Prophecy - 101

This study is guided by the thought paper of William Grotheer. He was a former SDA member who clearly saw and revealed the apostasy within the SDA corporate church. A lot of what he wrote on makes a person think for themselves, study for themselves. He's not trying to convince anyone to believe as he believes, any more than I am trying to get a single person to believe what I believe. I would much rather everyone study for themselves. Study, study, study, study, study! We can never cease to study God's word, never. We need to pray and ask for guidance and clear understanding. When we face things we aren't sure about we have to keep praying and keep studying, never giving up but always receptive to the truth as God will reveal it to us. If we don't have this very REAL active faith, this very REAL active belief in God then we need to pray harder, pray for a clean heart, for a renewed spirit. Satan is going to do all he can to keep as many people as he can with him and he'll stop at nothing to deceive us, nothing. With an open heart, with an open mind all before God may we study and understand. Let the Holy Spirit bring us all the enlightenment we need, and may we never be discouraged, never despair of being in our Savior's will, wholly His.


Thought Paper - Watchman What of the Night- 1995 Jul -- XXVIII -- 7(95) -- EXEGESIS OF REVELATION -- THE 144,000 AND THE THREE ANGELS -- Part 3 --


The first vision given to John after he was told, "Here is wisdom," is a climax to a series of revelations given in the previous chapters.

He was told that "all that dwell on the earth shall worship" the first beast, except those whose names are in "the book of life of the Lamb." (13:8)

Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world.

It was also stated that those who would "not worship the image of the beast should be killed." (13:15)

Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

In Chapter 12, it was declared that those who overcome "the dragon" do so "by the blood of the Lamb," and these "loved not their lives unto death." (12:11)

Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Now John sees a company with the Lamb on mount Sion, 144,000.

This number stands in direct CONTRAST to the "all" who worship, the dragon, beast, and image. (13:4, 15)

Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.


These are commandment keepers; they have no other gods before Jehovah Elohim. (Ex. 20:2-3)

Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Further, they do not bow down to, nor serve any "image." (Ex. 20:4-5)

Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me

God honors them for their FIDELITY in the midst of universal apostasy by placing His name in their foreheads.

The 144,000 on mount Sion, the remnant of the seed the of the woman who face the death decree in the warfare with the dragon, are also revealed in the first section of the book.

(Chapter 7) There these victors are portrayed as having "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (v. 14)

Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

The picture is heightened by further comparison.

The 144,000 receive "His Father's name."
These "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." (14:4)

Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

*******

The high point of this last section of Revelation before the Millennial reign is that "the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready." She is clothed in"fine linen, clean and white," a righteousness obtained by the blood of the Lamb.

Rev 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

There is another "knitting" back into the first section.

The victors of "Laodicea" sit with "the True Witness" (Gr. ho martus) on His throne. (3:21)

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

They REFUSE to worship the dragon, beast and image - they KEEP the commandments - and they HAVE the "witness" (Gr. marturian) of Jesus Christ.

They are the "remnant" of the woman's seed, the "Queen" - the wife of the Lamb accepting only "His Father's name."

The 144,000 with the Father's name in their foreheads "the seal of God" (Rev. 7:3)

Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have SEALED the servants of our God in their foreheads.

- are in contrast to the "ALL" who worship the beast and receive "a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." (13:16)

Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads

With the emphasis on "the blood of the Lamb" as the means of victory, the 144,000 have nothing in their hands to bring, simply to the Lamb they cling. *******AMEN!

Those who trust in the merits of their own works - Cain worship - receive a mark in their right hand.

*******

John next heard a duo singing "a new song" in which the 144,000 unite their voices.

These voices are accompanied "by harpers harping on their harps." (14:2-3)

Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song BUT the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

"The voice of many waters" is the voice of "the Son of man." (1:15)

Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

The voice "of a great thunder" is God Himself.

