Who are the 144,000 in the Bible.

Study on the 144,000 who they are, their title and position by cora a. hoopes

The subject of the 144,000 is the most discussed of all the points of truth, and one that arouses great controversy among us as a people. It need not be so, for God's Word and the Spirit of prophecy shed abundant light regarding this question, and none need be in doubt and perplexity concerning it. The promise is: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and up- braideth not; and it shall be given him."-James 1:5. If we do not know what the Bible teaches regarding subjects about which we want to know, we should not go to man for knowledge, but to God and His Word. Ask Him and He will surely fulfill His promise to us. We are told that "It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, . . . We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought, and comparing Scripture with Scripture. With divine help, we are to form our opinions for ourselves, as we are to answer for ourselves before God."-G.C. 598. We should remember that God is the source of all wisdom.

In order to ascertain what is truth we must follow God's rule-"To the law and to the testimony. if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." -Isa. 8:20. God's rule is the only safe one to follow. These two sources of knowledge-the Bible and the Testimonies- will never fail us. These are the only foundation upon which we are to build. We are warned that "A storm is arising that will wrench and test the spiritual foundation of every one to the utmost. Therefore, avoid the sand-bed; hunt for the rock. Dig deep; lay your foundation sure. Build; oh, build, for eternity!"-5T 129,130.

THE MEANING OF "TRANSLATION"
Let us consider the meaning of the word "translate." Webster's New International Dictionary (1910) tells us that that this is. "To remove to heaven without natural death." The Century Dictionary and Encyclopedia says: "To remove or carry to heaven without seeing death." The New Standard Dictionary states: "In Scripture, to remove or carry to heaven as a human being without seeing death."-These definitions remind us of both Enoch and Elijah. What reason does Paul give for Enoch being translated? "Enoch was translated that he should not see death."-Heb. 11:5. This is very plain. The Spirit of prophecy says of the word translate: o"Had not the life of Mses been marred with that one sin, in failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at Kadesh, he would have been translated to heaven without seeing death."-P.P. 478. In Enoch's case translation excluded death. In Moses' case death excluded translation. Thus the latter will do in every other case. Moses was resurrected. So will every one be that dies. Death always excludes translation. Those who come up in the partial resurrection cannot be translated. Why? Because they died. "Moses came under the power of Satan,- the dominion of death. Had he remained steadfast, the Lord would have brought him to the promised land, and would then have translated him to heaven without his seeing death."-E.W. 164. How very plain! Why are we so slow to grasp truth? These definitions for translate, given above, are from the highest authority in heaven and earth. How plain and easy to understand is God's Word to those who search for wisdom!

Elijah was a type of the 144,000. We read in PK 227 that "Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ, and who will be 'changed, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump' (I Cor. 15:51, 52), without tasting of death. It was as a representative of those who shall be thus translated, that Elijah, near the close of Christ's earthly ministry, was permitted to stand with Moses by the side of the Saviour on the mount of transfiguration. . . And there also stood Elijah, representing those who at the close of earth's history will be changed from mortal to immortal, and be translated to heaven without seeing death." Concerning Moses we read: "Moses, representing those who will be raised from the dead at the time of the second advent. "- Ibid. Surely we cannot misunderstand these plain statements.

In IT 131, 132, written in 1856, we read the following: "I was shown the company present at the Conference, Said the angel, 'Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus."' Wonderful statement! Here three classes are brought to view. One class would die and be food for worms. Another would suffer the seven last plagues. While the third would "be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated" when Jesus comes. This latter class will be a part of the 144,000. This statement proves, beyond all doubt that the dead are not numbered with the 144,000. Each class is distinct and separate from the other.

In EW page 15 we find a company that will be alive and will hear the "words of God" just before they are delivered. We read. "Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice." The whole number-144,000-were alive and heard and understood the voice. The dead do not hear the voice. The partial resurrection had not as yet taken place. They were still sleeping in their prison-house-the grave. The deliverance of the saints precedes the special resurrection. This will be proved later in our study when we consider Dan. 12:1, 2.

The 144,000 are numbered and sealed during the loud cry period, before probation closes. We find an account of the latter rain and the loud cry in EW 33, the last paragraph, which is explained on pages 85 and 86 thus: "The commencment of the 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 (this is during the loud cry). At that time while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. 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."

First, a world Sunday law will come; second, the latter rain; and third, the loud cry. All three events march onto the stage in mass formation during that "short period" and "while Christ is in the sanctuary." "It is also the time when the work of salvation is closing." 3T 266, the last paragraph, calls this time the time for "the closing work for the church," and "the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God." That "short period" covers all these events.

Let us now go to E.W. 279, the last paragraph, and see what takes place when the sealing is over, "I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side (this is Gabriel, the third angel) returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done (Ezek. 9: 11), and the saints were numbered and sealed (the 144,000; Rev. 7. 1-8). 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."' Probation for the human race is then forever closed. The 144,000 saints are sealed for eternity. The point we wish to emphasize here, is that the full number-144,000-are sealed before probation closes, and during the loud cry period. This being true, how can the dead since 1844 be included with them, since the partial resurrection does not take place until the beginning of the seventh plague? (G.C. 637.)

We have now learned that death excludes translation. Can we say, in view of all the light we have received thus far in our study that the dead since 1844 will be raised and then translated to heaven without seeing death? If we can, then we can claim that Moses was translated. We could also affirm that all the righteous dead will be resurrected and then translated. On the contrary, it is only the living righteous that will be translated to heaven "without seeing" or "tasting death." "God would be honored by making a covenant with those who had kept His law, in the sight of the heathen round about them; and Jesus would be honored by translating, without their seeing death, the faithful, waiting ones who had so long expected Him."-E.W. 283.

