| BEFORE THE CLOSE OF PROBATION |
1) Before the close of probation, what
will God's people be doing? And what will they be filled with?
"And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled
with the
Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the
Sabbath
more fully." - Early Writings, p. 33.
"'The commencement of that time of trouble,' here mentioned does not refer
to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short
period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary
... 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. 85.
This pouring forth of the Holy Spirit upon God's true people is called
the latter rain, as was the early rain that was poured forth during the
time of Pentecost.
2) What will be the result of this proclamation
of the true Sabbath?
"I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They
have not rejected the light upon it ... And at this time God's chosen all
saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured
the persecution with us." - Early Writings, p. 33.
"The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and
those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected
the three messages, obeyed the call and left the fallen churches
... Some chose life and took their stand with those who were looking
for their Lord and keeping all His commandments." - Early Writings,
p. 278.
"God has His agents, even among the rulers ... When Satan works through
his agents, propositions are made, that, if carried out, would impede the
work of God and produce great evil. The good angels move upon these
agents of God to oppose such propositions with strong reasons ... Thus
the work will go on until the third message has done its work, and at the
loud cry of the third angel, these agents will have an opportunity to receive
the truth, and some of them will be converted, and endure with
the saints through the time of trouble." - Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 1, p. 203.
"All who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand
with the remnant." - Early Writings, p. 261.
This proclamation of the Sabbath truth, as a result of the latter rain,
is called the loud cry.
3) For those who heed the loud cry, what
change must take place in their lives?
"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.
4) What will all the saints, including
the ones called out of their fallen churches, still be doing?
"God was in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, followed
the convictions of his own conscience and united with those who were
keeping all the commandments of God; and with power they sounded
abroad the third message." - Early Writings, p. 278.
5) But will the saints have to endure against
human authorities?
"Those who live during the last days of this earth's history will know
what it means to be persecuted for the truth's 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." God's
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." - Signs of the
Times, May 26, 1898.
6) What will be the consequences of this
obedience to God's commandments?
"Conscientious obedience to the word of God will be treated as rebellion.
Blinded by Satan, the parent will exercise harshness and severity toward
the believing child; the master or mistress will oppress the commandment-keeping
servant. Affection will be alienated; children will be disinherited
and driven from home ... As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the
Sunday-sabbath, 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 God's fear and love are removed." - Great Controversy,
p. 608.
"The two armies will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction
will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of the truth will come
on the side of God's commandment-keeping people. 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 Christ's sake in standing in defense of
the truth."
"Will we obey the commandments of men or will we obey the commandments
of God? ... The best thing for us is to come into close connection with
God, and, if He would have us be martyrs for the truth's sake, it
may be the means of bringing many more into the truth." - Selected Messages,
vol. 3, pp. 397,420.
7) During this time, how is Jesus pleading
for His chosen special people in the heavenly sanctuary? What is
the result?
"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.
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.'" - Early Writings, p. 38.
8) What is keeping Jesus from leaving the
most holy place of the sanctuary?
"Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the most holy place until every
case was decided either for salvation or destruction." - Early Writings,
p. 36.
| DURING THE CLOSE OF PROBATION |
9) When does probation close?
"Every case had been decided for life or death. While
Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going
on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. 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 reign as King of kings and
Lord of lords." – Early Writings, p. 280.
Note that the term probation is the time given to every individual on earth
to confess and repent of their sins and to be converted into the present
truth. Probation will close, as above, when every person's case has
been decided for life or death. In other words, when everyone will
have firmly decided which path they will choose to follow for the remainder
of their lives, whether a path of righteousness or a path of evil.
10) What happens in the Most Holy Place
of the heavenly sanctuary when probation closes?
"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.
When Jesus' work as the high priest of Heaven finishes, when the last living
person's case has been examined, then Jesus will throw down the censer
and declare His priestly work: "It is done."
11) Why did Jesus throw down the censer?
"An angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and
reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered
and sealed." - Early Writings, p. 279.
