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144,000
by David Dence
“In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of
that generation.”--COL128
“In every age God has committed to His people some special truth which tends to
separate His church from the world; and it has been the duty of His ministers to
proclaim this truth, whether men would hear or forbear.”--ST Jan. 28, 1886
“In every age the Lord has had a special message for the people of that time; so we
have a message for the people in this age.”--Review and Herald, Oct. 14, 1902
Said another way, “Nothing is more powerful than a truth whose time has come.”
Can anyone tell me what special message God sent to His people 40 years ago? How
about 80 years ago? And 120 years ago? What special message did God send to His
people back in 1888? That was easy. There has been a lot of talk about the message
brought by Jones and Waggener on Righteousness by Faith.
And what special message does the Lord have for us today? Anyone have a guess? And
no, it is not that Jesus is coming soon. Surprised? Well, we have been preaching that
message for many generations. Nothing new about that. God’s special message for this
present generation is the urgency of gaining the preparation needed to be worthy
members of the 144,000. And just why is that such an important message? Simply
because that is what the big wait is all about. The whole universe is waiting patiently
for the 144,000 to get serious about reflecting Jesus’ image fully. That is an awesome
thought.
“After the terrible storm there was a great calm. Not a Seventh-day Adventist was to be
seen. Then the Adventists arose like a great flock of sheep without a shepherd. They all
united in earnest prayer for help and wisdom, and the Lord answered them by helping
them choose leaders among them, who had never sought positions before. They
prayed earnestly for the aid of the Holy Spirit which was poured out upon them, making
them fully ready for service. They then went forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun
and terrible as an army with banners to give the message to all the world.”--Statement
by Ellen White to Sister McInterfer, Elder D. E. Robinson (her grand-daughter’s
husband) and Will Ross at Loma Linda 1908.
Please note that the 144,000 do not appear until after Laodicea is spewed out. The
terrible storm is literal. The earthquake of Revelation 8:5 fulfills the spewing out of
Revelation 3:16. Also note that the 144,000 come from an Adventist background. The
Seventh-day Adventist Church and Ellen White were raised up for the express purpose
of developing the 144,000. If the 144,000 are to be chosen at random from all
denominations, our church’s purpose would be bypassed.
TRAINING NEEDED
There are 5 doctrinal qualifications the 144,000 must possess:
I call them the five Ss.
Sabbath.
Sanctuary.
State of the Dead.
Science of Salvation.
Signs of the Second Coming.
These five truths are rarely found outside the ranks of Seventh-day Adventism.
Question:
Will the 144,000 be supernaturally endowed with wisdom?
Answer:
If this is true, we have no Biblical or historical precedent. When the Holy Spirit is poured
upon the 144,000 they will receive power to witness, but the wisdom to witness has
come from long hours of mental application to the Scriptures. The work of the 144,000
will be no less important than the work of the 12 apostles 2000 years ago. You will
recall that Jesus did not bypass their natural learning processes. How much easier that
would have been! But instead Jesus spent 3½ years patiently teaching them. This is
also why there was a control in the group. His name was Judas. Judas is proof that the
training was not automatic or arbitrary. Judas chose to resist that training. And he was
successful. Thus it seems that the 144,000 will require some real-time training. The
144,000 must have a thorough knowledge not only of their role during the tribulation,
but also of God’s role so that they will not be found to be working at cross purposes
with heaven.
Long, long ago Samuel started what he called schools of the prophets. You mean a
young man could aspire to be a prophet, go to school for several years and become a
successful prophet? Yes. It is time that we re-establish schools of the prophets. It is high
time someone started an aggressive training program. If you would like to be a
member of the 144,000 you will need some training.
"The Lord will have a well-trained army, ready to be called into action at a word.
These will be well-disciplined men, women, and youth, who have placed themselves
under educating influences that have made them vessels unto honor. " -R.&H. March
22, 1898.
Have you considered what the story of the ten virgins teaches about prior training? The
narrative simply states, “And they that were ready went in with him to the wedding
banquet. And the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10
Some of my older friends say they would rather be laid to rest before that time. One
dark day Elijah thought death would be preferable to life! He did not know what he was
talking about. God had big plans for Elijah, and one bright day God sent His fiery
chariot down to whisk him into glory. I think Elijah is glad God did not let him die in the
wilderness.
