Ded-Inspiration is clear that in the end the whole world (almost) will be worshipping the dragon, the beast and his image.

That is truth and error. Yes Satan will have a world-wide system BUT God will have a strong and powerful Theocracy based in Israel. No, the whole world won't be "worshiping the dragon". The Lord's great "army" the 144,000, filled with His Spirit shall go out and bring in a "great multitude" from Babylon.

Obviously you haven't learned the truth of the "great multitude".

Prior to the second coming the whole world (almost) will be worshipping the dragon, the beast, and his image.

Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) which gave power unto the beast (Papal Roman): and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

13:12 And he (the beast with lamblike horns) exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

As it was in the days of Noah....
As it was in the days of Lot.....

How was it in those days?




7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

John just finished describing the sealing of the last generation of faithful, in preparation to stand through the time of trouble.


The number of the saved who are alive as probation closes is small and the question arises --" when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8
After seeing the saved of the last generation sealed, John is shown a glimpse into heaven.

And it is THERE, in heaven, that he see's a multitude, that he couldn't count.

This is a glimpse into heaven for we see God's throne, we see Christ the Lamb, we see the saints in white robes. We see angels around the throne.

These are the unnumbered saved from the earth from all ages. Though the count appeared small while God's people go through the end time persecution, God gives a glimpse into the future
when in that great day of the Lord the great trumpet shall be blown, there shall gather before the glorious throne of the most high God, "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues," and will cry "with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."


First read in 1 Thess. 4:16, 17, that when the Lord comes and the trump of God is sounded, the dead in Christ arise, and then those who are alive are caught up together with him to meet the Lord in the air. Here at the first step we find them taken away from the earth, and caught up to the Lord Jesus "in the air."
Secondly, read in Rev. 19:1 of a great voice of much people in Heaven, saying, "Alleluia; salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God."

Now we read in Rev. 7:9, 10, " I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."

"This throne is in Heaven. Rev. 4:2. Therefore it is certain that the multitude of the righteous, who are raised in the first resurrection prior to the millennium, who are caught up to meet him in the air, to whom judgment is given, and who reign with Christ a thousand years,—it is certain that these are taken to Heaven, to the presence of the throne of God, and that there they worship him and the Lamb; it is certain that they spend the millennium in Heaven, and that is where they are priests of God and of Christ, and where they reign with Christ the thousand years."

Ded-Prior to the second coming the whole world (almost) will be worshipping the dragon, the beast, and his image.

Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) which gave power unto the beast (Papal Roman): and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

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Do we see the whole statement? It shows that only those who are "not written in the book". This does not limit the amount who will be found written, even among the living at Christ's coming.

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7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Ded- John just finished describing the sealing of the last generation of faithful, in preparation to stand through the time of trouble.


The number of the saved who are alive as probation closes is small and the question arises --" when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

After seeing the saved of the last generation sealed, John is shown a glimpse into heaven.

And it is THERE, in heaven, that he see's a multitude, that he couldn't count.

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SOP statements are discerned concerning the GM as explained--

In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 9, pp. 267, 268, we find that Sr. White quotes Revelation 6:12-17 and 7:9-17 where it tells of the "great multitude" and how the wicked are to be frightened when Christ manifests His power prior to the commencement of the millennium.

Then she adds: "In these Scriptures two parties are brought to view. One party permitted themselves to be deceived, and took sides with those with whom the Lord has a controversy. They misinterpreted the messages sent them, and clothed themselves in robes of self-righteousness."

If the great multitude are the righteous dead of all ages how could they be living together with the wicked just before Christ's coming, and how could they while dead accept the messages? Would not John have seen them arise if they were the resurrected ones? If the Bible does not say they are the dead then what right have "those who have betrayed their trust"? (Sym Code, vol. 1, no. 18, p.8)

The palms in the hands of the great multitude (Rev. 7:9, 11), and the "victor's palm" placed "in every hand'' of "the unnumbered host of the redeemed" (The Great Controversy, p. 646), betoken two entirely different events: for the latter received both a "victor's palm and [a] shining harp," whereas the former had no harps but only palms. Clearly, then, while the palms and the harps of the redeemed hosts in heaven are actual guerdons of victory, the palms of the great multitude on earth are figurative victory-palms.(Tract 3, p.87)

I think we need to read what EGW says by reading what she actually wrote, not what Houteff tells us she said.

And when you read it - you will see that what I wrote agrees with her statement, not with Houteff's rearranging.





