CHAPTER 7
The Millennium —And Beyond
Revelation 20;  21;  22; 14:1-5; 15:2-4.

“. . . The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28, 29. (Emphasis added.)

      —Life? —or damnation?
      —Listen to the words of Moses:
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19.
      —Eternal life? —or eternal damnation?

      —Before we look through the eyes of the prophets at the descriptions of blessed life in the beyond,
          —or think of the unequaled happiness of those who dwell forever in God’s presence,
          —or study the activities of the redeemed as they enjoy their permanent inheritance in the country,
          —or admire the exquisite design of the New Jerusalem with its gem-studded walls,
          —or listen to the words of harp-music from the saints inside of God’s temple on Mount Zion,
          —or see that long supper table laden with its delicious fruit, which Jesus Himself will serve
let us consider two things:
      —the millennium, and the great battle after the millennium.
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      —Thousands—yes, millions—are looking forward to the great millennium of peace, as the time when every sinner will be converted. The great deceiver would like for all to accept this deception, and delay their preparation for the great day of God.
      —It is vital that we examine closely the references given to us in God’s holy word, so that we may know exactly what is to take place during this thousand-year period. We are not left in darkness, for inspired prophecy describes accurately what is to happen to each group of people during this time.
      —Let us look closely at the events which cluster around the second coming of Christ—the great event which marks the beginning of the millennium.

What Happens When Christ Comes the Second Time?
            to the living righteous?
            to the dead righteous?
            to the living wicked?
            to the dead wicked?
            to Satan and his angels?
            to this earth?

The Living Righteous are Taken From This Earth:
      —They will spend the millennium in heaven!
      —“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
            “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord . . .” 1Thessalonians 4:16, 17.
The Dead Righteous are Resurrected and Put On Immortality:
      —They also are received by Jesus to inhabit His “many mansions.”
      —“. . . For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1Corinthians 15:52-53.
      —“In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2, 3. (Emphasis added].

The Living Wicked are Slain at Christ’s Second Coming:
      —They are unconscious during the millennium.
      (“. . . The dead know not any thing . . .” “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”
      “. . . Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Ecclesiastes 9:5; Psalm 146:4; Genesis 3:19.)
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      —“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He cloth judge and make war . . . And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations . . . And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse . . .” Revelation 19:11-21.
      —“And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 2Thessalonians 2:8.
      —“And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.” Jeremiah 25:33.
      —(Why will no one lament for them?
          —No one will be left to lament!
            The righteous have all been taken to heaven;
            and the wicked are all dead.)

Revelation 20

The Wicked Dead Remain in Their Graves at Christ’s Second Coming:
      —They sleep until the second resurrection,
         which comes after the millennium.
BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED.
      —This second resurrection is also known as the “resurrection of damnation” which Jesus describes in John 5:29.

Satan is Bound with A Chain of Circumstances:
      —He has no one to deceive for one thousand years!
AND I SAW AN ANGEL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN,
      —John sees one of God’s angels descend
HAVING THE KEY OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND A GREAT CHAIN IN HIS HAND. AND HE LAID HOLD ON THE DRAGON, THAT OLD SERPENT, WHICH IS THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, AND BOUND HIM A THOUSAND YEARS,
      AND CAST HIM INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT,
      AND SHUT HIM UP,
      AND SET A SEAL UPON HIM,
THAT HE SHOULD DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE, TILL THE THOUSAND YEARS SHOULD BE FULFILLED.
      —There are no human beings alive on this earth that the devil and his angels can deceive or torment during the millennium.

The Earth Becomes a Desolate Wilderness:
      —Satan spends the millennium in “the bottomless pit.”
            Where is this pit?
      —“That the expression ‘bottomless pit represents the earth in a state of confusion and darkness is evident from other scriptures. Concerning
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the condition of the earth ‘in the beginning,’ the Bible record says that it ‘was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.’ [The word here translated ‘deep’ is the same that in Revelation 20:1-3 is rendered ‘bottomless pit.’] Genesis 1:2. Prophecy teaches that it will be brought back, partially at least, to this condition. Looking forward to the great day of God, the prophet Jeremiah declares: ‘I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down.’ Jeremiah 4:23-26.
      —“Here is to be the home of Satan with his evil angels for a thousand years. Limited to the earth, he will not have access to other worlds to tempt and annoy those who have never fallen. It is in this sense that he is bound: there are none remaining, upon whom he can exercise his power. He is wholly cut off from the work of deception and ruin which for so many centuries has been his sole delight.” GC 668, 659. (Emphasis added.)
      —“At the coming of Christ the wicked are blotted from the face of the whole earth—consumed with the spirit of His mouth and destroyed by the brightness of His glory. Christ takes His people to the City of God, and the earth is emptied of its inhabitants. ‘Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down . . .’ Isaiah 24:1 . . .
      —“The whole earth appears like a desolate wilderness. The ruins of cities and villages destroyed by the earthquake, uprooted trees, ragged rocks thrown out by the sea or torn out of the earth itself, are scattered over its surface, while vast caverns mark the spot where the mountains have been rent from their foundations.” GC 657.

There is No Second Chance During the Millennium
      —“This doctrine, pointing to a thousand years of righteousness and peace before the personal coming of the Lord, put far off the terrors of the day of God. But, pleasing though it may be, it is contrary to the teachings of Christ and His apostles, who declared that the wheat and the tares are to grow together until the harvest, the end of the world; that ‘evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,’ that ‘in the last days perilous times shall come;’ and that the kingdom of darkness shall continue until the advent of the Lord and shall be consumed with the spirit of His mouth and be destroyed with the brightness of His coming. Matthew 13:30, 38-41; 2Timothy 3:13,  1; 2Thessalonians 2:8.” GC 321.

Probation Closes When the Censer is Cast Out of Heaven
      —Before Jesus leaves the most holy place, and the plagues are poured out, the censer is discarded:
“And the Angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: And there were voices, and thunderings,
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and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” Revelation 8:5, 6.
      —“Those professed believers who come up to the time of trouble unprepared, will, in their despair, confess their sins before all in words of burning anguish, while the wicked exult over their distress. The case of all such is hopeless. When Christ stands up, and leaves the most holy place, then the time of trouble commences, and the case of every soul is decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin and pollution. As Jesus leaves the most holy, He speaks in tones of decision and kingly authority, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
      —“Those who have delayed a preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it in the time of trouble, or at any future period.” 3SG 134, 135; Revelation 22:11, 12. (Emphasis added.)
      —“God is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish; but His forbearance has a limit, and when the boundary is past, there is no second probation. His wrath will go forth and He will destroy without remedy.” 7BC 946.
      —“The gospel dispensation is the last period of probation that will ever be granted to men. Those who live under this dispensation of test and trial and yet are not led to repent and obey will perish with the disloyal. There is no second trial The gospel that is to be preached to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples presents the truth in clear lines, showing that obedience is the condition of gaining eternal life. Christ imparts His righteousness to those who consent to let Him take away their sins. We are indebted to Christ for the grace which makes us complete in Him.” 7BC 971, 972. (Emphasis added.)
(This is the promise of 1John 1:9, and Genesis 3:15!)
      —“. . . Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2Corinthians 6:2.
      —Now—while Jesus is still in the heavenly sanctuary,
          —while He still intercedes for those who repent and believe,
          —while He still holds that beautiful censer in His hand,
now —“is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
      —The millennium is not set aside to bring the wicked to repentance:
          —they will be unconscious, and
          —after the second coming of Jesus, He will never be High Priest again. There will be no censer in heaven, after He casts it to the earth. Revelation 8:5.
      —“Now is probationary time, before the angel shall fold her golden wings, the angel of mercy, and shall step down from the throne, and mercy, mercy is gone forever.” 7BC 989.
      —“When probation ends, it will come suddenly, unexpectedly—at a time when we are least expecting it. But we can have a clean record in heaven today, and know that God accepts us; and finally, if faithful, we shall be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.” 7BC 989.
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The Beginning of the Millennium:
After the Flight Through Space — the Redeemed are Crowned by Jesus
      —“Then the living saints and the risen ones raised their voices in a long transporting shout of victory. Those bodies that had gone down into the grave bearing the marks of disease and death came up in immortal health and vigor. The living saints are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and caught up with the risen ones, and together they meet their Lord in the air. Oh, what a glorious meeting! Friends whom death had separated were united, never more to part.
      —“On each side of the cloudy chariot were wings, and beneath it were living wheels; and as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, ‘Holy.’ . . .” SR 411, 412.
      —“And the redeemed shout, ‘Alleluia!’ as the chariot moves onward toward the New Jerusalem.” GC 645.
      —“We . . . were seven days ascending to the sea of glass.” EW 16.
      —“Before entering the city, the saints were arranged in a perfect square, with Jesus in the midst. He stood head and shoulders above the saints and above the angels. His majestic form and lovely countenance could be seen by all in the square.
      —“Then I saw a very great number of angels bring from the city glorious crowns—a crown for every saint, with his name written thereon. As Jesus called for the crowns, angels presented them to Him, and with His own right hand the lovely Jesus placed the crowns on the heads of the saints. In the same manner the angels brought the harps, and Jesus presented them also to the saints. The commanding angels first struck the note, and then every voice was raised in grateful, happy praise, and every hand skillfully swept over the strings of the harp, sending forth melodious music in rich and perfect strains.” SR 412, 413. (Emphasis added.)
      —“As the ransomed ones are welcomed to the city of God, there rings out upon the air an exultant cry of adoration. The two Adams are about to meet. The Son of God is standing, with outstretched arms to receive the father of our race—the being whom He created, who sinned against his Maker, and for whose sin the marks of the crucifixion are borne upon the Saviour’s form. As Adam discerns the prints of the cruel nails, he does not fall upon the bosom of his Lord, but in humiliation casts himself at His feet, crying: ‘Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain!’” GC 647. (Emphasis added.)
      —“The family of Adam take up the strain and cast their crowns at the Saviour’s feet as they bow before Him in adoration. This reunion is witnessed by the angels who wept at the fall of Adam and rejoiced when Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended to heaven, having opened the grave for all who should believe on His name. Now they behold the work of redemption accomplished, and they unite their voices in the song of praise.” AH 541.
      —“Tenderly the Saviour lifts him up and bids him look once more upon the Eden home from which he has so long been exiled . . . Transported with joy, he beholds the trees that were once his delight”
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      —the very trees whose fruit he himself had gathered in the days of his innocence and joy. He sees the vines that his own hands have trained, the very flowers that he once loved to care for. His mind grasps the reality of the scene . . . He looks about him and beholds a multitude of his family redeemed, standing in the Paradise of God. Then he casts his glittering crown at the feet of Jesus and, falling upon His breast, embraces the Redeemer.” GC 647, 648. (Emphasis added.)
      —“The gates of the city of God swing back upon their hinges, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. There are the columns of angels on either side, and the ransomed of God walk in through the cherubims and seraphims. Christ bids them welcome and puts upon them His benediction. ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ What is that joy? He sees of the travail of His soul, and is satisfied.
      —“That is what we labor for. Here is one, who in the night season we pleaded with God on his behalf. There is one that we talked with on his dying bed, and he hung his helpless soul upon Jesus. Here is one who was a poor drunkard. We tried to get his eyes fixed upon Him who is mighty to save and we told him that Christ could give him the victory. There are the crowns of immortal glory upon their heads, and then the redeemed cast their glittering crowns at the feet of Jesus; and then the angelic choir strikes the note of victory, and the angels in the two columns take up the song, and the redeemed host join as though they had been singing the song on the earth, and they have been.
      —“Oh, what music! There is not an inharmonious note. Every voice proclaims, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.’ He sees of the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. Do you think anyone there will take time to tell of his trials and terrible difficulties? ‘The former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.’” 6BC 1093. (Emphasis added.)

During the Millennium:

The Redeemed Reign With Christ—and Judge the Wicked:
      —John saw the thrones which God’s people used in heaven:
AND I SAW THRONES, AND THEY SAT UPON THEM, AND JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN UNTO THEM:
      —“During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent. ‘Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” 1Corinthians 4:5. Daniel declares that when the Ancient of Days came, ‘judgment was given to the saints of the Most High.’ Daniel 7:22. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: ‘I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.’ ‘They shall be priests of God and of Christ,
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and shall reign with Him a thousand years.’ Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, ‘the saints shall judge the world.’ 1Corinthians 6:2.” GC 660, 661.
      —“After the saints are changed to immortality and caught up together with Jesus, after they receive their harps, their robes, and their crowns, and enter the city, Jesus and the saints sit in judgment. The books are opened—the book of life and the book of death . . . The book of death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These books are compared with the statute book, the Bible, and according to that men are judged. The saints, in unison with Jesus, pass their judgment upon the wicked dead. ‘Behold ye,’ said the angel, ‘the saints, in unison with Jesus, sit in judgment, and mete out to the wicked according to the deeds done in the body, and that which they must receive at the execution of the judgment is set off against their names.’ This, I saw, was the work of the saints with Jesus through the one thousand years in the Holy City before it descends to the earth.” EW 52, 53.
      —“Satan also and his angels were judged by Jesus and the saints. Satan’s punishment was to be far greater than that of those whom he had deceived. His suffering would so far exceed theirs as to bear no comparison with it. After all those whom he had deceived had perished, Satan was still to live and suffer on much longer.” SR 416.
      —What special group of people among the redeemed does John notice, who have a part in the judgment?
AND I SAW THE SOULS OF THEM THAT WERE BEHEADED FOR THE WITNESS OF JESUS, AND FOR THE WORD OF GOD. AND WHICH HAD NOT WORSHIPPED THE BEAST,
NEITHER HIS IMAGE,
NEITHER HAD RECEIVED HIS MARK UPON THEIR FOREHEADS,
OR IN THEIR HANDS.
AND THEY LIVED AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS.
      —One of the seven blessings in the book of Revelation is pronounced upon the redeemed who are raised at Christ’s second coming.
THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION. BLESSED AND HOLY IS HE THAT HATH PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION:
      —What a privilege for God’s children who rest for a time in their dusty beds, to awaken to immortality—and life with Jesus!
ON SUCH THE SECOND DEATH
      —the eternal death of the wicked
HATH NO POWER. BUT THEY SHALL BE PRIESTS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST, AND SHALL REIGN WITH HIM A THOUSAND YEARS.

During the Millennium, Satan Reflects on his Rebellion Against God:
      —“The prophet Isaiah, looking forward to the time of Satan’s overthrow, exclaims: ‘How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which did
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weaken the nations! . . . I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?’ Isaiah 14:12-17. [Emphasis in the original.]
      —“For six thousand years, Satan’s work of rebellion has ‘made the earth to tremble.’ He has ‘made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof.’ And he ‘opened not the house of his prisoners.’ For six thousand years his prison house has received God’s people, and he would have held them captive forever; but Christ has broken his bonds and set the prisoners free.
      —“Even the wicked are now placed beyond the power of Satan, and alone with his evil angels he remains to realize the effect of the curse which sin has brought. ‘The kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, everyone in his own house [the grave] . But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch . . . Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people.’ Isaiah 14:18-20.
      —“For a thousand years, Satan will wander to and fro in the desolate earth to behold the results of his rebellion against the law of God. During this time his sufferings are intense. Since his fall his life of unceasing activity has banished reflection; but he is now deprived of his power and left to contemplate the part which he has acted since first he rebelled against the government of heaven, and to look forward with trembling and terror to the dreadful future when he must suffer for all the evil that he has done and be punished for the sins that he has caused to be committed.” GC 659, 660. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Here he will be confined, to wander up and down over the broken surface of the earth and see the effects of his rebellion against God’s law.” SR 415.

