Revelation 7:2, commentary and pictures

Another angel rises from the east bearing the seal of the living God and cries with a loud voice to the four angels given power to harm earth and sea to hold back their harm until God's servants are sealed.

The ascending angel is Christ, the Angel of the covenant and Dayspring from on high in whom divine and human are united to redeem by giving Himself.

The seal is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, God's token of authority as Creator, placed in the forehead by writing His law in the mind and heart.

The four angels hold back the winds of strife, calamity, war and destruction by God's command alone, with sleepless vigilance keeping eager nations at bay until the sealing is finished.

No one receives that seal while stain or defilement remains, but those cleansed, humbled and obedient are covered and sheltered through the time of trouble beyond Satan's power, while keeping the false sabbath by law brings the mark of rebellion.

Angel Ascending from East

The angel ascending from the east is Christ, the Angel of the covenant, the Dayspring from on high and the Light of the world in whom is life. He is the Child born and Son given, Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Restorer and Redeemer in whom divine and human are united. He purchased the world by giving Himself for its ransom, He has the seal of the living God and a chosen few to be sealed who keep all the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, and He speaks with superiority and authority over the hosts of angels. With a loud voice He commands the four angels commissioned to hurt the earth and the sea to hold in check the four winds until they receive His summons, saying hurt not earth, sea, nor trees till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, and this restraining of judgment while sealing goes forward gives comfort and encouragement in His mercy.

Ascending from the east means rising like the sun from the sunrising, at first with little, cold, weak light and then growing warmer, brighter, stronger and more powerful. Light after light shone upon it from searching His Word until the sealing Sabbath truth, the trodden-down commandment to be exalted and published, became clear, weighty and mighty, with healing in its beams and sanctifying power upon the soul. Receiving it carries the saints through the time of trouble, and the greatest weight and light rests upon it because it lasts forever when the Bible is not needed and stands highest after entrance into the goodly land. Unlike the sun it never sets but keeps its course rising higher and higher until immortality comes, brightest when the saints are made immortal, and by it the 144,000 servants of God are sealed. All who are saved will be tried upon it in some way, though the test upon it has been but a short time.

The angel is sent and commissioned by Jesus in pity for the remnant not yet sealed, coming from the direction of God's glory while Jesus pleads His shed blood before the Father for them. In priestly garments with uplifted hands and bright light about Him He intercedes for those still unsealed, and through His mercy the sealing is given time before the threatened harm begins. The angel flies swiftly to the four angels who have power from God to hold back destructive forces on the earth and are about to release them, and cries with a loud voice, Hold, Hold, Hold, Hold, commanding them of equal power to restrain the winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. They are to wait until Jesus finishes His work in the heavenly sanctuary, for the release of the winds brings the seven last plagues that follow the close of His priestly work.

The mighty angel alone gives life and can mark for immortality and eternal life. He is commissioned to place the seal of the living God by setting a mark upon the foreheads of those who sigh and cry for all the abominations done in Jerusalem, and who are loyal and true to the commandments of God. The angel waving something up and down in the hand is the angel with the writer's inkhorn, whose object was not yet revealed. The sealing comes first, and only then will the four angels let loose the four winds, representing earthquakes, tempests and political strife, to hurt the earth and the sea and the trees.

Seal Placed in Forehead

The seal of the living God is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, the sealing Sabbath light and the trodden-down commandment to be exalted and published, received in the forehead and proclaimed as God's seal. It carries the greatest weight and light upon it and lasts forever. The forehead represents the mind, so to be sealed there is to have God's sign and law written in the mind and heart. Unlike compulsory worship, this seal is received inwardly in the mind.

The Sabbath is the token of God's authority as Creator of heaven and earth, the sign of His creative power, rightful authority, and seal of His law. It alone points to God as Creator and distinguishes the true God from false gods. It was instituted to commemorate creation and to keep minds directed to the true and living God, leading through nature to remember His power and love. Its sacred observance would have prevented idolatry, atheism, and infidelity. Those who rejected it recognize its significance too late, when the despised law condemns at judgment.