Zephaniah seeing "the remnant of Israel" who do no iniquity, neither is a "deceitful tongue found in their mouth," foretells that the Lord God "will joy over (them) with singing." (3:13, 17)

Zep 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.


[See John 12:28-29….

Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Joh 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

... and note the phrase, "lightnings and thunderings and voices" associated with descriptions of the Throne of God in Revelation 4:5; 16:17-18.]

Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Rev 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

An interesting question for consideration is why, and what is the "new song" which only God, the Lamb and the 144,000 will sing together.

The 144,000 are indicated as having been "redeemed from among men."

Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were REDEEMED from among MEN, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

James White made an insightful observation on this point.

He wrote: "Not out of their graves; no, no, - 'from among men.' They must, therefore, be the living saints who are changed to immortality at the coming of the Lord." (R&H, May 9, 1854, p. 124; emphasis his)

These are declared to be "the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." Here again is the Divine Duo with a stated relationship of the 144,000 to Them. This entwining picture should be carefully considered:

1) The 144,000 are with the Lamb on mount Sion with God's name in their foreheads.

2) The Lamb and God sing a "new song" in which only the 144,000 can unite their voices.

3) The 144,000 become "first fruits" to God and the Lamb.

If James White's observation first penned in 1850 is correct, and we believe it is, this relationship between the 144,000 and the Divine Duo is further heightened by the fact that those who are translated without seeing death put on "immortality" in contrast to the "incorruption" of the resurrected saints. (I Cor. 15:51-54)

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The word translated, "immortality" (athanasia) is used only three times in the New Testament, twice in I Corinthians 15:53-54,

and once in I Tim. 6:16.

1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Here in these related verses is a clear suggestion that the 144,000 will share in an attribute of God as did the exalted Jesus who had laid aside this prerogative to accomplish redemption. This resurrected Christ is also called, "the first fruits." (I Cor. 15:23

1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

There is an interpretation read into these verses which designates the 144,000 as the instruments by which God brings together the "great multitude" of Revelation 7:9

Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands

Inasmuch as the 144,000 are discussed in both Revelation 7, and 14, we need to pause and consider the two prophetic pictures together.

In Revelation 7, the question is asked, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" (v. 13 NKJV) There is no question but that the great multitude are arrayed in white robes. The text so states. (7:9) It also declares that the "multitude" come from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."

Applying the same question asked by "one of the elders" in Chapter 7 to Revelation 14 in regard to the 144,000, the answer is - they result from the Three Angels' Mesages, which are likewise given not only to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (14:6)

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people

... but also to them "that dwell on the earth."

The 144,000 are not only "redeemed from among men," but also are "redeemed from the earth." (14:3)

Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Here a judgment call must be made once again.

Are we to interpret "earth" as the symbolic "earth" of the continuous prophecy of Revelation 12 & 13, or do we interpret the word as applied to the planet as a whole?

From the picture in Revelation 14, must be added the descriptive concept of the 144,000 -

"in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (v. 5)

In other words, "they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." (v. 12)

Compare Rev. 14:5

Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

with I Peter 2:22,

1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth

... and consider the basic revelation of Chapter 12 - the "Seed" of the Woman, the Man-child, and the "remnant of her seed" which keep the commandments of God, and have the witness of Jesus. (12:17) Where then does the "great multitude" enter the picture?

In Rev. 14:13 "a voice from heaven" is heard. The Holy Spirit speaks - "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth."

There is a point of time from which those who die in the Lord are called "blessed." The text would suggest that point as the beginning of the Three Angels' Messages.

We next turn our attention to the Three Angels and their messages. Immediately we face a problem. How are we to identify these angels, as symbols or real angels?

We have said that they represent a movement.

We have perceived that movement to be the Adventist Movement.

However, there are more than three angels in Revelation 14.

