He That Endures to the End

Those who in these days of the love growing cold will survive in fervour and devotion to God are demonstrated in the word of God. They are written of there. Read how these people, in these last days when everything is cold around them, are on fire. These are the 144,000. God has compassion towards them; it is a continuing experience.

Ezekiel 9:4 And the LORD said unto [the angel which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side], Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

The sealing of the 144,000 is dependent upon a people who know the sins and see the mercy of God. The Spirit of Prophecy again comes to our aid in the explanation of this:

Sighing and Crying

We often pick up the thought that “Yes, we’ve got to tell the sinners what terrible sinners they are.” Yes, we indeed read that they are sighing and crying for the sins that are done in the church, so we start to think we have to correct people around us. Yes, we are to warn them with the messages that are given us; but the sorrow is even more intense on account of their own transgressions.

The wicked mock their sorrow, ridicule their solemn appeals, and sneer at what they term their weakness. But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin.{5T 474.4}

Isn’t that a profound understanding? Those who think they are quite alright, have no sense of God’s greatness and of the nobility and strength that is needed. But these people give evidence of this nobility of character by the deep sorrow they feel about their own condition.

It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, and their eyes are fixed upon His perfect purity, that they so clearly discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Their contrition and self-abasement are infinitely more acceptable in the sight of God than is the self-sufficient, haughty spirit of those who see no cause to lament, who scorn the humility of Christ, and who claim perfection while transgressing God’s holy law. {5T 474.4}

You see, the people who are ultimately saved are those who don’t claim perfection. Their contrition and self-abasement are infinitely more acceptable in the sight of God than is the self-sufficient, haughty spirit of those who see no cause to lament, who scorn the humility of Christ, and who claim perfection while transgressing God’s holy law. But these people we are focusing on are confessing their transgression, and are rejoicing in the mercy of God to them.

Meekness and lowliness of heart are the conditions for strength and victory. The crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross. Blessed are these mourners, for they shall be comforted. {5T 474.4}

When you become comforted by the Lord, doesn’t that fill you with joy? We are inspired to this kind of life by those beautiful details of Christ in application to our own salvation.

He That Endures to the End

The Delusion that the Church Will Go Through

A Remnant

Zephaniah 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.

In the midst of these churches, as generation went on, the faithful ones were in their midst. And then there came a point in time when these people were removed out of their midst; and that was when the church totally fell and they were no longer God’s church. This is what happened to the Jews. They eradicated out of their midst the disciples, and they became a fallen church, so much so that they are no longer the people of whom God can say, Salvation is of the Jews. They weren’t relevant anymore. But at the time when Jesus was speaking they were the place where salvation could be found. So it is repeated generation after generation.

Today we have those two houses, the one that broke the Sabbath entirely and the “Thou shalt not kill” in the First World War, and the one that went out back then. But now we are in the third and fourth generation of this Reform Movement that stood firm and faithful in the beginning. And what do we see the remnant doing in the midst of those organisations? We see here this sealing angel, and who is he sealing?

Ezekiel 9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man [with] his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer’s inkhorn by his side; 4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

Here is the church in the sealing time. The sealing comes to its conclusion, because these people who are the faithful ones in the church are sighing and crying for the sins that are done within the church. And we can see that they are living at the last end, because straight after that, the ones with the slaughter weapons kill everyone.

Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.

This is a time at the very end when the corrupt church is being finally slaughtered; but before that happens there is a sealing of the faithful flock that is within, and what does prophecy continue to unfold.

5. The Delusion of “The Church Will Go Through”

The Rising of the Church Triumphant

Don’t fear the confederacy, fear the Lord. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be an offence to both the houses of Israel. Don’t worry. The remnant of Israel will not fear; they will lie down in the midst of her. That is what is written. He, with His remnant, is in the midst of her. What are they doing in the midst of such a church militant in this time of the end, the very last church according to prophecy? Yes, this is the very last church militant, there is no other. What are they doing within the church?

What was this man with the writer’s inkhorn by his side meant to be doing in the church militant?

Through the midst of the church;

Ezekiel 9:4 …through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

What are they doing? They are God’s remnant people with Jesus crying for the abominations that are done in His church.

