Proclaimed (202 pages)
In answer to When shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world? (Matthew 24:3), Jesus related many signs. One of those signs (verse 14) has captivated the authorsThis gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and
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then shall the end come. In the context of the 3 Angels Messages, this is what shall go forth with the power of the loud cry of Revelation 18:15. To every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people. (Revelation 14:6) You will feel compelled to share with others, and be motivated to prepare urgently for the coming of the Lord.
Adventism Vindicated (141 pages)
The late 1970s was a time when the new theology was rapidly engulfing a confused and uncertain Seventh-day Adventist Church as a reaction to legalistic principles. Tragically, many who found the impotency of legalism were deceived into accepting a theology that claims that there are no divine conditions of salvationa belief that victorious Christian living is not possible and has no mandate in salvation. This book answers the writings of Jack Sequeira as they relate to the precious message of Christ our Righteousness given at the 1888 General Conference in Minneapolis.
The Antichrist Is Here (185 pages)
A newly updated, second edition! Colin and Russell Standish have extensively researched the historical identification of the antichrist of past generations and are convinced the antichrist is present on earth now. They have taken those events which have transpired in the last decade and measured them in the light of biblical prophecy. You will read undeniable evidence in support of their findings. A must-read for those who are interested in biblical prophecy and its outworking in contemporary history.
The Big Bang Exploded (218 pages)
For decades the big bang hypothesis has held sway as the dominant explanation of the origin of the universe. It has proven to be a remarkably enduring hypothesis, yet the determined efforts of scientists from many disciplines have failed to provide confirmation of this hypothesis. The authors assert that the big bang theory and Darwins proposal of natural selection are spent, decayed and archaic theories. The Standish brothers seriously address some of the most startling challenges to this theory of origins. They present evidence which they assert supports, far more closely, the fiat creation concept than the evolutionary model. This is another of the increasing challenges which evolutionary scientists must address if their credibility is not to be seriously undermined.
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Deceptions of the New Theology (290 pages)
The term new theology was made prominent in the 1970s with the presentation by a number of popular preachers in the Seventh-day Adventist Church who taught what appeared to many to be a beautiful, new, Christ-centered emphasis. However, the ultimate results have been seen in untold thousands leaving the Seventh-day Adventist church, including many ministers and denominational workers. The answer to the eternal destructiveness of this movement is to uphold the authentic Christ.
Education for Excellence (174 pages)
This book goes directly to the word of God for educational principles for the sons and daughters of the king of the Universe. In the ministry of the apostle Paul, the culture, philosophy and education of paganism was confronted by the principles of God-given education. Though the world of his day was under the political rulership of Rome, Greece still controlled the mind, and therefore the educational processes of the Mediterranean. As Pauls ministry led him to city after city under the influence of Greek education and philosophy, it was necessary for him to define clearly the differences between pagan and Christian education. Most cultures today face the continued influence of paganistic education. Many who claim to support Christian education nevertheless are not fully aware of the complete contrasts between the two. Christianity wholly defines the curriculum, the teacher selection, the teaching methodology, the extracurricular activities, etc. Its goals, purposes and objectives are entirely different from secular education.
Embattled Church (143 pages)
The SDA church faces a crisis! Confusion and division are rampant. Assurance of truth has surrendered to uncertainty. Surety of faith has given way to an enfeebling pluralism. Uniqueness has been overcome by ecumenicalism. The sense of urgency has been replaced by carnal security. The spiritual church has become a social club. Unwavering loyalty is now branded as bigotry. Faithfulness to Christ is judged legalism. The defenders of truth are spurned as schismatics. The state of the church has led untold thousands to reevaluate their relationship to it. This book addresses this issue of separation.
The Entertainment Syndrome (116 pages)
This book explores how the large increase in entertainment impacts the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual life of the human race, and the devastating effect of its use in our churches.
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The European Union, the American Union, the Papacy, and Globalism (192 pages)
The book of Revelation reveals a powerful global movement just prior to the return of Christa moment which is deeply riveted in both politics and religion. They provide evidence that the Papacy is the religious backbone of this movement as it postures to become the superpower upon the planet. They explain the reason why this globalism will lead to the greatest tyranny this planet has ever witnessed and how every major unit of society will continue to support this globalism. The authors present evidence from biblical prophecy that this global thrust will not completely be achieved and how the world will be liberated from ruthless globalists.
The Evangelical Dilemma (222 pages)
There has never been a more urgent time for an honest review of the past, present and future of Evangelical Protestantism. The authors present an examination of the major doctrinal errors of Evangelical Protestants.
The Everlasting Gospel (368 pages)
