The 144,000

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INTRODUCTION

There are much confusion and speculation surrounding the interpretation of the winds in Rev. 7 as to what they correctly represent. Many are confused with the four winds of Dan. 7:2 that strove upon the great sea, with the four winds of Rev. 7:1 which the four angels are holding. In GC p 440, the Spirit of Prophecy explains that the winds in Dan. 7:2 are a symbol of strife. “The four winds of heaven striving upon the great sea, represent the terrible scenes of conquest and revolution by which kingdoms have attained to power.” In the context of Dan. 7, it applies to strife among nations. As we pursue this subject in the light of current and future events, it will be clearly understood why it is significant in having a correct and a deeper understanding of all the different events that the winds in Rev. 7 rightly represent as it directly relates to the saints of God. We will also expound on this particular seal of the living God mentioned in Rev.7, what it is, its purpose, and how to obtain it.

THE FOUR WINDS OF REV. 7

“And after these things, I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 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.” (Rev.

7:1-3).

First, we will quote a few references from the Spirit of Prophecy regarding the different interpretations of the four winds in Rev. 7.

THE FOUR WINDS – MARK OF THE BEAST

“The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near to having this realized in California a short time since, but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready.” (5T 152.2).

This reference in 5T identifies a time during the life of Sis. White when the mark of the beast system was about to be enforced by the two horn beast of Rev. 13:11 that spoke like a dragon. She said this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds, we are not just ready. In other words, it is only a matter of time. Before going deeper into 5T, let's first consider a similar account in E.W. p 38.

“I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a

voice of deep pity cried, ‘My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!’ Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, ‘Hold! Hold!

Hold! Hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.

“I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels and bid them hold, until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads.” (E.W. 38.2).

Did you see the similarities between the two references? The reference in E.W. provides a more detailed explanation of why the angels could not release the four winds; she said the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that was not sealed. Do you realize that if Jesus did not plead with His father to hold the winds, the remnant would be destroyed? Brethren, we are on borrowed time. The winds, therefore, cannot blow until the servants of God are first sealed. The reference in E.W. also reveals that this prophetic vision was an event that was to occur sometime in the future. In other words, there would be a time when the winds were about to be let loose.

Is there any documented account that we can find where the winds were almost let loose, or the government was in the processes of setting up the mark of the beast system (the Sunday law), as was mentioned in 5T.? There are two recorded events in 1888 that have to do with the Sunday law.

The first is by a religious group called “The Lord’s Day Alliance.” Here is the report: “The Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States (LDA) was founded in 1888. That year representatives of six major Protestant denominations met in Washington, D.C. to organize the American Sabbath Union; this name was later changed to The Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States. The LDA has been the one national organization whose sole purpose is to maintain and cultivate the first day of the week as a time for rest, worship, Christian education and spiritual renewal.”

Also in 1888, in Washington D.C., Alonzo T. Jones went before the United States Senate Committee to refute the Sunday bill introduced by Senator Blair in the fiftieth Congress. By the grace of God, he was able to convince them that their attempt to mandate a day of worship was unconstitutional.

It is interesting that both meetings were held in Washington DC in the same year, 1888. It appears that this is what EG White was referring to in 5T p152 when she said; “We came near having this realized in California a short time since; but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels,” also the vision in E.W. p38 when the angels were letting loose the winds. For more detailed information regarding Jones and Blair, you may purchase your copy of “The National Sunday Law.” For a video preview, please watch on YouTube, type in; “A.T. Jones and Senator Blair.”

“The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll.” (6T p17).

THE FOUR WINDS – ELEMENTS OF NATURE

“John sees the elements of nature--earthquake, tempest, and political strife-- represented as being held by four angels. These winds are under control until God gives the word to let them go.

There is the safety of God's church. The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads.” (TM 444.3).

“Four mighty angels are still holding the four winds of the earth. Terrible destruction is forbidden to come in full. The winds will be the stirring up of the nations to one deadly combat, while the angels hold the four winds, forbidding the terrible power of Satan to be exercised in its fury until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.” (Mar 175.2).

Not only are the four winds a representation of the mark of the beast, but they also represent the elements of nature. All these are being held back by the angels from blowing upon the remnant in its full fury, until they are sealed. After the sealing, the terrible power of Satan will be exercised in its full fury beyond our imagination. What we are experiencing now is mild in comparison to what is about to happen.

THE FOUR WINDS -- PESTILENCE

“Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose against nation, and the whole world was in confusion.”--7BC 968 (1846).