Ezekiel 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6 Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.

We have identified that Zephaniah 3 encompasses the period when the plagues are happening (See Light in a Dark Place of the Church Militant), and just before the plagues there is this event of Ezekiel 9 – the sealing. The company of the 144,000 is being sealed. We are living in that ever since 1844 and onwards. God’s church that is still proclaiming the doctrines of 1844 onwards, is the church which is here being dealt with, because God’s people are within her, and He is in the midst of her. We have a vivid description of the experience of God’s people within this church:

Do you see something here? The time of test was upon them already in 1888, and within the company of the Laodicean angel was the company that was holding on to Jesus – the little company in the light that has been going through. And now, at the very end, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land.

But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}

Is this not what we beheld in the last study? The church in the second generation is bringing in a flood of the customs and practices of the world in her. That is the reason why the faithful are weeping and crying.

The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. {5T 210.1}

How many? Few.

These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counselled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonouring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2}

Have you heard of a lack of the power and presence of the Lord within the church? Here was this faithful few; what were they doing? Reproving, counselling, and entreating. Some people woke up and got themselves right, but in the rest of the organisation the glory of the Lord had departed.

They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. {5T 210.3}

7. The Rising of the Church Triumphant

The Second Coming of Christ

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}

This was part of our studies in the past, Daniel 12:1-2 says that, “At that time shall Michael stand up,” and then there would a time of trouble such as never was; Ezekiel 9:5-7 talks about the angel with the writer’s inkhorn by his side marking the people, and as soon as he was finished, the other ones came in to destroy. The above statement is the summary of all that.

While Jesus had been standing between God and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but when He stepped out from between man and the Father, the restraint was removed and Satan had entire control of the finally impenitent. It was impossible for the plagues to be poured out while Jesus officiated in the sanctuary; but as His work there is finished, and His intercession closes, there is nothing to stay the wrath of God, and it breaks with fury upon the shelterless head of the guilty sinner, who has slighted salvation and hated reproof. {EW 280.2}

This is the real issue – slighting salvation (making little of it), and hating reproof. The people who do that are the ones who will suffer the wrath of God.

In that fearful time, after the close of Jesus’ mediation, the saints were living in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. Every case was decided, every jewel numbered. Jesus tarried a moment in the outer apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and the sins which had been confessed while He was in the most holy place were placed upon Satan, the originator of sin, who must suffer their punishment. {EW 280.2}

Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. {EW 281.1}

As the warnings have been given and have had their results, those who are slighting all their hopes and who dislike reproof, are now delivered into the hands of Satan. As Jesus finishes His work in the heavenly sanctuary He now comes with His most kingly robes. Let us see the commencement of His coming.

12. The Second Coming of Christ

The 144,000 in the Time of the Judgement

Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God. Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure, will not have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical day of atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of God’s protection. The names of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviour–more earnestly and wishfully than they who wait for the morning–will be numbered with those who are sealed. Those who, while having all the light of truth flashing upon their souls, should have works corresponding to their avowed faith, but are allured by sin, setting up idols in their hearts, corrupting their souls before God, and polluting those who unite with them in sin, will have their names blotted out of the book of life, and be left in midnight darkness, having no oil in their vessels with their lamps. “Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings.” {TM 445.1}

This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He was shown plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission. {TM 445.2}

The prophet Ezekiel and the apostle Paul in their in their visions both understood what was going to take place at the time of the end. What is the mark of God then? And how can we prove it is the mark? How do we demonstrate that the Sabbath is the seal of God, and qualify it from the bible? The bible tells us that the seal of God has practical localities

2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.

The seal is a way of life – written in the heart.

Revelation 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in the sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

The everlasting gospel does this reaping work.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. 12 Teaching us that, denying unGodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in the present world.

God’s people are to be a people zealous of good works.

Mathew 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceeding amazed, saying, who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.

The disciples were perplexed at Jesus account of heaven.

Jude 24:25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Jesus can only return once his people are ready – until their characters are perfected there is yet a work to be done.

Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Here we see that Jesus can’t return until restitution has been restored in his people. That is all the original precepts that were instituted before the fall of man need to be restored such as keeping the Sabbath holy, the original diet, one marriage partner for life, dress reform etc…

“The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7. So the Christian is to wait with patience for the fruition in his life of the word of God. Often when we pray for the graces of the Spirit, God works to answer our prayers by placing us in circumstances to develop these fruits; but we do not understand His purpose, and wonder, and are dismayed. Yet none can develop these graces except through the process of growth and fruit bearing. Our part is to receive God’s word and to hold it fast, yielding ourselves fully to its control, and its purpose in us will be accomplished. {COL 61.2}

His character will be reproduced in our nature. Thus shall we bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit–“some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.” {COL 61.3}

Are not the 144,000 the first fruits? Do they not see death?

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

The Sealing of the 144,000 in the Time of the Judgment

The Plagues

As the three angels’ work is going on, the sealing is taking place, and the angels are bidden to hold back the winds of strife. It naturally follows then that when they have finished the sealing, the angels are then permitted to let go.

Ezekiel 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which [had] the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.

He has finished his work of sealing these people in their foreheads. After he has said that, Daniel 12:1 is what follows:

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

The angel reports, I have sealed them; and Jesus can now stand up and complete His work and say, “He which is filthy, let him be filthy still: … and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Then the unleashing of this terrible time of trouble takes place. When this angel has finished, the other angels, those that hold the winds of strife, come forth:

These verses depict directly the outpouring of God’s wrath after the sealing of God’s people has taken place. These angels are to go forth and to slay utterly old and young. Here are those angels in the New Testament revelation:

Revelation 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

The heavenly sanctuary is here described. Jesus had gone into the most holy place, and then He comes back out of it. What happens when He finishes His work in the most holy place?

10. The Plagues

Angels Applying the Seal

The person with unclean lips had to be cleansed and it was the coal from off the altar. Its burning, it’s alive. It touches the lips and purifies the person. The law and the lips. It’s through the work of the angel taking the coal. God is in the temple, he is sending out the man (angel) to slaughter those that aren’t sealed. But what else is this man to do?

Ezekiel 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

This is the angel with the writers ink horn by his side. He is to put the seal in their forehead.

Ezekiel 10:1-2 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. ²And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.

He takes coals from the altar. Those coals of fire are the Holy Spirits energy. What is he to do with these coals?

Ezekiel 10:6-7 ⁶And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels. ⁷And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put itinto the hands of him that wasclothed with linen: who took it, and went out.

What is the angels work? To scatter the coals over the city. Seal those that are sighing and crying for the abominations, at the same time, he’s to touch their lips with coal. The coal is the Holy Spirit, the oil is the Holy Spirit and so are the flames. The altar of incense represents the prayers of people going up to God. It has to come through the angel, through the ministry, to me. The work of fitting in the lips and heart takes place when he is calling the people out of Babylon.

Ezekiel 11:13-20 And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel? ¹⁴Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ¹⁵Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession. ¹⁶Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. ¹⁷Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. ¹⁸And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. ¹⁹And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: ²⁰That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

All these chapters are telling of the sealing, and gathering the people out of the nations.

Ezekiel 34:11-13 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. ¹²As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that arescattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. ¹³And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

Everything that we have been studying is the exact picture we see in Revelation 14:12. If anyone who will partake of the beast and his image he will be destroyed by the plagues. Revelation 18:1-4 it says come out of her people, in Ezekiel it says gather the people. I will be there and then the end will come. The angels are holding back the winds of strife, the angel with the writers inkhorn is saying hold off. The Holy Spirit will seal them. They will be rooted in the heart… The whole full and final display will be the people sealed with Jesus in their hearts.

What is the seal of the living that is placed in the foreheads of his people? It is the mark that angels, not man can see. The intelligent mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lords adopted sons and daughters. They have on the wedding garment and are obedient and faithful to all the commandments of God. BC Vol 7 page 963.

It is not any seal or mark that can been seen, but a settling into the truth both intellectually and spiritually so that they cannot be moved. BC Vol 4 page1161.

Angels Applying the Seal

Light in a Dark Place of the Church Militant

The vision of Ezekiel chapter 9 is another such description of the same period. This is prophecy; this is the light that tells us what happens in our day, ever since 1844 when the sealing of the 144,000 commenced.