Just after their fierce "combat with the beast and his image," and the sealing were over, John said, "I looked, and Io, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." Of this same company John again writes. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." -Rev. 14: 1; 15:2. The dead could not get the victory over the beast and his image. While the combat was going on they were sleeping in their graves-during the loud cry-and will not be raised until the beginning of the seventh plague. (G.C. 637) We are told on page 649 that the 144,000 go through all the plagues, from the first to the last. It is quite plain, that they do, for they are sealed before probation closes, and the plagues do not begin until some time later.

It is rumored that Sister White made a statement that the dead since 1844 will be included with the 144,000 but this is absolutely contrary to her own teaching, and also to that of the Bible, as has already been amply proved. The angel said to her in vision, "You must go back (to the earth), and if faithful, you, with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God."-E.W. 40. She will be with, but not of that number. As in Moses' case, death excludes her from being translated.

"And to all who have a desire for truth I would say, Do not give credence to unauthenticated reports as to what Sister White has done or said or written. If you desire to know what the Lord has revealed through her, read her published works. Are there any points of interest concerning which she has not written, do not eagerly catch up and report rumors as to what she has said."-5T 696. Repeatedly we are told to search the Scriptures for ourselves; to know for ourselves. "The mind that depends upon the judgment of others is certain, sooner or later, to be misled."- Ed. 231. Thousands have made shipwreck of their faith by doing this.

Enoch was translated out of the Antediluvian Age “without seeing death." Elijah was translated out of the Jewish Age "without seeing death." The 144,000 will be translated out of the Christian Age "without seeing death." Out of earth's restless billions, only 144,000 will reach heaven over the translation route. All the rest will have to pass through death valley and over the resurrection route. Enoch and Elijah have gone before, the 144,000 will follow. Moses was the first to be raised from the dead. (P.P. 478.) These three-together with those who were raised with Jesus- were glorified. They were raised "to immortal life holding (their) title in the name of the Redeemer."-P.P. 479, par.l. Therefore God "only hath immortality," at present, but it will be bestowed on all the redeemed, the angels and the inhabitants of other worlds at the coming of Jesus. (I Cor. 1 5. 5 1-5 6.) Sin will then be at an end. "Affliction shall not rise up the second time."-Nahum 1:9.

THE RED HEIFER
We will now view the 144,000 from another angle. In ancient Israel there were laws of purification for those touching, or coming in contact with the dead. These laws are recorded in Num. 19 and Deut. 21: 1-9. Read these very carefully, for they contain a type. Read also I Cor. I0:Il; and Rom. 15:4. There will be many types fulfilled in the last days as modern Israel nears the borders of the "purchased possession." One of these ancient types was the offering of the "red heifer." Any one who touched the dead, or came in contact with death in any way, was considered ceremonially defiled or unclean. The Levitical priests, uncontaminated by contact with the dead, officiated in the ceremonial cleansing dressed in pure white robes. In 4T 120-24, the rite of the red heifer is explained. Read this carefully as it is very enlightening. On page 120, par. 2 we are told that "This sacrifice was a red heifer, and represented the more perfect offering that should redeem from the pollution of sin. This was an occasional sacrifice for the purification of all those who had necessarily or accidentally touched the dead. All who came in contact with death in any way were considered ceremonially unclean. This was to forcibly impress the Hebrews with the fact that death came in consequence of sin, and therefore is a representative of sin."

At Christ's coming, who of Israel will have come in contact with death? All the righteous dead from Adam's day, to the last one who may die-billions of them-"A great multitude which no man could number-"-Rev. 7:9. Why have all these died? Because of sin. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, . . so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned."-Rom. 5:12. Could Adam and Eve have died if they had not sinned? "But had the law of God never been transgressed, there would have been no death." -P.P. 363, par. 1. Why will the 144,000 not die? Because they will have overcome sin in their individual lives, therefore death cannot claim them. They have reached Christ's perfection. Notice that "Those who receive the seal of the living God, and are protected in the time of trouble, must reflect the image of Jesus fully . . . . I saw that none could share the refreshing unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action."-E.W. 71. Jesus will say to His holy remnant-the 144,000-"Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee."-Song of Solomon 4:7. John states: "In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."-Rev. 14:5. The 144,000 will have completely overcome sin, sickness, and death. Sickness and death came in consequence of sin. The 144,000 will be health reformers, dress reformers, and Medical Evangelists. They will follow in the footsteps of their Lord and Master.

All the righteous who have come in contact with death are ceremonially defiled, or unclean. Like Moses, they "came under the power of Satan-the dominion of death." Like him they will be resurrected, and like him they will stand with the 144,000 as Moses stood with Elijah on the mount of transfiguration.-P.K. 227, par. 2. "All the redeemed shall stand upon the sea of glass, with harps of gold and crowns of glory."-5T 485, par. 1. As the Levitical priests could officiate in the ceremonial cleansing, clad in their pure white robes, because they were uncontaminated by contact with the dead, so the 144,000 Melchizedec priests, uncontaminated by death and clad in the pure white robes of Christ's righteousness, will "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.-Mal. 3:3. This is the perfect Christ character. The gospel will then have produced 144,000 perfect characters just like Jesus'-the second Adam. This will give them the title of the "first born" sons of God. They will be the first among earth's -heedless billions who will have reached the acme of Christian perfection in Jesus, who is the Purifier and Refiner of silver and gold. When the 144,000 reach this ideal state, then the antitype of the offering of the red heifer will be reached. "Some may look upon this slaying of the heifer as a meaningless ceremony; but it was done by the command of God, and bears a deep significance that has not lost its application to the present time."-4T 122

The righteous dead who are ceremonially defiled or unclean, by coming in contact with death, are held in bondage in Satan's prison-house-the grave. These cannot be released until the 144,000 "sons of God" are manifested. Jesus says, "I have the keys of hell (the grave) and death."-Rev. 1:8. He has been holding these keys for a very long time. For whom and for what is He waiting? He surely does not delight in keeping the righteous dead in Satan's prison-house. Paul answers this question in Rom. 8:11-39. The whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God-the 144,000 Metchizedec priests whom He is now purifying,-the "first-born" sons. The righteous dead are crying to be delivered from the body of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Rom. 8:21.)