What two groups is she speaking about?
In which texts are these two groups described?

1) Those who run and beg the rocks to fall on them and hide them at Christ's coming. They permitted themselves to be deceived and looked to human devising for their righteousness.

2) AFTER THAT there is seen the Great Multitude standing before God's throne in victory in the heavenly realms.

When Christ comes the trumpet sounds, the righteous dead rise from the grave, and together with the living saints rise in the air to meet Jesus and return to heaven with Him. But the other group -- the wicked flee in terror and are consumed by the brightness of His coming.

The great multitude includes the risen saints and the 144,000 translated saint, as they rise together to meet the Lord in the air. (see 1 Thes 4)

The important thing NOW is to have Christ's kingdom of GRACE transforming our lives, so we will be in the right group!
The risen saints HEARD and responded to God's gift of salvation while they lived their natural life. The kingdom of God's grace was INSIDE them, and now they are raised to enter the glorious NEW Jerusalem in heaven.
When Christ comes it is TOO late to change.

I agree with you, Dedication, on the above understanding.

The multitudes have palm branches in their hand and the 144000 have harps that require both hands to play.

The multitudes are the resurrected saints with the silver trumpet's sound and the 14400 are the alive at the Second Coming of Jesus which reaped with His sickle.

The saints redeemed from the earth will be placed in the inner circle in the kingdom of God. Next to the throne of God would be the four beasts, then the 24 Elders, then the 144000, the multitudes, the host of angels, and the universal beings, which make the perfect seven teams of choirs in heaven. You may find each team sings song(s) in total fourteen pieces in the book of Revelation.

The Great Multitude is indeed a interesting subject. Here is a short comprehensive report on this subject. It's a whole new study, which we may address soon God willing.

The Great Multitude

A).

In Rev chapter 7, there are two groups of redeemed saints: the multitudes and the 144,000.

It is pretty simple to distinguish two groups of saints when you think about the time when Jesus is coming again to receive His saints into the Kingdom of God.

1 Thess 4:16-17 “…(1)the dead in Christ shall rise first: …Then (2)we which are alive …shall be caught up…”

During the 6,000 years many saints have gone into asleep in the Lord with the blessed hope of the resurrection. Therefore, in the day of resurrection they will arise all together to meet the Lord in the air at the Second Coming of Jesus, there should be the great multitudes of saints.

The 144,000 are the remnant that go through a time of trouble, “such as never was since there was a nation (Dan 12:1)”. They are the ‘left over’ of the living saints at the time of the Second Coming of Jesus.

The resurrect dead and the living alive will meet the Lord in the air together. Jesus has reveal to us that there are only the two groups of the saints to translate into the kingdom of God at His second coming.

Please compare the 1 Cor 15:51-52 and Rev14:15-16.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [/b]last trump[b]: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Cor 15:51-52

“And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud [/b]thrust in his sickle[b] on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Rev 14:15-16

The Scriptures tell us that there will be saints who resurrect with the sound of the trumpet and who will be reaped by the sickle (Rev 14:15-16).

Early Writing Pg 16.1 “Then Jesus’[/b] silver trumpet[b] 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[/b] 144,000[b] 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.”

Joel 3:13 “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.”

Doubtlessly, the saints who will be reaped by the sickle are the 144,000.

B).

The song of the 144,000 in Rev 15:2-4 indicates that they have a lot to tell their stories in a song which evidently expressed in a long piece of music which
no one can sing but them(Rev 14:3). It is the song of their experiences while going through the time of trouble “such as never was since there was a nation (Dan 12:1)”.

However, the song of the multitudes is expressed rather simple, “And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (Rev 7:10)”

Thus it is also noticeable in their piece of song. The short piece sang by the innumerable multitudes and the long piece of the song sang by the remnant of 144,000.


C).

The number seven is a predominant number, which appears more than 54 times in the Book of Revelation and has many more allusions of seven.

There are seven teams of the heavenly choir. Before sin has entered into the universe, there were only four groups of choir; (1)the throne of God, (2)the four beasts, (3)the host of angels and (4)the universal beings.

At the completion of the redemption, the saints from the earth (3,4,5) will be placed in the inner circle of the choirs that makes the perfect seven teams.


The universal beings(7)
The host of angels(6)
The multitudes(5)
The 144,000(4)
The 24 Elders(3)
The four beasts (2)
The throne of God(1)



D).