Here is a direct description of what we read in Revelation 7 – the sealing work of the angel, of the man with a writer’s inkhorn by his side.

This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. {TM 445.2}

We are looking at the details of the period of which Zephaniah chapter 3 is talking about. What does it say? Those that sigh and cry for the sins that are done in Israel. If we apply it to these last days, where are the 144,000 chosen from? Out of the twelve tribes. Modern Israel is the church as Israel of old was. The description continues:

John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. {TM 445.2}

The same angel who visited Sodom is sounding the note of warning, “Escape for thy life.” The bottles of God’s wrath cannot be poured out to destroy the wicked and their works until all the people of God have been judged, and the cases of the living as well as the dead are decided. And even after the saints are sealed with the seal of the living God, His elect will have trials individually. Personal afflictions will come; but the furnace is closely watched by an eye that will not suffer the gold to be consumed. The indelible mark of God is upon them. God can plead that His own name is written there. The Lord has shut them in. Their destination is inscribed–“God, New Jerusalem.” They are God’s property, His possession. {TM 446.1}

God has shown me that at the very time that the signs of the times are being fulfilled around us, when we hear, as it were, the tread of the hosts of heaven fulfilling their mission, men of intelligence, men in responsible positions, will be putting rotten timbers in their character building–material which is consumable in the day of God, and which will decide them to be unfit to enter the mansions above. {TM 446.3}

A Dark Place in the Church?

Let us examine some more detail of the time before the plagues commence, in reference to the experience of the church, the people who sigh and cry for the sins that are done in the church. There will be intelligent men in responsible positions putting rotten timbers in their character building. There is this dark spot in the church militant.

The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}

They are members of God’s church and they are crying for what the members are doing after the manner of the world. Is that a dark spot in the church militant that we need enlightenment on?

These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2}

What was lacking in the church? In God’s church militant, just prior to the outpouring of the plagues, there are people who are sighing and crying because of the things that are done in the church of God. They “still continued the forms of religion;” they were still preaching, but God’s presence and power were lacking. Here is a prophetic detail of the last days.

In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. {5T 210.3}

3. Light in a Dark Place of the Church Militant

The Mark of the Beast and the Worldly Mould

The third angel is identified for us in the statement of Early Writings:

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}

In the harvest time he is the angel that is doing this work. He is one of the reapers. In Ezekiel 9 we have another rendition of the same work of the angel that is sealing, or binding the bundles.

Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer’s inkhorn by his side; 4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

This is the Old Testament rendition of the destruction of the wicked churches in the terms of Jerusalem, and there are these men with slaughter weapons in their hand. Before the slaughter takes places there is a man with a writer’s inkhorn by his side who is to go and set a mark upon the men that sigh and that cry for the abominations that are done in Jerusalem. Later on, as he instructs these men with slaughter weapons, he says, Don’t come near these people that are marked.

This is also identified, now just before the slaughter, in Revelation 7:

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.

Can you see the parallel? The Ezekiel 9 angel with the writer’s inkhorn by his side is to mark them in their foreheads, so that when the slaughter takes place they will be protected. Here it is exactly. We have an enlargement of this in Testimonies to Ministers. She is talking here about these terrible strife’s that these winds are about to let loose:

These winds are under control until God gives the word to let them go. There is the safety of God’s church. The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads. The mighty angel is seen ascending from the east (or sunrising). This mightiest of angels has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark or inscription, to whom shall be granted immortality, eternal life. It is the voice of this highest angel that had authority to command the four angels to keep in check the four winds until this work was performed, and until he should give the summons to let them loose. {TM 444.3}

This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. {TM 445.2}

We saw it in comparison, and here it is verified under inspiration as well. The work of the third angel is to seal, or bind in bundles. That is the story here. He is there to mark, or seal, in their foreheads the people who are the wheat.

In this study of the third angel’s message we must focus on the understanding of the sealing, because he is the one who seals in the forehead. Let us recall his message in Revelation 14 and actually identify that he is directly concerned with the terrible warning of the slaughter that is to follow him.

Revelation 14:9 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, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

This angel is vividly involved in giving the message that is to warn the people of the destruction, of the fire that is to burn up the tares.

