THE TWO WITNESSES OF
REVELATION 11 IDENTIFIEDAs we begin this important study today let us pray: Eternal God of Israel, we come before your throne of grace asking for your Divine favor. Please guide us as we seek to understand more fully your holy word, especially Rev. 11:1-18. Thank you for hearing our prayer and doing more than we could ask or think. In the sacred and holy name of your only Son, Jesus, we ask it. Amen.
There is a wonderful promise in James 1:5 that each of us should claim as we begin our study today. Listen: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." This is from the King James Version (KJV) with its 16th century expressions as we see here in the word upbraideth. What does this word mean? Actually upbraid is from Middle English "upbreiden" and Old English "upbregdan" which is simply up + pull which came to mean "to rebuke severely or bitterly; to censure sharply, scold." Upbraid also means to "rebuke, lecture or take to task." When a mother is braiding her daughter's hair that little girl knows what it means to be "upbraided" when the mother yanks on her hair to make a point. James is saying, "God is not like that." When you come to Him for help when you have a problem in life you cannot solve He doesn't "upbraid" you or in other words chew you out for bothering Him. Psalm 111:4 tells us our "Lord is gracious and full of compassion." This is His divine character of love which never changes. "I am the Lord, I change not." Malachi 3:6; Ps. 89:34, Heb. 13:8, James 1:17.
That is the reason I am asking Him to help me all the time in my mind, praying without ceasing. This is what I did about four days ago regarding Rev. 11 when I took some time out to relax and take a sauna. It was during this little 20 minute time out that Jesus told me what I needed to know to write this article I am going to share with you today.
Some Bible students and most Bible scholars believe they already know everything they need to know about chapter 11 of Revelation and all of Revelation, for that matter. But this close minded attitude shuts out more light the Lord wants to shed on this final book of the Bible. In addition to that the servant of the Lord has told us "God intends that, even in this life, truth shall be ever unfolding." 5T 703.
In fact we are told quite emphatically, "We must not think, 'Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.' Truth is an advancing truth and we must walk in the increasing light." Evang. 296, 297. And again, "No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ." GW 301. And then this one is my favorite: "New light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Son of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of god." "Counsels to Writers and Editors," page 35. We also know that as current events unroll the prophetic scroll it will become clear to those who are walking in the light the true interpretation of Daniel and Revelation and just what their duty will be. Gabriel told Daniel that his book would be sealed until the "Time of the End," Dan. 12:9 which we believe is now. "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Vs. 10. This brings us to Rev. 11:1 where John tells us that he was given a "measuring rod like a staff" and then instructed by the angel to "Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it." NAS.
Except for a few brave souls who chose to differ, the standard interpretation of this chapter has not changed since the days of Uriah Smith, author of the book, "DANIEL AND THE REVELATION." Even the book, "THE GREAT CONTROVERSY," is in basic agreement along with the SDA Bible Commentary. What I wish to share with you today may be considered an up-date from these 19th century interpretations. Although the measuring of the temple (church) is suggestive of a time of Judgment for the professed believers and worshipers inside, it also is a promise of restoration and preservation for the Master builder would not be taking the time to measure (judge or make decisions) His people unless He planned to complete the building of the temple by having His servant John measure the worshipers which means He is checking to see how they are coming along...to see if they are "measuring up" yet. It also means He is in the process of making some choices regarding who is ready for the barley harvest, to be translated or harvested, and who is not, as we understand from the parable of the wheat and tares, Matt. 13 or the parable of the Virgins. Some were wise and planned ahead by taking extra oil in their vessels while the foolish neglected to do so and arrived too late to go into the Wedding or Marriage Feast.
Sincere believers have been studying the temple or sanctuary service in heaven since 1844. Various theories and interpretations have been developed over the years contradicting each other. Most of these have been abandoned along with other beliefs and doctrines by many sincere seekers for truth. But a Remnant is persevered and will/has entered INTO THE FATHER'S HEART or Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary...the very heart of God, the Father, which Jesus revealed to us by His perfect life, death and resurrection. It is this understanding of the character of God that has made this study possible today.
Here is a comment to enlighten us about vs. 2. "The court. In the temple of Herod, which John had known well, there was an inner court divided into the Court of the Women, the Court of Israel, and the Court of the Priests. Beyond these was a great outer court, the Court of the Gentiles. A barrier--a 'middle wall of partition' (Eph. 2:14)--divided the outer and inner courts, and no Gentile was allowed to pass the barrier on pain of death (see Vol. V, 67). In view of the fact that the court mentioned here is 'given unto the Gentiles,' it would appear that John has this great outer court particularly in mind. The court has been regarded as representing this earth in contrast with the 'temple of God' in heaven." Page 801. 7 BC. John was told only to check or measure those who are worshiping God with a full and true heart. These true believers would be the watchmen on the walls of Zion, who would comprise or make up the first phase of the harvest, which is the barley harvest (Little Company, EW 271) and then the wheat (144,000) would follow. The Gentiles would indicate the rest of humanity which will come later in the Grape Harvest. So, there are three phases of the harvest, 1. Barley. 2. Wheat. 3. Grapes. For a symbol of the barley, study the life of Gideon in Judges 6 and 7 and the Book of Ruth and then the Life of Jesus Christ. His whole life is an example to us but especially His three and one half years of ministry and then His death, resurrection, ascension to heaven, return for forty days and then ascension again from the Mount of Olives while about 500 watched Him go up and then the descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. All of these events or stages will be repeated in the lives of this Little Company or Barley Group.