Having room for the seal requires a clear mind bearing the image of Jesus, with God's commandments and the testimony of Jesus continually in mind while living in view of Christ's coming. When worldly cares and distractions fill the mind, present truth is shut out and there is no place for the seal. Distracting books, looking too far into the future, worldly thoughts and cares, and a mind engrossed with other things crowd it out. Preparation is therefore now, by keeping hearts pure, giving attention to the Bible, and keeping the law in mind and heart.

The seal is not a visible mark but a mark of redemption, readable by angels though not by human eyes. The destroying angel recognizes this mark, as in the passage through Egypt where following God's instructions and remaining inside brought protection, a lesson to be taught to children. It is associated with the Father's name written in foreheads and with the sign of Christ's cross. It is seen in the Lord's adopted sons and daughters, whose breach of the law is taken away, who wear the wedding garment and remain faithful and obedient to all God's commandments.

The seal is carried in the message borne to a perishing world to make ready for the great day of God, which is the proclamation of the third angel. That sealing work which fits a people to stand in the day of the Lord is done by combining the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. It is entrusted to God's people to bear through missions, schools, churches, and health enterprises, and its light was to be shared by publication. The sealing truth rises like the sun in the east and must reach God's people before the time of trouble, with a period of peace allowing servants to work for souls and deliver it.

Four Angels Holding Winds

Angels of God hold the four winds by God's command and power alone so that they do not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree to injure or destroy until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The loud cry to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea is the order to hold back, Hurt not till the sealing is completed first. Sentinel angels belt the world with linked hands in sleepless vigilance, refusing Satan supremacy and keeping eager nations, satanic armies and the roaring lion at bay. This command to hold back harm from earth and sea remains in force and was seen still operating even during war between Spain and America, while nations prepare for war, and it depends on constant prayer for divine aid.

The four winds are destructive forces of strife, human passion, calamity, plagues, war and confusion of nations. They include earthquakes, tempests, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunder, pestilence and political strife, with nation already rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom amid wars and rumors of wars and worldwide agitation, yet without general engagement. They are pictured as an angry horse seeking to break loose and rush over the whole earth bringing death, darkness and desolation, and when restraint is removed evil angels can unleash a final worldwide trouble by divine permission after Christ leaves the sanctuary.

Winds, earthquakes and tempests are not capricious outbreaks of unregulated mechanical forces. All nature with wind, clouds, flood, sea and earth remains under God's sovereign control and physical law as the expression of His higher will, the world's intricate machinery running under His supervision. Hurricanes threatening to break forth are held under control by the One who protects the trembling ones that fear God and keep His commandments, and without that control of satanic agencies seeking to break loose and destroy there would be no hope. Local disturbances in nature are permitted as signs and symbols of what worldwide loosing will bring and to call people to their senses, while explaining why so many are preserved from calamity and why darkness and wickedness covering the earth has not yet broken out in decided violence against righteousness and truth.

When God bids His angels loose the winds there will come a scene of strife, conflict and anguish beyond description and no pen can picture. Dissension, war, bloodshed and deadly weapons will appear in every part of the globe, with vessels entombed in the deep and great loss at sea. The restraint lasts until the servants of God are sealed and until Jesus finishes His work in the sanctuary, and then the powers of earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle and the final marshalling for Armageddon after restraint ends. The disasters already occurring in quick succession by sea and land are signs of the approaching crisis, but the full storm of conflict bursts upon the earth only when God commands release, followed by the seven last plagues, the decree to slay the saints, Jacob's trouble, and deliverance by the voice of God.

