And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb… Rev 15:2-3
Who are these people who gain victory over the beast, his image, mark, and number? It is the 144,000. What is it that distinguishes them to be considered the FIRSTFRUITS, the cream of the crop, of all the billions of redeemed? And why they only can learn the song of Moses and the Lamb?
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him 144,000, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 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: 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 144,000, which were redeemed from the earth. 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. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Rev 14:1-5
There is SOMETHING going on here, and God tells us what it is…
by 1 blessing, 2 Levites, 3 dimensions, and 4 captives.
First, the singular blessing.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Mat 5:5
The meek? Why not the faithful, or the obedient, or even the humble? What about those who unselfishly reached out to the poor and sick and needy that Jesus commended so highly in the 25th chapter of Matthew? Or even the very first beatitude Jesus gave in that Sermon on the Mount, the poor in spirit?
Because meekness includes all that, but something else they don’t reference – inherent power under restraint.
Humility is often used as a synonym for meekness, but it isn’t so in the Bible.[1] They may appear like identical twins, but the last rises above the first. When we stand before a tribunal to give a reason for the hope that is within us, God tells us through Peter (1Peter 3:15) that we are to give that reason with meekness and fear. This doesn’t mean that we are to appear as a limp dishcloth, with our knees knocking. That would give our opponent boldness, thinking that they indeed had power over us. That’s not as Jesus stood before His accusers that fateful night of His trial.
Meekness differs from humility. Where humility is the willingness to assume the lowest positions in the worst conditions that God might be glorified, meekness does the same. But meekness carries with it the power to completely obliterate the cause for the humiliation.
When the high priest, in desperation for a reason to accuse Him of death, asked Him directly if He claimed to be “the Christ, the Son of God,” Jesus replied, even knowing it was His death sentence, “I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Jesus answered with meekness and fear. Now look how Mrs. White describes the scene (DA 706-707).
“At last, Caiaphas, raising his right hand toward heaven, addressed Jesus in the form of a solemn oath: ‘I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.’
“To this appeal Christ could not remain silent. There was a time to be silent, and a time to speak. He had not spoken until directly questioned. He knew that to answer now would make His death certain. But the appeal was made by the highest acknowledged authority of the nation, and in the name of the Most High. Christ would not fail to show proper respect for the law. More than this, His own relation to the Father was called in question. He must plainly declare His character and mission. Jesus had said to His disciples, ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.’ Matthew 10:32. Now by His own example He repeated the lesson.
“Every ear was bent to listen, and every eye was fixed on His face as He answered, “Thou hast said.” A heavenly light seemed to illuminate His pale countenance as He added, ‘Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.’
“For a moment the divinity of Christ flashed through His guise of humanity. The high priest quailed before the penetrating eyes of the Saviour. That look seemed to read his hidden thoughts, and burn into his heart. Never in afterlife did he forget that searching glance of the persecuted Son of God.”
Jesus knew who He was. He knew He had all power available to Him (Matt 26:53), but He restrained it that His Father’s purpose could be fulfilled, that He become the sacrificial Lamb. Yet that divinity flashed through Him in His answer. The effect on His accuser was immediate and powerful. And so will it be when we, or the 144,000, answer our accusers in the same way.
This singular blessing shows a characteristic of the 144,000 that cannot, should not, be overlooked. They will be very aware of their mortality (fear), yet also aware that they are standing before their accusers as representatives of and in the strength of their Messiah. They must not misrepresent Him (fear). So they stand erect, as only royalty could, unafraid of what man can do, and give their answers boldly, but respectfully, from the Word.
By what authority can we state this—that this is applied to the 144,000? Because they sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb. The first time “meek” is used in the Bible is in Numbers 12:3.
Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.
Meekness was also an attribute of Christ.[2]
Revelation’s Last Day battle of truth over evil has an Exodus theme— (not a battle of swords but rather of spiritual powers with evil powers also doing miracles), plagues, an unrepentant ruler, God’s victory, and finally the Promised Land ahead). It is most interesting that in all this none of the other Israelites had part in the confrontation. It was between Moses and Pharaoh, and the powers they represented. Yes, Moses had power, but was always (well, almost always) gentle, and those who inherit the earth will all have it, too. But it will always be under restraint (a point where Moses failed once[3], but Christ didn’t). The 144,000 follow Christ’s example.
One cannot be meek if he does not also have power, but just because he may have power does not mean he will also be meek. Power must be under restraint (for God’s glory and will to be done).
But even when under restraint, its power is evident, as it was in Christ during the trial. There is always a noble bearing.—a bearing the 144,000 will always portray.
