144,000 Comparison Study
“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 Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God.” 1
This paragraph covers a large span of events in a very brief space. Therefore to avoid a misconception in understanding we need to put this paragraph into context by comparing it with more detailed passages which describe the same events. The comparison study on the following pages aligns this paragraph with two other passages of the same events, underlining portions that correspond across the columns.
Examine the comparison and notice the context of the following sentences. “Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God.” 1
The context is thus: The death decree has been issued and the saints are crying out for deliverance. At the commencement of the seventh plague they are delivered by the voice of God which declares “It is done.” Revelation 16:17. At that time there is a mighty earthquake and a partial, or, special resurrection takes place. Those who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message and who have kept the Sabbath are raised glorified to hear God’s covenant of peace.
In the next scene God delivers the covenant to His people. The Israel of God hear the words of the covenant and at the end of each sentence triumphantly shout, Glory! Hallelujah! Their faces are lighted up with the glory of God, as was the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. Now take note: It is the 144,000 who at this time are triumphant. It is their faces that are lighted up with the glory of God. It is they, the 144,000, who are the Israel of God. They are one and the same.
Now read the following text: “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. ” 2
Can there be any doubt that the 144,000 are the Israel of God as spoken of in Great Controversy 640.2 and Early Writings 285.2?
Another thing to notice is that there is no reference to the 144,000 until after the special resurrection has taken place. The reason being is that the 144,000 are not all present until after the special resurrection and there are some who died in the faith of the third angel’s message that will be raised to join the living saints. Can this conclusion be sustained?
There is no denying the fact that a special resurrection takes place of those who died in the faith of the third angel’s message. When we look at the third’s angel’s message we see that it has the seal of the living God. “Who are voicing the message of the third angel, calling upon the world to make ready for the great day of God? The message we bear has the seal of the living God.” 3 Further to that we see that when the third angel’s message closes “all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received “the seal of the living God.” 4 This shows that those who die in the faith of the third angel’s message must have the seal of the living God.
The question we now ask is: how many will receive the seal of the living God? “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. . . . 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.”5 There is a defmite number of sealed persons, “there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand.” So if sealed persons are to be specially raised to join the living saints it would be to deny the plain Scriptural statement “there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand” to make those raised sealed ‘extras’. If we increase the number of sealed persons to stand on the earth at the coming of Jesus we deny Scripture.
There is written about one such Sister who died in the faith of the third angel’s message that she would be raised in the special resurrection. “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.” 6 This Sister raised at the voice of God, was sealed and would be with the 144,000 meaning that she would be one of them and not a sealed extra.
To this suggestion the skeptic raises the argument that the word “with” means with them but not one of them: But consider these verses” But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. . . . And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” 7 Thomas was with the disciples, at the same time being one of them. So we can immediately see the weakness of such word arguments in the face of better evidence provided.
AMEN
References:
1. Early Writings, p. 36,37.
2. Revelation 7:4
3. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 459.2
4. Great Controversy, p. 613.2.
5. Revelation 7:2,4
6. Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 263.3.
7. John 20:24,26
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GREAT CONTROVERSY
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EARLY WRITINGS, p. 36.37
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EARLY WRITINGS, p. 279 – 286
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Closing of the Third Angel’s Message When the third angel’s message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the gtrilty inhabitants of the earth. The ReoRle of God have accomplished their work. Thev have received “the latter rain.”, “the refreshing from the the presence of the Lord,” and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. |
Closing o/the Third Angel’s Message I was pointed down to the time when the third anl!el’s message was closing!. The power of God had rested upon His pople: thev had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trvinl! hour before them. Thev had received the latter rain, or refreshinl! from the Dfes~nce of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message. {EW 279.1} |
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Sealing Work Complete Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done: the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received “the seal of the living God.” |
Sealing Work Complete I saw an!!els hurrvin!! to and fro in heaven. An an!!el with a writer’s inkhorn bv his side returned from the earth and reyorted to Jesus that his work was done. and the saints were numbered and sealed.
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Intercession Ceases Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice savs. “It is done:” and all the angelic host lav off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: “He that is unjust. let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11.Every case has been decided for life or death. |
Intercession Ceases 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.” And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration. “He that is unjust. let him be unjust still: and he which is filthv. let him be filthv still: and he that is ri2hteous. let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy! {EW279.2} |
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Kingdom Received Christ has made the atonement for His ueoule and blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; “the kingdom and dominion. and the greatness I of the kiingdom under the whole heaven.” is about to be !riven to the heirs of salvation. and Jesus is to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. {GC 613.2}
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Kingdom Received Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven. was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation. and Jesus was to return as King of kings and Lord of Lords. {EW 280.1} |
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Darkness covers the Earth When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. |
Darkness covers the Earth As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the tinkling of the bells upon His garment; and as He left, a cloud of darkness covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty man and an offended God. |
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Restraint Removed The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed. and Satan has entire control of the finallv imDenitent. God’s long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn.{GC 614.1} . . . . |
Restraint Removed While Jesus had been standing between God and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but when He stepped out from between man and the Father, the restraint was removed and Satan had entire control of the finally impenient. |
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The Seven Last Plagues I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done ill the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. |
The Seven Last Plagues It was impossible for the plagues to be poured out while Jesus officiated in the sanctuary; but as His work there is finished, and His intercession closes, there is nothing to stay the wrath of God, and it breaks with fury upon the shelterless head of the guilty sinner, who has slighted salvation and hated reproof. In that fearful time, after the close of Jesus’ mediation, the saints were living in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. {EW 280.2} .
