Godsloveandlaw's Blog

continued…….

 

After the 144,000 are sealed and the church is purified, the Lord has an instrument upon whom He can pour out His Holy Spirit enabling them to bring in the last section of the final harvest from every nation, kindred, tongue and people (Rev. 7:9).

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 214.

“And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.” Isa. 4: 3,4.

SECOND SEALING REPORT.

After John saw the sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8), He saw another group harvested.

“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; . . .And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 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.” Rev. 7:9,13,14.

The Spirit of Prophecy tells us this second group of saints are also sealed.

“The message of the renewing power of God’s grace will be carried to every country and clime, until the truth shall belt the world. Of the number of them that shall be sealed will be those who have come from every nation and kindred and tongue and people. From every country will be gathered men and women who will stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb, crying, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Revelation 7:10. But before this work can be accomplished, we must experience here in our own country the work of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students p. 532.

Notice this group of sealed saints come from all over the world, not from the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus we see that not only 144,000 are sealed but also a great multitude. The 144,000 first fruits (Rev. 14:4) are sealed prior to the blowing of the four winds (the time of trouble, Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 152; 7 Bible Commentary p. 968, E.G. White), while the great multitude are sealed during the time of trouble as they “came out of great tribulation.” (Rev. 7:14)

Since both groups are sealed, there must be two sealing reports.

REPORT #1

“And behold,” says Ezekiel, “the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter”(while on earth), saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded Ezek. 9:11. Here is First Report made at the completion of the sealing in the church—the sealing of the first fruits, the 144,000.

REPORT #2.

“I saw,” says the servant of the Lord, “…an angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered arid sealed. ” Early Writings p. 279. Here is his second report, made at the completion of the sealing in the world-the sealing of the second fruits, the great multitude.

Comparing both reports, each is seen to be a different event: At the first report, the Lord was at “the threshold of the house” on earth (Ezek. 9:3); at the second, He was in the heavenly sanctuary. After the angel had made his first report, the Lord commanded him: “Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.” Ezek. 10:2.

But following his second report, “…all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.'” Early Writings pp. 279,280.

Were probation to close at the time of the first report (Ezek. 9:11), the Lord must, according to the foregoing statement, (Early Writings pp. 279,280) be in heaven, then descend to earth to receive His saints, instead of being already on earth, then mounting up in His throne, as He actually does without His saints (Ezek. 10:19).

Also: the prophet’s being left behind when the Lord went up, figuratively shows that at this particular descent and ascent, the saints are not to be taken to heaven, but only to be set free from sin and sinners-fitted for the final work.

At the angel’s second report, however, Jesus, being in heaven, “moved out of the most holy place” (Early Writings p. 280) to descend to earth.

This brief comparison brings into primary focus the twofold fact that at the time of the first report, Jesus went into the temple on earth, whereas at the time of the second report, He went out of the Sanctuary in heaven.

TWO REAPINGS.

Revelation 14: shows us that two harvests are reaped after the three angel’s messages had first been given.

“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. 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. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Rev. 14:14-16.

Is this coming of Christ, His second advent? Let us compare this text with other Scriptures pertaining to His second advent.

Description Of Christ’s Second Advent.

“His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Rev. 19:12-16.

The Spirit of Prophecy comments on the second coming of Christ as referred to in Rev. 19:12-16.

“Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven..” Early Writings p. 281.

“Soon appeared the great white cloud, upon which sat the Son of man. When it first appeared in the distance, this cloud looked very small. The angel said that it was the sign of the Son of man. As it drew nearer the earth, we could behold the excellent glory and majesty of Jesus as He rode forth to conquer. A retinue of holy angels, with bright, glittering crowns upon their heads, escorted Him on His way. No language can describe the glory of the scene.

The living cloud of majesty and unsurpassed glory came still nearer, and we could clearly behold the lovely person of Jesus. He did not wear a crown of thorns, but a crown of glory rested upon His holy brow. Upon His vesture and thigh was a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. His countenance was as bright as the noonday sun, His eyes were as a flame of fire, and His feet had the appearance of fine brass. His voice sounded like many musical instruments.

The earth trembled before Him, the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.. . .The living saints are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and caught up with the risen ones, and together they meet their Lord in the air. Oh, what a glorious meeting! Friends whom death had separated were united, never more to part.” Early Writings. pp . 286,287.

Coming Of Christ In Rev. 14: Not His Second Advent.

The coming of Christ in Rev. 14:14-16 is not the same as the one in Rev. 19:12-16. In Rev. 14:, Christ has only one crown on his head, and one angel tells the Son of man to thrust in His sharp sickle and reap, for the harvest is ripe. In Rev. 19: and Early Writings pages 281, 286, 287, it tells us Christ has many crowns, a retinue of angels accompanies Him, and a sharp sword goeth out of His mouth to smite the nations and on His vesture and thigh is a name written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

These two comings are not the same. Christ’s coming in Rev. 19 is His second coming, but His coming in Rev. 14 to reap this first harvest must be when He comes to His church in judgment when He directs the sealing and slaying from His traveling throne that Ezekiel saw in vision, recorded in Ezekiel chapter 1, when He comes to the threshold of the house (church). At this invisible coming, Christ Himself directs the reaping of the first fruits harvest (144,000).

The Spirit of Prophecy in speaking of the condition of the church just before the purification and the reaping of the first fruits by Christ says: “They will question and criticize everything that arises in the unfolding of truth, criticize the work and position of others, criticize every branch of the work in which they have not themselves a part.

