ARTICLE ON THE 144,000
May 30, 1993 (Completed 6-22-93)

Beloved Friends of the GLC:

This afternoon I spent about an hour researching and writing an in-depth article on the subject of the 144,000. This was done on my WordPerfect Word Processor. I was quite sure that I saved the article but when I went to retrieve it, behold it was not there even though it was still listed in the directory file. Now, I am not a computer expert. I really don't realy understand too much about this program. But I do know that nothing like this has ever happened before. Maybe I made a mistake, as I did delete it from the screen after saving it. But that's never been done before and it was still in the hard drive. Anyway, I just said all of that for the purpose of making the point that I don't think Satan wants this subject to be researched and exposed to the public at large, let alone to the people on my mailing list. I can tell you this, my friend, I have never felt the sweet presence of Jesus' Spirit so powerfully as while I was writing on this important, end-time subject, as I did this afternoon. So, I have decided to write it all out again. Only this time I will add even more. Praise God for all things!

Before we begin this article I would like to share with you the "Secret," of a famous British minister who lived by faith for nearly 100 years as he was in his 90's when he died. His name was George Mueller. He was the man who founded orphanages by trusting in God completely and not man. He had a personal conviction to never ask anyone for money. He did, however, publish a yearly report of what the Lord had done through him. Here is what he said:

"There was a day when I died. Died to George Mueller: to his tastes, his opinions, his preferences and his will. Died to the world--its approval or censure. Died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends. Since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God." Beloved, I would like for you to keep this in mind as you read through this study. Don't worry or be concerned about what man will think of you. Just "study to show yourself approved unto God."

The 144,000 is mentioned only twice in the Bible. Both references are in the book of Revelation. Rev. 7:4 and Rev. 14:1. In Rev. 7:1 we read that four angels are standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds so they would not hurt anyone "till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." v. 3. Why the forehead? Because this is where man's brain is located. More specifically, it is the frontal or top part of the cerebrum. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is believed to control conscious and voluntary processes. So, this is where man makes his decisions...chooses between right and wrong.

Those who choose to believe the truth about our Heavenly Father are said to be "sealed" in their forehead with His very own name, the Name of the Eternal God Himself, our Creator and Daddy God. This is why they are sealed in their minds which means they have made a decision in favor of the Father in order to glorify and vindicate his Name not only in this earth but throughout the universe. In contrast, Satan becomes the father-god of all on this earth who, like the Jews who rejected Jesus, worshipped Satan as their father, all the while believing they were serving Jehovah. All those who willingly take the Mark of the Beast in order to buy and sell with a number in the super markets and malls of this "New World Order" will "have no rest day or night." They will have to go through the Lake of Fire and suffer incredible suffering. Rev. 7:1-4 indicates God uses four angels to hold back the winds of strife until His servants are sealed in their foreheads. This is an awesome thought, that the current events of this earth's ongoing history are being put "on hold" until the 144,000 completely and totally understand what is going on. They are being taught and instructed as to the real and true meaning of the events now going on in the world. They are the "wise" ones of Dan 12 who are turning many to righteousness. They are the teachers who are correctly interpreting what is happening in the earth day by day as Jesus reveals it to them. They are His watchmen on the walls of Zion. To be "sealed" has an additional meaning to us since many food products are "sealed" in various kinds of containers to preserve their purity. This is also true of many health products in drug stores. If the seal is broken on a bottle of pain killers, such as Tylenol, for example, which we know has happened, this indicates the product has been tampered with and may be contaminated. The product may then be pulled from the shelves of certain stores in specific areas. Sometimes this is nation wide.

All professed believers who become "contaminated" with the false doctrines of Babylon are going to "fall away or off" of the narrow road leading up to the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, it is of vital importance that we understand the truth about God's true character of love with which our Heavenly Father is going to seal us, with even His very own Name. But we must ask Him to do this. We must strive with all of our might to be among the 144,000. We must desire to become one with our Creator. "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it:" Song of Solomon 8:6.

Of the 144,000, it is written that they are "virgins." "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins." Rev. 14:4. The original meaning of the word "virgin" simply meant to be pure and original, i.e., a virgin forest, which would mean no tree has ever been cut down in that forest. Or a "virgin territory," which would mean no one has ever explored that land, lived or settled there. Since a woman in Rev. represents a church, a defiled woman would be a defiled or false church with polluted or false doctrine. We read about this in Rev. 17 and 18 regarding the great whore and her daughters. So, to not be "defiled with women" would simply mean that the lives and the doctrines of the 144,000 are pure and undefiled before the Lord. So, to be a virgin in this instance does not mean women or men who have never been married. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Cor. 11:2. This same concept is used in the Old Testament. For example, Israel as a nation is referred to as a virgin. Jere. 14:17; 18:13; 31:4; 31:13; 31:21; 46:11 to list a few.

The Bible does not use the word "character," per se. Instead, the Hebrew prophets employed the word "glory, Name, Image and Likeness," to indicate what God is like or what His character actually is. Jeremiah 23:18-20 reveals the prophet's mental anguish regarding the false prophets in his day who were lying to the people...giving them false messages about their future and what they should do regarding Nebuchadnezzar. God revealed to Jeremiah that they should surrender to this invading king of Babylon for this was God's decision to allow them to go into captivity to be punished for their rebellion against Him. But the people did not want to listen to this message from Jeremiah so they welcomed the smooth messages from the false prophets who were telling them that they should resist and fight. Satan knew that if they put up a fight many people would die and the city would be destroyed. This is what the devil wanted and his strategy worked. The people believed the lies of Satan's prophets. The same thing is happening today all over the earth because people are arming themselves with more and more guns and ammunition all the time just like David Koresh and his group did down in Waco, Texas. We all know what a fiery destruction that led to.

