My study on the 144,000 Part 1

Revelation 7:1-17

1 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.

2 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,

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

4 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.

5 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.

6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

7 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.

8 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.

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

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

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

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The identity of the 144,000 and the great multitude has been a subject of debate in the circles of Christendom. Even in Adventism there is varying views. In order to keep this study uncomplicated and long, I don't want to go into the various views but rather effort to two identify these two groups (some say they are the same group) using scripture and some Spirit of Prophecy.

Verses 1-3, the four angels are holding back the winds of strife (the 7 last plagues). The Angel from the east is none other than the Son of God Jehoshua also known as Michael The Archangel. The Son of God cries out in a loud voice to the four angels not to hurt the earth nor anything in it until the servants of Jehovah have been sealed in their foreheads. The seal of Jehovah is found in the Shema as well as the fourth commandment.

Deuteronomy 6:4-8

4 Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:5 and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes.

The Shema which is the understanding that Jehovah God is One is to be sealed on our foreheads and bound on our hand. The Shema is the foundation of the first four commandments which is our duty to love Jehovah with all our heart, soul and strength. Without having a proper understanding of the Shema commandment, which Jehoshua says is the greatest (Mark 12:28-34), one cannot keep the first four commandments of the decalogue. Let's look at the fourth commandment for Jehovah's seal.

Exodus 20:8-11 (ASV)

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in itthou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:11 for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The Shema is intricately linked to the fourth commandment because in it we see Jehovah's seal of authority.

Name: Jehovah (verses 10 and 11)
Title: Creator (verse 11)
Territory: Heaven, Earth and Sea and all that in them is.

A proper understanding of Jehovah's identity and that He is One (The Shema) will lead one to then obey the first four commandments of the decalogue. Remember, the demons and the devil believe there is One God so just believing in the that God is One is not enough. We must obey the commandments of the One God refrenced in the Shema. The Sabbath commandment is an important part of the seal of Jehovah as the language in this commandment is seen in the first angels message which is part of the three fold message to go out to the world prior to the Advent of the Messiah.

The first commandment also is intricately linked to the Shema.

Exodus 20:1-3 (ASV)

1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Unfortunately most of Christendom has violates this commandment as they have replaced Jehovah with a three in one god.  Even much of Seventh-day Adventism violates this commandment. A proper understanding of the Shema that Jehovah God is One, will lead the believer to keep this commandment. It will prevent the believer from embracing the three in one god which the bible calls a strange god (Daniel 11-37-39).

Now back to Revelation 7, we can see that the Shema is the foundation of the commandments of Jehovah and without this bound to our hand (actions) and sealed on our foreheads (mind, heart) we cannot be a part of the 144,000. Having a proper understanding of the Shema will lead one to obeying the commandments of God. Obedience to Jehovah's commandments is a requirement for one to be sealed as one of the 144,000 as this group will have no guile in their mouth (preach, live and teach according to the law and testimony) nor will they fornicate with women (drink of Babylon's false doctrines nor have fellowship with her) - Revelation 14:4-5.

Verses 4-8 lists the 12 tribes of Israel. 12,000 from each of these tribes are sealed. Without getting detailed about the identity of these 12 tribes and whether it is the literal Israelites of the flesh or whether it is Spiritual Israel, let's go to the new testament and see what constitutes the 12 tribes in the view of James.

James 1:1-2 (KJV)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Obviously James is writing to the Christian Congregation as 10 of the literal 12 tribes had long been lost by this point in history. Notice in verse 2 he says "My brethren". James considered anyone who believed in the Messiah as his brother and sister. We can logically conclude that James used the moniker "12 tribes of Israel" in reference to the Christian Congregation.

Let's see what Paul says about who the Israel of God is:

Galatians 6:15-16 (KJV)

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

According to Paul, anyone who was a new creature in Christ (born again) considered to be a part of the Israel of Jehovah. There is no wiggle room here. No more ethnic and national distinctions in the new covenant body of believers. Even in the old covenant, gentiles could be part of the Israel of Jehovah and ethnic Israelites could be cast off.