The forty two months is the same period of time as the 1260 days of Rev. 12 and Dan 12 and the times, time and a half of time. The treading down or trampling under foot of the Holy City has always been interpreted as meaning the persecution of God's people. The interpretation of this 1260 days has been that this represents "days of years" or a day representing a year. I have no doubt that this was acceptable and ok for the 19th century and most of the 20th century but as the scroll is unrolling and more knowledge is being given to understand these prophecies we can see that the end-time application of this time period is actual days, just as it reads.
Now, when the Bible states that God is going to make a short work upon the earth and it will not be by might or power but by "my spirit," that is just what He means. As I was about to begin this paragraph I had in mind to explain the work of the Two Witnesses and the power God is going to give them and what the Greek word for power means, which I will do shortly. But the Lord spoke to me and told me to look up two verses and explain them first.
The first is Zechariah 4:6. When I looked it up the Lord impressed me to read verses 1-6 which is probably where John received His information and inspiration to write Rev. 11. I didn't know this and was really shocked to see these verses are a parallel to Rev. 11. "Then the angel who had been talking with me woke me, as though I had been asleep. 'What do you see now?' he asked. I answered, 'I see a golden lampstand holding seven lamps, and at the top there is a reservoir for the olive oil that feeds the lamps, flowing into them through seven tubes (pipes, KJV) And I see two olive trees carved upon the lampstand, one on each side of the reservoir. What is it, sir?' I asked. 'What does this mean?' Don't you really know?' the angel asked. 'No, sir,' I said, 'I don't.' Then he said, 'This is God's message to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts-you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.' Therefore no mountain, (government) however high, (powerful) can stand before Zerubbabel! For it will flatten out before him! And Zerubbabel will finish building this Temple with mighty shouts of thanksgiving for God's mercy, declaring that all was done by grace alone." Zech. 4:6, 7. LB. Paul says in Rom. 9:28: "For He (God) will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." KJV. This places the emphasis upon the righteousness of God in His messengers, which they have accepted as their own. But let's take a look at the same verse from a different perspective, looking at it from the stand point of how this final message will affect the wicked and cause them to react.
The LB says, "For the Lord will execute His sentence upon the earth, quickly ending His dealings, justly cutting them short." Rom. 9:28. LB . Although this is Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase in his famous "Living Bible" it cuts to the heart of what is going to happen when the full import of the message hits the masses and they react to it with a terrible violence never before seen in the earth. "And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God:; every man's sword shall be against his brother." Ezek. 38:21.
Before we deal with the message of the Two Witnesses and identify them let me explain the interpretation of the Two Witnesses that was given in the book, "THE GREAT CONTROVERSY," in the chapter entitled, "THE FRENCH REVOLUTION." In a sentence, the interpretation was that these "Two Olive Trees" and "Two Candle Sticks" which are also called "MY TWO WITNESSES" vs. 3-6 are simply the OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS OF THE HOLY BIBLE. Uriah Smith took this same position as did also the SDA Bible Commentary. Considerable space is devoted in all three of these works to the history of the French Revolution in France. "SDAs, who generally understand the beast of v. 7 to represent the First French Republic (1789 to 1801), especially in terms of its antireligious bias, find this prophecy fulfilled during that brief period in French revolutionary history when atheism was at its height. This period may be reckoned from Nov. 26, 1793, when a decree, issued in Paris, abolished religion, to June 17, 1797, when, it is held, the French government removed restrictions against the practice of religion." 7 BC 803. "Three years and a half later a resolution rescinding these decrees, thus granting toleration to the Scripture, was adopted by the same body." GC 287. On the same page is listed various Bible societies that were organized to circulate the Bible into hundreds of languages and dialects. This was considered the fulfillment of the two witnesses being resurrected and being called up to heaven. I believe that was a first or minor fulfillment of this prophecy, but a much greater fulfillment remains for these two witnesses.
For a clearer understanding of this future event let us scroll forward to Rev. 12:5 where John predicts the same event using different terms and symbols. "And she (mother church through the ages until the first phase (barley) of the second coming) brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne." The phrase, "Man Child" is used only three times in the entire bible. The first time is Isa. 66:7 but you need to begin at verse 5 where we see that this "man child" represents a group of people who are hated for standing up for Jesus' Name (character). But they are also called "a nation" which appears suddenly or is "born" in one day (short period of time) and is a parallel to the church of Philadelphia (only perfect church of the 7 churches, Rev. 3:7-12) which was especially commended because they had not "denied my name," which is His character, which we also know is the final message to go to the world, "A revelation of His character of love." COL 415.