They will feed upon the errors and mistakes and faults of others, ‘until,’ said the angel, the Lord Jesus shall rise up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary and shall clothe Himself with the garments of vengeance and surprise them at their unholy feast, and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ Their taste has been so perverted that they would be inclined to criticize even the table of the Lord in His kingdom.” Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 690.

These solemn words, may each lay will to his heart, and may none let the enemy beguile them” with good words and fair speeches” on this life-and-death matter. Fix in your mind the fact that Christ’s rising “up from His mediatorial work” cannot be after probation has closed for the world, note carefully, He is to “rise up” during the unfolding of truth.

Let each take heed that he fall not to criticizing the message or the messengers, but rather that he “sigh and cry,” as the Lord bids, ” for all the abominations that be done in the mist (the church),” Lest he be found on the wrong side, ranged with the evildoers, and thus doomed to fall under the angels’ slaughter weapons.

Now let us continue our study of Rev. 14 and see if another harvest or reaping is brought to view.

“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 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.” Rev. 14:17, 18.

After John saw the Lord Himself reap the first fruit harvest, he is shown another harvest, only this second harvest is not reaped by the Lord but by someone else prefigured by an angel. This angel has a sharp sickle in his hand prepared to reap a second harvest which is prefigured by clusters of grapes, (the great multitude of Rev. 7:9).

“The Master of the vineyard is even now gathering from among men of all nations and peoples the precious fruits for which He has long been waiting.” Prophets and Kings p. 22. Also, in the parable of Matt. 20:, laborers are sent into the vineyard to reap a harvest.

Who is this angel that reaps the second fruit harvest? Sometimes the Lord symbolizes His ministry by an angel as He does in Revelation 3:14-16, the Laodicean angel. We know the Laodicean angel is not a heavenly angel as he is lukewarm. In Rev. 1:20, it says: “the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” The seven stars and the seven angels are one and the same. The Spirit of Prophecy tells us these stars are ministers. “God’s ministers are symbolized by the seven stars,…” Gospel Workers p. 13.

This angel in Rev. 14:17,18, that reaps this second fruit harvest must represent the 144,000 who will be God’s ministry during the Loud Cry. They will bring in the last section of the final harvest from Babylon.

The Spirit of Prophecy in speaking of the Lord’s Loud Cry ministry says, “The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.”Letter 55, 1886. Selected Messages Book 3 p. 385.

Isaiah calls this ministry, the Lord’s new, sharp threshing instrument. “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.” Isa. 41:15.

Isaiah 4:2 also tells us that in the day the Lord purifies His church (Isa. 4:3,4), “the fruit of the earth” (harvest) “shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” The escaped of Israel are those that are left after the purification of God’s church has taken place. See: Isa. 4:3,4.

Notice in Rev. 14:18, that the angel who has power over fire commissions the other angel (God’s purified ministry) to reap the final harvest. This angel who comes out from the altar and has power over fire represents the Holy Spirit that will be poured out upon the Lord’s Loud Cry Ministry for the purpose of bringing in the last section of this final harvest. This same truth was borne out concerning the man in linen (Ezek. 10:1-4) Who scatters the coals of fire over the city (church) after the purification of the church takes place.

What is done with the vine after the clusters of grapes have been harvested?

“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. 14:19.

The wrath of God is also depicted in Rev. 15:7,8. “And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” Thus we see that the empty vine, (the wicked), is destroyed after the fruit has been harvested.

SUMMARY

We found in the beginning of our study why the third angel’s work is so fearful and his mission so awful. He is the one who is to select the wheat from the tares. This commences the judgment for the living which begins at the house of God (our Church).

The Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible shows us clearly that the harvest itself is not the second coming of Christ. The harvest covers a period of time, the time that it takes to gather in the final harvest.

We found four different thrones of God. Two traveling (Isa. 6:1-4, Ezek. 1:) and two stationary thrones (Rev. 4:2,4-6, 22:1). The Lord comes down to earth on one of His traveling thrones (Ezek. 1:9) to the threshold of the house (church) and directs the marking and the slaying as recorded in Ezek. 9: this is an invisible coming.

Just as there are two harvests, there are two sealing reports. The first sealing report is given in Ezekiel 9:11, after the 144,000 are sealed. The second sealing report is at the final close of probation (Early Writings p. 279), after the great multitude (Rev. 7:9) are harvested.

In Rev. 14:14-18, two harvests are brought to view. Christ Himself reaps the first fruit harvest and His Loud Cry ministry (144, 000) reaps the final harvest.

How marvelous it is that centuries ago the Lord had us in mind when His Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the prophets to write these wonderful promises for those who were to have a part in the final work of harvesting in earth’s final harvest. What a terrible tragedy it would be for any to lose out at this late hour.

“We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all living. The controversies of the past are to be revived; new controversies will arise.

The scenes to be enacted in our world are not yet even dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies. Those who are making an effort to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing Sunday observance little realize what will be the result. A crisis is just upon us.” Testimonies, Vol. 5 p. 753.

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; if it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 8:6.

Our prayer is that the reader of this booklet, “sink the shaft of truth down deep into the mine of God’s word (1 Selected Messages p. 413)”, enabling him to be prepared for the tremendous events just ahead.

 

This entry was posted on June 21, 2014 at 3:46 am and is filed under God's sealings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.