So, the Lord sent a special message to Jeremiah which is actually a prophesy for our day as well. "Who (among the false prophets) hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? Who hath marked his word, and heard it? (Who is even close enough to Him to really know His will?) Behold a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger (wrath, indignation, fury, etc. Psalm 78:49) of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of His heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly."

This is one of the key texts which helps explain God's true character and one of the first ones I learned when I began my research back in 1976. God is telling us that in order to understand His mind and learn to think like He thinks, we must go inside of His great heart of love to understand what needs to be done to solve life's problems.

Through Jeremiah, God predicted that in the last hour of earth's history this would happen. When I first began to research and write on the subject of God's true character, I understood very little. But five years and two manuscripts later, an image began to form in my mind regarding a cover that would depict what I was endeavoring to say about God. To reveal and explain what he had been revealing to me. That image was a picture of Jesus inside of a heart...His Father's great heart of love where He was inviting each of us to come to be with Him. This would constitute not only our marriage to Him, but would also guarantee our safe journey and passage through the coming months and years of the Time of Trouble. The Lord just formed this image in my mind over a period of time.

So, in this lingering, probationary time, God is teaching us about His true character of love. How important it is then, that we should be praying, studying, and analyzing the various aspects of His character each and every day so we may grow more into the very likeness of our Heavenly Father until His very thoughts, purposes and objectives become our own. The Bible also tells us that this same 144,000 are taken from the 12 tribes of Israel. Some believe this means that they are literal Jews. I disagree because Paul tells us in Gal. 3:28, 29 that when we accept Christ and become His, we automatically become Abraham's seed or Jews. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Furthermore, the term "Israel" means one who is an overcomer, i.e., one who has gained the victory. In Rom. 2:28, 29, Paul says that if we accept Christ as our Saviour, we have become a true, blue, Jew. "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, had 12 sons from which came the 12 tribes of Israel. These brothers differed greatly in their temperament and disposition. They were varied in their personality types. Simeon and Levi had the same mother and Gen. 49:5 says, "Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel." From this text alone we can see that God's character does not include cruelty of any kind or destroying of human life. In contrast to these two we find that Naphtali was a man who was like a "hind let loose: he giveth goodly words." v. 21. Judah was a man who was well thought of by his brothers. "Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise:" v.8. Zebulun would be a "haven of ships," and Isachar would be willing to bear burdens. Reuben was "unstable as water" due to his moral weakness and impurity and would not excel because of this. But when it came to Joseph, Jacob just could not say enough good things about him. Joseph was like the man with ten talents. He really knew how to put his act together. "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:" v. 22. This indicates Joseph was not only successfully, productive but generous as well. And as a result of this he was "sorely grieved" by the archers who hated him and took a lot of pot shots at him. v. 22 and 23.

The reason I went into some detail about these brothers is because the city, New Jerusalem, have the names of these brothers written or inscribed upon the 12 gates. Many years ago H.M.S. Richards preached a beautiful sermon on how the redeemed will go through the various gates of the New Jerusalem. He said that whatever gate you went through would be indicative of the personality traits which were most like that particular son of Jacob. And because only "overcomers" will go through those gates, it means that whatever undesirable or unChristlike trait or habit you may have inherited or developed, it will have been overcome prior to your entrance into the heavenly city.

In Rev. 14:1 John describes Jesus, the Lamb of God, standing on Mount Sion with the 144,000. A mount or mountain in prophecy represents/symbolizes a government. This is the same "Lamb" John refers to in Rev. 17. In v. 12-14, John says that the 10 horns will receive power as kings one hour with the beast. "These have one mind, (an evil, wicked, mind determined to destroy God's people) and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen and faithful." I believe this group is the 144,000 and John says they "overcome" them. That is truly amazing, don't you think? How could a helpless little lamb overcome a mighty beast? It is an even greater victory than David defeating Goliath except we are talking here about a spiritual victory instead of a carnal victory, "for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down (evil) imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:4, 5. These are the concepts I believe the 144,000 will understand about God. This is what is to be sealed in their minds about God. But there is more.

Those of you who have read both of my books and read and study my ongoing research into the character of God know and understand that there are two Lords revealed throughout the Scriptures. There is the true Lord Jesus, Creator and Redeemer and then the impostor, pretender god of this earth, Lord Satan. You will notice that I did capitalize that last Lord. The reason for this is because the translators of the Bible did the same thing. They did not realize that the noun "Lord or God," is not the true name of God but only a title. And even in our world men are sometimes given the title of Lord, viscount or baron. Even when they commit a crime or fall from grace in any way, shape or form they retain this title. So, even though the fallen angel, Lucifer, has become a murderer and a liar God allows him to carry or bear the title of "Lord of this earth," even though he is a destroyer.

So, throughout the Scriptures, Satan is allowed by Christ to masquerade as the true God, disguising himself as Jesus, wearing his costume (robes of pretended righteousness) and under false pretenses acting as though he were God himself, sitting "in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God...and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:4, 11, 12.

Just the other day, God revealed to me several ideas regarding Jesus' true character in contrast to Satan's false character. First of all, John 10:10 proves that Satan is the thief who "destroys and kills," showing that the destroyer is the one who kills and therefore, God could never be the killer for the Scripture never once identifies Jesus as the Destroyer. Exodus 12:23 proves Satan is the destroyer. Furthermore, in John 8:44 Satan is identified as a murderer "from the beginning," as well as a "liar" and the "father of it." Many people read these words with the idea in their mind that Jesus really hates the devil for all of the pain, sorrow and trouble he has caused in this earth. On the contrary. Jesus' love never changes. His love is forever. He loves each one of His creatures just as much today as the very day He created them, even Lucifer and all of the fallen angels. That is why He tells us not to bring any kind of "railing accusation" against the devil or any dignitary. Jude 9, 10 and 2 Peter 2:9-12. This would include political leaders such as mayors, governors, senators and presidents. God loves them all just as he loved Pharaoh of old and tried to bring him to repentance. Did God fail? No. The Lord never fails. I Cor. 13:8. God is a winner, not a loser.