The Close of the Millennium:
The Wicked Dead are Raised in the Second Resurrection:
BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED.
      —This is the “resurrection of damnation.” John 5:29.
AND THE SEA GAVE UP THE DEAD WHICH WERE IN IT; AND DEATH AND HELL DELIVERED UP THE DEAD WHICH WERE IN THEM:
      —And when Satan’s people are brought to life, the chain of circumstances, which has bound him in isolation, is broken, and he, with his evil angels, are free to continue with their deceptions.
AND WHEN THE THOUSAND YEARS ARE EXPIRED, SATAN SHALL BE LOOSED OUT OF HIS PRISON, AND SHALL GO OUT TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS WHICH ARE IN THE FOUR QUARTERS OF THE EARTH,
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The Third Coming of Christ:
      —“Then at the close of the one thousand years, Jesus, with the angels, and all the saints, leaves the Holy City, and while He is descending’ to the earth with them, the wicked dead are raised, and then the very men that ‘pierced Him,’ being raised, wilt see Him afar off in all His glory . . .” EW 53.
      —“In fearful majesty He calls forth the wicked dead. They are wakened from their long sleep. What a dreadful waking! They behold the Son of God in His stern majesty and resplendent glory. All, as soon as they behold Him, know that He is the crucified One who died to save them, whom they had despised and rejected. They are in number like the sand upon the seashore. At the first resurrection all come forth in immortal bloom, but at the second, the marks of the curse are visible upon aft. All come up as they went down into their graves. Those who lived before the flood, come forth with their giantlike stature, more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and welt proportioned. The generations after the flood were less in stature. There was a continual decrease through successive generations, down to the last that lived upon the earth. The contrast between the first wicked men who lived upon the earth, and those of the last generation, was very great. The first were of lofty height and welt proportioned—the last came up as they went down, a dwarfed, feeble, deformed race. A mighty host of kings, warriors, statesmen and nobles, down to the most degraded, come up together upon the desolate earth. ‘ 3SG 84, 85. (Emphasis added.)
      —“What a scene! . . .The kings and noblemen of the earth, the mean and low, the learned and unlearned, come forth together. All behold the Son of man; and those very men who despised and mocked Him, who put the crown of thorns upon His sacred brow and smote Him with the reed, behold Him in all His kingly majesty . . . Those who drove the nails through His hands and feet now look upon the marks of His crucifixion.” SR 418.
      —“Every eye in that vast multitude is turned to behold the glory of the Son of God. With one voice the wicked hosts exclaim: ‘Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!’ It is not love to Jesus that inspires this utterance. The force of truth urges the words from unwilling lips. As the wicked went into their graves, so they come forth with the same enmity to Christ and the same spirit of rebellion. They are to have no new probation in which to remedy the defects of their past lives. Nothing would be gained by this. A lifetime of transgression has not softened their hearts. A second probation, were it given them, would be occupied as was the first in evading the requirements of God and exciting rebellion against Him.” GC 662.
      —“When they behold Jesus in His glory they are affrighted . . . They are overwhelmed with His exceeding glory . . . And then there arises one long protracted wail of agony, as they flee to hide from the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords.” 3SG 85; SR 418, 419
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      —At the third coming of Jesus, His feet touch this earth. (He remains in the air at His second coming. See 1Thessatonians 4:17.) “Christ descends upon the Mount of Olives, whence, after His resurrection, He ascended, and where angels repeated the promise of His return. Says the prophet: ‘The Lord my God shalt come, and all the saints with Thee.’ ‘And His feet shalt stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shalt cleave in the midst thereof, . . . and there shalt be a very great valley.’ ‘And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shalt there be one Lord, and His name one.’ Zechariah 14:5, 4, 9. As the New Jerusalem, in its dazzling splendor, comes down out of heaven, it rests upon the place purified and made ready to receive it . . .” GC 662, 663.
      —Watch, through the eyes of John, as this beautiful city descends through space with magnificent glory:
AND I JOHN SAW THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, PREPARED AS A BRIDE ADORNED FOR HER HUSBAND.
      —“The Holy City wilt come down through that open space [in Orion] .” EW 41.
      —“Then Jesus and the holy angels, accompanied by all the saints, again go to the city, and the bitter lamentations and wailings of the doomed wicked fill the air.” SR 419.
Satan Prepares his People for the Battle of Gog and Magog:
      —He goes “out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth,
GOG AND MAGOG, TO GATHER THEM TOGETHER TO BATTLE: THE NUMBER OF WHOM IS AS THE SAND OF THE SEA.
      —“Now Satan prepares for a last mighty struggle for the supremacy. White deprived of his power and cut off from his work of deception, the prince of evil was miserable and dejected; but as the wicked dead are raised and he sees the vast multitudes upon his side, his hopes revive, and he determines not to yield the great controversy. He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner and through them endeavor to execute his plans. The wicked are Satan’s captives. In rejecting Christ they have accepted the rule of the rebel leader. They are ready to receive his suggestions and to do his bidding. Yet, true to his early cunning, he does not acknowledge himself to be Satan. He claims to be the prince who is the rightful owner of the world and whose inheritance has been unlawfully wrested from him. He represents himself to his deluded subjects as a redeemer . . .” GC 663.
      —“Satan goes forth among the vast multitude of resurrected wicked, and makes the feeble strong. He then points them to the countless millions who have been raised, and makes them believe that he, by his power, had brought them up from their graves. He points to the powerful race who lived before the flood, and to kings and
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warriors who were well skilled in battle, and flatters his subjects that their numbers are much greater than those in the city, that they can make war with them, and dethrone God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and take the throne and occupy the city and enjoy its riches and glory. As the wicked come forth from their graves, they resume the current of their thoughts where it ceased in death. The antediluvian race perished blaspheming God. Many perished in battle; they fell while thirsting to conquer; they rise with the same spirit of war that they possessed when they fell. They accept Satan as their general, and his angels as their officers. Satan and his angels were once inhabitants of the city; and they profess to understand just how to attack the city and take possession of it.” 3SG 85. (Emphasis added.)
      —“. . . There were mighty giants and valiant men who had never lost a battle. There was the proud, ambitious Napoleon, whose approach had caused kingdoms to tremble . . . All immediately begin to prepare themselves for battle. There are many skillful men in that vast army, and they construct all kinds of implements of war.” SR 419, 420. (Emphasis added).
      —“Military leaders, famed for their success, marshal the throngs of warlike men into companies and divisions. At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves on—an army such as was never summoned by earthly conquerors, such as the combined forces of all ages since war began on earth could never equal. Satan, the mightiest of warriors, leads the van, and his angels unite their forces for this final struggle. Kings and warriors are in his train, and the multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its appointed leader. With military precision the serried ranks advance over the earth’s broken and uneven surface to the City of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of the New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city and make ready for the onset.” GC 664.
AND THEY WENT UP ON THE BREADTH OF THE EARTH, AND COMPASSED
      THE CAMP OF THE SAINTS ABOUT,
      AND THE BELOVED CITY:
      —They “place themselves in battle array, expecting a fierce conflict.” SR 420.
      —“Jesus and all the angelic host and all the saints, with the glittering crowns upon their heads, ascend to the top of the wall of the city. Jesus speaks with majesty, saying, ‘Behold, ye sinners, the reward of the just! And behold, My redeemed, the reward of the wicked!’ The vast multitude behold the glorious company on the walls of the city. And as they witness the splendor of their glittering crowns and see their faces radiant with glory, reflecting the image of Jesus, and then behold the unsurpassed glory and majesty of the King of kings and Lord of lords, their courage fails. A sense of the treasure and glory which they have lost rushes upon them, and they realize that the wages of sin is death. They see the holy happy company
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whom they have despised, clothed with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life, while they are outside the city with every mean and abominable thing.” EW 293, 294.
AND I
      —John—
SAW A GREAT WHITE THRONE, AND HIM THAT SAT UPON IT,
      —“Now Christ again appears to the view of His enemies. Far above the city, upon a foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits the Son of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and majesty of Christ no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal Father is enshrouding His Son . . .
          —[1.] “Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion.
          —[2.] Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity,
          —[3.] those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void,
          —[4.] and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith.
<           —B>[5.] And beyond is the ‘great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.’ Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which is now theirs.” GC 665.
      —“In the presence of the assembled inhabitants of earth and heaven the final coronation of the Son of God takes place. And now, invested with supreme majesty and power, the King of kings pronounces sentence upon the rebels against His government and executes justice upon those who have transgressed His law and oppressed His people. Says the prophet of God: . . .
AND I SAW THE DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT, STAND BE FORE GOD; AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED: AND AN OTHER BOOK WAS OPENED, WHICH IS THE BOOK OF LIFE: AND THE DEAD WERE JUDGED OUT OF THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.’ Revelation 20:11, 12. [Emphasis added.]
      —“As soon as the books of record are opened, and the eye of Jesus looks upon the wicked, they are conscious of every sin which they have ever committed. They see just where their feet diverged from the path of purity and holiness, just how far pride and rebellion have carried them in the violation of the law of God. The seductive temptations which they encouraged in indulgence in sin, the blessings perverted, the messengers of God despised, the warnings rejected, the waves of mercy beaten back by the stubborn, unrepentant heart—all appear as if written in letters of fire.” GC 666.
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The Panorama of the Great Controversy Pictured in the Sky:
      —“Above the throne is revealed the cross; and like a panoramic view appear the scenes of Adam’s temptation and fall, and the successive steps in the great plan of redemption. The Saviour’s lowly birth; His early life of simplicity and obedience; His baptism in Jordan; the fast and temptation in the wilderness; His public ministry, unfolding to men heaven’s most precious blessings; the days crowded with deeds of love and mercy, the nights of prayer and watching in the solitude of the mountains; the plottings of envy, hate, and malice which repaid His benefits; the awful, mysterious agony in Gethsemane beneath the crushing weight of the sins of the whole world, His betrayal into the hands of the murderous mob; the fearful events of that night of horror—the unresisting Prisoner, forsaken by His best loved disciples, rudely hurried through the streets of Jerusalem; the Son of God exultingly displayed before Annas, arraigned in the high priest’s palace, in the judgment hall of Pilate, before the cowardly and cruel Herod, mocked, insulted, tortured, and condemned to die—all are vividly portrayed.
      —“And now before the swaying multitude are revealed the final scenes—the patient Sufferer treading the path to Calvary; the Prince of heaven hanging upon the cross; the haughty priests and the jeering rabble deriding His expiring agony; the supernatural darkness; the heaving earth, the rent rocks, the open graves, marking the moment when the world’s Redeemer yielded up His life.
      —“The awful spectacle appears just as it was. Satan, his angels, and his subjects have no power to turn from the picture of their own work. Each actor recalls the part which he performed . . . They vainly seek to hide from the divine majesty of His countenance, outshining the glory of the sun, while the redeemed cast their crowns at the Saviour’s feet, exclaiming: ‘He died for me!’” GC 667. (Emphasis added.)

The Foolish Virgins:
      —“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish
      —“They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
      —“While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
      —“And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. \
      —“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:1-13.
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      —“The wicked host behold the splendor of the city, and the happy redeemed company upon its walls, and are amazed at the scene. They behold Jesus in His kingly majesty, His countenance surpassing the brightness of the sun, surrounded by the angelic throng. As the wicked look upon the redeemed, and see their faces radiant with glory, and glittering crowns upon their heads, their courage fails, and they wail in anguish as they realize that they chose a life of rebellion against God, and Jesus Christ their Saviour, and for their disloyalty have lost eternal life, and an imperishable treasure. Then many who had professed to be Christ’s followers, but who had not honored God in their lives, enumerate their good deeds performed when they lived upon the earth, and entreat to be admitted into the city. They plead that their names were upon the church books, and they had prophesied in the name of Christ, and in His name cast out devils, and done many wonderful works. Christ answers, Your cases have been decided. Your names are not found enrolled in the book of life. You professed to believe in My name, but you trampled upon the law of God. I know you not, depart from Me ye workers of iniquity.” 3SG 86. See Matthew 25:41-46. (Emphasis added.)

All of the Wicked Confess the Justice of God:
      —“The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of God on the charge of high treason against the government of heaven. They have none to plead their cause; they are without excuse; and the sentence of eternal death is pronounced against them.
      —“It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death. The wicked see what they have forfeited by their life of rebellion. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory was despised when offered them; but how desirable it now appears. ‘All this,’ cries the lost soul, ‘I might have had; but I chose to put these things far from me. Oh, strange infatuation! I have exchanged peace, happiness, and honor for wretchedness, infamy, and despair.’ All see that their exclusion from heaven is just . . .
      —“As if entranced, the wicked have looked upon the coronation of the Son of God. They see in His hands the tables of the divine law, the statutes which they have despised and transgressed. They witness the outburst of wonder, rapture, and adoration from the saved; and as the wave of melody sweeps over the multitudes without the city, all with one voice exclaim, ‘Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints’ (Revelation 15:3); and, falling prostrate, they worship the Prince of life.” GC 668, 669. (Emphasis added.) (Romans 14:11 says, “. . . Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”)

Satan’s Character Unmasked: He Bows Down to Confess Justice:
      —“The aim of the great rebel has ever been to justify himself and to prove the divine government responsible for the rebellion. To this end he has bent all the power of his giant intellect. He has worked
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deliberately and systematically, and with marvelous success, leading vast multitudes to accept his version of the great controversy which has been so long in progress. For thousands of years this chief of conspiracy has palmed off falsehood for truth. But the time has now come when the rebellion is to be finally defeated and the history and character of Satan disclosed. In his last great effort to dethrone Christ, destroy His people, and take possession of the City of God, the archdeceiver has been fully unmasked. Those who have united with him see the total failure of his cause. Christ’s followers and the loyal angels behold the full extent of his machinations against the government of God. He is the object of universal abhorrence.
      —“Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for heaven. He has trained his powers to war against God; the purity, peace, and harmony of heaven would be to him supreme torture. His accusations against the mercy and justice of God are now silenced. The reproach which he has endeavored to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly upon himself. And now Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence.” GC 670. (Emphasis added.)

God’s Government—and Law—Vindicated Before the Universe:
      —“Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy has now been made plain. The results of rebellion, the fruits of setting aside the divine statutes, have been laid open to the view of all created intelligences. The working out of Satan’s rule in contrast with the government of God has been presented to the whole universe. Satan’s own works have condemned him. God’s wisdom, His justice, and His goodness stand fully vindicated. It is seen that all His dealings in the great controversy have been conducted with respect to the eternal good of His people and the good of all the worlds that He has created. ‘All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee.’ Psalm 145:10. The history of sin will stand to all eternity as a witness that with the existence of God’s law is bound up the happiness of all the beings He has created. With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: ‘Just and true are Thy ways
Thou King of saints.’” GC 670, 671. (Emphasis added.)

The Wicked Turn With Fury Against Satan
      —“Notwithstanding Satan has been constrained to acknowledge God’s justice, and to bow to the supremacy of Christ, his character remains unchanged. The spirit of rebellion, like a mighty torrent, again bursts forth. Filled with frenzy, he determines not to yield the great controversy. The time has come for a last desperate struggle against the King of heaven. He rushes into the midst of his subjects and endeavors to inspire them with his own fury and arouse them to instant battle. But of all the countless millions whom he has allured into rebellion, there are none now to acknowledge his supremacy. His power is at an end. The wicked are filled with the same hatred of God that inspires Satan; but they see that their case is hopeless, that
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they cannot prevail against Jehovah. Their rage is kindled against Satan and those who have been his agents in deception. With the fury of demons they turn upon them, and there follows a scene of universal strife.” SR 427, 428. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast set shine heart as the heart of God; Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.” Ezekiel 28:6, 7.

The Sea of Liquid Fire, Seething and Boundless:
AND FIRE CAME DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, AND DEVOURED THEM.
      —“Those majestic trees which God had caused to grow upon the earth, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the old world, and which they had used to form into idols, and to corrupt themselves with, God has reserved in the earth, in the shape of coal and oil to use as agencies in their final destruction. As He called forth the waters in the earth at the time of the flood, as weapons from His arsenal to accomplish the destruction of the antediluvian race, so at the end of the one thousand years He will call forth the fires in the earth as His weapons which He has reserved for the final destruction, not only of successive generations since the flood, but the antediluvian race who perished by the flood.
      —“When the flood of waters was at its height upon the earth, it had the appearance of a boundless lake of water. When God finally purifies the earth, it will appear like a boundless lake of fire. As God presented the ark amid the commotions of the flood, because it contained eight righteous persons, He will preserve the New Jerusalem, containing the faithful of all ages, from righteous Abel down to the last saint which lived. Although the whole earth, with the exception of that portion where the city rests, will be wrapped in a sea of liquid fire, yet the city is preserved as was the ark, by a miracle of Almighty power. It stands unharmed amid the devouring elements. ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’” 3SG 87, 88; 2Peter 3:10. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Then are fulfilled the words of the prophet: ‘The indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter.’ Isa. 34:2. “Upon the wicked He shall rain quick burning coals, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.’ Ps. 11:6, margin. Fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has come that ‘shall burn as an oven.’ Mal 4:1. The elements melt with fervent
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heat, the earth also and the works that are therein are burned up. (2Peter 3:10.) . . . The earth’s surface seems one molten mass—a vast, seething lake of fire. It is the time of the judgment and perdition of ungodly men . . .
      —“The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. They ‘shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Mal 4:1. Some are destroyed as in a moment, while others suffer many days. All are punished according to their deeds. SR 428, 429. (Emphasis added.)
AND THEY WERE JUDGED EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. AND DEATH AND HELL WERE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH.
      —“They suffer punishment varying in duration and intensity, ‘according to their works.’ . . .” GC 544.
      —“It will be a dreadful death; for they will have to feel the agony that Christ felt upon the cross to purchase for them the redemption which they have refused.” 1T 124. (Emphasis added.)
      —“. . . Some were quickly destroyed, while others suffered longer. They were punished according to the deeds done in the body. Some were many days consuming, and just as long as there was a portion of them unconsumed, all the sense of suffering remained. Said the angel, ‘The worm of life shall not die; their fire shall not be quenched as long as there is the least particle for it to prey upon.’” EW 294.