When the angel, having the seal of the living God (see Revelation 7:2),
tells Jesus that he has sealed the special 144,000 people with the seal
of God, then Jesus' kingdom of righteous people will have been made up,
especially when the last group of people to be saved is His special 144,000
chosen.
12) What becomes of the people on earth
when every case has been decided?
"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 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." - Early
Writings, p. 279.
After probation has closed, the characters of the people on earth will
not change, but stay the same, whether being good continually, or whether
being evil continually.
13) Will we know when probation closes,
or when every case has been decided?
"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." - Great Controversy,
p. 615.
| AFTER THE CLOSE OF PROBATION |
14) What happens soon after probation closes?
"As Jesus moved out of the most holy place ... a cloud of darkness covered
the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between
guilty man and an offended God. 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 ...
there is nothing to stay the wrath of God" - Early Writings, p.
280.
"When our High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, He will stand
up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues
will be poured out." - Early Writings, p. 36.
After probation closes; after the 144,000 are sealed (see Revelation 7:3,4),
the preaching of the gospel will be no more, since all the wicked inhabitants
will
no longer change their character, but stay on their evil courses,
then will the 7 last plagues fall upon the earth. Therefore, as some
have claimed, the 144,000 will NOT give a loud cry to bring
in a great multitude (which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues - Revelation 7:9), but rather, the LIVING sealed
servants of God will bring in other sealed-to-be people from the fallen
churches, until the number 144,000 have been made.
Remember that the sealing covers all of the loud cry period
also. Where would a great multitude come from if the loud cry consisted
of preaching the three angels' message (Sabbath message) and all that accepted
it will of course be sealed, as the Sabbath is the seal of God? Where
would they come from if all who keep it are sealed, and all sealed are
the 144,000, as only the 144,000 are sealed with the Sabbath message?
For those who think the 144,000 will bring in a great multitude during
the loud cry, ask yourself the question: "If the sealed 144,000 are made
before the loud cry, why would Jesus wait for more multitudes of unsealed
people to be saved?" (Since He already has His special 144,000 chosen,
and the restraint is for until the servants are sealed with the seal of
God - see Revelation 7:3.). It just wouldn't make sense. As
shown before, right when the 144,000th person is sealed, then the spreading
of the gospel will be over, which means no more gathering of people, or
in other words, a great multitude.
15) What event on earth will happen as
a result of the falling plagues? What will this time period be called?
"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."
- Early Writings, p. 36.
16) To explain the great multitude issue
more specifically, when probation closes, what groups of people will be
on earth?
"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 God's 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." - Great
Controversy, p. 605.
"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."
Revelation 14:9,10.
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.
Ultimately, there can only be two classes of people when
probation closes - the wicked who have the mark of the beast, and the righteous
who have the seal of God. There cannot be a group who neither have
the mark of the beast, nor the seal of God, for there is no other group
mentioned. Remember that ALL people on earth will be
tested on the Sabbath truth. Therefore, a great multitude will not
exist during the time of Jacob's trouble, and endure the 7 last plagues.
All saved during the loud cry will be part of the 144,000, as they will
be sealed with the Sabbath message. No other people could
be counted, as there will be no other message but this, and this is the
sealing
message, and only the 144,000 are sealed. Also, earlier we
saw that the result of the loud cry will draw people out of the fallen
churches, and these people will join the sealed servants of God, and endure
with them the persecutions through the time of trouble. Therefore,
these people must already be sealed with the seal of God after probation
has closed.
If there are any other people that are saved, they will not be sealed with
the Sabbath message since they did not get a chance to hear it, nor will
they be alive to see Jesus coming from the small black cloud in the east,
and turning into clouds of glory (See Early Writings, p. 15). They
would have to go down to the grave (meaning death) unsealed with the three
angels' message BEFORE the loud cry reaches every person,
nation and tongue, but saved having lived up to all they knew. Therefore
these people, who have not heard the Sabbath truth, will be part of the
great multitude.