Next, the 2 Levites.
Because of their faithfulness under trial and manifesting a true abhorrence of rebellion and idolatry during the golden calf fiasco, when Moses was in the mount with God, God chose the Levites to replace the FIRSTBORN among all the children of Israel.[4]
In the arrangement of the families and tribes in the wilderness camp, the Levites were awarded THE INNERMOST CIRCLE, the one closest to the sanctuary[5], because they were chosen to serve God directly as priests and their assistants. That was as close as they could get with their dwellings. There was a “dead zone” between their tents and the sanctuary outer walls.[6]
So the Levites were chosen to be the closest to God’s house. And the only ones He could trust for handling the holy things, the very holy things, because they would listen and obey.
But not only that. God used them to execute His judgments. They were the ones to slay the unrepentant idol worshippers. They were the ones to carry the Ark of the Covenant into battle. They were the ones to pronounce a person leprous or cured from it.
The Levites did not get the usual inheritance that the other tribes did in the Promised Land. Instead they were given 48 cities from all the tribes—cities without fields[7], because their work was to serve the Lord as teachers, ministers, singers, and servants in God’s house. They needed to be mobile.
So who were the two Levites? Moses (again) and Aaron. Moses was like a god to Pharaoh, and Aaron was like his prophet (Ex 7:1). (Do gods and prophets have power?) Through these two Levites God executed His judgments on Pharaoh. Only four of the plagues did God not require any participation on Moses’ part (the “god”), other than just to announce them to Egypt’s ruler (through the “prophet”).
In this Old Testament witness we see in the two Levites the counterpart of the 144,000: [1] who only can learn by experience the song of Moses and the Lamb, [2] who only follow the Lamb wherever He goes, [3] who remain faithful and obedient under trial, and [4] who are considered the firstborn among the redeemed.
But, if we are to respect the elements in the type, it is also expected that the antitype, the 144,000, will also participate in the execution of God’s wrath against the unrighteous, as Moses and Aaron did in Egypt, and as the faithful Levites did at Mount Sinai against the idol worshippers.[8] In so doing, it will appear that the saints are bringing the judgments against them.
In the 8th plague, Pharaoh’s servants said, “How long shall this man be a snare unto us?” (Ex 10:7) …even though the two Levites were VERY CLEAR from whom the judgments came! Could that have any kinship with what the people will say at the end?
“The wicked thought that we had brought the judgments upon them, and they rose up and took counsel to rid the earth of us, thinking that then the evil would be stayed.” (EW 33)
This is exactly the attitude Christ’s enemies had against Him.[9]
Now, the three dimensions.
As we follow the Covenant Promise in types and symbols in the Sanctuary, we see its fulfillment in the center of the encampment, in the Most Holy Place, where is the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat protecting by golden walls within golden walls the Sacred Law, the testimony[10] to the very character of God.
But there is another part of this room to help us understand the extent of the Promise fulfilled—God’s character expressed in the firstfruits, the 144,000— that is often overlooked.
The room itself.
There is much to feast the eyes on. The beautiful linen curtain overhead with its golden cherubim interwoven through the royal fabrics, and the golden mirror-like walls reflecting the beauty all around. The superficial observer can look and be blessed… and satisfied.
However, it’s those who are not content with the obvious alone. Knowing God’s mind is deep and wide, they probe and poke until they find an opening, and then they start digging while God smiles, for He knows what they will find. The “hole” in this case is nothing outstanding. It’s just the dimensions of the room: ten cubits high, ten cubits wide, and ten cubits long.
However, it’s not the perfect cube effect that strikes us at this time, but instead, the identical number of cubits (ten), which rings a bell from our old tithing studies. There we learned that in Hebrew the number 10 means “an accumulation to the extent of the digits.” In other words, you can’t get fuller, or do better than that. We use the number 10 in a similar fashion today.
What is your pain level today, from 1 to 10?
Well, Son, how would you rate your first date with your new girlfriend? “She is definitely a 10!”
In this survey on your recent business transaction with us, please rate your responses by a number from 1 to 10, 1 being the least favorable and 10 being the most.
For some reason we have also based our scientific measurements on the decimal system. It just seems to be a natural. And apparently God thinks so, too.
However, we also learned that the reason this is possible is because God is partnering with us to make it so. And if we are faithful to return to Him His portion (1/10th) He will, in turn, open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so there won’t be room enough to receive it[11]. Talk about maxing out! To the faithful, when it comes to prosperity in any line, 10 is like saying “your potential is limited only by God’s goodness, potential, and resources.”