In Matt.24:7, Christ spoke these prophetic words, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

We have always had famines, pestilences, earthquakes, tempests, and political strife in the past and present. These elements of nature that are held back by the four angels must be of a magnitude that is beyond what we have and are witnessing at the present time.

“Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows.” (GC p 589).

“While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence.” (CH 461.1).

Are we not experiencing the elements of nature and pestilence on a scale that we have never before beheld? The elements of nature today is termed and attributed to Climate Control according to science, and the pestilence is called Covid-19, in which thousand has perished. We are only encountering the beginning of the worst that is yet to come; plans are being made to institute a New World Order and to mandate a law against the un-vaccinated in preventing them from having certain privileges, our freedom is slowly being taken away, our Constitution has been challenged. Climate Control and Covid 19 seem to the vehicle that is being used to set up the New World Order-Sunday law, and the enforcement of buying and selling. Our only safety during this little time of trouble, a greater one is yet to come, is by receiving the seal of God; without it, there is no hope of salvation.

“The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.-- (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 11).

THE FOUR WINDS – STRIFE, WAR

“Soon the four winds of heaven will be loosed, and in every part of the globe there will be dissension, strife, war, bloodshed. Satan is stirred with intensity from beneath. The power of God will be the defense of His people until their warning message will have been proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” (18MR 177.3).

“Everything in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and great preparations for war are being made. Nation is plotting against nation and kingdom against kingdom. The great day of God is hasting greatly. But although the nations are mustering their forces for war and bloodshed, the command to the angels is still in force, that they hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads (RH Jan. 28, 1909). (7BC 968.12).

“My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence.

“Angels are now restraining the winds of strife until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth, and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. . . .” (Mar 259).

THE FOUR WINDS – A TIME OF TROUBLE

“There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth. That will be a decisive time for God's children, a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Now is our opportunity to work.” (5T 152.2).

The trouble will burst forth as the two-horned beast decrees “that no man might buy or sell, save he that has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Rev. 13:17. Thus will the dragon be “wroth with the woman” and “make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. And at the same time the angels will be allowed to hurt all who trouble the church of God.

Other wise stated, to letthe winds blow, is to permit the two-horn beast to decree “that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Rev. 13:15); and to let the angels hurt, is to allow the Lord's decree to take its course: “If any man worships the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14:9,

10. Both decrees will be in force after the sealing is completed. From the fact that the four winds are to blow and the four angels are to hurt as soon as the servants of God are sealed, is seen looming the “time of trouble” such as never was (Dan. 12:1).

THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD

“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.” (Rev. 7:1-3).

“This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision.” (TM p445).

5 “He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” Ezek. 9:1-6

In the prophecy of Rev. 7:1-3, the angel with the seal of the living God is symbolical of the angel in Ezek. 9 with the writer’s inkhorn by his side that set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations. There are four angels holding the four winds and four angels that were given to hurt the earth, sea, and trees in Rev. 7. These four angels that were commissioned to hurt are symbolic of the five angels with destroying weapons in their hands. Please note, both the angel in Rev. 7 and Ezek. 9 put a mark or seal on their foreheads. The sealing is the same as the marking.

EG White commenting on Ezek. 9, said, “The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: ‘Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.’

“Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God... These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. (5T 211.2).

“Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. (3T 267.1).

“He who presides over His church and the destinies of nations is carrying forward the last work to be accomplished for this world. To His angels He gives the commission to execute His judgments. Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation. The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary...

Read Ezekiel 9:2-7. (TM p431). (See 1MR p260).

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1P. 4:17).

6 Ezekiel nine pictures the Judgment of the Living in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17) -- the sealing of the saints and the destruction of the wicked in the church.

“The mighty angel is seen ascending from the east (or sunrising). This mightiest of angels has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark or inscription, to whom shall be granted immortality, eternal life. It is the voice of this highest angel that had authority to command the four angels to keep in check the four winds until this work was performed, and until he should give the summons to let them loose.” (TM 444,445).

“Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. 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” (5T p213,214).

“Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts.

All who receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven.” (5T p216).

“Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God. Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure, will not have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical day of atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of God's protection.” (TM 445.1).

Not only will the seal of God protect us from the blowing of the four winds – the mark of the beast and the elements of nature in a more significant and broader scope, but more so from the stroke of God's wrath, His judgment upon His beloved remnant church, the SDA church. Remember, “judgment begins at the house of God” Ezek.9. This is the closing work for the church, the close of their probation. These are the reasons and purpose for receiving the seal or the mark.

“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people.

“This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. ‘And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.’” (3T 266.2).

7 “The angel with the writer's ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel (Letter 12, 1886).” (4BC 1161.5).