"Many have gone into their graves in full faith that Sunday was the Sabbath
... They have looked upon Sunday as the Sabbath, the sanctified day of
rest, when there is not a particle of Scriptural evidence to justify the
claim of this spurious Sabbath ... In this day He has sent special light.
The third angel is represented as flying in the midst of heaven, heralding
to the inhabitants of the world the commandments of God and the testimony
of Jesus Christ ... It is to be proclaimed by the human agent, and it becomes
every one who hears to be attentive to the heaven-sent message, and in
no case to be careless, to refuse to hear or receive it; for it is a message
from God to man. If we are rational beings, and the light has come
to us, we shall be held accountable for it. But those who have
not had the light which is now shining upon the people of God concerning
the Sabbath question, will not be accountable for the light; for
it has never been brought before them, and they have died without condemnation."
- Review and Herald, April 25, 1893.
"Those who died before the light was given upon the law of God and the
claims of the fourth commandment were not guilty of the sin of violating
the seventh-day Sabbath. The wisdom and mercy of God in dispensing
light and knowledge at the proper time, as the people need it, is unsearchable.
"We are accountable only for the light that shines upon us.
The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are testing us." - Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 2, p. 693.
17) How do we know that a great multitude
will not exist during the 7 last plagues?
"Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead
came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, 'Alleluia!'"
- Early Writings, p. 16.
At this point in time, Ellen White delineates the events at the coming
of Christ. The special
resurrection has already taken place (see Daniel 12:2, Revelation
1:7 and Mark 14:62) and Jesus has come back the second time, with his silver
trumpet blowing to raise the dead of all ages. She says, "The 144,000
shouted Alleluia!" Why didn't anyone else say anything about the
resurrection? If there were more than 144,000, would she not have
said, "The 144,000 and a great multitude shouted Alleluia!?" Of course,
but there was no one else that was saved that were alive to see Jesus
resurrect the dead multitudes, except the 144,000.
18) How many righteous saints were alive
to hear God speak from Heaven?
"Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day
and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000
in number, knew and understood the voice" - Early Writings,
p. 15.
"Then ALL the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were
delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed."
-
Early Writings, p. 36.
It is clear that all LIVING saints that triumphs during this time consists
only of the 144,000. Why did no one else triumph, or why was no one
else delivered by the voice of God? As before, there were only 144,000
saved that were alive when God spoke from Heaven.
| MORE ON THE GREAT MULTITUDE |
19) In Revelation 7, after John hears the
144,000 people from the spiritual tribes of Israel being sealed, what was
the next scene of events before him?
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude." Revelation 7:9,
first part.
20) What was John's comment about the great
multitude that was before his sight?
"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." Verse 9, last part.
Here John knows the status of the great multitude, for he considers them
to have come from all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.
21) After John sees the great multitude
worshipping God, what did one of the elders then ask him?
"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which
are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" Verse 13.
22) What was John's answer to the elder's
question?
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest." Verse 14, first part.
If the elder was pointing to John the great multitude, John would have
answered that they came from all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues, as he knew where they came from in verse 9. But to the elder's
question, John answered "thou knowest," meaning that he did not know where
this group of people came from. If John was considering the great
multitude again, his answer would seem devoid of point. But John
must have now seen another different group of people redeemed before the
throne other than the great multitude. John was not familiar with
this new group he was now seeing, for they must have been so different
compared to the great multitude. No company is brought to view to
which special allusion would more naturally be made than to the company
spoken of in the first part of the chapter, the 144,000.
23) What was the elder's answer to his
own question?
"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.
Therefore
are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his
temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."
Verses 14,15.
It appears that one of the special characteristics of the 144,000, that
no other redeemed will have, is that they have the privilege of serving
God in His temple day and night, and in doing so, it is especially emphasized
that God will dwell among them.
24) How do we know that the great multitude
will NOT serve God in His temple?
"Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple
... 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."" - Early Writings, p. 18.
