Mighty Stone and the Great Image of Daniel 2

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INTRODUCTION: 

The study concerning The Great Image of Daniel 2 is a common and generally understood portion of Scripture. It reveals to us through symbols and figures the world’s history from the days of king Nebuchadnezzar ‘till the close of time. Nevertheless, our focus will be centered on that portion of the king’s vision, which is not normally discussed. 

PRAYER THOUGHT :

 CW 35 ; CSW 28, 29 ( or choose another). 

Investigation of Doctrine.--There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.  {CW 35.2}

We are living in perilous times, and it does not become us to accept everything claimed to be truth without examining it thoroughly; neither can we afford to reject anything that bears the fruits of the Spirit of God; but we should be teachable, meek and lowly of heart. There are those who oppose everything that is not in accordance with their own ideas, and by so doing they endanger their eternal interest as verily as did the Jewish nation in their rejection of Christ.  {CW 35.3}

The Lord designs that our opinions shall be put to the test, that we may see the necessity of closely examining the living oracles to see whether or not we are in the faith. Many who claim to believe the truth have settled down at their ease, saying, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." --Review and Herald, December 20, 1892.  {CW 36.1}

God calls upon those who hold responsible positions in Sabbath school work to put away all egotism, all self-confidence, and pride of opinion; if a message comes that you do not understand, take pains that you may hear the reasons the messenger may give, comparing scripture with scripture, that you may know whether or not it is sustained by the word of God. If you believe that the positions taken have not the word of God for their foundation, if the position you hold on the subject cannot be controverted, then produce your strong reasons; for your position will not be shaken by coming in contact with error. There is no virtue or manliness in keeping up a continual warfare in the dark, closing your eyes lest you may see, closing your ears lest you may hear, hardening your heart in ignorance and unbelief lest you may have to humble yourselves and acknowledge that you have received light on some points of truth.  {CSW 28.2}

REVIEW : Verses 1-27 

(verbally). Refresh the memory. 

1. Read : Verse 28 

Emphasize that the vision reaches its complete fulfillment in our time, and that the message is mainly for those living in the last days, i.e. Dan. 12:4; PK 547, 548 --- for the latter days. 

As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures. Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. "The wise shall understand" (verse 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days; and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God's people all through the centuries, the promise is, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." Revelation 1:3. {PK 547.2}

A careful study of the working out of God's purpose in the history of nations and in the revelation of things to come, will help us to estimate at their true value things seen and things unseen, and to learn what is the true aim of life. Thus, viewing the things of time in the light of eternity, we may, like Daniel and his fellows, live for that which is true and noble and enduring. And learning in this life the principles of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, that blessed kingdom which is to endure for ever and ever, we may be prepared at His coming to enter with Him into its possession.  {PK 548.2}

2. Read : Verses 31-35. The actual vision. 

a Explain briefly the meaning of the various parts of the Image. 

b Point out that we are living in the days of the ten toes. 1T 361. 

Our kingdom is not of this world. We are waiting for our Lord from heaven to come to earth to put down all authority and power, and set up His everlasting kingdom. Earthly powers are shaken. We need not, and cannot, expect union among the nations of the earth. Our position in the image of Nebuchadnezzar is represented by the toes, in a divided state, and of a crumbling material, that will not hold together. Prophecy shows us that the great day of God is right upon us. It hasteth greatly.  {1T 360.3}

 c Especially point out the work of the stone. 

3. Where Did The Stone Come From ? ----- The Mountain 

Read : Daniel 2:45. 

a The stone came from a mountain. 

b If the image ( gold, silver, brass, stone, etc.) is symbolical then the mountain must also be symbolical. 

4. What Does A Mountain Symbolize In Scripture ? ----- People 

Read : Dan. 9:16,20. 

a Daniel in his prayer likens the church (Jerusalem) to a mountain. 

b It could not be a literal mountain, because a literal mountain cannot sin. 

Read: Isaiah 2:2-3.

a God here shows that in the last days He will exalt His church above all other churches and kingdoms. 

b Also, many people will be invited by the saints to join the true church. Rev. 18:4 -- The finishing of the Gospel. 

Further proof: Isa. 56:7, 2:2; Mic. 4:1-4; Rev. 17:9; Zech. 8:3; Matt. 5:14; Jer. 51:25; Isa. 51:16  

5. Exactly What Church Does The Mountain Symbolize? ---SDA 

a It must be the church in the latter days (v. 28). 1T 361. 

b The church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:14 -17). 

6. Could Not The Mountain Include The Churches Of The World? ---NO 

a God has had only one church in each era. That is the Israelites. 

b According to Rev. 14:8, Babylon (The churches of the world) has fallen, indicating that God’s Spirit has been withdrawn from them. God does however have faithful people in these churches, but they will be brought into the S.D.A. church. See EW 33; John 10:16. 