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The Wicked Enraged Those who honor the law of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon the world, and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the earth with woe. The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked; their anger is kindled against all who have received the message, and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution. {GC 614.3}… 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.” 1 John 11:50. |
The Wicked Enraged These mag:ues enraged the wicked agains the righteous: they thought that we had brought the judgements of God upon them. and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. |
The Wicked Enraged Many of the wicked were grfeatly enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproach-ing 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,
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Death Decree Issued 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 a similar course toward those who honor all die divine precepts. {GC 615.2} . . . . |
Death Decree Issued A decree went forth to slav the saints. |
Death Decree Issued 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. But in this hour of trial the saints were calm and composed, trusting in God and leaning upon His promise that a way of escape would be made for them. In some places, before the time for the decree to be executed, the wicked rushed upon the saints to slay them; but angels in the form of men of war fought for them. Satan wished to have the privilege of destroying the saints of the Most High; but Jesus |
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Crying Day and Night 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.
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Crying Day and Night
which caused them to m day and night |
Crying Day and Night It was an hour of fearful, terrible agony to the saints. Day and night they cried unto God for deliverance. To outward appearance, there was no possibility of their escape. |
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The Wicked Exult The wicked exult, and the jeering cry is heard: “Where now is your faith? Why does not God deliver vou out of our hands if you are indeed His people?” But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon! Calvary’s cross and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery: “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” Matthew 27:42.
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The Wicked Exult The wicked had already begun to triuph, crying out, “Why doesn`t your God deliver you out of our hands? Why don`t you go up and save your lives?” |
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Jacob’s Time of Trouble Like Jacob. all are wrestline: with God. Their countenances express their internal struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease not their earnest intercession. {GC 630.1} |
Jacob’s Time of Trouble This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit,
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Jacob’s Time of Trouble But the saints needed them not, Like Jacob, they were wrestling with God. |
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The Angels Desire to Deliver Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies of angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of Christ’s patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have witnessed their distress and have heard their prayers. They are waiting the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they must wait yet a little longer. The people of Gog must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism. The very delay, so painful to them, is the best answer to their petitions. As they endeavour to wait trustingly for the Lord to work they are led to exercise faith, hope, and patience. which have been too little exercised during their religious experience. Yet for the elect’s sake the time of trouble will be shortened. “Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him? . . . I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.” Luke 18:7, 8. The end will come more quickly than men expect. The wheat will be gathered and bound in sheaves for the garner of God; the tares will be bound as fagots for the fires of destruction. { GC
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The Angels Desire to Deliver The angels longed to deliver them, but I saw that the people of God, who had faithfully warned the world of His coming wrath, would be delivered. 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. {EW 284.1} |
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The Saints Pursued Some are assailed in their flight from the cities and villages: but the swords raised against them break and fall powerless as a straw. Others are defended by angels in the form of men of war. {GC 631.1}
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The Saints Pursued As the saints left the cities and villages, thev were pursued bv the wicked, who sought to slay them. But the swords that were raised to kill God’s people broke ang fell as powerless as a straw. Angels of God shielded the saints. As they cried day and night for deliverance, their cry came up before the Lord. {EW 284.2} |
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Midnight Deliverance It is at midni!!ht that God manifests ills QQwer for the deliverance ofRis DeoDl,!” The sun aDooars. shinin!! in its strength. Siros and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look willi terror ~d amazement uoon the scene. while the gghteous behold with solemn iQY the tokens of their deliverance. Exervthin!! in ll~t\1re seems rnmed out of its course: The streams cease to flow. Dark. heavv clouds come UD and clash a!!ainst each other. |
Midnight Deliverance It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His DeoDle. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement. while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Signs and wonders followed in quick succession. Everything seemed turned out of its natural course. The streams ceased to flow. Dark, heavy clouds came upand clashed against each other. |
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Voice of God delivers Saints In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, |
Voice of God delivers Saints
and were delivered by the voice of God. |
Voice of God delivers Saints But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like manv waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. |
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Commencement of Seventh Plague saying: “It is done.” Revelation 16:17.- {GC 636.2} |
Commencement of Seventh Plague There was a mighty earthquake. |
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Special Resurection 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 thirdanl!el’s message come forth from the tomb glorified. to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s 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 honour placed upon the loyal and obedient. {GC 637.1}… |
Special Resurection The graves were opened. and those who had died in the faith under the third angel’s 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. {EW 285.1} The sky opened and shut and was in commotion. The mountains shook like a reed in the wind and cast out ragged rocks all around. The sea boiled like a pot and cast out stones upon the land. |
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Voice of God gives Covenant The voice of God is heard from heaven, declarinl! the dav and hour of Jesus’ coming. and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder His words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening. with their eves fixed upward. |
The 144,000 triumphed.
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Voice of God gives Covenant And as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus’ coming and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. At the end of every sentence the saints shouted, “Glory! Hallelujah!” |
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Shinning Countenances Their countenances are Iigted up with His glory and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. |
Shinning Countenances Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God.{EW36.2} |
Shinning Countenances Their countenances were lighted up with the glory of God, and they shone with glory as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. |
| The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory.{GC640.2} | The wicked could not look upon them for the glory. And when the neverending blessing was pronounced on those who had honored Gog in keening His Sabbath holy, there was a rnighty shout of victory over the beast and over his image. {EW 285.2} |