Eleventh-Hour Workers and the 144,000 in Seventh-day Adventism

Yes, there are many individuals who will join the ranks of Seventh-day Adventists at the eleventh hour to perform a vital work for God16MR 238.2. These laborers include those who have not yet received the light of truth but will accept it as soon as it is presented to themSITI January 27, 1887, page 54.18.

The Calling of the Eleventh Hour

The eleventh hour represents a time of special opportunity just before the close of probation, where many who are currently in the world or other churches—including the Catholic Church—will come forward with a zeal that exceeds those who have long been in the faith16MR 238.2+1. These workers are characterized by their immediate response to God's call, much like the laborers in the parable who went into the vineyard as soon as they were hired Matthew 20:6-7SITI January 27, 1887, page 54.18.

Characteristics of these Laborers

• Rapid Conversion: Thousands will acknowledge the truth with a rapidity that will surprise the church, and this work will be accomplished by the power of the Holy SpiritLDE 212.1+1.

• Steadfastness in Crisis: When the final crisis and seasons of calamity arrive, these eleventh-hour workers will come to the front, gird themselves with the whole armor of God, and exalt His law16MR 238.2+1.

• Equal Reward: Although they enter the work late, they receive the same "penny" or reward as those who labored through the heat of the day because they are true to principle and faithful to the light they received Matthew 20:916MR 238.2+1.

• Replacing the Unfaithful: These laborers will take the place of "standard bearers" and those who had great light but turned away or became unable to stand during the time of shakingPC 336.3+1.

The Urgency of the Work

We are living in a momentous period where the sands of time are fast slipping awayARSH June 30, 1859, page 46.12. While the eleventh hour is a time of mercy for those who have lacked opportunity, it is not a reason to delay; rather, it is a call for every soul to awake and cooperate with the heavenly universeTSB 133.3+1. The Master is now gathering precious fruits from all nations, and there is still room in the vineyard for every earnest and honest worker Luke 14:22SS 10.1+1. For those who feel their unworthiness or that they have wasted much time, God is a sin-pardoning Savior who offers pardon even in this late hourTSB 133.3+1.

The Lord will not be left without a witness; when those who have had abundance of light throw off restraint, others will come in to fill their place and take their crownGCB January 1, 1900, par. 4+1. Therefore, let us be ready and watch diligently, for the time of working will soon be pastLTJMB5 66.1+1.

The 144,000 can indeed be made up from the last generation of Christians, including those who join the Lord's service at the eleventh hourS144 4.1. While the 144,000 are a specific group of living saints who stand without fault before the throne of God, the broken ranks of God’s people are filled by those represented as coming in at the eleventh hourLDE 182.2+2.

The Composition of the 144,000

The 144,000 are the living righteous who are changed to immortality at the coming of the Lord without experiencing deathExV 11.1+1. They are drawn from the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, which in the New Testament refers to "true Israelites" or "Jews inwardly"—those who are children of the promise through their relation to Christ Romans 2:29+2S144 4.1. Because the work of the gospel concludes with the sealing of this group, they represent the final harvest of the earthS144 4.1+1.

Eleventh-Hour Workers Filling the Ranks

As the final crisis approaches and the "shaking" takes place, many who have had great light but failed to prize it will drop out of the ranksTSA 50.2+2.

• Replacing the Unfaithful: The vacant places in God's army will be filled by those who come from other denominations or even from the grossest error, accepting the truth at the eleventh hour2SM 16.1+2.

• Rapid Conversion: Thousands will acknowledge the truth with a rapidity that will surprise the church, and these individuals may be among the 144,000 who are sealed for protection1888 747.2+1.

• A Universal Group: These workers will be gathered from all nations, tribes, and peoples, following the Lamb wherever He goes Revelation 14:43SM 424.2+1.

Characteristics and Experience

The eleventh-hour laborers are characterized by a humble and thankful spirit, working with great earnestness because they appreciate the wonderful truths they have foundCOL 397.3+1.

• The Last Test: They will stand as firm as a rock through the last test, which is the enforcement of the image of the beast before probation closesLDE 227.3+2.

• Without Guile: Like all of the 144,000, they must attain a character of perfection, having no guile in their mouths and being without fault before the throne Revelation 14:5EVRR495+1.

• Sharing the Reward: In the parable of the vineyard, those hired at the eleventh hour receive an equal reward to those who worked all day because they used their talents to the utmost of their ability as soon as they were called Matthew 20:12-16RH July 2, 1889, par. 14+1.

The Special Resurrection

It is important to note that some who die in the faith of the third angel's message are raised in a "partial resurrection" just before the second adventEVRR511. These individuals are raised to hear God's covenant of peace and are said to stand "with the 144,000," even though the 144,000 proper are those who are "redeemed from among men" as the living saints Revelation 14:4EVRR511+2.

Ultimately, while we are not to get into controversy over specifically who will compose this group, we know that those who enter the service of Christ at the eleventh hour and remain faithful through the time of trouble will be among the redeemed who enter the gates of the City7BC 978.4+2.