I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the light upon it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the churches and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time God's chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us. I saw the sword, famine, pestilence, and great confusion in the land. 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 33.2}

7. What Or Whom Does The Stone Symbolize? 

a A remnant of the remnant church 

b If the mountain is people, then the stone must symbolize people as well, for the stone was cut out from the mountain. 

8. Cannot The Stone Symbolize Christ At His Second Coming? 

a The Stone came from the church (mountain), not heaven or the sky. Dan. 2:45

b If the mountain is people the stone must be people too. 

c The stone grows and becomes a Great Mountain -- great church. This is done through His people. Dan. 2: 45

d The growth of the stone reveals the rapid growth of the purified church ( the stone). It indicates that many, many, new converts will join the ranks of the true people of God. 

This cannot happen at the second visible return of Christ, for the gospel would have already been completed, probation closed, and the plagues fallen. 

9. Where Else In Scripture Is The Church Represented As A Stone? 

Read: Zech. 12:3.

a Here the church (Jerusalem) is likened to a burdensome stone. 

For further proof: 1 Peter 2:3-5 ; 8T 173

God's Building                   

     "Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." Verse 9. This figure represents human character, which is to be wrought upon, point by point. Each day God works with His building, stroke upon stroke, to perfect the structure, that it may become a holy temple for Him. Man is to co-operate with God. Each worker is to become just what God designs him to be, building his life with pure, noble deeds, that in the end his character may be a symmetrical structure, a fair temple, honored by God and man. There is to be no flaw in the building, for it is the Lord's. Every stone must be perfectly laid, that it may endure the pressure placed upon it. One stone laid wrong will affect the whole building. To you and to every other worker God gives the warning: "Take heed how you build, that your building may stand the test of storm and tempest, because it is founded on the eternal Rock. Place the stone on the sure foundation, that you may make ready for the day of test and trial, when all will be seen just as they are."{8T 173.1}

A Temple of Living Stones 

     This warning God presents to me as especially necessary for your welfare. He loves you with a love that is immeasurable. He loves your brethren in the faith, and He works with them to the same end as that to which He works with you. His church on earth is to assume divine proportions before the world as a temple built of living stones, each one reflecting light. It is to be the light of the world as a city set on a hill, which cannot be hid. It is built of stones laid close together, stone fitting to stone, making a firm, solid building. Not all the stones are of the same form or shape. Some are large, some are small; but each has its own place to fill. And the value of each stone is determined by the light that it reflects. This is God's plan. He desires all His workers to fill their appointed places in the work for this time.  {8T 173.2}

10. Who Are The People Symbolized By The Stone? --- 144,000 

a The people represented as the stone must be S.D.A.s because they came from the mountain (the church). 

b They (the stone) are used as God’s ‘servants’ to proclaim the gospel (in power) to 

the world. This is shown in the stone’s rapid growth. 

c The 144,000 are the only ones that embody these characteristics. 

Read: Rev. 7:1-4

a They are said to be from Israel --- S.D.A. church, (verse 4). See 9T 164 or 5T 75,94,456.

In order to be purified and to remain pure, Seventh-day Adventists must have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and in their homes. The Lord has given me light that when the Israel of today humble themselves before Him, and cleanse the soul-temple from all defilement, He will hear their prayers in behalf of the sick and will bless in the use of His remedies for disease. When in faith the human agent does all he can to combat disease, using the simple methods of treatment that God has provided, his efforts will be blessed of God.  {9T 164.1}

I have been shown that the spirit of the world is fast leavening the church. You are following the same path as did ancient Israel. There is the same falling away from your holy calling as God's peculiar people. You are having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Your concord with unbelievers has provoked the Lord's displeasure. You know not the things that belong to your peace, and they are fast being hid from your eyes. Your neglect to follow the light will place you in a more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ pronounced a woe.  {5T 75.3}

The sin of ancient Israel was in disregarding the expressed will of God and following their own way according to the leadings of unsanctified hearts. Modern Israel are fast following in their footsteps, and the displeasure of the Lord is as surely resting upon them.  {5T 93.3}

God has called His church in this day, as He called ancient Israel, to stand as a light in the earth. By the mighty cleaver of truth, the messages of the first, second, and third angels, He has separated them from the churches and from the world to bring them into a sacred nearness to Himself. He has made them the depositaries of His law and has committed to them the great truths of prophecy for this time. Like the holy oracles committed to ancient Israel, these are a sacred trust to be communicated to the world. The three angels of Revelation 14 represent the people who accept the light of God's messages and go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Christ declares to His followers: "Ye are the light of the world." To every soul that accepts Jesus the cross of Calvary speaks: "Behold the worth of the soul: 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.'" Nothing is to be permitted to hinder this work. It is the all-important work for time; it is to be far-reaching as eternity. The love that Jesus manifested for the souls of men in the sacrifice which He made for their redemption, will actuate all His followers.  {5T 455.2}

b They are called by John, ‘servants’, indicating that they have a special work of proclaiming the gospel. They are, in other words, messengers of God. 