If only the 144,000 are allowed in the temple of God, then the great multitude
will not have the right to enter in it. Therefore, the great multitude
would not be able to serve God in the temple day and night. And with
that being said, the great multitude are not the ones considered with those
who "came out of great tribulation."
25) What
is emphasized about Mount Zion?
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with
him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name
written in their foreheads." Revelation 14:1.
The great multitude is not mentioned to be with Jesus on Mount Zion, except
only the special 144,000, who only have the seal of God, or Father's name,
on their foreheads.
| SPIRIT OF PROPHECY CONCERNING THE 144,000 |
Great Controversy,
p. 648
Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled
with fire, - so resplendent is it with the glory of God, - are gathered
the company that have "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his
image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name." With
the Lamb upon Mount Zion, "having the harps of God," they stand, the hundred
and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men;
and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a
great thunder, "the voice of harpers harping with their harps." And
they sing "a new song" before the throne, a song which no man can learn
save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses
and the Lamb - a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four
thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience -
an
experience such as no other company have ever had. "These
are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." These, having
been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as "the
first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5.
"These are they which came out of great tribulation;" they
have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was
a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble;
they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of
God's judgments. But they have been delivered, for they have "washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." "In their
mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault" before God.
"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night
in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."
They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having
power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering,
hunger, and thirst. But "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst
any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For
the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall
lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes." Revelation 7:14-17.
Signs of the
Times, September 24, 1896
On what foundation are you building? This question comes home to
us all. We are living amid the perils of the last days. The
law of God is almost universally disregarded. Satan is not idle;
he walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may turn from the right
way. And he does not always appear as a lion; he has the power to
come as a lamb, and then his voice is soft and low. But shall we
allow him to control our hearts? Under his direction, shall we build
upon a foundation that will not stand the storm? We can not afford
to do this. Shall we not rather strive to be among that number
of whom John writes, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus"?
Just before his crucifixion Christ prayed for his followers, "Sanctify
them through thy truth; thy word is truth." The word of God has a
sanctifying power upon all who truly believe and do it. Shall we
not take this word into our lives, and thus build upon the true foundation
a character that will gain for us an eternal weight of glory? John
saw a company standing round the throne of God. "And one of
the elders answered," he writes, "saying, . . . What are these which are
arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him,
Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto 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. Therefore are they before the throne
of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth
on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more,
neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall
lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes." To be among that number is the
happy privilege of all who will render willing obedience to the words of
Christ.
Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing, p. 31
Through trials and persecution, the glory - character - of God is revealed
in His chosen ones. The church of God, hated and persecuted by the
world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. They
walk in narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction.
They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and
experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches
them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence.
Being partakers of Christ's sufferings, they are destined to be partakers
of His glory. In holy vision the prophet saw the triumph of the people
of God. He says, "I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire:
and them that had gotten the victory, . . . 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 marvelous are Thy works,
Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints."
"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are
they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple:
and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." Revelation 15:2,
3; 7:14, 15.
Early Writings,
p. 19
This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set
with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw I cannot
describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could
I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables
of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of
gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus
left us and went to the city. 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.
Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 5, p. 215
The most exalted of the redeemed host that stand before the
throne of God and the Lamb, clad in white, know the conflict of overcoming,
for they have come up through great tribulation. Those who have yielded
to circumstances rather than engage in this conflict will not know how
to stand in that day when anguish will be upon every soul, when, though
Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land, they could save neither son nor
daughter, for everyone must deliver his soul by his own righteousness.
Story of Jesus,
p. 186
God's holy law will be honored by all beneath the sun. Those who
have proved themselves true to God by keeping His commandments, shall dwell
with Him.
"In their mouth was found no guile." "These are they which came out
of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of
God, and serve Him day and night in His temple." Revelation 14:5; 7:14,
15.
Note: This study does not attempt to explain every detail about the 144,000 and the great multitude, but rather their specific involvement around the close of probation.
Last Updated: March 3, 2000
references
http://www.biblerevelations.org/articles/sealing.htm
Daniel and the Revelation,
1944, p. 469.