Who Will Be in the Lake of Fire?
AND WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.
      —What are some of the characteristics which will keep men out of heaven? Jesus, with anxious, loving concern, has given us a list!
BUT THE FEARFUL,
      —who are afraid of what their companions might think if they obeyed God’s law and stood up for what was right
AND THE UNBELIEVING,
      —who did not accept God’s promises for victory over sin
AND THE ABOMINABLE,
      —who hate God, and who are hated of men
AND MURDERERS,
      —who place a low estimate on the bodies and souls of others
AND WHORMONGERS,
      —who live with impure thoughts and habits
AND SORCERERS,
      —who have contact with the devil and his angels
AND IDOLATERS,
      —who let the smallest item come between them and their Creator
AND ALL LIARS,
      —who deceive with words, looks, or actions
SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.
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      —Those who are born only once, face two deaths the first and the second.
      —The born-again Christians who have two births—face only the first death.

Satan and his Angels are Consumed—Nevermore to Exist:
AND THE DEVIL THAT DECEIVED THEM WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, WHERE THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE, AND SHALL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOR EVER AND EVER.
      —“Satan and his angels suffered long. Satan bore not only the weight and punishment of his own sins, but also of the sins of the redeemed host, which had been placed upon him; and he must also suffer for the ruin of souls which he had caused. Then I saw that Satan and all the wicked host were consumed . . . Said the angel, ‘Satan is the root, his children are the branches. They are now consumed root and branch. They have died an everlasting death. They are never to have a resurrection, and God will have a clean universe.” EW 294, 295.
      —“Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended. For six thousand years he has wrought his will, filling the earth with woe and causing grief throughout the universe. The whole creation has groaned and travailed together in pain. Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his presence and temptations.” GC 673.

Dust Thou Art, and Unto Dust Shalt Thou Return: (Genesis 3:19.)
      —The wicked bum “for ever and ever”
—until they are consumed, and there is nothing more to burn.
      —Aaron and his sons were to bum incense “for ever”—as long as they were alive. See 1Chronicles 23:13.
      —Rehoboam’s servants were to serve him “for ever”—as long as they were in existence. See 1Kings 12:7.
      —Sodom and Gomorrha suffered the “vengeance of eternal fire”—but the fire went out after they were consumed. See Jude 7. \
      —“The soul that sinneth, it shall die . . .” (Ezekiel 18:20)—and not live in eternal misery.
      —“But the wicked shall perish, . . . into smoke shall they consume away.” Psalm 37:20.
      —“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall bum as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall bum them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch . . .
      —“And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet . . .” Malachi 4:1, 3.
      —God speaks to Satan: “. . .Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of shine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth . . . Never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:18, 19.
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      —(“Satan commenced his deception in Eden. He said to Eve, ‘Ye shall not surely die.’ This was Satan’s first lesson upon the immortality of the soul . . . ‘. . .There is not an immortal sinner.’ The soul that sinneth, it shall die an everlasting death—a death from which there will be no hope of a resurrection . . . It was a marvel to me that Satan could succeed so well in making men believe that the words of God, ‘The soul that sinneth, it shall die,’ mean that the soul that sinneth it shall not die, but live eternally in misery. Said the angel, ‘Life is life, whether it is in pain or happiness. Death is without pain, without joy, without hatred.”
      —“Satan told his angels to make a special effort to spread the lie first repeated to Eve in Eden, ‘Ye shall not surely die.’ And as the error was received by the people, and they were led to believe that man was immortal, Satan led them on to believe that the sinner would live in eternal misery. Then the way was prepared for Satan to work through his representatives and hold up God before the people as a revengeful tyrant—one who plunges all those into hell who do not please Him, and causes them ever to feel His wrath . . . Satan knew that if this error should be received, God would be hated by many, instead of being loved and adored; and that many would be led to believe that the threatenings of God’s Word would not be literally fulfilled, for it would be against His character of benevolence and love to plunge into eternal torments the beings whom He had created.” EW 218, 219.)

Earth is Purified by the Fire, and then—Recreated!
      —John “saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it,
FROM WHOSE FACE THE EARTH AND THE HEAVEN FLED AWAY; AND THERE WAS FOUND NO PLACE FOR THEM.
      —“The same fire from God that consumed the wicked purified the whole earth. The broken, ragged mountains melted with fervent heat, the atmosphere also, and all the stubble was consumed . . .
      —“There was not a single sign of the curse. The broken, uneven surface of the earth now looked like a level, extensive plain. God’s entire universe was clean, and the great controversy was forever ended. Wherever we looked, everything upon which the eye rested was beautiful and holy. And all the redeemed host, old and young, great and small, cast their glittering crowns at the feet of their Redeemer, and prostrated themselves in adoration before Him, and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever. The beautiful new earth, with all its glory, was the eternal inheritance of the saints.” EW 54, 295.
AND I
      —John—
SAW A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH: FOR THE FIRST HEAVEN AND THE FIRST EARTH WERE PASSED AWAY;
      —“Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin. One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will ever bear the
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marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought.”
      —“‘O Tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion.’ Micah 4:8. The kingdom forfeited by sin, Christ has regained, and the redeemed are to possess it with Him. ‘The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.’ Ps. 37:29.” SR 430.
      —“The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption. All that was lost by sin has been restored . . . God’s original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed . . .
      —“In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called ‘a country.’ Hebrews 11:14-16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.” GC 675. (Emphasis added.)
      —“No tree of knowledge of good and evil will afford opportunity for temptation. No tempter is there, no possibility of wrong. Every character has withstood the testing of evil, and none are longer susceptible to its power.” Ed 302.
      —“This earth, . . . purified with fire, then . . . will be much more beautiful. The grass will be living green, and will never wither. There will be roses and lilies, and all kinds of flowers there. They will never fade, or lose their beauty and fragrance.
      —“The lion, we should much dread and fear here, will then lie down with the lamb, and everything in the New Earth will be peace and harmony. The trees of the New Earth will be straight and lofty, without deformity.” YI Oct. 1852.
      —“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; . . . and a little child shall lead them . . . The lion shall eat straw like the ox . . . They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord . . .” Isaiah 11:6-9.
AND THERE WAS NO MORE SEA.
      —“In the new earth there will be no more sea, and there shall pass there ‘no galley with oars.’ . . . In the earth made new there will be no fierce torrents, no engulfing ocean, no restless, murmuring waves.” 7BC 988.

“Sin and sinners are no more. God’s entire universe is clean, and the great controversy is forever ended.” SR 433. (Emphasis added)  Revelation 21:3-27.
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      —There is an announcement dear to the heart of God! John heard it in vision.
      —And God is eagerly, longingly waiting for that glad day when He can actually make this announcement!
      —He is anticipating that joyous occasion when all the prodigal sons and daughters, who have chosen to return to their original inheritance, will be gathered home—home! They will come for that great Family reunion!
AND I
      —John
HEARD A GREAT VOICE OUT OF HEAVEN SAYING, BEHOLD, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM, AND THEY SHALL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND GOD HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM, AND BE THEIR GOD.
      —Together!
      —Look into a humble cottage where a white-haired father holds in his trembling hand a letter from his son. His boy has just been released from a prison-of-war camp, and will soon be—home! Joy?
      —This joy is small compared to the joy which the eternal Father and Son will feel when Their prisoners-of-war are released, and finally safe within the shelter of their eternal home in the earth made new!
      —And Their great announcement, which John hears as music in the heavens, rings with triumph, as Father and Son anticipate this victorious homecoming of Their ransomed family.
      —“The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son. ‘Now we see through a glass, darkly.’ 1Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence and behold the glory of His countenance.
      —“There the redeemed shall know, even as also they are known. The loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together ‘the whole family in heaven and earth’ (Ephesians 3:15)—these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed. GC 676, 677. (Emphasis added.)
      —“By love’s self-sacrifice, the inhabitants of earth and heaven are bound to their Creator in bonds of indissoluble union . . . Rebellion can never again arise. Sin can never again enter the universe. Through eternal ages all are secure from apostasy . . .
      —“The work of redemption will be complete. In the place where sin abounded, God’s grace much more abounds. The earth itself, the
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very field that Satan claims as his, is to be not only ransomed but exalted. Our little world, under the curse of sin the one dark blot in His glorious creation, will be honored above all other worlds in the universe of God. Here, where the Son of God tabernacled in humanity; where the King of glory lived and suffered and died,
      —here, when He shall make all things new, the tabernacle of God shall be with men, ‘and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.’ And through endless ages as the redeemed walk in the light of the Lord, they will praise Him for His unspeakable Gift, —Immanuel, ‘God with us.’” DA 26. (Emphasis in the original and added.)
AND I WILL BE HIS GOD, AND HE SHALL BE MY SON.
      —“What greater joy could come to the sinner saved by the grace of Christ than to look upon the face of God and know Him as Father . . . And what is the happiness of heaven but to see God?” ML 365. (Emphasis added.)
      —“What love, what matchless love, that, sinners and aliens as we are, we may be brought back to God and adopted into His family! We may address Him by the endearing name, ‘Our Father,’ which is a sign of our affection for Him and a pledge of His tender regard and relationship to us. And the Son of God, beholding the heirs of grace, ‘is not ashamed to call them brethren.’ They have even a more sacred relationship to God than have the angels who have never fallen.
      —“All the parental love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in order to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you, in the endeavor to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond.” 5T 739, 740. (Emphasis added.)
      —“He gives us the privilege of calling the infinite God our Father . . . Spoken when asking His favor or blessing, it is as music in His ears.” COL 142.
      —“‘Beloved, now are we the sons of God.’ ‘And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.’ ‘It cloth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him . . .’ 1John 3:2; Romans 8:17.” MB 104.
      —“In the light that streams from Calvary the attributes of God which had filled us with fear and awe appear beautiful and attractive. Mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen to blend with holiness, justice, and power. While we behold the majesty of His throne, high and lifted up, we see His character in its gracious
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manifestations, and comprehend, as never before, the significance of that endearing title, ‘Our Father;’” GC 652.

A Life That Measures With the Life of God: this is our reward! 7BC 982.
AND GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES;
      —“There is nothing in the kingdom of God to disturb or annoy. This is the life that is promised to the overcomer—a life of happiness and peace, a life of love and beauty . . . There is no sin, no distracting care, nothing to mar the peace of the inhabitants.” ML 350.
      —“. . . The Great Physician shall wipe away the tears from every eye . . .” ML 342.
AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH,
      —“There, is no burial train, no mourning, no death, no parting, no broken hearts . . .” ML 349.
NEITHER SORROW, NOR CRYING,
      —“There, is no disappointment, no sorrow, no sin . . . Jesus is there, peace is there . . . In His presence is fullness of joy, at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore!” ML 349.
      —“For the Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; . . . joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” Isaiah 51:3.
NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY MORE PAIN:
      —“Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven . . . ‘The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.’ Isaiah 33:24. One rich tide of happiness will flow and deepen as eternity rolls on.” 9T 286.
      —“In the new earth there will be no sin nor disease . . . And the body will be restored to its original perfection.” ML 153. (Emphasis added.)
      —What kind of a body did God give to Adam?
      —“And now God says to His Son, ‘Let us make man in Our image.’ As Adam came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of noble height, and of beautiful symmetry. He was more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and was well proportioned. His features were perfect and beautiful. His complexion was neither white, nor sallow, but ruddy, glowing with the rich tint of health. Eve was not quite as tall as Adam. Her head reached a little above his shoulders. She, too, was noble—perfect in symmetry, and very beautiful.” 3SG 34.
      —The bodies of God’s redeemed will be restored to the original perfection! They will be more than twice as tall as men today.
      —“But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall . . . grow up as calves in the stall.” Malachi 4:2.
      —“Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden, the redeemed will ‘grow up’ (Malachi 4:2) to the full stature of a race in its primeval glory.” GC 645.
FOR THE FORMER THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY.
      —“The nations of the saved will know no other law than the law of
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heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving . . . God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, ‘There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death’”; PK 732, 733.
      —“. . .The youth and vigor of immortality will be theirs . . .” ML 358.

Life in our Country Estate—Our Inheritance!
      —Listen, with John, to another thrilling announcement:
AND HE THAT SAT UPON THE THRONE SAID,
BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW.
      —For the welcome homecomings back to planet earth, everything will be created anew—after the purifying fire.
AND HE SAID UNTO ME, WRITE: FOR THESE WORDS ARE TRUE AND FAITHFUL.
      —Tell My people of their everlasting inheritance. Put it in writing!
AND HE SAID UNTO ME, IT IS DONE. I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END.
      —“. . . in the salvation of every soul.” 1SM 381.
I WILL GIVE TO HIM THAT IS ATHIRST OF THE FOUNTAIN OF THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.
      —“. . . If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” John 7:37.
HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS.
      —“And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them . . .
      —“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock . . . They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain.” Isaiah 65:21-25.
      —“Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the City. There I saw most beautiful houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls, most glorious to behold, which were to be inhabited by the saints, and in them was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually offering praises to God.
      —“And I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them I cried out, They will never fade. Next I saw a field of tall grass most glorious to behold; it was living green, and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts—the lion, the lamb, the leopard and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after.” 2SG 53.
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      —“And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:18.
      —“In the earth made new, the redeemed will engage in the occupations and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field.” PK 730, 731.
      —“There will be employment in heaven. The redeemed state is not one of idle repose. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God, but it is a rest found in loving service.” 3BC 1164.
      —“In heaven activity will not be wearing and burdensome; it will be rest. The whole family of the redeemed will find their delight in serving Him whose they are by creation and by redemption.” ML 359.
      —“Everything in heaven is noble and elevated. All seek the interest and happiness of others. No one devotes himself to looking out and caring for self. It is the chief joy of all holy beings to witness the joy and happiness of those around them.” ML 359.
      —Friend, there will be a plot of ground in the earth made new which may sometime become yours—by inheritance. Your name may be written on the title!
      —“And if ye be Christ’s then are ye . . . heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29. (Emphasis added.)
      —“. . . How sad it is that men turn from the immortal inheritance, and live for the gratification of pride, for selfishness and display, and through submission to the rule of Satan, lose the blessing which they might have both in this life and in the life to come. They might enter into the palaces of heaven, and associate on terms of freedom and equality with Christ and heavenly angels, and with the princes of God; and yet, incredible as it may seem, they turn from heavenly attractions. The Creator of all worlds proposes to love those who believe in His only-begotten Son as their personal Saviour, even as He loves His Son. Even here and now His gracious favor is bestowed upon us to this marvelous extent . . . He would have us enjoy everything that will ennoble, expand and elevate our characters. It is His design to fit us for the heavenly courts above.
      —“But Satan is contending for the souls of men, and casts his hellish shadow athwart their path, in order that they shall not behold the light. He would not have them catch a glimpse of the future honor, the eternal glories, laid up for those who shall be inhabitants of heaven, or have a taste of the experience that gives a foretaste of the happiness of heaven. But, with the heavenly attractions set before the mind to inspire hope, to awaken desire, to spur to effort, how can we turn from the prospect, and choose sin and its wages, which is death?. . .
      —“The lowliest disciple of Christ may become an inhabitant of heaven, an heir of God to an inheritance incorruptible, and that fadeth not away. O that every one might make choice of the heavenly gift, become an heir of God to that inheritance whose title is secure from any destroyer, world without end! 0, choose not the world, but choose the better inheritance! Press, urge your way toward the mark for the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus.” FE 234, 235. (Emphasis added.)
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Adventures Through Space—and Scientific Discoveries!
      —“All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar—worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in contemplation of God’s handiwork.” GC 677.
      —“The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes; they were noble, majestic, and lovely. They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was, ‘We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth.’ Then I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the city. 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. Then my attending angel said to me, ‘None in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat, they would fall.’ Then I was taken to a world which had seven moons. There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written ‘Victory.’ Around his head was a dazzling white wreath, and leaves on the wreath, and in the middle of each leaf was written ‘Purity,’ and around the wreath were stones of various colors, that shone brighter than the stars, and cast a reflection upon the letters and magnified them. On the back part of his head was a bow that confined the wreath, and upon the bow was written ‘Holiness.’ Above the wreath was a lovely crown that shone brighter than the sun. I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said, ‘It is not; the city is my home, and I have come to visit this place.’ He moved about the place as if perfectly at home.” EW 40.
      —“There, when the veil that darkens our vision shall be removed, and our eyes shall behold that world of beauty of which we now catch glimpses through the microscope; when we look on the glories of the heavens, now scanned afar through the telescope; when, the blight of sin removed, the whole earth shall appear ‘in the beauty of the Lord our God,’ what a field will be open to our study! There the student of science may read the records of creation, and discern no reminders of the law of evil. He may listen to the music of nature’s voices, and detect no note of wailing or undertone of sorrow . . . There man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful.
      —“There will be open to the student history of infinite scope and of wealth inexpressible . . . Not until he stands in the light of eternity will he see all things clearly . . . The veil that interposes between the visible and the invisible world will be drawn aside, and wonderful things will be revealed.” Ed 303, 304.
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      —“The redeemed throng will range from world to world, and much of their time will be employed in searching out the mysteries of redemption. And throughout the whole stretch of eternity, this subject will be continually opening to their minds. The privileges of those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony are beyond comprehension.” 7BC 990.
      —“There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will appear new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects of study to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul.” PK 731. (Emphasis added.)
      —“With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of creation—sun and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator’s name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed.” GC 677, 678.

