FINISHING THE MYSTERY
OF GOD IN OUR DAY

In Rev. 10:7 the Apostle John tells us that "In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, THE MYSTERY OF GOD SHOULD BE FINISHED." The Greek word translated "finished" here is from "telos" meaning to "set out for a definite point or goal," with the idea in mind that the plan, goal, purpose, objective, etc. will be successfully finished and completed. This is the same "mystery of His will" that Paul refers to in Eph. 1:9 plainly and boldly stating that this mystery has been revealed. So, what is this mystery?

In His next chapter John gives us another clue. "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever." Rev. 11:15. Who is the Lord here? And who is "His Christos or anointed?" Please read on to find the answers for it has to do with God's final army, the 144,000, and our very survival and salvation in these last days.

Last week Sulma (my wife) and I were at a friend's home up in the mountains. Margarita, mother of two, had bet her son that she could put a puzzle together before she went to bed. Her husband didn't like puzzles. It was Sunday night and she needed to go to work at 8:00 the next day. So, we decided to give her a hand. The pieces were small and many were very similar in color. The border on the bottom left-hand corner was missing so I found all of the straight-edged yellow pieces and began trying to put them together. Although I am not a puzzle fan and have only worked on a few puzzles this one turned out to be the hardest I can remember ever working on. I thought that I could put that border together in about ten minutes. Was I ever wrong. It took over an hour. We left after 11 but the mother toiled on and finished the puzzle at 2:00 A.M. she told us the next day.

Studying to understand the subject of the 144,000 is very much like putting that large puzzle together with 1,000 small pieces. It is not easy and it takes a lot of time, prayer, study and much patience. Who are the 144,000? Why should we "strive to be among their number" as the servant of the Lord has urged and admonished us? What are their characteristics? What do they believe and preach...what is their doctrine?

These are some of the main questions I have had through the years. Although I have already written at least two articles on this matter through 1994, the subject is far from being exhausted. The Lord has been impressing me to study on this more and more. He has been giving me many new thoughts which I have prayed earnestly to be able to understand and tie together in a logical sequence. So, this article will be an update on what I have learned in the last three years. Any new ideas and thoughts you may have are welcome and I thank you in advance.

Last night I was very exhausted and went to bed early. Then I woke up about 1:30 and couldn't sleep so began my research again about the 144,000. There are so many facets to this profound topic. After about an hour of research, thinking and meditation I still did not have a clear path in my mind to begin writing.

So, I knelt down with my Bible open to Rev. 14:1-4 and put my forehead on the words and pleaded with Jesus to reveal to my mind whatever truths He wanted me to present in this article. Most of the time my petitions or prayers to the Lord are short and to the point. "Lord, give me strength for today. Help me to know your will and follow it. Thank you for your great love and power. Thank you for your love and protection as I work for you today. In Jesus' Name, Amen." But this time I didn't pray like that. I stayed on my knees for several minutes pleading for understanding of the 144,000. I finally arose from prayer and studied and thought and meditated some more. About 3:45 A.M. I started getting sleepy again so went to bed then arose again about 7:30 and began looking for some EGW quotes which would clarify some points about the 144,000. I was looking especially for a quote regarding God's army taking the field. I was impressed this was a direct reference to the 144,000. But I couldn't find what I wanted and was about to give up and just start writing about whatever came into my head. Then the Lord impressed me to look in an out of print book entitled, THE CRISIS AHEAD.

Elder Robert Pierson had given a personal copy of this 133 page manuscript, 8 1/2 X 11, to every minister of the Southwestern Union Conf. in 1967 at a special evangelistic conference in Galveston, Texas. Elder Pierson was one of my favorite writers I had followed through the years. He had served time in Africa as a missionary and held administrative positions such as conf. and union president. But when he was not re-elected they sent him back to the USA without a job. Finally, they decided to send him to the Southwest where he was made Conf. President of the little Texico Conf. and later the larger Texas Conf. However, the Lord had larger plans for this humble man of God.

About 1966 he was elected President of the Gen. Conf. I was so excited about this dedicated new GC President who had such a beautiful spirit and a passionate desire to finish the work quickly so Jesus could return in our day, possibly before 1970. This new book was designed to acquaint all of the workers with the final events of earth's history. It has been a treasured volume ever since. I had never been so happy in my life. "Surely, the work will soon be finished if we all work hard enough," was my main thought. I was only 28 years old and had a lot to learn. This book would have a definite part in preparing me for my future work during the next three years when God would call me out of the conf. ministry unto Himself. Many believe Elder Pierson's term of office was the organized church's last chance for revival and reformation. Let us pray that God's Remnant within will soon awake and join the ranks of His army that is even now forming for battle.

Elder Pierson emphasized that unless there was a revival of godliness among the ministers themselves the work would never be finished. I vowed at that meeting to dedicate myself to Jesus as never before. It was the turning point in my life and ministry. Three and a half years later the Lord called me to begin GOD'S LAST CALL MINISTRIES on May 13, 1970. "THE CRISIS AHEAD," is a compilation of EGW statements on the final events leading up to the coming of Christ. I have read it many times through the years. It was prepared by Robert W. Olson, and used in the Spirit of Prophecy class at PUC to answer specific questions on end-time events. It had no copyright and is now out of print. Going through that little gem of a book once again really cleared up a lot of questions and showed me the path. Praise the Lord. I also found the exact quotes I was looking for which I will now share with you.

This very first quote will help us see where we are in the stream of time. "The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. 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." 7BC 983. "The Crisis Ahead," page 123. Notice, beloved, we have here clearly defined the beginning of the battle of Armageddon and what causes it and who are involved in this final battle of good vs evil. We have introduced the phrase "armies of the living God," who we are told "will take the field." Now, let us read another quote which will illuminate us even more. This is from page 77 of this same book. I also want to share question 11 which this quote answers. "What message, proclaimed with power in the three years following the 1888 General Conference, was the "beginning" of the Loud Cry?"

"The time of test is just upon us, for the LOUD CRY of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth." ISM 363; 7BC 984; RH 11-22-1892, p. 722. What does this quote teach us? First of all, it teaches us that the final message is progressive and started in 1888. This is called "PROGRESSIVE REVELATION." In 1900 "Christ's Object Lessons," was published. There are many gems in this book. Page 76 of COL is a chapter entitled, "Like A Grain of Mustard Seed." This chapter is based on the parable of the Mustard Seed which Jesus spoke in Matt. 13 and Luke 13 to illustrate the Kingdom of God which Jesus said would have a very small and humble beginning like the Mustard Seed but would eventually grow into a mighty tree. Now notice: "And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The Little seed is to become a tree. THE LAST MESSAGE OF WARNING AND MERCY IS TO GO TO 'every nation and kindred and tongue' Rev. 14:6-14. To take out of them a people for His Name (144,000) (Acts 15:14; Rev. 181). And the earth shall be lightened with His glory." COL 79. Later on EGW refers again to this same phrase, "the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love." COL 415. As we go along here you may be able to see that this little mustard seed is actually referring to the beginning or birth of God's kingdom in the form of the first barley harvest or first fruits in the form of the 144,000.

The history of 1888 with all of its misunderstandings, misinterpretations, distortions, etc. reveals the nature of the conflict itself as one of "cloak and daggers" with lots of smoke and mirrors for the real enemy of the message is in the church itself, (Wolves in sheep clothing) acting as guardians of the faith against heresy. Like the Jewish leaders of old, who crucified our Blessed Redeemer, their modern counterparts hide and shield themselves behind the robes of pretended righteousness, defending their actions with false doctrines, dogma and church policy, manufactured in cooperation with the prince of darkness Himself for every occasion. See 2T 441, 442.

With the advantage of over one hundred years of research and study into the real issues at stake involved in the Minneapolis fiasco we also now know that Jones Himself introduced the concept that Jesus never used coercion or force...that "God does not destroy." Ellen White reinforced this teaching in the years following with the publication of "DESIRE OF AGES" (1898) and "CHRIST'S OBJECT LESSONS," (1900) as well as "THE GREAT CONTROVERSY," in 1888 which was revised in 1911. In COL, a 436 page volume, she categorically states on page 84, "GOD DESTROYS NO MAN." How could it be any plainer? Also found in 2T 119, 120. Yet, the enemies of the message waste their precious God-given time and effort trying in vain to explain this and other very clear statements away...saying, "Oh, that is not what she meant?" The situation reminds me of a modern country western song in which the female vocalist is talking to a man who won't take "no" for an answer when she keeps telling him that she does not want to go out on a date. Her question to this man who seems to be both blind and deaf is: "Sir, what part of 'NO' don't you understand? Please tell me so I can explain it to you more clearly."