"The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now .... waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body (from the grave)." Moffatt's translation reads: "To this day, we know, the entire creation sighs and throbs with pain; ... but even we ourselves, who have the Spirit as a foretaste of the future, even we sigh deeply to ourselves as we wait for the redemption of the body that means our full sonship. - . We know also that those who love God, those who have been called in terms of his purpose, have his aid and interest in everything. For he (the Father) decreed of old that those whom he predestinated should share the likeness of His Son that he (His Son) might be the first-born of a great brotherhood (the redeemed of all the earth). Then he calls those whom he has thus decreed; then he justifies those whom he has called; then he glorifies (at their deliverance, E.W. 286) those whom he has justified."-Rom. 8.22-30. Read also Heb. 12:22, 23. These verses tell their own story. How they thrill us as we read them!

"And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer an offering unto the Lord in right- eousness."-Mal. 3:3. This purifying process takes place in the end of the investigative judgment, according to Great Controversy, pages 424-426. Notice par. I on page 426. "The sons of Levi" are the 144,000 Melchizedec priests, for the Levitical priesthood passed away at the cross.-Heb. 6:20. This purifying process takes place in the closing work of the judgment, and is like a "refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap." The 144,000 will pass through the "furnace of affliction" sufficiently heated to burn out all their dross. They must "stand without fault before the throne of God." They must pass through the crucible experience-their Gethsemane-that they may develop the Christ-like character to enable them to "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteous- ness"-the fullness of the image of Jesus.

THE BAPTISM OF SUFFERING
In 1 Cor. 15:29 Paul speaks of this same crucible experience from another angle-that of baptism. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then babtized for the dead?" There are at least three baptisms. One by water; one by the Spirit and one by suffering. Read Luke 3:16; Matt. 3:11; John 3:5; Mark 10: 38, 39, and E.W. 67, paragraphs I and 2. The 144,000 already will have had the two former baptisms, but they must experience the third in order to complete the plan of the gospel. John and James made the request to sit on the right and left hand of Jesus, in His kingdom. Jesus asked them if they were able to drink of His cup, and be baptized with His baptism. They replied, "We are able." Jesus then said, "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup ... and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared"- the 144,000 Melchizedec priests.

This brings us again to Rom. 8:28-30. Christ's baptism of intense suffering the 144,000 must endure, before deliverance can come to them, in order to prepare them for the place they are to occupy throughout eternity. They must have the baptism of suffering to enable them "to offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness-which is the full and complete Christ-character-that the dead may be released from their prison-house-the grave. It is the 144,000 who are baptized for the dead. This thought brings us again to "the offering of the red heifer," which was given "by the command of God and bears a deep significance that has not lost its application to the present time."

We read in E.W. 272, par. 2, of the 144,000 before their deliverance. "Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy, desired to go to their deliverance. But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not. He said, 'The will of God is not yet fulfilled.' They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the baptism,"'- the baptism of suffering. They are yet in the crucible (Mal. 3:3), being baptized for the righteous dead. These holy, harmless, undefiled sons of God must gain the victory for the entire human race. Sin will be conquered by living members of the human family. The second Adam will bring forth 144,000 after His kind. Sister White, viewing the deliverance of the 144,000, heard a voice musical and triumphant saying, "They come! They come! Holy, harmless, and undefiled... and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast their faith, utter a shout of victory."-G.C. 636.

THE PARTIAL RESURRECTION
It is very significant that as soon as the saints are delivered, the partial resurrection takes place. (Dan. 12:1, 2.) A company of the righteous dead will be raised, or released from their prison house at once, to hear God deliver His everlasting covenant" to the 144,000 glorified king-priests of the Melchizedec order of the "first-born" sons of God. Read E.W. 285 and G.C. 637. The 144,000 are of the seed of Phinehas-the grandson of Aaron the high priest-to whom the everlasting covenant of the priesthood was promised because of his zeal for his God. Read Num. 25:1-13. The 144,000 are the priests of the Melchizedee priesthood an order of the "first-born" sons, of whom Jesus is the Head.

It is this glorified company of Melchizedec priests whom Jesus refines and purifies as gold and silver-as brought to view in Mal. 3:3-that they "may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness," the fullness of the Christ-character. This is what the "whole creation" is waiting for, that the righteous dead might be delivered from their "bondage of corruption." Then the gospel will have fulfilled its mission, and God's goal will be fully reached as "He decreed of old." We are told in Matt. 13:38, that, "The field is the world. " Before the sickle can be put to the world-field (the harvest), a handful of the "first-fruits"-the first ripened heads of golden grain-of earth's harvest must be hand-picked from the world-field to be presented as a "wave-offering" before the Lord. These are the 144,000 who will never die, but will be translated from among the living-"the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb."-Rev. 14:4.

These truths teach us that before the resurrection can take place, these victorious "sons of God" must be manifested. This proves that none of the dead are included with the 144,000. They cannot be raised out of their graves until the 144,000 have been delivered, and these cannot be delivered until they bear the perfect image of Jesus- the acme of His perfection.