“[Ephesians 1:13 quoted.] What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of his people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption (Letter 126, 1898).” (4BC 1161.4).

“(Revelation 7:2.) Seal Is a Settling Into Truth.--Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads--it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved--just as soon as God's people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming (MS 173, 1902).” (4BC 1161.6).

Brothers and Sisters, please do not turn a deaf ear to this salvific information. We are living in the last days of earth’s history, we do not know what 2022 is going to look like. I am sure it is not going to be better than 2021. While the world is preparing to set up its New World Order, the mark of the best Sunday law decree, we as Sabbath keepers should be preparing to receive this additional seal of God by reforming our lives (sighing and crying for all the abominations in the church) so that we can manifest the character of Christ and receive His seal in our forehead and escape His judgments, not only His judgments but also the elements of nature and the pestilence, from any virus, sickness or death. No more need for any drugs or jabs. It is at that time we will be able to claim Psalms 91.

“The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over. Now is the time, while the four angels are holding the four winds, to make our calling and election sure.” (EW 58.2).

“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 who are living. The controversies of the past are to be revived. New controversies will arise. The scenes to be enacted in our world are not even dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies.” (CTr 316.4).

PARTIAL LIST OF ABOMINATIONS IN THE CHURCH

We were commissioned to sigh and cry for all the abominations within the church in order to obtain the seal or the mark. To sigh is to first examine ourselves in making sure we are abiding according to God's requirements, and to cry is to bring to someone's attention a sin they are committing that they may not be aware of. Below are a few of the abominations that are recognized within the church-the body of Christ. (See Ezek. 3:17-21).

HEALTH REFORM

“If meat eating was ever healthful, it is not safe now. Cancers, tumors, and pulmonary diseases are largely caused by meat eating.” (CH 133.2).

“Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design,-- that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. (CD 380.1).

8 “Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet. Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural. We are to return to God's original purpose in the creation of man. (CD 380.2).

“Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet.” (CD 380.4).

“Greater reforms should be seen among the people who claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health reform is to do among our people a work which it has not yet done. There are those who ought to be awake to the danger of meat eating, who are still eating the flesh of animals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God's people, to walk no more with them. (CH 575.2).

DRESS REFORM

“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” (Deut. 22:5).

“I saw that God's order has been reversed, and His special directions disregarded, by those who adopt the American costume. I was referred to Deuteronomy 22:5: ‘The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.’ God would not have His people adopt the so-called reform dress.

It is immodest apparel, wholly unfitted for the modest, humble followers of Christ.

“There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. ‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.’1 Timothy 2:9.” (1T 457.2).

“The children of Israel, after they were brought out of Egypt, were commanded to have a simple ribbon of blue in the border of their garments, to distinguish them from the nations around them, and to signify that they were God's peculiar people. The people of God are not now required to have a special mark placed upon their garments. But in the New Testament we are often referred to ancient Israel as examples. If God gave such definite directions to his ancient people in regard to their dress, will not the dress of his people in this age come under his notice? Should there not be in their dress a distinction from that of the world? Should not the people of God, who are his peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God? And should they not be examples in point of dress, and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity and extravagance of worldly, pleasure-loving professors? God requires this of his people. Pride is rebuked in his word.” (2SM 473.3).

“Many need instruction as to how they should appear in the assembly for worship on the Sabbath.

They are not to enter the presence of God in the common clothing worn during the week. All should have a special Sabbath suit, to be worn when attending service in God's house.” (CCh 181.8).

SABBATH REFORM

“On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked and the baths be taken... The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun let all secular work be laid aside and all secular papers be put out of sight.

“There is another work that should receive attention on the preparation day. On this day all differences between brethren, whether in the family or in the church, should be put away. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be expelled from the soul. In a humble spirit, ‘confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.’ James 5:16.

“While cooking upon the Sabbath should be avoided, it is not necessary to eat cold food. In cold weather let the food prepared the day before be heated. And let the meals, though simple, be palatable and attractive. Provide something that will be regarded as a treat, something the family do not have every day.” (6T 355 - 357).

COSMETICS AND JEWELRY

“I was directed to the following scriptures. Said the angel, ‘They are to instruct God's people.’ 1 Timothy 2:9, 10: ‘In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but which becometh women professing godliness with good works.’ 1 Peter 3:3-5: ‘Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, . . . adorned themselves.’” (CCh 181.4).

“Here the Lord, through His apostle, speaks expressly against the wearing of gold. Let those who have had experience see to it that they do not lead others astray on this point by their example. That ring encircling your finger may be very plain, but it is useless, and the wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others.” (4T 630.1).