Now, having gone through all of that, let me ask you this question. What particular lie was it that Lucifer (Satan) told? Who was it that he murdered? Remember that we are studying on the subject of the 144,000 and the work they are to accomplish with Jesus not only in this last hour of earth's history but during and after the 1,000 years as well.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a mighty sermon. Under the Spirit's guidance, He declared that Jesus would not come back to this earth a second time until all things were restored. "And He (the Father) shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:20, 21. Through the years we have emphasized many things that must be restored such as the Sabbath, the Prophetic gift (SOP), truth on the state of the dead, the sanctuary message and other truths. But is this all? EGW says that the final message to go to the world is "a revelation of His character of love." COL 414, 415. That seems to be a very neglected "lost truth," but only one of many. For when the church rejected the 1888 message they not only went into an arrested spiritual state but also into a holding pattern and have been in a state of theological stagnation ever since. They have changed, revised and then changed again certain beliefs and doctrines, even tampering with the SOP writings themselves. Is it any wonder they are in such a spiritual wasteland of apostasy and spiritual darkness? Like Israel of old, they must bear the responsibility today for much of the spiritual darkness that is even now enveloping our world. This is described in Rev. 16 under the fifth plague. This is also explained in COL 412 to 416. What a horrible situation! Truly Israel's history is being repeated. Ichabod! The glory has departed. "Come out of her my people so you won't receive of her plagues."

One of the lost truths Jesus taught the early church was this concept of the two Lords in the Bible. I have been learning more about this as I have continued to study. But I was really shocked when I learned that there were two Lords in the Creation story itself. Since I have already given many proofs for this particular belief in the past few papers I will go right to the heart of the matter and those who wish more proof may write in for it. Time and space preclude a long and protracted explanation with much proof and logic. But this is one of the main doctrines the 144,000 need to understand so they will be able to detect the deceiver in His disguise and sound out the warning message against Him.

So, let me give you the short version of it. Gen. 1:1 to 2:3 is the first account of creation. The second account is from 2:4 to 2:25. These two versions were written about 300 years apart but were placed side by side in the book of Genesis when the Bible was first translated and the Canon of Scripture formed. "What The Bible Really Says," Pages 33, 34. There is a good reason for it as there is for most mysteries in the Bible. It is in the second account that we find the first lie about God and His wonderful creation of planet Earth. The voice in Gen. 2:17 claimed to be the same Creator God of Gen. 1 who pronounced all He had created not only as "good," but "very good." But notice what this pretender, impostor god says about the creation. He contradicts the beautiful voice of our Creator God in Gen. 1:29 who told Adam that all the trees belonged to him and that they were all good. Now, how did the voice of Gen. 2 do this? By declaring that one of the trees had "evil" in it and was off-limits and if Adam ate of it he would die. Implying, of course, that God would just have to execute him.

One of the reasons I was willing to write about the 144,000 was because about a week ago the Lord helped me to understand a wonderful truth in Heb. 2:14 and 15. In these verses we learn that it is the "devil" who has the "power of death." It is not God who has the power to kill you, for God does not kill or destroy. John 10:10. Nor does He ever use His power to hurt or destroy. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain (government)." Isa. 11:9; 65:25. He is a life God, not a death God. And the Sabbath is the greatest proof of this for it declares God the life-giving, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. This has yet to be preached in all of its glory to the church and world.

Of course, it is true that God allows Satan to destroy, as in the book of Job, for Jesus is the Sovereign Lord and is in control of all things at all times, even the 7 last plagues of Revelation, where John states that God has "power (control) over the plagues." Rev. 16:9. Therefore, He is regulating these plagues so they will have the maximum effect upon every soul on planet earth. Why? Because He is trying to bring them to repentance. How do I know that? Because we read in Rev. 16:11 that they "repented not of their deeds," which means God would still forgive them. He never closes probation on anyone at any time. The Gates of the New Jerusalem are never closed. Rev. 21:25. His hand is stretched out still...and forever. "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

Now, going on with Heb. 2:14 and 15 we see clearly that Jesus came to destroy him who had the "power of death, that is, the devil." I Cor. 15:26 declares that "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Now, friend of mine, God is not the one who invented death. But if He were the culprit who invented death as a means of dealing with sin, why then would He declare that He came to "destroy it?" Of course, He wouldn't for God never changes. There are four texts to prove this. Ps. 89:34; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; and James 1:17. God has destroyed death by dying Himself on the cruel cross of Calvary. That is how he destroyed death. So, the logical question I have for you is why in the name of all that is holy, pure, right and good, to say nothing about sensible and decent, would a pure, holy and righteous God introduce this enemy called death? It just cannot be. Jesus came to destroy death, therefore it is impossible that He is the one who created or invented it in the first place.

"For only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could he deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread." Heb. 2:14, 15. LB. The KJV says "that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." I like the Living Bible's paraphrase as it gives the true meaning. Jesus did not literally destroy the devil or Satan. He simply destroyed his power to keep us in bondage with the "fear of death." Satan is still alive on this earth for even Peter tells us that he goes about the earth like a "roaring lion." 2 Pet. 5:8. And he is able to "devour" the spiritual lives of those who do not put their trust in Jesus. But in this last hour of earth's history the 144,000 is going to reveal the truth which will set millions free and prepare the final harvest of souls to be reaped at the coming of Jesus. In order to be ready for this event God's final Remnant must completely overcome the fear of death.