THE "FIRST-BORN" SONS
What is the origin of the title: "First-born" sons? When did they first come into service? What is their office? We read in D.A. 51, at the top of the page: "The dedication of the first-born had its origin in the earliest times. God had promised to give the First-born of heaven to save the sinner. This gift was to be acknowledged in every household by the consecration of the first-born son. He was to be devoted to the priesthood as a representative of Christ among men." The Melchizedec priesthood is an order of the first-born sons. At Sinai, "after the tabernacle service was established, the Lord chose the tribe of Levi in place of the first-born of all Israel to minister in the sanctuary. "-D.A. 51; P.P. 3 5 0, par. 1. The Levitical priesthood was in existence from Sinai to the cross. When Jesus ascended, the priesthood reverted to the First-born Son-"Even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedec."-Heb. 6:20. When Christ ascended "He led captivity captive. "-Eph. 4:8. A great many saints arose with Him to officiate in the heavenly sanctuary. (Matt. 27:5 1-5 3; Rev. 5:8-1 0.) Early Writings page 184, and D.A. 786 tell us who they are; martyrs, every one of them. Revelation chapters 4 and 5 tell us that they are the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders, and that they were made "kings and priests unto God." These were redeemed out of every nation, kindred, tongue and people, and are the "first-born," or the "first-fruits" from among the dead. The resurrection is called a birth in Scripture (Rev. 1. 5; Col. 1: 18; Isa. 66:7, 8). These martyrs are the first group of Melchizedec priests. Christ is the "true 'high priest over the house of God,' the head of 'an unchangeable priesthood,' the intercessor at 'the right hand of the majesty on high."'-D.A. 55; Heb. 10-21; 7.24; 1:3.

On page 833 in D.A. we read of the ascension of Jesus, the Head of this Melchizedee system, and the multitude of priests who ascended with Him. We thrill at the description of their royal entrance to the city of God. This same scene will be repeated when Jesus comes to receive His people. In 5T 475 at the bottom of the page, we read the following of the victorious remnant-the 144,000: "A 'fair mitre' is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God." Read the entire chapter as it is encouragingly glorious. A mitre is a headdress belonging to the priests. In psalm 24 the question is asked: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place (-the temple)?" The answer is, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, . . this is the generation of them that seek thy face, 0 God of Jacob." (See margin) "This generation" is the second group of Melchizedec priests, and its members are from among the living-the 144,000.

The 144,000 of the remnant church are the last generation. "A seed shall serve him (the Lord); It (the seed) shall be counted to the Lord for a gereration."-Psa. 22.30. Verse 7 of Psa. 24 is closely connected with the preceding verses, and the same royal entrance accorded the "first- born" from the dead, will be repeated for the glorious "first-born" sons from among the living. It is for these that the "whole creation" has been waiting that the righteous dead may be released from the grave. Concerning these "first-born" sons it is written. "They shall come and declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born (all the resurrected saints), that he hath done this."-Ps. 22:31. Throughout eternity "this generation" will travel over the universe telling the wonderful story of Christ's redeeming love and what the gospel has done for them. They will "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth."-Rev. 14:4.

It is a law of production that everything "bring forth... after his kind. "-Gen. 1: 20-24. Therefore the plan of salvation cannot be finished until Jesus, the second Adam and high priest of the Melchizedec order, shall bring forth a company of the 144,000 king-priests, who like Himself must make an atonement for the people-those who came in contact with death-not of blood, but ceremonial atonement to cleanse from ceremonial defilement. This will complete the types that must have a fulfillment. It is the work of the Melchizedec priests-the 144,000-at their deliverance. The offering is a perfect Christ-character, obtained through the baptism of suffering. These will have reached the goal of the gospel .

This remnant is a sinless company. They are a law abiding group, for the Father's name-His character-is written in their foreheads. They also have the Spirit of prophecy, for, "They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived."-E.W. 279. They do not just happen to be living at this time of the world's history. They have fitted themselves for the responsible position they occupy, by overcoming sin in their lives. "Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain and thus be fitted for translation."- IT 187, 188.

In the plan of redemption God has purposed one great, eternal goal. He has been moving forward to this goal throughout the ages of the past 6,000 years. Without change of plan or purpose, He will set up the kingdom of His dear Son. The citizens of that kingdom will be gathered from both the living and the dead. All things that were lost through sin will be restored through the gospel. When the 144000 king-priests are delivered, God's goal will be reached, His purpose fulfilled.

The 144,000 are the finished product of the gospel. It is by virtue of the Christ-character in these "sons of God," that the graves are opened for the partial resurrection. How important then, that we should definitely know about this wonderful company, for Jesus cannot come for His people until these are made ready. The whole creation is almost impatiently waiting for their manifestation.

"If the church will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance with the world there is before her the dawn of a bright and glorious day, God's promise to her will stand fast forever. He will make her an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."- A.A. 601. This condition will be met in the 144,000 "first-born" sons of God.

THE MELCHIZEDEC PRIESTHOOD
The Melchizedec priests are of two divisions, and both are the "first-born" sons of God. The first group were born from the dead at the resurrection of Jesus (Eph. 4:8), and ascended with Him (D.A. 833) to officiate in the sanctuary service. The second group are the "first-born" sons from among the living-the 144,000 who will never "see" or taste" death. These will "serve Him day and night in His temple. "-Rev. 7:15; 3.12. The births of this sinless company will date from the time when they were sealed with the name of God in their foreheads. The rest of the redeemed will date their births from the resurrection. This places the 144,000 as the "first-born" sons, giving them the right to the priesthood. These were predestinated "to be conformed to the image of his son."-Rom. 8-29.

Should one keep silent regarding a subject of so great importance, when God has written so much about it is His word, and in the Spirit of prophecy? If all that has been written concerning this wonderful company could be put it one book, it would fill a large volume. The Old Testament prophets, the Psalms and the New Testament have much to say regarding the 144,000 that many people, reading superficially, do not recognize. The names of the 144,000 are engraved in letters of gold (E.W. 19) from eternity. Read Rom. 8:28-30; 9:11, 23. To deliver such a faithful, obedient company will call forth the greatest demonstration the universe has ever witnessed. An innumerable throng will be present to behold the triumphs of the gospel in the deliverance of these king-priests, for God, in creation, prepared a pathway from His throne in heaven to this earth through the open space in Orion. This glorious deliverance of His people will not be done in a corner, but before the whole wicked world and the great universe of God. Oh, what a day that will be! Yet we are told to keep silent on this most important and glorious subject. Oh, our foe is a wily one.