So, my dear friend, if you want to die and turn to the dust of this old earth, God just
might grant your death wish. But if you want to be part of the most glorious drama of
the ages, a time all the prophets and apostles of old looked forward to, God will surely
see you through. The reason you have such a dim view of coming events is because
you see through a glass darkly. Only those who have the faith of Jesus will have the
high privilege of vindicating the kingdom of God in the days ahead. Is there anything
else you would rather be doing? Fellowship with the Divine! Oh the joy of being a sharp
instrument in the hand of the Infinite!
So let’s get started. First you will need to understand how critically important the
144,000 are. I surely hope you are not still wondering whether the 144,000 is a literal
number or a symbolic number. That is such an old argument, which should have been
laid to rest long ago. We are years behind where we should be. But just to strengthen
your understanding of this question, come along, and I will lead you through some
salient points.
We must also understand that there is a great controversy going on between Christ and
Satan. You and I are caught in the middle. We did not ask to be born on this
battleground. But here we are like it or not. So what is the big conflict between these
warring super-powers? What are the issues? What are they arguing about? Well, it
seems to me that Satan has a serious mental problem. He is a loser, and even though
he knows it, he will not concede. He will go down fighting. In spite of his stupidity,
Christ still deals fairly with him. Christ is dealing with a rebellion which has effected the
entire universe, and He surely does not want to go through this ever again. So He is
going to do it right so that throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity all entities will
agree that God is sovereign.
There are several controverted issues between Christ and Satan. One of the issues is
weather or not there will be any loyal subjects waiting for Christ’s return. Satan is
hoping that all earthlings will be sympathetic with his cause. If he indeed can turn
everyone away from the worship of his rival, there will be no reason for Christ to return
and rescue anyone. Satan will have won. Make no mistake about it, Satan will do
EVERTHING in his limited power to keep Christ away. It is very likely he will launch
atomic weapons or directed energy beam weapons at the small black cloud looming in
the east! We are in for some phenomenal fire works, folks. Do you have a Shelter?
The 144,000 is probably a negotiated number. To lay the ground-work I must first
remind you of a classic old-testament story:
One warm day Abraham was sitting under the veranda of his tent enjoying the shade,
when along came three strangers. Being the hospitable soul that he was, he jumped up
and bowed himself before them and offered them some cool water. Seeing they were
agreeable to that, he invited them to enjoy a meal with him. Soon a tasty meal was
spread out in the shade of his oak tree. When they were ready to continue on their
way, Abraham escorted them to the brow of the hill. There they paused and one of
them confided in Abraham that they were on their way to destroy Sodom and
Gomorrah. The other two strangers proceeded on down the path. Abraham sensed that
he was face to face with the Almighty. If I had been Abraham I would have responded,
“Let it be done as thou hast said. I’ll sit and watch.”
But not Abraham. Because of his love for his nephew he presumed to argue with Jesus
Christ! How bold of him! “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?”
Then beginning at 50 he negotiated downward. How about 45? 40? “Don’t be angry
with me, will you destroy the place if 30 souls can be found?”
Seeing that Christ was agreeable he pressed Him even more. 20? 10? Feeling that
surely 10 righteous souls could be found somewhere in those great cities, he left off
communing with the Lord. Later that day when billows of black smoke rose from the
valley below, Abraham knew that he had failed in his daring attempt to save the cities
of the plain.
One day long long ago the two covering cherubs may have had a conversation like this:
Michael, those people are not going to love you. They are going to hate you. They are
going to spit in your face. They will deny you and betray you. They will even crucify
you!
I know. But looking down through the ages I believe there will be some who will love
and honor me. Lucifer, what would you say if before it is all over 12 times 12 times 10
righteous souls can be found who will follow me instead of you?
Of course that is a remote possibility. But compared to the billions who will follow me,
that is a drop in the bucked. It is nothing. That is not even worth mentioning.