Now, beloved, when was the "fear of death" introduced? In the Garden of Eden. "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Gen. 2:17. Remember the story of the wheat and tares in Matt. 13? Who did Jesus say sowed the tares? Did He say, "Oh, my Heavenly Father has sown these tares so as to give you a good illustration and contrast between good and evil." Is that what He said? No, of course not. Instead He declared, "An enemy hath done this." Matt. 13:39 and Acts 13:10 both clearly prove Satan to be the enemy. An enemy is one who is always against us. But Rom. 8:31 tells us that God is never against us. Well, friend of mine, whoever told Adam that one of the trees had evil in it was not Adam's friend, that's for sure. And the Bible tells us that Jesus is our friend. Whoever did this evil deed...whoever planted this "tare tree" set a trap for both Adam and Eve, for Eve was not even created yet according to the Gen. 2 version. So, I think it is pretty clear now that Jesus, our Wonderful, Creator is not the God who put them into this "Guard Den" in the first place, for that is the original meaning of Garden in the old and middle English.

This Garden of Eden was a testing ground where Satan was allowed to tempt Adam and Eve. Jesus permitted it for a specific purpose...to prove to the universe that He is "holy, harmless and undefiled." Heb. 7:26. All of His created works are perfect and without flaw. Only an enemy has declared it otherwise. Only an enemy has introduced the idea that God's creation has a flaw in it. And if the earth is defective then Adam and Eve must be defective too, which, of course, could only mean that the Creator Himself is defective. This is precisely what Satan wanted to prove to the unfallen angels as well as to all of the unfallen worlds. When Adam and Eve became afraid and ran away from God their robe of light disappeared for they broke their light connection with Jesus through the fear of death. This then set them on an inevitable course of self-destruction because whatever we believe about ourselves, whatever we declare ourselves to be, this is what we become. If you tell a child often enough and emphatically enough that he is a bad kid he will eventually prove you right. You see, friend, we become whatever we behold and Adam and Eve were beholding the impostor, pretender god, the prince of the power of the air. Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4.

So, separated from Jesus, Adam's and Eve's mind became connected to Satan's mind, the death god and so death passed on all men and upon all of creation itself. This made it necessary for Jesus to come and die to re-connect us to Himself and His throne of light, glory and righteousness. This is how He destroyed death and Satan's power to use death to control us and keep us in the fear mode of bondage. I would like to also suggest that the entire universe has been affected by these lies. That is why Jesus had to come in a body of flesh to set the record straight and reveal the truth about Himself.

Notice this wonderful statement: "By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, 'I have declared unto them Thy name,'---'merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,'--'that the love wherewith thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.' BUT NOT ALONE FOR HIS EARTHBORN CHILDREN WAS THIS REVELATION GIVEN. OUR LITTLE WORLD IS THE LESSON BOOK OF THE UNIVERSE. God's wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which 'angels desire to look,' (I Pet. 1:12) and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song.'"

So, we see that even the unfallen worlds did not fully understand all that was involved in the rebellion of Lucifer. "Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion....It was a being of wonderful power and glory that had set himself against God. He had been the highest of all created beings, and had been foremost in revealing God's purposes to the universe. After he had sinned, his power to deceive was the more deceptive, and the unveiling of his character was the more difficult, because of the exalted position he had held with the Father. God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. (Proving God does not kill). Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. (For God never uses force) Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is moral, and truth and love are the prevailing power. It was God's purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security, and in the councils of heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of His system of government. He had claimed that these were superior to God's principles. Time was given for the working out of Satan's principles, that they might be seen by the heavenly universe...All heaven and the unfallen worlds had been witnesses to the controversy. With what intense interest did they follow the closing scenes of the conflict." DA 758, 759.

She then goes on to describe Jesus' sufferings in Gethsamane and on the cross. The main point we need to see is that the angels nor the unfallen worlds understood the issues of the Great Controversy. They could not see what was wrong with Satan. They could see that Adam and Eve and their children were really "bad." But not until Jesus came and destroyed the "law of sin and death" by nailing to the cross that law and covenant that was "against" us could humanity see that the law of killing animals was not even God's original plan, nor a law that He, Himself gave, but only a carnal law He allowed Satan to give because it was compatible with and on the same level of understanding as man's concept of God. So, the Lord had to begin at that level and try and bring them up. But they never came up. They only went farther and farther downhill, even to the point of sacrificing their own children.

All this strengthened Satan's argument that God's entire government was defective, flawed and faulty. But when Satan led the Jewish leaders to crucify Jesus they began to get their eyes open real fast. I have a quote from "The Wonderful Truth About Our Heavenly Father," which I would like to share with you from pages 240 and 241.

We can clearly see in the days of Job that Satan came among the "Sons of God," in the heavenly council, to represent planet earth because Adam had forfeited his right to represent this earth. And Satan was there to accuse the human race of being unfit to even live. GC 618. As you can see we have received many important insights from the pen of inspiration, without which we probably would never been able to figure out.

But where did it all begin? This idea that God kills and destroys? Jesus said Satan was the father of lies from the beginning. So, now we have an important clue in solving this mystery. Just what was the first lie told in heaven to the angels and to the unfallen worlds? What was it that actually started the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan in heaven itself? Matt. 8:29 and Mark 1:28 tell us the answer. These verses reveal the "Doctrine of Devils." Two men possessed of devils cried out..."What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou son of God? art thou come to torment us before the time?" So, there it is. Satan had told these demons that God had set a time to torment them. Then we read the testimony of an unclean spirit in Mark 1:23 and 24 who said, "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us?" There it is again. The doctrine of devils! The doctrine that Jesus came to torment and destroy Satan and his angels.

It is my sincere belief that Satan actually talked himself into this first of all lies. Why? Because he was afraid he and the angels were going to be phased out and destroyed after God began creating this new planet with creatures made in His own image. Somehow, he became jealous and afraid, probably because he was not allowed to participate in the creation process of this earth. So, his fears became irrational and spread to one third of the angelic host who followed him out of heaven itself. Jude 6 tells us he "left." God did not cast him out. EGW says he "deserted his appointed place in heaven." DA 435. He left because he was afraid. Rev. 12:4 tells us that his tail drew one third of the stars (angels) of heaven with him and cast them to the earth. That was the dragon's tail...Satan's tail. Remember also that Lucifer is referred to as a "fallen" angel. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, Son of the morning?" If a person "falls" to his death it is not murder. No one pushed him. It was his own fault or at the worst an accident. But if he is pushed, then it would be murder. No one pushed or shoved or forced Lucifer out of heaven...he was "cast out" by his own counsels...Psalm 5:10, Job 18:7 & 8.

