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Date This Page Last Edited: Tuesday, December 23, 2009
Understand Prophecy Codes Blue Laws Coming Source: http://www.lightministries.com/id9.htm
Coming Blue Laws - Next Prophetic Event to Occur!
< Discusses Future Fulfillment of Blue Laws or Enforced Church on Sunday !
MANY CHURCH LEADERS and politicians are unified on the hotly debated issue of legislating Sunday as a day of rest. Today, great efforts are being made to gain influence in the executive and legislative circles of the United States federal government in order to enact laws for the observance of Sunday as a national day of rest. The thrust is not overtly religious but is couched in a concern for the welfare of the American family. This activity is being duplicated in other parts of the world as well under the same pretense. It is ironic to see this kind of legislation being promoted.
http://www.sundaylaw.net/opening/enter.htm Blue Laws/Sunday Law Links: Blue Laws http://dedication.www3.50megs.com/sundaylaw.htmlSource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_laws
Wikipedia articles may not reflect subsequent edits to articles.Prophecy Chart > Source: http://www.lightministries.com/id9.htm
Additional Source: The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan: The Conflict of the Ages in the Christian Dispensation, Ellen G. White, Pacific Press Association, 1888, 1907, 1911.
Order of Events: Summary of Bible Prophecy Described in More Detail on Advanced Studies page
As Described in "Early Writings" and "The Great Controversy" by Ellen White
1) 1844 Commencement of Investigative Judgment and Third Angel's Message. Last date established by Bible Prophecy
2) Shaking
3) The Test - Sunday Law or Blue Laws. Religious freedom of worship is cancelled with the force of religious/human force. Give up Saturday and accept Sunday as the government sponsored day of worship or face economic sanctions: Can't buy or sell. (Saturday Sabbath keepers are protected. Return for more articles on this).
a) Image to Beast (Image to the Beast is Economic Control or Sanction (Mark of the Beast) Sunday Law Enforced: Can't buy or sell unless actively or passively accept Sunday as the day of worship) - which means worship the false Sunday worship system of human worship and human government and Latter Rain
b) Sign to leave large cities and Church Purified
Sign to leave large cities
Ellen G. White Estate
Last Day Events (1992), page 121, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: The Cities
The Signal for Flight From the Cities
The time is not far distant when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced
to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by
the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the
assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal
sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large
cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded
places among the mountains.--5T pg. 464, pg. 465 (1885).
Ellen G. White Estate
Last Day Events (1992), page 121, paragraph 2
Chapter Title: The Cities
Some Righteous Still in the Cities
After the Death Decree Has Been Passed
In the time of trouble we all fled from the cities and villages but were pursued
by the wicked, who entered the houses of the saints with a sword.--EW pg. 34
(1851).
Ellen G. White Estate
Last Day Events (1992), page 121, paragraph 3
Chapter Title: The Cities
As the saints left the cities and villages they were pursued by the wicked, who
sought to slay them. But the swords that were raised to kill God's people broke
and fell as powerless as a straw. Angels of God shielded the saints.--EW pg.
284, pg. 285 (1858).
Ellen G. White Estate
Last Day Events (1992), page 121, paragraph 4
Chapter Title: The Cities
Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment-keepers may be put
to death, their enemies will in some cases anticipate the decree, and before the
time specified will endeavor to take their lives. But none can pass the mighty
guardians stationed about every faithful soul. Some are assailed in their flight
from the cities and villages, but the swords raised against them break and fall
as powerless as a straw. Others are defended by angels in the form of men of
war.--GC pg. 631 (1911).
Ellen G. White Estate
Last Day Events (1992), page 123, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: Sunday Laws
Satan's Challenge to God's Authority
God denounces Babylon "because she made all nations drink of the wine of the
wrath of her fornication.". . .
Ellen G. White Estate
Last Day Events (1992), page 123, paragraph 2
Chapter Title: Sunday Laws
God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh, sanctifying this day,
and setting it apart from all others as holy to Himself, to be observed by His
people throughout their generations. But the man of sin, exalting himself above
God, sitting in the temple of God, and showing himself to be God, thought to
change times and laws. This power, thinking to prove that it was not only equal
to God, but above God, changed the rest day, placing the first day of the week
where the seventh should be. And the Protestant world has taken this child of
the papacy to be regarded as sacred. In the Word of God this is called her
fornication [Revelation 14:8].--7BC pg. 979 (1900).
Seven Last Plagues, The Time of Trouble God Overturns Nature Human Probation Closes
4) Close of Probation and Seven Last Plagues begin to fall No Second Chance No Martyrs After Probation Closes When Too Late To Be Saved
5) Death Decree to those who keep the Saturday Sabbath and Sign to leave cities
6) The Voice of God and the Opening of Seventh Plague
a) Deliverance of Living Saints
b) Special resurrection of Daniel 12:2 Both groups of righteous glorified but not yet immortal
7) Ten Commandments Appear in the Heavens
8) God Announces Day and Hour of Christ's Coming
9) Sign of the Son of Man - Jesus
10)
Second Coming Of Christ
a) General Resurrection of Righteous
b) Destruction of the Wicked
The Millennium, Desolation of the Earth (The 1,000 Years)
11) End of 1,000 Years
a) Christ and Saints Return to Earth
b) General Resurrection of the Wicked
12) New Jerusalem Descents
13) Wicked Surround Holy City
14) Coronation of Christ
15) Destruction of Wicked
16) New Earth
<Expanded Prophecy Chart < > Source: http://www.lightministries.com/id9.htm
Prophecy Chart References, below: Scripture lookup www.BibleGateway.com
1. Daniel 9:24-26—“Seventy weeks are determined upon Thy people and upon Thy holy city...Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks...”
Command given in 457 BC by king Artaxerxes to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem (see Ezra 7:11-28.)
2. There are 7 days in 1 week, or 49 days in 7 weeks. The temple was finished in 408 BC, taking 49 years to rebuild it. Hence it appears that 49 days and 49 years are synonymous, or each day for a year (see Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6).
3. Daniel 9:24—“Seventy weeks (490 days/years) are determined..."
"Determined" translates "cut off" (Strong's Concordance #2852), and this is the only time this word is used), so 70 weeks are cut off, but from what? It would have to be cut off from a larger time prophecy found in the Bible—or the 2300 day/year prophecy found in Daniel 8:13-14— “Unto 2300 days (years), then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
4. Daniel 9:24-25—“...to anoint the most Holy...the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (49 days/years), and threescore and two weeks (434 days/years)...”