It is true that it is not known what individuals will compose the 144,000. It will be those who will form a character by overcoming sin in its every phase-"pride, selfishness, love of the world, and every wrong word and action." it is those who "reflect the image of Jesus fully" who will "receive the seal of the living God. "-E.W. 71. It will be "those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, . . .(who will) thus be fitted for translation."-IT 187,188. "Those who overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God."- T.M. 445.

This wonderful company is composed of men, women and youth. We read in 5T 216: "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 . . . . Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men and women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal (men and women) must be without spot before God-Candidates for heaven."

Again we read: "During the proclamation of the third angel's message, 'another angel' is to come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth is to be 'lightened with his glory.' The Spirit of the Lord will so graciously and universally bless consecrated human instrumentalities; that men, women and children will open their lips in praise and testimony, filling the earth with the knowledge of God, and with His unsurpassed glory, as the waters cover the sea, . . from quarters where we least expect it, will come voices urging us forward in the work of giving to the world the last message of mercy." -R.&H. Oct. 20, 1904. This will occur during the loud cry.

"The Lord will have a well-trained army, ready to be called into action at a word. These will be well-disciplined men, women, and youth, who have placed themselves under educating influences that have made them vessels unto honor. "- R&H. March 22, 1898.

"When heavenly intelligences see that men (and women) are no longer permitted to present the truth, the Spirit of God will come upon the children, and they will do a work in the proclamation of the truth which the older workers cannot do, because their way will be hedged up."-6T 203. Many more passages could be cited, but enough has been presented to show that the 144,000 is composed of males and females-144,000 individuals, 12,000 out of each tribe. These will be sealed during the loud cry. When the sealing is over, probation will close. The temples of God on earth (I Cor. 3.16, 17; 6.19, 20) will be in balance with the temple of God in heaven.

It was the purpose of God in the plan of redemption- the gospel-to bring men (and women) to the standard of character that Adam and Eve enjoyed before sin entered our world. The objective of the gospel is to demonstrate to the universe that God can save human beings so completely from sin, His image being perfectly reflected in them, that death cannot claim them. They will be so closely identified with Christ, that they will have the victory over sin, sickness and death. This company is the 144,000. They are the first- fruits of the earth-the world-field-because they are the only ones among earth's trespassing billions who have fully reached the goal-the full character of Jesus-and fulfilled the purpose of the gospel. They are called the "first-born" sons, which gives them the "eternal excellency"-the right to the priesthood. "And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God."-Rev. 14:5.

It is of vital importance to become informed regarding the 144,000 in order to make the necessary preparation to be one of them. In the R&H ' of March 9, 1905 we have the following: "Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thou- sand." How can we strive to be among this number, unless we know what is expected of us?

HOW WE ARE TO STRIVE
"The peculiar people whom He is purifying unto Himself, to be translated to heaven without seeing death, should not be behind others in good works. In their efforts to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, they should be as far ahead of any other class of people on earth as their profession is more exalted than that of others."-lT 487.

"Are we striving with all our God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His character? When God's servants reach this point they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording angel will declare, 'It is done.' They will be complete in Him whose they are by creation and redemption."-Bible Training School. July 1911. A most wonderful statement!

"There should be continual effort to imitate the society we expect soon to join; namely, angels of God who have never fallen by sin. The character should be holy, the manners comely, the words without guile, and thus should we follow on step by step until we are fitted for translation."-IT 216. Marvelous statement!

"Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the 'latter rain' and thus be fitted for translation."-IT 187,188.

"Those who have trained the mind to delight in spiritual exercises, are the ones who can be translated and not be overwhelmed with the purity and transcendent glory of heaven."-2T 267.

"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."-5T 216.

Their FOOD
"If ever there was a time when the diet should be of the most simple kind, it is now .... Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation."-2T 352. Read page 486 also. Obedience is the highest form of worship.

THEIR EXPERIENCES
The 144,000 are scattered all over the world. (P.K. 188,189.) They uphold the law and the Sabbath which have been the controversy of the ages. They have all the physical and spiritual forces of the enemy concentrated upon them. They have the death decree passed upon them by the nation. They will see the whole world ruined by devastating elements and plagues. They will stand without fault before God. They will have a preparation fitting them for translation. They "are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator."-G.C. 425, par. 1. Not one of them can be put to death. They will be a strictly vegetarian people. They will see the entire world at war-nation against nation. They will behold the destruction of multitudes of human beings. They will see in explainable and terrifying signs and wonders. They will witness manifestations of evil spirits, sufficient to appall the stoutest heart. They will witness God's judgments, tremendous in their scope-whole seas and oceans of blood. They will pass through untold fear and suffering, at the same time they will experience an outpouring of divine power never before equaled. They will do a work, limited only by the bounds of the earth. They will have to meet evil spirits in human form, masquerading as deceased friends and relatives. They will witness for truth in a day of widespread disease and death, meeting erroneous teachings of every description-even in the church. They will be betrayed by friends and relatives. Each one will have to stand alone. They will hear the Bible ridiculed and repudiated from every quarter. They will have a tremendous task to accomplish in a very short time. This company will be made up of individuals from every nation, kindred, tongue and people. They will be victorious over sin in its every phase; consequently over sickness and death. Surely the Lord expects us to know what is revealed concerning this most remarkable company, and the nature of the work they will be called upon to do. Ample light is given concerning them, therefore, we need not be in doubt. The truth of this most important subject is clearly revealed, but we need to study the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy for ourselves, in order to discover it. The contemplation of this subject should inspire every one of us with a burning desire to be worthy of a place among that exalted throng.