Besides the three which "fly in the midst of heaven," there are three other angels: two come "out of the temple," and one "out from the altar." (vs. 15-18)

Rev 14:15 And ANOTHER ANGEL came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Rev 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Rev 14:17 And ANOTHER ANGEL came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:18 And ANOTHER ANGEL came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

One from the "temple" and the one from the "altar" are involved with "the great winepress of the wrath of God" and "the city." (vs. 19-20)

Rev 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

The previous reference where "temple," "altar," and "city" are associated together is Rev. 11:1-2.

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The references previous to Rev. 11:1, where the "altar" is seen is in Chapters 8 & 9. There it is called, "the golden altar before the throne." (8:3; 9:13)

Our problem is that if we interpret the three angels flying in the midst of heaven as an earthly movement, how can we interpret the last three as literal?

If all are symbolic of "movements," what movements do the last three represent?

How do we interrelate these angels which come out of the temple with the two temple scenes of Chapter 11:1, 19?

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Either we say that they mean something different in Revelation 14, or we say that they must be given a consistent identification in each reference where the term is used.

Whichever interpretive decision we make, we come face to face with the realization that there are still areas in the book of Revelation that need prayer and study. *******AMEN!

A suggestive interpretation of the angels of Revelation 14 might be found in the designation of the sixth angel.

He had "authority ("power" - KJV) over the fire." (v. 18 Gr.)

Rev 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

In Revelation 16,the angel of the third plague is spoken of as "the angel of the waters." (16:5)

Rev 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

Throughout the ENTIRE BOOK, angels are given specific responsibilities in carrying out the directives that come from the throne of God.

Thus we could say that the first angel of Revelation 14 was given the "authority" to see that the everlasting gospel with its specific emphasis for earth's last hour was implemented. This he did through the Advent Movement.

From this viewpoint, the "angels of God" in Revelation are REAL BEINGS - "ministering spirits" - placed in charge of God's plans and purposes to bring about the full realization of the victory of "His Christ." (12:10)

Considering the messages of the first three angels of Revelation 14, as we seek to let the text speak, we face problems in harmonizing what the text says with what our tradition has read into these verses.

The first angel comes in the midst of heaven "having the everlasting gospel." (14:6)

It is age-long (aionion); the same gospel as promised to Eve in the beginning, and realized in the victory of the Man-child. It is to go not only to "them that dwell on the earth," but also to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
It carried a specific message. "The hour of God's judgment is come."
"Is come" (elthen) is in the past tense (Gr. aorist).
When this angel gives its message, the judgment has commenced.
The message of the first angel is NOT a message telling of something to come, but a PROCLAMATION of what HAS begun - God's judgment hour.
Further it is connected with three imperatives:

1) "Fear God,"
2) "Give glory to Him," and
3) "Worship Him who made."

This message could not be given until the Judgment had begun in Heaven no more than the Spirit could come on Pentecost until the enthronement of Christ as High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary. (See Acts 2:33)

Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Thus the first angel began to sound AFTER 1844, NOT before.

It is also a historical fact that the Movement directed by this angel did not see the sanctuary truth of the final atonement of the great High Priest, or the Sabbath truth until AFTER October 22, 1844.

Further, since this message is a part of the age-long gospel, it will continue to be proclaimed till the close of all human probation.

The other two which follow only JOIN their voices with this first angel.

The second angel proclaims - "Babylon is fallen, is fallen."
Again, this is in the past tense (epesen).
When this angel sounds, there is an ACCOMPLISHED FACT.
In fact, the reason for the fall of Babylon - "because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" - is in the Greek perfect tense (pepotiken), indicating COMPLETED action.

The message of this angel is that the "nations" to whom "the everlasting gospel" was to be proclaimed, INSTEAD of accepting it, chose to drink of Babylon's wine under religious duress.

The third angel joins the other two. However, in John's recording of this message, he places it in the present tense -

"If any man is worshiping (proskunei) the beast and his image, and is receiving (lambanei) a mark ...." (14:9)

This message, therefore, except in a warning of what will be, cannot be "present truth" until the "mark" is in place, and the proclamation to worship is made.