Jesus Christ was anointed with the oil of joy or gladness (Isaiah 61:1-3; Psalms 45:7; Luke 4:18-21) which symbolized the Holy Spirit anointing Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) to preach the good news of the gospel of grace, enabling us to unite with divinity and become free from committing all sins.
5. Daniel 9:26-27—“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself...in the midst of the week (3 1/2 days/years) He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease...”
Christ was the foundation and anti-type of the whole Jewish economy of sacrifices, ceremonies, feasts, and etc. All these symbols or types pointed, as a shadow, to Christ. When He was crucified in 31 AD or "cut off" in the midst of the last week—3 1/2 years after He had begun His gospel ministry—type met anti-type. Thus, Christ caused the sacrifice, oblation, feasts, and all the other types in the Jewish economy to cease to be literally kept and performed.
These ceremonies and types were given to point forward to Christ as being the Messiah. But since Christ has already come, and type has met anti-type, these types would only possess spiritual significance, and not the command to be literally kept; they would continue pointing to Christ, but would not bear the penalty of sin if not literally kept. And any today who advocate that God's people must literally resume keeping any of the Jewish economy's types, are actually denying that Christ is the Messiah, the anti-type of all in the Jewish economy!
Christ realized He was the anti-type of the Jewish feasts, etc., and hence, during His ministry, He did not keep many of the feasts (See: Desire of Ages, p 450); yet Christ was not a commandment breaker—He was "without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). "Christ was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy, which was a symbol prescribed in type for the religious faith and obedience of all people" Manuscript 130, November 27, 1901 (Manuscript Release #499, p 1).
"We have yet to learn that the whole Jewish economy is a compacted prophecy of the gospel. It is the gospel in figures..." Manuscript 130, November 23, 1897 (Manuscript Release #313, p 1).
"They (Jews) did not realize that type met anti-type in the death of Jesus Christ.... They could not see the perfect fulfillment of the Jewish economy, instituted and established by Christ and pointing to Him as the substance" Fundamentals of Christian Education, p 398.
6. The 70 weeks (490 days/years) ended in 34 AD with the stoning of Stephen—the first martyr since Christ. But was all of Daniel 9:24-27 accomplished by that time?—"to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins.” “
"Finish" translates "restrain" (Strong's #3067), and "transgression" translates "rebellion or sin" (Strong's #6588). Also, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9. Christ has provided a way that rebellion or sin against God can be forever restrained and ceased through His power, and also to have our past, confessed and forsaken sins forgiven. Thus, sins would have an end.—"to make reconciliation for iniquity.”
“Reconciliation means that every barrier between the soul and God is removed, and that the sinner realizes what the pardoning love of God means. By reason of the sacrifice made by Christ for fallen men, God can justly pardon the transgressor who accepts the merits of Christ"—Selected Messages, book 1, p 396. Sin caused a gulf to occur between humanity and God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but Christ bridged this gulf and brought us back into communion and fellowship with our Father!—"to bring in everlasting righteousness."
"Men will learn of the reconciliation for iniquity and of the everlasting righteousness which the Messiah has brought in through His sacrifice. The cross of Calvary is the great center. This truth acted upon will make Christ's sacrifice effectual.... By the humiliation of the cross He was to bring in everlasting deliverance to all who would walk after Him, giving positive evidence that they are separated from the world"—Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p 1172-73.
By uniting ourselves with divinity and using our will in determined efforts against temptation and sin, as did our Savior, we might be everlastingly freed from the bondage of sin to live perfect, righteous lives!—"to seal up the vision and prophecy.” “To seal" translates "to close up, make an end" (Strong's #2856). The 70 week vision and prophecy was sealed up or ended by 34 AD!—"to anoint the most Holy." Yes, Jesus, the most Holy, was anointed (see #4)!—"confirm covenant with many for one week."
Which covenant? From 27-31 AD (3 1/2 years), the old covenant; and from 31-34 AD, the new covenant—but it's principles are one in the same—to restore man into God's image by writing His law in our hearts and minds (Proverbs 3:3, 7:3; Jeremiah 24:6-7, 17:10). The old covenant centered around a high priest in the earthly sanctuary consisting of two apartments. The new covenant centers around Jesus as our high Priest in the heavenly sanctuary consisting of two apartments (Hebrews 8:1-13, 10:10-22)!
7. Christ, after His ascension, began His ministration for the errors or the sins of ignorance of His people (Hebrews 9:7; Early Writings, p 254), in which of the two apartments of the heavenly sanctuary? "He entered in once into the holy place (first apartment)" Hebrews 9:1-12.
In the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary, upon the altar, was where the blood of the slain innocent lamb was placed for the sins of the people. These sins remained in the holy place all year until the day of atonement, when these would then be taken into the second apartment by the high priest to be completely forgiven by God and removed from the sanctuary, thus cleansing it.
While Christ was on this earth, the atonement for sin could not have been completed—not even at the cross!
The sacrifice and spilt blood of the innocent Lamb of God did take place, but Christ could not officiate before the Father as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary and cover our confessed and forsaken sins with His blood, until after His ascension (Hebrews 8:4).
So, after Christ's ascension in 31 AD, He began ministering as our high Priest in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. This first phase of Christ's ministration was to continue until the 2300 days/years ended in 1844. Then He would begin (ministering) in the second apartment commencing the anti-typical Day of Atonement. Here an investigative judgment would take place into the lives of all His people—first for the dead, then for the living (Revelation 11:18)—and their confessed and forsaken sins would be forgiven and removed until this second phase ends unexpectedly, thus cleansing the sanctuary of all sins.
8. What took place between 34 AD and 1844? "How long shall be the vision concerning the daily (sacrifice "does not belong to the text)"—Early Writings, p 74), and the transgression (abomination) of desolation, to give both the sanctuary (church of God) and the host (people of God) to be trodden (down) under foot (of Gentiles—or those who are not God's people)?” (Daniel 8:13).
9. “Then I saw in relation to the ‘daily’...that the Lord gave the correct view of it to those who gave the judgment hour cry. When union existed, before 1844, nearly all were united on the correct view of the `daily'; but in the confusion since 1844, other views have been embraced, and darkness and confusion have followed" Early Writings, p 74-75. The "daily" translates "continual or perpetual" (Strong's #8548), but does not refer to Christ's daily sacrifice or His daily ministration. It refers to paganism, as the pioneers believed.