Likewise, my question to people who will not accept EGW's candid, clear and unqualified statements is: "What part of 'GOD DOES NOT KILL,' don't you understand?" I have offered $10,000.00 to anyone who can prove to me from the New Testament that Jesus ever hurt or killed anyone. No one has ever even tried, for, of course, it is impossible to prove, for Jesus was (and still is) totally "HARMLESS." And we know that Jesus never changes. Ps. 89:34; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17. It only goes to show that we have entered the final age of the big lie. Satan, the father of all lies and liars, has entered the majority of the hearts of the people of this generation to the extent that it is now culturally acceptable to lie and deceive to achieve one's objective. No wonder Rev. 18 records Jesus' voice calling to His chosen ones to "come out of her my people."

Almost everyone lies, including, politicians, law enforcement personnel and even some religious leaders. Idols of the silver screen today, role models for millions, often lie. For example, Schwartzeneger, in one of his many violent roles, told a bad man he was dangling over a building's edge, that if he gave him the information he desired he would not kill him. The man, pleading for his life, immediately told Arnold what he wanted to know, believing he had just saved his life and would be released. Instead, Arnold, with an angry, vengeful, sneer on his face says to his helpless victim, "I lied." Then he drops him to his death five stories below. Why? Because the movie producers and directors know that this is what today's audiences want... "RAMBO REVENGE."

No big surprise. The Bible accurately predicted our day. "Now the spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared." RSV I Tim. 4:1. The LB says: "These teachers will tell lies with straight faces and do it so often that their consciences won't even bother them."

Many people do not realize that this trend began about the 4th or 5th century when the early church was taken over by and merged with the Roman Empire during and after the time of Constantine. Pagans flooded into the church with no real knowledge of Christ. They had no conversion experience or dedication to the principles of the gospel. So theologians developed doctrines to scare them into obedience. These early fathers knew that the doctrine of eternal hell-fire was not true but they reasoned that if it scared these unconverted heathen into obedience, so they would be "saved," their lying, false theology was justified and had accomplished its mission. Of course, in the process, they hid, changed and refused to tell these same people the truth about God...that He is really, "Holy, harmless and undefiled," (Heb. 9:27) and had never hurt or killed anyone. This was known as the "Doctrine of Reserve."

Charles H. Pridgeon, in his excellent book, "IS HELL ETERNAL OR WILL GOD'S PLAN FAIL?" tells us: "This doctrine teaches that it is right to withhold, to disguise and, if necessary, to deny faith in any truth, if there is sufficient cause. This doctrine has prevailed all down the ages to a greater or less degree, and some of the godliest saints and theologians have been its slaves. They reason, 'It is all right to hold these deeper things ourselves, (such as "God Does Not Destroy and Universal Salvation", etc.) even if they differ from the popular conception. Such things will not hurt us but the people are not ready for them. It will work great injury; these are professional secrets.'" Page 17. On the other hand there are a number of godly men and women who have accepted the ongoing and extended message of "Christ our Righteousness," which is being published more and more by various laymen in the church. There are at least four levels of this message leading up to this very study of the formation of God's final army of 144,000, which have now taken the field, for the battle has already begun without being officially and/or formally announced. At this time it is like a little "Hill," Ps.2:6, where Jesus declares in Ps. 2;6, "I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion." This is a direct reference to the beginning or setting up of the 144,000. More proof will be given as we go along.

The announcement of the NEW WORLD ORDER at the time of the Gulf War in 1992, by the President of the USA himself, no less, referring to it a number of times, is surely an indication that the nations are "angry" (Rev. 11:18) and are truly being gathered together. Rev. 16:12 speaks of the 6th plague. "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." I believe the "Kings of the East," is an expression referring to God's armies which Jesus leads. Read about it in Rev. 19:11-16. I also believe this is the 144,000.

Historically there have been two basic theories on the battle of Armageddon. One says that it is only a physical battle and the second says that it is a spiritual battle. James White wrote an article of the view that the battle of Armageddon is the battle between Christ and the wicked nations at the time of the second advent. This was published in The Review and Herald, Jan. 21, 1862, p. 61. Uriah Smith took the position that Armageddon involved a political and military gathering of the nations of earth in Palestine, i.e., a literal battle. It is most likely that both views have merit but the one we need to search out, study and concentrate on first is the spiritual one, for the Bible is primarily a book on spiritual matters which in turn affects our physical realm.

We might call it a supernatural battle which is, in fact, what EGW called it... "THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CHRIST'S ANGELS AND SATAN'S ANGELS." "The battle of Armageddon is soon to be fought. He on whose vesture is written the name, King of Kings and Lord of lords, leads forth the armies of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and white (MS 172, 1899). "Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All on His side bear His signet. They are obedient to His commands. On the other side stands the prince of darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and rebellion (RH May 7, 1901). Here are the two armies, the NWO and the 144,000. We are going to learn shortly that the 144,000 are spoken of as one person...a "Son" and a "King" for starters.

Elijah doing battle on Mt. Carmel with the 450 priests of Baal is a good historical example of what we are facing again in our day. Jezebel with her homosexual and bi-sexual priests of Baal represents the false church today and Ahab represents the corrupt state, controlled by an even more corrupt religious organization claiming to represent God on earth, just as the Pope today claims to be the vicar of the Son of God on earth.

We have already read that the final message involves the character of God. So, these two opposing forces are fighting over this very issue of who and what God is really like. Those who believe in and are loyal to Jesus are intent on vindicating the Name and Glory of God (His character)...our objective is to reveal the real truth about His beautiful character, by revealing from the Bible itself that He does not hurt, kill or destroy in any way, shape or form. In contrast, Satan and his followers are doing all in their power to blacken and sully God's character by making Him look bad...like someone who is angry and mean and will hurt and kill you if you break even one of the least of His many rules and regulations..., someone who cannot be approached but needs intercessors like priests and His own mother to intercede in our behalf...the exact opposite of what Jesus revealed God to be.

This is the real battle. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to understand God's true character (His Name and Glory) for to teach that God kills/destroys and does not love humanity with an everlasting love that will never give up or die is in essence to be working for the enemy and blaspheming the very Name of our beautiful and Wonderful Redeemer. Could anything be more serious? Then we need to understand this character message so we can teach it to others.

It will not be necessary to rehearse the basic arguments in favor of a righteous Creator God who has never hurt or killed anyone. But let's go to the very heart of the matter...the heart of the law of God itself for our very best argument in favor of God's true character. The Sabbath...yes, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, which is the centrality of the final message itself, embodies the very message that God is indeed only and forever a life giving Creator. He never takes life but only gives it. The Sabbath proves this beyond a doubt. In contrast, Sunday is the sign of pagan sun worship, Baal worship, which includes both animal and human sacrifice, the sign of the death god, Satan. "Multitudes have a wrong concept of God and His attributes, and are as truly serving a false God as were the worshippers of Baal." Prophets and Kings, p. 177. Need we say more?

For believers, like Mary Magdalene, no. But for the doubting Thomases, yes. And because of my great love for Jesus and His church I intend to exhaust this topic to the best of my ability so no one can ever say, "Well, Pastor Clute, you just didn't explain it well enough or I would have understood and believed."

As we see the prophecies unfolding more and more day by day we know that very little time remains. The end of all things is upon us. Great hardship, suffering and persecution lies just ahead. Jesus warned of this time and predicted the signs which would pin point its arrival. But most important of all He gave us very specific instructions as to how to escape the end-time snare/net or trap which is even now being cast over mankind with a seeming time of prosperity in which the "shop til you drop" mentality is even recommended as a cure for many ills, emotional and physical. This pseudo economy, with its false sense of security, is part of the trap that is being set to lead the world on into the Mark of the Beast. The VISA itself, for example, has been interpreted to be 666. The VI=6, then S and A have in past history been used as a 6. So, the title VISA is in reality a disguised 666.