Treasured Associations of the Redeemed:
Children in Heaven!
      —“With joy unutterable, parents see the crown, the robe, the harp, given to their children. The days of hope and fear are ended. The seed sown with tears and prayers may have seemed to be sown in vain, but their harvest is reaped with joy at last. Their children have been redeemed.” GC 569.
      —“And they shall build houses . . . They are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.” Isaiah 65:21, 23.
      —“Children will be there. They will never be engaged in strife or discord. Their love will be fervent and holy. They will also have a crown of gold upon their heads and a harp in their hands. And their little countenances, that we here see so often troubled and perplexed, will beam with holy joy, expressive of their perfect . . . happiness.” ML 357.
      —“May you, as unbroken families, dwell forever in that haven of rest.” ML 352.
Friends Brought to Jesus:
      —“The redeemed will meet and recognize those whose attention they have directed to the uplifted Saviour. What blessed converse they have with these souls! ‘I was a sinner,’ it will be said, ‘without God and without hope in the world, and you came to me and drew my attention to the precious Saviour as my only hope.’ . . . Others will say, ‘I was a heathen in heathen lands. You left your friends and comfortable home and came to teach me how to find Jesus and believe in Him as the only true God. I demolished my idols and worshiped God, and now I see Him face to face. I am saved, eternally saved, ever to behold Him whom I love . . .”
      —“Others will express their gratitude to those who fed the hungry and clothed the naked. ‘When despair bound my soul in unbelief, the Lord sent you to me,’ they say, ‘to speak words of hope and comfort. You brought me food for my physical necessities, and you opened to
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me the Word of God, awakening me to my spiritual needs. You treated me as a brother. You sympathized with me in my sorrows, and restored my bruised and wounded soul, so that I could grasp the hand of Christ that was reached out to save me. In my ignorance you taught me patiently that I had a Father in heaven who cared for me. You read to me the precious promises of God’s Word. You inspired in me the faith that He would save me. My heart was softened, subdued, broken, as I contemplated the sacrifice which Christ had made for me . . . I am here, saved, eternally saved, ever to live in His presence and to praise Him who gave His life for me.”
      —“What rejoicing there will be as these redeemed ones meet and greet those who have had a burden in their behalf! And those who have lived, not to please themselves, but to be a blessing to the unfortunate who have so few blessings how their hearts will thrill with satisfaction!” ML 353. (Emphasis added.)
      —“There the redeemed greet those who led them to the Saviour, and all unite in praising Him who died that human beings might have the life that measures with the life of God. The conflict is over. Tribulation and strife are at an end. Songs of victory fill all heaven as the ransomed ones take up the joyful strain, Worthy, is the Lamb that was slain, and lives again, a triumphant Conqueror.” AA 602.
Guardian Angels:
      —“Every redeemed one will understand the ministry of angels in his own life. The angel who was his guardian from his earliest moment; the angel who watched his steps, and covered his head in the day of peril; the angel who was with him in the valley of the shadow of death, who marked his resting-place, who was the first to greet him in the resurrection-morning, —what will it be to hold converse with him, and to learn the history of divine interposition in the individual life, of heavenly cooperation in every work for humanity!
      —“All the perplexities of life’s experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, overruling, victorious purpose, a divine harmony . . .
      —“Not until the providences of God are seen in the light of eternity shall we understand what we owe to the care and interposition of His angels. Celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men. They have appeared in garments that shone as the lightning; they have come as men, in the garb of wayfarers. They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes; they have acted as guides to benighted travelers. They have thwarted the spoiler’s purpose, and turned aside the stroke of the destroyer.
      —“Though the rulers of this world know it not, yet often in their councils angels have been spokesmen. Human eyes have looked upon them. Human ears have listened to their appeals. In the council-hall and the court of justice, heavenly messengers have pleaded the cause of the persecuted and oppressed. They have defeated purposes and arrested evils that would have brought wrong and suffering to God’s children. To the students in the heavenly school, all this will be unfolded.” Ed 305, 304.
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Great Family Reunions in the Holy City Every Sabbath:
      —The redeemed will leave their activities in all parts of the new earth
          —their homes and gardens,
          —their studies and travels,
          —their projects and enterprises,
          —and assemble once a week at the beautiful capitol of the universe.
      —“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23.
      —“In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation. When ‘the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them,’ the Creator and all heavenly beings rejoiced in contemplation of the glorious scene . . .
      —“When there shall be a ‘restitution of all things, . . .’ the creation Sabbath, the day on which Jesus lay at rest in Joseph’s tomb, will still be a day of rest and rejoicing. Heaven and earth will unite in praise, as ‘from one Sabbath to another’ the nations of the saved shall bow in joyful worship to God and the Lamb.” ML 364.
      —“The nations of the saved will know no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving.” PK 732.
      —“So long as the heavens and the earth endure, the Sabbath will continue as a sign of the Creator’s power. And when Eden shall bloom on earth again, God’s holy rest day will be honored by all beneath the sun. ‘From one Sabbath to another’ the inhabitants of the glorified new earth shall go up ‘to worship before Me, saith the Lord.’” DA 283; Isaiah 66:23.
      —“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head . . .” Isaiah 51:11. (Emphasis added.)
      —Where will the redeemed live when they come to the New Jerusalem for the worship services, or at any other time they choose to be there?
      —“In My Father’s house are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.
      —(They each have their own mansion which was given to them at the beginning of the millennium.)
Where will God’s great family eat on special occasions?

The Supper Table:
      —“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom . . . Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Luke 12:32, 37. (Emphasis added.)
      —“. . . I saw a veil with a heavy fringe of silver and gold, as a border on the bottom; it was very beautiful. I asked Jesus what was within the veil. He raised it with His own right arm, and bade me take heed. I saw there a glorious ark, overlaid with pure gold, and it had a glorious border, resembling Jesus crowns; [plural—seven in number, EW 64;]
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on it were two bright angels—their wings were spread over the ark as they sat on each end, with their faces turned toward each other and looking downward. In the ark, beneath where the angels wings were spread, was a golden pot of manna, of a yellowish cast; and I saw a rod, which Jesus said was Aaron’s; I saw it bud, blossom and bear fruit. And I saw two long golden rods, on which hung silver wires, and on the wires most glorious grapes; one cluster was more than a man here could carry. And I saw Jesus step up and take off the manna, almonds, grapes and pomegranates, and bear them down to the city, and place them on the supper table. I stepped up to see how much was taken away, and there was just as much left; and we shouted Hallelujah—Amen. We all descended from this place down into the city . . .” Messenger to the Remnant, 29. (Emphasis added.)
      —“And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit.” EW 19. (Emphasis added.)
      —The first delicious meal around that long family table, will be served at the wedding supper of the Lamb!
      —“And he said unto me, Write, Blessed [happy] are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb . . .” Revelation 19:9.
      —Will Jesus have the privilege of serving you? He gave His life for that privilege!)
      —Will you have the privilege of having Jesus serve you? (What a royal invitation from One who loves you dearly!)
      —Look at the chair which has your name on it. Will it be occupied?

A Detailed Description of the New Jerusalem:
      —the magnificent capitol of the universe.
AND THERE CAME UNTO ME
      —John
ONE OF THE SEVEN ANGELS WHICH HAD THE SEVEN VIALS FULL OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES, AND TALKED WITH ME, SAYING, COME HITHER, I WILL SHEW THEE THE BRIDE, THE LAMB’S WIFE.
      —(The Philadelphians have the name “New Jerusalem” written on their foreheads. Revelation 3:12. See Chapter 2 on Philadelphia.)
AND HE CARRIED ME AWAY IN THE SPIRIT TO A GREAT AND HIGH MOUNTAIN, AND SHEWED ME THAT GREAT CITY, THE HOLY JERUSALEM, DESCENDING OUT OF HEAVEN FROM GOD, HAVING THE GLORY OF GOD:
      —As John looked at the city afar off in the distance, the first two things that impressed him were its dazzling light and its towering height:

[1.] AND HER LIGHT WAS LIKE UNTO A STONE MOST PRECIOUS, EVEN LIKE A JASPER STONE, CLEAR AS CRYSTAL;

[2.] AND HAD A WALL GREAT AND HIGH,
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The Gates of the New Jerusalem:
AND HAD TWELVE GATES,
AND AT THE GATES TWELVE ANGELS,
AND NAMES WRITTEN THEREON, WHICH ARE THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE TRIBES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
      —“And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, [the firstborn of Jacob] one gate of Judah, [the royal line of David—and Jesus! ] one gate of Levi. [the members of the priesthood] [God’s throne is on the north side. See Psalm 48:2; Isaiah 14:13.]
      —“And at the east side . . . three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, [both favored sons of Rachel and Jacob,] one gate of Dan. [In the list of the tribes who were sealed, in Revelation 7, Dan’s name does not appear. He was “an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels.” Genesis 49:17. His place was given to one of Joseph’s sons—Manasseh. Joseph was to receive a double inheritance. See Ezekiel 47:13; PP 235.
Joseph’s other son, Ephraim, who took Joseph’s place under the standard in the wilderness, does not take his place on the gates of the New Jerusalem. See Revelation 7 and Ezekiel 48. “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17.]
      —“And at the south side. . . three gates one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
“And at the west side . . . with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.” Ezekiel 48:31-34. (Emphasis added.)
ON THE EAST THREE GATES;
      —where the names of the sons and grandson of Jacob and Rachel are written—Joseph and Benjamin and Manasseh.
ON THE NORTH THREE GATES;
      —where Reuben, Judah, and Levi have their insignias;
ON THE SOUTH THREE GATES;
      —which pertain to Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun;
AND ON THE WEST THREE GATES.
      —the side where the tribes of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali are honored.
AND THE TWELVE GATES WERE TWELVE PEARLS;
EVERY SEVERAL GATE WAS OF ONE PEARL: (Verse 21.)
      —For a study of the different characteristics of the twelve tribes, see Genesis 48 and 49. See also Chapter 3, on Revelation 7.
      —It is interesting to consider which tribe we might each belong to. As we study the failures of these twelve sons of Jacob, it gives us hope to know that Jesus can forgive our failings, too. And we may become members of one of these twelve important tribes.
      —“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs . . .” Galatians 3:29.
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The Walls With Their Twelve Foundations:
AND THE WALL OF THE CITY HAD TWELVE FOUNDATIONS,
      —The foundations are a part of the wall.
AND IN THEM THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB.
      —The angel gives John the measurements of the city and its walls.
AND HE THAT TALKED WITH ME HAD A GOLDEN REED TO MEASURE THE CITY, AND THE GATES THEREOF, AND
THE WALL THEREOF,
AND THE CITY LIETH FOURSQUARE,
AND THE LENGTH IS AS LARGE AS THE BREADTH:
AND HE MEASURED THE CITY WITH THE REED,
TWELVE THOUSAND FURLONGS.
      —A furlong contains 606 feet and 6 inches. Thus this distance of twelve thousand furlongs would be about 1, 378.4 miles. We might suppose that this is the total circumference, making each side of 344.6 miles in distance. However, this could also be the distance of each side. The text does not state which. The angel continues:
THE LENGTH AND THE BREADTH AND THE HEIGHT OF IT ARE EQUAL.
      —The city is a cube. It is as high as it is long and wide.
      —One of the gates is higher than another:
      “And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north . . .” Ezekiel 9:2.
      —At the end of the millennium, as Satan and his armies were ready to attack the New Jerusalem, we are told:
“The gates were shut. Then the saints used their wings and mounted to the top of the wall of the city . . . The wicked host behold the splendor of the city, and the happy redeemed company upon its walls . . .” EW 53; 3SG 86. See also EW 294.
      —If all of the millions of the redeemed hosts are to be on the walls of the New Jerusalem, they must be wide. No doubt the following measurements given to John by the angel refer to the width.
AND HE MEASURED THE WALL THEREOF, AN HUNDRED AND FORTY AND FOUR CUBITS, ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF A MAN, THAT IS, OF THE ANGEL.
      —A cubit is about 17½ inches, making the measurement 210 feet.
AND THE BUILDING OF THE WALL OF IT WAS OF JASPER.
      —This is the main material. The foundation stones are to garnish the jasper walls with their sparkling gems of exquisite beauty.
AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WALL OF THE CITY WERE GARNISHED WITH ALL MANNER OF PRECIOUS STONES.
      —Since at least one gate is higher than another, (Ezekiel 9:2), consider the foundations as stories—or a city built in layers. If the city is 344.6 miles high, and there is one foundation at the top and another at the bottom, there would be more than 30 miles of distance between each of the other ten foundations.
      —Each of the twelve tribes would have their own special level. And members from each tribe would have their mansions all on the same foundation.
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—Each of the twelve tribes has their own special stone. Their stone formed a part of the breastplate worn by the high priest.
            “The border [of the breastplate] was formed of a variety of precious stones, the same that form the twelve foundations of the city of God. PP 351. (Emphasis added.)
      —Since the stones of the breastplate were the same as the stones that garnish the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem, we may learn from Exodus 39:9-13, who each foundation belongs to.
            “. . .They made the breastplate double . . . The first row was a sardius, [margin, or ruby. Reuben’s stone.] a topaz, [margin, Simeon’s stone.] and a carbuncle: [margin, Levi’s stone.] . . .
            And the second row, an emerald, l margin, Judah’s stone.] a sapphire, [margin, Issachar’s stone.] and a diamond. [margin, Zebulum’s stone.]
            And the third row, a figure, [RSV, Revised standard version—jacinth; margin, Dan’s stone; Manassah took his place.] an agate, [margin, Naphtali’s stone.] and an amethyst. [margin, Gad’s stone.]
            And the fourth row, a beryl, [margin, Asher’s stone.] an onyx, [margin, Joseph’s stone.] and a jasper. [margin, Benjamin’s stone.] . . .”
THE FIRST FOUNDATION WAS JASPER;
      —Benjamin’s stone, whose gate faces east;
THE SECOND, SAPPHIRE;
      —Issachar’s stone, whose gate faces south;
THE THIRD, A CHALCEDONY; [RSV: AGATE.]
      —Naphtali’s stone, whose gate faces west;
THE FOURTH, AN EMERALD;
      —Judah’s stone, whose gate faces north;
THE FIFTH, SARDONYX;
      —Joseph’s stone is an onyx, whose gate faces east;
THE SIXTH, SARDIUS;
      —Reuben’s stone, whose gate faces north;
THE SEVENTH, CHRYSOLITE;
      —Chrysolite is not mentioned by this name in Exodus 39:9-13;
THE EIGHTH, BERYL;
      —Asher’s stone, whose gate faces west;
THE NINTH, A TOPAZ;
      —Simeon’s stone, whose gate faces south;
THE TENTH, A CHRYSOPRASUS
      —The chrysoprasus is also called by a different name in Exodus 39;
THE ELEVENTH, A JACINTH;
      —(or figure, RSV.) Dan’s (or Manassah’s) stone, whose gate faces east;
THE TWELFTH, AN AMETHYST.
      —Gad’s stone, whose gate faces west.
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      —The diamond, (Zebulum’s stone) and the carbuncle, (Levi’s stone) of Exodus 39, would find their counterpart in the chrysolite and the chrysoprasus of the foundation stones in the New Jerusalem. Which is which?
      —Some dictionaries say the chrysolite is an olivine; which is a demantoid; which is a diamond.
      —Therefore, the seventh foundation of chrysolite would be the diamond, which belongs to Zebulum. His gate faces south.
          —By process of elimination, the tenth foundation of chrysoprasus would be Levi’s foundation of carbuncle. His gate faces north.
          —The name of each tribe is written on its gate. Revelation 21:12. And the name of an apostle is engraved on each of the foundations. (Verse 14.) Perhaps the apostles’ names are written under the gates.
          —We are not told which tribes all of the apostles belong to. However, the inscription of an apostle’s name on a certain foundation may have to do with his individual characteristics and/or his genealogy.
          —For instance, Peter was one of the main apostles to lead out in the religious services. His name may be under Levi’s gate.
          —Joseph, with his loving disposition, might have his name over John’s foundation.
          —James, son of thunder, might be under Simeon’s gate.
          —Paul, (who some think may take Judas’ place—see Galatians 1:1; AA 125-127; 200,) was from the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1.) Both Paul and Benjamin had the trait of aggressiveness. (See Genesis 49:27; Acts 9:1, 2; 13:46.)
          —Paul’s name may be under Benjamin’s gate, which will probably be on the first level (The first foundation is of jasper, and is Benjamin’s stone. Revelation 21:19; Exodus 39:13.)
          —Benjamin’s gate faces east. (Ezekiel 48:32.)
          —Jesus comes to the earth from the east at His second coming. In returning to the Holy City with the redeemed, He may lead them to Benjamin’s gate for their glorious entrance into the New Jerusalem.
          —(“Then I saw Jesus lead the redeemed company to the gate of the city. He laid hold of the gate and swung it back on its glittering hinges and bade the nations that had kept the truth enter in. Within the city there was everything to feast the eye. Rich glory they beheld everywhere.” SR 413.)
      —Won’t it be a thrill to find out which tribe Jesus has assigned us to! Which gate will be the closest to my mansion? What will be the color of the sparkling gems in my foundation? Who will be my closest neighbors? Of course we will be close time-wise to everyone in the immense city, for with our wings, we can be at any part of it in a moment.)
AND THE GATES OF IT SHALL NOT BE SHUT AT ALL BY DAY: FOR THERE SHALL BE NO NIGHT THERE.
      —“None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning . . .” SR 431.
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The Golden City and its Light!
AND THE CITY WAS PURE GOLD, LIKE UNTO CLEAR GLASS
      —“He who loved us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest . . . We are homeward bound.” 9T 287.
AND THE STREET OF THE CITY WAS PURE GOLD, AS IT WERE TRANSPARENT GLASS.
      —The glorious beams of light are even more beautiful as they are reflected through the golden streets—which are transparent.
      —What is the source of this majestic light?
AND THE CITY HAD NO NEED OF THE SUN, NEITHER OF THE MOON, TO SHINE IN IT:
      —Even though “the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now,” (7BC 988) they will not be needed. Why?
FOR THE GLORY OF GOD DID LIGHTEN IT,
AND THE LAMB IS THE LIGHT THEREOF.
      —“The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day.” GC 676.
      —“The same divine illumination is to continue through eternal ages. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the light thereof.” 6BC 1118.
AND THE NATIONS OF THEM WHICH ARE SAVED SHALL WALK IN THE LIGHT OF IT:
AND THE KINGS OF THE EARTH DO BRING THEIR GLORY
AND HONOUR INTO IT . . .
AND THEY SHALL BRING THE GLORY AND HONOUR OF THE NATIONS INTO IT.
      —“All faces will reflect the image of their Redeemer . . . All will be bright, and smiling in spotless purity. The angels will be there, also the resurrected saints with the martyrs, and the best of all, and what will cause us the most joy, our lovely Saviour, who suffered and died that we might enjoy that happiness and freedom, will be there. His glorious face will shine brighter than the sun, and light up the beautiful city and reflect glory all around.” ML 357.