Now, let's go back to Rev. 11 and notice that these Two Witnesses have great power to preach the Word of God, which is what the Two Witnesses represent...the Word of God, Old and New Testaments, in other words THE WHOLE TESTIMONY OF GOD. They come on the stage of action at just the right time (Dios Perfecto Tiempo, which is Spanish for God's Perfect Timing) and they give the exact message God has planned for them to give at this specific time. The woman who gives birth to these Two Witnesses (Barley Group) is pictured in Rev. 12:1 as being pregnant, clothed or robed with the sun and standing on the moon. The woman represents God's true and pure church which He has used through the ages to carry His true message from generation to generation and age to age until this final segment of time in which a Remnant is finally born. This is the "Man Child" who comes to the fullness of maturity and perfection in Christ, just as He did in 30 years. He was the perfect example for this Barley group who are also brought to perfection through trials and tribulations God designed specifically for each of them.
The term "Man Child" is a generic term meaning a human being just as Hosea 11:1 refers to Israel as God's son even though Israel, as a nation, consisted of both males and females. This is a special characteristic of the Hebrew language, that it will take one item (person or object) such as "son" or "barley loaf" or "tent" (referring to Gideon's experience in Judges 6 & 7) and linguistically use it to represent many things. For example, the son represents all 12 tribes of Israel, the barley loaf represents Gideon and his 300 soldiers and the tent represents the 135,000 hordes of heathen (NWO) who are preparing to destroy Israel. The word "God" itself (Elohim) has a plurality built into it as we read in Gen. 1:26 where we read "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:"
We also need to notice that although this pure, pregnant, woman has been robed with the brightness and glory of the sun she is standing on the moon. The moon is symbolical of the Old Testament foundation and witness for the church while the glory of the sun represents the transition to the New Testament through which she has passed from law to the perfection of God's grace in order to prepare her to give birth to Jesus in His time frame and then the Man Child in his time frame, 2,000 years later at the close of the age, according to God's perfect timing. Actually, the birthing or coming forth of the Man Child has two phases. The first is in the person of Jesus Christ, our perfect example and the second is the Barley Group which is also symbolized by the Son and King in Psalm 2, the Sons of God in Rom. 8:19, the Two Witnesses, the Man Child, The Army of Joel 1 and 2 and Rev. 19, the rock cut out of the mountain without hands in Dan. 2:45, the "Wise" of Dan. 12:3, the "Elect" of Matt. 24:22-24, the "Branch" of Jer. 33:15 and others.
In order to understand the important work the Two Witnesses will perform one needs to read about the Little Company in the book, "EARLY WRITINGS," 269 and on. Although the Servant of the Lord emphasizes the power this Company has to speak out the truth (for 3 ? years) Rev. 11:3 predicts that they will prophesy in sackcloth (a symbol of deep sorrow and mourning, 2 Sam. 3:31; 2 Kings 19:1, 2). So, what are they mourning about? What is the cause of their sorrow? Listen to the pen dipped in the ink of heaven. "The coming of the bridegroom was at midnight--the darkest hour. So the coming of Christ will take place in the darkest period of this earth's history. The days of Noah and Lot pictured the condition of the world just before the coming of the Son of man. The Scriptures pointing forward to this time declare that Satan will work with all power and "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:9, 10. His working is plainly revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the multitudinous errors, heresies, and delusions of these last days. Not only is Satan leading the world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will develop into darkness deep as midnight, impenetrable as sackcloth of hair. To God's people it will be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of persecution for the truth's sake. But out of that night of darkness God's light will shine." COL 414, 415.
Now, on the very next page we read what their message will be, regarding the Name of God, which is rejected and denied by their brethren, who hate them, as they hated Jeremiah and all the prophets. "Behold," say the Scripture, "the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee." Isa. 60:2. It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy and truth...(Isa. 40:9, 10 then quoted) Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, 'Behold your God.' The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love." COL 415.
Now, let's look quickly at Rev. 11:7 which takes us to the close of the first 3 ? years, which is half way through the last seven years of this earth's history. What a wonderful and loving Heavenly Father we have who let's us know the future in advance. Not only is He revealing the exact plans of the enemy, He is also telling us how to escape Satan's traps and to defeat the Synagogue of Satan (Rev. 3:9) which is the New World Order of our day. God never does anything without first giving many warnings in advance. "If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? (A trumpet is a signal for war) If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it? (God is portrayed in the Scriptures as the causative factor for all the events of life, good or bad, Isa. 45:7) Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He (first) reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7.