Lucifer, I am actually hoping there will be more than that. What would you say if before
the end of time there can be found on the earth 12 times 12 times 100 faithful souls
who would rather die than commit a wrong act.
Michael, you are out of your mind. You know that will never happen. Following my ways
is so much easier than following your strict ways. Those people are much too weak to
climb the straight and narrow path. My way is a broad way. In the end you will see that
I am right. You are really disillusional.
But wait. What would you do if in the final generation there can be found 12 times 12
times 1000 earthlings who will reflect my image perfectly? Those who have developed
a character like mine?
With a foul laugh Lucifer taunts, If you can find that many people who are dumb
enough to follow your straight and narrow path instead of my broad way, even I will
bow down and worship you!
And as you know, Ellen White, in the book The Great Controversy p. 670, confirms that
in the end Satan will indeed bow down before Christ! My dear friend, the contest is on.
You and I shall either vindicate Satan or Christ. Which will it be? To win the great
controversy there must be 144,000 of us filled with the Holy Spirit without measure,
not one less.
Furthermore, the 144,000, with a loud voice, are needed to give intelligence/meaning
to the so-called natural disasters occurring all over the earth.
Job Description
“The Lord will have a people as true as steel, and with faith as firm as the granite rock.
They are to be His witnesses in the world, His instrumentalities to do a special, a
glorious work in the day of His preparation.”--4T595
The 144,000 will be very busy people. The best job description of the 144,000 comes
from Joel 2:
1Sound the trumpet in Zion, the LORD's sacred hill. Warn everyone to tremble!
The judgment day of the LORD is coming soon.
2It will be dark and gloomy with storm clouds overhead.
Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a great and mighty army
appears.
No army this powerful has ever been gathered before or will ever be again.
3Fiery flames surround them; no one escapes.
Before they invaded, the land was like Eden; now only a desert remains.
4They look like horses and charge like cavalry.
5 Look at them as they leap along the mountaintops.
Listen to the noise they make—like the rumbling of chariots, like the roar of fire
sweeping across a field of stubble, or like a mighty army moving into battle.
6The very sight of them is frightening.
7They climb over walls like warriors; they march in columns and never turn aside.
8They charge straight ahead, without pushing each other;
even arrows and spears cannot make them retreat.
9 They swarm over the city and run along its walls.
They enter all the houses, climbing like thieves through the windows.
10They make the earth tremble and the heavens shake;
the sun and moon turn dark, and stars stop shining.
11 God himself bellows in thunder as he commands his forces.
Look at the (small) size of that army! And the strength of those who obey him!
God's Judgment Day—great and terrible. Who can possibly survive this?
God himself will be in charge of all travel arrangements. Since the world’s
infrastructure will have been seriously impaired travel by conventional means will be
unreliable. If you choose to be a member of the 144,000 you may be moved from place
to place by supernatural means to proclaim the first angel’s message. And it will be a
message of hope to those who are sincerely praying for light.
Your guarding angel may carry you to some distant city some dark night.
Where am I?
This is Jakarta.
What am I doing here?
See that dim light coming from the sixth floor window? Climb carefully up the fire
escape and step inside. They are waiting for you.
Counting floors carefully you raise the window and look into the tearstained faces of
faithful Christians who have a relationship with Jesus, but do not understand the
prophecies.
Can you please tell us what is going on they plead?
Opening a Bible to Revelation, you say, We are right on schedule.
Schedule! They scream. We did not know all this was in the schedule.
You walk them through the events that have just happened and show them what can
be expected next. You show them that they have not been left behind, probation has
not closed yet, and that the rapture is still ahead. And when it occurs it will not be
secret. Hope is revived and they rejoice in the truth.
The 144,000 are far more than wall flowers standing around in their suits and ties
waiting for Jesus to come. Far more than just a pretty exhibit of righteousness. These
folks are tough, real tough. What about you? Are you up to it?
Mark 10 (The Message)
39-40"Sure," they said. "Why not?"
Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my
baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that's not my business. There are other
arrangements for that. My Father is taking care of that."
Deuteronomy 30:19
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that
both thou and thy seed may live:
Joshua 24:15
Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve
the LORD.
