The One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand by I. E. KIMBALL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1915

The One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand

By I. E. KIMBALL

I. E. KIMBALL

THE one hundred and forty-four thousand are the first fruits, not the general harvest; a special company, distinct from “the great multitude, which no man could number.” Their experience is different from that of other people; hence they sing a song which none other, not even Moses, may sing; and no others can ever learn that song.

These have the Father’s name written in their foreheads; God’s character, purpose, and life are there engraved. He has full possession of their minds. Every thought is brought into subjection to the will of Christ. These are “not defiled with women; for they are virgins.”

These follow “the Lamb whithersoever he goeth”—not a part of the way. They are perfect imitators, entering fully into his life. They go all the way with him. In the time of the plagues, after probation has closed, they live a blameless life before God while yet here on earth. Of the millions who were brought from Egypt into the wilderness, only two persons followed the Lord “fully” and so went through into his rest. These were Caleb and Joshua. But there will be one hundred and forty-four thousand in the last generation of men. “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Shall we stand with this company? In Christ’s example, given us to imitate, we note the following: (1) He had but one thought and purpose—to do the work appointed him; (2) he lived by “every word of God,” which comes into the life “line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little;” (3) he was not “rebellious, neither turned away back,” but gave his back to the smiters, and his cheek to them that plucked off the hair; (4) he set his face “like a flint;” (5) he was prepared always to “speak a word in season to him that is weary;” (6) by faith he lived, walked, rested, in the unseen power of God, his faith making all things possible to do that are necessary to be done; (7) he was the Prince of Peace, and he says, “My peace I give unto you;” (8) he was very importunate; (9) he loved God and man with all his heart.

The church of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia) is commended. That church had “a little strength,”—a little faith, a little hope, a little love, a little zeal, a little peace,—and Christ set before them “an open door.” He himself is that door. John 10: 1, 7. He would have them enter fully into his life.

But the Laodiceans are declared to be “miserable,” for they have not taken Christ’s peace and rest, and are miserable representatives of the truth which he gives. They are “poor,” for faith and love are wanting; “blind,” lacking spiritual discernment; and “naked,” because the old character, the tattered rags, is more in evidence than the pure garment of Christ’s righteousness. Let these take heed lest he spew them out of his mouth. But he stands at their door, knocking, with gold, silver, eyesalve, and raiment for all who admit him.

Following a part of the way will not avail us. Christ is looking for more than a little of the strength of hope and faith and love. We must follow when the way gets hard: follow through the darkness; follow through the fires, and when the floods would seem to overflow; follow when the way gets very difficult and narrow; follow when we have to go on foot, having neither the sympathy nor the encouragement of human friendships; follow when stripped of earthly possessions, and the blood is pressed from our feet; follow till we reach the brink of the great chasm which separates this world from the next, and by faith cling to the ropes which bridge that chasm. So may we stand with the one hundred and forty-four thousand.