Read: Rev. 14:1-4. 

a Here they are recorded to be ‘not defiled with women’ (other churches-doctrinally) for  they are ‘virgins’ (profess a pure faith). See Jer.6:2 ; COL 406

As Christ sat looking upon the party that waited for the bridegroom, He told His disciples the story of the ten virgins, by their experience illustrating the experience of the church that shall live just before His second coming.  The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word of God. The psalmist says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto may path." Ps. 119:105. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. {COL 406.2}

b They are called the ‘firstfruits’. This indicates that there are second fruits. One cannot have a first without a second, one necessitates the other. Therefore, the 144,000 are the first ones sealed, they in turn go out and gather in the second fruits- the Great Multitude of Rev.7:9; those from other churches of Babylon and the world. 

For Further Study Read: EW 14,15 and TM 422. 

The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai.  {EW 14.1}

     The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another's feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.  {EW 15.1}

Who are the subjects of the kingdom of God?--all those who do His will. They have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The members of Christ's kingdom are the sons of God, partners in His great firm. The elect of God are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a holy nation, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. They are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. They are living stones, a royal priesthood. They are in copartnership with Jesus Christ. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. . . .  {TM 422.1}

NOTE: It is not recommended that one become too involved with all the details concerning the 144,000 and the Great Multitude. Such details are covered in the outline entitled ‘The 144,000’ and ‘The Great Multitude Who Are They?’ (Based on Revelation chapter 7). 

11. How Is The Stone Cut Out Of The Mountain? --- Without Hands 

Read: TM 46,47

The church of Christ on earth will be imperfect, but God does not destroy His church because of its imperfection. There have been and will be those who are filled with zeal not according to knowledge, who would purify the church, and uproot the tares from the midst of the wheat. But Christ has given special light as to how to deal with those who are erring, and with those who are unconverted in the church. There is to be no spasmodic, zealous, hasty action taken by church members in cutting off those they may think defective in character. Tares will appear among the wheat; but it would do more harm to weed out the tares, unless in God's appointed way, than to leave them alone. While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship. While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God.  {TM 46.1}

The Church Not Perfect 

     Some people seem to think that upon entering the church they will have their expectations fulfilled, and meet only with those who are pure and perfect. They are zealous in their faith, and when they see faults in church members, they say, "We left the world in order to have no association with evil characters, but the evil is here also;" and they ask, as did the servants in the parable, "From whence then hath it tares?" But we need not be thus disappointed, for the Lord has not warranted us in coming to the conclusion that the church is perfect; and all our zeal will not be successful in making the church militant as pure as the church triumphant. The Lord forbids us to proceed in any violent way against those whom we think erring, and we are not to deal out excommunications and denunciations to those who are faulty.  {TM 47.1}

Finite man is likely to misjudge character, but God does not leave the work of judgment and pronouncing upon character to those who are not fitted for it. We are not to say what constitutes the wheat, and what the tares. The time of the harvest will fully determine the character of the two classes specified under the figure of the tares and the wheat. The work of separation is given to the angels of God, and not committed into the hands of any man.  {TM 47.2}

a.These references reveal that the wheat and tares are in the church and how they are brought in. 

b. Page 47:2, reveals that angels will accomplish the separation--not men. 

Read: 3 T 266, 267 

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}

Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. 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}

But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: "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."  {3T 267.2}

a.That the true people of God are those who recognize sin in the church, stay aloof from it, but speak out against the sins. 

b.The closing work for the church is the sealing of the 144,000. TM 445. 

This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. {TM 445.1}

c This work of the sealing of the 144,000 is “forcibly set forth” by the prophet (Ezekiel), when in vision he saw five men (angels) with slaughter weapons and the sixth with a “writer’s inkhorn.” 

d Only those who sigh and cry for the wrongs in the church receive the seal. 

e Inspiration itself tells us to read Ezekiel chapter nine. 

An objection: It is often stated that the slaughter of Ezekiel nine transpires during the plagues and /or at the second coming of Christ, based upon this statement found in 3T 267 “They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked. . .” This however, could not be so because: 

1. The plagues are very different from the slaughter of Ezekiel nine. See # 14. 

2. When the sentence is quoted in full it would read as follows: “They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons.” This tells us that this “general destruction” is that  which destroys the “wicked” in the church (Jerusalem) not the world--They are cut down by the five men (angels) not by the “vials” of the seven angels in Revelation 16. 

