Athen's Library

The One Hundred, Forty and Four Thousand

And

The Seals with which They are Sealed

August 2008

As you read this letter I am sure you will be asking yourself.  When will these things take place?  I would like to answer this question beforehand to allow you to better concentrate on the text of this lesson.  In like manner, the types which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service. Under the Mosaic system, the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the great day of atonement, occurred on the tenth day of the seventh Jewish month, [LEV. 16:29-34.] when the high priest, having made an atonement for all Israel, and thus removed their sins from the sanctuary, came forth and blessed the people.  GC88 399.  In essence the answer to this question is on God’s appointed times (mo`ed Strong’s H4150) set in motion on the fourth day of creation.  These are the very same days of Holy Convocation pointed out by the symbolic service.  In other words every aspect of the Second Advent will be fulfilled according to the laws of the symbolic service, beginning on the first day of the year of Jubilee.

The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another’s feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.  EW 15

Ellen White was inspired to pen Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. RH, March 9, 1905.  She would not have thrown down the gauntlet like this if there was not something we can do to improve our eligibility of being numbered among this elite group.  When we look at other elite groups we find they require a substantial commitment of rigorous mental and or physical training before a person is eligible even to be considered.  It is for this reason that this lesson is being written.  All who are aspiring to be included in this group, but are not sure what it is that separates the men from the boys so to speak, this lesson is for you.  Like all truth this lesson is founded upon the Bible and the writings of God’s messengers who have written since John.  It would be unfair to continue without mentioning that the groundwork for this lesson is found in two previous lessons.  The first is named Joshua or Yeshua and the second is named Symbols.  It is also meant to be a continuation of the lesson named Genesis 49 Prophecies.  If you are not familiar with the truths brought to light in these works, you might wish to read them before continuing this lesson.

The Harvest

Before anything else can be discussed we must understand that the harvest we are going to consider here is the grain harvest of the Second Advent.  Remember, at the First Advent Jesus (Yeshua) came to this world to live and die according to the laws of the symbolic service and this advent required a commitment of thirty-three and one half years.  The Second Advent is of no less complexity and will also require a span of years.  This advent will begin on Atonement Day beginning the year of the Jubilee, and will continue following the laws of the Sanctuary Service harvesting souls into God’s Kingdom, culminating with the Return of Jesus (Yeshua) to receive His Kingdom.

Accordingly, the 144,000 will come into existence at a specified time pointed out in the Symbolic Service because they have accepted a present truth message that harvests them.  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7.  Not only is this message a sealing message, providing a seal on the forehead of those who accept it, it is a harvesting message.  The acceptance of this message requires the listener to step out in faith (rigorous training both mentally and physically) and believe without seeing in a way that can only be compared to the instructions Jesus (Yeshua) spoke to Thomas at their first meeting after His resurrection. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29.  The 144,000 are blessed indeed for this reason, they become the very first to enjoy citizenship in the Kingdom of Glory which Jesus (Yeshua) taught us to pray for when He taught us the Lord’s Prayer.  This prayer was given to us as a means of keeping fresh in our minds the fact that the Kingdom of Glory must be established on this earth before Jesus (Yeshua) can return to receive His Kingdom.

The Kingdom begins with the sealing of the 144,000; this same event is also portrayed in the parable of the ten virgins.  In the parable there are five wise and five foolish, the five wise have extra oil in a separate vessel; they have stepped out in faith and accepted a message about something that is not yet visible.  We must remember that we are talking about a new message, and that it is this message that is the extra oil.  The Spirit explained to me that the oil and the extra oil are not the same and do not even come down the same pipeline; they are from completely separate olive trees.  Just as the oil is different, so is its’ light, because of the “life” that is in it, it even burns differently.  The light that comes after the extra oil is placed into our lamps will illuminate the scriptures in such a way as to allow us to comprehend the most subtle of details in the plan of salvation, making it seem as though the Bible is a brand new book.  Knowledge of this message is what makes the distinction between having a vessel that is empty and having a vessel that is filled, but remember at this time the oil is still in the vessel and is not placed into the lamp until after the voice of the bride and the bridegroom are heard.  Only those who have a vessel filled with extra oil are allowed to join with the wedding procession.

As we read in Revelation chapter fourteen we find that the 144,000 are virgins, and that they follow the lamb, (bridegroom) whithersoever he goeth.  We also find that they are redeemed from among men, and that they are firstfruits unto God.  These are two very important points, the fact that they are redeemed from among men indicates that they are placed in God’s protective care, (Kingdom) and the fact that they are firstfruits (wave loaves), indicates that they have been harvested in the grain harvest, ground into flour and then had all of the other necessary ingredients added, in order for them to be a complete new creature in Christ.

