PART TWO SONG OF THE 144,000. ( Continued from part one )

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1 PART TWO SONG OF THE 144,000 ( Continued from part one ) The Bible likens the sins lodged in the subconscious mind to a filthy garment, or to the corrupt human channel. See Zechariah 3:1-5 & 1 SM p.344. The filthy garment is defined in 21 Manuscript Release p. 384 as their sins which had not yet been blotted out. This is referring to the sins which were confessed and forgiven but were not yet blotted out at the judgment. That is why the Bible tells us that There is none righteous, no, not one Romans 3:10. If Christ were to remove the covering of His righteousness from us, what would we look like in God s sight? Isaiah 64:6 says, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. In Acts of The Apostles p. 561 we read, None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin. Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ. Why did these holy men in the Bible who would rather die than knowingly sin still confess the sinfulness of their spiritual nature? Why does it tell us in Hebrews 11:39-40, speaking of the great heroes of faith, that... these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. What does it mean when it says that they without us should not be made perfect.? Hebrews 11 is speaking of the great men and women of faith who died as conquerors. But what makes the difference between them and the 144,000 who will be translated? What is the difference between dying in the Lord and being translated without seeing death? In Revelation 14:1-5 we have depicted a special company who will be translated. (As a matter of interest, these people are all musicians and are distinguished from all the host of the saved of all ages. They sing a song which no one else can learn) It also tells us that they play on harps which they probably play as accompaniment to their singing. And I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. Verse 2. A harp is much like a piano, but without a keyboard. So the 144,000 are proficient at playing on instruments as well as singing. But why are they able to sing a song which no one else can learn? Inspiration tells us that None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience, an experience such as no other company have ever had Great Controversy p So these people experience something that is unique, something no one else of all the saved has experienced. And their special privileges and honors are further described in the following: Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies... 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. This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw, I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the one hundred and forty-four thousand were engraved in letters of gold Early Writings p. 19. To be able to sing such a song of triumph that no one else can learn, and to have a most glorious temple erected especially in their honor where their names are engraved in letters of gold, makes the 144,000 a 1

2 most uniquely honored group of musicians in the whole universe. So the big question is why they are so specially honoredand what hope do we have of ever becoming a part of this unique company of redeemed saints? We learned from Inspiration that the 144,000 are those who in the end time are sealed with the seal of the living God. (We will not get into the debate whether the number is symbolic or literal.) But if we want to be a part of that elite company, we need to know what the prerequisites or qualifications are. There are a number of things mentioned in Inspiration. 1. They will face the test from the enforcement of the mark of the beast. That great, final test is described in this passage from 7 Bible Comments p The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided.... [Revelation 13:11-17 quoted.]... This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. So before the 144,000 are sealed, they will be tested by the Sunday law. 2. They have to pass the judgment of the living, which coincides with the day of atonement, where the sealing takes place. It is at the judgment that the decision is made who will be marked with God s seal. The time of the judgment is a most solemn period, when the Lord gathers His own from among the tares. Those who have been members of the same family are separated. A mark is placed upon the righteous Testimonies to Ministers p We see here that at the time of the final test, those who remain faithful and true will, in the judgment, be accepted as worthy to be one of the 144,000 who are sealed in their foreheads. But what does it mean to be sealed in our foreheads in this end time? According to Ephesians 4:30, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. And in this end time, the latter rain will be bestowed on those who by confession and repentance have sent all their sins before hand to judgment to be blotted out. This what we read in Acts 3:19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. They have confessed every sin and overcome every wrong habit. Their conscious mind does not harbor any sinful thoughts or desires. Although they are not secure from falling, they have a clear conscience and are accepted as perfect before God. That is the prerequisite to being accepted in the judgment and being sealed. But their subconscious mind still has a life time of sins recorded there. Because of this, they are not sinless as Adam was before he fell. But they have this promise that Everyone who by faith obeys God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression In Heavenly Places p The sinlessness of Adam is the condition they must be in before they can stand without a mediator after the close of probation. But how do they attain to that kind of perfection? Where can we find the answer? It is found in Daniel 8:14, the cleansing of the sanctuary, the blotting out of sins and the bestowal of the refreshing latter rain as depicted in Acts 3:19. The latter rain does a work of perfecting God s people ( See TM 506) and prepares them to stand without a mediator in the sanctuary above. It also empowers them to proclaim the loud cry that will lighten the whole world with the glory of God. Christ has gone to the most holy place to completely undo the problems that sin has caused. It is the purpose of redemption, not only to blot out sin, but to give back to man those spiritual gifts lost because of sin's dwarfing power Christ Object Lessons p He has promised to blot out our sins so that they will no longer be 2