3. The words “general destruction” is used in other portions of Sister E.G. White’s writings and does not refer to the plagues. See GC 26 (last sentence of the paragraph). 

12. Read: Ezekiel 9

a “The higher gate which lieth toward the north” symbolically represents heaven--where God’s throne is located. (See Ps. 48:1-2, Isa. 14:13). 

b Even though Ezekiel calls them “men” they are in fact angels because they are seen coming from the “north” (heaven). See also Daniel 9:21. 

c Only those who “sigh and cry” for the wrongs in the church receive the seal. 

d The other five angels are sent by the Lord to slay (physically) those in the church who did not receive the seal. 

e The Lord brings this slaughter because the sins in the church are “exceedingly great.” 

13. Is This A Literal Slaughter? ---Yes 

a No such thing as a spiritual slaughter is recorded anywhere in Scripture. Nobody knows what is a spiritual slaughter. 

b Verse 7, says “fill the courts with the slain.” 

Read: 5T 211.2 

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."  {5T 211.1}

Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus "Peace and safety" is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. 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}

a.The stroke of the wrath of God has always been literal 

b.The leaders (ancient men) could not believe that it is literal, for they say, “times have changed. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment.” 

c.“Men, maidens, and little children all perish together.” 

Further proof: See 5T 505--Ezekiel 9 is the anti-type of the Passover in Egypt. 1T 190, 198; 5T 80. 

When God was about to smite the first-born of Egypt, He commanded the Israelites to gather their children from among the Egyptians into their own dwellings and strike their door posts with blood, that the destroying angel might see it and pass over their homes. It was the work of parents to gather in their children. This is your work, this is my work, and the work of every mother who believes the truth. The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young.  {5T 505.2}

Young and old, God is now testing you. You are deciding your own eternal destiny. Your pride, your love to follow the fashions of the world, your vain and empty conversation, your selfishness, are all put in the scale, and the weight of evil is fearfully against you. You are poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked. While evil is increasing and taking deep root, it is choking the good seed which has been sown in the heart; and soon the word that was given concerning Eli's house will be spoken to the angels of God concerning you: Your sins "shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever." Many, I saw, were flattering themselves that they were good Christians, who have not a single ray of light from Jesus. They know not what it is to be renewed by the grace of God. They have no living experience for themselves in the things of God. And I saw that the Lord was whetting His sword in heaven to cut them down. Oh, that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among His professed people! Dear friends, do not deceive yourselves concerning your condition. You cannot deceive God. Says the True Witness: "I know thy works." The third angel is leading up a people, step by step, higher and higher. At every step they will be tested.  {1T 189.2}

 I was also shown that the parable of the unjust steward was to teach us a lesson. "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." If we use our means to God's glory here, we lay up a treasure in heaven; and when earthly possessions are all gone, the faithful steward has Jesus and angels for his friends, to receive him home to everlasting habitations.  {1T 198.1}

The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to "science falsely so called" will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the day time we look toward heaven but do not see the stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster.  {5T 80.1}

The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ's righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness.  {5T 81.1}

14. Is The Slaughter of Ezekiel 9 To Take Place During the Seven Last Plagues? --NO 

a The plagues fall on Babylon (the world). The slaughter in Jerusalem--the church. 

b The plagues are poured out from vials by seven angels. The slaughter is accomplished through weapons (not vials) by five angels, not seven. 

c Judgment always begins with those who are most enlightened--the church. See 1 Peter 4:17 

15. What Causes the Stone to Grow? --A Great Gathering 

Read: Verse 35 

a.The gathering of the great multitude--the finishing of the gospel. See Isa. 2:2-3; Matt. 24:14 

Read: Isaiah 66: 15-20 

verse 15 

a.Verse 15 shows the Lord coming , but it could not be the second coming of Christ because there is no pleading when Jesus comes in the clouds. 

b.No one will escape the second coming to go and preach the gospel. (Verse 19) 

c There will be no gathering of the nations after Jesus comes. (Verse 19) 

d.The coming of verse 15 must therefore be the Lord’s judgment in the church, after which a great multitude is gathered into the church. (verse 19). 

16. How will the 144,000 (the Stone) Destroy the Nations? 

a.By completing the preaching of the gospel in “every nation, kindred, tongue and people” which brings the end of earth’s governments. 

b.See Jer. 51: 19-20--This unconditional prophesy has never been fulfilled. 

CONCLUSION: 

This study has taught us how God is going to finish his work . First He will purify his church (the mountain) by separating the unfaithful from the faithful. This separation process will leave only a 144,000 living saints (stone) who in turn will be filled with the power of God and go out to finish the gospel. and call out all of God’s true people from Babylon.