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.  Revelation 14:14.  There are many who believe this verse refers to the Second Coming of Christ to receive His Kingdom, but there are two facts that would indicate otherwise.  Fact one; in verses six, eight, and nine of this same chapter there are three angels brought to view and each one of them is actually a messenger with a message.  The first angel brought a message concerning the hour of his judgment is come, the second angel a message of Babylon is fallen, while the third angel’s message was about If any man worship the beast and his image.  Following this rule, we can conclude that the person who is seen sitting upon this white cloud is also a messenger with a message.

The Message

In the text for the three other messengers, we have been given an outline of what their message was going to be about, but in verse fourteen something is different.  Instead of the text telling us what the message is, the picture does.  This picture tells us that the message will be about one like unto the Son of man.  And the fact that the messenger is holding a sharp sickle tells us that when the time comes, this message will harvest.  As a message capable of harvesting, it will harvest everyone professing to be grain.  Those who embrace it will be harvested into God’s barn while those who reject it will be harvested into bundles to be burned.  The second fact that tells us this is not the Second Coming of Christ to receive His Kingdom is that there is another harvest recorded later in this chapter, the harvest of grapes.  The Second Coming of Christ to receive His Kingdom occurs after the close of probation at a time when all of the harvesting is complete.  I tell you the truth; the information depicted in Revelation fourteen verse fourteen does not depict the return of Christ, but rather a message about one like unto the Son of man.  This is the message that harvests the 144,000 into the barn.  We can therefore conclude that this message is the extra oil that allows the five wise to join in the wedding procession in the parable of the ten virgins.

The Extra Oil

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.  John 5:25-27.

Jesus (Yeshua) is the Son of God mentioned here in John five, He is also the bridegroom mentioned in Matthew twenty-five.  It is His voice that calls the dead to life for He is the firstfruits of the dead.  The Son existed with His Father from the beginning, this fact is best understood through the words of this quote … Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.  Hebrews 7:9-10.  This same attribute is past down from generation to generation.  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.  Here we are allowed to glimpse a truth that is so far beyond our comprehension we must proceed in faith.  Jesus (Yeshua) the Only Begotten Son of the Father has an inherent ability to contain life within Himself.  It is this life that brings the dead back to life at His call, but there is much more to this life than this.  The only Begotten Son of God has inherited from His Father; the ability to contain within Himself, a life that will someday be born.  This life that is contained within the Son of God, the member of the God family who took on humanity, is here logically referred to as the Son of man.  This Child will be given authority to execute judgment as the judgment passes from the dead to the living, for He is the firstfruits of the living.

I would like to point out that The hour mentioned here in John five is the same as the midnight hour in the parable of the ten virgins when the cry is heard …Behold, the bridegroom cometh…  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Thessalonians 4:16.  …There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were shaken open, and those who had died in faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept his law... 1SG 205.  All who have dozed off, waiting for the approach of the bridegroom will not have to wonder long if they heard correctly because the resurrection will confirm the arrival of the bridegroom.  Finally we understand why Jesus (Yeshua) at the end of His parable cautioned us to watch for the bridegroom, instead of the Son of man, because the Child can not be born until after the marriage has taken place and then we will be told the date of His birth.  And as God spake the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, (this would be the birth of the Son of man) and delivered the everlasting covenant to his people, he spake one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. 1SG 206.

We all need to study as never before the parable of the ten virgins. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. This is the holy oil represented in Zechariah [Zech. 4:11-14 quoted] This representation is of the highest consequence to those who claim to know the truth. But if we do not practise the truth, we have not received the holy oil, which the two golden pipes empty out of themselves. The oil is received into vessels prepared for the oil. It is the Holy Spirit in the heart which works by love and purifies the soul. 4BC 1179.

Notice how in the above quote the oil and the extra oil are tied to the vision recorded in Zechariah chapter 4.  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones (These are the two sons of oil, original text), that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.  Zechariah 4:11-14.  These two anointed ones are both Messiahs, one brings us oil and one brings us extra oil.  They are represented by the two goats in the atonement service; one makes atonement in death and one makes atonement in life.  The Messiah who dies furnishes an abundance of oil, enough to light our path all the way to the gates of the kingdom; this is enough for those who will be judged during the judgment of the dead.  The Messiah who lives, provides an abundance of extra oil to all who will step out, and by faith, accept their King and His kingdom.  God prepared Adam’s kingdom before He breathed into him the breath of life, to think He would do less for His Son would be unwise.