Sealing Time Before End

The harm to earth and sea is held back until the sealing is finished first, for the angels hold the four winds so they do not blow on earth or sea or any tree while the angel ascending from the east brings the seal of the living God. The chapter is to be carefully read and studied because wonderful things are about to transpire and its future is full of intense interest to every soul who shall live upon the earth. The sealing is the main business of life and means life, eternal life in the kingdom of glory, verily fulfilled for every open heart warring the good warfare for the unfading crown. God's servants are sealed in their foreheads before earth and sea are harmed by the plagues, marked for protection though still mortal when the slaying begins. The sealing provides covering and shelter before judgment and the seven last plagues, and once it is past those not sealed are left without shelter from wrath, with no atoning blood then to cleanse sin.

The sealing goes forward now while Jesus intercedes in the heavenly sanctuary in the most holy place, restraining destruction while co-workers warn people in large and small cities. The angel comes from the direction of God's glory to bid the four angels hold back the destructive winds until Jesus finishes His work and God's servants are sealed. When that work is done He lays off priestly attire, steps from between Father and man, clothes Himself with garments of vengeance, and Michael stands up, and then restraint ends. Then the ministers of vengeance are called to pour tempests, thunders, pestilences and calamities upon earth and sea as God's wrath in the seven last plagues. The plagues enrage the wicked against the righteous, bringing the decree to slay the saints and Jacob's trouble with day-and-night crying for deliverance, until deliverance comes by the voice of God and the 144,000 triumph with faces lighted with glory.

The living righteous receive the seal before probation closes and every case is eternally decided for life or death, for salvation or destruction. The sealing is connected with sins blotted out and characters fixed, so that when Jesus leaves the sanctuary the holy remain holy and the unjust remain unjust, and repentance and rescue must be completed while He still ministers. The final test over the image of the beast must come first to decide destiny, and only those loyal to the precepts receive the seal before intercession ends and trouble begins. Christ watches and pleads to the last knock, loath to give up, giving even the worst a final test of seal or mark before commanding the winds loosed in plagues, darkness and death. The sealing therefore takes place during the remaining time of probation, before the powers of earth gather for the last great battle.

The sealing time is now, short and soon to be over and finished when Jesus steps out, after the door was shut in 1844. God has already begun to draw the covering of Almighty God over His people in love, and it will very soon be drawn over all decided on present truth who are to have shelter in the day of the Lord. Those with trembling knees and sliding feet, not firmly planted and stiffly standing on present truth, cannot have it drawn over them, and Satan with every art seeks to distract, draw away, deceive, hold the unsteady asleep or doubting, and get saints off guard until sealing is over and they are left without protection in slaughter. Everything must be sacrificed and done before Michael stands up, dropping little idols, pressing together without disunion, denying self till self is dead, loving one another as Christ loved even to laying down life, for if they cannot agree here they cannot reign together. No definite time for probation's close has been given since 1844, and there is to be no prying into who or how many will be sealed.

The holding continues because the church is too far behind her privileges and God's people are too indolent, unfaithful, unclean, polluted, disobedient and unholy like ancient Israel, unprepared for the crisis. Had they believed, done His word and kept His commandments the work would have advanced to all the world and truth would have reached everyone, but rebellion has hindered the Lord's work, delayed the sealing time, and prolonged time for conversion so many not yet hearing may hear. The angels are as it were just loosening the winds yet cannot loose them yet, for God waits for tardy movements. Readiness requires lying before God in humility instead of self-exaltation with high ideas of importance, seeing Christ beaming in glory as alone full of grace and truth, and oneness with Him producing oneness with each other under Christ as Captain, standing shoulder to shoulder without trembling, secure in the infinite love of the Lord God Omnipotent who reigns.

Protection for Sealed People

The seal is placed upon God's servants in their foreheads before destruction falls upon the ungodly, to protect and shelter them through what is coming. It is a covering drawn over all who are decided on present truth, under which they must hide quickly before sword and famine and pestilence come. Those firmly committed and pure are covered through the time of trouble such as never was, while the wavering, trembling and unsteady are left outside with no shelter from wrath and slaughter. The sealing is underway and will soon be finished for all who are to be sheltered in the seven last plagues, and once it is past those not sealed are left without shelter from God's wrath. To live in God's sight through that time when there is no High Priest ministering in the sanctuary, those sealed must fully reflect the image of Jesus.