Remember the Mark of the Beast is an end time lie or false, illusionary safety net calculated to deceive the masses. Why else would they take the mark on their right hand or forehead unless they thought they were being told the truth...that here is a good, beneficial system that will give us security. And that is what it promises...to take care of you, like social security and other government programs which have been around for many years now sending out checks. But this is simply part of the end-time deception, for the Bible tells us the time will come when the very system that promises everything will be the exact, same system that enslaves you so you cannot buy or sell or even have any rest day or night. Rev. 14:8-12. Actually, I think there are probably many traps we don't even know about that will be attempting to ensnare, trap and blind side God's people in the end time.

Just this year I have read three books on the subject of vaccinations. In the past I have considered anyone who did not believe in shots a lunatic-fringe fanatic. Now, that I have studied this information I am convinced that the vaccination program, especially for children, is one of the greatest deceptions in the end-time. Yet, 99% of the public believe that vaccinations have been developed to protect them and their babies against disease. Nothing could be further from the truth. SIDS is caused by contaminated vaccines just like the Gulf War Syndrome was caused by vaccines. One of the books is entitled: "VACCINES: Are They Really Safe and Effective? A Parent's Guide To Childhood Shots." By Neil Z. Miller.

As you study for yourself you will discover the shocking reason this is being done on purpose. Why? To reduce the population down to 1947 levels. The rational behind this and other types of genocide is to "save the planet." There are too many "useless eaters" taking up space and destroying Mother earth. These so-called elitists (superior groups of people who wish to rule the earth) do not realize they are being led by his majesty the devil who is simply using them to destroy everyone possible in order to stop the 144,000 from being formed. For Satan knows when God finally forms this army of 144,000 soldiers Satan's days are numbered. So, the level of evil we are dealing with in this end time is so far off the scale of what we have considered reality that it is just beyond the imagination. In Exodus 1 we read of how the Pharaoh commanded that all the newborn babies be killed. This was a planned extermination plan by Satan to kill the deliverer God was raising up do deliver His people Israel from Egyptian slavery. The same type of murderous spirit possessed and led Herod to kill all of the children in Bethlehem, hoping to destroy Jesus the Messiah. And today it is the 144,000 Satan is after. What better way to maim and destroy than vaccinations. Many reading this will not believe but all you need to do to prove it to yourself is get these same reports and read them yourself and watch the videos.

In the late 30's and during WWII during the 40's no one believed Hitler was gassing millions of innocent people, most of them Jews. His mind and his Third Reich was so evil it could not even be measured by the standards of that day. That's the reason nobody believed anyone could be that Satanic. Let me tell you friends, the evil today is ten times as great and the deception to con people into believing these lies we are being told is even greater. Remember the two characteristics Jesus revealed about Satan in John 8:44. First, he is a liar and secondly he is a murderer. At this point in time the whole world is progressively becoming hardened liars who have no conscience because it has been seared with a hot iron. I Tim. 4:2. One of the natural and predicted outcome of this is the widespread acceptance of violence and immorality, including homosexuality. Some of the highest elected officials all over this planet are known to be the worst liars we have ever seen yet the people are approving of and buying their immoral, lying, cheating lifestyles for various reasons such as the economy seems to be ok. So, the nations have entered into the spirit of lying. It is even now taking over our own nation. The next step will be murder and this too will come gradually until a death decree is passed against God's "Holy Glorious Mountain." But thank God Michael (Christ) will stand up for His people at that time, Dan. 12:1.

In this article I am going to share Jesus' exact words and let you see how He has given us further instructions through His prophets. The sad fact of the matter is that very few people will believe so they can follow the instructions on how to escape just as the Jews of old did not escape the Roman legions who surrounded the city of Jerusalem in AD 66 and then mysteriously withdrew. This was the sign Jesus had given to His followers to escape. Luke 21:20-24. Historians tell us that not one Christian remained in the doomed city. They all heeded the Saviour's warning and escaped. I pray the same will be the case with all true Christians today. But this number was probably only 5% of those within the city. The rest died of starvation or were later sold into slavery or crucified. Some even ate their own children. Although most people don't like to hear about the end of the world, the warnings must be given.

Will you be one of His chosen elect who will escape the deceptions and thus the suffering and death that are sure to follow? Remember what Jesus told the women who were weeping for Him on His way to Golgotha? He told them to weep for themselves and their children because of the terrible suffering that would be coming on them in the future siege of Jerusalem when they would eat the flesh of their own children. Yes, that time is coming again. Will you escape?

Only time will tell. The decision is yours entirely. The ball is in your hands. This may be your golden opportunity. Don't pass it by. Just as Jesus gave very specific instruction regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and how and when to escape, so has He also given us instruction for today. "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that soon she will be destroyed." Lk. 21:20. Isn't that just what is happening again today in the USA? Written reports and video footage testify that more and more foreign troops are being brought within the borders of this nation. Again the time is near. Remember friends, the Bible describes the times just ahead of us.

Let us look at these verses more carefully. First of all, Jesus is giving us a most serious warning, which He promises those who heed it, will escape and stand before Him or in His presence. Although we do not presently have a National Sunday Law (if we do, at least it has not been made known or publicly announced) we can see the stage is certainly being set for such a law to "get back to God." GC 590.

Although the weather has been more disastrous than in past decades it has also been freaky and weird, as if someone is manipulating the atmosphere of our planet. As a matter of fact, they are. Yet, most theologians interpret this phenomenon to mean that God is angry at our sinful world, especially America, and the bad weather is His chosen method of punishment. Meanwhile, America's economy continues to hold steady, miraculously. Anyone who has even a smattering of economic savvy from observation alone, or from a study of the history of the Federal Reserve and the planned and manipulated crash of 1929 and economic collapses and problems in the 1800s, knows that it is just a matter of time until the worst financial disaster of all time will hit. The higher the stock market goes and the better the economy the greater the shock when the crash comes. And it is coming. That is for sure. This will then set the stage for the people to cry out for a National Sunday Law in order to receive God's blessings again and thus return to more prosperous days. "Great Controversy," Page 590.

So, we are very close to the beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy of the National Sunday Law and all that will soon follow in its wake which will be part of the trap or "snare" to use Jesus' own term, which will take the entire world captive. The reason it will take everyone by surprise is because the leaders of the NWO are being led by the Prince of Darkness who keeps everyone, and I do mean, everyone "in the dark," until the very last minute. You only need look at Hitler's third reich to see what I mean. Almost all of his agendas were hidden agendas and the book "HITLER AND THE NEW AGE," clearly reveals that Hitler was led by occult (secret) forces of darkness who sprang traps on everyone.

This is Satan's MO (Modus Operandi---Mode or Method of Operation). He even was able to do this to Stalin, a master of deceit himself. Stalin trusted Hitler to the extent that he had tons of raw materials sent to Germany. Yet, about this same time, in spite of this good will gesture, Hitler was marshalling 146 divisions on the border totaling 3 million men along with 2,000 aircraft and 3,350 tanks ready for Hitler's signal to cross the Russian border and attack. Stalin had overwhelming evidence that Hitler was about to break his agreement and attack him but he ignored it because he evidently really believed in Hitler's promise to honor their non-aggression pact. Hitler didn't have an honest bone in his body. There was no honor whatsoever with this man. History tells us that when Stalin learned how Hitler had betrayed him he sank into a state of nervous collapse. But he recovered in time to resist and finally overcome Germany by 1945 with USA help. Of course, untold millions died because of the lies and deception. And so it is today. Most of God's professed people are not ready for the final events. They will be overtaken by surprise. Fear will also fill their hearts as they will soon find out that "the final movements will be rapid ones," as the Servant of the Lord has told us. 9T 11.

But our Blessed Redeemer, knowing all these things ahead of time, has provided a way of escape for us, which brings us back to v. 36. Notice please, that the LB says, "arrive in my presence." The ML says, "Stand in My Presence." The question which naturally arises is "where is the location where we are being admonished to stand? In heaven or on earth?" The idea of "arriving in His Presence" or even "standing" in His literal Presence seems to indicate more than just having a "right standing" before Him while we are still living here on earth but certainly, such a "right standing, relationship or condition of heart and mind," must be a prerequisite for being taken to heaven to stand before the Son of Man, which is precisely what Rev. 12:5 tells us happens to the Man Child the woman brings forth. "And her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." So, what happens to them there? The same exact thing that happened to Jesus after His resurrection, for this is a dual prophecy, which simply means it has two (dual) applications...or two fulfillments. Mal. 3 is a good example of this. The first application is to John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus' first coming. But the second application is to the 144,000 who prepare the way for His second coming. Read all of Mal. 3. The "coming to His temple" "suddenly" is usually interpreted to refer to Christ's cleansing of the temple. But He did this twice. The more important and final meaning is the human temple which will begin with the barley grain or first fruit harvest. Remember the 144,000 is referred to as one entity just like Israel was called a "son." Paul tells us that we are the temple of God...each of us...our bodies are like vessels for the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ Himself. I Peter 2:5-9 also refers to us as "lively (living) stones" which God uses to build His spiritual house or temple (Ezek. 47:1 calls God's temple, New Jerusalem, a house) and the stones as priests which function as God's priesthood. Cf. Ex. 19:1-6 and Rev. 1:6; 5:10 and 20:6. All of these references are speaking of the same priesthood which Paul calls the Melchizedec priesthood which no doubt begins with the 144,000.