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

He identifies those and seals them so that they will not be destroyed by the slaughter weapons. Those whom He seals gain the victory over the mark of the beast. That’s what it says here, 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. His message is the sealing message that separates those who have the mark of the beast from those who have the seal of God. The experience of the people that heed his message is the experience of those who will stand on that sea of glass, and who have gained the victory at the end.

Revelation 15:2 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.

Here they are; they have gained the victory over that which the third angel had warned the world that they must get the victory over. What that actually means is to get the victory over the whole world. The whole world is brought under the control of the mark of the beast – he causes the whole world to receive the mark.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

3. The Mark of the Beast

The Description of this Angel

Like Enoch, they will warn the world of the Lord’s second coming and of the judgments to be visited upon transgression, and by their holy conversation and example they will condemn the sins of the ungodly. {PP 88.3}

That is the method and the characteristic of this people. They will not be doing like so many of the ministers that were preaching in the good old days, the fire and brimstone where they were really attacking people, no they will be giving warnings. The power of this people is their love and unity and their stringent obedience to all of Gods ways. A mighty cry and the cry is the power of their example. In other words, your actions speak louder than your words. They will clearly display righteousness in contrast to sin.

Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

How can you show them? Can you show them by telling them this is what you are doing? How can you show them? By a display of Gods purity and righteousness in contrast to sin. It is like a bombshell when people want you to do something in contrast to Gods ways, they get wild.

In the midst of Jerusalem, the church. Here is a loud cry. They sigh and cry and separate themselves from the corruptions that are going on. By their practise they are sounding the loud cry.

The people of God are sighing and crying for the abominations done in the land. With tears they warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they humble themselves before the Lord on account of their own transgressions. The wicked mock their sorrow, ridicule their solemn appeals, and sneer at what they term their weakness. But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, and their eyes are fixed upon His perfect purity, that they so clearly discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Their contrition and self-abasement are infinitely more acceptable in the sight of God than is the self-sufficient, haughty spirit of those who see no cause to lament, who scorn the humility of Christ, and who claim perfection while transgressing God’s holy law. Meekness and lowliness of heart are the conditions for strength and victory. The crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross. Blessed are these mourners, for they shall be comforted. {5T 474.4}

They are sighing and crying and with tears warning the wicked of their danger. This is cry aloud, spare not. Here is a description of these people in their powerful message.

The little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3}

The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith {5T 210.1}

They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect. {5T 210.3}

This is all part of this people who are the angel, this movement. These are the people who will shed abroad the glory of God, who will cry aloud and spare not. There is their description, and their characteristic. These people are finally itemised in Revelation 14:12. They have been affected by the three angel’s messages and they go forth and are the acceptable people as in the days of Noah.

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

Here we have a fairly concise representation of these people. As we have examined the characteristic of this people, in our next study we will research the actual history of this angel. Where he started and where he will conclude. The fourth study will be the final scenes of this angel and then the last urgent call of this angel.

2. The Description of This Angel

The Closing Scenes of the Remnant Church

Observe these statements. God is saying a poor and afflicted people, a people that he gathers. A sorrowful people. People who have been under reproach and driven out. People that have been captive. This is to be our contemplation at this time. The closing scenes of the remnant people. What are their experiences? The closing scenes of Gods people. What are their senses; sorrow, reproach, circumstances of being driven out? What is their sorrow? This is a description of the wrath to come to the world.

Jerusalem, the head quarters of the church has the man with the writers ink by his side to seal. Who does he mark? The sorrowful, the people that are not celebrating, the people that are burdened. About what? The abominations that are done in the midst thereof – in Jerusalem.

Here is the experience of the senses that go through those that are the remnant. Did you notice they were crying for the transgressions and abominations done in the church including their own? Why are they doing it? Because they can see Jesus. The nearer you come to Jesus the more you will see your own sinfulness. That will cause sorrow. Blessed are they that mourn says Jesus.

Here is a clarification. The abominations are what? The church is doing after the manner of the world. Here you have a vast field of contemplation. That is what the people that are standing in the light are lamenting about.

