REV. VI, 11; XIV, 4

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1860

QUERY. When is the killing process accomplished spoken of in Rev. vi, 11? Does it have reference to the remnant? Also what constitutes the "virgins" of Rev. xiv, 4? It is supposed by some that they are those that have never belonged to the churches. If so, none but such will constitute the 144,000. Will you give your views on these two passages?

ANSWER. Rev. vi, 11 refers to events which take place under Papal supremacy. The fourth seal [verse 7] symbolizes the time of Pagan Rome. When that seal closes, and the fifth seal is opened, the apostle sees under the altar the victims of the cruel persecutions of that power. They are told that they must rest till their fellow-servants and their brethren should be killed as they had been; which killing was to be accomplished under the fifth seal, by the persecutions of Papal Rome. The white robes denote the favorable estimate put by Heaven upon their characters. It can therefore have no reference to the church of the present day.

We regard the "women" of Rev. xiv, 4, as symbols of churches, and the "virgins" as those who are pure in not being contaminated by a connection with them. Must then the 144,000 be made up of those who have never been connected with the churches? No; for it is not until a certain time that persons become defiled by such a connection. See Rev. xviii, 4. Speaking of the depths of corruption into which great Babylon sinks after her fall, John says: "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Here is a class of persons addressed who are still in Babylon, still hold a connection with the churches. They are called to come out that they be not partakers of her sins. If they do not heed this call, if, when the light of truth is set before them, they reject the light, and cling to their old errors and associations, then they become partakers of Babylon's sins. But if, on the other hand, they come out, and separate themselves from the impure bodies to which they belong, they do not become contaminated by a connection with them; in other words, they are not "defiled with women." They then occupy exactly the position described in Rev. xiv, 4. We think it not inconsistent with a cautious interpretation of unfulfilled prophecy, to expect a mighty movement on this point, not far in the future.

REV. VI, 11; XIV, 4.