Satan used paganism (especially pagan Rome) to "continually" persecute and kill the Christians, and as he saw that this was only causing God's church to grow, he changed his battle-plans and stopped killing the Christians. By concessions, he got pagans and Christians to gradually unite which corrupted the true faith. He then used these corrupted Christians to accept pagan beliefs, and to persecute their own brethren who refused to compromise, but who remained true to God (see Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 42-46).
So paganism—the daily or pagan Rome—was gradually taken away, and the transgression (abomination) of desolation—papal Rome, with Sunday as the false sabbath—was being set up. From 34 to 321 AD paganism (pagan Rome) ruled. In 321, pagan ruler Constantine made a civil law, which forbade labor on Sunday except for agriculture purposes (see Source Book for Bible Students, p 578-80).
The law reads: "On the venerable day of the sun let the magistrates and people residing in the cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain sowing or for vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations, the bounty of heaven should be lost" Codex Justinianus, lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; translated in "History of the Christian Church" Vol. 3, p 380 by Philip Schaff, 1893.
But after 321 AD, paganism, with Sunday as a worship day, gradually united with Christianity, until it was completely engulfed in Christianity by 508 AD.
10. In 508, Clovis—the king of the Franks—became converted to Catholicism, and conquered the Goths. This gave the papacy supremacy not only in the east, but now also in the west (see Bible Commentary, vol. 4, pC 881).
< Click to enlarge. The Kingdom Shall Be Divided, Thus the prophetic word foretold the breaking up of the mighty Roman Empire. Artist, R.M. Eldridge Source: The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith. Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park Washington, D.C., 1944, page 62.
“And from the time that the daily shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be 1290 days (years). Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the 1335 days (years)”—Daniel 12:11-12.
The "daily" (paganism, with Sunday as worship day) was now taken away, and the "abomination of desolation" (papal Rome, with Sunday as false sabbath) was now set up, thus beginning both the 1290 and the 1335 days/years.
11. From 508 AD, Catholicism continued to grow in power. In 538, they obtained complete control over the state; thus enabling them to use the civil power to punish and persecute those whom did not bow to their authority and commands. In the council of Orleans in 538, the agricultural country labor, which Constantine allowed on Sunday, was outlawed and all labor was prohibited under penalties—which included death for repeated offenders (see Present Truth, vol. 1, #9, April, 1850, p 67).
Not only was the law of God in regards to the fourth commandment changed, but also was Constantine's civil law changed in order to command the worship of all peoples upon the pagan/Christian Sunday. This action began the 1260 days/years of papal persecution or the "dark ages.” (NOTE: "a time" in Bible prophecy denotes 1 year—see Daniel 4:19-37 where the king spent 7 years like a beast until 7 times passed over him). "And he (papacy) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time (1 year) and times (2 years) and the dividing of time (1/2 year)”—Daniel 7:25 (see also Daniel 12:7).
3 1/2 years is the same as 42 months (see Revelation 11:2-3, 13:5). In Bible prophecy, each month has only 30 days (see Genesis 7:11 & 8:4 where the flood waters were upon the earth for 5 months, and in Genesis 7:24 for 150 days—so 150 days divided by 5 months, is 30 days/month). So 42 months would mean 1260 days/years of papal persecution towards God's church and people. "And the woman (church) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there 1260 days (years).... where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (or 3 1/2 years), from the face of the serpent.”--Revelation 12:6, 14.
This time prophecy of 3 1/2 times or 42 months or 1260 days/years extended from 538-1798.
12. In 1798, the French General Berthier captured the pope and took away all power from the Catholic church or papacy, thus giving it a deadly wound (see Revelation 13:3).
"...Napoleon gave orders that in the event of his (Pope Pius VI) death no successor should be elected to his office, and that the Papacy should be discontinued.... No wonder that half Europe thought Napoleon's veto would be obeyed, and that with the pope the Papacy was dead" The Modern Papacy, p 1, by Joseph Rickaby, S. J. (see also Bible Source, p 392).
“In 1798 the French republican army under General Berthier took possession of the city of Rome, and entirely superseded the whole papal power. This was a deadly wound..." A Commentary and Critical Notes, by Adam Clarke, 1850 (see also Bible Source, p 393). Thus in 1798, both the 1290 and the 1260 day/years were ended.
The Pope Taken Prisoner in 1798 On February 20, 1798, Pius 6th was taken prisoner by General Berthier. Source: The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith. Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park Washington, D.C., 1944, page 566.
13. In Revelation 11:3-11, two witnesses are brought to view. These two witnesses would be killed, around the ending of the 1260 day/years, but not buried. And “their dead bodies shall lie in the street” for 3 1/2 days (years). These two witnesses are the Old and the New Testaments (Bible), which France openly banned and burned in their streets beginning November 10, 1793.
“On the 10th of November [1793], dressed out in a sacerdotal habit, was led in procession through the town by two ‘sans culottes,’ carrying a sacred cup, out of which they gave the animal drink; and when they arrived at one of the public edifices, Bibles, books of devotion, etc., were piled up in a heap, which was set on fire amidst horrid shouts from a vast concourse of people...Wherever a Bible could be found it might be said to be persecuted to death...it is a remarkable circumstance that 26 theaters in Paris were open and filled to overflowing...” An Historical Sketch of the Protestant Church of France, pp 530-32, by J. G. Lorimer, 1841 (see also Source Book, p 614).
This joyous destruction of the two witnesses was to continue until "after 3 1/2 days (years)," and then "life from God" was to revive the Bible. "On the 17th of June, Camille Jordan, in the ‘Council of Five Hundred,’ brought up the memorable report on the `Revision of the laws relative to religious worship.’ ...the Bible had been slain in France from November 1793, till June, 1797.... and the Bible, so long and so sternly repressed before, was placed in honor, and was openly the Book of free Protestantism” The Apocalypse of St. John, pp 181-83, by George Croly, 1828 (see also Source Book, p 615-616).
From November 1793 to June 1797 is 3 years and 7 months—hence 1 month "after 3 1/2 years (3 years and 6 months)" was accomplished—which fulfilled this prophecy.
14. After the "daily" was taken away and the 1290 days/yrs were ended, then "Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the 1335 days (years).”—Daniel 12:12.