The sealing places the saints beyond Satan's power. Because his time is short Satan now works more powerfully than ever before in every way and by every insinuation to get the saints off guard, to make them fall asleep upon present truth or to doubt it, so that they will not be sealed. He comes in almost human shape with his angels all around seeking some way to devour them. But God and His angels hover around the saints with wings wafting over them to keep off the unhallowed influence and to protect them from the power of Satan and his angels. Their loyalty to God's commandments brings loss, danger and hatred from apostate churches, yet they must remain steadfast and hold to the Bible as their standard until they are vindicated beyond his wrath.

Those sealed are overcomers registered in heaven, the men who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the midst of Jerusalem among those who profess to be God's people. They are not those engrossed in games for selfish amusement, but those marked on the forehead with sobriety, prayerfulness and watchfulness who grieve over wrongdoing in the land rather than sympathize with it. After the mark is set upon this class, the command is given to the ministers of destruction to smite without pity, beginning at the sanctuary and sparing only those with the mark. They include the 144,000 who stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion, bearing the Father's name on their foreheads and redeemed from the earth. This is seen when demon-worship spreads and judicial wrath like Sodom hangs over the wicked before harvest and winepress, as the day of God's vengeance approaches and those who sympathize with the world's wrongdoing face destruction with the workers of iniquity.

The seal is an indelible mark showing that they belong to God, with His name written upon them, and their destination is the New Jerusalem. It is the passport through the gates of the holy city, which only those who receive it will enter, bringing special honors in God's kingdom to the living righteous who receive it before probation closes. Those who repent and confess their sins in the antitypical day of atonement, and steadfastly watch and wait for Christ's appearing, are marked as worthy of God's protection, and after they are sealed they may still face personal trials but God watches over them so that their faith is not destroyed. Faithful sealed ones who die beforehand rest in death through the time of trouble, and their death is good and results in good, coming up at the voice of God to stand upon the earth with the 144,000, so there is no cause for mourning except for the loss felt by the living deprived of their company.

Few humble themselves as little children to receive the seal, for pride causes failure. Many hear mercy's invitation and are tested, but humility and a meek, lowly spirit are essential. Belonging to the church or being united with it does not save a person until the seal is placed upon him and he is made complete in Christ. Once sealed for heaven the person is sealed and secure, but sins must go beforehand to judgment or they will never go, for in that time one uncovered sin will crush the soul and heaven will give no answer.

Sabbath Seal Against Mark

The seal of the living God stands in contrast with the mark of the beast, and receiving one or the other is the decisive test of loyalty developing two parties, worshipers of the beast and his image on one side and those with the Father's name on the other. The seal belongs to those who remain true to God, His truth, and His law, obedient to all His commands, sanctified by the Spirit and steadfast to principle against corruption. That preparation requires humbling before God and purifying the soul by obeying the truth into the heavenly mold, in contrast with joining the world and preparing for the mark. On the borders of the eternal world every person must make the great present and urgent decision which to receive, and nothing is of greater value than to be found loyal and true by prizing truth and law above all else.

In the final worldwide conflict the Sabbath is the issue of loyalty, the great final issue in which all the world acts a part. The true Sabbath bears the mark and ineffaceable name of God's authority as Creator showing His rightful claim to worship, while the spurious Sabbath bears the mark of Satan's authority as the sign of the kingdom of rebellion, each institution identifying its author and its subjects. God has set His seal upon His royal requirement, and those who obey the fourth commandment bear His seal as a sign between Himself and His people associated with the Father's name written on foreheads. It is of vital consequence whether people bear the mark of God's kingdom or the mark of the kingdom of rebellion, and God's people are to uplift the downtrodden standard and lead others to understand it by right example in Sabbathkeeping. Keeping the first day of the week as Sabbath under human law identifies those who acknowledge papal authority rather than God's authority.