So, these chosen ones who make up this little "Barley Group or Company" will preach the truth of God's word in bodies of flesh for 3 ? years. Their message will be similar to that of Elijah and the prophets of His day who rebuked King Ahab and his wicked Queen Jezebel who had killed all of the prophets of Jehovah. Although there were still 7,000 believers they were all hiding out. Elijah had not heard so much as a little peep from any of them and had no idea they even existed until God told him that He had preserved unto Himself 7,000 who had not bowed down and kissed Baal. He was the only one who was standing up in public against the New World Order of that day. So, this is the situation that will exist again in our day. It is going to be a very lonely job. Rev. 11:7 tells us that when this Barley Company has "finished their testimony" after 3 ? the beast from the bottomless pit is going to make war against them and kill them. Because of the prophecy of Malachi 3:16-18 we already know that God is not going to let His "Jewels" die. He will "spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him." vs. 17. Therefore, we know that this death they die at the hands of the New World Order (Beast from the bottomless pit) is not a literal, physical death but a slandering of their character similar to what happened in France to the Holy Bible during the French Revolution when in 1793 they publicly burned the Bible claiming that it had caused "all the fooleries...which...the human race" had committed. GC 276. This was the result of centuries of suppression of the Scriptures during the period of papal supremacy (538 AD to 1798 AD) when Rome's policy, under the disguise and profession of reverence for the Bible, kept it locked up in an unknown tongue (Latin) and hidden away from the people. All during this period, "Rome had misrepresented the character of God and perverted His requirements, and now men rejected both the Bible and its Author. She had required a blind faith in her dogmas, under the pretended sanction of the Scriptures. In the reaction, Voltaire and his associates cast aside God's word altogether and spread everywhere the poison of infidelity. Rome had ground down the people under her iron heel; and now the masses, degraded and brutalized, in their recoil from her tyranny, cast off all restraint. Enraged at the glittering cheat to which they had so long paid homage, they rejected truth and falsehood together; and mistaking license for liberty, the slaves of vice exulted in their imagined freedom." GC 282.
Since the printing of these words in the late 19th century (1888) organized religion has continued the work of Rome by slandering God's true character of love by presenting Him as an angry and offended deity who seeks only to pour retribution upon all those who do not obey every detail of every law organized religion has dreamed up in whatever faith a person may choose. The one common thread that runs through every organized religion on the face of the earth is that God destroys people by various means. The aberrations of nature are called ACTS OF GOD and the Catholic Church especially pictures God as sitting upon a throne in heaven, far removed from us sinners. He and even His Son Jesus are unapproachable except through the Virgin Mary who will intercede for us now and at the time of our death. Although Protestants do not profess faith in Mary as an intercessor they still teach a wrathful God which has turned millions away from the Blessed Saviour.
So, the same spirit that was in power during the time of the French Revolution still exists again. They went underground for awhile but rose again in the form of Communism and Nazism which seems to be dead but is in reality very much still alive. So, as all these evil forces join together into one grand confederacy to make war against all who try and stand up against them to oppose their grand scheme to reduce the population by various means so it will be easier for them to control the masses who are left and make them their slaves, God is going to intervene, as we shall see. But first, the Barley Company must die a symbolical death via character assassination by use of the world wide media. The world will be convinced that these dissidents and opponents of the New World Order are nothing but trouble makers and will rejoice at the news that their influence has at last been destroyed.
"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." Rev. 11:8. I believe this is referring to the media continuing to play, over and over again, sound bites and news excerpts of these people whose character they have just slandered. They will not let the subject drop or be finished. They want to gloat and celebrate their victory, no doubt like the Pharisees and Scribes did after Jesus was crucified on Friday. So, there is just no closure on this issue. And the Bible expresses it symbolically as if their "dead bodies were lying out in the streets of Jerusalem (where Jesus was crucified) rotting with no decent burial." Jerusalem will be the center of the NWO. God's brave soldiers are not literally lying out in the streets. They may be arrested and put in jails around the globe at certain locations. Some may just be hiding out.
Meanwhile the wicked are rejoicing and "dancing on the graves," as it were, of these brave, modern Elijahs, perhaps like Jezebel celebrated when she learned that her death threat caused Elijah to flee for his life. Vs. 10 says that these wicked modern Jezebels and Ahabs "send gifts one to another" rejoicing that their "torment" is over, just like Herod's conscience was tormented because John the Baptist rebuked his illegitimate marriage to his brother Phillip's wife, Herodias, Mark 6:19. So, she had John the Baptist killed to relieve her tormented conscience. Nothing causes torment like a guilty conscience when truth and righteousness are constantly presented before the willful sinner. It just becomes intolerable to him. But after their successful character assassination they believe they have finally got rid of these "trouble makers" and like Herod and Herodias, the wicked of the earth, who run the NWO, are relieved from the torment of the convicting testimony of these Two Witnesses. The wicked then, like Beltshazzer of old in Daniel 5, drink themselves drunk to quiet their consciences by losing themselves in celebration and merriment. But it doesn't last for long. Only three and a half days. Notice now how God suddenly and supernaturally enters the picture and reverses the course of events.