When we come to Gen. 3 we find that the voice behind the serpent is agreeing with the God in Gen. 1:29-31 who said that all of the trees belonged to Adam and Eve and that they were all good. Amazing! Now, let's take a long second look at this serpent in the tree. He has had a lot of bad press. He and the woman have been blamed for all of the troubles in this world from day one. Let me make it very simple so there will be no misunderstanding. There are two serpents in the Bible. There is the serpent before the fall and there is the serpent after the fall. The serpent before the fall was off of the ground, in the tree, the same as Jesus was on Calvary's tree at the cross. And remember that Jesus Himself claimed to be the serpent raised up on a pole to heal the people who would look at him and believe, the same as the serpent on the pole in Moses' day brought healing to those who had been bitten by the fiery serpents on the ground who bit the people.

God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it upon a pole so the people could look and be healed of their bites. Do you think the Lord would have told Moses to make a symbol of Satan, the devil, for the people to look upon to be healed? Of course not. So, there you have the two serpents again. The one on the ground who bites them and the one in the tree who brings healing. The one in the tree represents God and His wisdom and power to heal and the one on the ground represents the devil who hurts us. And our Creator God claims to be doing both. "Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Hosea 6:1.

Remember the two serpents on the medical caduceus? It is mercury's winged staff, a symbol of healing. But there you have these two mysterious serpents again. One bites you and the other heals you. You also have Moses and the serpent on Mt. Sinai and later in Pharaoh's court. It was a staff in Moses' hand one minute and a serpent on the ground the next. The serpent on the ground again represented Satan and his power to hurt and destroy the human race. But God gave Moses power over the serpent when he picked it up by the tail. Once again it turned into a staff, symbolic of the power of God in Moses' hand. Why was the Lord doing this? Because Moses surely knew the true meaning of the ancient serpent and the divine power the nations had attributed to it. In fact, the Pharaoh himself wore a likeness of a serpent which looks like a cobra. He took upon Himself the title of Ra (also spelled Raa or Re). According to the Britannica World Language Dictionary, 1959, "Raa" is defined thusly: "The supreme Egyptian deity, the sun-God, usually represented as a hawk-headed man crowned with a solar disc and uraeus: also spelled 're.' The uraeus is the emblem of the sacred serpent (Haje) in the headdress of Egyptian divinities and kings. A symbol of sovereignty." In most cultures the snake or serpent is regarded in a positive sense, even as sacred. In India the mythological Serpent King is the next thing to Buddha. It was also revered by the American Indian Traditions. In the movie "Billy Jack," the hero of the movie goes through a ritual which includes the serpent. In his book, "The Power of Myth," Joseph Campbell, explains many of these concepts and beliefs. The word Myth in the title does not mean the same as a "fairy tale." "The Power of Beliefs," would probably be better for he researched into all of the cultures of the world and found out what their religious beliefs were and the power behind them. The serpent was thought by the Indians and most cultures to be a very important power to be made friends with. He says that a serpent "flows like water and so is watery, but its tongue continually flashes fire. So you have the pair of opposites together in the serpent." Page 47.

In Greek Mythology Asclepius (293 BC) was the God over all sickness and disease. He had two daughters named Hygeia, the goddess of health, from which we derive the word "Hygiene," meaning to be sound of health, and Panacea, which means "cure." And was not the serpent trying to prevent sickness and disease and tell Eve that the tree was "healthy and sound?" No defect of any kind in it? Yes, the mother of all living, at the very dawn of civilization was trying to prevent the calamity which the voice of Gen. 2 sought to bring upon them. And please remember that the serpent did not "fall" or was considered "sinful" until after a mysterious voice, claiming to be the true God began pronouncing curses upon it and Eve as well as Adam and the earth itself. How could it be that the same God who just blessed the earth in Gen. 1 is now cursing it? Is this the way our God operates? Is this His true character of love? The serpent in Gen. 3 was the wisest and most beautiful of all creatures until the God of Gen. 3 cursed him.

In contrast, the Christian religion portrays the serpent as the evil seducer, Satan. Campbell says, "That amounts to a refusal to affirm life. In the biblical tradition we have inherited, life is corrupt, and every natural impulse is sinful unless it has been circumcised or baptized. The serpent was the one who handed the apple to man. This identification of the woman with sin, of the serpent with sin, and thus of life with sin, is the twist that has been given to the whole story in the biblical myth and doctrine of the fall." Jesus came to reverse all of this by telling us to be "wise" as serpents and "harmless" as doves and then told Nicodemus that He was going to become the serpent on the cross to redeem mankind. Num. 21 and John 3:14.

Now, we are ready to go to Gen. 3. If the voice behind the serpent agrees with the voice of Gen. 1:29 and is the same voice who told Moses to throw down his rod on Mt. Sinai and the same voice who told Moses to make a brass serpent then the voice behind the serpent in Gen. 3 must be the very same voice who said to Nicodemus in John 3:14, " And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." And who was it speaking to Nicodemus? Why, it was Jesus Christ Himself. Yes, 2 + 2 still = 4. Now, that wasn't hard was it? Of course not. What if I told you that the early church believed that the serpent in the Garden of Eden was the true Creator, Jesus, the wisdom and power of God? Well, that is the truth. It is documented in Elaine Pagel's book, "The Gnostic Gospels," pages 30 and 31. See additional notes.

