Divine Secrets: The Covenant, Character in Crisis, and the 144,000

Psalm 25:14

14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.

Psalm 25:14 refers to the intimate, confidential relationship and the system of salvation that God reveals to those who live in holy awe of Him Psalm 25:14PTUK April 27, 1899, page 259.8. This covenant is not a burdensome mystery but a beautiful partnership based on mutual trust and obediencePTUK April 27, 1899, page 259.8+1.

The Meaning of God's Secret Counsel

The "secret" of the Lord is His confidential association with those who fear HimPTUK April 27, 1899, page 259.8. To these individuals, He whispers truths that others cannot hear, sharing the deep things of His kingdom that are hidden from the worldly-wise Matthew 11:25PTUK April 27, 1899, page 259.8+1.

• A Mutual Friendship: Friendship with God is based on an exchange of confidences where we withhold nothing from Him, and in return, He reveals the wonders of His salvation John 15:15PTUK April 27, 1899, page 259.8+1.

• Revelation to the Humble: While the proud find the Bible to be an impenetrable mystery, those who are meek and willing to do His will find the ways of God plain and clear3BC 1156.2+2.

• Instruction in Prophecy: God grants the wise an understanding of the times and the "sure word of prophecy" so they need not remain in darkness regarding the future 2 Peter 1:19ARSH December 13, 1853, page 179.22+1.

The Nature of the Covenant

The covenant is God’s promise to restore His image in the soul and provide a way of escape from sinCE 236.1+1.

• A System of Truth: It is a complete and harmonious system of truth that provides strength to the obedient and unlocks the mysteries of His providence4aSG 111.3+2.

• The Promise of Grace: God's covenant is a promise of mercy and truth for those who keep His testimonies and commandments Psalm 25:10ST October 22, 1894, par. 5.

• Sanctification and Peace: Through this covenant, God instructs the soul deeply in the mystery of Christ, bringing visions of the King in His beauty and the promise of eternal rest2SM 230.4+1.

Who Receives This Knowledge?

God does not show His covenant to everyone, but specifically to those who meet certain spiritual conditions17LtMs, Lt 180, 1902, par. 22+1.

• Those who Fear Him: The fear of the Lord—which is to hate evil and depart from iniquity—is the starting point for all true wisdom and understanding Job 28:28PK 34.2+1.

• The Obedient: A good understanding is given to those who do His commandments and walk in integrity Psalm 111:10ARSH May 2, 1854, page 116.8+1.

• The Prayerful: Those who, like Daniel, habituate themselves to study and devotion will have the secrets of God revealed to them in times of need Daniel 2:17-19SDP 32.2+1.

The Results of Understanding the Covenant

When we understand the covenant, our lives are transformed from sadness to rejoicingCOL 162.1.

• Safety and Guidance: The Lord becomes a buckler and a guide, leading us in the path we should choose and keeping our feet from every snare Psalm 25:12GCDB April 7, 1903, page 176.1+1.

• A Book of Remembrance: God records every word of faith and act of love in a book of remembrance for those who think upon His name and fear Him Malachi 3:16GC 481.1+1.

• Eternal Knowledge: This education is not for this life only but continues throughout eternity as the miraculous power of God opens before the mind in new beautyST March 20, 1884, par. 10+1.

A crisis acts as a revealer of the true inwardness of a person, bringing out the "true metal" of their character that is often hidden during times of easeRH September 17, 1895, par. 9. While we may appear to be stable and prepared, the arrival of sudden calamity, sickness, or an unexpected emergency manifests whether our souls are truly sustained by grace and whether we have a genuine faith in God's WordRH September 17, 1895, par. 9.

The Revealing Power of Emergencies

In the quiet of daily life, it is difficult to distinguish the prepared from the unprepared, but a crisis removes all masksRH September 17, 1895, par. 9.

• True Metal: Emergencies bring out the true metal of character, showing what kind of material we have used in our spiritual buildingCM 53.1+1.

• The Midnight Cry: Just as the sleeping virgins were all taken unawares by the midnight cry, a sudden crisis reveals who has made the necessary preparation and who is found without the "oil" of the Holy SpiritRH September 17, 1895, par. 9.

• Sudden Calamity: Whether it is bereavement, sickness, or being brought face to face with death, these moments manifest whether there is any real faith in the promises of GodRH September 17, 1895, par. 9.

Building for the Storm

The character we reveal in a crisis is the result of the "timber" we have put into our character-building during our probationary time2MR 231.2+1.

• Solid Timbers: Only those who have brought solid timbers of integrity and righteousness into their character-building will stand unmoved amid the tempests of trial2MCP 552.4+2.