"And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."-Rev. 7:4.

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."-Gal. 3.29, 7, 9.

"He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; ... But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter."-Rom. 2:28, 29.

The full purpose of the gospel is never met in the lives of those who die. Its purpose is to reproduce in man the image of God, as it was revealed in Adam and Eve, before the fall; thus restoring man to the Edenic condition, where sin cannot enter "But had the law of God never been transgressed, there would have been no death."-P.P. 363, par. 1. God has said, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth.- it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. "-Isa. 55:11.

Christ can never come for His redeemed until the full purpose of the gospel is accomplished in humanity-the perfect image of Jesus restored in them. This will be fully attained with the 144,000. It is then only that Jesus can come and loose the dead from Satan's prison-house-the grave. "Death is swallowed up in victory. 0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."-l Cor. 15:54-56. Read this paragraph over and over until you get its full meaning. It is glorious.

THE TRUE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR
The church of Philadelphia is thus addressed in Rev. 3.7-12: "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." We find the time to which this statement applies, in E.W. 42. "This door was not opened until the mediation of Jesus was finished in 1844. Then (in 1844) Jesus rose up and shut the door of the holy place, and opened the door into the most holy and passed within the second veil, where He now stands by the ark, and where the faith of Israel now reaches." This door was opened to the Philadelphian church in 1844, and marks its beginning. That was the year the investigative judgment began. As the Philadelphian church is addressed in verses 7-12, it is obvious that it continues until the second advent of Christ, as will be seen later on in our study.

Regarding the unfaithful in the midst of Philadelphia, we read in verse 9: "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." This text is explained in, "A Word to the Little Flock, " p.12. "You think, that those who worship before the saints feet (Rev. 3.9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you, for God showed me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away and 'crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.' And in the 'hour of temptation,' which is yet to come, to show out every one's true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint's feet." This statement is self-explanatory. It is indeed sad, but true!

These apostates that claim to be “Jews, and are not,” are brought to view in E.W. 37. "Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters, 'thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.' I asked who this company were? The angel said, 'These are they who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up.' I heard them cry with a loud voice,' have believed in thy coming, and taught it with energy.’ And while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments and see the writing, and then they will wail aloud. I saw that they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet--trodden the Sabbath: under foot--and that was why they were weighed in balance and found wanting." These apostates will worship at the saint's feet at their deliverance. These are the tares- the unfaithful that have "grown together" with the Philadelphians,-the Laodiceans, the foolish virgins." "The state of the Church represented by the foolish Virgins is a spoken of as the Laodicean state."-R&H. Aug. 19, 1890.

Rev. 3:10 is addressed to the faithful Philadelphia "Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall co upon all the world, to try them which dwell upon the earth.” The "hour of temptation," is during the deadly combat with the "beast" and "his image," (E.W. 254), which climaxes in "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:7).

Jesus announces (verse 11) that He will "come quickly and counsels the tried and true Philadelphians to "hold that (their faith) fast .... that no man take thy crown."

Verse 12 brings to view the faithful and holy "Firstborn" sons-the 144,000 Melchizedec priests. "Him I overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” In this inspiring verse the 144,000 stand scaled and ticketed for their destination-the New Jerusalem. They come from the church of the "open door," hence are Philadelphian the church of brotherly love.

Let us compare verse 12, with a statement in E.W. "The 144,000 were all scaled and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name." Their identification here established. The Philadelphians are the 144,000- the true, "church of the open door." This is a plain fact. The Philadelphians are the wheat, the Laodiceans are the tares. Jesus said, "Let both grow together until the harvest."- Matt. 13:30. And "the harvest is the end of probationary time."--C.O.L. 72. Thank God for the Spirit of prophecy! (Study also the last chapter in C.O.L., where the two classes are depicted.)

THE TIME WHEN THE 144,000 ARE SEALED
At this point we will present three statements from the Spirit of prophecy, quoting just enough to make the subject clear. You may study the rest at your convenience.

Statement number one- "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."-E.W. 33, last paragraph.

Statement number two: "The commencement of the 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."-E.W. 85, 86.

Statement number three: "Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the 144,000. -3T 266, last part of par. 2.

Let us now analyze the above three statements: In E.W. 33, we have first, "The commencement of the time of trouble." This time of trouble is brought on by a world Sunday law. Second, "We were filled with the Holy Ghost." This is the "latter rain" or refreshing. Third, "As we went forth and immediately proclaimed the Sabbath more fully." Here we have the loud cry. Notice how the "events come in order,"-The Sunday law, the latter rain or refreshing, and the loud cry. All three events march on the stage in mass formation. "Babylon the great" must fall-by the passing of a world Sunday law-before the loud cry can begin, and the latter rain must come on God's people, to give power to the loud cry. "Not until. . the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete."-G.C. 390. The Angel of Rev. 18 will then go forth proclaiming, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen . . . . come out of her, my people." Verses 1 and 2.

"The commencement of the time of trouble" that is caused by a world Sunday law, refers to that "short period . . while Christ is in the sanctuary.... At that time the 'latter rain'. . will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel."-E.W. 85, 86. Here the Sunday law, the latter rain and the loud cry are said to be during that short period. That short period covers the time from the Sunday law to the close of probation. Much might be written regarding this interval, but time and space forbid. (See Revelation for The End Time, by Unwalled Village Publishers).

It is during "the closing work for the church" and when "the work of salvation is closing," that "the sealing time of the 144,000" will take place. This is also during that "short period .... while Christ is in the sanctuary." When the sealing is over, probation automatically closes. The sealing is done after the image to the beast is made by our nation passing a Sunday law. Note carefully the following-. "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."-G.C. 605. The 144,000 are being sealed during the loud cry, and the "stamp is impressed" by their enduring the life and death test over the Sabbath (5T 216).