Galatians 3:28 (KJV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Christ came to make ONE sheep fold out of the two folds (gentile and Jew). Paul's statement above agrees with Christ very own statement concerning whether there ethnic/national distinctions carry any weight in the new covenant.

John 10:16 (KJV)

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The Messiah makes it crystal clear that the Christian Congregation is ONE fold. The ethnic and national distinctions are over.

Ephesians 2:11-19 (KJV)

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Paul reaffirms the oneness of the Christian body of believers stating that the Messiah broke down the wall of partition between gentile and Jew (verse 14). In verse 15, Paul says that the Messiah at the cross made in himself twain (two meaning gentile and jew) one new man (a Spiritual Israelite). By One Spirit we have access to the Father. There is not a seperate mode of conversion for the Jew, like the gentile he must accept the Son of God as his personal Saviour. These two groups have access by One Spirit which means they are themselves are One not seperate due to an ethnic distinction.

In verse 19, Paul makes it clear that gentiles who believe in the Son of God are no longer strangers but are fellow citizens with Jews who are Saints and we are now of the household of God.

Colossians 3:11 (KJV)

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Paul again states that in Christ there is no more ethnic/national distinction.

1 Timothy 1:1-4 (KJV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Paul makes a strong rebuke against those who get into endless genealogies. Remarkably this warning has been ignored by much of Christendom. The dispensational Churches are teaching that Geo-Political Israel is a fufillment of bible prophecy and that the ethnic/national Jews are still God's chosen people. They even teach that God will call those who are descendants of the literal 12 tribes of Israel to be the 144,000. Some go as far as to say that the Jews do not need to accept the Messiah to be saved. However, it is not only the evangelical dispensational Churches that are teaching this but also some Hebrew roots groups and Black Hebrew Israelite groups.

With these groups, the emphasis is always on ethnic and national distinctions which we are clearly told in scripture hold no more weight in regards to our being members of Jehovah's Kingdom. They even go into genealogies and try to figure out who comprises the literal 12 tribes of Israel. This is error and leads to division, strife and confusion (Babylon).

Back to Revelation 7:4-8, the 12 tribes are not listed in birth order. Joseph and Levi replace Dan and Ephraim in the usual list of 12 (Numbers 34:13-29, Joshua 13-19). The tribe of Dan is omitted here likely because of it's apostasy (Genesis 49:17, Judges 18:1). Even if the 12 tribes of Israel here consist of literal descendants of the tribes, then by this point in history that could include just about anyone of any race/ethnicity or nationality. Remember, 10 of the lost tribes are exactly that, lost!

Remember, the emphasis in the new testament is not on ethnic/national distinctions as identifying the people of God but rather the emphasis is on God's people being a Spiritual nation. Physical ethnic distinctions and physical land as being Jehovah's people and Kingdom is no longer the emphasis as we are a Spiritual people who are members of a Spiritual Kingdom who await a physical Kingdom which is in heaven.

From the pen of Jehovah's messenger Ellen White, it is clear that the 144,000 are the living saints who will be translated at the second advent of Christ.

"Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake." (Early Writings, p.14-15)

"The 144,000 shouted, “Alleluia!” as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air." (Early Writings p.15-16)

"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.) “These are they which came out of great tribulation”; they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob’s trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God’s judgments.—The Great Controversy, 648, 649 (1911). LDE 268.4

The Spirit of Prophecy is clear that the 144,000 will be the living saints who are translated at the second advent of Christ. There will be a special resurrection and these will also be translated and numbered with the 144,000 however they won't technically be of the 144,000 but rather "with" them.

Revelation 15:1-4 (KJV)

1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

2 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.

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

The 144,000 will sing the song of their experience according to scripture and the pen of inspiration. The 144,000 will be victorious over the beast (papacy), over his image (Church-State union in America) and over his mark (Sunday Sabbath). They sing the song of Moses (Exodus 15). Only the 144,000 go through the time of Jacob’s trouble and never die. The song of their experience is one of divine deliverance against all odds as they will have to be without an intercessor during the seven last plagues.