Nothing Which Defiles Shall Enter the Holy City:
      —As John is faithfully writing down the things which pass before his vision, he receives another warning message. Jesus wants all of earth’s inhabitants to accept His love, and prepare to live with Him in the heavenly mansions. However, there are conditions for entrance through the pearly gates.
AND THERE SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER INTO IT ANY THING THAT DEFILETH, NEITHER WHATSOEVER WORKETH ABOMINATION, OR MAKETH A LIE: BUT THEY WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE.
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The Gates of Heaven are Closed to Unfaithful Parents:
      —“It is the privilege of parents to take their children with them to the gates of the city of God, saying, ‘I have tried to instruct my children to love the Lord, to do His will, and to glorify Him.’ To such the gate will be thrown open, and parents and children will enter in. But all cannot enter. Some are left outside with their children, whose characters have not been transformed by submission to the will of God. A hand is raised, and the words are spoken, ‘You have neglected home duties. You have failed to do the work that would have fitted the soul for a home in heaven. You cannot enter.’. . . By neglecting their duty and indulging their children in wrong, parents close to them the gates of the city of God . . . They must arouse and take up their long neglected work.” GC 13. (See the promises for parents in Chapter 6.)
The Gates of Heaven are Closed to Those who Defile Their Bodies:
      —“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1Corinthians 3:17.
      —“Gluttons in heaven! No, no; such will never enter the pearly gates of the golden city of God . . . God requires all men to render their bodies to Him a living sacrifice, not a dead or a dying sacrifice, a sacrifice which their own course of action is debilitating, filling with impurities and disease . . . The body, He tells us, is the temple of the Holy Ghost. . . It is a duty to know how to preserve the body in the very best condition of health . . . It is just as much sin to violate the laws of our being as to break one of the Ten Commandments . . .” 2T 70.
      —“. . . Gluttony leads to drunkenness . . . Gluttonous feasts, and food taken into the stomach at untimely seasons, leaves an influence upon every fiber of the system; and the mind also is seriously affected by what we eat and drink.” 3BC 1165.
      —“Slaves of tobacco, claiming the blessing of entire sanctification, talk of their hope of heaven; but God’s word plainly declares that ‘there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth.’” GC 474.
      —“The practice of using liquor, tobacco, tea, and coffee must be overcome by the converting power of God. There shall nothing enter into the kingdom of God that defileth.” Te 69.
The Gates of Heaven are Closed to Those with Impure Minds:
      —“Heaven is pure and holy, and those who pass through the gates . . . must here be clothed with inward and outward purity.” CH 103.
      —“But none who have fallen need give up to despair. Aged men, once honored of God, may have defiled their souls, sacrificing virtue on the altar of lust; but if they repent, forsake sin, and turn to God, there is still hope for them . . . God hates sin, but He loves the sinner.” PK 84.
      —“It is necessary to maintain a living connection with heaven, seeking as often as did Daniel—three times a day—for divine grace to resist appetite and passion. Wrestling with appetite and passion unaided by divine power will be unsuccessful; but make Christ your stronghold, and . . . we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us . . .
      —“. . . The Lord says, ‘. . . If he will unite with Me, believe in Me, and work for Me, His weakest points of character, notwithstanding his past failures, will become his strongest points.” MM 144, 41. (Emphasis added.) Revelation 22:1, 2.
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The Tree of Life—by the Side of the River of Life:
      —God’s people of all ages have looked with longing to the day when’ their eyes could behold what John saw in vision:
AND HE SHEWED ME A PURE RIVER OF WATER OF LIFE, CLEAR AS CRYSTAL, PROCEEDING OUT OF THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB.
      —From the base of God’s throne the fountain of life springs forth!
      —As we see it by faith, it points us to another fountain!
“That life-cleansing, life-sustaining blood, appropriated by living faith, is our hope. We need to grow in appreciation of its inestimable value . . . This is represented as the pardoning blood, inseparably connected with the resurrection and life of our Redeemer, illustrated by the ever-flowing stream that proceeds from the throne of God, the water of the river of life.” SD 226.
AND IN THE MIDST OF THE STREET OF IT, AND ON EITHER SIDE OF THE RIVER, WAS THERE THE TREE OF LIFE, WHICH BARE TWELVE MANNER OF FRUITS, AND YIELDED HER FRUIT EVERY MONTH: AND THE LEAVES OF THE TREE WERE FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS.
      —“I then saw Jesus leading His people to the tree of life, and again we heard His lovely voice, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, saying, ‘The leaves of this tree are for the healing of the nations. Eat ye all of it.’ Upon the tree of life was most beautiful fruit, of which the saints could partake freely. In the city was a most glorious throne, from which proceeded a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal. On each side of this river was the tree of life . . . On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure, transparent gold. At first I thought I saw two trees. I looked again, and saw that they were united at the top in one tree. So it was the tree of life on either side of the river of life. Its branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was glorious . . .” EW 289, 17.
      —“Its fruit looked like apples of gold and silver . . .” 3SG 35.
      —“The tree of life is a representation of the preserving care of Christ for His children. As Adam and Eve ate of this tree, they acknowledged their dependence upon God. The tree of life possessed the power to perpetuate life, and as long as they ate of it, they could not die. The lives of the antediluvians were protracted because of the life-giving power of this tree, which was transmitted to them from Adam and Eve.” 7BC 988.
      —“The fruit of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden possessed supernatural virtue. To eat of it was to live forever. Its fruit was the antidote of death. Its leaves were for the sustaining of life and immortality.” 8T 288.
      —“The city of God will open its gates to receive him who learned while on earth to lean on God for guidance and wisdom, for comfort and hope amid loss and affliction. The songs of angels will welcome him there, and for him the tree of life will yield its fruits.” 4T 328.
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The Master Teacher Leads His Pupils to the Tree of Life:
      —“Christ, the heavenly Teacher, will lead His people to the tree of life, . . . and He will explain to them the truths they could not in this life understand. In that future life His people will gain the higher education in its completeness.” 7BC 988. (Emphasis added.)
      —“In the world to come Christ will lead the redeemed beside the river of life and will teach them wonderful lessons of truth. He will unfold to them the mysteries of nature. They will see that a master hand holds the world in position. They will behold the skill displayed by the great Artist in coloring the flowers of the field, and will learn of the purposes of the merciful Father, who dispenses every ray of light, and with the holy angels the redeemed will acknowledge in songs of grateful praise God’s supreme love to an unthankful world. Then it will be understood that ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
      —“He [Christ] will impart rich stores of knowledge. He will unravel mysteries in the providences of God which in this life we are unable to understand . . . The education we begin here will be perfected in heaven. We will only just enter a higher grade.” ML 361. (Emphasis added.)
      —“The science of redemption is the science of all sciences; the science that is the study of the angels, and of all the intelligences of the unfallen worlds; the science that engages the attention of our Lord and Saviour; the science that enters into the purpose brooded in the mind of the Infinite—‘kept in silence through times eternal;’ the science that will be the study of God’s redeemed throughout the endless ages. This is the highest study in which it is possible for man to engage. As no other study can, it will quicken the mind, and uplift the soul . . .
      —“In eternity we shall learn that which, had we received the enlightenment that it was possible to obtain here, would have opened our understanding . . . Through endless ages the faithful Householder will bring forth from His treasures things new and old.” ML 360.
      —“The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; [1Corinthians 13:12.] but through the eternal ages new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. Though the griefs and pains and temptations of earth are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has cost.” GC 651. (Emphasis added.)

The Special Makeup Class:
      —“And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.” Zechariah 13:6. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Some among the redeemed will have laid hold of Christ in the last hours of life, and in heaven instruction will be given to those who, when they died, did not understand perfectly the plan of salvation. Christ will lead the redeemed ones beside the river of life, and will open to them that which while on this earth they could not understand.” 1SM 262.
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The Garden of Eden is Restored—Inside the Holy City:
      —“The garden of Eden remained upon the earth long after man had become an outcast from its pleasant paths. The fallen race were long permitted to gaze upon the home of innocence, their entrance barred only by the watching angels . . . When the tide of iniquity overspread the world, and the wickedness of men determined their destruction by a flood of waters, the hand that had planted Eden withdrew it from the earth. But in the final restitution, when there shall be ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ it is to be restored more gloriously adorned than at the beginning. Then they that have kept God’s commandments shall breathe in immortal vigor beneath the tree of life.” PP 62.
      —The garden of Eden is inside of the New Jerusalem. Speaking of the descent of the pearly white city after the millennium, we are told: “. . . A very great plain . . . is prepared for the reception of the holy city in which is the paradise of God, the garden of Eden, which was taken up after man’s transgression. Now it descends with the city, more beautiful, and gloriously adorned than when removed from the earth.” 3SG 83, 84.
      —Where, in this beautiful city of twelve foundations, might the garden of Eden be found? We do not know where it is located, but it would be within easy access to all sections of the city. Perhaps it is in the middle part of the first floor. If there were a large opening through the center of the city all the way to the top, it could easily be seen from every level of the city.
      —Somewhere in that beautiful city is a supper table many miles in length. Where might it be located? It may be near the rippling sounds of the great river of life, as it follows its course through the city. Perhaps it is also near the tree of life, laden down with its delicious fruit. Twelve varieties of fruit grow on the tree of life, and it supplies a part of the food for the supper table. (See EW 19.) Music from the birds in the trees will add to the tranquility of the supper hour.
      —Where is the large classroom for the residents of the New Jerusalem? They will study near the tree of life! (7BC 988.) Perhaps they may sit near the supper table for some of the classes, or they may cluster together in small circles on the soft grass by the river side. These will be very special classes, and the redeemed will not want to miss one word from the Master Teacher!
      —“Let your imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray.” SC 86. (Emphasis added.)
      —This brings up another thought question: Where, in the holy city, might the throne of God be? The angels which leave the city with a special commission from God, leave “from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north.” (Ezekiel 9:2.) So, without doubt, God’s throne would not be on the lowest level. The gates facing north are Levi’s of the tenth foundation, (the priesthood), Judah’s of the fourth, (the royalty), and Reuben’s of the sixth—the center of the city. Revelation 21:22; 22:3-5; 14:1-5; 15:2-4.
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—God’s Temple—and Another Throne—are on Beautiful Mount Zion:
      —Even though one of God’s thrones is within the New Jerusalem, there is no temple in the holy city:
AND I
      —John
SAW NO TEMPLE THEREIN: FOR THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY AND THE LAMB ARE THE TEMPLE OF IT . . .
AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE CURSE: BUT THE THRONE OF GOD AND THE LAMB SHALL BE IN IT;
      ——God reigns as King from both Mount Zion and Jerusalem:
           “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign
           in mount Zion,
           and in Jerusalem,
           and before His ancients gloriously.” Isaiah 24:23.
      —Hebrews 12:22 speaks of them as separate places:
“But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem . . .”
      —When Satan and the wicked who have been resurrected, come up for their attack after the millennium, they surround two things: “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city . . .” Revelation 20:9.
      —Where does deliverance come from—when we call on the Lord? “. . .For in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance . . .” Joel 2:32.
      —“. . .The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem.” Amos 1:2.
      —Where is Mount Zion located in heaven?
“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2. (Emphasis added.)
      —Mount Zion is on the north side of the New Jerusalem. And as God enters His throne in the New Jerusalem, after leaving Mount Zion, He would probably use the northern entrance of the city.
      —God’s angels leave from the northern gate, as they go on their special commission. (Ezekiel 9:2.)
      —Jesus is from the north: “I have raised up One from the north, and He shall come: from the rising of the sun shall He call upon My name: and He shall come upon princes as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay.” Isaiah 41:25; See Isaiah 42:1-4.
      —God also has a portable throne—and it comes from the north:
      “Now it came to pass. . . as I was among the captives by the river of Cebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. . . And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the
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midst of the fire. And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures . . . Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. . .
      —“And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a Man above upon it . . . As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face . . .” Ezekiel 1:1-28.
      —(When Lucifer aspired to take God’s place, he said: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.” Isaiah 14:13.) (Emphasis added.)
      —“Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly, to the top of the mountains and pluck the never fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place: the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs—these made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, ‘Only the 144,000 enter this place,’ and we shouted, ‘Alleluia’
      —“The temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canann, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went to the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, ‘Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.’” EW 18, 19. (Emphasis added.)
      —Mount Zion is at a higher level than the New Jerusalem. God’s temple is on this glorious mountain. When Jesus took the manna and the almonds from Aaron’s rod that budded, He took them from the temple “down to the city.” Messenger to the Remnant, 29. (Emphasis added,)
      —The waters for the river of life originate from God’s throne inside of the temple on Mount Zion: “. . . It [the tree of life] shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” Ezekiel 47:12. (Emphasis added.)
      —This beautiful river, coming from God’s throne in the sanctuary, must be a glorious sight as it descends to God’s throne in the New Jerusalem and to the garden of Eden. As it descends, without doubt there are beautiful waterfalls to delight the eye. Perhaps it cascades down through the different foundations, so that all of God’s people can see the magnificent river right from their mansions.
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      —As we look at these beautiful passages which have to do with the purity and sacredness of holy places, we can begin to feel something like Isaiah when he saw a vision of God’s throne:
      —“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims . . . And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
      —“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:1-5.
      —“The curtains of the innermost sanctuary were drawn aside, and a throne high and lifted up, towering as it were to the very heaven, was revealed to his gaze. An indescribable glory emanated from a Personage on the throne, and His train filled the temple, as His glory will finally fill the earth. Cherubim were on either side of the mercy-seat, as guards round the great King, and they glowed with the glory that enshrouded them from the presence of God. As their songs of praise resounded in deep, earnest notes of adoration, the pillars of the gate trembled, as if shaken by an earth quake. These holy beings sang forth the praise and glory of God with lips unpolluted with sin. The contrast between the feeble praise which he had been accustomed to bestow upon the Creator and the fervid praises of the seraphim, astonished and humiliated the prophet. He had for the time being the sublime privilege of appreciating the spotless purity of Jehovah’s exalted character.
      —“While he listened to the song of the angels, . . . the! glory, the infinite power, and the unsurpassed majesty of the Lord passed before his vision, and was impressed upon his soul. In the light of this matchless radiance that made manifest all he could bear in the revelation of the divine character, his own inward defilement stood out before him with startling clearness. His very words seemed vile to him.” 4BC 1140. (Emphasis added.)