It is evident that the seal of the 144,000 includes much more than the keeping of the Sabbath, although the Sabbath is included in it. Seventh-day Baptists and many Jews keep the seventh day. The seal with which the 144,000 are sealed, is the perfection of the Cbrist-character, which includes the Sabbath with the whole law. (See Rev. 14: 1; D.A. 283.) Note the following- "Are we striving with all our God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking His fullness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His Character? When God's servants reach this point they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording angel will declare, 'It is done.' They will be complete in Him whose they are by creation and redemption." -E.G. White, Bible Training School, July, 1911.

ONLY THE LIVING RECEIVE THIS SEAL
Only the living receive this seal. See 5T 210, par. 2. As you read, you will notice that it is the living, sighing crying ones who receive it. Gabriel was told to "set a mark upon the foreheads of the men (women included) that sigh and that cry. "The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry." 5T 212, par. 3. The dead cannot sigh and cry. The dead are not living during that "short period", when the 144,000 are sealed. It is only the living saints that receive the latter rain or refreshing. Dead people cannot be refreshed. They have no part in anything that goes on in the earth. "The dead know not anything."- Eccl. 9:5.

To believe that the dead are numbered with the 144,000, is to leave all these stated facts as without significance. The meaning of the word translate is then lost. "Enoch was translated that he should not see death."-Heb. 11:5. Moses was not translated because of that one sin. He "came under Satan's power,-the dominion of death," and was resurrected. May God grant us His free Spirit, that we may be quick to discern truth. We are told the truth shall make us free-free from all error.

In the time of ancient Israel, the first ripened heads of golden grain were gathered from the harvest fields and presented before the Lord as a thank offering and as a pledge that more would follow. Not until the firstfruits were offered to the Lord, could the sickle be put to the grain and the fields reaped. This was a type. "The field is the world."- Matt. 13:38. Before the world-field can be harvested (the dead resurrected), a handful of the first, fully ripened heads of golden grain (144,000) must be selected from it, as the "firstfruits" unto God and to the Lamb. (Rev. 14:4, 14-16.) This will be the antitype. As soon as the 144,000 are delivered the partial resurrection immediately follows. (Dan. 12.2.) A view of the harvest time is given in Rev. 14:14, 15, 18-20.

What about the "offering of the red heifer?" and the "baptism for the dead?"-l Cor. 15:29. The foregoing facts teach us that the dead cannot be released from Satan's prison-house-the grave-until these sons of God-the 144,000 are manifested. This is plainly taught in Rom. 8. To insist that the dead are to be numbered with the 144,000 is to make of none effect these mighty and wonderful truths.

The holy lives of the 144,000-made so through the baptism of suffering, (1 Cor. 15:29)-are accepted by the Father, to remove the ceremonial defilement (coming in contact with the death) upon the righteous dead. The inheritance of the saints cannot be entered into, until Jesus receives from human hands the first ripened heads of precious, golden grain (Lev. 23:9-21) to present to His Father, as a token that the entire world-field (Matt. 13:37-43) is ripe and ready for the angels to gather the matured harvest, from all the past ages of seed sowing. This will be the resurrection of all the righteous dead.

Great Controversy, page 648, the last par., and page 649, show that only the 144,000 individuals will be translated; no more and no less. "Upon the crystal sea before the throne . . . . are gathered the company that have 'gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.' With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, . . they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; . . .And they sing 'a new song' before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb,-a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty and four thou sand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience, -an experience such as no other company have ever had. These having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as 'the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.' These are they which came out of great tribulation; they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; . . . They have been delivered, for they have 'washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.' 'In their mouth was found no guile (deceit); for they are without fault' before God. 'Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple- and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.' They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But 'they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

All the pronouns (22 in number) in the preceding quotation refer to their antecedent-the 144,000. Only the 144,000 will be translated. There are only two groups of the saved that pass through the judgment. These are the living and the dead (the 144,000-Rev. 7:1-8-and the great multitude of the dead that no man can number.-Rev. 7:9-12). These will people the New Earth as subjects of the kingdom which Christ will set up, represented by the "stone cut out of the mountain without hands."-Dan. 2:45. The "new song" the 144,000 will sing is found in T.M. 433. Read it.

Some think there will be a "great miltitude" that will be translated with the 144,000; that there will be millions saved during the loud cry, but we find no such intimation in the Bible or Spirit of prophecy. There will be no living ones translated, save the 144,000. It is true that there will be "thousands upon thousands" gathered in under the loud cry of the third angel, and some of these will be numbered with the 144,000, as this will be the sealing time of that number. "While the many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has His agents among the leading men of the nation .... When the final warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it, and will stand with the people of God through the time of trouble. "-G.C. 610, 61 1. All the rest of the Sabbath keepers will be martyrs for Jesus. They will seal their testimony with their blood. Read Rev. 6:9-1 1, stressing the latter part of verse II, and chapter 20.4.

All Christians who receive the latter rain, or refreshing, to prepare them to give the loud cry, will form a nucleus for the 144,000. They will have overcome sin in all its phases, therefore, they will be candidates for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. "Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation."- IT 187, 188. All who receive the latter rain in its fullness, will be candidates for the 144,000 group.

Just before us lies the most bitter persecution of all the ages. "A great crisis awaits the people of God. A crisis awaits the world. The most momentous struggle of all the ages is just before us."-5T 711. Every type of persecution that has been, will be repeated in the very near future. (Read G.C. 581, also that whole chapter.) "in the great final conflict, Satan will employ the same policy, manifest the same spirit, and work for the same end, as in all the preceding ages. That which has been, will be, except that the coming struggle will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has never witnessed. Satan's deceptions will be more subtle, his assaults more determined."-G.C. 11, in the Introduction. Notwithstanding all this, we are admonished to "strive with all our might, to be among the 144,000." All this lies before us.