1335 is 45 days/years more than 1290—which ended in 1798. So 1798 + 45 days/years brings us to the year 1843. Since the 1335 days/years ended in 1843, William Miller believed that the 2300 days/years would also end in 1843. A chart was made showing this, and Sister White states that this chart was correct (thus approving the ending of the 1335 days/years in 1843), except for the mistake of ending the 2300 days/years—one year too soon.
"I have seen that the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered; that the figures were as he wanted them; that His hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none could see it, until His hand was removed" Early Writings, p 74.
Those who refuse to admit that the "daily" refers to paganism and that the 1335 days/years ended before 1844, would be snared into placing the fulfillment of the "daily" and the 1335 days after 1844. Thus they would be led into the fanaticism of preaching time, "and darkness and confusion" and "a false excitement" would follow. Why? Because "Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never again be a test" Early Writings, p 75. Also, see #19 for more insight.
15. “...the holy city (not literal Jerusalem or the Jewish people, but the true church and people of God)—Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 188) shall they (Gentiles) tread under foot 42 months (1260 days/years)”—Revelation 11:2.
In 1798, persecution of the majority of God's people was ended, but the "times" or years given to the Gentiles was not yet completely ended. Daniel states, that "the sanctuary (true church of God) and the host (people of God) [was] to be trodden under foot (of the Gentiles)...[for] 2300 days (years)”—Daniel 8:13-14.
So, "Jerusalem (true church and people of God) shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times (years) of the Gentiles be fulfilled (by the ending of the 2300 days/years in 1844)”—Luke 21:24. That is why Sister White states that Christ could have come shortly after 1844 (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 291-92), because the “times of the Gentiles” was already fulfilled. But some today are preaching that the "times of the Gentiles" was not fulfilled until the 1920's, or the 1960's, or even the 1980's. Hence, they state that Christ could not have come until after these dates occurred, which makes them at war with the Testimonies, because Sister White stated that Christ could have come way before these dates! (See Evangelism, p 694; Selected Messages, book 1, p 82; Testimonies, vol. 6, p 450; Testimonies, vol. 9, p 29; Review and Herald, vol. 3, p 399, col. 2).
16. So, by the end of 1844, the 1260, 1290, 1335, and the 2300 days/years were ended; the times of the Gentiles was fulfilled; Christ finished His ministration in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary and, according to Revelation 3:7-8, He opened the door into the second apartment, or the most holy place (showing the “ark of His testament” (Revelation 11:19), to enter into His final ministration, and closed the door to the first apartment. This began the anti-typical Day of Atonement, commencing the judgement of the dead (Revelation 11:18) and ending with the judgment of the living (Ezekiel 9:1-6, Revelation 22:11).
So, which church began after Oct 22, 1844? Philadelphia! (See Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 268-269). Also, who was to "rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days (2300 years)?” Daniel! (See Prophets and Kings, p 547, Testimonies to Ministers, p 115). Daniel's book was to be "sealed till the time of the end"—Daniel 12:4, 9. But Christ has loosed the seven seals, and Daniel's “little book” has been opened (Revelation 10:2) to the understanding of "the wise" (Daniel 12:10) since the ending of the 2300 days/years (see Selected Messages, book 2, p 109).
17. On Oct 22, 1844, Christ—our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary—entered into the most holy place (second apartment) to begin to cleanse the heavenly sanctuary of all confessed and forsaken sins of His people, which started the anti-typical day of atonement. But when will this final ministration of our Savior end?
18. "...and for the overspreading of abominations He (Christ) shall make it desolate, even until the consummation...”—Daniel 9:27.
What was made "desolate" because of the "overspreading abominations" in the midst of it? "Behold, your house (church) is left unto you desolate"—Matthew 23:38. The once chosen church of God was made desolate in 31 AD, and how long would the church remain desolate—along with any other churches who choose to follow in the same footsteps of the Jews and allow their church to be overspread with abominations? "Until the consummation." This word translates in Strong's #3617 "completion."
"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God...And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an 144,000..."—Revelation 7:2, 4.
"I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side (Ezekiel 9, Ephesians 4:30) returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, ‘It is done.’ ...‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still' (Revelation 22:11).
"Every case had been decided for life or death.... The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated" Early Writings, p 279-280.
When, in one generation, 144,000 people are sealed (by choosing to completely follow Christ and then acting in harmony with God in the perfecting of their characters into Christ's likeness), then the marriage of the Lamb is consummated—the ministration of Christ ceases—probation closes upon all the world—the anti-typical day of atonement ends, because all have made up their minds to follow Christ or Satan. No one will be able to determine when or on what date this will take place--hence, we must be ready now; "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be"—Revelation 22:12.
19. From 1844 and on, no one will be able to predict, preach, nor in any way to figure out the time or date (day, month, or year) for (A) When the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurs; or for (B) When the judgment of the dead changes to the judgment of the living, or for (C) When the message of present truth shall finish; or for (D) When probation closes upon the church or the world! Nor can anyone say (E) That the coming of Christ cannot take place for 1, 2, 5, or more years. Hence,(F) There is to be no time proclamation—prophetic or literal reapplication—in a message from God, since 1844. And anyone who is found preaching time (prophetic or literal) for any of the above mentioned events, is a false prophet (Testimonies, vol. 4, p 307-08); is tampering with or directly involved in fanaticism (Selected Messages, book 2, p 84), and is doing the work of Satan to bring confusion and darkness to God's people (Early Writings, p 75)! And all of God's true people must (G) Beware of any such message, for (H) There will be no message from God, which is based on time, since 1844, because time will never be a test again.
A. “Should we advance in spiritual knowledge, we would see the truth developing and expanding in lines of which we have little dreamed, but it will never develop in any line that will lead us to imagine that we may know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. Again and again have I been warned in regard to time setting. There will never again be a message for the people of God that will be based on time. We are not to know the definite time...for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit..." Selected Messages, book 1, p 188.
"I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will take place—when the mighty angel will come down from heaven, and unite with the third angel in closing up the work for this world..." Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p 984, col. 2.
B. “The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years, this work has been in progress. Soon--none know how soon— it will pass to the cases of the living" Great Controversy, p 490.
C. “The Lord has shown me that the message of the third angel must go, and be proclaimed to the scattered children of the Lord, but it must not be hung on time. I saw that some were getting a false excitement, arising from preaching time; but the third angel's message is stronger than time can be. I saw that this message can stand on its own foundation and needs not time to strengthen it; and that it will go in mighty power, and do its work, and will be cut short in righteousness" Early Writings, p 75.