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Romans 8:19-21.

Of the three foundational doctrines, the Sabbath, the Sanctuary and the State of the Dead, held dear by the church proclaiming the Third Angel’s Message, only in the laws of the Sanctuary Service do we find atonement for sin.  It is only through these laws that the sinner has hope of salvation.  Anyone, yes even the leaders in this same church, who teach that the laws of Moses were nailed to the cross, are joining hands with the man of sin, who Daniel says will …speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws… Daniel 7:25.  In like manner, the types which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service.

In Revelation chapter seven we find that John recorded for us who the 144,000 really are.  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Revelation 7:4.  Whether or not you believe this to be literal Israel or spiritual Israel, the truth is found in Romans chapter eleven.  Here, we are told to envision two olive trees.  The first of course is the natural tree (Israel) and the second is a wild olive tree.  According to Paul, God has broken off some of the branches on the natural tree because of unbelief, and then God turns to the wild olive tree, and removing only those branches on this tree that have faith, He grafts them into the tree, Israel.  Why would God go to so much trouble as to graft in branches that already have faith when He could just husband the wild tree?  Because He wants these new branches to have access to the nutrients provided by the root.  But if some of the branches were broken off, and _you_ being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them and became a fellow-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree, stop being arrogant towards the branches. But if you are arrogant, [remember] _you_ do not sustain the root, _but_ the root [sustains] you!  Romans 11:17-18 Analytical-Literal Translation.  The sustenance provided by the root, the nutrition supplied to the branches that would make them healthily plump compared to other trees comes from the fact that they have been given the oracles of God.  Jesus (Yeshua) said …It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  Matthew 4:4.  The oracles of God are not limited to the Ten Commandments, but include every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God at Sinai.  Anyone foolish enough to throw away some of the words God spoke at Sinai are literally throwing away their own Bread of Life.

I started by stating that this lesson was for those who would like to be numbered among the one hundred and forty four thousand, but are not sure what they need to do to prepare themselves.  With this in mind I would like to recap, paring all of the above information down to just the facts.

The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name.

The 144,000 have accepted and put into practice truths that are in essence sealing messages.  Fact number one:  The seal of God comes from accepting and placing into practice the truth of the Sabbath days (mo`ed) found in Leviticus twenty-three.  Fact number two:  The seal of New Jerusalem comes from accepting the truth of the Kingdom of Glory.  This includes the understanding that it must be established upon this earth before the Second Coming of Christ to receive His Kingdom, in accordance with the prayer Jesus (Yeshua) taught us to pray.  Fact number three:  The seal of the Glorious Star containing Jesus’ new name comes from accepting the truth concerning Jesus (Yeshua).  The Bright and Morning Star who came and died, gained the victory over death so that the dead in Christ can rise at His call.  Each of these truths provides a seal for those who believe and place them into practice.  But this does not cover all of the information recorded for the last seal.  Let us take a closer look at that last seal placed upon the foreheads of all of the 144,000.  Here we find a glorious star, Jesus the Bright and Morning Star, containing something.  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.  John 5:26-27.  Jesus (Yeshua) contains a life that when born will be the Son of man.  According to Revelation 14:14 the message concerning the coming of the Son of man is what harvests the 144,000.

My friend, this is the extra oil.  If you are not aware that Jesus (Yeshua) is going to have an Only Begotten Son just like His Father did, that this Child is going to come and reign on the Throne of David just like the Jewish nation expected at the first Advent, then you do not have extra oil in your vessel.  You are waiting for the Bridegroom mistakenly believing He is coming to marry the church and take her home to His Fathers house in Heaven.  In actuality the Bridegroom is coming to marry His literal Bride. This would be the one the church is a symbol of, the symbol which we have refused to look beyond.  We have only been invited to the wedding as witnesses who will then bear witness to the world that the literal bride has kept herself pure.  Not until after the marriage supper can the marriage be consummated, and only then can the father announce the day and hour of his son’s arrival.

Right now the extra oil is available to you free of charge.  For more than twenty-eight years the truth of the Son of man (Righteous Harvest) has been available.  You cannot delay much longer, after the call is made behold the Bridegroom Cometh, it will no longer be free; there will be a cost, at which time something must be forfeited in order for you to buy this truth.

Yours to aid in your search for the extra oil.

Athen Slawson