The Early Writing mentions of the 144,000 eight times. Each time the context indicates as the literal number of 144,000.

E).

The instruments of the two groups are also different when they sing a triumphant song of redemption in the Kingdom of God.

The multitudes have their palm branches in their hand while they sing praise; “saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (Rev 7:10)”

The 144,000 sing with harps in their hands.

Rev 15:2-4 “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.

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

The multitudes simply wave the palm branch in their hand. But the 144,000 have learned their song by experiences in the earth in order to play the harps with their two hands.

The Desire of Ages page 580 said:

“The triumphal ride of Christ into Jerusalem was the dim [/b]foreshadowing of His coming [b]in the clouds of heaven with power and glory, amid the triumph of angels and the rejoicing of the saints.”

The Desire of Ages in Pg 570 said:

“The multitude hailed Him as Messiah, their King. ….All were happy and excited; … They were unable to present Him with costly gifts, but they spread their outer garments as a carpet in His path, and they also strewed the [/b]leafy branches of the olive and the palm[b] in the way. They could lead the triumphal procession with no royal standards, but they cut down the spreading palm boughs, Nature’s emblem of victory, and waved them aloft with loud acclamations and hosannas.”

These multitudes of the time at Jesus’ triumphant entry to the Jerusalem signify the multitudes of the saints in the kingdom of God that have resurrected from the dead.

“Those whom His voice had awakened from the sleep of death were in that throng. Lazarus, whose body had seen corruption in the grave, but who now rejoiced in the strength of glorious manhood, led the beast on which the Saviour rode.” The Desire of Ages 572.2

The multitudes were led by the Lazarus, which signifies those saints resurrected from the grave would be waving the palm branches in the heaven.

Conclusively, I believe that the 144,000 are the literal number of the firstfruits that are alive and the great multitudes are the resurrected saints.

Thank you sister Karen, for your well thought out report on the 144,000 and the Great Multitude. I agree with some of it and dis-agree with others.

While I haven't seen much of your reports, I believe you have somewhat of a good handle on things, though I don't think you are fully aware of the Elijah message or proper placement of end times and events.

That's ok, we're here to learn ( at least most of us anyway :-)

I respect people's thoughts and ideas, I only ask that when a back and forth study is made between parties that "Truth" be the ultimate goal and that "admitting" it when we see we are corrected--be made.

Unfortunately I found this severely lacking in a certain ones on this site.

The subject of the 144,000 and Great Multitude is indeed a vast one. I can come to this subject from many angles but let me start from Isaiah.

Do you have any idea what the Lord is telling us through this Inspiration?

"For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD." (Isaiah 66:15-20)

Before we go forward with a study on the Great Multitude, who will from a part of God's theocracy kingdom, let us look at Inspired counsel.

"Precious truths that have long been in obscurity are to be revealed in a light that will make manifest their sacred worth; for God will glorify His Word, that it may appear in a light in which we have never before beheld it." Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 62.

" . . . Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side." Great Controversy p. 612.

The judgment is in two sections, first the judgment for the dead (which began in 1844), then the judgment for the living. Only when the judgment for the dead is completed can the judgment for the living begin (See: 1 Selected Messages p. 125). Just as the judgment for the dead dealt with the professed people of God, so also the judgment for the living begins with the professed people of God (His remnant church). See Great Controversy pp. 428, 480.

The 144,000 are sealed in God's remnant church, but they are ONLY THE FIRST FRUITS (Rev. 14:4), the first one's to be judged in the FINAL HARVEST when the JUDGMENT FOR THE LIVING BEGINS. This is why they are called FIRST FRUITS, they are the first one's judged in the second section of the judgment, when the judgment for the living begins.

"Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation. The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary." Testimonies to Ministers p. 431, see also 1 Peter 4:17, and Great Controversy pp. 428, 480.

Prominent Point-- The saints get sealed prior to the time of trouble (specifically the Sunday Law)

The angels that are holding back the four winds are told: "...Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Rev. 7-3.

"The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since; but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds.

As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth. That will be a decisive time for God's children, a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation." Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 152.

"Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the four winds." 7 Bible Commentary 968, E . G . White .

The last section of the final harvest which is to be reaped from Babylon is reaped within one symbolic hour, from the eleventh to the twelfth hour.

Remember, Babylon only reigns for one hour (Rev. 18:10,19) from the eleventh to the twelfth and then God delivers His people at midnight. (See: Great Controversy p. 636)

"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 pp. 234, 235.