Well, I must tell you that what has taken you less than 30 to 40 minutes or less to read has taken me over five years to put together and I am still finding missing pieces to put in this mysterious end-time puzzle. Just today I read two more passages which helped to prove that the tree known as the tree of both good and evil is to be burned up. "Therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Matt. 3:10 and 7:17-20. The fire of truth and righteousness is burning up the false doctrines of Satan. We all have been held in bondage long enough. Let the truth make us free.

Not long ago I read several pages from "Story of Redemption," which I had read before but now I read them with a new insight and understanding. But before I share that with you let me explain God's overall plan of the ages. It is very clear from Eph. 1:9-12 that our God has planned from the beginning "in the dispensation of the fullness of times" to "gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:...according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ."

Isaiah spoke of this universal salvation in this way: "And the glory (character) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 40:5. "And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." Isa. 52:10. Rev. 15:4 indicates this will eventually come to pass when "all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest (revealed)." Then we read in 2 Pet. 3:9 that our God has "willed" that all mankind be saved. Now, if our God has willed something that means He already has devised a plan to bring it to pass. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, (to bring salvation to all mankind) as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." This is what we call His sovereign will and/or grace to perform the thoughts of His heart. Man cannot thwart the purposes of God. God's ways are higher than man's ways and much better. Isa. 55.

So, we see that God has a plan and a purpose which He is carrying out and will bring it to completion or perfection (Phil. 1:6) "...according to the good pleasure of His will...according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will." Eph. 1:5, 9, 11. For, Paul says, He has "made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which he hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:" Eph. 1:10.

Paul tells us that the salvation of the "grace of God" has "appeared to all men." Titus 2:11. That does not mean that all men will receive it at the same time but that in the "fullness of times He" will "gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him." Eph. 1:10. Someone may protest by saying that God will not interfere or force man's will to accept salvation. Yes, that is true. God never uses force. It is only the "goodness of God that leads us to repentance." Rom. 2;4. Let us now read how the Lord will bring this to pass.

The Bible tells us that God has "given Him (Jesus) a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ, is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil. 2:9-11. Beloved, whenever I had read that in the past I always interpreted it to mean that all the wicked outside of the city would bow down and acknowledge God was right and just and they were sinful and wrong. And then God would send fire down and burn them up. This is the traditional belief which I had always held. But one day as I was reading this passage I noticed that little phrase, "to the glory of God." And all of a sudden my eyes were open and I could see that when the wicked bowed down and confessed their sins that this would bring "glory to God." Then I asked myself the question, "How could it bring glory to God if they don't really mean it? How could it be a true confession if they are not sincere. Or how could it be a true confession if God is forcing them?" No, it had to be a real, genuine confession and repentance. If it were forced or faked in any way, shape or form then it would not bring glory to God.

In addition to all of that I thought of God's motive in even bringing up the wicked or lost of all ages. What is His purpose or motive anyway? Is He just trying to prove that He is right? Why did He come to earth the first time anyway? Was it to prove that He was right? NO, JESUS CAME TO PROVE THAT HE WAS LOVE. If He came to prove that He was right He certainly went about it in the wrong way for He ended up on the cross with not even one person believing in Him, except for the thief on the cross. So, I realized that the only reason He would raise up all the wicked dead would be to bring them to repentance for He is "not willing" that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Now, beloved, these are some of the concepts about God's character and His overall plan that we must know and understand if we are to be among God's elect in these last days and receive His seal of approval.

In Ezekiel 28:11-13 we read how God tells the prophet to "take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, 'Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering.'" These passages are reminiscent of Isa. 14:12 where the Creator is appealing to Lucifer; "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" Yes, when Satan pronounced all those curses upon God's creation, the Serpent, Adam and Eve, he was only cursing himself who would henceforth be represented as a snake crawling around on the ground. And who is it, beloved, who curses? It is Satan, not Jesus. Someone may say Jesus cursed the fig tree, but that is not true. Those were the thoughts and words of his disciple. Jesus did not pronounce a curse upon the tree but simply gave the tree permission to continue on as it had been...fruitless. It was thus a symbol of the Jewish nation.

Let's go back to the voice in Gen. 3 who was cursing the serpent, Eve (who knew the voice of Gen. 2 was lying about God's tree and fruit being defective) Adam and the earth itself. Can you see now why Satan, the god of Gen. 2, knew right at the very dawn of civilization that the only way he would ever be able to control Adam, and thus the human race, was to control Eve. And the only way he could control her would be to make it look like she was the one who brought in all the evil into the world. Blame her for it all and put a terrible guilt trip on her. So, he began to pronounce curses. The voice that was pronouncing these curses said, "Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field." Gen. 3:18. So, who is the author of the thorn and the thistle? Did God create them? If we can identify the creator of the thorn and the thistle then we will know the voice who is speaking in Gen. 3. The very voice of the "god" who pronounced all of the curses. Are you ready for the truth, my friend? Here it is: "THE SAME GOD WHO GUIDES THE PLANETS WORKS IN THE FRUIT ORCHARD AND IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. HE NEVER MADE A THORN, A THISTLE, OR A TARE. THESE ARE SATAN'S WORK, THE RESULT OF DEGENERATION, INTRODUCED BY HIM AMONG THE PRECIOUS THINGS; BUT IT IS THROUGH GOD'S IMMEDIATE AGENCY THAT EVERY BUD BURSTS INTO BLOSSOM." 6T 186. This proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the voice cursing the serpent, Eve, Adam and the earth itself is Satan, the fallen angel, Lucifer. This means then that the serpent speaking to Eve was not Satan but Jesus. This, the 144,000 must know and understand in order to accomplish their work in this earth and during the 1,000 years as they travel from planet to planet and world to world with Jesus. See additional notes.