So, we see the prophecies have two applications. The first is in regard to our Lord and the second is about the 144,000. Just as Jesus went to heaven after He rose from the dead on the first day of the week and ascended to heaven, was accepted, crowned and coronated, so the same thing will happen to the 144,000. They will be given immortal bodies that Satan cannot kill. They will be able to travel by thought vibration and communicate telepathically with Jesus and each other, just like the angels...that is, they will communicate in their minds by thought transference which needs no spoken words going through the air with the possibility of misunderstanding. These will be the men and women the world will wonder at for they are an army that cannot be stopped because they are like Jesus. Joel 1 and 2 refer to this incredible, unstoppable army.

They come forth from the church of Philadelphia, the church of brotherly love. To this church is granted the "key of David," an open door into the most holy place where we learn the real truth about God's character. "For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my Word, and HAST NOT DENIED MY NAME (CHARACTER)." Rev. 3:8. Some of you may not believe this but hopefully I will be able to give more evidence to prove it.

For example, just listen to the great victory God will give those who compose this final, faithful church. "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan (NWO), which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." v. 9. EW 15. Pages 37, 124 also refer to the 144,000. Now, friend of mine, do you think all the mighty leaders of the earth in this final day, with their atomic and nuclear fire power would bow down before a 144,000 little wimps? Give me a break. No way! God's final army of 144,000 will have supernatural, divine power from the Creator Himself, Jesus Christ. They will go every where with Jesus preaching the final message throughout the earth. The powers of earth will not be able to capture, hurt or kill them. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heart it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His NAME (CHARACTER). And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels (144,000); and I will spare them, as a man spareth His own son that serveth him." This is what He did for Elijah, a type of the final remnant.

Isaiah predicted our day: "Hearken to Me, (Jesus), you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of men, and be not dismayed at their reviling. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my deliverance will be for ever, and my salvation to all generations. Awake, awake, put on strength, O Arm of the Lord (144,000) awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not thou that didst cut Rahab in pieces, that didst pierce the dragon? Was it not thou that didst dry up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that didst make the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to ZION with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isa. 51:11-16. This verse is quoted in GC 633. Then on the next page Mal. 3:17 is quoted regarding the day when God makes up His Jewels which is an obvious reference to the 144,000.

Here are the exact words of EGW following Mal. 3:17.. "If the blood of Christ's faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it would not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for God. Their fidelity would not be a testimony to convince others of the truth; for the obdurate heart has beaten back the waves of mercy until they return no more. If the righteous were now left to fall a prey to their enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness." Then is quoted Psalm 27:5 and Isa. 26:20, 21. "Glorious will be the deliverance of those who have patiently waited for His coming and whose names are written in the book of life." GC 634. See Also Rev. 7:1-3 where the command is given to not loose the four winds "till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Cf. Rev. 9:4.

Also in the book, "Early Writings," EGW mentions this same experience and refers to the 144,000 as a specific number. "The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake." EW 15. EGW also tells us that we should "Strive with all our might" to be among the 144,000, so it makes perfect sense that this special group may just be what Jesus is talking about...the ones who will pass through the terrible final days of this earth unscathed and unharmed. This is not to say they won't be harassed or even put in prison for a period of time before they are taken to heaven for their official coronation, when they receive their commission, and then come back down to earth as Jesus' special army referred to in Rev. 19.

Some of these things will be revealed as the scroll continues to unroll. Elijah was never caught or put in prison. He evidently had the power to disappear at will through the Spirit of the Lord. I Kings 18:12. He was truly a man wondered at. We do know the "Little Time of Trouble" has already begun, evidenced by two major world wars, plus two smaller conflicts, Korea in the 1950's and Viet Nam in the 60's and 70's which deeply divided the USA. Since then we have seen scandal after scandal in the highest levels of the Presidency of the USA beginning with Watergate to the many scandals of the current president. Although the economy has been the best ever it is mainly a credit card driven economy which teeters daily, ready to collapse like a house of cards.

Meanwhile, Spiritualism is booming in the media via the psychic hotlines which are prospering, making millions daily. Catholicism continues to make headlines and the appearances of Mary and UFOs foretell that the greatest deceptions are just ahead. War in the mid-east with Iraq is daily on the brink. And all of this is still in the "Little Time of Trouble," for Laodicea slumbers on blissfully unaware of what is soon to break upon her head. The good news is that the true gospel---the final message to go to the world is slowly picking up speed as more and more people begin to talk about it, enquire, argue, debate and basically have a desire to find out. Unfortunately, this is the minority. The overwhelming majority wish to prove that God is a killer and twist the Scriptures in their efforts to do so.

At the same time the 144,000 is being brought onto center stage. They have been born and, like Jesus, are growing up, finding out who they are and what office they are to fill as God's special "Son," "Anointed" and "King." The winds of strife are still being held in check for a little while until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. Rev. 7. The servants are no doubt the 144,000, God's army. They have a special message to give which they have already been singing with Jesus from the Hill of Zion, which is even now beginning to grow into a mighty mountain as more and more of God's people join the choir to sing the praises of our beautiful Creator-God, Jesus. This message is being swelled into a loud cry. Satan has been allowed to take a few pot shots at Mt. Zion from time to time, but soon it will be all out war. This is when the Time of Trouble, the big time of trouble, begins for real.

Dan. 12 speaks of this specifically. But in order to get a back ground we need to read Dan. 11:42-45. The real culprit behind the scenes causing all of the trouble and problems is Satan himself, always disguising himself as an angel of light by which he deceives all of the nations of earth. In v. 42 we read that "He (Satan through his puppet agents) shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries:" Egypt won't escape. Then v. 43 says that this same being or force (basically the NWO) will have "power over the treasures of gold and of silver," as well as the precious things of Egypt. The Libyans and Ethiopians shall be at his steps."

Remember these verses tie in with all that went before in chapt. 11 and there have been many explanations through the years. But starting with v. 44 the meaning is very clear to my mind. "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him." I believe the "tidings or news from the east" simply mean that Satan is troubled or alarmed, because he realizes that the 144,000 are being formed in the image of Christ. God's final army has been born and is being marshalled by the Holy Spirit for the final battle. The 144,000 are the "Kings of the East." And "north" would refer to God's throne where all decisions and appointments are made. Isa. 14. The tidings from the east and north reveal what God is doing...setting up His spiritual government or army on Mt. Zion. That is, He is anointing, appointing, blessing and organizing them in perfect order and timing. Remember Ps. 2:6-12 describes God's act of setting up His "King" (the 144,000) on His "holy hill of Zion." The word "hill" indicates it is small at first but grows and adds numbers and becomes a large mountain which fills the earth in the future, just like the Mustard Seed. This is a prophecy of how God intends to win the battle. And it is coming to pass right now. The "Tidings" may be news that the 144,000 have been accepted before the throne of God...the "man child" (Rev. 12 & Isa. 66:5-7) has been caught up to God and His throne and officially accepted before the universe. Now, they are ready to come back down and do battle with Satan here on earth. No wonder he is alarmed! He knows he cannot win so he decides to take as many with him as possible. Even his evil angels begin to break ranks and freak out in terror that God is going to kill them even as they shrieked in terror when Jesus came the first time. "Have you come to destroy us?" Mark 1:24.

The last part of v. 44 reveals Satan's reaction to fight the 144,000 and its message of truth and light that is filling the earth. "Therefore he (Satan) shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." Dan. 11:44. Then V. 45 predicts that Satan will set up his "palace" or temple "between the sea (people) and the glorious holy mountain (144,000, God's government on Mt. Zion)." This is a smoke screen Satan sets up to try and prevent the people of the earth from knowing about and/or listening to and believing the final message the 144,000 are giving to the world." "But while he is there (trying to stop God's glorious message of love and truth from going to the people of earth) his time will suddenly run out and there will be no one to help him." LB. "Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." KJV. As Satan's angels desert him and run for cover with the wicked, his kingdom falls apart.