"And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered in to them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them." Rev. 11:11. These are three actual days or 84 hours. So, the wicked are going to actually see this happen as well as hear the Voice of God which will deliver the saints (Barley Company). "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them." vs. 12. This is the special translation of the Barley Company which takes place at the same time as the special resurrection of Dan. 12:1. Next, there is a great earth quake which kills 7,000 men (perhaps the enemies of the Barley Group) causing the rest to give glory to God, probably out of fear and also because they were rooting, backing and cheering for the Barley Group to win all along and are happy God is taking over to make sure the righteous finally win at long last.
Friends, I have been preaching about this beautiful character of our precious Lord Jesus now since the fall of 1976. You would not believe how many people have rejected me personally because of what I have told them without even taking five minutes to study the subject for themselves. And most of them were SDA ministers and leaders in the church, believe it or not.
The crisis is coming. The darkness is getting worse every day. Already the Pope has told the people that they must begin keeping Sunday holy. All kinds of crazy weather is destroying houses and lands around the globe. EGW tells us who is doing this. It is Satan. Because our God does not do that kind of thing. He is not a killer or a destroyer. "GOD DESTROYS NO MAN." This, my friend, is the dividing truth. This is what will decide whether or not you accept the Pope and His Sunday Sabbath or the true Sabbath of Jesus Christ. This is, my friend, the extra oil...the PRESENT TRUTH the Holy Spirit has revealed to God's Remnant people as the final message to go to the world. Listen and learn.
"It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy and truth."
EGW goes on to explain that this is the very work Isaiah outlined in Isa. 40:9, 10 by telling people "Behold your God!" Yes, look at this wonderful Jesus who only wants to help you. You don't have to be afraid of Him anymore. He has come to save you.
"Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold Your God." THE LAST RAYS OF MERCIFUL LIGHT, THE LAST MESSAGE OF MERCY TO BE GIVEN TO THE WORLD, IS A REVELATION OF HIS CHARACTER OF LOVE. THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE TO MANIFEST HIS GLORY. IN THEIR OWN LIFE AND CHARACTER THEY ARE TO REVEAL WHAT THE GRACE OF GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM." COL 415, 416.
So, even though I had been preaching and writing about this message for about 17 years I didn't understand who the 144,000 were. So, the Lord impressed me to begin an investigation, which I did, basically, under protest, as I always thought this was sort of a forbidden subject. Only fanatics talked about the 144,000. I certainly didn't want to be stigmatized as some kind of crazy, weird, fanatic who thinks that only 144,000 are going to heaven. Through prayer I finally overcame those fears and began my research and writing in 1992. One day I noticed that EGW had stated that we should strive with all of our might to be among the 144,000. Why? The answer is in the quote itself. "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 gain heaven. We are to have an interest in Christ Jesus; for He is our Savior. 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).
In Rev. 14:1-3 we learn that the 144,000 are the first fruits, redeemed or purchased from the earth. The other day I heard a man on TBN telling the people that the 144,000 would all be Jews who would give their testimony and then all be martyred. I couldn't believe it. The confusion and deception in the religious world is absolutely beyond belief. Just think of the deceptions on religious TV:
- First of all, they all believe Sunday is God's holy day, thus joining with the Papacy.
- They all believe you go to heaven when you die.
- They believe the wicked are all burning in eternal hell fire.
- Most of them believe in speaking in tongues.
- They believe God destroys people and is bringing all the present weather aberrations to punish sinners. Most SDAs agree with them on this.
- Most, but not all, believe shots and vaccinations are safe and effective and necessary for good health. Most SDAs agree with them on this.
- They do not understand or realize why God created this earth in the beginning or the ultimate plan of the ages. Neither do SDAs.
- They definitely do not have a clue about the 144,000. Neither do SDAs.
- They do not understand the sanctuary truth and with all of its symbols and last day applications.
- They do not believe in the prophetic gift that was manifested among the believers after 1844 in the life of EGW which the Lord has used to correct, guide and encourage His people with.
Ok, so let's try and figure it out. Who are these 144,000 and where do they fit in to the final eschatalogical picture? Well, first of all, Rev. 7:3, 4, tells us that God Himself commands that the four winds not be loosed "till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." The very next verse tells us that the number who are to be sealed will be 144,000. Verse 9 also speaks of "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations..." So, we have two groups. Until about two weeks ago I thought that was all that would go to heaven when Jesus comes. Before I begin explaining the barley people or wave sheaf concept let me explain a little more about the 144,000 and the great multitude.