But, remember that this serpent also represents the healing power of God in Num. 21 when Moses, at God's command, no less, tells him to make a bronzed serpent and to tell the people to look at it and be healed. Would God command Moses to have the people look at a symbol of Satan? Hardly! Furthermore, Jesus used this very experience to symbolize the real meaning and mission of His death on the cross. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14, 15.

Now, let's go back to Lucifer's rebellion and fall. The servant of the Lord has told us the mind of Lucifer and his motive and plans in the book, "Story of Redemption." He tells his angel followers that he has devised a plan to "wrest from God the noble Adam and his companion Eve. If he could in any way beguile them to disobedience, God would make some provision whereby they might be pardoned, and then himself and all the fallen angels would be in a fair way to share with them of God's mercy." Page. 27. He also had a couple of backup plans should this fail which you can read for yourself. But I quote this important clue here to show you Lucifer's (Satan) mind. He was convinced that Daddy did not love him anymore but had transferred all of His love to His newly created creatures. Therefore, if Lucifer could somehow cause Adam and Eve to become separated from the Father then Daddy would devise a rescue plan to save them but Daddy would never devise a plan to rescue him and his angels for they had been too naughty.

In Scott Peck's book, "People of the Lie," he tells of his contact with the realm of the demonic and reveals that these entities (demons) are at the same time both incredibly brilliant and incredibly stupid. Paul confirms this in I Cor. 2:7, 8. "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (character). Which none of the princes (demons) of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Satan has lied to all of the fallen angels about many things and they have in turn lied to the false religious teachers in the world telling them that God kicked Satan out of heaven. That He has been treated unfairly.

"Desire of Ages," page 435 tells us that Lucifer "deserted his appointed place in heaven." And Ezek. 28:14 reveals that Jesus told Lucifer, "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so:" Here is further proof that Christ never demoted Lucifer or kicked him out of his position. Jesus was inviting him to come back...He loved him so much and no doubt missed him so much. Someone once suggested that when Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan," that Christ was actually telling Satan to take his proper place by becoming his follower again...get behind me...follow me as you once did and should be doing now. Anyway, it was "fear " that started the whole sin scene and led Lucifer to develop that first lie that caused so many of God's creatures to be murdered...both man and animal. Even Job declared that it was fear that did him in. "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." Job 3:25.

Can you see now why Jesus spent so much time telling the disciples, "Don't be afraid," and "Fear not, for it is I. Be not afraid," Over and over again? But there is a heavenly anti-dote for this ungodly, satanic fear. "Perfect love casts out all fear." I John 4:18. The elect, the 144,000, will have all fear eroded out of their minds/systems/lives. They will understand and know the entire and complete history of the Great Controversy and understand what really happened to cause it. And they will have an overwhelming desire to cooperate with Jesus to set this record straight. Jesus takes them with Him where ever He goes. "These are they which follow the Lamb (Christ) wherever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Rev. 14:4-5.

Some people interpret the 144,000 to be a literal number. Others say it is symbolic. Some people even believe that the holy city, New Jerusalem is symbolic along with heaven. It is easy to get carried away and spiritualize everything away. Personally, I believe there will be a real heaven and a real city. There is no reason to believe that the 144,000 is symbolic anymore than the 1,000 years in heaven is symbolic. What about the 24 elders? Are they also symbolic? No, I believe that is a literal number. We are told in Rev. 14:3 that this group will sing a new song which no one else can learn. Then in Rev. 15:3 we are told that the song that is sung by the special group on the sea of glass is the song of Moses and the Lamb. The original song is in Deut. 32:1-43. Do you know Moses believed that God destroys. But when this song is sung by the 144,000 they have not only revised it but boiled it down to two verses. Here are those two verses: "And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and marvelous are thy ways, thou King of saints (nations or ages) 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 (decisions) are made manifest (revealed or made clear).'" Here is what this means to me. This group, alone of all the redeemed in heaven during the 1,000, understand fully the mind of the Father. That is why they have the Father's Name written in their foreheads showing that they think and act just like Him. But that doesn't mean others won't be saved for there is the great multitude which no man can number. I believe there could be millions or even billions...probably one third of all the people who have ever lived on this earth. Zech. 13:9 says "And I will bring the third part through the fire (true fire of God), and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. they shall call on my name, (know His true character) and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God."

As I was thinking on these things a few weeks ago the thought was strongly impressed upon my mind that the 144,000 had a very special work to do with Jesus as they travel all over the universe with Him. As I was praying and thinking about how Satan had tricked Adam and Eve into believing that one of the trees was defective, had evil in it and that they would die if they ate of it; it just occurred to me that Satan had lied to the whole universe. And then I remembered EGW telling of how the Lord had given her a vision of the other worlds. She said that she had visited these worlds and met the people who lived there. On page 40 of "Early Writings," she tells how one of the inhabitants of this one world told her that they had lived in "strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on earth."

She also said she saw two trees, one of which looked much like the tree of life in the city. Have you ever wondered why there is no tree of "Knowledge of good and evil," inside the city? Because God never put it there in the first place. If He intended for all of the unfallen worlds to have such a tree with evil in it to "test" them all this time and on into the future, why would He not also have such a tree inside the city? Just think about it? She said the "fruit of both looked beautiful, but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one." Her attending angel told her if they were to eat of the forbidden tree that they would fall.

There is no doubt in my mind that is true. But what also occurred to my mind is that Satan had been able to speak to them in the name of God and convince them that one of their trees would cause death the same as the one on earth. Fortunately, no one had eaten of this forbidden tree, possibly because of what they had seen happen to Adam and Eve. But think of this now: Only the 144,000 understand and know the mind of God the Father. Only the 144,000 are allowed to go into the temple. No one in the entire universe knows what they know except the Creator Himself. Is this the group that will become the bride of Christ? I will not be dogmatic on this point. I would be glad to have some feedback on this whole article.