Oh yes, church religion goes on and Gods church goes on, however, they are doing according to the world and the sighing crying ones have been holding forth the words of life. There is their sorrow, there is their experience. What is the scene of that experience of the people that tremble before Jesus? What their experience will be?

Isaiah 66:2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Poor, sighing, crying people over their own sins. As we’ve been reading, these are the people.

Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

The remnant people are those who tremble at his word who are indeed a poor and afflicted people. A people who tremblingly recognise they are unworthy. As they read Gods word, they are contrite, they can feel their sins and they repent their soul to the Lord. The gospel of Jesus Christ saves them and takes away their shame.

Psalm 147:2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

When you and I decide to follow Jesus right down the line and confess our sins and turn away from the corruptions we are used to, and we are upholding the word of God before the people, and the people hate us for it, we will get all broken up. Our hearts will be breaking in both directions. I have a broken heart as I have discovered my sinfulness. I am also broken because of my brethren and I am wounded. The Lord gathers the outcasts.

Isaiah 56:8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather [others] to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

Here is a description of the last days because Revelation 18 says come out of her my people. The outcasts of Babylon. Who gives the message? The outcasts of Israel. Gods people are outcasts and he will gather other outcasts as they are conscious. The church members will chaff and feel unhappy.

The Closing Scenes of the Remnant Church

The Present Sealing Work

Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

What is serious here? Something is going to happen to this planet earth. It says that the angels were holding back the winds of destruction that were going to blow on the earth. This great whirlwind of destruction is in Jeremiah 25. It speaks of the vials of God’s wrath and a great whirlwind will come from the four corners of the earth.

Can you see them letting it go slowly? Most of us have grown up after the Second World War which was a horrendous experience. The First World War was the angel slowly letting go for the great military preparations of Armageddon. What is the world involved in with so many wars and the terrible natural disasters that are gathering momentum? This is only the surface of what is to come.

The Man with the Writer’s Inkhorn

Can you envisage this horror? People complain today about innocent children that are being killed in war and in natural disasters. Its horrifying when people see this happening in the world today. This is what is being held back as this is what is going to happen to the whole planet. Why is it being held back? The writer with his inkhorn needs to write in the foreheads of Gods people those who sigh and cry for the sins done in Israel.

Ezekiel 9 is the exact same message as in Revelation. As we meditate of the seriousness of the event and the sealing time, we note that Ezekiel is the symbolism of the children of Israel but true Israel is the people of God in the last days. Notice it says commence with the ancient men that were before the house, my sanctuary, my church. What a serious experience.

As we look at it in its final drama in the last days, the sealing time is a very important time as it is to protect Gods people in the last days.

Oh, that all could get a view of it as God revealed it to me, that they might know more of the wiles of Satan and be on their guard! I saw that Satan was at work in these ways to distract, deceive, and draw away God’s people, just now in this sealing time. I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet sliding, because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling. {EW 44.1}

People were not standing stiffly for 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}

Do you want to have a shelter in the day of slaughter?

The slaughter is something horrifying. Thousands and millions of people will be killed. Women, maids and little children are going to be slaughtered. The instruction to the four angels is don’t spare, don’t have pity. Have we not seen this to some degree in many places already on this planet? We saw it in Hitler’s time, in Rwanda, we still see it now. People are being slaughtered everywhere. No pity.

It is happening and it is increasing and it will increase until finally all hell is let loose. We need a protection. There is an angel that has pity that has been sent to protect certain people – those who take seriously what is happening, those who sigh and cry for the sins that are happening around them, those who are crying to God and are standing stiffly for truth. What does Jesus warn us about this particular seriousness that we who are living in the last days could be trying to understand?

Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Jesus is giving us who are living in these times a direct warning. It is going to be just like the days of Noah when the flood indeed killed all and only eight were protected. People are going to keep on thinking it’s alright.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

This is Christ who is pleading for us in the heavenly sanctuary. He is saying to us, if you do not watch and carefully consider everything written in the word to help you identify your responses in this sealing time, you are going to be caught like the people in the days of Noah.

The Present Sealing Work

The Shaking

The Tares

Verse 8 is the second angel, Babylon is fallen, and verse 9 is the third angel:

Revelation 14:9

… If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

These are the tares. There are the 144,000 and the tares. The angel is going to separate the tares from among God’s people.