How will one be declared fit to be of the 144,000? Let's go to scripture:

Revelation 14:1-5 (KJV)

14 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

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

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

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

Verse 1 makes it very clear that to qualify to be of the 144,000 you have to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23-24 (KJV)

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

That hour was during the time of Jesus and also after his ascension to Heaven. That hour is also being fufilled now as many Christians are leaving behind the trinity god in order to worship the living God in spirit and truth. The living God is the Father (Matthew 16:13-20, Matthew 26:63, John 6:56)

It is true worship of the Father that one is able to get the Father's name written in their foreheads. Notice that the lamb is standing with the 144,000 on Mount Sion.  We can only worship the Father in spirit and in truth if we go through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Some versions in verse 1 render the verse "His name and His Father's name". Remember Jesus is also given the Father's name "
"Jehovah". Even Jesus name which is better rendered "Jehoshua" includes the Father's prefix in it "Jeho or Jah" and the Son's name means "Jehovah Saves".

Joel 2:32 (ASV)

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.

Scripture shows that salvation is found through Jehovah's name. When we call on the name of Jehovah it includes the Father and the Son. There were two Jehovah's recorded in the old testament  (Genesis 18 and 19 for example). The source of salvation is the Father, the Son is the channel of salvation. The Father is the original Jehovah and His Son is the only  begotten Jehovah.

The 144,000 are singing a new song with harps. Only they will be able to learn this song as they were the only ones to come out of Jacob’s trouble.

In verse 4, we see another qualifier needed to be one of the 144,000, "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins."

The 144,000 will not defile themselves with women (false Churches). A woman in bible prophecy represents a Church. They will not partake of Babylon's false doctrines such as celebrating pagan holidays, keeping Sunday, worshipping a trinity god etc. The 144,000 are the first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb.

Those teaching that a great multitude will be alive until translation are missing the obvious description of the 144,000 having pure worship and being first fruits unto Jehovah. It is clear from scripture that the saints who are living at the time of the Messiah's return will be few in number especially in comparison to the rest of the world.

Luke 18:8 (KJV)

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Jehoshua ask this rhetorical question "shall he find faith on the earth" in relation to His second advent.

Matthew 24:37-39 (KJV)

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Eight people were saved from perishing in the  flood. Jehoshua said that preceding His return that the condition of the world would be similar to the world just prior to the flood. Many Pastor's and theologians are leading their Congregations astray by telling them that many in the professed Churches will be "translated or raptured" at the return of the Messiah. This is giving their members a false sense of security. Rather than encouraging them to die to self and die to this world in preparation for the coming trials and tribulations, they make their members think that they will have a magic carpet ride to heaven. The Church members then think they are okay and that going to the weekly services and getting involved in a Church ministry is enough. This could be in for a rude awakening as dying to self and picking up one's cross is the only to be ready for the coming crisis.

Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Jesus himself says that few will find the way to eternal life. Understanding this is important in these last days as the ecumenical movement will be promoted as a deception to get Christians to think that false worldwide revivals of the ecumenical movement is a fufillment of the great multitude. We will get to the identity of the great multitude in a bit but I want to really emphasize the truth that the saints living at the time of Christ second advent will be few in number regardless if the 144,000 is a literal or figurative number.

Back to Revelation 15, the 144,000 are the ones sealed in fufillment of the Ezekiel 9 prophecy. By this point in time, many who heeded the final call to leave Babylon will have been martyred, died of other causes or put to sleep by Jehovah out of mercy. Two classes of people will remain by the time probation closes. Those who are sealed with the Father's name indicating pure worship. The second class are those who are engaging in sun worship thereby receiving the mark of the beast. Ezekiel 8 and 9 are prophecies of this end time close of probation. Therefore it is the 144,000 who have the ultimate victory over the beast, image and mark.

Those who received the message to leave the fallen Churches are also victorious however it is the 144,000 that go through the worst time of trouble the earth has ever seen so they have a unique experience that none has ever had. Even the great multitude are victorious as many that comprise this number also overcame tribulation. Even the ones didn't go through great tribulation in their lives still made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. Remember, sometimes it takes more devotion and dedication to serve God and Christ when times are good.