"God has not revealed to us the time when this message (third angel's) will close...Those things that are revealed we shall accept for ourselves and for our children; but let us not seek to know that which has been kept secret in the councils of the Almighty" Review and Herald, October 9, 1894 (vol. 3, p 191-192).
D. "When probation ends, it will come suddenly, unexpectedly—at a time when we are least expecting it" Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p 989.
"Letters have come to me asking me if I have any special light as to the time when probation will close; and I answer that I have only this message to bear, that it is now time to work while the day lasts, for the night comes in which no man can work. Now, just now, it is time for us to be watching, working, and waiting.... "But there is no command for anyone to search the Scriptures in order to ascertain, if possible, when probation will close. God has no such message for any mortal lips. He would have no mortal tongue declare that which He has hidden in His secret councils" Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p 989-990.
"I plainly stated...to these fanatical parties that they were doing the work of the adversary of souls; they were in darkness. They claimed to have great light that probation would close in October 1884.
"I there stated in public that the Lord had been pleased to show me that there would be no definite time in the message given of God since 1844; and that I knew that this message, which four or five were engaged in advocating with great zeal, was heresy" Selected Messages, book 2, p 73.
E. "It is not in the providence of God that any finite man, shall, by any device or reckoning that he may make of figures, or of symbols, or of types, know with any definiteness in regard to the very period of the Lord's coming" Manuscript 8, 1891. "His (Christ's) followers are to be in the position of those who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the time for the coming of the Lord; but no one will be able to predict just when that time will come; for `of that day and hour knows no man.’ You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may not be for ten or twenty years" Evangelism, p 221.
"These persons seemed sure that they were led by God, and they have come with their different theories to ministers who were preaching the truth. I said to these ministers, `The Lord is not in this; be not deceived, neither take the responsibility of deceiving others.’ ...with pen and voice, I have borne the message, ‘Go ye not after them.’ ...The word of the Lord to me was, `This is not truth, but will lead into strange paths, and some will become confused over this representation, and will give up the faith.’ ...
"No one has a true message fixing the time when Christ is to come or not to come. Be assured that God gives no one authority to say that Christ delays His coming five years, ten years, or twenty years. `Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man comes (Matthew 24:44). This is our message, the very message that the three angels flying in the midst of heaven are proclaiming. The work to be done now is that of sounding this last message of mercy to a fallen world" Selected Messages, book 2, p 113-114.
"We are near the end, but if you or any other man shall be seduced by the enemy, and led on to set the time for Christ's coming, he will be doing the same evil work which has wrought the ruin of the souls of those who have done it in the past.... But anyone who shall start up to proclaim a message to announce the hour, day, or year of Christ's appearing has taken up a yoke and is proclaiming a message that the Lord has never given him" Testimonies to Ministers, p 60-61.
F. "...I was shown that we should not have another definite time to proclaim to the people.... "The time-setters have pronounced the curse of the Lord upon me as an unbeliever who said, my Lord delays His coming.... Ever since 1844 I have borne my testimony that we were now in a period of time in which we are to take heed to ourselves lest our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that the day come upon us unawares. Our position has been one of waiting and watching, with no time-proclamation to intervene between the close of the prophetic periods in 1844 and the time of our Lord's coming.... If I have failed to make this matter plain which you wish to understand, write me again and I will endeavor to make every point as clear" Letter 38, August 11,1888 (Manuscript Releases #816, p 5-7).
"The Scripture is all true, but by misapplying the Scripture men arrive at wrong conclusions... Some will take the truth applicable to their time, and place it in the future. Events in the train of prophecy that had their fulfillment away in the past are made future, and thus by these theories the faith of some is undermined" Manuscript 31, November 8, 1896 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p 195).
"Prophecies fulfilled have become facts of history, clearly defining our position" Review and Herald, November 29, 1881 (vol. 1, p 297 col. 3).
"The unfulfilled predictions of the book of Revelation are soon to be fulfilled" Notebook Leaflets, p 96.
G. “Let all our brethren and sisters beware of anyone who would set time for the Lord to fulfill His word in regard to His coming, or in regard to any other promise He has made of special significance. `It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power.’ False teachers may appear to be very zealous for the work of God, and may expend means to bring their theories before the world and the church; but as they mingle error with truth, their message is one of deception, and will lead souls into false paths. They are to be met and opposed, not because they are bad men, but because they are teachers of falsehood and are endeavoring to put upon falsehood the stamp of truth." Testimonies to Ministers, p 55.
H. “The times and seasons God has put in His own power. And why has not God given us this knowledge?—Because we would not make a right use of it if He did. A condition of things would result from this knowledge among our people that would greatly retard the work of God in preparing a people to stand in the great day that is to come. We are not to be engrossed with speculations in regard to the times and the seasons, which God has not revealed. Jesus has told His disciples to watch,' but not for definite time.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 189.
"The fanaticism which raged in years past has left its desolating effects...I saw that God tested His people upon time in 1844, but that no time which has since been set has borne the special marks of His hand. He has not tested His people upon any particular time since 1844. We have been, and still are, in the patient waiting time" Testimonies, vol. 1, p 409.
"Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never again be a test." Early Writings, p 75.
"We are not of that class who define the exact period of time that shall elapse before the coming of Jesus the second time with power and great glory" Fundamentals of Christian Education, p 335.
There will not be any message from God that is based on time from 1844 until our Lord's coming. Yet, there is a time appointed when God will bind off His work. But when is that time?
"To you, as God's servants, has been entrusted the third angel's message, the binding off message, that is to prepare a people for the coming of our king. Time is short" Manuscript 53, June 11, 1909 (Review and Herald, vol. 5, p 561 col. 1).
"The third angel's message is to be sounded by God's people. It is to swell to the loud cry. The Lord has a time appointed when He will bind off the work, but when is that time? When the truth proclaimed for these last days shall go forth as a witness to all nations, then shall the end come. If the power of Satan can come into the very temple of God and manipulate things as he pleases, the time of preparation will be prolonged" Letter 83, 1896 (Publishing Ministry, p 389-390).
As there is no time message to look to, and we are to be ready now with our lamps trimmed and burning, then what is our responsibility and duty before God that we are to perform today, and thus help bring this whole great controversy to an end?
"We have the truth, which in its proclamation is to bring the crisis for this world's history." Letter 94, July 3, 1900.