This is also written in Ezekiel 9. Here you have a scenario of God speaking in reference to the wicked of Israel and these men with their slaughtering weapons in their hands, and as they are sent forth to slaughter there is another man in verse 2 with a writer’s inkhorn by his side:

Ezekiel 9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer’s inkhorn by his side; 4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6 Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.

Here you have the same situation only put in a different way. God’s people are being marked so that they will not be destroyed. God’s people are being bound in bundles so that they will not be destroyed, while the wicked are bound in bundles to be destroyed.

Having received this outline from the Bible, and observed from the angels and from the prophecies that this is the harvest time, that this is the sealing of the wheat and the tares, the separating of them, and that the third angel is doing that, is it correct what we are doing here? Let us check from the words of Inspiration. E. G. White saw in her vision the whole world going to destruction:

I asked the angel if there were none left. He bade me look in an opposite direction, and I saw a little company travelling a narrow pathway. All seemed to be firmly united, bound together by the truth, in bundles, or companies. {EW 88.3}

What were the angels doing? They were binding in bundles, companies bound together by the preaching of the truth.

Said the angel, “The third angel is binding, or sealing, them in bundles for the heavenly garner.” {EW 88.3}

The third angel is the one that is binding them in bundles for the heavenly garner.

Here is the powerful reality of Biblical truth: Ever since 1844, the angel came to do his work. He is doing this amazing work. Awful is his mission. Fearful is his work. He is selecting the wheat from the tares, and he is binding the bundles. The harvest commenced in 1844. The stooks are being erected to be standing in the heat of the summer, to dry right out, so that they can be taken into the garner. This is the time in which we are living.

In those days, in Bible times, it took a whole season to do this work, because they were all working by hand. That was the symbolic picture of the time of the end when the harvest would take a period of time. Blessed are they that die in the Lord from henceforth, because their works do follow them. Indeed it is a prolonged period of time. So, because it is prolonged and the work goes on and on over more than a century, there is an envoy of reinforcement, like in the old days of the harvest. It gets a bit long, you need a little bit more help to speed it up, and gleaners come up, to pick up the grains. Not a single grain is to fall on the ground. The gleaning has to take place to pick up all the grains. Is there scriptural evidence that the three angels receive help?

Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,

Another angel.

Revelation 18:1 … having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Here you can see a very powerful angel coming to vivify the work and to make it more intense. He cries with a strong mighty voice saying, Babylon the great is fallen. He is identifying once again the tares and the evil of the tares with more accuracy. He cries with a loud voice and all the earth is lightened with his glory. He gives strength and power. That is exactly what is written in Early Writings:

A compelling power moved the honest, while the manifestation of the power of God brought a fear and restraint upon their unbelieving relatives and friends so that they dared not, neither had they the power to, hinder those who felt the work of the Spirit of God upon them. The last call was carried even to the poor slaves, and the pious among them poured forth their songs of rapturous joy at the prospect of their happy deliverance. … 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. I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. {EW 278.1}

Servants of God, endowed with power from on high with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction. God’s people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance and prepared them to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a multitude of voices saying, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” {EW 278.2}

Separate!

These are the bundles. Amos 9:9 is now in process of taking shape more and more as it goes on. The call for separation is part of these messages. It is not a message of, Stay together everybody, let’s all be together, let’s all be happy together in our families. Nothing like that. These messages have no room for that. These messages are the closing scenes, Cry aloud, spare not, show my people their transgression.

The people who want to hear smooth things are saying that the people who are doing this work are separating families, that they are destroying relationships. But that is what the message is. It is written very vividly in 2 Timothy 3. We are in such a circumstance that there is no cushy situation of, Let’s just get along nicely with our people who are not really doing what God is saying. No, it says,

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

As you see these terrible things, all these people who are boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, with all these characteristics that are here brought out, notice verse 5, They have a form of godliness, and verse 4, they are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:

Now, what is the call?