Jesus Stands On Mount Zion with the 144,000:
AND I
      —John
LOOKED, AND, LO, A LAMB STOOD ON THE MOUNT Zion, AND WITH HIM AN HUNDRED FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND, HAVING HIS FATHER’S NAME WRITTEN IN THEIR FOREHEADS.
      —“They are to be as kings and priests unto God . . . These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb . . .” 5T 475.
AND THEY SHALL SEE HIS FACE; AND HIS NAME SHALL BE WRITTEN IN THEIR FOREHEADS.
AND THERE SHALL BE NO NIGHT THERE; AND THEY NEED NO CANDLE, NEITHER LIGHT OF THE SUN; FOR THE LORD GOD GIVETH THEM LIGHT:
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      —The 144,000, who are to reign with Jesus on Mount Zion, are members of the Philadelphian church.
      The promise to the Philadelphians was: (Revelation 3:12) “. . . I will write upon him
            [1.] the name of My God,
            [2.] and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem,
            [3.] . . . and I will write upon him My new name.”
      “The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written,
            [1.] God,
            [2.] New Jerusalem,
            [3.] and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name.” EW 15.
      —The Speaker to the Philadelphian church was holding “the key of David.” Revelation 3:7.
      —“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:31-35. (Emphasis added.)
      —And the Philadelphians are to join Jesus on this glorious throne!
AND THEY SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER.
      —“‘And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads. Revelation 14:1. In this world their minds were consecrated to God; they served Him with the intellect and with the heart; and now He can place His name ‘in their foreheads.’ ‘And they shall reign for ever and ever.’ Revelation 22:5 . . . They are of that number to whom Christ says, ‘Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ He welcomes them as His children, saying, ‘Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ Matthew 25:34, 21.
      —“‘These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.’ Revelation 14:4. The vision of the prophet pictures them as standing on Mount Zion, girt for holy service, clothed in white linen, which is the righteousness of saints. But all who follow the Lamb in heaven must first have followed Him on earth, not fretfully or capriciously, but in trustful, loving, willing obedience, as the flock follows the shepherd.” AA 590, 591. (Emphasis added.)
      —The 144,000 must be soul-winners in this earth, if they wish to stand on Mount Zion with Jesus.
      —“The Lord has a people on the earth, who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. He has His thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Such will stand with Him on Mount Zion. But they must stand on this earth, girded with the whole armor, ready to
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engage in the work of saving those who are ready to perish . . . We shall follow the Lamb of God in the courts above only if we follow Him here.” 7BC 987. (Emphasis added.)
      —(“Courts” mean the heavenly temple, and not the holy city. Only the 144,000 are to enter the sanctuary. See EW 19.
      —Some receive an abundant entrance; others enter barely pardoned: “I have a most earnest desire that you shall enter the city of God, not as a culprit barely pardoned, but as a conqueror. My brother, will you think of this? If you are true and humble and faithful in this life, you will be given an abundant entrance.” 8T 125.
      —The thief on the cross (Luke 23:42) was a culprit barely pardoned.
      —But some great sinners will have an abundant entrance: At the coronation of Christ, those “nearest the throne” are those who were “once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion.” GC 665.) (Emphasis added.)
      —“Precious will heaven be to those who have been faithful in the work of saving souls.” COL 373.
      —“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.” 7BC 949. (Emphasis added.)

—The Song of Moses and the Lamb—the Song of lntercessors!
AND I
      —John
HEARD A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, AS THE VOICE OF MANY WATERS, AND AS THE VOICE OF A GREAT THUNDER: AND I HEARD THE VOICE OF HARPERS HARPING WITH THEIR HARPS.
AND THEY SUNG AS IT WERE A NEW SONG BEFORE THE THRONE, AND BEFORE THE FOUR BEASTS, AND THE ELDERS: AND NO MAN COULD LEARN THAT SONG BUT THE HUNDRED AND FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND, WHICH WERE REDEEMED FROM THE EARTH . . .
AND THEY SING THE SONG OF MOSES THE SERVANT OF GOD, AND THE SONG OF THE LAMB, SAYING, GREAT AND MARVELLOUS ARE THY WORKS, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY; JUST AND TRUE ARE THY WAYS, THOU KING OF SAINTS.
WHO SHALL NOT FEAR THEE, O LORD,
AND GLORIFY THY NAME? FOR THOU ONLY ART HOLY: FOR ALL NATIONS SHALL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE THEE; FOR THY JUDGMENTS ARE MADE MANIFEST.
      —“Moses manifested his great love for Israel in his entreaty to the Lord to forgive their sin, or blot his name out of the book which He had written. His intercessions here illustrate Christ’s love and mediation for the sinful race.” 7BC 987. (Emphasis added.)
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          —The record of Christ’s prayer of intercession for us is found in John 17. Jesus is still making “intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27; See QD 682.
          —The prayer of Moses for those who had fallen in sin is recorded in Exodus 32:32. See Him pleading with God to save His people!
      —Before the 144,000 can sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, they must pray the prayer of intercession like Moses and the Lamb. They must feel a deep soul anguish for the salvation of sinners. They must stand between the living and the dead—between the living God, and those who are dead in trespasses and sins.
      —“At the foot of the cross, remembering that for one sinner Christ would have laid down His life, you may estimate the value of a soul. If you are in communion with Christ, you will place His estimate upon every human being. You will feel for others the same deep love that Christ has felt for you . . . The greater their sin and the deeper their misery, the more earnest and tender will be your efforts for their recovery . . . In the arms of your faith and love you will bring them to Christ. ‘ COL 196, 197. (Emphasis added).
      —“When they see that you are sincere, they will not despise your efforts. It is possible to reach the hardest heart.” RH Nov. 6, 1888.
      —“As we see souls out of Christ, we are to put ourselves in their place, and in their behalf feel repentance before God, resting not until we bring them to repentance.” 7BC 960.
      —“He must also bear in mind that the flock is entrusted to his care, and that he is to bear their cases to Jesus, and plead for them as Jesus pleads for us with the Father.” EW 103. (Emphasis added.)
      —Who are the 144,000 that are to stand with Jesus on Mount Zion? They are intercessors! Their prayers are similar to those of Moses and the Lamb. They pour out their souls before God—for others! (Study the section about the Philadelphians in Chapter 2 for other important details of the 144,000.)
      —“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand.” 7BC 970. (Emphasis added.)
      —We become members of the 144,000 through an experience:
      “And they sing ‘a new song’ before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had.” GC 648, 649.

The 144,000 Face the issues Concerning God’s Law:
AND I
      —John
SAW AS IT WERE A SEA OF GLASS MINGLED WITH FIRE:
      —reflections from the fiery glory of God’s throne
AND THEM THAT HAD GOTTEN THE VICTORY OVER THE BEAST, AND OVER HIS IMAGE, AND OVER HIS MARK
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AND OVER HIS NAME, STAND ON THE SEA OF GLASS, HAVING THE HARPS OF GOD.
      —The 144,000 live during the last part of earth’s history:
          ——after new light has shown on God’s law from the sanctuary,
          —and while the beast power wars against that law. (Study Chapter 5 for the story of the conflict.)
      —“While John was shown the last great struggles of the church with earthly powers, he was also permitted to behold the final victory and deliverance of the faithful. He saw the church brought into deadly conflict with the beast and his image, and the worship of that beast enforced on pain of death. But looking beyond the smoke and din of the battle, he beheld a company upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having, instead of the mark of the beast, the ‘Father’s name written in their foreheads.’ And again he saw ‘them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God’ and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.” 5T 752, 753.
      —“They walk in narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. [—the promise of Genesis 5:15!] Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are destined to be partakers of His glory. In holy vision the prophet saw the triumph of the people of God. He says, ‘I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory . . .’ ‘These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.’ Revelation 15:2, 3; 7:14, 15.” MB 31.
THESE ARE THEY WHICH WERE NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN; FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS.
      —They are not contaminated with false doctrines. They have a pure faith. See COL 406. (Refer to 2Corinthians 11:2.)
THESE ARE THEY WHICH FOLLOW THE LAMB WHITHERSOEVER HE GOETH.
      —“The elect of God are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a holy nation, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. They are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. They are living stones, a royal priesthood. They are in copartnership with Jesus Christ. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” TM 42. (Emphasis added.)
THESE WERE REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN,
BEING THE FIRSTFRUITS UNTO GOD AND TO THE LAMB.
      —The 144,000—firstfruits—are numbered in Revelation 7:4-8.
      —(The great multitude, “which no man could number,” of Revelation 7:9, are the second fruits. )
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AND IN THEIR MOUTH WAS FOUND NO GUILE; FOR THEY ARE WITHOUT FAULT BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD
      —The 144,000 are without fault, because they—like everyone in the great multitude—have accepted the blood of Jesus to cleanse their sins. They have permitted God to give them hatred for sin, so that Christ’s beautiful robe of righteousness could be placed about them. (See GC 506; 1SM 360, 367; COL 316.)
      —“He who lays hold upon the righteousness of Christ may become a perfect man in Christ Jesus.” TM 150.
      —“None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. We must be divested of our self-righteousness and arrayed in the righteousness of Christ.” 2SM 380.

The Throne of David has Twelve Groups in its Governing Body:
      —“. . .The Lord God shall give unto Him [Jesus] the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32, 33.
      —The 144,000—Philadelphians—are to reign with Jesus on this eternal throne of David. (See Revelation 3:7, 12; 22:5; AA 591.)
      —From which tribes do the 144,000 come’ Revelation 7:4-8:
      “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (Emphasis added.)
Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the fourth foundation, whose gate faces north.]
Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the sixth foundation, whose gate faces north.]
Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the twelfth foundation, whose gate faces west.]
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the eighth foundation, whose gate faces west.]
Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the third foundation, whose gate faces west.]
Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the eleventh foundation, whose gate faces east.]
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the ninth foundation, whose gate faces south.]
Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the tenth foundation, whose gate faces north.]
Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the second foundation, whose gate faces south.]
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the seventh foundation, whose gate faces south.]
Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the fifth foundation, whose gate faces east.]
Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
            [of the first foundation, whose gate faces east.]”
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      —12,000 x 12 (tribes) = 144,000. (There is equal representation in the governing body of the kingship of the throne of David!)
      —The 144,000 are members of the house of representatives! (In GC 426, the “bride” is the “representative of the kingdom.”) They were qualified to become members because they loved the people that Jesus died to save. And because of their love and intercession on earth, God has chosen them to represent their tribes in heaven.
      —And now, as they are “girt for holy service,” (AA 591), this blessed trait of love is even more beautiful. Indeed they will serve the fellow members of their own tribe, as well as other tribes, with warm personal affection and devotion. With tenderness they will attend to the welfare of the younger members of God’s family. With delight they will explain the plan of salvation to the newer members of God’s family. As Jesus is leading out in the class discussions, they may help in the seating arrangements, as did the 12 disciples by the side of Galilee. They may make special note of where their tribesmen are, scattered over the new earth, and help alert them to special functions and educational opportunities.
      —If you are not a member of the 144,000, your representatives will be—and you will be very close to them! They will stand for you, and for all the rest of your tribe, at their posts of duty!

Worship Services with the Golden Harps:
      —Music will be a part of your life in the earth made new. Your harp will be given you before you enter the New Jerusalem the first time. Your hand will sweep “over the strings of the harp, sending forth melodious music in rich and perfect streams.” SR 413.
      —As you go up to the New Jerusalem week by week for the Sabbath services, you will no doubt take your harp with you and join in the mass choirs. These will probably be conducted in front of God’s throne in the holy city. The arches of heaven will ring with happiness! Every heart will throb with deep gratitude to God!
      —And when you choose to leave the city, and return to your inheritance in the new earth, you’ll want to take your harp with you. Praise and happiness will be a part of your nature. You’ll practice duets, quartets, sextets, with members of your family or with your neighbors. Yes, you’ll have your harp near you at all times.
      —“At the end of the harp was an instrument to turn to set the harp or change the tunes. Their [the angels’] fingers did not sweep over the strings carelessly, but they touched different strings to produce different sounds. There is one angel who always leads, who first touches the harp and strikes the note, and then all join in the rich, perfect music of heaven. It cannot be described. It is melody, heavenly, divine, while from every countenance beams the image of Jesus, shining with glory unspeakable.” 1T 146.
      —“Let all that is beautiful in our earthly home remind us of the crystal river and green fields, the waving trees and living fountains, the shining city and the white-robed singers, of our heavenly home—that world of beauty which no artist can picture, no mortal tongue describe.” AH 545.
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We are to Educate our Imaginations—and Become Heavenly Minded!
      —“You need to dwell upon the assurances of God’s Word, to hold them before the mind’s eye. Point by point, day by day, repeat the lessons there given, over and over, until you learn the bearing and import of them. We see a little today, and by meditation and prayer, more tomorrow. And thus little by little we take in the gracious promises until we can almost comprehend their full significance.
      —“Oh, how much we lose by not educating the imagination to dwell upon divine things, rather than upon the earthly! We may give fullest scope to the imagination, and yet, ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.’ Fresh wonders will be revealed to the mind the more closely we apply it to divine things. We lose much by not talking more of Jesus and of heaven, the saints’ inheritance. The more we contemplate heavenly things, the more new delights we shall see, and the more will our hearts be brimful of thanks to our beneficent Creator.” 6BC 1085. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Prepare for eternity with such a zeal as you have not yet manifested. Educate your mind to love the Bible, to love the prayer meeting, to love the hour of meditation, and, above all, the hour when the soul communes with God. Become heavenly-minded if you would unite with the heavenly choir in the mansions above.” ML 369. (Emphasis added.)
      —“As your senses delight in the attractive loveliness of the earth, think of the world that is to come, that shall never know the blight of sin and death; where the face of nature will no more wear the shadow of the curse. Let your imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray. In the varied gifts of God in nature we see but the faintest gleaming of His glory. It is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1Corinthians 2:9.” Sc 86, 87. (Emphasis added.)
      —The beauties which God has prepared are for those who love Him!
      —“He who placed the pearls in the ocean and the amethyst and the chrysolite among the rocks is a lover of the beautiful. The sun rising in the heavens is the representative of Him who is the light and life of all that He has made. All the brightness and beauty that adorn the earth and light up the heavens speak of God.” ML 175.
      —“As we journey in the upward way, let us talk of the blessings strewn along the path. As we think of the mansions Christ is preparing for us, we forget the petty annoyances which we meet day by day. We seem to breathe the atmosphere of the heavenly country to which we are journeying, and we are soothed and comforted . . . Let us honor God by weaving more of Jesus and heaven into our lives.” ML 338.
      —“There are precious victories to gain; and the victors in this contest against appetite and every worldly lust will receive a crown of life that fadeth not away, a blessed home in that city whose gates are of pearl and whose foundations are of precious stones. Is not this prize worth striving for? Is it not worth every effort that we can make?” Tel 50.
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Revelation 22:6-21.