This book is written for all sincere Christians of all faiths. The authors have been puzzled why so many Christians strongly believe the gospel and yet ignore the central theme of the gospel. The authors have preached this gospel on every inhabited continent of the world and now they present it in a fascinating, simply explained presentation in this book for all to understand and share with others.
The Gathering Storm and The Storm Burst (421 pages)
The Gathering Storm (Part 1)The Seventh-day Adventist Church experienced a tragic and dramatic redirection of its doctrines and practices beginning in the mid-1950s. While many were aware of this, few knew the almost unbelievable story behind this great apostasy. In this section, formerly entitled Adventism Challenged A, the authors have traced the only authentic, comprehensive development of this tragic area in Gods remnant Church. Remarkably, God placed them in situations that allowed them to be eyewitnesses to the unfolding events. This book will challenge every reader who is loyal to Christ to rise up on behalf of God, His Word and His Truth. The Storm Burst (Part 2)The ease with which previous heresies successfully invaded the Seventh-day Adventist Church had been of great shock to all faithful members. Though we have been warned constantly that it would hap-
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pen, its reality has come as a whirlwind into our midst. Adventism Challenged B continues to detail how the new theology was imported from Australia to the United States and other parts of the world. The authors document the earnest efforts of many current leaders, former leaders, and laity, to stay the plague of unfaithfulness to the truth and mission of the SDA Church.
The General Conference Confronts Apostasy (640 pages)
While a number of excellent histories of the Seventh-day Adventist church have been written, The General Conference Confronts Apostasy is unique. No other historical volume has documented in detail the manner in which church leaders have dealt with apostasy in our midst from its earliest times. Commencing with fanatical worship services, moving to the Messenger and the Marian offshoots, then to the entry of what is now commonly known as the new theology with the defection of Pastor Dudley Canright, this book takes up the earth-shattering 1888 General Conference session, the promotion of pantheism, the holy flesh movement of Indiana in 1900, hierarchical church governance, the issue of self-supporting work, the military issue of World War I, and the trend-setting 1919 Bible conference. The General Conference Confronts Apostasy examines each one in detail, presenting the impact upon Gods Church in the twenty-first century.
Georgia Sits On Grandpas Knee (R. Standish) (86 pages)
World-traveler Russell Standish delights in visiting with his little granddaughter, Georgia. She loves to sit on her grandpas knee and hear stories of the old times when her daddy was a little boy in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, England, and Singapore. And it is Dr. Standishs delight to also share these tales of a family era now pastthe joys of life together in exotic lands. Georgia thinks that other children will enjoy her grandpas stories. Grandpa hopes so, too!
Gods Other Arm (106 pages)
Self-supporting ministries, independent ministries, supporting ministries sometimes there seems to be utter confusion in the Seventh-day Adventist church today about their roles. Some church members believe that the denominational work is so paralyzed by apostasy, worldliness, and corruption that lay ministries are the only hope for finishing the gospel commission. Others militantly oppose lay ministries, labeling them schismatics, divisive, separationists, cultists, and offshoots.
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Gods Solution for Depression, Guilt and Mental Illness (229 pages)
This powerful book argues with great persuasiveness that God is interested in every aspect of His created beings and that the perfect answers to mans needs are to be found in the Word of God.
Grandpa, Youre Back! (R. Standish) (128 pages)
Pastor Russell Standish again delights and fascinates his granddaughter, Georgia, with stories of his many travels to countries ranging from South America to such far-flung places as Singapore, Africa, and beyond. These stories should pleasantly awaken the imagination of young readers.
The Greatest of All the Prophets (411 pages)
In 2004, under the guise of protecting the Spirit of Prophecy, the South Pacific Division launched an eight-pronged attack against the Testimonies of God. This book thoroughly documents the attack and the parallel defaming of Scripture. The claimed errors of Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy are examined in detail and refuted. The book sets forth the inerrant, infallible character of Gods inspired messages. It establishes our faith, essential for those who love and trust God and truly desire salvation. It sets forth and exposes the fearful sophistries which are deceiving Gods people today. This is a book for every church leader, theologian, pastor, elder and member. It is a book for its time.
Gwanpa and Nannys Home (R. Standish and Ella Rankin) (128 pages)
I am Ella Marie Rankin. I want to tell you about Gwanpas and Nannys home. But I have a problem! You see, Im only three and I havent yet learned to write. So, my Gwanpa is writing my story for me. So begins a book that Russell Standish wrote for his granddaughter. This book covers the grim harvest of the new theology during the years of 1956 to 2006. It is the Mount Carmel in Gods Seventh-day Adventist Church today. The words of the prophet Elijah, destined to be translated, echo in our ears once more: How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him (1 kings 18:21). Never in any book, outside Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy, has a volume been written which
Half a Century of Apostasy (480 pages)