3 found. In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found Jeremiah 50:20. Also see G.C. p Not only will the sins recorded in the books of heaven be blotted out, but the sins that are stored in the subconscious mind will also be blotted out and remembered no more. Note the following: Their sins had gone beforehand to judgment, and pardon had been written. Their sins had been borne away into the land of forgetfulness, and they could not bring them to remembrance 3 Spiritual Gifts p Zechariah 3:1-5 describes how Christ performs this final, mighty act of redemption. There we see the 144,000 just before they are sealed, still clothed with filthy garments as they stand before the Lord in the great day of atonement. 5 Testimonies p elaborates on this dramatic scene. Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God's people in the closing up of the great day of atonement... They are fully conscious of the sinfulness of their lives, they see their weakness and unworthiness, and as they look upon themselves they are ready to despair... The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts... All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law... Here we see God s people in the closing up of the day of atonement facing the mark of the beast which has been enforced against them. And then it goes on to say: As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, "Take away the filthy garments" from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. ( This last sentence indicates that they have just passed the examination of the judgment). They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. "A fair miter" is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father's name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. After the season of great trial and distress, after experiencing the day of atonement repentance and affliction of soul, the filthy garments are removed and the seal of God is placed upon them, making them eternally secure from the tempters devices. The sequence of the final events are clearly revealed in the above passage. First the mark of the beast is enforced as the great, decisive test. Those who remain faithful during that ordeal will be acquitted in the judgment of the living. Their sins are blotted out, the filthy garment taken away and they are sealed as one of the 144,000. And we should note that now they are eternally secure from the tempters devices... nevermore to be defiled... This has never happened to any generation of God s people before. This whole experience which brings eternal security is an experience which is peculiar to the 144,000. That is what enables them to sing a 3

4 song which no one else can learn. We read in Revelation 14:1-5 the apostle John s description of the 144,0000 and the song that they sing, standing with Christ on Mount Sion. But do they have to wait until they are taken to heaven before they sing their grand anthem? God gave Ellen White the privilege of seeing and hearing the 144,000 as they rendered their premier performance on earth. She was shown this happening right after the day of atonement repentance experience, which causes the shaking and separates the wheat from the tares. We get this description in Early Writings p I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them. Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him.. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. Soon I heard a voice like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel, "Look ye!" My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy... I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, "It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel. No doubt Ellen White had heard some sublime music rendered by choirs and music ensembles in the Battle Creek Tabernacle. But she described the blended voices of the 144,000 mixed choir in superlative language. She called it sweet, harmonious, surpassing any music she had ever heard. It seemed to be full of mercy, compassion and elevating, holy joy. The 144,000 were relieved of the filthy garments which had inhibited their joy and response to the One who died to redeem them. But not only do the 144,000 break forth in a glorious song of rejoicing and deliverance. Christ also sings a glorious song of rejoicing that His work of redemption is accomplished, that salvation is complete and the universe is forever secure from another defection. Zephaniah 3:15 & 17 says, Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem... The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 4

5 And in Isaiah 44:22-23 we hear Christ calling for the heavens and the earth to sing and shout for joy because He has finally been able to blot out the sins and transgression of His people. We can sense the exuberant rejoicing in the heart of Christ as He exclaims, I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. Christ will see the travail of His soul and will be satisfied, as He looks upon His redeemed and sees His image perfectly reflected in them. But to Lucifer, the 144,000 redeemed saints elicits another response. In Testimonies to Ministers we read of his reaction when he sees Christ s followers in whom the mystery of God is finished. The Lord Jesus is making experiments on human hearts through the exhibition of His mercy and abundant grace. He is effecting transformations so amazing that Satan, with all his triumphant boasting, with all his confederacy of evil united against God and the laws of His government, stands viewing them as a fortress impregnable to his sophistries and delusions. They are to him an incomprehensible mystery. The great truth of the cleansing of the sanctuary reveals the high destiny open to every soul. In it we read God s purpose for our life. That temple, erected for the abode of the divine Presence, was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world. From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple. God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul Desire of Ages p In view of the glorious destiny open to us in these last days, Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand 7 Bible Comments p