2 Timothy 3:5 … from such turn away.

As we go on studying, notice that the third angel’ message, together with the Revelation 18 angel and the voice from heaven, are dealing directly with what is written in 2 Timothy 3. These messages are brought to a climax, and we are living in the time of the end when this must take place:

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

When you read these scriptures you realize that there is no pussy-footing around, we are to separate from those who will not submit to these three angels’ messages. The call is, Come away from it. Bundle together in truth, that’s all. The study of 2 Timothy 3 and 2 Corinthians 6 is very explicit and specific in regards to what we should do about yoking together and dealing with these horrifying things of 2 Timothy 3. When you have these horrendous scenes of people being like they are and yet claiming to be somewhat religious, get out from among them, from such turn away.

God is behind the messages, the angels have been sent by Him to separate. Those words are so important, there is a severing of the wicked from among the just. What does the word “sever” mean? It means “tearing”. Tearing relationships, severing them from each other. As God is organizing this, there comes a point in time when He says, Enough is enough. We have to move much faster here. What will He do in this final work as it has been prolonged, as the Revelation 18 angel comes along and the other voice from heaven?

Another Voice from Heaven

Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28 For he will finish the work, and cut [it] short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

When He comes up with these intense thrusts of the Revelation 18 angel and the voice from heaven, He is going to cut it short and what people have had years learning, these other ones will have to move fast, because He is going to cut short His work. When His work is finished, when the angels have bundled everything, there will come a voice from heaven.

Revelation 22:11 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.

When that has finally been expressed, the sorting out and the tying of the bundles have all been completed, and then the people on earth will gradually awaken to the horrible conclusion that they have no more choice. This will be the fearful expression:

The Harvest is Past

Jeremiah 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

When that declaration is made it is the close of probation of Revelation 22:11, and though Jesus has not yet arrived as such, the bundling has been completed. In the harvest practice of the time of Christ, the stooks that were bound together and erected to stand in the heat of the summer sun, remained standing there to dry out fully in the heat.

2. The Shaking

Present Truth New Zealand

The 144,000 have no hem of red on their garments.

On pages 18, and 19 of Early Writings, Ellen White states:

As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments. EW 18-19

The martyrs are described as having red on their garments and having been slain, as such the martyrs cannot be among the 144,000 as the 144,00 as called living saints and are said to be alive when the saints wake from the grave. [see Early Writings, p. 16.]

In contrast to the martyrs, the 144,000 are all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet, with no border, or hem of red. [Early Writings, page 17].

Note, their white garments have no red marks or stripes, because they are not martyrs and do not die, but live to see Christ’s return.

Which class of Seventh day Adventists will be sealed and what class will not?

Speaking of the sealing of the 144,000 Sister White says:

They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people. Testimonies, Vol. 3 p. 266.

Mark this point with care:

Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those ‘that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done’ in the church. — Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 267.

Again she says, The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land [the church]. — Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 212.

What will be the fate of SDAs who do not form part of the 144,000 and live to the close of probation?

How could there only be 144,000 saints alive when Christ comes? Because most SDAs, the majority, will die in the plagues and the general slaughter of the wicked.

This [slaughter] is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s illustration of the last work under the figure of the men, each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem [the SDA churches around the world], and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. {RH, September 23, 1873 par. 4} {RH, June 8, 1886 par. 1}

This sealing of the servants of God [the last work], says Ellen White is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. — Testimonies To Ministers, p. 445. (Read Ezekiel 9 my friends. READ EZEK. 9).

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.—Early Writings, p. 44.

Only a small number, 144,000, will receive the seal of God

Ellen White often used the ratio 1 in 20 (at least five times) in her writings about those who are prepared to meet their God:

There are lessons of the highest importance that not one in twenty of those who claim to be children of God have yet learned. {RH, June 28, 1887 par. 2}

Was E.G. White saying that not even one in twenty would be ready for Jesus’ coming? I am not sure.

But, she says again:

It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner…. So many have brought into the church their own unsubdued spirit, unrefined; their spiritual taste is perverted by their own immoral, debasing corruptions, symbolizing the world in spirit, in heart, in purpose, confirming themselves in lustful practices, and are full of deception through and through in their professed Christian life. LIVING AS SINNERS [YET] CLAIMING TO BE CHRISTIANS. – Christian Service, p. 41 (1893).

When Did the Sealing of the 144,000 Begin?

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