In Revelation 7, the angel is saying to the four angels hold the four winds of strife till we have sealed the servants of our God in their forehead.

Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 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.

People say when Sister White is talking about the sealing, it’s different to the 144,000.

Who are these people they are sealing? The 144,000.  Plain simple Bible reading that whenever Sr White talks about the sealing, she is talking about the angel that is sealing.  Who is the angel that does the sealing? The 144,000 were identified in Revelation 14 which has the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd angels messages.

In Revelation 14, who are these people? You come to the third angels message and it says in verse 12:

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The third angels message identifies who? Those who keep the commandments of God. The angel is identifying those who keep the commandments of God. That is the angel that is identifying the 144,000 in the last days.

I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. 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. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, “It is done.” And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is 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.” EW 279.2

In Revelation 14:1 they were sealed. Sr white wrote that the third angel is the sealing angel.

I then saw the third angel. Said my accompanying angel, “Fearful is his work. Awful is his mission. He is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner. These things should engross the whole mind, the whole attention.” EW 118.1

When you come to the wheat the from tares, it is the harvest at the end of the world.

1848

When did the third angel begin his work?  1848. How do we know? It’s when the statement was written.  Sr White kept her first Sabbath in 1846. Prior to that the Sabbath wasn’t a test.

The third angel is the sealing angel and when did he commence?

In 1848 occurred one of the greatest upheavals in the national affairs of Europe that had been for many centuries. Decided changes were made in some of the leading nations. In a brief period of time, many of the crowned heads of Europe submitted themselves to the people. It looked as if universal war was inevitable. In the midst of the turmoil and strife, came a sudden calm. No man could assign any reason for it, but the student of prophecy knew that the angels were holding the winds until the servants of God could be sealed in their foreheads. CIS 363.2

The sealing message started in 1848:

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.” EW 38.1

This was the angel, the sealing angel, the third angel that commenced in 1848.

When was it that the Sabbath which is the seal of God? When was it that the sealing message commenced to preached with the Sabbath as a test?

At a meeting held in Dorchester, Massachusetts, November, 1848, I had been given a view of the proclamation of the sealing message, and of the duty of the brethren to publish the light that was shining upon our pathway. CET 128.1

After coming out of vision, I said to my husband: “I have a message for you. You must begin to print a little paper and send it out to the people. Let it be small at first; but as the people read, they will send you means with which to print, and it will be a success from the first. From this small beginning it was shown to me to be like streams of light that went clear round the world.” CET 128.2

That was the instruction given.  That the proclamation that the sealing message was to commence. 

While we were in Connecticut in the summer of 1849, my husband was deeply impressed that the time had come for him to write and publish the present truth. He was greatly encouraged and blessed as he decided to do this. CET 128.3

Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming. 37 Mar 200.2

I saw that Jesus had shut the door of the holy place, and no man can open it; and that He had opened the door into the most holy, and no man can shut it (Revelation 3:7, 8); [See page 86. See also Appendix.] and that since Jesus has opened the door into the most holy place, which contains the ark, the commandments have been shining out to God’s people, and they are being tested on the Sabbath question. EW 42.2

I saw that the present test on the Sabbath could not come until the mediation of Jesus in the holy place was finished and He had passed within the second veil; therefore Christians who fell asleep before the door was opened into the most holy, when the midnight cry was finished, at the seventh month, 1844, and who had not kept the true Sabbath, now rest in hope; for they had not the light and the test on the Sabbath which we now have since that door was opened. I saw that Satan was tempting some of God’s people on this point. Because so many good Christians have fallen asleep in the triumphs of faith and have not kept the true Sabbath, they were doubting about its being a test for us now. EW 42.3

Satan is now using every device in this sealing time to keep the minds of God’s people from the present truth and to cause them to waver. I saw a covering that God was drawing over His people to protect them in the time of trouble; and every soul that was decided on the truth and was pure in heart was to be covered with the covering of the Almighty. EW 43.2

They were tested on the sabbath, it is the mark in the forehead of the seal of God.  Ever since 1848 where the message was first given.

Satan is using every device in THIS time. In her time at that time, it is this sealing time to keep the minds of Gods people from the present truth. What was the present truth at that time? The sealing work. It was the present truth.

Satan was trying his every art to hold them where they were, until the sealing was past, until the covering was drawn over God’s people, and they left without a shelter from the burning wrath of God, in the seven last plagues. God has begun to draw this covering over His people, and it will soon be drawn over all who are to have a shelter in the day of slaughter. God will work in power for His people; and Satan will be permitted to work also. EW 44.2

When she was writing that, it was the sealing time. Ever since 1848, the sealing message commenced. The sealing as described in Revelation 7 is during the time of Sr White’s time in 1848.

The Lord has shown me that precious souls are starving, and dying for want of the present, sealing truth, the meat in due season; and that the swift messengers should speed on their way, and feed the flock with the present truth. I heard an Angel say, “speed the swift messengers, speed the swift messengers; for the case of every soul will soon be decided, either for Life, or for Death.” PT September 1, 1849, par. 8

Unless people take these statements as they are written, they are misapplying them.  God gave the Adventist people their opportunities. He kept warning them.