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has set forth so clearly the manifest departure from Gods pure truth by His Church. Each brief chapter is an urgent call for reform in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the authors prayer that this book will open the eyes of the spiritually blind and help to prepare the hearts of sincere believers as each prepares for translation.
Handbook for Lay and Self-Supporting Workers (255 pages)
This handbook provides essential information, guidance, and practical information to enhance the ministry of both new and experienced lay workers, written by men who have founded successful lay ministries. Their wealth of information will provide a strong platform for avoiding numerous pitfalls and gaining new insights into a Spirit-filled, soul-saving ministry.
Holy Relics or Revelation (300 pages)
Biblical archaeologists have gathered data with painstaking effort, and their work proves the accuracy of the Bible. Yet, mostly within a single decade, Ron Wyatt had sought out and claimed the most amazing biblical sites and relics. In this book, the Standish Brothers examine the Wyatt claims in-depth. Their findings serve as a benchmark upon which Ron Wyatts discoveries can be more carefully evaluated.
Keepers of the Faith (240 pages)
As every wind of doctrine is marshaled against the church, more determined efforts are required to alert and warn of the dangers and errors that are now endemic in most congregations. In this book, the authors have attempted to identify and explain clearly the nature of many of these errors, and to document the clear truth as revealed by Inspiration. The book is especially directed to gospel ministers and lay leaders in the church. Previous editions of the book have found wide circulation among rank-and-file laity who discovered it to be one of the clearest presentations of biblical principles of truth and righteousness.
Liberty in the Balance (263 pages)
The bloodstained pathway to religious and civil liberty faces its greatest test in 200 years. The United States Bill of Rights lifted the concept of liberty far beyond the realm of toleration to an inalienable right for all citizens. Yet, for a century and a half, some students of the prophecies of John the Revelator have foretold a time just prior to the return of Christ when these most cherished freedoms will be wrenched from the citizens of the United States,
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and the U.S. would enforce its coercive edicts upon the rest of the world. This book traces the courageous battle for freedom, a battle stained with the lives of many martyrs.
The Lords Day (310 pages)
In his famous encyclical Dies Domini, Pope John Paul II commenced with these words, The Lords Dayas Sunday was called from apostolic times. . . . To many Protestants, this was an unexpected and much-approved declaration from the Roman Catholic supreme pontiff. The issue of the apostolic origin of Sunday-worship has often been a contentious one between Roman Catholics and Protestants. This book presents an in-depth examination of the Sabbath in the Scriptures.
Missionary To Jamaica (C. Standish) (176 pages)
Nothing compares with foreign missionary service in a land far away from home and in a country whose culture is widely different from your own. Through this book you will live some of the joys, blessings, and miracles along with the frustrations, death threats, tragic experiences, and complex issues Colin and Cheryl Standish had to face. They will introduce you to a fascinating nation, culture, and vibrant peoplea people they learned to love dearly and in so many ways to respect. This book is for those of all ages who love missionary stories.
Modern Bible Translations Unmasked (228 pages); Supplement (30 pages)
This fascinating book challenges the reader to consider two very serious problems with modern translations: first, the use of corrupted Greek manuscripts, and second, translational bias. The authors are deeply concerned about the paraphrases and some of the efforts to translate the Bible into colloquial language, but they are also deeply concerned about the more respected translations that are gaining great acceptance in todays society. You will learn how these modern translations are reinforcing false teachings and erroneous gospel presentations. The supplement contains Spirit of Prophecy quotations and other materials for Seventh-day Adventists on this important topic.
The Mystery of Death (128 pages)
There are those today who believe that the soul is immortal and externally preexisted the body. Pagan or Christian, the opinions vary widely. In this book,
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the history of these concepts is reviewed and the words of Scripture are investigated for a definitive and unchallengeable answer.
Organizational Structure and Apostasy (164 pages)
This new reprint of The Temple Cleansed specifically details the way the organizational structure of the SDA Church is being molded after the deadly hierarchal pattern of the world. Few understand the simple organizational pattern that God provided for His church at all denominational and local levelstherefore, few raise the alarm. The eyes of the discerning reader should be opened to the type of organization God will have in place when he cleanses His church. The human machinery will be swept aside.
Perfection (45 pages)
The Bible teaches perfection of character, not perfection of flesh or nature. This book helps the leader to fully understand the Bibles teaching of perfection of character in all of its aspects.
Perils of Ecumenism (416 pages)
The march of ecumenism seems unstoppable. From its humble roots after the first World War, with the formation of the Faith and Order Council at Edinburgh University, Scotland, and the Works and Labor Council at Oxford University, England, to the formation of the World Council of Churches in 1948 in Amsterdam, it has gained breathtaking momentum. The authors see the ecumenical movement as very clearly identified in Holy Scriptures as the movement devised by the arch-deceiver to beguile the inhabitants of the world.
Perils of Time Setting (82 pages)