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Marks when Jesus will decide eternal fate of all dead and all of the living just before He returns to planet earth. Then the 7 last plagues begin. When the plagues start it will be too late to accept the offer of eternal life. Read item # 22
20. When the last person is sealed into the 144,000, with all decisions having been eternally made—and probation closes--then what occurs? "And at that time shall Michael (Christ) stand up, the great Prince which stands (ministers) for the children of Thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time...”— Daniel 12:1.
"...and that determined (judgment already decided) shall be poured (plagues) upon the desolate”—Daniel 9:27.
So, after the truth begins to go forth in the loud cry and the national Sunday law is passed, and after Satan personates Christ and the universal Sunday law is passed (Testimonies to Ministers, p 62), and all decisions are made, then Christ ceases His intercession, and steps out from between humanity and the Father. He then leaves the most holy place and comes to the door of the first apartment, and confesses or places all the sins upon the scapegoat's (Satan's) head, and then the fit man (144,000) leads him into the land of wilderness or forgetfulness (Leviticus 16:20-22).
Christ then takes off His priestly garments and puts on His kingly robes of vengeance (Leviticus 16:23; Ezekiel 42:14); the 4 angels cease to hold the 4 winds (Revelation 7:1-4); the destroying angels of Ezekiel 9 begin their work; the 7 last plagues begin to fall upon the heads of the desolate wicked (Testimonies, vol. 3, p 266-267); and the time of Jacob's trouble begins (Jeremiah 30:5-8).
"Every case had been decided for life or death.... As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the tinkling of the bells upon His garment; and as He left, a cloud of darkness covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty man and an offended God.... Jesus tarried a moment in the outer apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and the sins which had been confessed while He was in the most holy place were placed upon Satan, the originator of sin, who must suffer their punishment.
"Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven. The plagues were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth." Early Writings, p 280-281.
"Then I saw that Jesus' work in the sanctuary will soon be finished. And after His work there is finished, He will come to the door of the first apartment, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head of the scapegoat. Then He will put on the garments of vengeance. Then the plagues will come upon the wicked, and they do not come till Jesus puts on that garment... Then while the plagues are falling, the scapegoat is being led away. He makes a mighty struggle to escape, but he is held fast by the hand that leads him. If he should effect his escape, Israel would lose their lives. I saw that it would take time to lead away the scapegoat into the land of forgetfulness after the sins were put on his head" Spalding-Magan Collection, p 2 (Unpublished Testimony, October 23, 1850).
21. The seven last plagues are described in Revelation 16:1-21, but how long do these plagues fall upon the wicked after probation ends and before Christ comes? Is it 3 1/2 literal years or 1260 literal days as some modern time-setters proclaim? No. In Revelation 22:11, probation closes, and then the very next verse is: "And, behold, I come quickly...”—Revelation 22:12.
"Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven" Great Controversy, p 490.
God's "living saints, 144,000 in number" (Early Writings, p 15) will pass through this trying time and will be delivered out of it by the voice of God the Father.
When The Seventh Plague Strikes, Struck by a mighty earthquake and a destroying hail, the lost will blaspheme as they perish. Artist, Franklin Booth Source: The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith. Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park Washington, D.C., 1944, page 684.
22. The first 6 plagues fall, and the seventh plague begins with the voice of God the Father. "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done”—Revelation 16:17.
The Father's voice states "It is finished," which shakes the powers of heaven; there is a great earthquake which opens the graves of those in the special resurrection, who are raised to see the tokens of the deliverance of God's people and to hear the Father's voice then declare the time of Christ's second coming.
"The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of God. Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God. "Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back; then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God." Early Writings, p 41.
"It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement, while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Signs and wonders followed in quick succession. Everything seemed turned out of its natural course. The streams ceased to flow. Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel's message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law.
"The sky opened and shut and was in commotion. The mountains shook like a reed in the wind and cast out ragged rocks all around. The sea boiled like a pot and cast out stones upon the land. And as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus' coming and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. At the end of every sentence the saints shouted, ‘Glory! Hallelujah!’” Early Writings, p 285-286.
23. In this special resurrection, which occurs just after God's voice declares "It is finished," but before He gives the day and the hour of Christ's second coming--hence before Christ comes and before the general resurrection of the great multitude of the righteous dead of all the ages (Desire of Ages, p 834, 623), a group of people are brought up from their graves. But who makes up this group?
“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”—Daniel 12:2.
Those who awake "to shame and everlasting contempt" will awake during the special resurrection and again after the 1000 years are over (see Early Writings, p 53, 292; Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 454, 460-61, 476). But the other group who are specially resurrected "to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those (144,000) who had kept His law," are those righteous "who have died in faith" since 1844, who have kept the Sabbath and lived the third angel's message (Early Writings, p 285). These also would have been part of the 144,000 if this number would have been completely made up during their lifetime. Hence, those who have died since 1844, cannot be part of the group of the 144,000, because the 144,000 will not taste or see of death, but will be translated to heaven--as was Enoch and Elijah—without seeing or tasting of death.
"Enoch represents those who shall remain upon the earth and be translated to Heaven without seeing death" Review and Herald, April 19, 1870 (vol. 1, p 94 col. 3).
"Enoch's translation to Heaven represents the commandment-keeping people of God who will be alive upon the earth when Christ shall come the second time...These also will be translated to Heaven without seeing death, as Enoch and Elijah were" Review and Herald, April 29, 1875 (vol. 1, p 163 col. 2-3).
"Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ and who will be `changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump,' without tasting of death. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52...Elijah, representing those who at the close of earth's history will be changed from mortal to immortal and be translated to heaven without seeing death" Prophets and Kings, p 227.
"Satan wished to have the privilege of destroying the saints of the Most High; but Jesus bade His angels watch over them.... Jesus would be honored by translating, without their seeing death, the faithful, waiting ones who had so long expected Him.... God would not suffer the wicked to destroy those who were expecting translation and who would not bow to the decree of the beast or receive his mark" Early Writings, p 283-284.
“Those who have died, have seen and tasted of death—like Christ did (Hebrews 2:9), and therefore cannot be a part of the 144,000 who have never tasted or seen death. Those faithful, who have died since 1844 and are in the special resurrection, are along "with" this blessed group—but are not a part of the 144,000.” (Selected Messages, book 2, p 263; Early Writings, p 40).