OK, so now we know what’s in God’s mind by using ten as a factor in the dimensions, but how does that have anything to do with the 144,000?
Well, if we look at the dimensions as types and symbols, what is each dimension used for in the Bible?
Height:
*Mental acumen, intelligence, thoughts (Have you ever heard of “higher education”?)
*Spiritual growth, closeness to or likeness to God (worship associated with high places, Jehovah is called “the Most High God”[12])
*God-like qualities (leadership[13], power – why did the Israelites fear Goliath, because of his boastfulness? No. David wasn’t intimated by that nor his nine-foot height. He served the Most High God!)
Width:
*Service to those around us (like our neighbor), helpfulness (Deu 15:11)
“We are to carry forward the work placed in our hands by the Master. He says: ‘If you draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.’ ‘The poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command you, saying, You shall open your hand wide unto your brother, to your poor, and to your needy, in your land.’ Isaiah 58:10, 11; Deuteronomy 15:11.” {8T 134}
*Works for God’s glory (Matt 5:16 the light men see that goes out from us is light that goes wide, not high)
*Abundant resources (to do others good) – the rich man whose ground brought forth plentifully decided to build bigger barns for himself instead of helping the less fortunate around him (Luke 12:16-21). Job used his wealth to help the unfortunate.
Length:
*Time[14] (How far is it? Oh, about a half hour away.) “Height of time” or “width of time” are not natural fits as is “length of time.” It is this dimension that we see most clearly the scope God intends for the number. If length can be used for time, and God’s value on time in describing His intent for the promised SEED is encapsulated in the ten cubit length (or depth) of the room, and we know that in His mind the value is actually eternity (that is, NO LIMIT), then it must be true of the other dimensions as well.
Now let’s put all this together with this statement.
“All may see, if they will, the true measure of the man, the nature of his teaching, from the character of his followers.” {1SM 45}
We can apply this principle to the sanctuary school as well, with the “man” being our Teacher, Jesus Christ! The Father is measured by the effect His Son’s teachings have had on us (or the 144,000), by the character it produces. And God, in His foreknowledge, illustrates the result of that teaching in those three dimensions. [1] Educationally, mentally, spiritually we will be without a peer. [2] Abundance cannot defile us, for it will only be used to advance God’s cause and help those in need around us. And [3] time will have no eroding effect either. They are safe to seal for ETERNITY.
Remember, this room is about the final fulfillment of the Covenant promise to Abraham, to develop a seed that is worthy (and safe) to inherit the Promised Land, a seed as numerous as the stars of heaven. So this room transports us to the final confrontation, as described in Revelation, where the firstfruits are developed and displayed, a representation of all 12 tribes, with their multiple characteristics. Revelation is full of 12s.
Now, one more thing. When we strive to ADD virtue to virtue (for God’s glory), God MULTIPLIES.
“If you live upon the plan of addition, adding grace to grace, God will multiply unto you His grace. While you add, God multiplies.” {4T 244}
So what do we get when God multiplies these numbers? What kind of character will be seen in His people (or the firstfruits, the 144,000)? Height (10) X Width (10) X Length (10) X the twelve tribes (12) = 12,000! This number encapsulates all that we can develop mentally and spiritually in God’s school (height), all the resources we can handle for benevolent labor that God might be glorified (width), and no matter what trials come on us, nor how long they remain, we are settled in our relationship with God (length). Consider Revelation 7:2-8
“And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 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.
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.”
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.”
Every tribe, every family of Jacob, will demonstrate this full-bodied character as depicted in the Most Holy Place, no matter what their gene-pool is, or personality type, or what their inherited or cultivated weaknesses might have been. All 144,000, all twelve tribes, will demonstrate a character that meets the Most Holy Place standard of 12,000. But this number is not only ascribed to the twelve tribes, but also to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is called the bride, the Lamb’s wife (Rev. 21:2, 9-10)
Rev 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
One more point before we leave this number, to underscore its significant to last day events.
Just before Moses died, and just before the Israelites could enter the Promised Land, God had one more duty for him and them to perform. And this duty involves the first time “twelve thousand” is used. This is recorded in Numbers 31 and commented on in PP 456.
“God had sent judgments upon Israel for yielding to the enticements of the Midianites; but the tempters were not to escape the wrath of divine justice. The Amalekites, who had attacked Israel at Rephidim, falling upon those who were faint and weary behind the host, were not punished till long after; but the Midianites who seduced them into sin were speedily made to feel God’s judgments, as being the more dangerous enemies. ‘Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites’ (Numbers 31:2), was the command of God to Moses; ‘afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.’ This mandate was immediately obeyed. One thousand men were chosen from each of the tribes [twelve thousand armed for war Num 31:5] and sent out under the leadership of Phinehas. ‘And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses…. And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; … five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.’ Verses 7, 8. The women also, who had been made captives by the attacking army, were put to death at the command of Moses, as the most guilty and most dangerous of the foes of Israel.”