Would you like to enlist in this army? You may! In fact that is the only way you can join.
God will draft no one! No one will become a member or the 144,000 by accident or by
default.
THEIR EXPERIENCES
The 144,000 are scattered all over the world. (P.K. 188,189) They uphold the law and
the Sabbath which have been the controversy of the ages. They have all the physical
and spiritual forces of the enemy concentrated upon them. They have the death decree
passed upon them by the nation. They will see the whole world ruined by devastating
elements and plagues. They will stand without fault before God. They will have a
preparation fitting them for translation. They "are to stand in the sight of a holy God
without a mediator."--G.C.425 Not one of them can be put to death. They will see the
entire world at war, nation against nation. They will behold the destruction of
multitudes of human beings. They will see unexplainable and terrifying signs and
wonders. They will witness manifestations of evil spirits, sufficient to appall the stoutest
heart. They will witness God's judgments, tremendous in their scope, whole seas and
oceans of blood. They will pass through untold fear and suffering, at the same time
they will experience an outpouring of divine power never before equaled. They will do a
work limited only by the bounds of the earth. They will have to meet evil spirits in
human form masquerading as deceased friends and relatives. They will witness for
truth in a day of widespread disease and death, meeting erroneous teachings of every
description, even in the church. They will be betrayed by friends and relatives. Each
one will have to stand alone. They will hear the Bible ridiculed and repudiated from
every quarter. They will have a tremendous task to accomplish in a very short time.
They will be victorious over sin in its every phase; consequently over sickness and
death. Surely the Lord expects us to know what is revealed concerning this most
remarkable company, and the nature of the work they will be called upon to do. The
contemplation of this subject should inspire every one of us with a burning desire to be
worthy of a place among that exalted throng.
"And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred
and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."--Rev. 7:4
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the
promise."--Gal. 3.29, 7, 9
"He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; ... But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter."--Rom. 2:28, 29
The full purpose of the gospel is never met in the lives of those who die. Its purpose is
to reproduce in man the image of God, as it was revealed in Adam and Eve, before the
fall; thus restoring man to the Edenic condition, where sin cannot enter "But had the
law of God never been transgressed, there would have been no death."--P.P. 363 God
has said, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth.- it shall not return
unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it. "--Isa. 55: 11
Christ can never come for His redeemed until the full purpose of the gospel is
accomplished in humanity-the perfect image of Jesus restored in them. This will be fully
attained with the 144,000. It is then only that Jesus can come and loose the dead from
Satan's prison-house-the grave. "Death is swallowed up in victory. 0 death, where is thy
sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is
the law."--l Cor. 15:54-56
What about the "thousands upon thousands" gathered in during the loud cry? All these
converts will be martyrs for Jesus. They will seal their testimony with their blood. Read
Rev 6:9-11, stressing the latter part of verse 11, and Rev 20:4.
The gospel never can be finished, neither can Christ come for His people, until there
has been a demonstration before the world, and also the whole universe, that the plan
of the gospel has become a complete success. The words, "She shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name Jesus (Saviour), for he shall save his people from their
sins," must be a demonstrated fact. Not until a holy company, the 144,000, are sealed
with “the seal of the living God,” and shall live a sinless life upon this earth, as living
temples of the Godhead, will the triumphs of the gospel be completed.
“It is not His will that they shall get into controversy over questions which will not help
them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand? This
those who are the elect of God will in a short time know without question.” --1SM
174
Please start from the top and read this paper again. Now find someone willing to listen,
and read it aloud to them. Don’t be disappointed if they don’t get it right away. It may
take several years for them to get it. Do not discard. When the earthquake comes you
will want to review this, if you can find it. This is a work in progress. Corrections,
comments, questions and criticisms are eagerly accepted. Perhaps God has entrusted
to you a piece of the puzzle that He has not shown me yet. I still have some week-ends
open for speaking appointments. This document is like a silent piece of sheet music. A
live presentation is like an orchestral performance.
Summerhx@hotmail.com
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423 321-2185 cell
328 Stone Cave Loop
Dunlap TN 37327