“Not one penny should be spent for a circlet of gold to testify that we are married. In countries where the custom is imperative, we have no burden to condemn those who have their marriage ring; let them wear it if they can do so conscientiously; but let not our missionaries feel that the wearing of the ring will increase their influence one jot or tittle.” (TM p180,181).

Please read Isa. 3:16-23. “The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was presented before me as applying to these last days, and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display.” (1T p269).

There are two women depicted in the New Testament as representing a church, one in Rev.12:1, clothe with the sun represents God’s church. “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.” (Rev. 19:8). The other is found in Rev.17:1,4 that represents the world. Please note the difference in their apparel. “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.” Whom do you represent?

“To dress plainly, abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith.” (CCh 181.7).

BEHAVIOR IN THE HOUSE OF GOD

“When the worshipers enter the place of meeting, they should do so with decorum, passing quietly to their seats...Common talking, whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of worship, either before or after the service. Ardent, active piety should characterize the worshipers. (5T 492).

“...The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me would be brought into our camp meetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting souls. A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit's working.” (2SM 36).

PROPER ATTITUDES FOR PUBLIC PRAYER

“I have received letters questioning me in regard to the proper attitude to be taken by a person offering prayer to the Sovereign of the universe. Where have our brethren obtained the idea that they should stand upon their feet when praying to God? One who has been educated for about five years in Battle Creek was asked to lead in prayer before Sister White should speak to the people. But as I beheld him standing upright upon his feet while his lips were about to open in prayer to God, my soul was stirred within me to give him an open rebuke. Calling him by name, I said, ‘Get down upon your knees.’ This is the proper position always. (2SM p311). (See Acts 7:59, 60, 9:40, 20:36, and 21:5).

REJECTION OF THE FOURTH ANGEL’S MESSAGE

Most SDA are not familiar with the history of the General Conference session in 1888 when they rejected the message of E.J. Waggoner and A.T. Jones, the beginning of the loud cry message.

“In 1888 the general conference held at Minneapolis, the angel of Rev 18 came down to do his work, and was ridiculed, criticized, and rejected.” E.G. WHITE in “Taking up a reproach.”

11 “The whole of Revelation 18 will be fulfilled in the glorious closing of this work. It hasn’t yet been fulfilled, and the light of the FOURTH ANGEL’S message began to shine in that strange and oppressive way at Minneapolis. The only reasonable conclusion is that the light was put out by human instrumentalities.” (E.G. WHITE, LETTER 106).

“When did that message of the righteousness of Christ begin with us as a people? [One or two in the audience: ‘Three or four years ago.’] Which was it, three? Or four? [Congregation: ‘four’], Yes four. Where was it? [Congregation: ‘Minneapolis’] What then did the leading brethren reject at Minneapolis? [Some in the congregation: ‘The loud cry’]...What did the brethren in that fearful position in which they stood, rejected at Minneapolis? They rejected the latter rain-the loud cry-of the third angel’s message” (GCB, 1893 p183).

“An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord's message through brethren (E.J.) Waggoner and (A.T.) Jones. By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them. The enemy prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. The light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world.” (1SM pp 234, 235).

“I saw that Jones and Waggoner had their counterpart in Joshua and Caleb. As the children of Israel stoned the spies with literal stones, you have stoned these brethren with stones of sarcasm and ridicule.

I saw that you willfully rejected what you knew to be truth, just because it was too humiliating to your dignity. I saw some of you in your tents mimicking and making all manner of fun of these two brethren. I also saw that if you had accepted their message, we would have been in the kingdom two years from that date, but now we have to go back into the wilderness and there stay forty years.” (GCB May 9, 1892) (Melbourne, Australia).

THE RETURN OF THE FOURTH ANGEL-- THE ELIJAH'S MESSAGE

It is important to note, E.G. White stated, if the church had accepted the Loud Cry message in 1888, we would be in the kingdom two years from that date (1890); instead, we would have to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Forty years from 1890 takes us to 1930. In 1930 just such a message came again to the Seventh-day Adventist church; the continuation of the loud cry message that was first rejected in 1888. It was predicted by E.G. White and A.T. Jones that the message would return and be rejected as the following references will prove.

“In 1888 the general conference held at Minneapolis, the angel of Rev 18 came down to do his work, and was ridiculed, criticized, and rejected, and when the message he brings AGAIN will swell into a loud cry it will be ridiculed and spoken against and rejected by the majority.”

E.G. WHITE in “Taking up a reproach.” “That [the 1888 experience] however, is but a sample. There will be things TO COME that will be more surprising than that was to those at Minneapolis, more surprising than anything we have yet seen.