Are you getting the picture? Both battles are characterized by the same number, twelve thousand.
Moses’ battle: selected 1,000 from each tribe to get 12,000 for this holy battle; sent them with a priest, plus the sacred Ark of the Covenant (containing the Testimony of God’s character, the sacred Law), and trumpets; 5 kings were slain, plus a false prophet; and the profligate women, as the most guilty and dangerous.
Christ’s battle: selects 12,000 from each tribe; and sends them into battle with the High Priest (Jesus) as their captain, plus the contents of the Ark of the Covenant[15] (containing the Sacred Law in their hearts): trumpets are sounded; ten kings and the false prophet are slain; along with the whore and all her profligate daughters, as the most guilty and dangerous.
And finally, the four captives.
We have been talking about Moses, and seeing many parallels between his day and that of the 144,000. But there is another counterpart pair found in the city known as “Babylon”.
Historically, we find God’s people in Babylon, but not by choice. They were captives. But the king had hopes of an empire that would be superior to any other, its princes stronger, its wise men more brilliant. And he looked for excellence everywhere, even among his captives.
And in Revelation the battle centers around a counterpart of historical Babylon.[16] We have studied what would characterize the 144,000 who defend God’s image to the world—the only One worthy of worship. We see in types and symbols the character that they display to give honor to their Teacher. But, really, what is this character like in real life?
That has been recorded for us in the Spirit of Prophecy as we consider the four captives in Babylon, those who caught the attention of the king and his ministers.
“At the court of Babylon were gathered representatives from all lands, men of the highest talent, men the most richly endowed with natural gifts, and possessed of the broadest culture that the world could bestow; yet among them all, the Hebrew youth were without a peer. In physical strength and beauty, in mental vigor and literary attainment, they stood unrivaled. The erect form, the firm, elastic step, the fair countenance, the undimmed senses, the untainted breath—all were so many certificates of good habits, insignia of the nobility with which nature honors those who are obedient to her laws.
“In acquiring the wisdom of the Babylonians, Daniel and his companions were far more successful than their fellow students; but their learning did not come by chance. They obtained their knowledge by the faithful use of their powers, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They placed themselves in connection with the Source of all wisdom, making the knowledge of God the foundation of their education. In faith they prayed for wisdom, and they lived their prayers. They placed themselves where God could bless them. They avoided that which would weaken their powers, and improved every opportunity to become intelligent in all lines of learning. They followed the rules of life that could not fail to give them strength of intellect. They sought to acquire knowledge for one purpose—that they might honor God. They realized that in order to stand as representatives of true religion amid the false religions of heathenism they must have clearness of intellect and must perfect a Christian character. And God Himself was their teacher. Constantly praying, conscientiously studying, keeping in touch with the Unseen, they walked with God as did Enoch….
“While God was working in Daniel and his companions ‘to will and to do of His good pleasure,’ they were working out their own salvation. Philippians 2:13. Herein is revealed the outworking of the divine principle of co-operation, without which no true success can be attained. Human effort avails nothing without divine power; and without human endeavor, divine effort is with many of no avail. To make God’s grace our own, we must act our part. His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort.
“As the Lord co-operated with Daniel and his fellows, so He will co-operate with all who strive to do His will. And by the impartation of His Spirit He will strengthen every true purpose, every noble resolution.” {PK 485}
This is the fulfillment of the Covenant Promise. This is what the seed of Abraham will become, in God’s power. This will be what will characterize the 144,000. And when God sees that they are immovable, as were the Levites before them, He SEALS them for time and eternity (length).
CONCLUSION
If it is acceptable to use Old Testament types to understand New Testament antitypes, then it would seem that
- the 144,000 will excel in wisdom and all knowledge, above even the best in spiritual Babylon;
- they can be entrusted with all power (to do God’s bidding) for they cannot be corrupted.
- they will be used by God to do hand-to-hand battle with Satan’s ten kings and false prophet.
- they will be used to bring the judgments of God on an unrepentant world, including the harlot and her daughters.
- they have made the knowledge of God the foundation of all their education,
- they have chosen to avoid anything that would weaken their powers,
- they have improved every opportunity to become intelligent in all lines of learning,
- they will be constantly praying, conscientiously studying, and keeping in touch with the Unseen.