This book demonstrates the failure of every time setting prediction ever made since 1844. It gives conclusive evidence that such time setting has its foundations in the Jesuit scheme to derail the Protestant Reformation and to refocus Protestants from their unwavering identification of the Papacy as the historical Antichrist of prophecy. It is an invaluable guide as to how to avoid being trapped by tantalizing but false principles of biblical interpretation.
The Popes Letter and Sunday Laws (116 pages)
The authors examine the biblical foundations upon which the pope seeks to buttress his apostolic letter, Dies Domini. But even the undoubted skill of the pope and his scholarly advisors cannot mask the fallacies of the popes con-
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clusions. The authors show emphatically that the popes assertions are in deep contradiction to the record of the Holy Bible and that of history.
Postmodernism and the Decline of Christianity
Like stealth in the night, postmodernism has not only invaded the world but the church. It is a concept in which there are no universal laws, no ultimates, no immutables. It is a belief which developed out of the modernist world, though it has gone far beyond modernism. It is based upon the feelings of each individual. Truth is nothing more than the whims of each individual. Few Christians have understood the postmodernist agenda, let alone the profound influence it has exerted upon the Christian church. This book exposes how far this influence has invaded the portals of the Christian establishments and how it is destroying the very fabric of society.
The Rapture and the Antichrist (288 pages)
This book sets forth the plainest truths of Scripture directing Protestantism back to its biblical roots. It will challenge the thinking of all Christians, erase the fictions of the Left Behind Series, and plant the readers spiritual feet firmly on the platform of Scripture.
The Rapture, the End Times and the Millennium (378 pages)
This book will open the minds of the readers to a clear understanding of areas of the end-time which have led to much perplexity among lay-people and theologians alike. It is also guaranteed to dispel many of the perplexities presently confronting those who are searching for a clear biblical exposition of the last cataclysmic days in which we now live.
Reflections on Eight General Conference Sessions (112 pages)
A thirty-five year span can be a significant period in the history of any church, especially in the bewildering world in which we now live. How has Gods chosen, remnant church fared during this period of earths history? Most churches during the last thirty-five years in Christendom have taken very sharp turns toward ecumenism, Pentecostalism, Roman Catholicism, and worldly practices. How has our beloved church fared? This book examines the answer to this question through the evaluations of eight consecutive General Conference Sessions. Few delegates or visitors have attended eight consecutive General Conference sessions but one of the authors has. This review of the actions taken, messages presented, and the activities undertaken will be of deep interest to church members and church leaders alike.
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The Road to Rome (217 pages)
Sister White wrote, The Omega of Apostasy will be of a most startling nature. (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, pg. 197) She also statedThe church has turned back from following Christ, her Leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. (Testimonies, Vol. 1, pg. 217) The time is overdue for us to evaluate how far we have traveled down the Road To Rome! With deep sensitivity and a passionate love for their church, the authors have uncovered what many will recognize as an orchestrated plan to systematically implement the catholicizing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The Sacrificial Priest (272 pages)
To all Christians the centrality of the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary has been the focus of their salvation hopes. However, relatively few Christians have understood the equally important ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. The authors provide a fascinating biblical explanation and irrefutable evidence of this little-studied high priestly ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary.
The Second Coming (80 pages)
The Apostle Paul refers to the second coming of Jesus as the blessed hope. (Titus 2:12) Yet, soon after the death of all the apostles, doubts and debates robbed the people of this assurance and brought in the pagan notion of immediate life after death. In this new updated work, Colin and Russell Standish present a wake-up call for every complacent Christian.
The Sepulchres Are Whited (301 pages)
We are at the end of probationary time. If Gods church is to receive the full outpouring of the latter rain, there must be a return to truth and righteousness. This alone will provide the unity that God can honor with His Spirit. This book is written to stimulate such a reformation in our ranks.
Spiritism in the SDA Church (133 pages)
The authors believe that every deviation from truth has its root in spiritism. They take a broad concept of spiritism to include idolatry, paganism, humanism, New Age philosophy, Catholicism and Satanism, and explore some surprisingly respectable forms of spiritism that are designed especially for the more wary Christian. This book reveals the frightening inroads of spiritualistic theory
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and practice that has become deeply embedded within much of contemporary Seventh-day Adventism.
The Theology of Questions on Doctrine: Fidelity or Compromise? (144 pages)
From its very inception, Satan has hurled his untiring, nefarious energy with unwearied persistence against Gods church. His subterfuge, deception, and intrigue have found no lack of church leaders eager to serve his bidding. His most successful strategy was the foisting, in October 1957, of the book Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine (QOD) upon Gods precious church. As a result, the omega of apostasy has been strongly advanced. At Andrews University, October 24-27, 2007, the authors, Colin and Russell Standish, were invited to present papers to the QOD 50th Anniversary Conference, held to examine and discuss the history and theology related to this book. The paper presented by Colin on the theology of QOD is the basis for the content of this book. It is a companion volume to the analysis of the history of QOD, presented by Russell at the same conference.
