Understanding the Sealing and Latter Rain of the 144,000

The sealing of the 144,000 is a specific work that began in the mid-19th century and continues until the close of human probationSLG 65.1+1. This process is the final work of preparation for the church before the return of Jesus Christ3T 266.2+1.

The Timeline of the Sealing

• Commencement: The sealing work brought to view in Revelation 7 began shortly after the proclamation of the first angel’s messageSSP 259.1. Specifically, it has been going forward since the years 1848–1850QSM 21.1.

• Duration: This period of sealing occurs while the four angels of Revelation 7:1 hold back the "four winds" of earthly strife and desolationS144 3.1+2. This restraint remains in place until the full number of the servants of God is reached and markedS144 3.1+1.

• Completion: The sealing ends exactly when the third angel’s message closes and Jesus finishes His work as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuaryEVRR237+1. At that moment, an angel returns from the earth to report that the saints are numbered and sealed, leading Jesus to declare, "It is done" Revelation 22:11EVRR237.

Conditions During the Sealing Time

The sealing is not a visible external mark but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spirituallyARSH June 4, 1857, page 37.8+1.

• Character Development: It is a time for the formation of a character that God can approve, marked by a total departure from evil and the absence of guileFE 462.3+2.

• The Sabbath as a Sign: The Sabbath is the specific seal or sign of the living God that distinguishes the obedient from the disobedient during this time13MR 69.2+2.

• Protection for the Future: Those who are sealed during this time are prepared to stand without an intercessor through the seven last plagues and the "time of Jacob’s trouble"GC88 648.3+2.

• Inclusion of the Dead: Some who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message since 1848 are numbered among the 144,000, as they are credited with the sealing experience they gained while living Revelation 14:13S144 7.1+1.

The universe is currently waiting for this work to be completed so that the kingdom of God may be fully establishedSSP 142.1. It is vital to employ every moment of this remaining probationary time to ensure our characters are fitted for the seal of the living God13MR 156.1+2.

Yes, receiving the latter rain is an essential part of the final preparation and sealing process for God's people. 🌧️ It is specifically designed to ripen the harvest of the earth and fit the 144,000 for the close of probationLDE 186.3+2.

The Purpose of the Latter Rain in Sealing

The latter rain is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in its fullness, which brings the work of grace to a completion in the soulLDE 183.2+1.

• Ripening the Harvest: Just as the natural latter rain causes grain to fill out and ripen, the spiritual latter rain is needed to perfect the character and finish the work before the harvestLDE 186.3+1.

• A Teacher of Righteousness: The latter rain is identified as a "teacher of righteousness," a manifestation of the Spirit of truth that convicts of sin and leads into the righteousness of ChristARSH September 2, 1851, page 23.2+1.

• Developing Spiritual Gifts: When the people of God attain to primitive faith and practice, the latter rain will develop and revive all the gifts of the SpiritEW 133.3+1.

• Empowering the Loud Cry: This outpouring adds power to the third angel’s message, causing it to swell into a "loud cry" that lightens the entire earth with the glory of God Revelation 18:1BDOC 3.3+1.

The Relationship Between the Latter Rain and the Final Seal

The sealing of God's people is an progressive work that concludes with a final, definitive mark of redemptionEVRR236+1.

• Preparation for the Seal: The latter rain is the "refreshing" that prepares the saints to stand through the trying hour ahead and to receive the "seal of the living God"BDOC 69.126+1.

• Order of Events: The latter rain must be received before the work is closed up and the final sealing of redemption is finishedEVRR236+1.

• Final Character Perfection: The 144,000 receive the outpouring of the Spirit without measure once they have received the character of Christ in fullBDOC 56.20+1.

• Protection during Probation's Close: Only those who are living godly lives and are refreshed by this heavenly shower will be prepared to pass safely through the time of troubleARSH January 31, 1856, page 143.11+1.

Prerequisites for Receiving the Latter Rain

The latter rain does not fall on those who are unprepared; it requires a specific spiritual conditionLDE 195.4+1.

• The Former Rain First: Those who do not appreciate or receive the benefits of the "early rain"—the initial work of the Spirit in conversion—will not be able to recognize or value the latter rain1MR 180.1+2.

• Daily Advancement: We must be daily advancing in Christian virtues; otherwise, the rain may be falling on hearts all around us, but we will not discern itLDE 195.4+1.

• Purification of the Soul: To be ready for the heavenly dew, we must have our vessels purified from every defilement, including envy, jealousy, and evil surmisingEv 701.4+2.

• Earnest Prayer: God has commanded us to ask for this blessing: "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain" Zechariah 10:1ChS 251.1+1.

It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ so that we may be fitted for this time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord Acts 3:19Ev 701.4+1. 🕊️