Now, we go on into Dan. 12:1 where Michael (Jesus) stands up and defends His people. These verses should send holy chills up and down the spines of God's professed people because of the promised certainty of victory they foretell. Unfortunately, most of them will be terrified because they know that they are not ready. But those who are ready with the extra oil in their lamps, from a study of the character of God message, will be trembling with holy joy and zeal to testify for their precious Lord and Redeemer who is now standing up to fight for them. The best attorney in the universe who has never lost a case is going into court as their defense attorney. This will result in the "accuser of the brethren being cast out." Rev. 12.

I like the comments of the SDA Bible Commentary. Michael. Here the divine Champion (Jesus) in the great controversy takes action to deliver His people. Stand up. Heb. 'amad. The same word is used later in the verse to describe Michael's standing 'for the children (144,000 + one third of humanity who believe, my comment) of thy people.' The sense seems clearly to be that Christ arises to deliver His people (see GC 613, 633, 641, 642, 657). Standeth for. ha'omed 'al 'who stands over,' that is, in protection. Time of trouble. When Christ's mediation ceases and God's Spirit is withdrawn from men, then all the pent-up powers of darkness descend with indescribable fury upon the world. There will be a scene of strife such as no pen can picture (see GC 613, 614). Delivered. What a consolation that in this great controversy the outcome is not in doubt! Compare chs. 7:18, 22, 27; 10:14.

In V. 2 is described what theologians have referred to for over 100 years or more as the special resurrection. "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Dan. 12:2. This resurrection precedes the general resurrection which takes place 1335 days later when Jesus comes in the clouds of glory. Two classes of people are predicted to come forth in this special resurrection. The first will awake to everlasting life and the second to everlasting contempt. The word "everlasting" in this text should be treated the same as the Greek equivalent in the NT, "Aion," or "Age." "Olam" is the Hebrew and is translated from the Hebrew into the Greek by the Septuagint as "Aion" or age.

According to EGW there are three classes of people in the special resurrection. "All who have died in the faith of the third angel's message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God's covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. 'They also which pierced Him' (Rev. 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient." GC 636. So, now the Lord has extra witnesses from every age of the past to join with the 144,000. No wonder all the wicked are totally freaked out! Great Controversy even tells us that the leaders of the wicked make public confession of their deceptions, etc. because they fear for their lives and their awakened consciences overwhelm them as they fear for their lives as well as the coming wrath of God.

As you read these words pray for understanding for we certainly are in the time of the end when these events are beginning to be fulfilled and need to be understood. Jesus tells us that when we read the book of Dan. regarding the abomination of desolation we are to understand. So, like Daniel of old, we need to pray for wisdom to explain everything to both the church and the world. For the 144,000 will be above all else revealers of truth. In other words, teachers. Let us now look at Dan. 12:3 in light of this idea. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." The word "wise" is "teachers," in most marginal references. Actually, the Hebrew word is "sakal" meaning to: "make or act circumspect and hence intelligent, consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(ly) (give) skill, have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand, wisdom, guide wittingly." I believe this is referring to the 144,000. Now, in v. 4 Daniel is told by the angel Gabriel to "seal the book." "But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it not be understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased.!" Dan. 12:4. LB.

More than anything else Daniel wanted to understand the timing of this prophecy. "I heard what he said but I didn't understand what he meant, so I said, 'Sir, how will this all come out?' But he said, 'Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is not to be understood until the time of the end. Many shall be purified by great trials and persecutions. But the wicked shall continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are willing to learn will know what it means." LB. Dan. 12:8-10.

Now, let us talk briefly about the timing for it is not difficult once you understand a couple of basic points. Dan. 12:11-13 talks about two time periods. The first is the 1290 and the second is the 1335. Rev. 12:1-4 refers to the 1260 days. Historically many conservative Bible interpreters have stated the 1260 days began in 538 AD and ended in 1798 AD. They applied it to this time period by interpreting each day as a year which we know was the time of the papal persecution of the Christian church.

But if there is to be a final, and more correct, literal application we need to study what is going on right now in Jerusalem for this prophecy refers to the daily sacrifice being taken away and that only could refer to that ancient city. At this time I am going to just say that I believe these final events have to do with Satan's appearance as Christ...His personation of the Saviour and his entering the temple over in Jerusalem and stopping the animal sacrifices. "But," you say, "there is no temple there now and hence no animal sacrifices to stop." Exactly. But, in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled a new temple must be built and this is in fact in the planning stages already.

We all have heard rumors of this for years of the plans to re-build the temple and bring back the animal sacrifice system. Isa. 66:1-4 called it an abomination in his day and I am sure our Lord has not changed His mind. But a new type of abomination that leads to desolation will be set up. And what might that be? The Bible predicts that Satan himself will enter the temple and no doubt will stop those animal sacrifices and whatever else they may be doing and set up a whole new system of worship with himself as the focus of that worship. Paul speaks of this in 2 Thess. 2:1-12, regarding the falling away and the man of sin being revealed. I believe this is the same event Dan. is referring to. So, the appearance of Satan as Christ will take place probably when the problems and affairs of this world reach a crisis point in which his impersonation of Jesus will be welcomed as the solution to all of earth's problems. Satan, claiming to be Christ, will walk the earth and gather a tremendous following. He will no doubt go over to Jerusalem and make some kind of peace so the temple can be rebuilt.

Now, certainly the very day Satan enters into that new temple, stops the animal sacrifices, and then sits down on the throne they will have prepared for the "Messiah" ahead of time...that very day will be the beginning of all three time periods, 1260, 1290 and 1335. "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days." Dan. 12:11. That would be three and half years plus thirty days. Then you have the 1335 days which needs more study as do all of these prophecies. One man told me he believes that when the 1260 days come to an end, the death decree to enforce the world Sunday law will be passed. The difference between 1260 and 1290 days is an indication that it would take 30 days for this law to go into effect. This would be the great final test for God's people and some professed believers will give up their faith at this point, especially the Sabbath.

This is why Dan. 12:12 admonishes: "And blessed are those who wait and remain until the 1335th day." LB. Why? Because this is when Jesus will finally come to deliver His people who are waiting for His deliverance and who say, "This is our God. We have waited for Him and He will save us." Isa. 25:9. So, we see that even during this last portion of time, these final 45 days, probably the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" Jer. 30:7. Some will then give up their faith due to the death decree passed against God's people.

EGW tells us that the 144,000 at this time are sealed and perfectly united. None of them defect from God's army. Now, let me quote from EW 15 and you will see why the synagogue of Satan bows down and worships the 144,000. On page 14 she talks about seeing the Advent people traveling to the city and how some became weary and fell off the path into the dark world below.

"The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai. The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another's feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet." EW 15. This is so clear no comment is needed.

For more on the timing of these events let us look again at Rev. 12:5. "And she brought forth a man child (Jesus first and 144,000 second), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne." The very next verse tells us that the woman (Church at large of all the faithful who are not of the 144,000) "fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." Cf. Matt. 24:15, 16. Mark 13:14-23; Dan. 12:11-13; Rev. 12:5, 6, 13-17.

This nation which is also God's anointed "king" whom He sets upon His holy hill of Zion, Psalm 2, which eventually grows into a GLORIOUS HOLY MOUNTAIN (government) Dan. 11:44-45, is born from or comes out of a faulty, sinful woman or church in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus was born out of a faulty, sinful woman (Mary). There was a separation and new identity in both cases. First with Jesus and likewise, later with the 144,000, God's King that He will set upon His "Hill of Zion." Psalm 2:6. The Bible also speaks of the woman as "travailing" which would be the trials, tests and temptations of life necessary to bring both Jesus, in His time and the 144,000 in the end time, to perfection, so they may share the character of Jesus with great power to the world during the loud cry of the third angel who is joined by the angel of Rev. 18 which lightens the whole earth with His glory.