It needs to be kept in mind that the cause to worship this beast is contingent on the fact that "the deadly wound was healed." (13:12)

When we consider the "wisdom" and "under-standing" given to John in the previous chapter (13:18), we discover that the basic element in this warning is against the worship of man for the "beast" is a man!

The third angel joins his voice in warning that the rejection of the everlasting gospel's imperatives -

"Fear God, and give glory to Him ... and worship Him who made" -

- and in its place, worshiping man in whatever form that may take, brings "the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture." (14:10)

In the final confrontation when all that dwell on the face of the earth bow in worship to the beast that had a deadly wound and "was healed," there will be a "remnant of Israel" who, as the Three Worthies before them, refuse to bow to the image - they will keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (14:12)

It will be a trying ordeal for it will reveal the "endurance" (patience - KJV) of the saints. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matt. 24:13)

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

This verse - 14:12 - is interesting in that not only do the "saints" keep the commandments of God, they ALSO keep the faith of Jesus.

We hear much about "keeping" the commandments of God, but we hear little, if any thing, about keeping the faith of Jesus.

This word, "keep" (tereo) is the same word as used in the blessing pronounced upon those who "keep those things which are written" in the book of Revelation. (1:3; 22:7, 9)

John uses this word frequently in both his Gospel and first Epistle. In these books, it is used primarily with keeping the commandments, and the sayings of Jesus.

We might ask, does the keeping of the faith of Jesus mean entering into the experience He entered, in both Gethsemane and Calvary, where unable to see through the darkness, He simply prayed, "Thy will be done. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit."

Will the 144,000 who go with the Lamb "withsoever He goeth," have also gone with Him through their Gethsemane and Calvary?

" One thing will certainly be understood from a study of Revelation, - that the connection between God and His people is close and decided. "
(TM, p. 114)

*******

We who despise hardships. We who run to the pharmacy at the least sign of discomfort. We who bemoan our existence so often when we lack the things we believe we need, deserve, desire. We who are taught that any anxiety is a bad thing. We who are raised to believe that depression is a state we must shun at all costs - rather than use it to examine our lives and learn to develop a trust in God unlike any can imagine. We who are so incredibly far from where we need to be- is it ANY wonder at all that there will be so few people who have the true FAITH of Jesus? We suffer and we are supposed to suffer. We aren't supposed to like it at all. We need to put our lives in God's hands NOW, not later. We need to develop a trust in God that can withstand everything and anything Satan wants to throw at us. We have to submit to God, we need to learn this submission. God will NOT force us to love Him. God will NOT force us to trust Him. God will NOT force us to believe. We have a choice and making that choice decides our eternal fate. It's a choice that needs to be made so much more often than people realize. It's a choice we make throughout our daily lives in ALL we do. Are we REALLY, HONESTLY letting our Savior guide our every action? Is that too much to ask of us sinners? I didn't ask are we really doing everything right? You might say that's what His guiding our every action means, but it isn't. We are sinners, we are humans, we are fallible, we will make mistakes, we will fail, we will mess things up bad, but if we are really doing ALL we can to put our Savior in all we do then we are choosing Christ. When we fail to choose Christ we are sinning every bit as much as the sinful action. It's putting Christ second, it's putting other things before God that causes us to fail. We need to ask ourselves if we ARE putting Christ first in our choices. If we're afraid to even ask ourselves that question we need to pray so much more than we are doing now. Christ is our Salvation. Christ is our Rock. Christ is Everything. We need the FAITH of JESUS, a faith that is fully in God in all things.


Please Lord, help us! We are desperately in need of Your help. We don't always see a way out of our situations, a way to be Yours in all things, help us find a way PLEASE!


Guide us.
Love us.
Forgive us.
Please…forgive us.

All in YOUR righteousness!


Amen.