"But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” John 19:30; 17:24. [DA 834.2, EGW]

Do you notice what Ellen White says in the above paragraph in Desire of Ages regarding the great multitude?

"He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming."

There it is! From the pen of inspiration, the great multitude comes forth from the grave at Jesus second coming. So contrary to to what many teach regarding the great multitude, this is not a second larger group of people who will be translated at the second advent of Christ. The great multitude consists of the saints of all time who will be raised up at the first resurrection.

The Special Resurrection

Daniel 12:1-2 (KJV)

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Michael The Archangel stands up to deliver His people. Jesus Christ is Michael The Archangel.  Michael means "Who is like God" and Archangel means "Chief Messenger". Certainly this fits the description of Christ to a "T". By the time Michael stands up, the judgment is decided for all people, the dead and the living. The antitypical day of atonement is over and now it's time for Michael (Christ) to deliver the saints and bring his reward with Him. It will also be time to tread the winepress of his Father's wrath. The verse in Revelation 22:11 applies to the timeof Michael standing up to leave the most holy place.

Revelation 22:11King James Version (KJV)

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

All cases will be decided and now the verdicts will be passed out. This is called the close of probation. When Michael leaves the most holy place and exchanges his preistly garments for warrior attire, the earth will go through a time of trouble such as never before been seen. It is called the time of Jacob’s trouble. This is when the seven last plagues fall on the earth. The 144,000 who are sealed just before Christ stands up will be the one's who go through the time of Jacob’s trouble as they will see things no one has ever seen. This will be a trying time for them as they will not have an intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary as the Son of God will be on His way to deliver His people and destroy the wicked (Revelation 11:16-19).

Revelation 16:17-18 (KJV)

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

The above passage in Revelation 16 relates to the termination of the time of Jacob’s trouble and the ushering in of the seventh plague. The voice heard from the throne is the Father's. Remember, the Son will be coming to earth to reward the saints and punish the evildoers. The great earthquake mentioned in verse 18 brings forth those who shall awake to everlasting life (Daniel 12:1). This is not the first resurrection as most believe but rather the special resurrection, antitypical of the special resurrection which took place at the resurrection of Jesus.

Matthew 27:46-54 (KJV)

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Here is the passage about the special resurrection in Jesus time. Notice that an earthquake precedes the special resurrection here as it does in the end time special resurrection. The graves are opened and "MANY" bodies of the saints which slept arose. They come out of the graves after the resurrection of Jesus. Remember, Jesus is the firstborn from the dead so He precedes them in rising from the dead. Jesus presented these saints as the wave sheaf offering (the first fruits).

 Of note, is the fact that after the death of Jesus and the earthquake, the Roman Centurion, who witnessed these things, makes a declaration that Jesus truly was the Son of God. This is eye opening because it is a standing to today's Churches of Christendom as they deny the literal Sonship of Christ. A pagan soldier confesses the true identity of Christ, whereas many professed Christians deny Christ's identity as the true Son of God.

"That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty earthquake, “such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great.”[Revelation 16:17, 18.] The firmament appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury.There is heard the shriek of the hurricane, like the voice of demons upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wickedness, are swallowed up by the angry waters. Babylon the Great hath come in remembrance before God, “to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” [Revelation 16:19, 21.] Great hailstones, every one “about the weight of a talent,” are doing their work of destruction. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the world’s great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder, and God’s people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free.

Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth” “awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” [Daniel 12:2.] All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept his law. “They also which pierced Him,” [Revelation 1:7.] those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of his truth and his people, are raised to behold him in his glory, and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. [GC88 636.3-637.1, Ellen White]

Jehovah's messenger Ellen White in Great Controversy expounds on the Special Resurrection of the Just and says that those who have died under the third angel’s message will have the privilege of hearing Jehovah's covenant of peace with the 144,000 who have kept His Royal Law.

Revelation 14:13 (KJV)

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

This is one of the seven beatitudes of the book of Revelation, "Blessed are the dead". Only those who die in Jehovah and His Son Jesus Christ are pronounced blessed. These ones are those who had their faith grounded in Jesus. "From henceforth", this refers to the period of the three angels messages, which embraces the period of persecution by the Papacy and it's image (Church-State union in America). There will be a boycott imposed and then a death decree issued.