Tithes and OfferingsTrampling The Conscience (112 pages)
With unreasonable fervor and scant knowledge, many have sought to condemn Gods ordained self-supporting ministries that accept tithe for their soul saving gospel work. This has led the tithe issue to become a religious liberty issue in Gods Church. This book is a remarkable contribution to our understanding of this topic. The authors have researched the tithe issue to a depth never before attempted, and have again done what they do bestbring an issue back to the objective evidence of Gods sacred Word and the Spirit of Prophecy.
Twenty-eight Fundamentals: Apostasy Proclaimed in Silence (234 pages)
Throughout the history of Gods church on earth the insinuation of apostasy has been achieved, not so much in open pronouncements, but by guile and stealth. Silence has been the major weapon upon which error has comfortably rested. By subtlety it has found a foothold in Gods church. Through this stratagem, the initial tolerance of both precious truth and damnable error, a channel has been opened so that sacred principles of faith and the destructive errors of Satan have been permitted, for a season, to lie together as bedfellows. This
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ploy has served the cause of Satan all too well. It has, in turn, led ultimately to the spurning of truth.
Two Beasts, Three Deadly Wounds and Fifteen Popes (234 pages)
Revelation 13 presents two incomprehensible beastsone of which received a deadly wound in one of its heads. Prophecy stated that this mortal injury would be healed, and that the power represented by the beast would be admired worldwide. The authors give a detailed history of the fifteen popes who have sat upon the papal throne since the infliction of the deadly wound. The reader will find compelling evidence that the deadly wound is now so well-healed that there remains virtually no trace of the scar. For students of Scripture, this book will enlighten and bring an understanding of biblical prophecy and perhaps a new appreciation of the conclusive accuracy of Bible prophecy. The authors present this book as for all minds, a challenge to all hearts, and a timely wakeup call for humanity.
Uncle Russell and Daddy Stories (208 pages)
When Colins children, Nigel and Alexandra, were growing up, he frequently told them stories and lessons gleaned from events in the life of Colin and his twin brother Russell during the time they were boys and youth growing up in Australia. These stories included the surprise birth of Colin and Russell, some of the challenges of the depression years, up to their college graduation. Although the stories are not always flattering to two boys born into a very poor but deeply dedicated family, they provide unique, first-hand insights into the happenings and events which were to lay the foundation for a lifetime of service for the Savior.
The Vision and Gods Providences (C. Standish): Unabridged (240 pages); Abridged (176 pages)
The story of the development of Hartland Institute must be attributed to God alone. Yet, many men and women have had the privilege of being His humble instruments to contribute to Hartlands establishment. This book recalls divine leadings, human weakness, misunderstandings, and strong differences of opinion, and we cannot but wonder what God might have accomplished, had we listened perfectly to His voice.
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Why Members Leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church (256 pages)
The authors have developed a great concern for the terrible carnage of members in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. When they were children in Australia there was great concern because 30 percent of children born into the Seventh-day Adventist homes were choosing to walk away from the Church. However, several years ago they were staggered to learn that now 81 percent of the Churchs youth were abandoning the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia and New Zealand. They also learned that an alarming number of members who had been added through evangelistic outreach soon thereafter walk away from the church. In this book the authors share the Divine solutions to the many different ways that Satan has found to achieve this deplorable situation.
Winds of Doctrine (174 pages)
Satan has not confined his attacks to denominational workers and leaders, but has also attacked those in the self-supporting work. The tragedy is that some have accepted the nefarious subtleties of Satan and have led many that are not stabilized in the faith away from truth and righteousness. This book is essential reading for all earnest Seventh-day Adventists. It takes up the issues central to the apostasythe name of God, the Godhead, the Person of the Holy Spirit, the eternal existence of Christ, the Wednesday crucifixion, the correct Sabbath hours, and Gods destructive judgment.
Youth, Are You Preparing for Your Divorce? (168 pages)
A majority of youth, including Christian youth, are destined for divorce. Yes, you read this correctly! Unbeknown to them or to their parents, long before marriage or even courtship, the seeds of divorce have been sown to later produce their baneful consequences. Many youth who think they are preparing for marital bliss are preparing for divorce and, all too frequently, their parents are co-conspirators in this tragedy. The authors provide amazing simple principles to avert the likelihood of future divorce.
Youth Do You Dare! (C. Standish) (88 pages)
If you are a young person looking for workable answers to the many issues that confront you today, this book is for you. It presents a call to young people to follow truth and righteousness, and to live morally upright lives.
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Other Books from Hartland Publications

