THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND.
By J. G. Smith
By prophetic revelation the beloved apostle John was permitted to see the remnant church standing with Christ on Mount Zion. Every victory gained, the song of redemption was being sung to the music of the harps of God. Rev. 14: 1-3; 15: 2. Of the character of the individuals that make up this company, the record says: "And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God." Rev. 14: 5. These are they that will be ready for translation when Jesus comes, and will be taken to the city of many mansions. 1 Thess. 4: 13-16; John 14: 1-3. The one hundred and forty-four thousand pass through the perilous times, of which Paul says: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, blasphemers, . . . having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3: 1-5. This company never see the fabled millennium, but find Paul true in saying, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3: 13. The Lord says, "And at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12: 1. Praise God for the promised deliverance to all that "strive to enter in at the straight gate." When the Deliverer appears, all that are ready to meet him will say, in the language of Isa. 25: 9, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation," while all that choose to walk in the broad way, spurning the righteousness of Christ, will seek in vain to hide themselves, calling to the rocks and mountains, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?" See Rev. 6: 14-17. Would you meet him with joy? "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Heb. 12: 14. We are living amid the increasing perils of the last days. The consecrated souls that make up the one hundred and forty-four thousand are now being gathered. Mercy's door is still open, and the voice of the Saviour tenderly calls, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11: 28. Present duty is to accept the Saviour's invitation, consecrate all to God, and prayerfully proclaim to others his special messages. Rev. 14: 6-12. Let God's thoughts become your thoughts, and his ways your ways. Isa. 55: 6-9. See that every motive is prompted only by a sincere desire to glorify God, "that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Eph. 3: 16-19.