Those in the special resurrection do not go through the time of Jacob's trouble, but are resurrected glorified just after the seventh plague first begins (resurrected after the voice of God begins, and before the second coming of Jesus—being the seventh plague— Revelation 16:17-21, 19:11-21, 14:14-20). Whereas the 144,000 go through the time of Jacob's trouble and all the plagues, and are the only company of God's people to do so (Great Controversy, p 649), and are changed in the twinkling of an eye, from mortal to immortal, being translated to heaven that they "should not see death"—just like Enoch (Hebrews 11:5).
So, the only two positions in this issue that God's people will find themselves, is to die in the Lord and see and taste of death—to possibly be in the special resurrection (Early Writings, p 16) and raised glorified to be along with, but not a part of, the 144,000; or to live without dying and be changed and translated without seeing or tasting of death—being a part of the 144,000. "He (the Lord) points out their sins and lays open their iniquity because He wishes to separate all sin and wickedness from them, that they may perfect holiness in His fear and be prepared to die in the Lord or to be translated to heaven" Testimonies, vol. 2, p 453.
Those who are in the special resurrection must overcome their sins in exactly the same way as does the 144,000—so there are no shortcuts. And if it will bring more glory to God by being a martyr for Him, then praise God; but if it will bring more glory and honor to God by living and not seeing death, then praise God. Let us do our God-given duty in keeping all His commandments perfectly (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14), and leave our lives in His hands knowing that “whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.”—Romans 14:8. And let us not give up hope, but "Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand" Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p 970 col. 2.
24. After God's voice delivers the saints, their captivity is turned about and the wicked cannot do them any harm. Then it is that the wicked awake from their delusion and the synagogue of Satan--those false shepherds who have led their flocks into error and destruction—bow and worship at the feet of the saints. "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”—Revelation 3:9.
"The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice (of God), 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....
"The wicked could not look upon them for the glory. And when the never-ending blessing was pronounced on those who had honored God in keeping His Sabbath holy, there was a mighty shout of victory over the beast and over his image. "Then commenced the jubilee, when the land should rest.” Early Writings, p 15, 286 (NOTE—the voice of God brings the jubilee, not the jubilee bringing the voice of God!)
"I saw that the priests who are leading on their flock to death are soon to be arrested in their dreadful career. The plagues of God are coming, but it will not be sufficient for the false shepherds to be tormented with one or two of these plagues. God's hand at that time will be stretched out still in wrath and justice and will not be brought to Himself again until His purposes are fully accomplished, and the hireling priests are led to worship at the feet of the saints, and to acknowledge that God has loved them because they held fast the truth and kept God's commandments, and until all the unrighteous ones are destroyed from the earth.... "But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people." Early Writings, p 124, 282.
"You think, that those who worship before the saint's feet, (Revelation 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away, and `crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.’ And in the `hour of temptation,' which is yet to come, to show out every one's true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint's feet" A Word to the Little Flock, p 12.
Now how much time is involved from the closing of probation and the plagues falling, until God's voice delivers the saints? "Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming." Early Writings, p 15.
How much time in involved from the synagogue of Satan worshiping at the feet of the saints, until the coming of Christ? "...a number of days, the Synagogue of Satan worshiped at the saints feet." DayStar articles, p 22, February 27, 1846, Ellen Harmon (White).
"Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man's hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of man." Early Writings, p 15.
"Soon appeared the great white cloud, upon which sat the Son of man. When it first appeared in the distance, this cloud looked very small." Early Writings, p 286.
So the seven last plagues do not take a "long" time to fall upon the unrepentant wicked (not 3 1/2 years), nor is the mental anguish of the saints prolonged a "long" time during the time of Jacob's trouble (not 1260 days or 42 months). The time involved—from probation closing until Christ's coming—is not "long," but "soon.” Remember, "Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven." Great Controversy, p 490.
25. When Christ comes the second time, what happens? Christ puts in the sickle and reaps the earth (Revelation 14:14-15), and blows the silver trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52). The sickle is put in and the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ are raised—being the great multitude of the redeemed of all the ages (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Desire of Ages, p 834, 623). Then those who are God's people—who are alive and remain upon the earth (the 144,000 and the special resurrection people), are removed from the earth, being caught up together with the great multitude, "to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."—1 Thessalonians 4:17.
These three classes of God's people are represented as the first group, which are harvested from the earth. While those wicked, who are still alive upon the earth, will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8)—being the second group of grapes (fruits) which are harvested into the great winepress of God's wrath (Revelation 14:17-20), to remain lifeless upon the desolate earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20:5).
26. The whole great controversy hinges upon 144,000 people—in one generation—perfecting their characters into God's exact likeness by uniting themselves with Divinity and working together in overcoming their habits of sin. So without this blessed group being made up, all the righteous dead--from Abel until the last—cannot be resurrected to immortality and made perfect when Christ comes again the second time! “And these all (righteous who have died), having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us (those living who could make up the 144,000), that they (righteous dead) without us (living saints—144,000) should not be made perfect (raised incorruptible).”—Hebrews 11:39-40.
Hence, this whole great controversy hinges upon the 144,000 being made up in one generation. Without this number being made up and sealed, the work cannot finish, Christ cannot cease His ministration above, probation cannot close, Christ cannot come for His people, and the great multitude of the righteous dead cannot be raised from their dusty beds. Thus this whole world of sin, darkness, and woe continues to grow worse, and all this is chargeable to God's people who are alive today! What a mighty responsibility rests today upon God's people to overcome all their personal sins (Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Psalms 138:8), and to remove their presence from all corrupted groups and churches (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Revelation 14:7-12, 18:1-4)—touching not any unclean thing (Isaiah 52:7-11), in order to completely perfect their characters—without the least taint of corruption or contamination from personal sins or the corporate sins of others, so that this whole great controversy can end!
So, what are we to do now?
“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand.” Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p 970 col. 2.
27. For 1000 years, Satan--that old serpent and dragon—will be bound on this earth, but will not be able to tempt anyone! All the wicked will be dead, and will not be raised from the dead until the 1000 years are finished. During this time, the righteous in heaven will be reigning as priests and kings with Christ, reviewing the books containing the records of all the deeds committed by the wicked, and will be passing judgment in harmony with Christ—writing the sentence to be meted out against each name of the wicked in the book of death (see Revelation 20:1-7; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 475).