The next question that logically follows is: "How can we become a part of this special army?" My belief at this time is that there are men and women both who are already members of the 144,000 but do not realize it. They love God supremely and desire all mankind to be redeemed. They have no guile in their mouths nor bitterness or revenge in their hearts. They have forgiven all of their enemies and praise God for all things. They have the Father's Name or character in their foreheads signifying that their goals and objectives are the same as His. They represent the "fit man" who is chosen to take the scape goat (Satan) into the wilderness. Of course, the majority of the Christian world and even SDAs will not accept the character of God message on any level. Some will accept level one or two and maybe even #3, the Two Lords. But the vast majority will never accept level #4, Universal Restoration.

Yet, listen to what the Word of God Commands us to do regarding this very message. I will first quote from the Bible and second from EGW. "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach." I Tim. 4:9, 10. J.B. Phillips says, "These convictions should be the basis of your instruction and teaching." "We have set our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men---the Saviour, above all, of believers." NEB. "Prescribe and teach these things." I Tim. 4:11. NAS. "Teach these things and make sure everyone learns them well." LB.

Now the EGW quote: "The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires that the receivers of His graces shall be witnesses to its power. Those whose course has been most offensive to him He freely accepts; when they repent, He imparts to them His divine Spirit, places them in the highest positions of trust, and sends them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim His boundless mercy. He would have His servants bear testimony to the fact that through His grace men may possess Christ-likeness of character, and may rejoice in the assurance of His great love. He would have us bear testimony to the FACT THAT HE CANNOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL THE HUMAN RACE ARE RECLAIMED AND REINSTATED IN THEIR HOLY PRIVILEGES AS HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS." DA 826.

Notice that EGW first of all tells us how the "Gospel" is to be presented to the people..."not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life." She then proceeds to define what this gospel actually is and spells it out very clearly as the grace of God which is sufficient to help mankind to become Christlike in character...in other words, like Jesus and that they can have total assurance of His great love. Then she explains that we are to give testimony to a fact of the gospel...and what is that fact? That Jesus will not be "satisfied" (referring to Isa. 53:11, "He shall see the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied) until THE HUMAN RACE (that means everybody) are reclaimed (saved) and "reinstated" just like the prodigal son was reinstated with all the former privileges. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us this is the will of God and nothing can stop His will. Some may say, "But what about man's will? Is it not greater than God's will...his free choice?" The answer is that free choice with man has been based in every age on bits and parts of reality and truth. In the great final age, after the 1,000 years truth and reality will be total as God has planned it this way. He knows man will choose life if given certain sets of circumstances. So, without violating man's free choice God will arrange the circumstances so every creature will finally decide for God and bow the knee and confess that Jesus is Lord and this will bring glory to God the Father. This is plain Scripture found in Phil. 2:6-11.

There are many other proofs that I could give you such as "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." If God wills all to be saved because He has a plan from all eternity past to all eternity future than it is a foregone conclusion that He is already in the process of working it out. And this is where the 144,000 come in to His plan. He will write in the foreheads of all who agree to help him save/redeem humanity His very own Name. What a great honor and privilege. Also compare Eph. 1:10-12, regarding the will of God. Also Eph. 3:10.

Notice what Paul says regarding this truth: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men...These things command and teach." I Tim. 4:10, 11. This agrees perfectly and exactly with what we just read from EGW. In the book "Education," pages 308, 309 EGW quotes Eph. 3:10, R.V. 2:6, 7, which clearly indicates that the church is making known "the manifold wisdom of God...that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." She also quotes Isa. 53:11 regarding Jesus seeing the "travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." How could He be satisfied with less than total victory? Then in COL 326 is this little gem. "All men have been bought with this infinite price. By pouring the whole treasury of heaven into this world, by giving us in Christ all heaven, God has purchased the will, the affections, the mind, the soul, of every human being. Whether believers or unbelievers, all men are the Lord's property." Cf. Ezek. 18. This seems clear to my mind. Of course, those who wish to not believe Jesus desires to save all men in the ages to come or that He has the right and power to do this will seek out earlier EGW statements to try and contradict these of her later writings. We will leave these unbelievers to their unbelief and dark doubts which will eventually be enlightened in the "judgment of the great day," when the "everlasting chains under darkness" will be taken off of their minds in the glorious light of truth and righteousness. Jude 6. Amen.

Now to the question, "who is the 'fit man?'" Moses spoke of? The scapegoat who is led by the fit man in Lev. 16:21, represents Satan being taken into the wilderness, during the 1,000 years. The marginal reading interprets the "fit man" as "a man of opportunity." They see their opportunity to stop all of earth's terrible reign of sin and suffering and they volunteer to join with Jesus to finish the work. If the 144,000 are spoken of as a Son or One Man or person, as we have already seen from Hosea 11:1;Matt. 2:15; Rev. 11:15;Rev. 12:10, then the 144,000, with their beautiful music from their hearts, which swells the last message into a loud cry, is what causes the collapse of the NWO and destroys it...this same 144,000 is also the stone cut out of the mountain without hands which strikes this likeness of a man on his feet and causes the whole image to come tumbling down. Dan. 2:31-35. Notice that the final government (NWO) of the nations is also symbolized by a beast and an image of one human being, Dan. 3, a man or in other words, many evil men and nations acting together as one. "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Rev. 17:13. Rev. 17:3...says this same Beast is from the bottomless pit, (of which Satan is king, Rev. 9:11,) with the ten horns which represent all of the nations of the earth, will join together and make war with the Lamb.

But notice the outcome. "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Rev. 17:14. These who are designated as "called, chosen and faithful" are the 144,000, the same exact ones John saw standing on Mt. Zion with the "Lamb." "And I looked, and, lo a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him (Jesus) an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's Name written in their foreheads." Rev. 14:1.

The harpers harping on their harps, Rev. 14:1, signifies the joyful music they are playing comes from their purified hearts which have been cleansed and created anew by the Word of God as a result of their intense study of the prophecies regarding the final message about God's holy Name and His glory which signify and reveal His true character. The "New Song" they are singing is indicative of the music and joy produced in their hearts and souls by the message of God's true character of love. The Psalms of David were composed as poetry to be accompanied with his harping joyously on his harp. Then verses 2 and 3 describe these voices from heaven as the voice of many waters and thunder and the beautiful voice of the harpers singing this new song (character of God message) that no one could learn, understand or sing except the 144,000 who are redeemed from the earth (not resurrected from the dead, but saved alive from death in the last hour of earth's history). They are the firstfruits unto God and the bride of the Lamb. They have no guile in their mouth (totally honest).

In the early church very few wished to identify themselves with the persecuted church. Those who did so were totally sold out and willing to die for Christ as James and Stephen did. This kind of dedication continued on to the third century when Constantine stopped the persecution of Christians and "claimed" to be one himself. He also claimed to have seen a vision of the cross and a voice saying to him, "In this sign shall you conquer." My opinion is that this voice was not the true God because Constantine used the cross to make war on all his enemies. He was one of the cruelest emperors who ever sat in Caesars seat to rule. This was the beginning of the corruption of the early church.

The church "Catholic" from that time on grew and flourished financially, in terms of membership, money and large buildings to worship in but spiritually they became bankrupt. Many church members became ministers and workers because church and state were united and church workers were well paid and honored. Meanwhile, the true ministers of the gospel and their flocks had to go into hiding and worship in secret as the centuries rolled by. The same thing has happened again in the 19th and 20th centuries. This was especially true in Communist countries where the true believers had to go underground. So it was beginning about 321 A.D. when the apostate church met openly with the recognition and blessing of the state. Since the so-called "fall of Communism," doors have been opened to preach the gospel. Now they are closing again due to the Russian Orthodox church regaining its power.

You can turn your TV on anytime night or day and watch religious programs. But are they teaching the final message of His true character? Well, maybe one out of a hundred have touched on parts of the first level of God does not destroy. But if you wish to be a popular preacher with the majority of people you will preach what they want to hear. You will tickle their ears, baby sit them and tell them how wonderful they are because they belong to the right and true church. Thus the people are being lulled to sleep.

It reminds me of the story of the two runners in David's day who ran to give David the message that his son Absalom had been defeated. Ahimaaz the son of Zadok begged Joab to let him run and give the message to King David who was waiting anxiously to hear how the battle was going. But more than that he was waiting for news about his beloved son. So, Joab told Ahimaaz it was not a good idea for him to run, so instead sent Cushi to say, "tell the king what you have seen." Then Ahimaaz begged Joab again to let him run too. So, finally, Joab let him go. And you know what? Ahimaaz overtook Zadok and got to David first. Joab had told him that it was not a good day to run because he had no "tidings for profit." Evidently, runners were given some kind of reward for delivering their messages. Joab knew David would not consider the death of his son, Absalom, good news even though it meant that his throne was secure. Evidently Ahimaaz mulled this over in his mind as he was running so when he finally arrived he decided to give the full message of truth.