Those who go to their graves in this time frame will rest in their graves until the indignation passes over. These blessed one's will have the privilege to come forth in the special resurrection preceding the general ressurection of the righteous (great multitude).

The Special Resurrection of the Just

"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2.

It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still.... Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law.

Those who sleep in Jesus will be called from their prison house ... to a glorious immortality.... He has risen, dear friends, and in your despondency you may know ... that Jesus is by your side to give you peace.

I know what I am talking about. I have seen the time when I thought the waves were going over my head; in that time I felt my Saviour precious to me. When my eldest son was taken from me I felt my grief was very great, but Jesus came to my side and I felt His peace in my soul. The cup of consolation was placed to my lips.

And then he who had stood by my side for thirty-six years ... was taken.We had labored together side by side in the ministry, but we had to fold the hands of the warrior and lay him down to rest in the silent grave. Again my grief seemed very great, but after all came the cup of consolation. Jesus is precious to me. He walked by my side ... and He will walk by your side.When our friends go into the grave they are beautiful to us. It may be our father or mother that we lay away: when they come forth those wrinkles are all gone but the figure is there, and we know them....

We want to be prepared to meet these dear friends as they come forth in the resurrection morning.... Shall we lay hold upon the hope set before us in the gospel that we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is? [Mar 281.1-6, Ellen White]

The Spirit of Prophecy states that it is those who have kept the Sabbath since the preaching of the third angel’s message that will have part in the Special Resurrection. Ellen White gives us the hope that if our loved ones die under the third angel’s message keeping the Sabbath and the Royal Law of Jehovah  that they will get to hear the covenant of peace between Jehovah and the 144,000. They went to the graves with fallen bland sickly bodies but will come up glorified. We will recognize their figure and form.

The Special Resurrection of the Unjust.

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7.

“They also which pierced him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.

[At His trial], 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.” ...

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.... For a moment he felt as if standing before the eternal Judge, whose eye, which sees all things, was reading his soul, bringing to light mysteries supposed to be hidden with the dead.

The scene passed from the priest’s vision.... Rending his robe, ... he demanded that ... the prisoner be condemned for blasphemy. “What further need have we of witnesses?”he said; “behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?” And they all condemned Him.

Thus the Jewish leaders made their choice. Their decision was registered in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, the book which no man could open.In all its vindictiveness this decision will appear before them in the day when this book is unsealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

When Christ comes the second time, not as a prisoner surrounded by a rabble will they see Him. They will see Him as heaven’s King.... Then the priests and rulers will remember distinctly the scene in the judgment hall. Every circumstance will appear before them as if written in letters of fire. [Mar 282.1-8, Ellen White]

Not only will those who died in faith under the third angel’s message rise at the special resurrection but also those who pierced Christ. The messenger of Jehovah says that not only those who were physically present at the mocking and deriding of the Son of God will rise to eternal damnation but also those who have been the most violent opposers His truth (the Word of God, His and His Father's commandments) and also His people (the Christian Congregation).  Just think of all the persecuters who belonged to the Roman Church and severly persecuted Jehovah's people during the 1260 years of tribulation. Think of all the radical Muslims that have massacred Christians since their inception. Many of these blasphemers will be part of the special resurrection of the Unjust.

Revelation 1:7 (KJV)

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Those who pierced Christ, whether in His presence during his trials and crucifixion or by severely persecuting His Congregation, will see the Son of God coming with clouds. They and all the nations of the earth shall wail because of him. This will not be a Disney type of coming of Christ like many teach in the Churches. Christ will come as the Lion of the tribe of Juda executing His Father's unmixed cup of wrath on "ALL NATIONS".

It will be an absolute terrifying time for the world.

Zechariah 12:10 (ASV)

10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

The time of visitation of our Messiah Jehoshua will be a time of mourning not only for the unbelievers alive at his coming but also those who pierced him who rise at the special resurrection of the Unjust. These fierce enemies of the Messiah throughout the ages, since the time of His earthly ministry, will behold the Divinity of Jehoshua and will weep in bitterness. They pierced the Son of God thereby piercing the Father.