• The Foundation: Those who build on the immovable, solid Rock, Christ Jesus, are the only ones whose building will not be ruined when the storm arisesSpTEd 73.1+1.

• Hidden Defects: A crisis can reveal "rotten timber" beneath the "paint and varnish" of a professional form of godlinessSL 12.1. Just as one poor timber can sink a ship, one unsubdued trait of character can lead to ruin in a time of trial4T 606.1.

The Final Crisis

We are approaching a supreme crisis that will demand the entire consecration of every person who claims the name of ChristGW92 369.4.

• The Time of Trouble: A "time of trouble, such as never was" is soon to break upon the world, and it will require an experience and a preparation of character that many are currently too indolent to obtain Ezekiel 14:20GC 622.4+1.

• Individual Standing: In that coming ordeal, every soul must stand for himself; no one can depend on the righteousness or preparation of anotherGC 622.4.

• Test of Loyalty: The final crisis will involve a test of our loyalty to God’s law, specifically in the face of human decrees that contradict His commandmentsHS 156.1+1.

How to Prepare

Preparation for the revelation of character in a crisis must happen now, during our daily livesRH December 11, 1888, par. 17.

• Daily Conversion: We must be newly converted every day so that we may be "vessels unto honor" during the time of troubleTM 248.2+1.

• Secret Communion: It is secret communion with God in the "mount" that sustains the soul-life and enables us to fashion our character according to the divine patternGW 254.1.

• Self-Denial: Character is formed by stern efforts to resist temptation and by practicing the same unselfishness and self-denial revealed in the life of ChristMH 206.1+1.

By beholding Jesus and placing ourselves under the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, we can form characters that reflect the divine nature, enabling us to stand unmoved and unfaulted when the storm breaks Jude 1:22-238T 86.2+1.

The 144,000 are a specific company of living saints who will be distinctly known by their peculiar traits of character and their steadfast adherence to the present truth during the sealing periodSLG 1.1+1. While the world may not recognize them, those who are being sealed are heeding the solemn message and purifying their souls through obedience to the truth5T 215.3+1.

The Experience of the Sealing

The sealing is not an arbitrary act but a reflection of a deep spiritual experience and character development7BC 978.1+1.

• Distinctive Marks: Those being numbered for the kingdom are known by traits such as being "zealous of good works," following after righteousness, and having God’s law written in their hearts Psalms 50:5SLG 1.1.

• The Mind and Affections: The seal is placed in the forehead, which is a symbol of the mind and the intellectual faculties, meaning the individual serves God with their entire heart and intellectMBSG 3.1+1.

• A Song of Experience: In heaven, they sing a "new song" that no other group can learn because it is based on their unique experience of coming out of great tribulation and standing without an intercessor Revelation 14:3CIS 365.3+1.

The Process of Preparation

The sealing is a work of preparation that requires active engagement and self-examination5T 215.3+1.

• Purifying the Soul: Those receiving the heavenly mold are currently humbling themselves before God and cleansing the soul-temple of every defilementCCh 334.1+2.

• The Choice of Destiny: Men must choose between the mark of the beast and the seal of God; this choice is a conscious decision that decides their eternal destinyMBSG 3.1+1.

• Sighing and Crying: The seal of God is placed only upon those who "sigh and cry" for the abominations done in the land and in the church, showing they are deeply aware of their spiritual standing Ezekiel 9:4CET 187.2+1.

The Final Decision

While the work is hidden from the world, it is a reality that involves every individual's personal decision and character standingSLG 1.1+1.

• Individual Accountability: The sealing angel makes his way through all nations, and those who have had soul communion with God will have characters that admit them into the closest relationship with HimSSP 247.1.

• The Close of Probation: When the work is finished, an angel returning from earth will announce to the heavenly host that the servants of God are sealed and the final test has been brought upon the worldGC 613.2+1.

• Spotless Character: Not one will receive the seal while their character has a single spot or stain; thus, those being sealed are actively seeking to reflect the image of Jesus fullyCCh 334.1+2.

The Reward of the Faithful

Though they may be "men wondered at" and persecuted on earth, their identity is secured for eternitySLG 1.1+1.

• Letters of Gold: The names of the 144,000 are already seen in vision as being engraved in letters of gold on tables of stone in the heavenly templeCCh 36.1+1.

• Redeemed from the Living: They are those who will be alive at the second advent and translated from among men without seeing deathMBSG 3.1+2.

• Eternal Security: Once the stamp is impressed and the decree goes forth, their characters will remain pure and spotless for all eternity5T 215.3+1.