      —Behold, I Come Quickly.”
      —Three times in these closing verses of Revelation, Jesus tells us He will soon return. He’s coming to take His faithful children to their eternal inheritance! Rejoice, fellow pilgrims! The eternal morning will soon dawn.
      —Listen with John to these thrilling words:
AND HE SAID UNTO ME, THESE SAYINGS ARE FAITHFUL AND TRUE: AND THE LORD GOD OF THE HOLY PROPHETS HATH SENT HIS ANGEL TO SHEW UNTO HIS SERVANTS THE THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY BE DONE.
BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY:
      —“The prophets to whom these great scenes were revealed longed to understand their full import . . . To us who are standing on the very verge of their fulfillment, of what deep moment, what living interest, are these delineations of the things to come—events for which, since our first parents turned their steps from Eden, God’s children have watched and waited, longed and prayed!” PK 731.
      —Another of the seven blessings in the book of Revelation is now given to God’s people:
BLESSED IS HE THAT KEEPETH THE SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK.
      —“The solemn messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy the first place in the minds of God’s people. Nothing else is to be allowed to engross our attention.” 8T 302. (Emphasis added.)
AND I JOHN SAW THESE THINGS, AND HEARD THEM.
      —John is summarizing the entire book of Revelation now.
AND WHEN I HAD HEARD AND SEEN, I FELL DOWN TO WORSHIP BEFORE THE FEET OF THE ANGEL WHICH SHEWED ME THESE THINGS.
      —“The angel from heaven came to John in majesty, his countenance beaming with the excellent glory of God. He revealed to John scenes of deep and thrilling interest in the history of the church of God and brought before him the perilous conflicts which Christ’s followers were to endure. John saw them passing through fiery trials, made white and tried, and, finally, victorious overcomers, gloriously saved in the kingdom of God. The countenance of the angel grew radiant with joy and was exceeding glorious, as he showed John the final triumph of the church of God. As the apostle beheld the final deliverance of the church, he was carried away with the glory of the scene and with deep reverence and awe fell at the feet of the angel to worship him. The heavenly messenger instantly raised him up and gently reproved him . . . [Revelation 19:10.] The angel then showed John the heavenly city with all its splendor and dazzling glory, and he, enraptured and overwhelmed, and forgetful of the former reproof of the angel, again fell to worship at his feet. Again the gentle reproof was given,
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SEE THOU DO IT NOW: FOR I AM THY FELLOWSERVANT, AND OF THY BRETHREN THE PROPHETS, AND OF THEM WHICH KEEP THE SAYINGS OF THIS BOOK:
WORSHIP GOD.” EW 230, 231.
      —“Of Gabriel the Saviour speaks in the Revelation, saying that ‘He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.’ Rev. 1:1. And to John the angel declared, ‘I am a fellow servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets.’ Rev. 22:9, R.V. Wonderful thought—that the angel who stands next in honor to the Son of God is the one chosen to open the purposes of God to sinful men.” DA 99.
      —The angel Gabriel speaks again to John:
AND HE SAITH UNTO ME, SEAL NOT THE SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK:
      —The book of Revelation was not to be sealed. It was to be used of God to help unseal the book of Daniel in the time of the end. (See Daniel 12:4; Revelation 10:2-10; Chapter 4.)
      —“Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We have no time to lose . . . Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear-cut truth. It will be as a sword cutting both ways. But be not too ready to take a controversial attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see the salvation of God. Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope, ‘the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star.’” TM 118. (Emphasis added.)
      ——“When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart.
      —“The Lord will bless all who seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation . . . One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation—that the connection between God and His people is close and decided.” TM 114. (Emphasis added.)
      —“The book of Revelation . . . should be studied with reverential awe. The Lord Himself revealed to His servant John the mysteries of the book of Revelation, and He designs that they shall be open to the study of all. 7BC 954. (Emphasis added.)
FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND.
      —“Then let no more time be lost in dwelling on the many things which are not essential and which have no bearing upon the present necessities of God’s people. Let no more time be lost in exalting men who know not the truth, ‘for the time is at hand.’ There is no
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time now to fill the mind with theories of what is popularly called ‘higher education.’ The time devoted to that which does not tend to assimilate the soul to the likeness of Christ is so much time lost for eternity. This we cannot afford, for every moment is freighted with eternal interests. Now, when the great work of judging the living is about to begin, shall we allow unsanctified ambition to take possession of the heart and lead us to neglect the education required to meet the needs in this day of peril? . . . And now, when we are on the borders of the eternal world, what can be of so much value to us as to be found loyal and true to the God of heaven? What is there that we should prize above His truth and His law?” 6T 130. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Brethren, to whom the truths of God’s word have been opened, what part will you act in the closing scenes of this world’s history? Are you awake to these solemn realities? Do you realize the grand work of preparation that is going on in heaven and on earth? Let all who have received the light, who have had the opportunity of reading and hearing the prophecy, take heed to those things that are written therein; ‘for the time is at hand’”; 6T 404.
—Soon intercession for sinners will cease. Soon Jesus will cast the golden censer out of heaven. (Revelation 8:5.) Soon these solemn words will be pronounced:
HE THAT IS UNJUST, LET HIM BE UNJUST STILL:
      —the hosts of wicked, who have never professed to love God
AND HE WHICH IS FILTHY, LET HIM BE FILTHY STILL.
      —the professed Christians who wear robes of self-righteousness
AND HE THAT IS RIGHTEOUS, LET HIM BE RIGHTEOUS STILL:
      —the redeemed of all ages who followed God’s Light. John 1:9.
AND HE THAT IS HOLY, LET HIM BE HOLY STILL.
      —“. . . They shall call them, The holy people, . . . A city not forsaken.” Isaiah 62:12. Holiness is a gift from Jesus to all—even the 144,000.
      —“When probation ends, it will come suddenly, unexpectedly—at a time when we are least expecting it. But we can have a clean record in heaven today, and know that God accepts us; and finally, if faithful, we shall be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.” 7BC 989. (Emphasis added.)
      —“The obedient are called the just; they are drawn to the holy magnet, Jesus Christ; the holy attracts the holy. He that is unjust will be unjust still. Character cannot then be made or transformed. The oil of grace cannot be lent by one to another, neither have the foolish virgins time to buy oil for themselves.” TM 235, 236.
AND, BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY;
AND MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HIS WORK SHALL BE.
      —“Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous. This decision must be made prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes, His reward is with Him, ‘to give every man according as his work shall be.’ Before His coming, then, the character
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of every man’s work will have been determined, and to every one of Christ’s followers the reward will have been apportioned’ according to his deeds.
      —“It is while men are still dwelling upon the earth that the work of investigative judgment takes place in the courts of heaven. The lives of all His professed followers pass in review before God. All are examined according to the record of the books of heaven, and according to his deeds the destiny of each is forever fixed.” COL 310.
      —“Every good deed done by the people of God as the fruit of their faith, will have its corresponding reward. As one star differeth from another star in glory, so will believers have their different spheres assigned them in the future life.” TM 428, 429.
I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END, THE FIRST AND THE LAST.
      —“When the students of prophecy shall set their hearts to know the truths of Revelation, they will realize what an importance is attached to this search. Christ Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Genesis of the Old Testament, and the Revelation of the New. Both meet together in Christ.” 6BC 1092.
      —“All the great truths of the Scriptures center in Christ; rightly understood, all lead to Him. Let Christ be presented as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, of the great plan of redemption.” Ev 485.
      —And now, Jesus gives us the seventh and last blessing in this great book of His Revelation:
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, THAT’ THEY MAY HAVE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER IN THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY.
      —“The law of God existed before man was created. It was adapted to the condition of holy beings; even angels were governed by it. After the Fall, the principles of righteousness were unchanged. Nothing was taken from the law; not one of its holy precepts could be improved. And as it has existed from the beginning, so will it continue to exist throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.” 1SM 220.
      —“Every soul who fastens himself to the divine, everlasting covenant, made and presented to us as a sign and mark of God’s government, fastens himself to the golden chain of obedience, every link of which is a promise. He shows that he regards God’s Word as above the word of man, God’s love as preferable to the love of man. And those who repent of transgression, and return to their loyalty by accepting God’s mark, show themselves to be true subjects, ready to do His will, to obey His commandments. True observance of the Sabbath is the sign of loyalty to God.” 7BC 981.
      —“God requires of all His subjects obedience, entire obedience to all His commandments. He demands now as ever perfect righteousness as the only title to heaven. Christ is our hope and our refuge. His righteousness is imputed only to the obedient.” 6BC 1072.
      —“When we do our best, He becomes our righteousness.” 1SM 368.
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      —“Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided, can make us meet to appear in God’s presence. This covering, the robe of His righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul . . .
      —“This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. ‘All our righteousness are as filthy rags. [Isaiah 64:6.] Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin . . . But Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, ‘I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.’ . . . ‘I have kept My Father’s commandments.’ [Psalm 40:8; John 15:10.] . . .When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us, He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah . . .
      —“Righteousness is right-doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine . . .
      —“We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. ‘He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us. “Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments,’ [1John 3:24; 2:3.] This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.” COL 311-313. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Christ looks at the spirit, and when He sees us carrying our burden with faith, His perfect holiness atones for our shortcomings.” 1SM 368.
      —He “takes us to the threshold of infinity, and shows us its glories, declaring them to be within the reach of all who will live in harmony with the laws of God. Through obedience to the laws of Jehovah, the human family may become a united, happy family in the city of God; but there is no room there for those who have no regard for the will of the Lord. All who will may gain everlasting life, but they must gain it by accepting the law of God as their guide in this life instead of seeking to follow their own laws . . . To those who live a life that is in harmony with the Father, Christ will impart the virtues of His life.
      —“Think ye that the commandment-keepers will be sorry, and mourn when the pearly gates of the Golden City of God are swung back upon their glittering hinges, and they are welcomed in? No, never. They will then rejoice, that they are not under the bondage of the law, but that they have kept God’s law, and therefore are free from it. They will have right to the tree of life, a right to its healing leaves.” SD 47. (Emphasis added.)
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      —“When we bring our lives to complete obedience to the law of God, regarding God as our supreme Guide, and clinging to Christ as our hope of righteousness, God will work in our behalf. This is a righteousness of faith, a righteousness hidden in a mystery of which the worldling knows nothing, and which he cannot understand . . . The commandments of God diligently studied and practiced, open to us communication with heaven, and distinguish for us the true from the false.” 1BC 1118. (Emphasis added.)
      —“It is impossible for us to exalt the law of Jehovah unless we take hold of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.” 6BC 1073.
      —“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15.
      —“None who have had the light of truth will enter the city of God as commandment breakers. His law lies at the foundation of His government in earth and in heaven. If they have knowingly trampled upon and despised His law on the earth, they will not be taken to heaven to do the same work there; there is no change in character when Christ comes. The character building is to go on during the hours of probation. Day by day their actions are registered in the books of heaven, and they will, in the great day of God, be rewarded as their works have been. It will then be seen who receives the blessing. ‘Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” 7BC 990. (Emphasis added.)
      —“The God of heaven has placed a benediction [the seventh one] upon them that keep the commandments of God.” SD 47.
      —“The gates of the holy city will open to those who have been humble, meek, lowly followers of His, having learned their lessons from Him, and received from Him their life insurance policy . . .
      —“Those who enter heaven will not scale its walls by their own righteousness . . . But they will gain an entrance to the many mansions of the Father’s house through the merits of the cross of Christ.” ML 339; SD 233. (Emphasis added.)
      —“He who has been faithful over the ‘few things’ of earth, will be made ruler over ‘many things’ in the eternal world of glory.” SD 47.

Whosoever Loveth and Maketh a Lie:
      —This is the third time in Revelation 21 and 22 that our Saviour tells us—in anxiety, no doubt—who will not enter heaven:
FOR WITHOUT ARE DOGS, AND SORCERERS, AND WHOREMONGERS, AND MURDERERS, AND IDOLATERS, AND WHOSOEVER LOVETH AND MAKETH A LIE.
      —There are similarities in the three lists, but the only characteristic that is mentioned all three times is Iying.
      —It not only condemns outright liars and exaggerators, but those who make up lies. Would not fiction from unreal life, which excites and corrupts the imagination, come under this category? And would not those who spend their precious moments of probation, reading and watching these made-up stories, be those who, love the lies which others write?
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      —“The readers [or viewers] of fiction are indulging an evil that destroys spirituality, eclipsing the beauty of the sacred page. It creates an unhealthy excitement, fevers the imagination, unfits the mind for usefulness, weans the soul from prayer, and disqualifies it for any spiritual exercise . . .
      —“What a mass of fictitious reading is there in the world, to fill the mind with fancies and follies, thus creating a disrelish for the words of truth and righteousness! The mind is thus unfitted for solemn thought, for patient, persevering investigation of the Scriptures, which is the guide book by which you are to be directed to the paradise of God.” MYP 272, 277.
      —“You have indulged in novel and story reading until you live in an imaginary world. The influence of such reading is injurious to both the mind and the body; it weakens the intellect and brings a fearful tax upon the physical strength. At times your mind is scarcely sane because the imagination has been overexcited and diseased by reading fictitious stories . . . The memory is greatly injured by ill-chosen reading, which has a tendency to unbalance the reasoning powers and to create nervousness, weariness of the brain, and prostration of the entire system. If the imagination is constantly overfed and stimulated by fictitious literature, it soon becomes a tyrant, controlling all the other faculties of the mind and causing the taste to become fitful and the tendencies perverse.” 4T 497. (Emphasis added.)
      —[Some books and programs that are true, can disturb the mind also!]
      —“How many books are there concerning war and bloodshed, which mislead the youth! As they read, Satan stands at their side to inspire them with the spirit of the warrior of whom they read, and their blood becomes heated in their veins, and they are stirred up to do cruel actions. How numerous are immoral books, which lead to unholy desires, and fire the passions of the heart, and lead away from all that is pure and holy!
      —“You have had your magical books, in which the very scenes and pictures were inspired by him who was once an exalted angel in the courts of heaven . . .
      —“I am personally acquainted with some who have lost the healthy tone of the mind through wrong habits of reading. They go through life with a diseased imagination, magnifying every little grievance. Things which a sound, sensible mind would not notice, become to them unendurable trials, insurmountable obstacles. To them, life is in constant shadow . . .
      —“The mind craved stimulation as the drunkard craves intoxicating drink. These youth manifested no spirit of devotion; no heavenly light was shed upon their associates to lead them to the fount of knowledge. They had no deep, religious experience . . . We can find no more fit name for them than ‘mental inebriates.’
      —“Intemperate habits of reading exert a pernicious influence upon the brain as surely as does intemperance in eating and drinking . . .
      —“A long preparatory process, unknown to the world, goes on in the heart before the Christian commits open sin. The mind does not
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come down at once from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption and crime. It takes time to degrade those formed in the image of God to the brutal or the satanic. By beholding, we become changed. By the indulgence of impure thoughts, man can so educate his mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him . . .
      —“Books on sensational topics, published and circulated as a moneymaking scheme, might better never be read by the youth. There is a satanic fascination in such books. The heart-sickening recital of crimes and atrocities has a bewitching power upon many, exciting them to see what they can do to bring themselves into notice, even by the wickedest deeds. The enormities, the cruelties, the licentious practices, portrayed in some of the strictly historical writings have acted as leaven on many minds, leading to the commission of similar acts.
      —“Books that delineate the satanic practices of human beings are giving publicity to evil. These horrible particulars need not be lived over, and no one who believes the truth for this time should act a part in perpetuating the memory of them. When the intellect is fed and stimulated by this depraved food, the thoughts become impure and sensual.” MYP 277-284. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Everything that can be done should be done to place ourselves and our children where we shall not see the iniquity that is practiced in the world. We should carefully guard the sight of our eyes and the hearing of our ears so that these awful things shall not enter our minds. When the daily newspaper comes into the house, I feel as if I want to hide it, that the ridiculous, sensational things in it may not, be seen. It seems as if the enemy is at the foundation of the publishing of many things that appear in newspapers. Every sinful thing that can be found is uncovered and laid bare before the world.
      —“Those who would have that wisdom which is from God must become fools in the sinful knowledge of this age, in order to be wise. They should shut their eyes, that they may see and learn no evil. They should close their ears, lest they hear that which is evil and obtain that knowledge which would stain their purity of thoughts and acts . . .
      —“Do not see how close you can walk upon the brink of a precipice and be safe. Avoid the first approach to danger. The soul’s interests cannot be trifled with. Your capital is your character. Cherish it as you would a golden treasure. Moral purity, self-respect, a strong power of resistance, must be firmly and constantly cherished. There should not be one departure from reserve; one act of familiarity, one indiscretion, may jeopardize the soul in opening the door to temptation, and the power of resistance becomes weakened.” AH 403, 404. (Emphasis added.)
      —If you are preparing to dwell with God, what will be your attitude toward the crime and corruption in our world today?
      “. . .Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.” Isaiah 33:14, 15. (Emphasis added.)
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      —“What havoc has this love for light reading wrought with the mind! . . . It is like a slow poison taken into the system, which will sooner or later reveal its bitter effects.” 5T 545. (Emphasis added.)
      —There is another group of people who love and make lies, who will also be outside the gates of the New Jerusalem:
      “Cut loose from these whose delight it is to war against the truth of God. A little from this true character will be developed. They are of that class who love and make a lie.” 2T 111.
      —How does God regard all falsehood?
      “Lying lips are an abomination to Him. He declares that into the Holy City ‘there shall in no wise enter . . . anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.’ Revelation 21:27. Let truth telling be held with no loose hand or uncertain grasp. Let it become a part of the life. Playing fast and loose with truth, and dissembling to suit one’s own selfish plans, means shipwreck of faith . . . He who utters untruths sells his soul in a cheap market.” AA 76. (Emphasis added.)
      —“It is not the magnitude of the matter that makes it fair or unfair . . . A slight deviation from truth, a little variation from the requirements of God, is thought to be, after all, not so very sinful, when pecuniary gain or loss is involved. But sin is sin, whether committed by the possessor of millions or by the beggar in the streets. Those who secure property by false representations are bringing condemnation on their souls. All that is obtained by deceit and fraud will be only a curse to the receiver.” 4T 311. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Falsehood and deception of every cast is sin against the God of truth and verity . . . Ye shall not ‘deal falsely, neither lie one to another.’ . . . God is a God of sincerity and truth . . . How, then, must prevarication and any exaggeration or deception appear in His sight?
      —“. . . Even life itself should not be purchased with the price of falsehood. By a word or a nod the martyrs might have denied the truth and saved their lives. By consenting to cast a single grain of incense upon the idol altar they might have been saved from the rack, the scaffold, or the cross. But they refused to be false in word or deed, though life was the boon they would receive by so doing. Imprisonment, torture, and death, with a clear conscience, were welcomed by them, rather than deliverance on condition of deception, falsehood, and apostasy. By fidelity and faith in Christ they earned spotless robes and jeweled crowns . . .
      —“Men . . . cannot be Christ’s followers and yet be in league with him who ‘loveth and maketh a lie.’ . . . It is a close test upon the courage of men and women to be brought to face their own sins and to frankly acknowledge them. To say, ‘That mistake must be charged to my account,’ requires a strength of inward principle that the world possesses in but a limited degree. But he who has the courage to say this in sincerity gains a decided victory over self and effectually closes the door against the enemy.” 4T 336, 337. (Emphasis added.)
      —“It is a shame to sin, but always an honor to confess sin . . . Your sin in seeking to cover up, . . . has been tenfold greater.” 2T 300. (Emphasis added.)
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      —Those who are inside the gates of the New Jerusalem honor God’s commandments, and have communion with His Son.
      —Those who are outside the gates of this holy city, disrespect God’s commandments, and have communion with His adversary.
      —After the millennium, all paths lead to the New Jerusalem. None will be absent. Where will you be—on the inside or the outside?
      —“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
“For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:14, 15.
      —You stand at the crossroads today.
There are only two routes.
Which way will you choose?

