p. 9 | H. R. JOHNSON by H. R. JOHNSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1905

H. R. JOHNSON

By H. R. JOHNSON

The 144,000

H. R. JOHNSON

(Concluded)

30. Who raises the righteous dead at the first general resurrection?—“The voice of the Son of God called forth the sleeping saints, clothed with a glorious immortality.”—Early Writings, page 28.

31. What change comes upon the 144,000, which includes those who are raised in the special resurrection, at this same time?—“The living saints were changed in a moment, and were caught up with them into the cloudy chariot.”—Ibid. “The 144,000 shouted, Alleluia! as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.”—Ibid., page 12. “The living righteous are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. At the voice of God they were glorified; now they are made immortal, and with the risen saints are caught up to meet their Lord in the air.”—Great Controversy, page 645.

32. Is this company of 144,000 different from the rest of the redeemed? Rev. 14:1-5. “And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. A ‘fair miter’ is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations, and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father’s name written in their forehead. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. ‘These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.’”—Testimonies, Vol. V, pages 475, 476.

33. Where were they finally seen?—In the temple (Rev. 7:15); on Mount Zion (Chapter 14:1); on the sea of glass. Chapter 15:2. “Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple. . . . And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised his lovely voice and said, Only the 144,000 enter this place.”—Early Writings, page 14. “On the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square.”—Ibid., page 12.

34. Being different from the rest of the blood-washed, what question did one of the elders, whom John saw in vision, ask? and what was the final answer? Rev. 7:13-17.

(As at least some of the plagues will be local, so the experience of each in this company can not be the same, but these, as “the faithful, tried company”—see Early Writings, page 134—will have the experience spoken of in Rev. 7:13-17,—“an experience such as no other company have ever had. . . . They have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God’s judgments.”—Great Controversy, page 649. “Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few.”—Early Writings, page 12.

35. In emphasizing the question where this wonderful company had come from, what answer is given?—They “were redeemed from the earth.”

(In fact, all who will be saved will be redeemed from this earth, out “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” Rev. 7:9; Matt. 24:14; Luke 21:35. All will readily see that there is something very significant in the answer: These “were redeemed from the earth.”)

36. Now allowing that they “were redeemed from the earth,” from what class of beings could they have come?—“These were redeemed from among men.” Physically and morally these have once been among the weakest, for they have come out of all the last nations and tongues and peoples living on the earth. They have also come from all kinds of organizations, and from all classes of beliefs and unbeliefs. They have cheerfully accepted the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and through obedience thereto, by the power of the Spirit of God, have become so fully sanctified, settled and grounded in the truth, that they are “of the same mind in the Lord,” and can stand without a mediator after probation has closed. (Read with care on page 11 of Early Writings, and remember that this is speaking of things after the special resurrection, and before Jesus comes in glory.) Who has ever witnessed such a company? No wonder the question, “Whence came they?”

Ladysmith, Wis.