Keeping the true Sabbath in obedience to God's law is evidence of loyalty to the Creator and brings the seal, because the Sabbath is the point of truth especially controverted that draws the line of distinction between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. Observance of the false first-day sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, is an avowal of allegiance to a power in opposition to God and brings the mark of the beast. When the test comes the difference will be clearly shown, with the mark being the keeping of Sunday, and those who after hearing the truth continue to regard Sunday as holy bear the signature of the man of sin who thought to change times and laws. Having the seal means refusing Sunday observance in which human church authority is made supreme, refusing to labor with the man of sin who exalted himself above God, repairing the breach by keeping the Sabbath from polluting it, calling it a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, not doing own ways nor finding own pleasure nor speaking own words, and turning many others from disobedience. Many will not receive it because they do not keep His commandments or bear fruits of righteousness in truth and brotherly love, including professed commandment-keepers without power because not controlled by the Spirit and lacking the life of Christ.

The choice is made only with sufficient light for an informed decision, for God does not let those who desire truth be deceived, and no one suffers wrath until the truth has been brought to mind and conscience and rejected. The forming of the image of the beast is the great test by which eternal destiny is decided, and that test must come before the sealing, with all who prove loyalty by keeping the law and refusing a spurious Sunday sabbath ranking under the banner of Jehovah as ticketed for the New Jerusalem. The solemn warning not to receive the mark would have no purpose if given after all the saints are sealed.

Character Ready for Seal

No one receives the seal of the living God in Revelation 7:2 while any defect, stain or defilement remains in the character, and the soul must be cleansed of every defilement and purified by obeying the truth. Those who humble themselves before God receive the heavenly mold instead of the worldly mold, with a meek and lowly spirit sharing Christ's suffering rather than seeking popularity or joining the world for the mark of the beast. When the decree goes forth and the seal is impressed on the forehead, the character remains pure and spotless for eternity, fit for heaven. Then the latter rain falls as the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples at Pentecost, upon those without spot. Few receive it, for many are tested by mercy's invitation yet fail through pride, unless they humble themselves as little children.

The seal is received by those prepared through trials and suffering, which purify them and fit them to receive it, to pass through the time of trouble, to stand in God's presence and to see the King in His beauty. That preparation requires a breaking down before God, a tearing down and building up in which wrongs and hard feelings are confessed and forgiven. It requires closing up earthly history by having the life hid with Christ in God, by making calling and election sure, and by living out the light of truth received. Those so prepared will be safe in the coming storm, whatever happens and wherever they are.

Readiness means being sanctified by the truth with the law of God given the pre-eminence, and claiming the seal now because the time left is very short. It means not doing own pleasure on the Sabbath day, but keeping it from polluting it, calling it a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, honoring God by not doing own ways nor finding own pleasure nor speaking own words, since selfish indulgence weakens physical, mental and moral strength and destroys a true sense of the sacredness of God's requirements. It means refusing Sunday observance where the commandments of men and human church authority are made supreme, refusing to labor with the man of sin who thought to change times and laws, making up the breach in God's law, raising up the foundation of many generations, and by precept and example turning many feet from disobedience unto delighting in the Lord, riding upon the high places of the earth and being fed with the heritage of Jacob. Bearing the seal means keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus and practicing temperance in all things, even though the dragon is wroth with the remnant and makes war with those who keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus.