Two groups are harvested in the earth's final harvest, the 144,000, First Fruits and the Great Multitude , Second fruits, of Revelation 7: 9.

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Ok , let's get down to the nitty gritty!

After John saw the sealing of the 144,000, first fruits, (Rev. 7:1-8,14:4) that came from the 12 tribes of the children of Israel, he was privileged to behold another group of saints that was so vast that they could not be numbered. This un-numbered host of saints did not come from Israel like the previous group (the 144,000) but they came from every nation, kindred, people and tongues. The clothing of the great multitude is described as "having white robes and palms in their hands."

What do the palms and white robes mean?

"The palms signify that they have gained the victory, and the white robes that they have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ." 7 Bible Commentary, 970 E.G. White.

It is interesting to note that in Rev. 7, the clothing of the 144,000 is not described. However the Spirit of Prophecy tells us that they wore a mantle like Elijah and had crowns.


"Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet." Life Sketches pp. 66,67.

One of the elders from the judgment scene (Rev. 4:4, 10, 5:8, 9), asks the question concerning the Great Multitude, "What are these arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" Rev. 7: 13.

The answer was, "These are they which came out of great tribulation." Rev. 7:14. This shows us plainly that the Great Multitude will come into God's church during the time of trouble.

"The message of the renewing power of God's grace will be carried to every country and clime, until the truth shall belt the world. Of the number of them that shall be sealed will be those who have come from every nation and kindred and tongue and people. From every country will be gathered men and women who will stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb, crying, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Revelation 7:10. But before this work can be accomplished, we must experience here in our own country the work of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts." Counsels to Parents and Teachers p. 532.

This statement from the Spirit of Prophecy must be referring to the Great Multitude which come out of every nation, kindred, tongue and people. (Rev. 7:9), as the 144,000 come Only from the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. (Rev . 7:4-8).

"The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain. . . ." Selected Messages Book 3 p. 385.

It must be that the 144,000 are God's purified ministry that goes to every nation, kindred, tongue and people to bring in the great multitude during the Loud Cry into God's remnant church.

It is during the blowing of the four winds (mark of the beast), which is the beginning of the time of trouble that the Loud Cry goes forward, when the call is made to "those other sheep which are not of this fold", to come out of Babylon.

"The Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings, and, casting off all man's machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirit's power. Multitudes will receive the faith and join the armies of the Lord." Evangelism p. 700.

"When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field (MS 175, 1899)." 7 Bible Commentary p. 983, E.G. White.

"Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. "Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners" (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer." Prophets and Kings p. 725.

GREAT MULTITUDE, RESURRECTED OR TRANSLATED SAINTS?

We have found in our study thus far that the great multitude come into God's church during the time of trouble (mark of the beast), so let w continue to search the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy to find out whether the great multitude are resurrected, or translated saints?

Notice how Inspiration tells us the great multitude will not suffer from the "heat" on the earth.

"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat." Revelation 7:16.

"And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat,..." Revelation 16:8,9.

The great multitude are still here during the fourth plague, the plague of heat.

"But in the midst of the time of trouble that is coming,--a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation,--God's chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them." Testimonies, Vol. 9, p.17.

"...But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. . .

And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive "the mark of the beast."' Great Controversy p. 449.


Thus we can clearly see that not only 144,000 are translated ("those that are expecting translation"), but also the great multitude ("those who would not bow to the decree of the beast or receive his mark").

Only two men have been translated from this earth without seeing death, Enoch and Elijah.

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death;" Heb. 11:5.

"And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." 2 Kings 2:11.

Can we be so foolish as to suppose that it was just a coincidence that only two men have been translated from this earth without seeing death, or did the Lord have a specific purpose and reason?

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Let us look at the all knowing and purposeful God and why those two men were translated. It is called --Type and Anti-type.

1) The Spirit of Prophecy tells us that both of these men, Enoch and Elijah, represents the saints which are to be translated from this earth at the Lord's second coming.

"...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." Prophets and Kings p. 227.

"As Enoch was translated to heaven before the destruction of the world by water, so the living righteous will be translated from the earth before its destruction by fire." Patriarchs and Prophets p. 89.

Both men cannot typify the same group of saints to be translated , let us see why---

Elijah was an Israelite. His mantle was recognized as part of his clothing (2 Kings 2:8).