Study "A View of the Conflict," in 8T 41- 47, for a further view of the coming struggle. Much more could be written on this interesting and timely subject. It is difficult to find a stopping place, as it is an exhaustless topic. Sink your shaft deeper into the rich mine of truth and gather the precious ore that lies hidden, deep beneath the surface. it is yours for the searching.

Today we are living near the borders of the eternal world. The time is almost here when probation for the human race is to close. The time of "trouble that will not cease till Jesus comes," is right upon us. The promise is that, "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."-Rom. 9:27, 28.

Joel 2:23 tells us how the work will be cut short. "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain (margin; a teacher of righteousness) moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." When the Holy Spirit is poured out in the latter rain, or the refreshing, on a people who have prepared themselves to receive it by overcoming sin in their lives; they will, by these, be made ready to give the loud cry that will gather every honest soul out of Babylon. Those who come into the faith under the loud cry, will receive the former and the latter rain in the first month,- the seed sown will spring up instantaneously into a rich harvest of souls, and thousands will be converted in a day. Amos 9:13 tells of this very time: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed." It is thus that the work will be cut short in righteousness.

Then the promise given in Heb. 10:16-18 will have its complete fulfillment: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." justification is their ticket, and sanctification their fitness for heaven. These are the "eleventh hour" workers who will receive the same wage as those who toiled all the day.

Of these wonderful characters, both poets and sages have written, throughout the ages. The holy prophet Daniel wrote concerning these saints of God: "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."-Dan. 12:12. At the beginning of this period is the deliverance of the 144,000 king-priests. Zechariahs, filled with the Holy Ghost prophesied of their deliverance. (Luke 1:67-75.) In the great spiritual temple that God has been building since man's fall, composed of "living stones" quarried from the world; the 144,000 noble "sons of God" will form the pinnacles, as they are the last living stones to be placed in God's edifice. They will have reached the acme of perfection. Of these Sister White wrote: "They come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled.,,-GC 636.

"Many will come from the grossest error and sin, and will take the place of others who have had opportunities and privileges but have not prized them. Th ey will be accounted the chosen of God, elect, precious; and when Christ shall come into His kingdom, they will stand next His throne" C.O.L. 236 These are the blood-washed "sons of God"- the 144,000.

"The elect of God are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a holy nation, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. They are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. They are living stones, a royal priesthood. They are in copartnership with Jesus Christ. These are they that follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth."-T,M, 422. These are the 144,000.

Of this marvelous company it is written: "Many shall be purified, made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."-Dan. 12:10. At this time they will experience their Gethsemane. The cross must needs come before the crown. "The vision of the prophet pictures them as standing on Mount Zion, girt for holy service clothed in white linen, which is the righteousness of Christ."-A.A. 591.

It is true that the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy teach that the 144,000 will be translated from among the living, without tasting of or seeing death. That the dead will not be numbered with the 144,000. Also that this number will be sinless, and composed of both males and females. That they will be vegetarians in the strictest sense. "That even now they are appearing in every nation, among every tongue and people, . . . these faithful ones, blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, will 'shine as lights in the world.' The darker the night, the more brilliant will they shine."-P.K. 189. Their names are engraved in letters of gold on tables of stone. (See E.W. 19.)

The 144,000 are numbered and sealed before probation closes. "The indelible mark of God is upon them. God can plead that His name is written there. The Lord has shut them in. Their destination is inscribed-'GOD, NEW JERUSALEM.' They are God's property, His possesion."-T.M. 446. In connection with this reference read Rev. 3:12. It is the same company, the same event.

MOUNT SINAI AND MOUNT ZION COMPARED
"But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven."-Heb. 12:22, 23, 25, 26. "The powers of heaven are the sun, moon, and stars."-E.W. 41. Notice in this reference when this shaking will take place. Compare the above verses with Isa. 4.2-6.

Heb. 12:18-29 depicts two of the greatest events in the history of the world-the giving of the law at Sinai, and the vindication of it from Mount Zion-the heavenly Jerusalem- when He will trace it "as with a pen of fire" in the sky, when He delivers His 144,000 king-priests. In connection with this, read P.P. 339, 340, stressing par. I on page 340. "That holy law. . that amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai. . is now revealed to men as the rule of judgment."-G.C. 639. Read Joel 3:16 and 2.32. Moreover Paul compares the shaking of Mount Sinai, at the giving of the law, to the "terrible convulsions of nature" (P.P. 340) at the coming of Jesus.

“Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he (His Son) might be the firstborn among many brethern. Moreover whom he he did predestinate, then he also called: and whom he called he also justified: and them he also glorified. -Rom. 8:29, 30. The 144,000 are at their deliverance. (E-W- 285, 286.)

The gospel never can be finished, neither can Christ come for His people, until there has been a demonstration before the world, and also the whole universe, that the plan of the gospel has become a complete success. The words-. "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus (Saviour)- for he shall save his people from their sins," must be a demonstrated fact. Not until a holy company- the 144,000 in number and sealed with "the seal of the living God"-shall live a sinless life upon this earth, as living temples of the Godhead, will the triumphs of the gospel be completed.

Our subject is inexhaustible, but why write more? One Scripture is as convincing as a thousand, yet, the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy are replete with knowledge of this marvelous company. A volume might be written concerning them. We have, however, in these pages given only a glimpse of this group of faithful, royal priests, who will serve throughout eternity in a mission of an endless life.

May God bless the reader of these lines, as he searches the Word of Inspiration, and may we all, as we study to know Him better, become sanctified through obedience to all His requirements. Amen! This is the prayer of the writer of this booklet.