And brethren we will be required to receive and preach that truth. But unless you and I have every fiber of that spirit rooted out of our hearts we will treat that MESSAGE and the MESSENGER by whom it is sent, as God has declared we have treated this OTHER message.” (GCB 1893’ p 185). A.T. Jones.

“I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will take place-- when the mighty angel will come down from heaven, and unite with the third angel in closing up the work for this world; my message is that our only safety is in being ready for the heavenly refreshing, having our lamps trimmed and burning.-- R H, March 29, 1892. (1SM p 192.1).

The references provided clearly stated there is to come, a return of the FOURTH ANGEL that was first rejected at the 1888 Minneapolis session by the General Conference leaders. This other messenger is likewise identified in Rev 18:1 as “another angel” who joins the third angel as it swells to a loud cry.

Both E.G. White and A.T. Jones prophesied that the fourth angel would return and would likewise be rejected. This other messenger – the fourth angel, is identified as the antitypical Elijah that is to come.

He represents the last messenger before Christ's second advent, as John the Baptist represented the last prophet before Christ's first advent.

“Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: ‘Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.’ Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: ‘You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message’.” (TM p. 475, 1890).

Sister White does not mean to say that she is that prophet Elijah but plainly says a prophet must come, and it is said to be a prophet with the “same spirit and power of Elijah.” Elijah's work in the day of Ahab, king of Israel, was to prove to Israel that they had apostatized (See 5T p 217). The spirit of Elijah was a spirit against idolatry, and his power was a power to destroy those who led in idolatry and to bring about purity. Such was the spirit and power of Elijah. Therefore, the message of antitypical Elijah is a message of purification or cleansing, the message of the investigative judgment of the living as recorded in Ezek. 9. (See 5T 207-216).

A REVISION OF REV. 7:1-3

In Rev. 7:1-3 are brought to view two hurtings about to take place: one by the winds, the other by the angels; and two commands to the angels: one that they restrain the winds, that the winds blow not “on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree” (Rev. 7:1); the other that the angels restrain themselves from hurting “the earth,... sea,” and “the trees,” till the servants of God are sealed. Rev. 7:2, 3). Since, therefore, as soon as the servants of God are sealed, both the winds and the angels will begin to hurt.

The question arises as to what the work of the winds and the work of the angels represent. It is clear that the hurting by the winds, also the hurting by the angels, both of which are kept back until the sealing is completed, must be figurative of holding back the “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” Dan. 12:1. Accordingly, God's restraining of the four winds is His holding back the image of the beast's activity (Rev. 13:15-17) against the saints, while His restraining the four angels that they hurt not is His holding back the executing of His vengeance upon the sinners who trouble the church, until after the sealing is completed. Being coupled, these two hurtings bring the time of trouble such as never was. From these facts, we see that this time of trouble is held back in order to safeguard the sealing of the servants of God, lest they, “the very elect,” be brought down to worship the image of the beast or be killed for refusing.

CONCLUSION

This concludes the information on the four winds of Rev.7 in light of current and future events.

There is no doubt that we are involved in a great controversy between good and evil, God and Satan.

The seal of God is our only means of protection from the four winds; that is the reason they are being held back by the angels until the servants of God are sealed, protected from the destroying angels in Ezek.9, and Rev.7, protected from the mark of the beast decree, a time of trouble, pestilence, famine, war, strife, and the elements of nature in its fury. Those without the seal will not be protected, they will be destroyed by the angels with slaughtering weapons. May God help us all to receive the seal.

For additional end-time prophetic prophecies such as; (1)The Mark of the Beast – 666, the Pope or the President, Who?,

(2) The Stone of Dan. 2 - Christ or His subjects, which?

(3) The 11th - hour Laborers of Matt. 20, who are they?

(4) The irrefutable pieces of evidence of the 2300-day prophecy,

(5) Three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, what does it mean?

(6) The Great Paradoxes of The Ages (an explanation of Zech. 6 regarding a change of leadership within the SDA church),

(7) Is World War II yet to be finished? (Prophecies that identify who Antitypical Assyria is at present, and their involvement in coming wars),

(8) A message from God to the Laodicean church-the SDA church,

(9) The Four Winds of Rev. 7 (in the light of current and future events),

(10) The Incarnation of Christ, (did Christ took man's nature before or after sin?),

(11) The Flood, “as in the days of Noah,” type, antitype, and additional applications.

(12) (The Re-establishment of God’s kingdom, When, Where and What).

(13) “The little Season” of Rev. 20:3, when is it?

You may contact

SdaProMin@aol.com for any of the above studies.