When the Bible tells us that the 144,000 are sealed and that they are redeemed from among men that means they did not die but were translated without seeing death. EGW confirms this in Great Controversy. GC 649. Please study it out for yourself. Because the 144,000 are identified as "first fruits" that means they are the first harvest of wheat, which is the second grain to be harvested. The Barley is the "early grain" and is the first grain to be harvested. The 120 were the type of the 144,000, first fruits or wheat. The 144,000 then is the anti-type in our day. The 3,000 converted on the day of Pentecost were the second fruits or the rye or spelt. Exodus 9:32. Then there were other harvests after that by the 3,000 and it just kept growing and growing as Saul of Tarsus was converted and became Paul, the apostle to the gentile world of that day. Acts 9. This all resulted from the early rain at the time of Pentecost. It will be repeated in our day on a much wider scale. What I didn't know about was the barley or first of the first fruits who are the ones who give the cry "Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go you out to meet Him." This is the call or cry or shout that wakes up the Ten Virgins. This is what Gideon and His 300 represent...the barley or wave sheaf or first of the first fruits. This is an old testament type. The Jewish Harvest Cycle also is a type and the "Little Company" is the anti-type EGW saw. Let me show you how I identified this group in Early Writings. Starting on page 269 EGW begins writing about the "Shaking." This is the same as the "shaking and sifting" time when God is calling His servants who will comprise the wave sheaf. This is what happened when Gideon made His first call to go to battle against the enemy. Remember how many came out? Yes, it was 32,000. And then 22,000 left when they saw the hordes of the enemy. Then from the 10,000 only 300 were selected. On page 270 EGW said the shaking was caused mainly by the "Straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans." EGW goes into great detail describing this company who were "weeping and praying in agony of spirit" and "moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers." She says they had gained the victory. I do not believe they are all together in one place but scattered all over the earth, yet the same Spirit is moving upon them. GC 626 and 635 confirm this. It is more difficult to identify the "little company" in Great Controversy as she blends together all these harvests, 1. The barley or wave sheaf. 2. The Wheat harvest or 144,000, 3. The Rye harvest and 4. The Great Multitude which is the grape harvest. These are four distinct groups. I am going to try to delineate these for you the best I can at this time. This is my first effort for this so I thank you for your patience. I was as surprised as I am sure most of you reading this will be. Why God has chosen me to reveal this to you is a greater mystery to me than the mystery I am trying to reveal to you. I just try to do what Jesus asks me to do because I love Him so much.
Ok, let's take group #1, the barley, first of the first fruits or wave sheaf, also called "The Little Company," who are translated at the same time of the special resurrection. This translation is predicted in Dan. 12:1-3. Michael (Jesus) stands up for His people at the beginning of the time of trouble which begins when the "abomination that maketh desolate (is) set up." Dan. 12:11. This abomination is Satan going into the temple to declare himself as God. This could possibly have a dual application, in that he is in the process of going into and deceiving and thus taking possession of the (which includes worship) entire human race at this time...entering into their temples by the lies he is telling via all the media and false teachers from the churches of Babylon. And he literally goes into the temple they will build in Jerusalem for him. I understand there is a mosque in Damascus which tradition proclaims to be the site for the return of the Messiah the second time. If this is true can't you picture what will happen when Satan comes claiming to be Jesus Christ? Is it possible that Satan, as the anti-christ, will enter many or most of the temples and mosques of the world dazzling them with His brilliance and glory thereby seducing the whole of Islam. These events along with the main event of him entering the temple at Jerusalem, which they plan to build, and proclaiming himself as God will begin the three time periods of 1260, 1290 and 1335. The Dome of the Rock, third most sacred shrine, is only a few yards away from the proposed temple site. Each day brings us closer to these final events. How thankful we can be that Jesus promised to deliver those who remained faithful in watching and praying. How many compose this little barley company we do not know any more than we know how many saints were raised with Jesus at the time of His resurrection.
All we know is that they are identified as "thy people," in Dan. 12:1 and "The little company" in EW 271-273. "Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. Buildings were shaken down on every side. I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical, and clear. I looked upon the company, who, a short time before, were in such distress and bondage. Their captivity was turned. How beautiful they then looked! All marks of care and weariness were gone, and health and beauty were seen in every countenance. Their enemies, the heathen round them, fell like dead men; they could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones. This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory. (Now notice the last part of this quote is referring to the special resurrection of Dan. 12:2. "And the graves were opened, and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying, 'Victory over death and the grave'; and together with the living saints they were caught up to meet their Lord in the air, while rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue." EW 272-273.
This is not the "general resurrection" but a "special translation" of a "little company" and a special resurrection of those EGW speaks of in GC 637 and EW 269-273. Three groups are raised. 1. All who have died in the faith of the third angel's message. 2. Those who pierced Him. 3. They also who mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies and 4. "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." What an incredible time that will be to be alive. Who would want to miss such a spectacle?