"'All is well!' He bowed low with his face to the ground and said, 'Blessed be the Lord your God who has destroyed the rebels who dared to stand against you.'" But this didn't satisfy David. He insisted on knowing if Absalom was safe or not. Ahimaaz knew very well what had happened; that Joab had killed Absalom. But this would not be a popular message to deliver, so he told a lie. "I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was." And isn't this exactly what is happening in America's pulpits as well as so-called, "Christian" television. "Oh, yes, friends, a lot of bad things are going on out there in the world...lots of cme and sinning going on which we have nothing to do with. Yes, there is a great tumult but we can't make heads or tails of it." And isn't that exactly what the prophet Daniel tells us?...that the wise will understand the meaning of last day events and how to interpret the prophecies but none of the wicked will understand. Dan. 12:10. So, they end up being dumb dogs who will not bark. So, in this end time there are many who are preaching, but not telling the truth. Finally, we see that the runner who was first commissioned to deliver the message finally arrived and told David the straight truth.

Now, I want to use another illustration about the kind of messages and messengers who are out there in the world today. Jan Pit, a missionary in Laos had studied that native tongue very diligently and felt prepared to deliver a message in the Laotian language. Listen to what happened. "I had written out every word of what I considered a scintillating message and even checked it with my language teacher, a Laotian believer. He corrected the mistakes for me and when I stood to deliver it to a packed church I confidently read it to the congregation, who listened attentively. After twenty minutes, I concluded and sat down. A feeling of real achievement washed over me. I was really satisfied that at last I had communicated Jesus to the Laotians. 'How did I do?' I asked another missionary after the service. The man looked at me with a real embarrassment. 'Brother Jan,' he said, trying his best not to hurt my feelings, 'they didn't have a clue what you were talking about.' 'What?' I was stunned. 'But my teacher checked it over before I preached.' 'Yes, brother, that might have been so, but you used the wrong tones for the words. That completely changed their meaning. Not one person knew what you were talking about.' It was at that humiliating moment that I realized that we missionaries were completely wrong in thinking that we were the important ones---the only people who could win the natives to Christ."

Later this man partly mastered the language but never was able to communicate to the people as well as a native. The tones are very important and the missionary did not know them. How often I have cringed in certain movie scenes about Jesus when I heard the tone of the actor's voice, especially in the temple. The tone of voice and the expression on the actor's face are slandering the Saviour's Name for that is not His true character to sound harsh and mean. How few understand His true character of love. Only EGW tells us how often Jesus had tears in His voice and how tears welled up in His eyes and his lips trembled when He spoke on certain occasions. This reveals His true character.

So, what kind of messengers is our God looking for? The story is told of a godly missionary during the dark ages who was very successful in his work for the Lord. He was asked the secret of his success in his simple, direct preaching and ministering to the sick. He answered with a story of how one day God told His angels to go down to earth and look for a man who would be able to do a very important, special and great work for Him. After much searching the angels returned and told the Lord they had found a man with the necessary qualifications. He was very a talented, learned and experienced man. But God rejected their choice. He told the angels that because the man was so capable he would claim all the honor to himself and the people would agree with him.

So, the angels were then sent to look for an insignificant man. But each time they returned with more candidates the Lord did not accept any they had chosen. Finally, the Lord told them to look for a man who was despised and a fool in the eyes of the world. So, the angels continued their search and finally found a man who was nothing in the eyes of the people. "This is my man," said the Lord. "He is so weak and insignificant that the people will know immediately that he could never do the work in his own strength and power. They will give all the honor to Me." The humble missionary then looked at the men who had asked him for the secret of his success and said, "I was that man."

The truth is, friends, the wise men of this world and their programs and methods are foolishness to God as Paul said. "For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent... Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men...But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things...and things which are despised...to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence." I Cor. 1:27-29.

Based upon this we can confidently predict that the 144,000 will not be the smartest or most talented but probably the least of the least. Misfits, if you please. People whom the world and even the church have written off as hopeless and worthless. Yet, this is just the kind of people our wise God is going to call. Look at Ellen G. White. She was the weakest of the weak...yet the Lord called her to be the prophetess to the Remnant.

The Bible refers to this nation of 144,000 as the "anointed." Most people would not have a problem with that word. But do you know how virtually every modern translation renders this Greek word? Every translation and paraphrase uses the word "Christ." Notice: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord (Jesus) and His (anointed) Christ (144,000); and He shall reign for ever and ever."

Traditionally, almost all theologians have interpreted the noun "Lord" to be the Father and the "Christ" to be the Son Jesus. But that is not what John is referring to here. As far as I can tell John simply refers to God the Father as Father and Jesus as the Lord. In fact, Jesus Himself is called the "everlasting Father" in Isa. 9:6 and told His disciples that if they had seen Him they had already seen the Father. John 14. The concept of the trinity is a separate subject in and of itself and very controversial. I have written an-depth study on this already. Satan does not want us to know who we really are and what we have been created to be...the "anointed" or "Christos" of the Lamb who become one with Him to fulfill all of the prophecies regarding the final events of this world foretold by Daniel and John and many other prophets.

Through the 144,000 or "Christos" Jesus overcomes the beast system through whom Satan is working in this final hour and thus wins back all the nations of the world, whom Satan has deceived, weakened and destroyed. Isa. 14:12. It will not be fully accomplished in this age but Jesus begins with the first fruits. "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp cycle." Then in v. 15 John sees another angel coming out of the temple who is "crying with a loud voice to Him (Jesus) that sat on the cloud" that He use the sickel, "for the time has come for you to reap; the harvest is ripe on the earth." LB. This reaping of the first fruits of the harvest has a beginning point and an ending point. Its starting point was probably about the year 1888 and has been continuing every year and will continue until the 144,000 are finally totally reaped and gathered in. This will then constitute Mount Zion or God's final kingdom on earth which is also symbolized by the stone/rock that was "cut out of the mountain" (Christian Church or God's Mountain or government in the world from the Mt. of Olives). This stone then becomes Mt. Zion or God's final government, Rev. 14, which fills the whole earth).

In order to understand clearly what I am talking about here regarding the Mt. of Olives being a government, we need to realize that there are three applications of the law of God in the Holy Bible. The first is at Mt. Sinai, which is the law in stone, the letter of the law which kills. Jesus abolished this stony hearted law by taking it into His heart of flesh and establishing His kingdom on a spiritual basis. However, the principles are still the same. Jesus showed this clearly by enumerating some of the commandments, 7, 8, 9 and 5 in that order. In Matt. 5 he also showed the spirituality of the law. The final application of the law of God is in the heart of the 144,000 just as it is in the heart of Jesus. This will be the ultimate revelation of the character of God for the Ten Commandments is a transcript of the character of God.

Jesus, the Lamb, is standing on this mountain in Rev. 14:1, 2 with the 144,000 and they are harping on their harps, in other words giving a very beautiful message, a new song, a new doctrine about Jesus that only the 144,000 understand and know how to sing, preach and share with the world. What else could this be but the character of God message that He is a life God? He never takes life but only gives it. This is an amplification of the Sabbath which EGW predicted would be "Preached more fully" in the end time. See "Early Writings," pgs. 33, 85 in which EGW speaks of the time period in which the Sabbath will be "proclaimed...more fully." She also says, "This enraged churches and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time God's chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us." EW 33. On page 85 of EW Sister White tells us that she was given this view or info in 1847.

Notice Rev. 12:10. "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ (Christos or anointed): for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Psalm 2 is a prophecy describing this same end time phenomenon of God's anointed. "Why do the heathen (unconverted worldlings) rage and the people (God's professed people) imagine a vain thing (such as choosing Barabbas over Jesus and crucifying Jesus and rejecting God's Remnant people, especially the 144,000 and then passing a death decree against them)."