John 19:34-37 (KJV)

34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

The above passage is the first part of the fufillment of Zechariah 12:10. The second part will be fufilled after the special resurrection when the Messiah returns to rescue His Saints and destroy the commandment breakers (Daniel 12:1-2, Revelation 1:7).

Not only those who pierced the Messiah at the time of His trial and death will rise to see His return, but also those who were fervent against His cause throughout the ages. Those who brutally persecuted His saints. By persecuting Jehoshua's bride (The Church) you hurt Him.

"There is a mighty earthquake, “such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great.”[Revelation 16:17, 18.] The firmament appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury.There is heard the shriek of the hurricane, like the voice of demons upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wickedness, are swallowed up by the angry waters. Babylon the Great hath come in remembrance before God, “to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” [Revelation 16:19, 21.] Great hailstones, every one “about the weight of a talent,” are doing their work of destruction. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the world’s great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder, and God’s people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free.

Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth” “awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” [Daniel 12:2.] All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept his law. “They also which pierced Him,” [Revelation 1:7.] those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of his truth and his people, are raised to behold him in his glory, and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient." [GC88 636.3-637.1, EGW]

Jehovah's messenger says that it will be the most violent opposers of Jehoshua's truth and His people that will be part of the special resurrection of the Unjust. They behold the Messiah in all His glory and see the honor placed upon those who keep the commandments of God and have Jehoshua's faith.

Psalm 22:16-17 (KJV)

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

David the psalmist gives us a look into the trials and tribulations of his life but it also is prophetic of what our Saviour would go through during His earthly ministry. Our Messiah was pierced in the hands and feet. They stared upon the Son of God who was pierced for our transgressions.

Now back to the 144,000. We talked about how these saints will not defile themselves with women (false Churches) and that they will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Now let's talk further about the character they will exhibit.

Revelation 14:5 (KJV)

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

The 144,000 will be without "guile" and will be faultless before the Father's throne. This is the righteousness by faith message as Jesus can keep us from falling and present us faultless before the presence of Jehovah.

Jude 24-25 (KJV)

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

This is the heart of the Righteousness by faith message. The Son of God can keep us from falling and like Him we can have victory over sin. How can the Son of God keep us from falling? Let's look at Colossians 1:27

Colossians 1:27 (KJV)

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

When we have Christ in us, we have the hope of glory that empowers us to be Christlike and to have His faith which enables us to overcome the temptations of sin. We are told in Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 14:12 that the saints of the Christian Congregation keeps the commandments of Jehovah and the faith of Jesus. This applies to the remnant Christian Congregation but especially the 144,000 as they will have a garden of Gethsemane experience and also an experience similar to Jesus in the wilderness.

The 144,000 will have to especially exhibit the faith of Jesus as they will go through an immense time of trouble as never before seen in this earth's history. Let's look at Jeremiah 30 for a prophecy of this solemn time.

Jeremiah 30:1-9 (ASV)

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, 2 Thus speaketh Jehovah, the God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. 3 For, lo, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will turn again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith Jehovah; and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

4 And these are the words that Jehovah spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. 5 For thus saith Jehovah: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. 6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child: wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? 7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. 8 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondman; 9 but they shall serve Jehovah their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

In verse 5 we see that the time of Jacob’s trouble will be frightful as men will be like women who are giving birth. It will be a time when men seek death but won't find it. It will a time of fear and not of peace. Remember this passage below:

1 Thessalonians 5:3 (KJV)

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Prior to the time of Jacob’s trouble many in the world will be speaking a "peace and safety" message even the pulpit preachers of Christendom. However, the exact opposite will be true as sudden and terrifying destruction will come upon the earth, the great and terrible day of Jehovah! The faces of men and women during this time will turn to paleness.

In verse 7, the text says that Jacob "Spiritual Israel" shall be saved out this terrible outpouring of Jehovah's wrath. The 144,000 will be delivered out of this and be caught up with the great multitude who rise from their graves to enter heavenly Canaan. Then we will serve Jehovah our God and David (Christ) our King (Verse 9).