Now, I want to go back to Gideon and his 300. On page 546 of Patriarchs and Prophets, we read that Israel's land and people had been suffering the persecution and ravages of these wild, heathen tribes for seven years. Now, 135,000 of them had massed against Israel. Unless God intervened they probably would all be destroyed. So, that is when the angel of the Lord called Gideon and he in turn made a call to which 32,000 responded. So it will be in our day. Many have already responded to the call during the last few decades but the ranks of the independents are beginning to thin down as the battle becomes more fierce. Soon, only the faithful "little company" will remain to be translated. According to the harvest cycle, after the wave sheaf is offered (little company goes up to heaven with Jesus) there will be 40 days more. Let's take the life of Jesus as a type. On the resurrection morning Jesus went to heaven after he comforted Mary. Some believe He went up at the third hour and returned at the ninth hour. On our clocks today that would be 9:00 A.M. in the morning and 3:00 P.M. in the afternoon. This is also the time period Jesus was on the cross. This needs a lot more prayer and study because although I agree with this time sequence, I am not yet an expert at explaining it. What I do know for sure though is that this little company is identified in Scripture as the "Christos" of Rev. 11:15 and 12:10 and also the "Man child" of Rev. 12:5 and Isa. 66:7 and Psalm 2:9. See also Rev. 2:26-28 and Rev. 3:9 and Rev. 19:15 all are referring to this same wave sheaf, barley loaf, "little company" group Jesus translates first of all with many righteous dead, which are also a first fruit from the dead.
The rest of the righteous dead will be raised later at the end of the 1335 days. This little company or wave sheaf or barley loaf will go up with Jesus and stay there for six hours, just like Jesus did after the resurrection. I believe this will also fulfill Dan. 7:9-14. In v. 13 it talks about "one like the Son of man" who comes before the throne of the Ancient of Days and is "given him (the company is spoken of here as a unit just like the Man child and Christos are spoken of as one) dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, and that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." This wave sheaf, barley company has now received their gifts and commission, Psalm 68:18; Eph. 4:8. They now return to earth with Jesus as pictured in Rev. 19, riding on white horses and wake up the ten sleeping virgins. "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." Mal. 3:18.
They have immortal bodies like Jesus and can appear and disappear at will. They travel by thought vibration like Adam before the fall and like Jesus did after the resurrection and like Philip did in Acts 8. This is why the New World Order cannot kill them and ends up bowing down before them and worshiping at their feet. Do you think they would do that if they were ordinary human beings they could kill with a bullet through their brain or with poison or a vaccination or a microwave weapon. Of course not. So, what happens to these people that makes them invulnerable and invincible, no longer subject to death or carnal weapons?
A few days ago the Lord helped me to discover this text. "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them." Psalm 68:18. We know that God gave the gift of languages to the disciples on the day of Pentecost. If God's Remnant Sons are going to go to the world to give the final message of His true character of love it would seem logical that they would need to speak in the languages of the people. So, the gift of speaking in tongues is part of the "gifts" God is going to give His Chosen sons as they are manifested before the world. But they also must be able to travel without visas or passports or airplanes, cars, trains or buses or any kind of money. Yes, they would need to travel like Jesus did after the resurrection, by mind travel or thought vibration. That is, they just think of where they wish to go and they are there in an instant. They can appear and disappear at will; Pass through walls just like Jesus. Even Philip had at least one experience like that in Acts 8 after he baptized the Eunuch.
How many are there in this barley group...this little company? Well, how many does it take to make up a company? The only place in the bible the word company is defined with numbers is in regard to the 250 princes who joined with Korah, Dathan and Abiriam in rebellion against Moses' and Aaron's leadership. Num. 26:9-10. So, we have two precedents in the Scripture to give us an idea of how large a company is...300 and 250. But EGW defines this same group as a "Little Company" who are traveling up the narrow pathway to heaven. So, it would probably be less than 300. At any rate, they are the true watchmen on the walls of Zion who are not asleep and walking in the advancing light of the Third Angels' Messages. They are the ones God chooses to wake up the ten sleeping virgins, five of whom become the 144,000.
The blowing of the trumpet and singing signifies a time to go to war and in a spiritual sense it means to begin speaking out the truth, as we read in Isa. 58:1 "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." Read also Hosea 8:1 and every scripture that mentions a trumpet to get the total picture as to the full meaning of the trumpet. In Joel 2:1 and on, the prophet says: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion (God's professed people), and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of darkness...etc." It goes on to describe God's final army as "A great people and a strong" the likes of which has never existed before nor ever will again. This is a description of the Barley Army which God is calling forth and preparing through a sifting and shaking process similar to what He did with Gideon's 32,000 volunteers. When His army is finally formed (how many of these true watchmen on the walls of Zion there will be of this first of the first fruits or wave sheaf we are not told) they will begin sounding the final message. Actually, it has probably already started. EGW said the final message or Third angels' message had already begun with the 1888 message of Righteousness by Faith.
Again a sifting and shaking scenario takes place and finally the five wise virgins are sealed in their foreheads. How do I know these five wise virgins become the 144,000? One reason is because Rev. 14:4 identifies them as "virgins," meaning they are not defiled with women (or the fallen churches of Babylon with their false doctrines). V. 4 also identifies them as the "first fruits." The first fruit(s) is the wheat harvest or wise virgins, 144,000. This would compare to the 120 who were converted on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead. The 120 are a type of wheat. The 144,000 are the anti-type. Exodus 9:32. Just as the 120 spoke in tongues and converted 3000 on the day of Pentecost so the 144,000 will return to discern who among the one third of the human race are desiring to serve the Lord and become their shepherds to guide them to a knowledge of the truth, as we read in Zech. 13:8-9. "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name (character), and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God."