"As Elijah, divinely directed in seeking a successor, passed the field in which Elisha was plowing, he cast upon the young man's shoulders the mantle of consecration. During the famine the family of Shaphat had become familiar with the work and mission of Elijah, and now the Spirit of God impressed Elisha's heart as to the meaning of the prophet's act. To him it was the signal that God had called him to be the successor of Elijah." Prophets and Kings pp. 219,220.

The 144,000 are also Israelites (Rev. 7:4-8), and they are described as having white mantles as a part of their dress.

"Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square....And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet." Life Sketches pp. 66,67.

Elijah must typify the 144,000 translated saints.

If Elijah's mantle represented consecration, then in order to be consistent we would conclude that since the 144,000 all wear mantles, it would suggest that they are also especially consecrated to the service of God.

"And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised his lovely voice and said, 'Only the 144,000 enter this place, and we shouted, 'Alleluia."' Early Writings p. 19.

Elijah must typify the 144,000 translated saints.

"And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised his lovely voice and said, 'Only the 144,000 enter this place, and we shouted, 'Alleluia."' Early Writings p. 19.

Enoch was not an Israelite. Therefore he cannot represent the same class of translated saints.

The great multitude's apparel is described as having white robes and palms in their hands. Rev. 7:9. Enoch also is described as having a palm in his hand. Early Writings p. 40.

"The 144,000 are the first to be brought to perfection of character in the gospel harvest of the last generation. They reach mature spiritual growth and are sealed and given the Holy Spirit in 'latter rain' showers, the purpose of which is to call the innumerable company of God's people out of spiritual Babylon before God's wrath is poured out upon the rejecters of His grace in the seven last plagues." See Revelation 7: 9. ("Signs of the Times", June 20, 1950 in an article entitled, "First Fruits of Redemption's Harvest" page 13.)

Chart

Come on GLL -- you aren't really here to learn.
You are here to indoctrinate people into Houteff's theology -- right?

To you anything contrary to Houteff's interpretations is "private interpretations" no matter how much EGW quotes or scripture is used.

Indeed you will even speak forcefully against quoting from EGW if her position does not agree with Houteff's interpretations, but yet use short portions of her writings extensively if you think it will underscore Houteff's view.

The problem is simply that I have previously studied into his views and found them sadly wanting, thus I know where things are going, even if the initial words seem reasonable.


Basically --
Houteff will say "Jerusalem" in prophecy is symbolic of the SDA church when referring to passages like Ezekiel 9. Insisting that Adventists must all be killed prior to the Sunday laws being enforced and prior to the "loud cry".

Then suddenly we are told, "Jerusalem" is literally that old city over their in Palestine, as the Shepherd Rod believers (144,000) need to head over to Jerusalem supposedly to establish a kingdom, a theocracy WITH A HUMAN KING, (which they call an antitype David) over there. This is supposed to be a kingdom of peace and safety, from which they go forth "as battle axes to break in pieces the nations, " ( verse in Jer. 51:20) to proclaim the loud cry from literal Jerusalem, gathering the "great multitude" from all over the world, including most of Babylon, to this earthly "kingdom"). All before Christ's second coming.


Yet, I read in scripture --
Rev. 19 when Christ comes, "the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him "


So is "Jerusalem" in these prophecies literal, or is it symbolic?
Or can one just arbitrarily change the meaning, so the "curses" fall on symbolic "Jerusalem" and all the blessings fall on literal ancient city of "Jerusalem"?

If the OT texts speaking of people "flowing to Jerusalem" mean people will actually be flowing to a literal kingdom in the literal Jerusalem over there in Palestine, then the verses in Ezekiel 9 --
" go 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. Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
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.
And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city. "
would ALSO refer to that literal kingdom in literal Jerusalem over there in Palestine.


And it might be closer to the true meaning -- ,
for Ezekiel 9, according to the message given EGW, (in GC 656) takes place during the seventh plague when the people, realizing they have been deceived turn on the false shepherds who have led them astray.


The truth --
Is that right now we need the "KINGDOM OF GRACE" to be firmly established in our hearts and minds.
Those who have that "internal kingdom" (See Luke 17:20-24)
established in their lives, that has transformed their hearts and minds, will receive the Latter Rain, and proclaim the "loud cry".

The final sealing takes place prior to the seven last plagues.

Don't look to any temporal kingdom here on this earth.
That is NOT where our hope or future lies.
We look for that city built without hands -- the NEW JERUSALEM in heaven, that will, after the 1000 years come down from heaven and only THEN will the eternal blessed glorious kingdom be on earth.