- because they are in harmony with God and His precepts, nature honors them with an erect form, a firm, elastic step, a fair countenance, with undimmed senses, clear minds, and untainted breath.
- No one can excel their wisdom so they will always be in demand in the universe, second only to the Master Creator Himself. And all power is given them to perform His will wherever He and they go, or wherever He may send them.
In short, they have chosen to honor God by self-sacrifice and God chooses to honor them, eternally. It looks like they will be Christ’s teachers and ambassadors throughout the universe.
“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven.” {The Review and Herald, March 9, 1905}
“And they sing ‘a new song’ before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had. ‘These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.’ These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as ‘the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.’ Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5.“ {GC 649}
So while some may be hiding in the mountains until Jesus comes, others are out on the front lines, doing face-to-face combat, warning people, prophesying, going boldly into enemy territory, pulling some out of the fires (figuratively), calling down judgments (as God directs), and helping the outcasts. And no one can touch them, as they couldn’t Jesus or Moses. Their power would be feared and their wisdom could not be excelled.
This time is prophesied in Zechariah 3:8-10 (emphasis mine).
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My servant the branch. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the Lord of Hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig-tree.
Mrs. White, in the Pacific Union Recorder, October 7, 1909, made this comment on these verses:
“There is a time coming when God will let it be understood that His people are preferred before transgressors, and we need to stand in a position where it can be seen that our dependence is upon God. Then the Lord will open ways before us that we do not now discern,—ways by which He will exalt and honor us. {PUR October 7, 1909, par. 8}
This will be the fulfillment of the Covenant promise to Abraham nearly 400 years after the Flood, portrayed symbolically in the Most Holy Place, and ratified at Calvary– that God would provide a seed at the end of time (in the courts of spiritual Babylon) that would be characterized by complete devotion to and dependence upon Him, be in total harmony with His divine principles, and so emptied of self that God could entrust them with unlimited power, such as His Son had by nature and Moses received by gift, knowing that they would do only that which God Himself commands. And as they honor Him by the works of righteousness in His Son’s name, He, the Father, would repeat the honoring of His people as He did with the four Hebrew worthies in the courts of Babylon.
We can prepare for that time now, to be among such a privileged class, by faithfully cooperating with God’s Spirit to direct us away from hurtful things that would interfere with our hearing God’s voice and following it. As we do our part (cooperating), God will do His (perfecting His character in us, a character that He can entrust us with any talent, any power, any amount of resources, knowing we will use nothing for self-glory, but seek more ways to help those around us or advance His cause (as did Job).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you want to learn more about these special people, they are also encapsulated in Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, one of David’s warriors who killed the formidable Egyptian giant. This giant depicts the challenges for God’s people in our day, and how to do battle with them!
[1] Pro_16:19 Better it is to be of an humbleH8217 spirit with the lowly,H6035 than to divide the spoil with the proud. The Strong’s number for meek is H6035 (interpreted here as “lowly”). Note the number for “humble is much different.
[2] Matthew 11:29, 21:5; 2Corinthians 10:1
[3] Numbers 20:7-12
[4] Numbers 3:12-13, PP 324
[5] “The camp was arranged in exact order, the tabernacle, the abiding place of God, in the midst, and around it the tents of the priests and the Levites. Outside of these each tribe encamped beside its own standard.” ED 37-38
[6] Joshua 3:3-4 (2000 cubits, considered elsewhere by the rabbis as a Sabbath day’s journey –Cambridge on Acts 1:12)
[7] Joshua 21:8, 12
[8] Though probably not applicable to the 144,000, God also used Elijah to execute His judgment on the prophets of Baal.
[9] John 11:45-53 (the plot to kill Jesus)
[10] Exodus 25:16, 21,22
[11] Malachi 3:10
[12] Gen 14:18
[13] 1 Samuel 9:2, 10:23 (Saul was taller than anyone)
[14] Deu 30:20; Job 12:12; Ps 21:4
[15] “Among the righteous still in Jerusalem, to whom had been made plain the divine purpose, were some who determined to place beyond the reach of ruthless hands the sacred ark containing the tables of stone on which had been traced the precepts of the Decalogue. This they did. With mourning and sadness they secreted the ark in a cave, where it was to be hidden from the people of Israel and Judah because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hidden. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted.” {PK 453}
“The precious record of the law was placed in the ark of the testament and is still there, safely hidden from the human family. But in God’s appointed time He will bring forth these tables of stone to be a testimony to all the world against the disregard of His commandments and against the idolatrous worship of a counterfeit Sabbath.” {Manuscript 122, 1901}
[16] Revelation 14:8, 16:19, 17:5