Behold the LambDavid Kang (107 pages)
Gods plan of redemption for this world and the preservation of the universe is revealed in the sanctuary which God constructed through Moses. This book explains the sanctuary service in the light of the Christians personal experience. Why this book? Because Jesus is coming soon!
China LettersDavid Lin (428 pages)
Applies the hammer of truth to the tensile of New Theology, exposing the nature of the base metal for what really is, not gold or silver, but rather tin and dross. These collected letters and articles appeared in various Adventist periodicals at a time when Fords teachings were the center of attention in the SDA church.
Christ and AntichristSamuel J. Cassels (348 pages)
First published in 1846 by a well-known Presbyterian minister, who called this book not sectarian, but a Christian and Protestant work. He hoped that the removal of obstacles might result in a more rapid spread of the Gospel. One of these obstacles he saw as Antichristianity, a term he that he used to describe the Papal system.
Distinctive Vegetarian CuisineSue M. Weir (329 pages)
100% vegan cooking, with no animal productsno meat, milk, eggs, cheese, or even honey. No irritating spices or condiments are used. Most of the ingredients can be found at your local market. There are additional nutritional information and helpful hints. Make your dinner table appealing to the appetite!
Food for ThoughtSusan Jen (160 pages)
Where does the energy which food creates come from? What kinds of foods are the most conductive to robust health and well being in all dimensions of our life? What is a balanced diet? Written by a healthcare professional, this book examines the food we prepare for our table.
Group ThinkHorace E. Walsh (96 pages)
Find out how a state of groupthink (or group dynamics) has often contributed to disaster in secular and spiritual matters, like the role of Hebrew groupthink
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in the rejection and ultimate crucifixion of the Son of God. Or, the Ecumenical Movement that seeks to unite the minds of dedicated men so much that their passion is to build one great super church following Rome.
Heroes of the ReformationHagstotz and Hagstotz (320 pages)
This volume brings together a comprehensive picture of the leaders of the Reformation who arose all over Europe. The authors of this volume have made a sincere endeavor to bring the men of Protestantism alive in the hearts of this generation.
His Mighty LoveRalph Larson (159 pages)
Twenty-one evangelistic sermons! Every doctrine of the Bible is simply an answer to the question, How does the love of God relate to this particular question or problem? Every doctrine is further evidence that God is love! This book is divided into three sections with seven individual sermons each. Subjects range from If God Is Almighty, Why Does He Permit Sin? to The Unpardonable Sin.
History of the Gunpowder PlotPhilip Sidney (303 pages)
Originally published on the 300th anniversary of the November 5, 1605, plot aimed at the destruction of the English Realm, is Philip Sydneys account of one of the most audacious conspiracies ever known to the ancient or modern. The failed plot became part of English popular culture.
The History of ProtestantismJ. A. Wylie (2,136 pages)
This book pulls back the divine curtain and reveals Gods hand in the affairs of His church during the Protestant Reformation. Your heart will be stirred by the lives of Protestant heroes, and your mind captivated by Gods simple means to counteract the intrigues of its enemies. As Gods church faces the last days, this compelling book will appeal and will be a blessing to adults as well as children.
History of the Reformation of the 16th CenturyJ. dAubign (1,472 pages)
In history and in prophecy, the Word of God portrays the long continued conflict between truth and error. Today, we see an alarming lack of understanding in the Protestant Church concerning the cause and effect of the Reforma-
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tion. This reprinted masterpiece pulls back the curtain of history and divine providence to reveal the true catalyst for the ReformationGods Word and His Holy Spirit.
History of the Reformation in the Time of CalvindAubign (1,971 pages)
The renovation of the individual, of the Church, and of the human race, is the theme. This renovation is, at the same time, an enfranchisement; and we might assign, as a motto to the Reformation accomplished by Calvin, as well as to apostolic Christianity itself, these words of Jesus Christ: The truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
History of the WaldensesJ. A. Wylie (191 pages)