A Letter From Your Friend With Detailed Information:
      —Jesus has presented to His people, in the book of Revelation—
          —a picture of the glories of the eternal world, and
          —a picture of the eternal fate of the wicked.
      —He has presented—life and death!
      —He stands before you now with nail-pierced hands outstretched, inviting you to choose life and live with Him forever!
      —Look at the tender love in His expression!
      —Listen to His soft voice of gentle persuasion.
      —See Him once more on Mount Olives—waiting for the triumphant entry—His body racked with sobs, as His heart cries out for the people He came to save.
      —Peer into the shades of dark Gethsemane, and behold Him as He clings to the cold ground—pressed down with the weight of your sins and mine.
      —Envision again the old rugged cross standing on Mount Calvary, as the world’s Redeemer purchases the right to be your Saviour!
      —This is the wonderful Jesus who is sending to you the book of Revelation. It is a personal letter from your best Friend. He longs for you to accept His messages, and prepare to become a resident in that beautiful mansion which could be yours!
I JESUS
      —your elder Brother and your Saviour
HAVE SENT MINE ANGEL TO TESTIFY UNTO YOU THESE THINGS IN THE CHURCHES.
      —Let them occupy the “first place” in your mind.
      —Let them give you “an entirely different religious experience.”
      —Let them show you “that the connection between God and His people is close and decided.” (8T 203; TM 114.)
      —Let them become—The Revelation of Jesus Christ—to you!
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      —Visit your Isle of Patmos frequently. You’ll find new beauty at every visit—and fresh inspiration!
      —As you go through each day, keep its messages in your mind. Meditate on them. Memorize them. You’ll find new mental strength as you exercise your thoughts in fixing God’s word in your memory. A passage can really become yours as you memorize it.
      —After the Revelation of Jesus Christ to His people has been passed through your mind, permit it to go through your will also. Choose to accept Him as your guiding Light. What you memorize will have no saving value until you make this choice. The Holy Spirit will take your surrendered will and sanctify it to the glory of God, if you will permit Him to. Once you choose—and place your will on God’s side—the battle for your salvation is safe in His hands. You will follow where He leads the way, knowing that He is preparing you to live with Him through eternity. There will be difficulties, but you will rejoice that God can make something valuable out of these lumps of clay. He is in charge! MH 182:
          —“God has promised:
            ‘I will make a man
            more precious than fine
            gold;
Even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.’ Isaiah 13:12.
            ‘Though ye have lain among the pots,
            Yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold.’ Psalm 68:13.
            “Those whom Christ has forgiven most will love Him most.”
      —After the passages from the book of Revelation have passed through your mind and will, pass them through your emotions.
          —Ask God to let you hear by faith the same voices which John heard, especially the voices coming from the throne room.
          —Look up into the heavens and envision the angels bringing important messages to you.
          —Hear the arches of heaven ring with joy as one of God’s children is sealed for eternity!
          —Listen to the voices of weeping as a name is removed from the book of life, and entered into the book of death.
          —Share the emotion of Jesus as He raises His hands, in front of God’s throne, saying—I died for him, Father; He accepted My sacrifice. He is a brand plucked from the burning. Let him be a part of Our Family forever.
          —Weep with Jesus, as He throws the censer out of heaven, and probation closes for earth’s teeming millions.
          —Look ahead to that thrilling day when the redeemed kneel on the sea of glass, and Jesus Himself places the crown of glory on their heads. See the two Adams meet. Imagine you hear the singing of the saints as they march through the gates of the New Jerusalem, and they behold their city for the first time.
          —Watch the foolish virgins—after the second resurrection—as they come to the gates of the city end enumerate their good deeds. See their faces as Jesus tells them they cannot enter!
      —Feel the book of Revelation! Make it a part of your emotions
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      —“Just to the degree in which the word of God is received and obeyed, will it impress with its potency and touch with its life every spring of action, every phase of character. It will purify every thought, regulate every desire. Those who make God’s word their trust will quit themselves like men and be strong. They will rise above all baser things into an atmosphere free from defilement
      —“When man is in fellowship with God, that unswerving purpose which preserved Joseph and Daniel amidst the corruption of heathen courts, will make his a life of unsullied purity . . . In his life the light of Christ will be undimmed. The Bright and Morning Star will appear shining steadfastly above him in changeless glory.
      —“Such a life will be . . . a barrier against evil, a safeguard to the tempted, a guiding light to those who, amidst difficulties and discouragements, are seeking the right way.” MH 136. (Emphasis added.)
      —Hear the words of Jesus coming to us from the shores of Patmos:
I AM THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID,
      —“. . . God gave His only begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature . . . In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. DA 25. (Emphasis added.)
AND THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR.
      —“He is the bright and morning Star, shining amid the moral darkness of this sinful, corrupt world. He is the light of the world, and all who give their hearts to Him will find peace, rest, and joy . . . Christ will restore both body and soul, and, realizing His compassion and love, they will rest in Him.” MM 109, 110.
      —“Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope, ‘the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright and morning Star.’” TM 118. (Emphasis added.)
      —Sing the songs in the book of Revelation. There are seven songs or groups of songs in this thrilling book. Set them to your own music, or to the music of hymns you already know. Sing them through the day. This will help keep your thoughts on your Saviour, and your eternal inheritance. The plan of redemption will become more real with every new song which springs out of your heart. Ask God to give you songs from the book of Revelation—and He will.
A Personal Project:
      —Sometimes when the congregation sings in church, instead of saying the same words everyone else is, softly sing a prayer to the same tune. It can be most meaningful!
Family Project:
      —Begin making a list of what there won’t be in heaven, that is familiar to you today. (Don’t mention Satan’s merchandise—just the things in a Christian’s life.) Examples: no padlocks, no injections, no animal cages, no dentures, no bank statements, no insecticides, no insurance reports, no overcoats, no light bulbs, no income tax reports, no stethoscopes, no postage stamps, no filling stations, no umbrellas, and no money—but the wealth of the universe!
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The Gospel Invitation is to be Presented to Every Living Soul:
      —“None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ . . . No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded. Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own nature . . . Angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power.” DA 258, 259. (Emphasis added.)
      —Who is to present the precious invitation to earth’s inhabitants appealing to them to make preparations for the heavenly home?
AND THE SPIRIT
      —the divine Person of the Godhead, who is in charge of God’s work on earth—working through angels and through men
AND THE BRIDE,
      —the intercessors, who will someday have New Jerusalem written on their foreheads, the 144,000, (Revelation 3:12; EW 15; GC 426)
SAY, COME.
      —“Come to Jesus just as you are, sinful, weak, and needy, and He will give you the water of life.” ML 91.
      —“In the power of the Spirit the delegated servants of Christ are to bear witness for their Leader. The yearning desire of the Saviour for the salvation of sinners is to mark all their efforts.” 9T 43.
      —“When you sanctify yourself through obedience to the word, the Holy Spirit will give you glimpses of heavenly things. When you seek God with humiliation and earnestness, the words which you have spoken in freezing accents will burn in your hearts; the truth will not then languish upon your tongues.” FE 436. (Emphasis added.)
AND LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME.
      —“Everyone who has heard the invitation is to echo the message from hill and valley, saying, ‘Come.’. . . There is a large work to be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members. ‘ AA 110, 111. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Whatever one’s calling in life, his first interest should be to win souls for Christ. He may not be able to speak to congregations, but he can work for individuals.” DA 822. (Emphasis added.)
      —“All are to join in the invitation. Not only by their profession, but by their character and dress, all are to have a winning influence. They are made trustees for the world, executors of the will of One who has bequeathed sacred truth to men. Would that all could feel the dignity and glory of their God-given trust.” 5T 207.
      —“We have no time to give our energies and talents to worldly enterprises . . . Let every talent be employed in the work of God . . . God will do the work if we will furnish Him the instruments.” 9T 104, 107. (Emphasis added.)
Throw out the lifeline!
      —“There are many who err, and who feel their shame and their folly. They look upon their mistakes and errors until they are driven almost to desperation. These souls we are not to neglect. When one has to swim against the stream, there is all the force of the current
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driving him back. Let a helping hand then be held out to him as was the elder Brother’s hand to the sinking Peter.” COL 387. (Emphasis added.)
      —“There are souls starving for sympathy, starving for the bread of life . . . The matter has been presented to me thus: A drowning man, vainly struggling with the waves, discovers a boat, and with his last remaining strength succeeds in reaching it, and lays hold upon its side. In his weakness he cannot speak, but the agony upon his face would excite pity in any heart that was touched with human tenderness. But do the occupants of the boat stretch out their hands to lift him in? No! All heaven looks on as these men beat off the feeble, clinging hands, and a suffering fellow being sinks beneath the waves, to rise no more. This scene has been enacted over and over again. It has been witnessed by One who gave His life for the ransom of just such souls . . . Jesus says, ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you . . .’ Calvary reveals to every one of us the depths of that love.” TM 353, 354. (Emphasis added.)
      —“There is a great work to be done, and every effort possible must be made to reveal Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour, Christ as the Sin Bearer, Christ as the bright and morning Star; and the Lord will give us favor before the world until our work is done.” 6T 20, 21.
AND LET HIM THAT IS ATHIRST COME
      —“Christ has opened a fountain for the sinful, suffering world . . .” 6T 86.
      —“When we respond to God, and say, ‘Lord, we come,’ then with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.” CT 371.
      —“‘I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground;’ ‘in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.’ The invitation is given, ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.’ [Isaiah 44:3; 35:6; 55:1.] And in the closing pages of the sacred word this invitation is echoed. The river of the water of life, ‘clear as crystal,’ proceeds from the throne of God and the Lamb; and the gracious call is ringing down through the ages,
WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.” PP 413.
      —“‘Whosoever will’ may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life. . . To all, forgiveness is freely offered.” DA 745
      —“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Esau and Jacob had alike been instructed in the knowledge of God, and both were free to walk in His commandments and to receive His favor; but they had not both chosen to do this . . .
      —“There was no arbitrary choice on the part of God, by which Esau was shut out from the blessings of salvation. The gifts of His grace through Christ are free to all. There is no election but one’s own by which any may perish. God has set forth in His word the
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conditions upon which every soul will be elected to eternal life —obedience to His commandments, through faith in Christ. God has elected a character in harmony with His law, and any one who shall reach the standard of His requirement, will have an entrance into the kingdom of glory. Christ Himself said, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.’ ‘Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.’ [John 3:36; Matthew 7:21.] . . .
      —“The provisions of redemption are free to all; the results of redemption will be enjoyed by those who have complied with the conditions. PP 207, 208. (Emphasis m the original and added.)
      —“It is today that the heavenly invitation comes to you . . . Come, for all things are now ready. Whosoever will, let him come and partake of the waters of life freely.” SD 67.

God Warns Against Tampering with His Word in the Revelation:
      —“Men cannot with impunity trample upon the word of God. The meaning of this fearful denunciation [Revelation 11:5] is set forth in the closing chapter of the Revelation:
I TESTIFY UNTO EVERY MAN THAT HEARETH THE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK, IF ANY MAN SHALL ADD UNTO THESE THINGS, GOD SHALL ADD UNTO HIM THE PLAGUES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK:
AND IF ANY MAN SHALL TAKE AWAY FROM THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF THIS PROPHECY, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY HIS PART OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, AND OUT OF THE HOLY CITY, AND FROM THE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK.
      —“Such are the warnings which God has given to guard men against changing in any manner that which He has revealed or commanded. These solemn denunciations apply to all who by their influence lead men to regard lightly the law of God. They should cause those to fear and tremble who flippantly declare it a matter of little consequence whether we obey God’s law or not. All who exalt their own opinions above divine revelation, all who would change the plain meaning of Scripture to suit their own convenience, or for the sake of conforming to the world, are taking upon themselves a fearful responsibility. The written word, the law of God, will measure the character of every man and condemn all whom this unerring test shall declare wanting.” GC 268. (Emphasis added.)
      —“For human agents to misconstrue and put a forced, half truthful, and mystical construction upon the oracles of God, is an act which endangers their own souls, and the souls of others . . .
      —“The testimony of the Alpha and Omega in regard to the punishment for making nonessential one word spoken by the mouth of God, is the fearful denunciation that they shall receive of the plagues that are written in the book; their names shall be taken out of the book of life, and from the holy city.” FE 386, 387.
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Even So, Come, Lord Jesus!
HE
      —Jesus
WHICH TESTIFIETH THESE THINGS
      —recorded in the stirring and momentous book of Revelation
SAITH, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. AMEN.
      —“The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers. The Saviour’s parting promise upon Olivet, that He would come again, lighted up the future for His disciples, filling their hearts with joy and hope that sorrow could not quench nor trials dim. Amid suffering and persecution, the ‘appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ’ was the ‘blessed hope.’ [Titus 2:13.] . . .
      —“On rocky Patmos the beloved disciple hears the promise, ‘Surely I come quickly,’ and his longing response voices the prayer of the church in all her pilgrimage,
‘EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS.’” GC 302. (Emphasis added.)
      —The apostle John, seated on the rocky Isle of Patmos, responds to His Lord’s farewell message. He addresses His Master in the same familiar way that he did when Jesus walked on earth. (“Ye call Me Master and Lord . . .” John 13:13.)
      —It is a sad farewell—on that lonely island of exile where John had been banished “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 1:9.) But it is a blessed farewell!
      —For over six decades John had served his Master with devotion—ever since Jesus ascended from Mt. Olives. John’s body is bent with age; the lines in his face are deep, but there is a light in his eyes and a hope in his heart! He has received a new commission from his Lord to write out the visions of Patmos. And with joy he a accepts this special assignment from his best Friend.
      —Without doubt, as his Lord prepares to return to heaven, there is a quiver in John’s voice, as he tells his Lord good-by. But it is in joyfulness and faith that he repeats these immortal words,
          “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
      —After Jesus disappears, John turns to his task of putting down in writing the things he has seen and heard on that memorable day.
      —And as he sends the Revelation of Jesus Christ out to the churches, he adds his prayer for us
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.
      —The Revelation of Jesus Christ to His people is now in our possession! After John wrote it down on that rocky Isle, it reached the mainland, where faithful Christians made copies of it and sent it to the believers. Duplications were made by hand. It was copied by candlelight in the caves during the dark ages. It was translated by faithful men who loved God’s word more than life itself. It has been preserved through the centuries by the hand of One who wanted you to see Jesus revealed in its 22 chapters of 404 words—and know Him as your Saviour! I
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      —In our study the book of Revelation has been divided in seven sections.
          —emphasizing His character of love;
          —emphasizing His messages of counsel;
          —emphasizing His work in the sanctuary;
          —emphasizing His guideposts for the storm;
          —emphasizing His care for His church;
          —emphasizing His protection through the plagues;
          —emphasizing His rewards for those who love Him.
But there is an infinity beyond! The half has never yet been told! May God’s Spirit give us each day new glimpses of our wonderful Lord!
      —“Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities; but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold the blessed hereafter as pictured by the hand of God. He who died for the sins of the world is opening wide the gates of Paradise to all who believe on Him. Soon the battle will have been fought, the victory won. Soon we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered . . .
      —“Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed.” PK 731, 732. (Emphasis added.)
      —We have studied the description of the new earth, as it has been purified and recreated—and divided into inheritance plots for each of the redeemed.

      —We have looked at the Holy City “which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God,” (Hebrews 11:10)—with its mansions gloriously prepared for the twelve tribes of Israel.
      —We have seen Mount Zion with its stately temple towering above the New Jerusalem, as white-robed singers fill heaven with rich music.
      —But —these beautiful word pictures are only the faintest gleaming of what lies beyond the blue—for those who love God.
          —“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1Corinthains 2:9.

      —As we contemplate the privileges which are in store for God’s children in the hereafter, all of these beauties will fade in the background. There are two glorious experiences which will outshine everything else.
          —The redeemed will look on the face of the Eternal One, and call Him—Father!
          —They will sit at the feet of Jesus, and know Him as their
elder Brother!
      —“The definition of heaven is the presence of Christ.” 7BC 989. (Emphasis added.)
      —The Revelation of Jesus Christ to His People
          —will soon be face to face!
      —“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
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