It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord’s professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years…. Mar 19.3

We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel; but for Christ’s sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action.15 Mar 19.4

What does the third angels message include in Revelation 14?

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Those who would be sealed and they die, they will rest from their labours. What does it mean their works will follow them.  They were being sealed, settling into the truth both spiritually and intellectually, they die as the coming of Jesus is delayed.  Are they not going to be among the 144,000?  They come up at the second resurrection to hear the voice of the covenant.

“If the people of God had gone to work as they should have gone to work right after the Minneapolis meeting in 1888, the world could have been warned in two years and the Lord would have come.” General Conference Bulletin, 1892.

I saw that she [Mrs. Hastings] was sealed and would come up at the voice of God and stand upon the earth, and would be with the 144,000. I saw we need not mourn for her; she would rest in the time of trouble.—Selected Messages 2:263 (1850). LDE 222.4

There are living upon our earth men who have passed the age of fourscore and ten. The natural results of old age are seen in their feebleness. But they believe God, and God loves them. The seal of God is upon them, and they will be among the number of whom the Lord has said, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:982 (1899). LDE 223.1

The Plagues

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

The 144,000 are resurrected in the time of the seventh plague.  They wake up in the time of trouble.

Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth … awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. GC 637.1

The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai. EW 14.1

The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another’s feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet. EW 15.1

Then Jesus’ silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried, “Awake! awake! awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise.” Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, “Alleluia!” as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. EW 16.1

It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement, while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Signs and wonders followed in quick succession. Everything seemed turned out of its natural course. The streams ceased to flow. Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law. EW 285.1

How many companies were there? only two. The wicked and the 144,000. No other company.

It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: “It is done.” Revelation 16:17. GC 636.2

The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder His words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with His glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory. GC 640.2

Those who die after having become identified with the third angel’s message, are evidently numbered as part of the 144,000; for this message is the same as the sealing message of Revelation 7, and by that message only 144,000 were sealed.  But there are many who have had their entire religious experience under this message, but have fallen in death.  They die in the lord, and hence are counted as sealed; for they will be saved. Ut the message results in the sealing of only 144,000; therefore these must be included in that number.  Being raised in the special resurrection (Dan 12:2; Rev 1:7) which occurs when the voice of God is uttered from the temple, at the beginning of the seventh and last plagues (Rev.16:17; Joel 3:16; Heb 12:26) they pass through the period of that plague, and hence may be said to come “out of great tirbutlation” (Rev 7:14) and being raised from the grave only to mortal life, they take stand with believers who have not died, and with them receive immortality at the las ttrump (1 Cor 15:52) being then, with the others, changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Thus, though they have passed through the grave, it can be said of them at last, that they are”redeemed from among men: (Rev 14:4) that is, from among the living; for the coming of Christ finds them among the living, waiting for the hange to immortality, like those who have not died, and as if they themselves have never died. DAR 6234

The image beast is not so much the Sunday law, it is the protestants are using the same imagery of the papacy in their behaviour.  The image of the beast is the joining of church and state.  AT Jones went to congress, he says the image of the beast has already set up but not yet enforced.

The principle upon which we stand is that civil government is civil, and has nothing to do in the matter of legislation, with religious observances in any way. The basis of this is found in the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 22:21. When the Pharisees asked whether it was lawful to give tribute to Cesar or not, he replied: “Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar ‘s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” NSLRLL 11.1

This Sunday bill does propose to legislate in regard to the Lord’s day. If it is the Lord’s day, we are to render it to the Lord, not to Cesar. When Cesar exacts it of us, he is exacting what does not belong to him, and is demanding of us that with which he should have nothing to do. NSLRLL 19.3

No one yet has received the mark of the beast. 

“No one has yet received the mark of the beast. The testing time has not yet come. There are true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit Sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast.” Evangelism, p. 234

The people who have been giving the third angels message were tested on the Sabbath.  The third angels message was proclaimed since 1848 and it’s the people being tested are giving the message.  The image of the beast has been set up already in America when they had the Blair Bill. The enforcement of it has not yet come yet.  It was a test as it went through the war where people were tested on the Sabbath.  The mark of the beast has everything to do with the Sabbath and turning away to excuse their obedience.  We are not waiting until the future until it’s enforced. People have already received the mark of the beast.  It is a process of the whole period of the harvest time.  The harvest time commenced in 1844.This is the final test for the whole world.  Before that time, the people who were giving the message were being sealed.  The mark of the beast is also a submission to authorities who represent the mark of the beast. The image of the beast is the unification of church and state.

The image of the beast is the image of the papacy. The papacy is the union of church and state. And mark this: In this original union of church and state which made the papacy, the church was an apostate church, and the state was an apostate state. That state was formerly a republic, which had apostatized into an imperial monarchy, which had become a military despotism. ARSH May 23, 1899, page