28. After 1000 years are accomplished, Satan is loosed from His prison, and the wicked dead are raised back to life, and Satan gathers them to battle (Revelation 20:5, 7-8, Job 21:30). Christ comes down from heaven and stands upon the Mount of Olives, along with His people and the city of God (Job 19:25; Zechariah 14:4-5; Revelation 21:2, 10-27). Then it is that those who have crucified Christ, both literally in 31 AD and also spiritually today, will see Him coming in power and great glory, and they will be led to exclaim “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”—Matthew 23:39, 26:64 (Revelation 1:7; Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 476). Then Satan and all the wicked surround and completely encompass the city of God and all the saints (Revelation 20:9; Early Writings, p 292-94, 52-54; Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 476-77).
29. After Satan and the wicked surround the city of God and its inhabitants, what occurs? The record books of life and death are opened, “and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books.”—Revelation 20:12. Christ looks upon the vast throng of the wicked, and they all become “conscious of every sin which they have ever committed.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 481.
Then in the sky, above the throne of God “is revealed the cross; and like a panoramic view appear the scenes of Adam's temptation and fall, and the successive steps in the great plan of redemption.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 481-489.
It is not until at this time that the law of God—the Ten Commandments on the two tables of stone that had been removed from the earthly temple at Jerusalem—is brought to view. There is a sanctuary, and in that sanctuary is the Ark, and in the Ark are the tables of stone, on which is written the law spoken from Sinai amidst scenes of awful grandeur.
These tables of stone are in the heavens, and they will be brought forth in that day when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, and men shall be judged according to the things written in the books. They will be judged by the law written by the finger of God, and given to Moses to be deposited in the ark.” Manuscript 20, February 7, 1906 (see also Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 484).
As the scene of the whole history of the great controversy is finally shown, all the wicked—including Satan himself—voluntarily confesses that God is righteous and just in all His ways, and that they are wrong to rebel against Him and His government (Romans 14:10-11; Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10-11; Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 486).
After all the wicked have clearly seen that they are the ones guilty of death, then the execution of the judgment occurs, and fire from God comes down upon the wicked—including Satan and his angels—and the whole earth becomes a lake of fire.
This fire continues to burn until all traces of sin, whether in the wicked or in the earth, are burned up and nothing contaminated by sin remains—including Satan himself (Revelation 20:9-15; Jude 14-15; Malachi 4:1, 3; Psalms 11:6; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Obadiah 15-16).
“Fire comes down from God out of Heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has come that shall burn as an oven. The elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein are burned up (see 2 Peter 3:10). The fire of Tophet is ‘prepared for the king,’ the chief of rebellion; the pile thereof is deep and large, and ‘the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, does kindle it.’—Isaiah 30:33. The earth’s surface seems one molten mass—a vast, seething lake of fire.... “The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. They ‘shall be stubble; and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts.’ Some are destroyed as in a moment, while others suffer many days. All are punished according to their deeds.
The sins of the righteous have been transferred to Satan, the originator of evil, who must bear their penalty. Thus, he is made to suffer not only for his own rebellion, but for all the sins which he has caused God's people to commit. His punishment is to be far greater than that of those whom he has deceived. After all have perished who fell by his deceptions, he is still to live and suffer on. In the cleansing flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and branch—Satan the root, his followers the branches. The justice of God is satisfied, and the saints and all the angelic host say with a loud voice, Amen" Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 488-489.
"They (wicked) were punished according to the deeds done in the body. Some were many days consuming, and just as long as there was a portion of them un-consumed, all the sense of suffering remained. Said the angel, ‘The worm of life shall not die; their fire shall not be quenched as long as there is the least particle for it to prey upon.’ "Said the angel, ‘Satan is the root, his children are the branches. They are now consumed root and branch. They have died an everlasting death. They are never to have a resurrection, and God will have a clean universe.' " Early Writings, p 294-295.
30. The same fire, which destroys sin and sinners, will also purify the entire earth from the curse and effects of sin. Once this is accomplished, God will “make all things new” not all new things, and a new heaven and a new earth will be created, which will be the new and blessed home of the redeemed which they will possess for ever and ever (Psalms 37:29; Zechariah 14:6-11).
Sin will never revive again—the whole great controversy will be forever ended. There will be no sickness, pain, suffering, or death there, nor will God's people ever cease to learn something more to the love of God for them. The dwelling place of the Father and the Son will be with the redeemed. They will be able to behold the face and excellent glory of the Father and the Son and will be able to talk and fellowship directly with them (Revelation 21:1, 3-5), and will worship Them on the Seventh-day Sabbath throughout ceaseless ages (Isaiah 66:22-23).
So throughout the eternal ages, none will ever cease to advance in the knowledge of God's love, which means that our love for God, and knowledge of His love for us, will be constantly growing without end throughout infinity. "While the earth is wrapped in the fire of God's vengeance, the righteous abide safely in the holy city. Upon those that had part in the first resurrection, the second death has no power (see Revelation 20:6). While God is to the wicked a consuming fire, He is to His people both a sun and a shield (see Psalms 84:11)....
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.”—Revelation 21:1.
The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin. One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, His hands, and feet are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought.... “Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it.
No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God.... There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning, and shall ever be far from its close.... "There, immortal minds will study with never-failing delight the wonders of creative power, the mysteries of redeeming love.... Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body.
“And as the years of eternity roll, they will bring richer and more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase? The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character.... “Sin and sinners are no more; God's entire universe is clean; and the great controversy is forever ended.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 489-492.
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (see Isaiah 55:1-4, John 4:13-14).... He which testifies these things says, ‘Surely I come quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”—Revelation 22:17, 20.
Restoring The Power Of The Papacy
Cardinal Gasparri and Benito Mussolini signed in 1929 the concordat which restored the temporal power of the papacy. Source: The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith. Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park Washington, D.C. 1944, page 569.
You see, Mussoline was then ruler in Italy. He invited Cardinal Gasparri (who represented Pope Pius the 11th and the Roman Papacy) to permanently re-establish the papacy in Rome. In what is known as The Lateral Treaty, Miussoli gave the Vatican three things. 1) 109 acres to form Vatican City. 2) $29 million for the "spoilage of the papal state." 3) All the diplomatic rights of a sovergn government (that means the papacy would have the ability to receive and to send ambassadors to the governments and nations of the world). Source: Unveiling The Apocalypse : The United States in Bible Prophecy by John Osborne, page 12, Prophecy Countdown, Inc., P.O. Box 1844, Grand Island, Florida (USA) 32735
Source Document: www.LightMinistries.com
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