The little remaining period of probation while the four winds are held must be used to make personal safety sure in God by having sins forgiven through Christ the Burden-bearer, having a clean heart and the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith, standing on the Rock of ages, hiding in the only Refuge, being one with Christ as He is one with the Father, and working in co-partnership with Christ as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. That requires earnest self-examination, cherishing faith before God, and eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God by studying, digesting and living the Word until the character of Christ becomes the individual character and the heart is renewed, which alone gives a safety nothing can break. It requires humility before God instead of self-exaltation, giving all glory to Christ alone full of grace and truth, and oneness with Him producing oneness with each other in unity and love, with eyes fixed on Christ and hearts stayed upon the Lord under Christ as Captain, standing shoulder to shoulder to resist the confederacy of evil with strength for a battle unseen by the natural eye, without trembling, secure in the infinite love of the Lord God Omnipotent who reigns. To be sealed, little idols must be dropped, disunion put away, self denied until self is dead throughout the camp, with love one to another as Christ loved, loving brethren as self and laying down life for the brethren, for those who cannot agree here cannot reign together in heaven. It requires heeding the closing solemn warning, letting light shine without harshness or oppression, walking in full obedience depending on Christ alone with family consecrated, before the Spirit's outpouring finishes the work.

God will not place His seal where there is an idol, and it will never be placed on a selfish character. No trace of selfishness will enter the city of God, so one ruled by passion, appetite, eating and drinking, money, self-worship, a worldly spirit, oppression and a masterly overbearing spirit cannot be sealed unless God is first and last and best in everything, self hid in God, and will, appetite and unholy passions overcome. Past cruel wrongs to wife and children must be righted as far as possible by repentance, reform, restitution and showing mercy, or the Lord will deal without sympathy, without mercy, without compassion and heaven will be lost; those sealed have the character of those clothed in white raiment to walk with Christ. No one who keeps tobacco can receive the seal unless the filthy weed is laid aside and given up, for if held as an idol the frown of God rests on the user; even its use as medicine must be given up, dishonoring God, with trust placed instead in God as the great Physician. The seal will not be placed upon anyone who maintains connection with Freemasonry or any secret organization after the light of truth has shone upon his pathway, for it is unsafe to have any part with such secret orders and those under Christ's banner cannot be united with them.

Blindness, deafness, lameness, deformity, inherited suffering and disease, injury from accident, and color of hair do not keep anyone from receiving the seal, and no one must first be healed of deformity in order to be saved, for teaching otherwise is fable. Receiving it requires inward cleansing, a heart washed in the blood of the Lamb, faith in Christ, control of natural propensities, denial of selfish inclinations, victory in the conflict against hereditary tendencies to do wrong, and faithful and true obedience that brings rest and peace now. All who are faithful and true will in the great day of God receive the healing touch of the divine Restorer, have every deformity removed, and receive eternal life.

The seal is God's measurement of character in the great day of God, testifying what He estimates of worth, and it is set only on what is after the similitude of heaven. God does not estimate a man by position or occupation or outward show, but by the character he forms; He honors as a man of worth the one who feels the burden of responsibility to live out the principles of heaven, who strives to honor and obey the law of Jehovah, who builds his life work on pure ennobling principles, and who strives to form a character after the divine model and so advances in the higher education. When a man's life is guided by principles God does not endorse, principles that find no entrance into the heavenly city, the righteousness of Christ does not go before him and the glory of God is not his rereward, and the seal is not set on him. The seal means Christ manifesting His own character in His believing ones and covering them with the robe of His righteousness, with healing power for every soul, marking them as belonging to Him and distinguished from the world by lives revealing God's character of love. It is borne by converted, devoted workers who make the Lord their dependence, through whom God reveals the power of His grace, and it is seen in their words and their works revealing that they are laborers together with God.