During the long centuries of papal supremacy, the Waldenses defied the crushing power of Rome and rejected its false doctrines and traditions. This stalwart people cherished and preserved the pure Word of God. It is fitting that this edition of their history should be reprinted to keep alive the spirit and knowledge of this ancient people.
The Method of GraceJohn Flavel (458 pages)
In this faithful reprint, John Flavel thoroughly outlines the work of Gods Spirit in applying the redemptive work of Christ to the believer. Readers will find their faith challenged and enriched. In true Puritan tradition, a clearly defined theology is delivered with evangelistic fervor, by an author urgently concerned about the eternal destiny of the human soul.
The Reformation in SpainThomas MCrie (272 pages)
The boldness with which Luther attacked the abuses and the authority of the Church in Rome in the 16th Century attracted attention throughout Christendom. Luthers writings, along with the earlier ones of Erasmus, gained a foothold with a Spanish people hungry for the truth. Thomas MCrie makes a case for a Spain free of the religious errors and corruptions that ultimately dried up the resources and poisoned the fountains of a great empire.
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Romanism and the ReformationH. Grattan Guinness (217 pages)
The Reformation of the 16th Century, which gave birth to Protestantism, was based on Scripture. It gave back to the world the Bible. Such Reformation work needs to be done again today. The duty of diffusing information on the true character and history of Romanism and the Reformation is one that presses on Gods faithful people in these days.
Strange FireBarry Harker (206 pages)
The Olympic games are almost universally accepted as a great international festival of peace, sportsmanship, and friendly competition. Yet, the games are riddled with conflict, cheating, and objectionable competitiveness. Discover the disturbing truth about the modern Olympics and the role of Christianity in the rise of this neo-pagan religion.
The Third Angels Message of Righteousness by Faith and Its Present RejectionL. Scarborough (107 pages)
As Seventh-day Adventists, we tend to believe that our greatest danger of being deceived by error would come from without the church. Our concerns have been concentrated upon these varied forms of deceptions. We are far less prepared to stand against the deceptions that will come from within our own church.
Truth TriumphantBenjamin George Wilkinson (440 pages)
The prominence given to the Church in the Wilderness in the Scriptures establishes without argument its existence and emphasizes its importance. The same challenges exist today with the Remnant Church in its final controversy against the powers of evil to show the holy, unchanging message of the Bible.
Who Are These Three Angels?Jeff Wehr (126 pages)
The messages of three holy angels unfold for us events that are soon to take place. Their warning is not to be taken lightly. They tell of political and religious movements that signal the soon return of Jesus.
With Cloak and DaggerH. H. Meyers (160 pages)
This is a startling revelation of a deliberate and successful effort by a small group of men to sabotage effectively the message and mission of Gods remnant
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church. The basic fundamental principles that were endorsed by Gods prophet to His remnant church as having unquestionable authority, have since been systematically eroded and even changed!
The Word Was Made FleshRalph Larson (365 pages)
One hundred years of Seventh-day Adventist Christology, from 1852 to 1952. This book is a comprehensive survey of the historical evidence of the human nature of Christ. The nature of God, whose law had been transgressed, and the nature of Adam, the transgressor, meet in Jesus, the Son of God, and the Son of Man. Ellen White, Manuscript 141, 1901.
Youth Ministry in CrisisBarry Harker (206 pages)
In this bracing book, Dr. Barry Harker examines the practices and passions that are transforming and debasing contemporary youth ministryrock music, magic, clowning, comedy, drama, mime, puppetry, sports, extreme adventure activities, youth fashions and moviesand exposes the disturbing ideas that permit them to flourish in Gods church. Dr. Harker also outlines steps that need to be taken if the enveloping crisis is to be resolved and youth ministry restored to a culture of defensible innovation. This book is a timely corrective to the ideas and practices that are defacing the image of God in His people.
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True Education History Series from Hartland Publications

