The One Hundred and Forty-four Thousand.
By Uriah Smith
Bro. Smith: Will you please answer the following question for the satisfaction of a number of the readers of the Review in this place. Do the living saints, translated at the coming of Christ, constitute the 144000, or are those that have fallen asleep under the third angel's message included? In Review No. 9, vol. xviii, in answer to the question, Are the 144000 living saints at the coming of Christ? You say they are; and in No. 26, vol. xx, in Thoughts on Rev. xiv, 13-16, you say that those that die under the message escape the perils through which the rest of the 144000 pass. They rise and share with them in their final triumph here, and occupy with them their preeminent place in the kingdom. Here appear to be two different views advocated, which of the two is the correct one? Yours in search of truth,
Amos Amburn. Answer. I am unable to see that there is any disagreement in the statements above referred to. My views were certainly the same when they were both written, and have undergone no change since. I believe that the living saints at the time of Christ's second coming, are the 144000; and that among these living saints are those who have fallen asleep under the third message, and have been raised according to Dan. xii, 2, a short time previous to their translation. This furnishes an explanation of what the blessing is which is pronounced upon those who die under this message, Rev. xiv, 13. They escape the great time of peril through which the living will be called to pass; and having once understandingly arrayed themselves with the people of God, in opposition to the beast and his claims, they will be raised to share with them in their great and final triumph over that anti-Christian power. Here also we find a harmonious and fitting place for the application of Dan. xii, 2, and Rev. i, 7. U. S.