Bearing the seal is proved by close and unexpected tests showing who is worthy, including whether people faithfully serve God with their influence and means, give tithes and offerings, and do good rather than live for self. Many will not receive it because they do not keep His commandments or bear the fruits of righteousness in truth, righteousness and true brotherly love; transgressors of the law who are unconverted, including those who claim to keep the commandments yet have little power because they are not controlled by the Holy Spirit and lack the life of Christ, will fail to receive it. The seal can only be borne by those who keep principle in sight and do not partake of the same spirit stirring the hearts of the ungodly; those who become blind to principle, disregard God's requirements, abuse His goods, refuse His discipline and instruction, and fail to impart what they receive, cannot bear it. Harshness, selfishness, covetousness and oppression disqualify men from representing Christ, while meekness, lowliness, compassion and love for others fit humanity to be under the influence of divinity and to reveal Christ; those who will not repent after testing are removed and punished, with severity proportionate to the light they had but did not heed. It is not borne by unfaithful stewards who sit in the gate deciding what the people should have and what they should not have, who take away the key of knowledge, refuse to enter in themselves and hinder those who would enter; vengeance will be executed against them, and all in responsible positions should be solemnly and terribly afraid lest they be found without the seal.

Delay for Final Mission

The holding back of the winds is a brief gracious respite granted so that the last message of mercy and loud-voiced warning may go to every nation, kindred, tongue and people upon the earth. It is a limited opportunity for labor before that time ends, with the angels restraining the winds of strife until the world has been warned of its coming doom. During this delay missionaries are to go throughout the world to warn against disobeying God's law, using every physical, mental and moral ability without delay and doubling talents in soul ingathering. The work includes entering European and Australian fields and the southern field, to lighten the earth with glory before the storm bursts as a thief and probation ends.

While the restraint continues God's messengers carry saving present truth swiftly to fainting starving souls, ready to bring it so that people may receive the seal of the living God. This sealing work goes forward while Jesus pleads before the Father through His blood, sufferings and death for sinners. Those entrusted with earthly goods and means are responsible for supporting the messengers with money and influence and for helping them reach perishing souls. The delay depends on constant prayer for divine aid and protection and for more time to work, with God's people united in Christian faith, laying petitions in faith before the mercy-seat, working in harmony with prayer in aggressive warfare for present truth that separates a people onto eternal truth's platform, opening avenues among rulers without provoking authorities and refusing to be divided and scattered by side issues.

The little remaining period of probation while the winds are held must be improved by earnest self-examination, washing robes white in the blood of the Lamb and making personal safety sure in God. It does not profit to bury talents in worldly business or commercialism or to become so engrossed in the things of this world as to have neither time nor thought for preparing to be among the number sealed. Safety requires having sins forgiven through Christ the Burden-bearer, having a clean heart and the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith, standing on the Rock of ages, hiding in the only Refuge, being one with Christ as He is one with the Father, and working in co-partnership with Christ as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. That transformation comes by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God through studying, digesting and living the Word until the character of Christ becomes the individual character and the heart is renewed, closing earthly history with life hid with Christ in God, calling and election sure, and living out received light, which alone gives a safety that nothing can prevail to break through the coming storm.

Even now the restraining Spirit of God is being withdrawn while sentinel angels still hold the four winds that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood and disasters by sea and land following each other in quick succession, with kingdom rising against kingdom yet without determined general engagement, are signs thickening around that tell of the near approach of the Son of God. Science and men attribute them to other causes and cannot discern the angels holding them back, but they show the world standing on the threshold of great and solemn events with nations angry, plotting and mustering forces for war and bloodshed yet held back by unseen power. The command to hold, hold, hold remains in force, seen even amid war between Spain and America and uneasiness in all nations, because a work of preparing the people to stand in great trials upon sea and land is not yet done; truth alone is shield and rearward, and God's people must hide in Him till the indignation passes and work diligently to save others instead of assuming shelter while idle.

Who will be sealed and how many will be sealed and other such details are not plainly revealed and are side issues on which salvation does not depend, so prying curiosity about them is not to be encouraged. What is plainly revealed is to be read and spoken, and those who walk humbly with God will receive instruction while waiting until what is essential to know is made known. Believers are servants of the living God who must not be satisfied with superficial knowledge, nor be elated by flattery nor depressed by faultfinding, turning away from temptation to follow a course aimed at being admired. The sealing of God's people stands connected with heaven's judgments on the wicked when God arises to stop blasphemy.