Many years ago I found a quote from EGW which I feel fits in here regarding the conversion of one third of the human race in this last hour of earth's history. I believe the first part of this EGW quote is talking about the little company and probably the 144,000 together who go forth and convert the one third. Please notice:
"Those who walk even as Christ walked, who are patient, gentle, kind, meek and lowly in heart, those who yoke up with Christ and lift His burdens, who yearn for souls as He yearned for them---these will enter into the joy of their Lord. They will see with Christ the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. Heaven will triumph, for the vacancies made in heaven by the fall of Satan and his angels will be filled by the redeemed of the Lord (RH May 29, 1900). BC 7, page 949.
I believe the time is near when all these things are going to be coming to pass very rapidly. The terrible destruction recently (Nov. 1998) caused by Hurricane Mitch in Central America, especially in Honduras, in which about 11,000 were killed and millions made homeless and destitute is a clear sign that Satan is even now beginning to wreak havoc on this planet. We can expect disasters like this to continue and accelerate. We also know that the religious element of this world will call for a National Sunday Law to be enacted to get God on our side. Satan will eventually appear as Jesus and lead the world to condemn all Sabbath keepers. We know this is coming, so now is the time we need to make a full, complete and total commitment to Jesus so we will not miss out on this great opportunity to be with Him in this last hour of earth's history.
Who will God choose to wake up the sleeping virgins? In Psalm 2 we have a clue. In v. 7 The Creator declares a decree, saying: "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of Me (Jesus) and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Now, if your interpretation of these three verses is that God is going to give you authority over the nations so you can go around with supernatural power to destroy people whom you deem evil and wicked, then you do not know God's character. The breaking of vessels means to help people fall on the Rock, Christ Jesus, and have their hearts broken so that they may be molded again after His Divine image. Only those with hearts full of love and compassion for humanity like the Blessed Saviour will be chosen to do this work. Only those who know and possess His character will be chosen to be among the wave sheaf. This is the time of preparation. May the Lord bless you as you pray and study on these things. Truly your friend and servant in Christ, our Lord, Pastor Mike Clute.
Additional Notes:
The barley and flax ripen together, not side by side like the wheat and tares but in separate fields just as the rye and wheat ripen simultaneously. The important thing to understand is that the barley has to have the white linen because they are a holy priesthood unto God, Melchizedec order, the one tenth. The wise virgins or 144,000, the elect, a tithe. See Isa. 6:11-13. From the stalk of the flax comes the linen fiber. And from the carp is the golden oil. Barley looks a little like wheat but the kernel is shorter and fatter. Linseed oil comes from the carp which is at the top of the stalk. Everything has to be done exactly on time. Ex. 9:30-32. Second fruits is the rye. The first fruits are the cream of the crop. Second fruits (rye) is the same as the second harvest which is equal to the 3,000. The church is a grain harvest of the whole house of Israel. The harvest cycle continues to swell for 3 ? years to the whole house of Israel. The second 3 ? years is the time period when the great multitude (gentiles) is gathered in. This is the grape harvest. Rev. 9 and 19 need to be studied carefully to understand the symbols and the timing of the grape harvest. Some bible interpreters believe the 200,000,000 of Rev. 9:16 is referring to the converts to Christ in the grape harvest as it swells to one third of the human race spoken of in Zech. 13:8, 9. Rev. 19 also speak of riders on white horses following Jesus. Rev. 9:7 does not sound like evil men or demons. No one should be dogmatic on these points as much more study and prayer needs to be done on these Scriptures. The good grapes come from grafting into the original root stock. The grapes that are not grafted into the original stock (Israel) are unfit for eating or wine or the harvest. In Rev. 14 the grapes are gathered into the wine press of God or the fiery experiences of Zech. 13:8, 9. They must be grafted in properly from the root stock.
The wheat and rye grow in separate fields. The wheat is the tithe or 120 and the rye is the second fruits or the anti-type of the 3000. In regard to this idea of the tenth please notice Isa. 6:11-13. Isaiah asks the Lord the same thing Daniel asked. "How Long?" "Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the Lord have removed men far away (taken captive to foreign countries and also many killed), and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return (see Mal. 3:16-18), and shall be eaten...so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof." I believe the "eating" means their words will be believed. That is when one third of the human race will be converted as we read in Zech. 13:8, 9. Jesus said to the 12 apostles...if the branches were not pruned they would be committed to the burning. The branches go over the wall and go down to the ground. They must be cut back so stringently so they can reach up to heaven. As a final note here I would like to point out that only those who are like Christ in character will be chosen to wake up the virgins and eventually become one of the sealed 144,000. The hardest part of this is to accept and believe the character of God message on all four levels. This will be the main sacrifice for those who wish to work for God in these last days. May the Lord help each of us to be faithful. mfc.
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