Livingstone: The PathfinderBasil Matthews (112 pages)
Like most boys and girls, David Livingstone wondered what he would become when he grew up. He had heard of a brave man who was a missionary doctor in China. He also learned that this Dr. Gulztoff had a Hero, Jesus, who had come to people as a healer and missionary. David learned all about this great Physician, and felt that the finest thing in the whole world for him was to follow in the same way and be a medical missionary. That was Davids quest, which was his plan. Between these pages, you shall see how he made his good wish come true.
Missionary Annals: Memoir of Robert MoffatM. L. Wilder (64 pages)
Robert Moffat first heard from his wise and pious mothers lips that there were heathen in the world and of the efforts of Christians sharing the knowledge of a Savior who could raise them out of their base degradation. An intense desire took possession of him to serve God in some marked manner but how that would be, he did not know. Through a series of providential circumstances and in Gods good time, the London Society accepted him as one of their missionaries, and in 1816, he embarked on his first trip and got his first glimpse of heathen Africa. This book will inspire the young and old as you read the many trials, disappointments, triumphs, and wondrous miracles that God can accomplish when one is fully surrendered to Him.
The WaldensesThe Church in the Wilderness (72 pages)
The faithful Waldenses in their mountain retreats were married in a spiritual sense to God who promised, I will betroth thee unto me in faithfulness and thou shalt know the Lord. (Hosea 2:20) No invention of Satan could destroy their union with God. Follow the history of these people as they are compared to the dedicated eagle parents.
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About the Authors
OLIN and RUSSELL STANDISH were born in Newcastle, Australia, in 1933. They both obtained their teaching diplomas from Avondale College in 1951. They were appointed to one-teacher elementary schools in rural areas of New South Wales, each teaching for three years. In 1958, both completed a major in history and undertook an honors degree in psychology at Sydney University in the field of learning theory. Colin went on to obtain his Master of Arts degree with honors in 1961 and his Doctor of Philosophy in 1964. His Masters Degree in Education was completed in 1967. Russell graduated as a physician in 1964. Six years later he was admitted to the Royal College of Physicians (Uk) by examination. He was elevated to the Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Physicians in Edinburgh (1983) and Glasgow (1984). In 1965, Colin was appointed chairman of the education department at Avondale College. Subsequently he held the posts of academic dean and president at West Indies College (19701973), chairman of the Department of Psychology, Columbia Union College (1974), president of Columbia Union College (19741978), and dean of Weimar College (19781983). He was invited to become the foundational president of Hartland Institute (1983), which comprises a college, a lifestyle center, a publishing house, media services, and a world mission division. As a consultant physician (internist), Russell has held the posts of deputy medical superintendent of the Austin Hospital, University of Melbourne (19751978), president of a hospital in Bangkok (19791984), medical director at Enton Medical Centre, England (19841986), and president of a Penang hospital (19861992). Since 1992 he has been speaker and editor for Remnant Herald. They have co-authored more than forty-five books.
HARTLAND Publications was established in 1984 as a Bible-centered, self-supporting Protestant publishing house. We publish Bible-based books and produce media for Christians of all ages, to help them in the development of their personal characters, always giving glory to God in preparation for the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. We are especially dedicated to reprinting significant books on Protestant history that might otherwise go out of circulation. Hartland Publications supports and promotes other Christian publishers and media producers who are consistent with biblical principles of truth and righteousness. We are seeking to arouse the spirit of true Protestantism, one that is based on the Bible and the Bible only, thus awakening the world to a sense of the value and privilege of the religious liberty that we currently enjoy. Office hours (Eastern time): Monday Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Payment must be in US dollars by check, money order, or most credit cards. You may order via mail, telephone, fax, e-mail, or on our web site: Hartland Publications PO Box 1, Rapidan, VA 22733 USA Order line: 1-800-774-3566 / Fax: 1-540-672-3568 E-mail: sales@hartlandpublications.org Web site: www.hartlandpublications.com
Notes Regarding This Electronic Book Pagination: this electronic book was not scanned from the printed book. In some cases, there may be slight variations in pagination from the printed copy. Thus, any references to page numbers in this book should be referenced to the printed edition. Sharing copies: Due to the nature of electronic books, they can be easily shared with others. However, we request that you honor the fact that this book (including the electronic copy) is copyrighted, and therefore it is not to be copied to distribute to others unless written permission is obtained from the publisher.
Current Publications Available In some of our electronic books, you may find a list of other books that are published by Hartland Publications. This list was compiled at the time the book was published; therefore, it may be out of date by the time you read it. To browse the current books available by Colin and Russell Standish and many other authors, please go to: http://www.hartlandpublications.com Thank you!

The 144,000 The Great Multitude & The Return of Jesus - Colin & Russel Standish

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The 144,000 The Great Multitude & The Return of Jesus - Colin & Russel Standish

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Copyright 2007 Colin D. Standish Cover design and layout by Greg Solie AltamontGraphics.

Solemn Events Introduce the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Solemn Events Introduce the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Solemn Events Introduce the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Solemn Events Introduce the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Solemn Events Introduce the 144,000

Questions Concerning the 144,000

Questions Concerning the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Questions Concerning the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Questions Concerning the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Questions Concerning the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Questions Concerning the 144,000

The 144,000Is the Number Literal?

The 144,000Is the Number Literal?

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The 144,000Is the Number Literal?

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The 144,000Is the Number Literal?

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The 144,000Is the Number Literal?

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The 144,000Is the Number Literal?

The Servants of Our God

The Servants of Our God

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Servants of Our God

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Servants of Our God

Other Names for the 144,000

Other Names for the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Other Names for the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Other Names for the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

Other Names for the 144,000

The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000

The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Investigative Judgment and the 144,000

The Great Multitude

The Great Multitude

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Great Multitude

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus

The Great Multitude

The 144,000, the Great Multitude, and the Return of Jesus