At the bottom of page 40 of "Early Writings," we read that the 144,000 will visit "all of the worlds." Now, why would they do that? Well, they go everywhere the Lamb goes and so if they are going to visit "all" of the worlds they must be going with Jesus on His Universal tour. And as they sing their songs of victory and give their testimony about Jesus and His mighty power to save I have an idea they are going to set the record straight and vindicate the Name and character of God by teaching these worlds that God has never hurt or killed anyone. But in addition to that I believe they will explain to them that all of God's trees are "OK." That all of God's trees are harmless and good to eat. "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Ps. 34:8.

Jesus told the people in His day that He was the "bread" that came down from heaven. "I am the bread of life." Furthermore, the Holy Spirit moved Elizabeth to say to Mary, the mother of Jesus, while she was pregnant with Him, "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb." Christ called Himself the Bread of heaven and the Holy Spirit called Him "fruit." Then during the last weeks of His ministry on earth He declared, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise Him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." John 6:53-58. If you read this you will see how much He emphasized this idea of eating Him over and over again. And then at the Last Supper He even instituted the Communion service which reinforces and reminds us of this same truth. By eating Jesus, the Bread of heaven, we are understanding and accepting the truth about Him.

May the Lord richly bless you as you continue to study on this important truth of the 144,000. I am confident the Lord will continue to reveal more information to us as we are humble and willing to die to self...be crucified with Jesus each and every day. mfc.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Here are some possible optional references for the 144,000:

1. Kings of the East. Rev. 16:12.
2. Those who have insight. The margin says, "Instructors." Dan. 11:33, 12:3.
3. Tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion. Micah 4:8.
4. Stone that is cut out of the mountain without hands. Dan. 2:45.
5. His holy arm, The salvation of our God. Isa. 52:10.
6. Sons of God. Rom. 8:19.
7. The Elect. Matt. 24:22.
8. The generation to come, the People yet to be created. Psalm 102:18.
9. The coming generation, The people who will be born. Psalm 22:31.
10. The perfection of beauty. Psalm 50:2.
11. The People who know the joyful sound. Psalm 89:15.
12. Thy Mighty Ones. Joel 3:11.
13. The White Horse of Rev. 19:11; Zech. 10:3.
14. Sharp sickle. Rev. 14:14; Joel 13:13. Isa. 41:15; Jer. 51:20.

"Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven. We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus; for he is our Saviour. He came to this world to be tempted in all points as we are, to prove to the universe that in this world of sin human beings can live lives that God will approve." R&H, March 9, 1905. Partially quoted in 7BC 970.

"The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power. Those whose course has been most offensive to Him He freely accepts; when they repent, He imparts to them His divine Spirit, places them in the highest positions of trust, and sends them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim His boundless mercy. He would have His servants bear testimony to the fact that through His grace men may possess Christlikeness of character, and may rejoice in the assurance of His great love. He would have us bear testimony to the fact that He cannot be satisfied until the human race are reclaimed and reinstated in their holy privileges as His sons and daughters." DA 826.

When I first began sharing the character of God message back in the fall of 1976 from the pulpit and over the radio I received a lot of opposition. As time went along this opposition at first picked up and then slowly began to diminish. Why? Because people began to realize there were good, logical, solid facts from the Bible to prove and back up these concepts and that the SOP had a lot of quotes in favor of it as well. Finally, I began to offer $10,000.00 to anyone who could prove to me from the New Testament that Jesus had ever hurt or killed anyone. That He had ever hurt Lucifer/Satan or hurt or killed an evil angel. No one has ever even tried to collect the $10,000.00. Of course, I don't have any such amount of money anyway. But I don't need it for there is no proof that Jesus has ever hurt or killed anyone. Now, we have moved on down the road and find ourselves today re-investigating the original "crime" that caused the human race to fall in the first place. Again, I challenge anyone to prove to me that the serpent in the garden of Eden was the devil. Oh, he was there all right, but not as a snake. He was there as a lying voice. I will offer no money this time. But the stakes are high nonetheless. For if we don't get the right answer on this one we may be in a lot of trouble. I know that Rev. 12:9 refers to Satan as a serpent and I agree with John for the serpent began crawling in the dust of the earth at the gates of Eden, right after the fall. He is indeed that old and ancient serpent. But the serpent up off the ground does not represent Satan.

I also know that Paul accepts the traditional theological position that the woman was the one who was deceived by the serpent, 2 Cor. 11:3. This was a very cultural position for him to take and he brought this up for the purpose of proving that women should not be given a voice in church matters. Paul was not infallible. John the Baptist, the "greatest" of the prophets did not understand the real mission of the Messiah. Nathan the prophet told David to go and build the temple and then the Lord told him to go back and tell David the Lord did not want him to build it. Moses, Samuel, David and most of the prophets did not understand the mission of the Messiah...that He was being sent to die. Only Jesus was perfect in His knowledge about His mission and His words about the serpent are of the highest authority. His explanation and reinterpretation of the Old Testament supersede all other Interpretations.

There is another point that I just thought of today. If the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil," was named or placed in the Garden of Eden by God Himself, in order to "tempt" Adam and Eve then this same tree with evil in it should be up inside of the Holy City right next to the tree of life, for EGW has told us that the Garden of Eden was removed from the earth just before the flood. But, you may search all you wish in the book of Revelation...you will never find any trace of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Why? Because it doesn't exist. Education, page 25, tells us that there was nothing wrong or evil about the tree or its fruit in the first place. So, the voice of the "God" who said there was evil in it simply lied about God's perfect creation. Therefore, the Lord God in Gen. 2, who told Adam there was a tree with evil in it that would kill him was the Lord God Satan. And the work of the 144,000 is to go with Jesus throughout the universe on a visit to each world and prove to them that all of God's trees are good, perfect and ok. That may be why it will take 1,000 years to complete this work. May the Lord bless each one of us as we continue to study on this most important subject. Please feel free to eMail or call me if you have any questions or comments. mfc

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