The kings of the earth (bankers/politicians) have set themselves and the rulers (religious and worldly leaders joined together) take counsel together against the Lord (Jesus) and against His anointed (Christos or 144,000) saying let us break their bands asunder and cast their cords from us." Hosea 11:4 indicates these are "Bands of a man (Jesus) and the cords of His and His anointed's love." Read the rest of Psalm 2 and be shocked as to the great power and honor Jesus gives to His anointed "King" whom He sets on His holy hill of Zion (His nation or kingdom or government through whom He conquers the nations). In v. 10 to 12 Jesus admonishes the kings and judges of the earth to "wise up" and "be instructed." In other words "listen to my King or my anointed Son." And then verses 11 and 12 tell these same earthly leaders to "serve the Lord with fear" and "kiss the son" or you will perish. This is so awesome that hardly anyone will be able to accept it...only 144,000, the bride of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Throughout the OT are scattered references of Scripture referring to the 144,000. Once you begin to understand the concept these texts will just begin jumping out at you. Let's take Zech. 2 for our first example. In the first three verses the prophet has a vision in which he sees a man with a measuring line in his hand who explained that he was going to "measure Jerusalem." This is a symbolism of the judgment scene described in Daniel and Revelation. Laodicea, meaning "the judging of the people" or "A people ajudged." Since Laodicea is the final church age that exists just before Jesus returns we can safely interpret that this measuring or judging business will take place in our day. In fact, we have believed that it has been going on since 1844. Cf. Rev. 11:18. Then v. 4 speaks of God's divine protection upon His people. Even though they have no "walls" (or laws of protection from God as it has been removed). For Jesus says, "I will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory (character) in her midst." This shows that our protection in the last days is to put on the robe of Jesus' righteous character. Next in v. 6 the Lord tells His people to flee from the land of the North (Babylon). Then Speaking directly to the 144,000 He says, "Ho, Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon." In other words, "Come out of her my people." Rev. 18:1-4. Then in v. 8 Jesus is speaking directly to the 144,000 and tells them that after they received the glory of His character He (Jesus) goes after the nations that "plundered" them. Compare this to Ps. 2 in which the nations rage and imagine a vain thing (decide to persecute and kill God's people) because of the message they preach against the NWO and its evil ways and Sunday law and death decree. But the Lord protects His bride..."for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye." Zech. 2:8. The promised prediction is that "Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people." v. 11. Then God tells them that they will know God has sent me to you. Then in the last verse the Lord speaks to the whole human race..."Be silent, all flesh, (Shut up and be quiet) before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation." Now, what this is predicting is the day when God will remove His Divine protection and allow Satan and his angels to wreak the most terrible havoc on this planet the world has ever seen. "Then shall He speak to them in His wrath and vex them in His sore displeasure." Psalm 2:5. The NAS is especially graphic in describing the events leading up to the close of probation when Satan leads the people to completely reject the final message of mercy. Ps. 2:1, 2 describe these events..."imagine or devise a vain thing." Like trying to reduce the population down via contaminated vaccinations and manipulating the weather and fomenting wars, etc. "The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed (144,000, Jesus Bride). The wicked NWO and people who join them by receiving the Mark of the Beast say together, "Let us tear their fetters apart, And cast away their cords from us!" Hosea 11:4 defines the cords as "cords of love" or being Jesus' yoke of mercy and love and the "bands" as "bands of a man," which could only refer to Jesus' efforts to tie and bind the human race close to and around His great heart of love. But they reject all of this. "Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us." Then in v. 4 God speaks through the Psalmist in the language of man so He will understand how God views these puny and futile efforts of wicked men to thwart His Divine purpose. "He who sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." KJV. The NAS says, "The Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury:" The KJV says that He will speak unto them "in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure." Psalm 2:8-12 indicates the great power Jesus will have through the 144,000 to preach to and convert at least one third of the human race, who will eventually be ready for translation when Jesus comes. See Zech. 13 regarding this one third. They will be broken by the "Rod of Iron," which the 144,000 will have in their power. This simply represents their tremendous power and authority to preach the message and bring the sinner to the place where he "falls on the Rock," Christ Jesus and is converted or broken and is thus broken by a rod of iron.

This theme is expressed many times in the OT. Only the Remnant and the 144,000 will be "Wise" and understand that the "wrath" of God is when His hand is forced off of the sinner by his/her own choice thus leaving them totally vulnerable to Satan's attacks. Read through Isa. 13, for example, where the prophet speaks of "The Lord and His instruments of indignation to destroy the whole land (earth). Wail, for the day of the Lord is near!....all hands will fall limp, and every man's heart will melt and they will be terrified...They will writhe like a woman in labor, they will look at one another in astonishment, their faces aflame." Isaiah also uses words like "exterminate" and "punish" the sinners and "the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity." The Servant of the Lord tells us that this final time of trouble will be so terrible that we cannot even begin to imagine it. And even today, 1998, as I write it has not yet begun to the extent that it will. The atomic bombing of Japan in 1945 may be a small sample of what is ahead which may include incurable diseases more terrible than AIDS plus many more earthquakes, tidal waves, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, etc. as Satan is allowed to stir up the elements of earth to try and destroy everyone. Isa. 24 also speaks of this time.

Since the turn of the century (1900) the winds of strife have been in the process of being released. The proof of that is WWI and WWII and all that has followed in our atomic and nuclear age. So,these verses are a direct reference to the four winds being released upon the earth in terrible fury. We are building up to that time more and more each year. The winds of strife are being released little by little since the turn of the century. What remains is the National Sunday Law, a World Sunday Law and finally a Death Decree. None of these have yet begun. There is also talk of a temple being built in Jerusalem. This has not yet happened. Then there is also the prophecy regarding the end of the papacy. There are to be 112 popes in all. We are supposed to be on 110 now, so there are two more to go, Petrus Romanus, being the last during whose reign the Vatican is to be destroyed. This has not yet happened. What a gracious God we have who is warning us ahead of time about what is going to happen. The most important event is the final message going to the church itself and all professed believers around the world. This has been going on to only a limited degree but much more needs to be done, so basically this event has not fully taken place yet either. Even now the stage is being set so these events can transpire very rapidly. And this understanding of the 144,000 also must be proclaimed so all may receive the invitation to the wedding feast and have equal opportunity. Matt. 22.

Isaiah 25 is a prophecy about God's mountain or government in the last days. Verse 3 refers to "the strong people glorify (make His character known to the world), the city of the terrible (Babylon) nations shall fear thee." Other translations say, "and the cities of ruthless nations will revere Thee." The LB reads, "Therefore strong nations will shake with fear before you; ruthless nations will obey and glorify your Name." In v. 6 God refers to the 144,000 as "This mountain or government" through whom He will accomplish all these things. And through this mighty nation (144,000) Isa. 25:7 declares: "He will destroy on this mountain (Zion or 144,000) the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations." The LB says: "At that time He will remove the cloud of gloom, the pall of death that hangs over the earth; He will swallow up death forever. The Lord God will wipe away all tears and take away forever all insults and mockery against His land and people. The Lord has spoken---He will surely do it!" V. Isa. 25:7, 8.

Again, this mighty and incredible mountain or government or nation is Mt. Zion. But how can this be? I do not believe it could happen except through Divine intervention. Notice Isa. 26:2. "Open the gates that the righteous nation which keeps (maintains) the truth may enter in." This is a parallel to Psalm 24:7. "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." We have applied this to Jesus at the time of His resurrection but Ps. 2:6 refers to the 144,000 as a king as well. This is the dual application again. "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." This is the man-child, of Rev. 12, who is caught up to God's throne, like Jesus after the resurrection, but came back down to earth for 40 days to instruct and unify the believers who numbered at 120 on the day of Pentecost. But the 144,000 will be here for the total 1335 days til the very end. They are one with Jesus and He goes everywhere in Spirit with them. How else could they do it? This is the only thing that could make the nations of the earth fear and revere them. Recently, I received information regarding some kind of Jewish belief or tradition called "The Bride or Groom of the Torah." It has something to do with this Bride and/or Groom being taken to heaven and married to the Creator and then coming back down to earth for their special mission. If anyone has more info on this please let me know.

This is all I have time to write for now. If you wish to make any comments or share anything with me please do so. May the Lord richly bless you and yours as you strive to follow Jesus each day and be among the 144,000. Your friend always,

Pastor Mike Clute

Final Notes: Tim. 4:9, 10. 11 Paul said we are to command and teach this. God's Armies---the 144,000. Church as an army 5T 394. 534 Gospel workers are soldiers. Prophets and Kings 201...singers as a national army. SD 37 Angels often leaders of. 7bc 982 pk 176 angels fight real battles. 8T 41 two armies in terrible conflict.